Dear Readers,
I would like to ask you to pray for IOI's work in Ethiopia. For almost 12 years we have supported indigenous ministries and ministers. Until now we have worked through existing churches and organizations like Operation Rescue Ethiopia (the childcare project in Mekele).
The need to register IOI as an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) became apparent a couple of years ago. As an NGO we could own property and import materials to advance the ministry. Registering as an NGO would also provide some legal protection for those involved in the ministry. Also, if you know much about IOI you know we plan to build a model village in Ethiopia where we train students in theology, agriculture, health care and vocation.
After almost two years in process we have been told by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that our application will be rejected. This news has been disheartening, especially since we have funds, materials and volunteers committed to make this vision become a reality.
We have been told that we can be "religious" or "charitable", but not both. Ironically the word "charity" is a Christian idea. In Websters Dictionary the definition is "(Christian theology) ...love for one's fellow man". Many secular organizations have been involved in welfare projects and are even called "Charities" - in many minds charity has been divorced from Christianity. How bizarre that a government institution would try to separate Christianity from charity.
We know that when God closes one door He often opens another. We are confident that the training program will progress, most likely through the churches of Ethiopia rather than a campus. We are also exploring ways to invest in the people of Ethiopia in an effort to help the poorest of the poor work their way out of poverty.
Please pray that God will guide us through this process and that the end of the matter will be far better than the beginning has been.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick
Showing posts with label Patrick's Paragraphs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patrick's Paragraphs. Show all posts
Friday, November 12, 2010
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Patrick's Paragraphs - Confident Giving
In the weeks since my return from Ethiopia I have been doing a bit of soul searching concerning how it is that we raise funds. I witnessed such great need in Ethiopia that I came home burdened to be more active with the raising of funds. The ministers we support have been in hardship with over 100% inflation this past year, and we are lacking enough sponsors for the childcare project that does so much good.
I visited with many missionaries supported through IOI and some of the children served through the TLC project. To say that they have been good stewards is an extreme understatement. Two of the indigenous missionaries had even neglected their own health in order to minister to the needs of their families and fellow church members.
In the Didache (an ancient pastoral) we are taught that a prophet that asks for money for himself is false. However, it is considered good practice for a true prophet to ask on behalf of others. We see this example in Scripture when the Apostle Paul seeks funding for the poor church in Jerusalem. (2 Corinthians 9)
A series of false prophets and programs have plagued the American airwaves over the past four decades. Charlatans have pronounced curses over Christians who do not give, all the while promising riches to those who do. We have learned of ministries that send only a small percentage to the poor while keeping the majority of funds for “administration.” Many have grown cold and sarcastic as we have watched and maybe even at times been victims of these swindlers.
The fact is that God does not need our money, nor does He require that we give Him our money so that He can bless us. The requirement for the Christian is that any giving be generous and cheerful! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
I can in clear conscience appeal to you today on behalf of your brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, and the ministry of the True Light Childcare project. Indeed it is my joy to share this opportunity with you today, and it will be my joy to be the conduit of this blessing to the Church in Ethiopia.
In closing I want to thank those who join in this ministry of blessing by giving to the CORE fund in order that all the designated giving goes to directly benefit the ministers and families in Ethiopia.v
I visited with many missionaries supported through IOI and some of the children served through the TLC project. To say that they have been good stewards is an extreme understatement. Two of the indigenous missionaries had even neglected their own health in order to minister to the needs of their families and fellow church members.
In the Didache (an ancient pastoral) we are taught that a prophet that asks for money for himself is false. However, it is considered good practice for a true prophet to ask on behalf of others. We see this example in Scripture when the Apostle Paul seeks funding for the poor church in Jerusalem. (2 Corinthians 9)
A series of false prophets and programs have plagued the American airwaves over the past four decades. Charlatans have pronounced curses over Christians who do not give, all the while promising riches to those who do. We have learned of ministries that send only a small percentage to the poor while keeping the majority of funds for “administration.” Many have grown cold and sarcastic as we have watched and maybe even at times been victims of these swindlers.
The fact is that God does not need our money, nor does He require that we give Him our money so that He can bless us. The requirement for the Christian is that any giving be generous and cheerful! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
I can in clear conscience appeal to you today on behalf of your brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, and the ministry of the True Light Childcare project. Indeed it is my joy to share this opportunity with you today, and it will be my joy to be the conduit of this blessing to the Church in Ethiopia.
In closing I want to thank those who join in this ministry of blessing by giving to the CORE fund in order that all the designated giving goes to directly benefit the ministers and families in Ethiopia.v
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Prayer for Laborers
In these past days I have had strong mixed emotions. With Negash in town Stephen and I have traveled more miles than I care to count, and we shared about the ministry of IOI with hundreds of people. This is a direct answer to prayer, but it also brings a new set of challenges.
When we prayed for a multiplication of the ministry it was because we believe that what we are doing is truly a ministry from God. We want to raise up 300 new missionaries in Ethiopia, continue to support current ministers on a greater level and send out 70 Ethiopians to neighboring nations to share the Good News in places we often cannot go. For this to happen there will have to be an increase in resources and already we are seeing it begin to happen.
We have a great need now for help in these ripe fields.
I recently got a call, “Why don’t you guys answer your phone?!?” The simple answer is that we have not been in the office to answer it. As the work of sharing about the ministry has increased and the paperwork involved with growing the ministry has increased we simply do not have enough time to do it all. Granted, these past eight weeks have been unusually busy, but there seems to be a little light at the end of the tunnel as the annual Bible Conference is just around the corner and the Spring Speaking schedule begins in February.
In addition to teams to Ethiopia, we need help here at home as well. I believe God will raise up laborers and provision for all the dreams He has given us. Will you join us in praying that the Lord of the Harvest will send laborers?
When we prayed for a multiplication of the ministry it was because we believe that what we are doing is truly a ministry from God. We want to raise up 300 new missionaries in Ethiopia, continue to support current ministers on a greater level and send out 70 Ethiopians to neighboring nations to share the Good News in places we often cannot go. For this to happen there will have to be an increase in resources and already we are seeing it begin to happen.
We have a great need now for help in these ripe fields.
I recently got a call, “Why don’t you guys answer your phone?!?” The simple answer is that we have not been in the office to answer it. As the work of sharing about the ministry has increased and the paperwork involved with growing the ministry has increased we simply do not have enough time to do it all. Granted, these past eight weeks have been unusually busy, but there seems to be a little light at the end of the tunnel as the annual Bible Conference is just around the corner and the Spring Speaking schedule begins in February.
In addition to teams to Ethiopia, we need help here at home as well. I believe God will raise up laborers and provision for all the dreams He has given us. Will you join us in praying that the Lord of the Harvest will send laborers?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Update on Lauren
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Lauren!
I have not written much about her lately, but her recovery has been very slow and there has not been much to tell. However, in the past couple of weeks she has really seemed to be her old self, minus the hip displacement. She is eating well and I think maybe even gaining some weight. Her hips are still somewhat tender, or sensitive, but over all she is doing really well. She has returned to her therapy schedule (minus the horseback riding for now) and she is making marked improvement in many ways.
