It is both an honor and a privilege to share with you some of the news and needs associated with the ministry of Indigenous Outreach. As a supporter of this ministry I know that you are interested in how the funds you give are being used. It is my hope that you will be encouraged to share this ministry with other so that we might have the blessing of helping even more poverty stricken churches, missionaries, orphans and widows.
RUSS COOPER
We have been praying for some time now that God would raise up a co-worker to partner with us at the office here in Jackson. With proposed projects in Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, and a growing number of individuals being ministered to the need for additional ministry staff is evident. Russ Cooper has answered the call. He plans to move with his wife Meredith and their two children from Shreveport to Jackson in June. Russ has served as a pastor in three Louisiana churches and he also serves as the administrator for Calvary Baptist’s senior care facility. Russ will be the Financial Director for IOI. In addition to accounting and fund raising responsibilities Russ will be involved in discipleship both at home and abroad. Please pray for the Coopers in this time of transition.
OFFICE
Due to the addition of Russ on staff and the needs associated with ministry growth we are now in need of a larger office space in Jackson. For years we have had the privilege of utilizing donated office space. We have an opportunity to purchase an office suite for $65,000 which would meet our needs for years to come. Please join with us in prayer that God would provide.
CHILD SPONSORS NEEDED
Over 100 at risk children are being ministered to through the TLC Project. This is a project that is dear to our hearts as we have witnessed with our own eyes the transformation that is made in the entire family of the children ministered to. In addition to spiritual training children served through TLC attend school, receive food aid and clothing. We are in URGENT need of 38 sponsors who will give $25 per month to change the live of a poverty stricken child.
TRANSFER DOUBLE FREQUENT FLIER MILES—NWA & Skyteam
A unique and painless way to give to IOI is by donating your Northwest Airlines frequent flier miles. Now through May 31 you may donate your frequent flier miles from Northwest to account number 921561605 (in the name of Patrick Beard) and Northwest Airlines will double your gift! These miles will be used to purchase ministry travel. www.nwa.com
PRAYER ALERT
Are you a prayer warrior? Are you on our weekly PRAYER ALERT email list? Would you like to join with us in regular prayer and have the joy of sharing in answered prayers? Log on to www.ioiusa.org and follow the link to “Get Involved” and “Prayer Worker”. (This site currently only works with Internet Explorer - we are working on it).
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sanctuary Village Update
We were recently notified that the Ethiopian government has ceased all NGO registrations for the time being. This means that our progress in acquiring land for Sanctuary Village has stalled. There is no indication when the process will resume, however progress in the discipleship ministry continues.
Fikadu has been spending his days doing research and proposal writing in preparation for the resumption of the official paperwork process.
A plan is developing to open a coffee shop and guest-house in Addis Abeba for the purpose of outreach ministry and discipleship, as well as a means to facilitate future teams through IOI. This company may also serve as a vehicle that provides local funding and a legal entity for the establishment of Sanctuary Village.
All funding given to date for Sanctuary Village construction is being held in an account, and will not be used for the coffeehouse ministry. Therefore we are currently seeking investors for the coffee house venture. The estimated cost of this phase of the project is $20,000.00 US.
Proceeds from the sale of The Bishop’s Beard Coffee will go toward the establishment of the coffeehouse ministry in Addis. www.BishopBeard.com v
Fikadu has been spending his days doing research and proposal writing in preparation for the resumption of the official paperwork process.
A plan is developing to open a coffee shop and guest-house in Addis Abeba for the purpose of outreach ministry and discipleship, as well as a means to facilitate future teams through IOI. This company may also serve as a vehicle that provides local funding and a legal entity for the establishment of Sanctuary Village.
All funding given to date for Sanctuary Village construction is being held in an account, and will not be used for the coffeehouse ministry. Therefore we are currently seeking investors for the coffee house venture. The estimated cost of this phase of the project is $20,000.00 US.
Proceeds from the sale of The Bishop’s Beard Coffee will go toward the establishment of the coffeehouse ministry in Addis. www.BishopBeard.com v
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
Friday, January 23, 2009
January Mission Team to Ethiopia
January Team to Ethiopia and Bible ConferencePatrick and I just got back from Ethiopia after taking a team of seven brothers from the states to see the work there. The team members were; A C Curtis and his son Jon, Ted James, Skip Purdy, Steve Foglesong, Claude Wilson and David Mondt. It was a joy to see how the Lord put this team together and how each were a vital part of what the Lord had us do while there.
The week began with attending Kebebush's wedding. She has been supported by IOI for almost five years. It was a great blessing to see the answer to her many prayers for a godly husband.
Monday through Wednesday found the team along with Negash, Fikere, and myself in the countryside, visiting the new churches planted in the Oromo region. We saw nine different villages and churches that the Lord has planted in each of these. Patrick and Fikadu met over these three days discussing the progress of Sanctuary Village being registered with the government, and looking at the land we would like to use for the village. Many exciting things are going on with Sanctuary Village, pray that the Lord would bring it to pass.