We remain hopeful that she will be able to walk, or at the very least have some level of mobility in the future.
Please continue to pray for Lauren and her complete healing. Praise God for so many answered prayers so far. Pray too for Lana as she continues to try to balance all of her responsibilities while she battles UC.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick
I have not written much about her lately, but her recovery has been very slow and there has not been much to tell. However, in the past couple of weeks she has really seemed to be her old self, minus the hip displacement. She is eating well and I think maybe even gaining some weight. Her hips are still somewhat tender, or sensitive, but over all she is doing really well. She has returned to her therapy schedule (minus the horseback riding for now) and she is making marked improvement in many ways.
We remain hopeful that she will be able to walk, or at the very least have some level of mobility in the future.
Please continue to pray for Lauren and her complete healing. Praise God for so many answered prayers so far. Pray too for Lana as she continues to try to balance all of her responsibilities while she battles UC.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pray for Plans
by Patrick Beard
Executive Director
Man makes his plans, but God orders our days. Often times it is an exercise in futility to make plans. However, we do have many things on the schedule, and only time will tell what is from God.
We have banquets, mission trips, presentations and fundraisers planned for the coming months. In the midst of all the ministry duties we also have some big family events planned for the near future.
Stephen and Shelley expect their baby to be born around May 30th. Stephen is still in the process of raising his support so that he can work with IOI full-time. His needs will be even greater as his wife leaves her full-time nursing position to be a full-time mommy.
My daughter Lauren is scheduled for surgery on June 16th. It is hoped that this surgery will correct the malformation in her hips. The recovery should take six weeks, and the whole family is anxious about the dangers involved.
With all these plans and responsibilities Stephen and I could use all the prayer you could offer. Thank you in advance for your prayer support!
Executive Director
Man makes his plans, but God orders our days. Often times it is an exercise in futility to make plans. However, we do have many things on the schedule, and only time will tell what is from God.
We have banquets, mission trips, presentations and fundraisers planned for the coming months. In the midst of all the ministry duties we also have some big family events planned for the near future.
Stephen and Shelley expect their baby to be born around May 30th. Stephen is still in the process of raising his support so that he can work with IOI full-time. His needs will be even greater as his wife leaves her full-time nursing position to be a full-time mommy.
My daughter Lauren is scheduled for surgery on June 16th. It is hoped that this surgery will correct the malformation in her hips. The recovery should take six weeks, and the whole family is anxious about the dangers involved.
With all these plans and responsibilities Stephen and I could use all the prayer you could offer. Thank you in advance for your prayer support!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Beard Family Update
Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for and encourage my family! The past year has been filled with many changes and blessings.
We were blessed with a home that is handicapped accessible and it has made caring for Lauren easier in many ways.
Alice Calvery moved in with our family a few months ago after serving in Germany with the Brietenmoser family. Alice helps with Lauren in the mornings and often helps to tutor the other children in their studies.
Lana continues to struggle with health issues related to colitis, but she has also seen some improvement. Mornings tend to be the worst time of day for Lana, but having Alice around has been a real blessing. Even with her illness Lana continues to homeschool the kids and keep a warm home. On many Sunday evenings the house is filled with young people from the church.
Anna-Margaret is 16 now and working on getting her driver’s license. It seems like just yesterday that she was a toddler, and now she is looking at colleges. Anna is very interested in music and drama, and she has been working some as a teacher’s assistant.
Joy (age 12) is almost as tall as Anna-Margaret. She is becoming a good student, likes astronomy and her dramatic side is flourishing. Although she can be our most emotional child I am seeing God develop a sense of compassion for others through it as she responds to the suffering of others. She and Emma both look forward to soccer season.
Lauren (age 9) still suffers the effects of her disability, and she also continues to have seizures. However, she also continues to have a very joyful countenance, and is the first one to greeting the new day each morning. She is a blessing to our entire family. Lauren is scheduled for surgery in May. Her hips have not formed properly and it is necessary to form hip sockets to avoid future problems.
Kristin (age 9) is really into crafts and making things with her hands. She is a budding artist, and loves one-on-one conversations. Every day there is a new painting, picture or project that she is working on with precision. She also loves nothing more at bed time than to have her back scratched and talk about her day or her next art project.
Emma (age 8 in April) is not a baby anymore, which she reminds us of often. She is creative like her sisters and loves to tell jokes and stories. She observes the world around her and puts what she sees into words. She is very inquisitive and keeps us all on our toes and laughing.
Please do continue to pray for us as a family and for the ministry that we believe God has called us to.
We were blessed with a home that is handicapped accessible and it has made caring for Lauren easier in many ways.
Alice Calvery moved in with our family a few months ago after serving in Germany with the Brietenmoser family. Alice helps with Lauren in the mornings and often helps to tutor the other children in their studies.
Lana continues to struggle with health issues related to colitis, but she has also seen some improvement. Mornings tend to be the worst time of day for Lana, but having Alice around has been a real blessing. Even with her illness Lana continues to homeschool the kids and keep a warm home. On many Sunday evenings the house is filled with young people from the church.
Anna-Margaret is 16 now and working on getting her driver’s license. It seems like just yesterday that she was a toddler, and now she is looking at colleges. Anna is very interested in music and drama, and she has been working some as a teacher’s assistant.
Joy (age 12) is almost as tall as Anna-Margaret. She is becoming a good student, likes astronomy and her dramatic side is flourishing. Although she can be our most emotional child I am seeing God develop a sense of compassion for others through it as she responds to the suffering of others. She and Emma both look forward to soccer season.
Lauren (age 9) still suffers the effects of her disability, and she also continues to have seizures. However, she also continues to have a very joyful countenance, and is the first one to greeting the new day each morning. She is a blessing to our entire family. Lauren is scheduled for surgery in May. Her hips have not formed properly and it is necessary to form hip sockets to avoid future problems.
Kristin (age 9) is really into crafts and making things with her hands. She is a budding artist, and loves one-on-one conversations. Every day there is a new painting, picture or project that she is working on with precision. She also loves nothing more at bed time than to have her back scratched and talk about her day or her next art project.
Emma (age 8 in April) is not a baby anymore, which she reminds us of often. She is creative like her sisters and loves to tell jokes and stories. She observes the world around her and puts what she sees into words. She is very inquisitive and keeps us all on our toes and laughing.
Please do continue to pray for us as a family and for the ministry that we believe God has called us to.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Patrick's Paragraphs -- Making Progress
“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
I John 5:5
A friend of mine recently said, “When we feel like we are making progress God will show us that we are not.”
On the surface this quote might seem a bit pessimistic, and imply that we cannot make progress as Christians. I have certainly witnessed this brother in Christ making progress for the better part of 20 years. He obviously does not feel like he has progressed much since his salvation, but his walk with Christ is identified by persistence despite his experience.
On the other hand, certainly there are those who feel that they have made progress in the faith. However, if they despise the Church, and have inflated thoughts of their own righteous deeds it might be evidence that they have not progressed as much as they think. In deed they may not know God at all.