Above was our mode of transportation, keep in mind there were 10 of us in there which made sure that we were all very close by the end of the trip.
At each of the locations in the countryside Negash asked us to "bring what ever word the Lord has given you from the scriptures". Pictured is Steve giving a word of encouragement to the church at Tulobolo, which is where we slept that evening.After returning to Addis we had the annual Bible Conference for the IOI missionaries. The theme was based off of 1 John 4:1-6 and dealt with testing the spirits to see if they be from God. It was a good conference and our time with these brothers and sisters was a great joy, reminding us of why we do what we do, in short we love these dear ones in Christ.
After finishing the conference and meeting with all the missionaries we spent a few hours showing the team the wonderful work of the True Light Childcare Project. We played with the 102 children, distributed Christmas gifts brought for them, and then visited some of their homes. Above is a picture of some of the homes that we visited with a crowd of beautiful children holding our hands.We praise the Lord for the time He gave us in Ethiopia and for the team that He put together. Doing this ministry is truly a joy because we are again reminded of how much we believe in what God has given us to do. May He continue to be so gracious as to use us to bless these dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Peace of Christ to you all
By the grace of Christ,
Stephen
Missions Coordinator
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?
Fruitful Fall Visit
This fall has brought many blessings and many events that have helped to further the ministry of IOI.
We have been blessed to have Negash Gemeda (National Coordinator for IOI in Ethiopia) and his wife Becu with us for the past eight weeks. They traveled to ten states and spoke about the ministry of IOI in Ethiopia.
This was Negash’s third visit to the United States, and Becu’s first. In addition to speaking at church meetings and other gatherings, they had opportunity to visit with friends and extended family. They also visited with the leadership of two sister ministries (The Oromo Project and Mission ONE) that work alongside IOI in Ethiopia.
While in Fort Myers, Florida the Gemedas, Patrick, and Stephen were able to visit with the ministry of ECHO and a couple of former missionaries to Ethiopia. While at ECHO, the group learned some techniques that may be very useful in the future ministry of Sanctuary Village.
The Gemedas, Ecki and Nadine Breitenmoser (missionaries in Bremerhaven, Germany supported in part by IOI), and Dr. James Wilson (IOI Contact for the United Kingdom) joined with several board members and wives for a weekend meeting at Pickwick State Park to discuss the current work of IOI in Ethiopia and the possible expansion of the ministry. They were hosted in part by Patrick’s father Bobby Beard who took the group on a fishing excursion.
Dr Wilson has recently been in Ethiopia for the purpose of surveying the work of IOI, assess the Sanctuary Village proposal and investigate the possibility of youth teams from Northern Ireland serving as volunteers. Currently the ministry of Exodus 360 (a Northern Ireland ministry) is seeking leadership for a possible team to Ethiopia this summer.
In addition to speaking in churches and small gatherings Negash, Patrick and Stephen were invited to the campus of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia where they made many contacts with students.
As the holidays approach, it brings an end to our busy season of sowing. We pray for good fruit to come.
We have been blessed to have Negash Gemeda (National Coordinator for IOI in Ethiopia) and his wife Becu with us for the past eight weeks. They traveled to ten states and spoke about the ministry of IOI in Ethiopia.
This was Negash’s third visit to the United States, and Becu’s first. In addition to speaking at church meetings and other gatherings, they had opportunity to visit with friends and extended family. They also visited with the leadership of two sister ministries (The Oromo Project and Mission ONE) that work alongside IOI in Ethiopia.
While in Fort Myers, Florida the Gemedas, Patrick, and Stephen were able to visit with the ministry of ECHO and a couple of former missionaries to Ethiopia. While at ECHO, the group learned some techniques that may be very useful in the future ministry of Sanctuary Village.
The Gemedas, Ecki and Nadine Breitenmoser (missionaries in Bremerhaven, Germany supported in part by IOI), and Dr. James Wilson (IOI Contact for the United Kingdom) joined with several board members and wives for a weekend meeting at Pickwick State Park to discuss the current work of IOI in Ethiopia and the possible expansion of the ministry. They were hosted in part by Patrick’s father Bobby Beard who took the group on a fishing excursion.
Dr Wilson has recently been in Ethiopia for the purpose of surveying the work of IOI, assess the Sanctuary Village proposal and investigate the possibility of youth teams from Northern Ireland serving as volunteers. Currently the ministry of Exodus 360 (a Northern Ireland ministry) is seeking leadership for a possible team to Ethiopia this summer.
In addition to speaking in churches and small gatherings Negash, Patrick and Stephen were invited to the campus of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia where they made many contacts with students.
As the holidays approach, it brings an end to our busy season of sowing. We pray for good fruit to come.