One thing I see in common to most men that I admire is their humility and a almost constant feeling that they simply don’t measure up to God’s standards. Throughout history we read personal biographies of missionaries, ministers and saints who felt that they lacked much more than they had in the realm of spirituality. Indeed even Jesus tells a parable about a justified man who has humbled himself prostrate in prayer, while a pious Pharisee stands looking on in thankfulness that he is “not like” the sinful man on the floor.
As I turned 40 this past month, I have reflected on so much of my life that has been wasted, how little evidence that I see of the faith I proclaim. So much of experience seems to contradict the faith that I claim, yet I know that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life. I believe by faith that Jesus is Lord and God has raised Him.
Watchman Nee said, “Faith follows truth and experience follows faith.” Our faith is based on what is not seen, otherwise it would not be called faith. Certainly we should see growing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives. Good works should be our lifestyle. But, rather than looking to our experience, we look to Christ himself.
Do you love God? Do you love His Son? Do you love His Bride? If so, that is progress.
I John 5:5
A friend of mine recently said, “When we feel like we are making progress God will show us that we are not.”
On the surface this quote might seem a bit pessimistic, and imply that we cannot make progress as Christians. I have certainly witnessed this brother in Christ making progress for the better part of 20 years. He obviously does not feel like he has progressed much since his salvation, but his walk with Christ is identified by persistence despite his experience.
On the other hand, certainly there are those who feel that they have made progress in the faith. However, if they despise the Church, and have inflated thoughts of their own righteous deeds it might be evidence that they have not progressed as much as they think. In deed they may not know God at all.
One thing I see in common to most men that I admire is their humility and a almost constant feeling that they simply don’t measure up to God’s standards. Throughout history we read personal biographies of missionaries, ministers and saints who felt that they lacked much more than they had in the realm of spirituality. Indeed even Jesus tells a parable about a justified man who has humbled himself prostrate in prayer, while a pious Pharisee stands looking on in thankfulness that he is “not like” the sinful man on the floor.
As I turned 40 this past month, I have reflected on so much of my life that has been wasted, how little evidence that I see of the faith I proclaim. So much of experience seems to contradict the faith that I claim, yet I know that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life. I believe by faith that Jesus is Lord and God has raised Him.
Watchman Nee said, “Faith follows truth and experience follows faith.” Our faith is based on what is not seen, otherwise it would not be called faith. Certainly we should see growing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives. Good works should be our lifestyle. But, rather than looking to our experience, we look to Christ himself.
Do you love God? Do you love His Son? Do you love His Bride? If so, that is progress.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Patrick's Paragraphs - Prophet of the Poor
“He has told you what is good; and what the LORD requires of you to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
I was reading from the book of Micah recently. Some scholars call Micah the “Prophet of the Poor” because of his emphasis on injustice, and God’s word to the downtrodden. It is fitting that we named our benevolent fund the Micah Fund, but it was named after a little boy who died from complications associated with malnutrition.
I heard an economist on the radio today. He said that poverty would virtually be a memory in about 50 years from now. He sited South Korea and other developed nations that were considered “Third World” countries just 50 years ago. “Industry and technology have made it possible to overcome poverty,” he said.
I hate to be the prophet of bad news, but Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you.” The sad fact is that the world is not getting better. It is true that there is more wealth and prosperity than any other time in history, and the wealth is being spread around to more people. But it is also true that greed is prevalent and sin is in the flesh of men.
We have seen in recent years that democracy nor wealth bring peace. The most miserable people on the planet are some of the most free and affluent. Granted, to be poor in America is considered rich in many nations, but every city in America has neighborhoods where people seem not to be able to afford what many have come to see as necessities.
The Good News is that there is a day of peace coming. There is a day when all suffering will cease. Until that day, we have been commanded to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free. We have been told to practice true religion and care for widows and orphans. We have received the word from God to love our brothers and our enemies. In doing these things, we will see His kingdom come and His will being done. Those who have been faithful in these small things will see the day of resurrection with great joy.
Micah 6:8
I was reading from the book of Micah recently. Some scholars call Micah the “Prophet of the Poor” because of his emphasis on injustice, and God’s word to the downtrodden. It is fitting that we named our benevolent fund the Micah Fund, but it was named after a little boy who died from complications associated with malnutrition.
I heard an economist on the radio today. He said that poverty would virtually be a memory in about 50 years from now. He sited South Korea and other developed nations that were considered “Third World” countries just 50 years ago. “Industry and technology have made it possible to overcome poverty,” he said.
I hate to be the prophet of bad news, but Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you.” The sad fact is that the world is not getting better. It is true that there is more wealth and prosperity than any other time in history, and the wealth is being spread around to more people. But it is also true that greed is prevalent and sin is in the flesh of men.
We have seen in recent years that democracy nor wealth bring peace. The most miserable people on the planet are some of the most free and affluent. Granted, to be poor in America is considered rich in many nations, but every city in America has neighborhoods where people seem not to be able to afford what many have come to see as necessities.
The Good News is that there is a day of peace coming. There is a day when all suffering will cease. Until that day, we have been commanded to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free. We have been told to practice true religion and care for widows and orphans. We have received the word from God to love our brothers and our enemies. In doing these things, we will see His kingdom come and His will being done. Those who have been faithful in these small things will see the day of resurrection with great joy.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Patrick's Paragraphs -- Coming Home
So much is going on these days that my head is spinning. I have just returned from a great trip to visit with the Teixeira family in Brazil and in the next three months I have two more international trips planned. In addition to all the great things going on with the ministry we are nearing completion of the renovations to our new home in Jackson.
There is such a great story of how we have come to possess our new home. God certainly provided everything that we felt we needed to care for our family and ministry of hospitality, and He has done so much more. We have so many people to thank, and there simply is no way that we could repay everyone who has helped us. I will try to update the blog at www.universal-design-home.blogspot.com once we have moved in.
As we prepare to move our family I am reminded of all the families that we serve in Ethiopia. I have been humbled to hear my Ethiopian brothers and sisters petition God with tears as they have asked Him to provide this home for us. Yet for all the joy we have about God’s provision we know that this is not really our home.
For all the joy we have about the blessing of a house I am sure that it pales in comparison to the joy that awaits us when we are all together with Jesus Himself. I believe we will really be home only then.
There is such a great story of how we have come to possess our new home. God certainly provided everything that we felt we needed to care for our family and ministry of hospitality, and He has done so much more. We have so many people to thank, and there simply is no way that we could repay everyone who has helped us. I will try to update the blog at www.universal-design-home.blogspot.com once we have moved in.
As we prepare to move our family I am reminded of all the families that we serve in Ethiopia. I have been humbled to hear my Ethiopian brothers and sisters petition God with tears as they have asked Him to provide this home for us. Yet for all the joy we have about God’s provision we know that this is not really our home.