100 for 200 for 300
Over the next 12 months we are searching for 100 churches, Sunday school classes, organizations and individuals who are willing to give $200 per month to help us raise up 300 missionaries in Ethiopia.
We have had a very encouraging beginning in the initial stages of our promotion of the Sanctuary Village project. In seven years we hope to have completed a village that is a place of ministry and a training center to send out missionaries across the Horn of Africa.
Already the Sanctuary project has been shared publicly at a banquet in Tennessee, and in meetings in Texas and Louisiana with some positive results. In addition to seeking larger one time gifts to help us meet the seven year budget for Sanctuary Village, we are simultaneously trying to increase the regular donations to the General Fund to help meet the growing needs as the ministry multiplies.
Our hope is that we will be doing ten times more ministry in seven years. For this to be possible we must increase regular monthly donations by four times current levels.
If our goal is met by August 2009, total regular giving will have doubled and we will be well on our way to seeing Sanctuary Village established and an expansion of the entire ministry in Ethiopia, Germany and Brazil.
We have had a very encouraging beginning in the initial stages of our promotion of the Sanctuary Village project. In seven years we hope to have completed a village that is a place of ministry and a training center to send out missionaries across the Horn of Africa.
Already the Sanctuary project has been shared publicly at a banquet in Tennessee, and in meetings in Texas and Louisiana with some positive results. In addition to seeking larger one time gifts to help us meet the seven year budget for Sanctuary Village, we are simultaneously trying to increase the regular donations to the General Fund to help meet the growing needs as the ministry multiplies.
Our hope is that we will be doing ten times more ministry in seven years. For this to be possible we must increase regular monthly donations by four times current levels.
If our goal is met by August 2009, total regular giving will have doubled and we will be well on our way to seeing Sanctuary Village established and an expansion of the entire ministry in Ethiopia, Germany and Brazil.
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
Friday, September 26, 2008
Mission to Ethiopia
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Christ.
Dr. James Wilson from Northern Ireland and I just returned from Ethiopia after having an encouraging and challenging visit with our brothers and sister there. Dr Wilson was there to observe the work “on the ground” as well as to see about the logistics of bringing teams from the UK to Ethiopia to work alongside our ministers. I was sent to meet with the missionaries and see how they are doing personally and with the ministry. I was also to chronicle our time there with photos and video footage.
First of all, there was a desire by the ministers to remind us that the ministry of IOI goes much deeper than financial support. The missionaries there have been meeting weekly for prayer and sharing of burdens, along with giving and receiving counsel. One minister said that the money seems insignificant compared to the fact that he has gained brothers and sisters to minister alongside of him. He no longer ministers alone, struggles alone, or carries the good news alone. He is part of a body; he has those who know the burden and uplift him as he walks.
Second, I heard the missionaries saying that they wanted to see the ministry expand and for many others to receive the love and support in the ministry that they receive. More ministers having the blessing of others bearing with them their financial burdens as well as the fellowship and accountability of being a part of the IOI group is a great desire.
Greetings in the name of Christ.
Dr. James Wilson from Northern Ireland and I just returned from Ethiopia after having an encouraging and challenging visit with our brothers and sister there. Dr Wilson was there to observe the work “on the ground” as well as to see about the logistics of bringing teams from the UK to Ethiopia to work alongside our ministers. I was sent to meet with the missionaries and see how they are doing personally and with the ministry. I was also to chronicle our time there with photos and video footage. Dr. Wilson and I thought we would do more observing than hands-on ministry, but the Lord had other plans. We went to watch the ministers, but ended up laying hands on them and praying for their needs. We went to hear of the work, but ended up speaking words that were given from the Lord for the building up of the saints. In short, we went with good plans, but the Lord had good works which He had foreordained that we should walk in them. I am glad that God had better plans for our days in Ethiopia because even though we accomplished many things we thought we needed to do, we also were able to be vessels used by our Lord for honorable uses that we could have never foreseen. As I think of all that we were able to see and do, I am reminded of the psalmist saying “bless the Lord, oh my soul, let all that is within me bless his holy name.”
There were many things that I heard while meeting with the missionaries which were of great encouragement, and I look forward to sharing them with their supporters in updates which will come soon. There were two things which I heard over and over as I sat and talked with each minister. These two were encouraging but also an exhortation or a challenge to continue boldly with the task the Lord has given and so I would like to share them with you.
First of all, there was a desire by the ministers to remind us that the ministry of IOI goes much deeper than financial support. The missionaries there have been meeting weekly for prayer and sharing of burdens, along with giving and receiving counsel. One minister said that the money seems insignificant compared to the fact that he has gained brothers and sisters to minister alongside of him. He no longer ministers alone, struggles alone, or carries the good news alone. He is part of a body; he has those who know the burden and uplift him as he walks. 