For all the joy we have about the blessing of a house I am sure that it pales in comparison to the joy that awaits us when we are all together with Jesus Himself. I believe we will really be home only then.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Patrick's Paragraphs - Eight Years Blessed
This January we quietly celebrated the eighth birthday of IOI. As a Board we agreed that this year we desire a renewed focus on our primary ministry of supporting indigenous ministers through prayer, financial, educational and technical support.
Eight years ago the list of ministers supported contained eight names. It was a new beginning and everything was new. We developed a simple system of support that has enabled the missionaries to receive their full support each month on time (which is still apparently a novelty in Ethiopia). Over time we added ministers, began supporting ORE (the ministry to orphans in Mekele, Ethiopia), began working with the Breitenmosers in Germany, started building community development projects, sent American volunteers to assist the work in Ethiopia and expanded to Brazil as the Teixeira family moved from Ethiopia to Brazil. Certainly most of these changes proved to be positive as the ministry grew and continued to mature.
This year I hope to see an increase in the level of giving to human needs in Ethiopia, while at the same time being very intentional in our effort to make disciples through theological instruction, mercy ministry and incarnational living. It is my hope that giving will increase both to Missionary Support and the General Fund to enable us to minister more generously. We hope to see the establishment of the new Sanctuary Village as a model for discipleship ministry. I also hope that we can begin supporting indigenous ministers who are working with the Teixeiras in Northern Brazil.
Many events are planned over the next 12 months that I hope will be a benefit to all who participate. Robin Mark will once again be joining us from Belfast, Northern Ireland to present a benefit concert for IOI in Tennessee on Thursday, August 16. An awareness banquet is being planned for the Tupelo, Mississippi area on Friday, September 7. Through these events and a series of Coffee and Conversation meetings we hope to raise enough funds over 2007 to host the largest IOI Bible conference ever on January 22-25, 2008 with VBS for the children, preaching and a variety if seminars to benefit the indigenous ministers we work with.
For all of this to happen we will need more donors and volunteers. It is my prayer that God will give us everything we need to accomplish these plans.v
Eight years ago the list of ministers supported contained eight names. It was a new beginning and everything was new. We developed a simple system of support that has enabled the missionaries to receive their full support each month on time (which is still apparently a novelty in Ethiopia). Over time we added ministers, began supporting ORE (the ministry to orphans in Mekele, Ethiopia), began working with the Breitenmosers in Germany, started building community development projects, sent American volunteers to assist the work in Ethiopia and expanded to Brazil as the Teixeira family moved from Ethiopia to Brazil. Certainly most of these changes proved to be positive as the ministry grew and continued to mature.
This year I hope to see an increase in the level of giving to human needs in Ethiopia, while at the same time being very intentional in our effort to make disciples through theological instruction, mercy ministry and incarnational living. It is my hope that giving will increase both to Missionary Support and the General Fund to enable us to minister more generously. We hope to see the establishment of the new Sanctuary Village as a model for discipleship ministry. I also hope that we can begin supporting indigenous ministers who are working with the Teixeiras in Northern Brazil.
Many events are planned over the next 12 months that I hope will be a benefit to all who participate. Robin Mark will once again be joining us from Belfast, Northern Ireland to present a benefit concert for IOI in Tennessee on Thursday, August 16. An awareness banquet is being planned for the Tupelo, Mississippi area on Friday, September 7. Through these events and a series of Coffee and Conversation meetings we hope to raise enough funds over 2007 to host the largest IOI Bible conference ever on January 22-25, 2008 with VBS for the children, preaching and a variety if seminars to benefit the indigenous ministers we work with.
For all of this to happen we will need more donors and volunteers. It is my prayer that God will give us everything we need to accomplish these plans.v
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Patrick's Paragraphs - The Normal Christian Life
The Christian life is often portrayed as an event or an addition to a prosperous life, maybe even as a way to overcome addiction. In the West we see the importance of a relationship with Christ. However, many times we treat God as though He were one of many friends to whom we may go in times of need or a king that may be appeased with an act of service or the payment of a tax due.
The Church in the East has tended to see the Christian life as more of a journey. We hear the Gospel and receive faith. We “practice” the faith and have our wills conformed to the will of God. Our minds are in the process of change and our flesh is dying. Scripture agrees with this view and tells us that we must put to death the deeds of the flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit, and take up our cross to follow Jesus. We will be saved if we continue in the faith.
In my younger days I thought that “doing” something “big” for God was what God required of me. I am finding that the big thing that He requires is that I am to be holy as Christ is holy. This is not done through human promise. It is not an event or a vocational choice. It is the work of God as He conforms us to the image of His Son who is wholly submissive to the will of the Father. We cooperate with His Spirit to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices.
Watchman Nee put it this way: “Presenting myself to God implies a recognition that I am altogether His… This does not mean that I consecrate myself to be a preacher or a missionary. Alas, many people are missionaries not because they have truly consecrated themselves to God but because, in the sense which we are speaking, they have not consecrated themselves to Him. They have ‘consecrated’ something altogether different, namely, their own uncrucified natural faculties to the doing of His work; but that is not true consecration. Then to what are we to be consecrated? Not to Christian work, but the will of God, to be and to do whatever He requires.” (Normal Christian Life)
I am becoming increasingly convinced that true Christianity has much less to do with “working for God,” and much more to do with what God is doing in and through us. He is giving us faith, hope and love. He is loving others through us. He is conforming us to the image of Christ. He is saving and sanctifying those who believe His Gospel.
The Church in the East has tended to see the Christian life as more of a journey. We hear the Gospel and receive faith. We “practice” the faith and have our wills conformed to the will of God. Our minds are in the process of change and our flesh is dying. Scripture agrees with this view and tells us that we must put to death the deeds of the flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit, and take up our cross to follow Jesus. We will be saved if we continue in the faith.
In my younger days I thought that “doing” something “big” for God was what God required of me. I am finding that the big thing that He requires is that I am to be holy as Christ is holy. This is not done through human promise. It is not an event or a vocational choice. It is the work of God as He conforms us to the image of His Son who is wholly submissive to the will of the Father. We cooperate with His Spirit to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices.
Watchman Nee put it this way: “Presenting myself to God implies a recognition that I am altogether His… This does not mean that I consecrate myself to be a preacher or a missionary. Alas, many people are missionaries not because they have truly consecrated themselves to God but because, in the sense which we are speaking, they have not consecrated themselves to Him. They have ‘consecrated’ something altogether different, namely, their own uncrucified natural faculties to the doing of His work; but that is not true consecration. Then to what are we to be consecrated? Not to Christian work, but the will of God, to be and to do whatever He requires.” (Normal Christian Life)
I am becoming increasingly convinced that true Christianity has much less to do with “working for God,” and much more to do with what God is doing in and through us. He is giving us faith, hope and love. He is loving others through us. He is conforming us to the image of Christ. He is saving and sanctifying those who believe His Gospel.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Patrick's Paragraphs -- Be Still and Know Him
The past couple of years have been both difficult and filled with blessings. Physically and emotionally, I am very tired most of the time.
I have not been able to travel much, which is a blessing in a way, as I have been able to spend more time with my family. When I have traveled, it has been mostly problem-solving rather than encouraging. Balancing many spinning plates is part of my job as director, and I actually enjoy having many irons in the fire. However, the task has simply become overwhelming.
There is something in me that likes working, maybe to a sinful degree. I think the term is “workaholic.” Things have been going so well with the ministry that I have certainly had plenty of work to do. Dr. Padelford is fond of saying, “The only thing we have to fear is success.” So, God is gracious and often sends storms our way and stops us in our tracks.
The past couple of months have been particularly blessed as we were able to sell our home at a profit; we have moved into a temporary home, and the health of the family has been much improved. I certainly believe that many of you have been praying for us, and God has answered your prayers.
It is during these times of great blessing that I seem most likely to forget God. Instead of being still and knowing Him, I would much rather busy my days with “important” things. I make my decisions and ask God to bless my plans. I really should know better by now.
When IOI started it was at an extreme low point of my life, and I see now how God has redeemed that suffering. I have had low points since, and I see how God has redeemed those times to further conform me to the image of His Son. It has become clear in all of this that God is not nearly so interested in us doing something for Him, rather His desire is that we should know Him.
As the holidays approach I am sure that we will all be tempted to busyness and activities. I would like to remind us all that our greatest purpose in life is to love God and our fellow man. Everything pales in comparison to our glorious God and the love that He has poured out on those who believe. May your holidays be a time of peace as you contemplate the goodness of God.
I have not been able to travel much, which is a blessing in a way, as I have been able to spend more time with my family. When I have traveled, it has been mostly problem-solving rather than encouraging. Balancing many spinning plates is part of my job as director, and I actually enjoy having many irons in the fire. However, the task has simply become overwhelming.
There is something in me that likes working, maybe to a sinful degree. I think the term is “workaholic.” Things have been going so well with the ministry that I have certainly had plenty of work to do. Dr. Padelford is fond of saying, “The only thing we have to fear is success.” So, God is gracious and often sends storms our way and stops us in our tracks.
The past couple of months have been particularly blessed as we were able to sell our home at a profit; we have moved into a temporary home, and the health of the family has been much improved. I certainly believe that many of you have been praying for us, and God has answered your prayers.
It is during these times of great blessing that I seem most likely to forget God. Instead of being still and knowing Him, I would much rather busy my days with “important” things. I make my decisions and ask God to bless my plans. I really should know better by now.
When IOI started it was at an extreme low point of my life, and I see now how God has redeemed that suffering. I have had low points since, and I see how God has redeemed those times to further conform me to the image of His Son. It has become clear in all of this that God is not nearly so interested in us doing something for Him, rather His desire is that we should know Him.
As the holidays approach I am sure that we will all be tempted to busyness and activities. I would like to remind us all that our greatest purpose in life is to love God and our fellow man. Everything pales in comparison to our glorious God and the love that He has poured out on those who believe. May your holidays be a time of peace as you contemplate the goodness of God.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Patrick's Paragraphs -- He is Holy, He is Love
Thursday night I despaired of life.
Lauren was suffering. She had injured her deformed legs in therapy. Her seizures were too many to count. She vomited her supper onto her pillow.
My eldest daughter was frustrated as she was helpless to stop the suffering. "I know life is not fair, but this isn't right."
As my wife and daughter cried over Lauren she said clearly, "Anna. No." and wiped the tears from Anna's face.
I went to the bathroom and screamed my prayers of frustration into a rolled up towel.
Did God count those tears?
There are many things we can know about God. Two specific things that scripture reveals about God's nature are that He is holy, holy, holy and He is love.
Because He is holy, He cannot sin and does no evil. Because He is perfectly holy, there is none like Him. Because He is holy, He must also be just. Because He is holy, evil will not prevail forever. Because He is holy, He is glorified. Because He is holy, He is to be feared. Because God is love, he must love.
Because God is love, He is full of mercy. Because God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son Jesus. I am persuaded today that it is God's nature of love and holiness that motivate His actions toward us.
While He may have every right to glorify Himself, He does it in such a way that it is both holy and full of love. The world was made for Jesus. The world was made by Jesus. He was supreme in glory before the foundations of the universe, and His love was perfect before the world was formed. Yet, God created the universe so that His love would be manifest and His glory displayed. Christ's Bride was created by God for Him that He might have an object of His love. Such great love is amazing.
I am not saying that He created the universe for man, nor am I saying that man is the center of the universe. But our God is so great that He created man to love, and the universe as the setting for this divine and glorious love affair.
It is because of His great love that we who believe have been chosen, and given faith, hope and love. It is because of His great love that we are destined to be conformed to His image and share in His glory. It is because of His great love that all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purposes. It is because of His great love that we are being conformed through sharing in His suffering to the image of His Son Jesus.
The world is not fair and it certainly is not right. Indeed, all of creation groans under sin. But I am convinced today that God is love and He is holy, holy, holy.
I believe, although I die, I will see my daughter walk and proclaim with all of creation that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father. I have faith that by His great love I will see my Redeemer and Lauren will stand with Him on that day. "We will dance on streets that are golden; the glorious Bride and the great Son of Man. Every tribe and every nation will join in the song of the Lamb!"
Because of His Holy Love, He counts every tear, and they will be redeemed for joy!
September 2006 Issue of Outreach Update
Lauren was suffering. She had injured her deformed legs in therapy. Her seizures were too many to count. She vomited her supper onto her pillow.
My eldest daughter was frustrated as she was helpless to stop the suffering. "I know life is not fair, but this isn't right."
As my wife and daughter cried over Lauren she said clearly, "Anna. No." and wiped the tears from Anna's face.
I went to the bathroom and screamed my prayers of frustration into a rolled up towel.
Did God count those tears?
There are many things we can know about God. Two specific things that scripture reveals about God's nature are that He is holy, holy, holy and He is love.
Because He is holy, He cannot sin and does no evil. Because He is perfectly holy, there is none like Him. Because He is holy, He must also be just. Because He is holy, evil will not prevail forever. Because He is holy, He is glorified. Because He is holy, He is to be feared. Because God is love, he must love.
Because God is love, He is full of mercy. Because God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son Jesus. I am persuaded today that it is God's nature of love and holiness that motivate His actions toward us.
While He may have every right to glorify Himself, He does it in such a way that it is both holy and full of love. The world was made for Jesus. The world was made by Jesus. He was supreme in glory before the foundations of the universe, and His love was perfect before the world was formed. Yet, God created the universe so that His love would be manifest and His glory displayed. Christ's Bride was created by God for Him that He might have an object of His love. Such great love is amazing.
I am not saying that He created the universe for man, nor am I saying that man is the center of the universe. But our God is so great that He created man to love, and the universe as the setting for this divine and glorious love affair.
It is because of His great love that we who believe have been chosen, and given faith, hope and love. It is because of His great love that we are destined to be conformed to His image and share in His glory. It is because of His great love that all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purposes. It is because of His great love that we are being conformed through sharing in His suffering to the image of His Son Jesus.
The world is not fair and it certainly is not right. Indeed, all of creation groans under sin. But I am convinced today that God is love and He is holy, holy, holy.
I believe, although I die, I will see my daughter walk and proclaim with all of creation that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father. I have faith that by His great love I will see my Redeemer and Lauren will stand with Him on that day. "We will dance on streets that are golden; the glorious Bride and the great Son of Man. Every tribe and every nation will join in the song of the Lamb!"
Because of His Holy Love, He counts every tear, and they will be redeemed for joy!
September 2006 Issue of Outreach Update
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Patrick's Paragraphs -- Ask, Seek and Knock (June 2006)
Seven years ago when IOI was in its infancy, I had an old friend advise me, “Ask, seek and knock.” His advice offended me because I knew he was not talking about prayer. He had built a ministry by writing letters and actively seeking out opportunities for fundraising and speaking.
I read an account of George Mueller’s life and had been impressed that IOI should be an organization like Mueller’s orphanage that operated by “faith.” Mueller never publicized the needs of the orphanage, and yet their needs were always met. One famous account that I remember in particular was the day that prayers produced a milk wagon that had broken down on the street outside the orphanage just after prayers had been offered for milk. It was a ministry that operated by faith.
IOI had a glorious beginning, and we did see God supply our every need, many times in miraculous ways. We never missed a payment, we never missed a meal. However, our Board became concerned about my lack of disposable income and I was required to send out a letter asking for support. I had asked for support for others, but not for myself. My commitment to authority was tested to its limits that day, and I even thought that directly asking for support just might be a sin.
The immediate and direct result of my letter was small. The lasting effect it had was that I can no longer say that we “have never asked for support.” Writing that letter made me an honest man. Dr. Padelford has said, “If you send out a newsletter, talk about your ministry and enclose a reply card, you are asking for support.”
Always looking for balance in all matters I have come to the conclusion that there are times that our requests should only be made to God and times when we are free to share our requests with others. We are eager to share our health needs with others and sometimes we should be just as eager to share other needs that humans can help meet. This gives others an opportunity to be blessed as God uses them to bless us in words and deeds of encouragement.
A few months ago I was looking at Robin Mark’s website and noticed that he was planning to spend his summer in the United States. Robin is a worship leader from Belfast, Northern Ireland and he has produced a couple of famous worship albums with songs like Shout to the North. His email address was listed on the sight and I simply sent an email telling him about IOI and asking if he would be willing to perform a benefit concert for us.
Robin’s reply was gracious and encouraging. He agreed to come to Jackson on July 13 and his only request was that we pay his expenses and provide some snacks before the concert. I had already appreciated his music, now I appreciated him as a person.
Because of the Irish influence in Robin’s music I thought that Kúla, a local Irish band, would be a great opening for Robin. When I asked them about coming they agreed to come at their own expense.
It is my hope that we will have a large number of people who attend the concert. Not only because we are trying to raise funds, but it should be a wonderful opportunity for the Gospel to be presented and the LORD to be glorified.
I read an account of George Mueller’s life and had been impressed that IOI should be an organization like Mueller’s orphanage that operated by “faith.” Mueller never publicized the needs of the orphanage, and yet their needs were always met. One famous account that I remember in particular was the day that prayers produced a milk wagon that had broken down on the street outside the orphanage just after prayers had been offered for milk. It was a ministry that operated by faith.
IOI had a glorious beginning, and we did see God supply our every need, many times in miraculous ways. We never missed a payment, we never missed a meal. However, our Board became concerned about my lack of disposable income and I was required to send out a letter asking for support. I had asked for support for others, but not for myself. My commitment to authority was tested to its limits that day, and I even thought that directly asking for support just might be a sin.
The immediate and direct result of my letter was small. The lasting effect it had was that I can no longer say that we “have never asked for support.” Writing that letter made me an honest man. Dr. Padelford has said, “If you send out a newsletter, talk about your ministry and enclose a reply card, you are asking for support.”
Always looking for balance in all matters I have come to the conclusion that there are times that our requests should only be made to God and times when we are free to share our requests with others. We are eager to share our health needs with others and sometimes we should be just as eager to share other needs that humans can help meet. This gives others an opportunity to be blessed as God uses them to bless us in words and deeds of encouragement.
A few months ago I was looking at Robin Mark’s website and noticed that he was planning to spend his summer in the United States. Robin is a worship leader from Belfast, Northern Ireland and he has produced a couple of famous worship albums with songs like Shout to the North. His email address was listed on the sight and I simply sent an email telling him about IOI and asking if he would be willing to perform a benefit concert for us.
Robin’s reply was gracious and encouraging. He agreed to come to Jackson on July 13 and his only request was that we pay his expenses and provide some snacks before the concert. I had already appreciated his music, now I appreciated him as a person.
Because of the Irish influence in Robin’s music I thought that Kúla, a local Irish band, would be a great opening for Robin. When I asked them about coming they agreed to come at their own expense.
It is my hope that we will have a large number of people who attend the concert. Not only because we are trying to raise funds, but it should be a wonderful opportunity for the Gospel to be presented and the LORD to be glorified.
Patrick's Paragraphs - The Law of the Harvest (April 2006)
We will reap what we sow. It is the Law of the Harvest. If you plant corn, you will get corn.
While enroute to Ethiopia, Anna-Margaret and I had the opportunity to visit the home of Corrie Ten Boom in Haarlem, Holland. Corrie became famous as a Christian speaker after being the only surviving member of her family that was imprisoned by the Nazis for providing a safe house for Jews. Her story is one of forgiveness, but her words were tested when she came face-to-face with a former guard from the prison camp where her sister had died. She recognized the guard at an evangelical meeting in Germany, and she shared how anger and hate welled in her at the sight of this recently converted brother. The love of God overwhelmed her as she forgave this former murderer verbally and took his hand. “With all my heart I forgive you brother!”
I have mixed emotions today as I sit in Ethiopia. In the same day that my heart was made glad by news from a distant land,, I was saddened by rumors that plague the Church. It seems that a local minister was supposedly caught in some sin, and the rumor mill has been working over-time. Some reports were true, some exaggerated and most conflicting.
Serving in a ministry role it seems that I hear so many things. So many things that I wish I did not know.
However, I am amazed to see how quickly a rumor dies when you ask a few simple questions of the accuser. Did you see this? Did you hear him say this? Do you have proof? Have you gone to him as scripture commands? Most often this line of questions will produce a red face and answers like, “Well, the people who told me are trustworthy…” or “I didn’t think it was my place to actually confront him…”
When the talk is about me, I must admit that I often negate the words of Christ, and I long to demand justice if I have been misrepresented or mercy if I am in error. When the words are about someone else, I find that I am all too eager to hear more, and share “in love” or “Christian concern” the despicable things I have heard. The Word of God proclaims this “sharing” is wicked. “It is wicked to even speak of what the disobedient do in secret.” (LOOK UP) While we should be very careful not to condone sin, we should be even more careful not to expose the sins of others and pass judgment on them. We speak the truth in love to whom it should be spoken only for reconciliation.
How hard the words of Christ are. Jesus tells us not to resist the evil one, but rather to speak of lovely things and to bless those who curse you. If He were not God His words would seem to be those of a madman. Yet our Creator demands that we follow Him in word and deed.
What is the deed that He has done? By His great love, He who knew no sin became accursed for us. His love covers a multitude of sin. While He has every right to demand justice, He exercises mercy. When His cross tells the truth about us, He is our advocate with the Father. He calls us friends, even though we act as His enemies.
The law of the harvest is in effect, and we will reap what we sow. But what bothers me more than the fact that I will suffer the consequences of my actions and “get what I deserve” is the fact that I have passed up an opportunity to be Christlike. If I do not plant corn I will not reap corn. I weep to think of how much blessing I have passed up when given the opportunity to exercise mercy. So many times I have been my brother’s accuser rather than his keeper. What blessings have I lost? What mercy will not be extended my way?
How life-giving the words of Christ are. When I extend love and mercy it will be extended to me from the throne of Heaven. Let us be busy sowing love, exercising mercy. When our brothers or sisters are in error, let us encourage repentance, cover their sins and rescue them with the same love that has been extended to us. For in due time we will receive reward!
While enroute to Ethiopia, Anna-Margaret and I had the opportunity to visit the home of Corrie Ten Boom in Haarlem, Holland. Corrie became famous as a Christian speaker after being the only surviving member of her family that was imprisoned by the Nazis for providing a safe house for Jews. Her story is one of forgiveness, but her words were tested when she came face-to-face with a former guard from the prison camp where her sister had died. She recognized the guard at an evangelical meeting in Germany, and she shared how anger and hate welled in her at the sight of this recently converted brother. The love of God overwhelmed her as she forgave this former murderer verbally and took his hand. “With all my heart I forgive you brother!”
I have mixed emotions today as I sit in Ethiopia. In the same day that my heart was made glad by news from a distant land,, I was saddened by rumors that plague the Church. It seems that a local minister was supposedly caught in some sin, and the rumor mill has been working over-time. Some reports were true, some exaggerated and most conflicting.
Serving in a ministry role it seems that I hear so many things. So many things that I wish I did not know.
However, I am amazed to see how quickly a rumor dies when you ask a few simple questions of the accuser. Did you see this? Did you hear him say this? Do you have proof? Have you gone to him as scripture commands? Most often this line of questions will produce a red face and answers like, “Well, the people who told me are trustworthy…” or “I didn’t think it was my place to actually confront him…”
When the talk is about me, I must admit that I often negate the words of Christ, and I long to demand justice if I have been misrepresented or mercy if I am in error. When the words are about someone else, I find that I am all too eager to hear more, and share “in love” or “Christian concern” the despicable things I have heard. The Word of God proclaims this “sharing” is wicked. “It is wicked to even speak of what the disobedient do in secret.” (LOOK UP) While we should be very careful not to condone sin, we should be even more careful not to expose the sins of others and pass judgment on them. We speak the truth in love to whom it should be spoken only for reconciliation.
How hard the words of Christ are. Jesus tells us not to resist the evil one, but rather to speak of lovely things and to bless those who curse you. If He were not God His words would seem to be those of a madman. Yet our Creator demands that we follow Him in word and deed.
What is the deed that He has done? By His great love, He who knew no sin became accursed for us. His love covers a multitude of sin. While He has every right to demand justice, He exercises mercy. When His cross tells the truth about us, He is our advocate with the Father. He calls us friends, even though we act as His enemies.
The law of the harvest is in effect, and we will reap what we sow. But what bothers me more than the fact that I will suffer the consequences of my actions and “get what I deserve” is the fact that I have passed up an opportunity to be Christlike. If I do not plant corn I will not reap corn. I weep to think of how much blessing I have passed up when given the opportunity to exercise mercy. So many times I have been my brother’s accuser rather than his keeper. What blessings have I lost? What mercy will not be extended my way?
How life-giving the words of Christ are. When I extend love and mercy it will be extended to me from the throne of Heaven. Let us be busy sowing love, exercising mercy. When our brothers or sisters are in error, let us encourage repentance, cover their sins and rescue them with the same love that has been extended to us. For in due time we will receive reward!
Patrick's Paragrpahs - The Numbers Game (Feb 2006)
We made it a rule some years ago never to report statistics. I firmly believe that we are too quick to judge a work of God based on numerical results, and I am too quick to be prideful if the numbers are in my favor.
With a growing number of missionaries supported through IOI in a growing number of countries, we have a growing number of statistics. In addition to the growing numbers there are growing needs. It was easy to keep my ban on numbers when the numbers were small, but now I feel an ever-growing temptation to report numbers. I hear myself thinking things like, “IOI is a good investment,” and “Look at the bang for the buck.” That is balanced with the fear that the numbers may not add up or that some other organization can do it cheaper.
What matters most to me in the end is not the numbers. Large or small, it really is of no consequence. Obedience to the revealed will of God should be my ambition. What is the revealed will of God for IOI? To make disciples, to love God and to love our fellow man.
IOI is in reality nothing more than a ministry extension of the individuals and local churches that support us. As Marciano Teixeira, missionary to Ethiopia and Brazil, put it, “(Ethiopia) is just another room of the church back home. You go from one room into another; same Church, one big family.”
In addition to being an administrator, I am a storyteller. In reporting news from Ethiopia, I have had a desire to share stories and not statistics.
Jon Jones recently returned from a visit to Ethiopia, and soon I hope to share with you some of the stories he collected. They are true stories of success and failure. Not all of the news out of Ethiopia is “good,” but any realistic appraisal of the Christian life proves that we fall down and we are raised up.
I would love for each person who received this newsletter to see with your own eyes the mighty works of God in the destitute villages of the Ethiopian countryside. For you to take a drink of clean water and hear a village elder proclaim that you are visiting a “paradise” that was created with the completion of a water well. I want you to walk the streets of Addis Abeba with an evangelist supported through IOI and witness the miracle of faith as a hearer becomes a believer. I want you to hear the praises to God that come from the congregations we work with. I want you to hold the orphans that are now living with families in Mekele. I long for you to take the hand of a little boy as he takes his first steps with used leg braces that were provided by IOI. What I would give to have you sit in the mud home of Micah’s mother as she serves you coffee and recounts to you the mercy, love and blessings of God toward the mother of a dying child (for whom the Micah Fund is named). How much I desire for you to visit the simple home that Geremew can now afford to rent after serving as a minister for years despite being homeless and sleeping on the floors of fellow church members. I want you to visit ships in Bremerhaven, Germany alongside Ecki Breitenmoser as he encourages fellow believers from around the world and preaches the Gospel boldly in the mess halls. What a joy it would be for me to take you along on this journey.
Until you can go with me, LORD willing, I will continue to share the stories of God, good news from a distant land that makes the heart glad.
With a growing number of missionaries supported through IOI in a growing number of countries, we have a growing number of statistics. In addition to the growing numbers there are growing needs. It was easy to keep my ban on numbers when the numbers were small, but now I feel an ever-growing temptation to report numbers. I hear myself thinking things like, “IOI is a good investment,” and “Look at the bang for the buck.” That is balanced with the fear that the numbers may not add up or that some other organization can do it cheaper.
What matters most to me in the end is not the numbers. Large or small, it really is of no consequence. Obedience to the revealed will of God should be my ambition. What is the revealed will of God for IOI? To make disciples, to love God and to love our fellow man.
IOI is in reality nothing more than a ministry extension of the individuals and local churches that support us. As Marciano Teixeira, missionary to Ethiopia and Brazil, put it, “(Ethiopia) is just another room of the church back home. You go from one room into another; same Church, one big family.”
In addition to being an administrator, I am a storyteller. In reporting news from Ethiopia, I have had a desire to share stories and not statistics.
Jon Jones recently returned from a visit to Ethiopia, and soon I hope to share with you some of the stories he collected. They are true stories of success and failure. Not all of the news out of Ethiopia is “good,” but any realistic appraisal of the Christian life proves that we fall down and we are raised up.
I would love for each person who received this newsletter to see with your own eyes the mighty works of God in the destitute villages of the Ethiopian countryside. For you to take a drink of clean water and hear a village elder proclaim that you are visiting a “paradise” that was created with the completion of a water well. I want you to walk the streets of Addis Abeba with an evangelist supported through IOI and witness the miracle of faith as a hearer becomes a believer. I want you to hear the praises to God that come from the congregations we work with. I want you to hold the orphans that are now living with families in Mekele. I long for you to take the hand of a little boy as he takes his first steps with used leg braces that were provided by IOI. What I would give to have you sit in the mud home of Micah’s mother as she serves you coffee and recounts to you the mercy, love and blessings of God toward the mother of a dying child (for whom the Micah Fund is named). How much I desire for you to visit the simple home that Geremew can now afford to rent after serving as a minister for years despite being homeless and sleeping on the floors of fellow church members. I want you to visit ships in Bremerhaven, Germany alongside Ecki Breitenmoser as he encourages fellow believers from around the world and preaches the Gospel boldly in the mess halls. What a joy it would be for me to take you along on this journey.
Until you can go with me, LORD willing, I will continue to share the stories of God, good news from a distant land that makes the heart glad.
Patrick's Paragraphs - Freedom in Christ (Jan 2006)
We work with twelve denominations in Ethiopia, one in Germany, another in Brazil and at least a dozen in the United States. Our statement of faith is so broad that we can work alongside Christians as diverse as Molu Wengel, which can best be described as “modern hyper-charismatic” and believers from the Ethiopian Orthodox church, which is “ancient traditional.” The common thread among the believers we work with and support is that they are committed to the teaching of sound doctrine and proclaim Christ as Lord.
When Lana and I were living in Ethiopia there were difficult times. Daily life can be a struggle when you are immersed in a foreign culture and you tend to gravitate toward people who share your cultural background. As often as possible we would meet with a English language prayer group that was made up of people from a variety of Christian denominations. We shared three things in common — we were all foreigners, we all spoke English and we all proclaimed Jesus as Lord. We found that when we were hurting and lonely we could pray and eat pizza with anyone who loves Jesus.
I have witnessed a disturbing trend of isolationism among some fundamentalist Christians, and an equally disturbing trend of libertinism among some others. Balance seems so illusive. Where should we draw the lines?
As an organization we have “drawn the lines” with reference to historical Christian orthodoxy. In other words, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith, which can be found in creeds such as the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds. These statements of faith describe for us what it means to be a Christian. Within these proclamations the doctrine of the Trinity is expounded and the Gospel is summarized.
When it comes to our methods and practice we refer to the directions given for the Church in Scripture. It seems that this is the area where so much trouble is found. One man uses scripture to justify his sin, another uses the same passage to condemn. There is a temptation to create a huge rule book and make everyone look and act the same.
I am convinced that “sameness” is from Hell. For example contrast the wondrous variety of nature with the Soviet cement apartment buildings that crushed the beauty of eastern Europe so that everyone could have and be the same. Our rule must not be sameness, but rather be love.
Scripture makes it plain to us what sin is. We refuse to condone sin and prefer simple obedience to the Word of God. Beyond the obvious we as a multi-denominational organization must practice the rule of love by exercising wisdom and discernment concerning disputable matters. Our goal is not to make the churches in Ethiopia American, rather our goal is to edify the Church through the teaching of right doctrine and the practice of faith in love. Our doctrine comes from the Apostles through the preservation of Scripture and teaching from men like Augustine, Luther, C.H. Spurgeon and other men through the years who built their faith on the firm foundations of Christ.
Jesus Himself told us that we, and the world, would know that we belong to Him as we have love for one another. This love is not to be found only in words, but in deed and in truth. Our freedom in Christ is found in love for our brothers and sisters, and practiced through obedience to God’s Word.
When Lana and I were living in Ethiopia there were difficult times. Daily life can be a struggle when you are immersed in a foreign culture and you tend to gravitate toward people who share your cultural background. As often as possible we would meet with a English language prayer group that was made up of people from a variety of Christian denominations. We shared three things in common — we were all foreigners, we all spoke English and we all proclaimed Jesus as Lord. We found that when we were hurting and lonely we could pray and eat pizza with anyone who loves Jesus.
I have witnessed a disturbing trend of isolationism among some fundamentalist Christians, and an equally disturbing trend of libertinism among some others. Balance seems so illusive. Where should we draw the lines?
As an organization we have “drawn the lines” with reference to historical Christian orthodoxy. In other words, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith, which can be found in creeds such as the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds. These statements of faith describe for us what it means to be a Christian. Within these proclamations the doctrine of the Trinity is expounded and the Gospel is summarized.
When it comes to our methods and practice we refer to the directions given for the Church in Scripture. It seems that this is the area where so much trouble is found. One man uses scripture to justify his sin, another uses the same passage to condemn. There is a temptation to create a huge rule book and make everyone look and act the same.
I am convinced that “sameness” is from Hell. For example contrast the wondrous variety of nature with the Soviet cement apartment buildings that crushed the beauty of eastern Europe so that everyone could have and be the same. Our rule must not be sameness, but rather be love.
Scripture makes it plain to us what sin is. We refuse to condone sin and prefer simple obedience to the Word of God. Beyond the obvious we as a multi-denominational organization must practice the rule of love by exercising wisdom and discernment concerning disputable matters. Our goal is not to make the churches in Ethiopia American, rather our goal is to edify the Church through the teaching of right doctrine and the practice of faith in love. Our doctrine comes from the Apostles through the preservation of Scripture and teaching from men like Augustine, Luther, C.H. Spurgeon and other men through the years who built their faith on the firm foundations of Christ.
Jesus Himself told us that we, and the world, would know that we belong to Him as we have love for one another. This love is not to be found only in words, but in deed and in truth. Our freedom in Christ is found in love for our brothers and sisters, and practiced through obedience to God’s Word.
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