Second, I heard the missionaries saying that they wanted to see the ministry expand and for many others to receive the love and support in the ministry that they receive. More ministers having the blessing of others bearing with them their financial burdens as well as the fellowship and accountability of being a part of the IOI group is a great desire.Hearing these things encouraged me that we should continue on with what has been given to us. This is a good work and the church is being built up, so we should desire to see more benefit as the missionaries do. So the question is how? I believe by striving for what has already been our burden to see Sanctuary Village built, and Lord willing, 300 ministers will be raised up alongside of those already in place. A place where fellowship and the bearing of one another’s burdens is part of life. We long to see what the ministers long to see. As we embark on this ambitious project, we believe that it can be done if God will give us 100 partners who give $200 per month to raise up these 300 over the next seven years. Please pray with us to this end that the Lord who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will give us what we need to do what He has called us to do. He has done this in the past and we believe He will continue to do so in the future. You all are an encouragement to us. May the blessings of our Lord be with you. The missionaries send their greetings in Jesus name.
Peace of Christ to you all.
By the grace of Christ,
Stephen A. Kennedy
Mission Coordinator
Peace of Christ to you all.By the grace of Christ,
Stephen A. Kennedy
Mission Coordinator
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Mayor's Reception - Coleraine, Northern Ireland
The Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor David Barbour, hosted a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for Aghadowey man, Doctor James Wilson, who is departing on Tuesday for Ethiopia. Doctor Wilson has been commissioned by Indigenous Outreach International, a Tennessee based missionary society to conduct an independent review of an ambitious project called Sanctuary Village.
‘Sanctuary Village is indeed an innovative project’, Doctor Wilson explained, ‘ It aims to create a missionary campus very much in tune with local village customs and culture, where students will not just be taught Reformed theology, but a wide range of agrarian and practical skills that will enhance the lives and survival of their fellow villagers at this time of drought and famine. One of my tasks will be to assess the potential for local agencies such as Exodus to provide teams to assist the project. More information can be gleaned at www.ioiusa.org
Mayor David Barbour wished Doctor Wilson journeying mercies ‘ It is a challenging task that James has been called to. We would indeed pray that his analytical skills are combined with a Holy Boldness, and that many young Christians from the Borough of Coleraine would follow in this mission to bring the Christian gospel and Christ inspired acts of kindness to the people of Ethiopia at this time of need.’
‘Sanctuary Village is indeed an innovative project’, Doctor Wilson explained, ‘ It aims to create a missionary campus very much in tune with local village customs and culture, where students will not just be taught Reformed theology, but a wide range of agrarian and practical skills that will enhance the lives and survival of their fellow villagers at this time of drought and famine. One of my tasks will be to assess the potential for local agencies such as Exodus to provide teams to assist the project. More information can be gleaned at www.ioiusa.org
Mayor David Barbour wished Doctor Wilson journeying mercies ‘ It is a challenging task that James has been called to. We would indeed pray that his analytical skills are combined with a Holy Boldness, and that many young Christians from the Borough of Coleraine would follow in this mission to bring the Christian gospel and Christ inspired acts of kindness to the people of Ethiopia at this time of need.’
Thursday, July 10, 2008
From the Mission Coordinator
How Great the Father’s Love
Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Christ.
Chapter three of First John begins by saying “how great the Father’s love for us that we should be called the sons of God”. This great love that God has poured out on us was made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, particularly in His death, burial, and bodily resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. As John continues this letter he says “in this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another” Surely the love of God causes us to glorify Him and will bring much joy as we grow in our intimacy with our Bridegroom for all of eternity, but there is an outworking that even now is made possible because of His loving us. We are to believe on the Son of God, love one another, and keep His commands (1 John 3:23-24). The work of Indigenous Outreach is a work of love. As Patrick and I seek to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ to these brothers and sisters it is not just because they have less than we do. There are many in the world that have much less than anyone reading this letter, but why these people? Why is our work with them? Our hearts have been tied with these brothers and sisters by the hand of our Lord, and we have been given a passionate love that longs to see these dear ones succeed in Christ. God has poured out His love on us and our overflowing cups must be directed first to brothers and sisters in Christ both here and abroad. God loved us, so we love them. God has given Himself to us, so we give our days to loving them.
There are many amazing things that the Lord is giving us to do, but be sure as you learn of them that you know the motive of all our efforts is to work out the love that God has given us. I know that as supporters of the ministry you have been given a burden of love for these brothers and sisters as well. I would encourage you that your love is efficacious even as God’s love is. There are tangible benefits that our brothers and sisters are seeing through your tangible love. Do not grow weary in doing good; it is a blessing for us to see your love for our brothers, and it encourages us to continue. God bless you all and may His love for His bride continue to work out through us all toward the beloved.
News from the field
Negash sent word to us that recently ten teams of five blanketed the neighborhood surrounding Militar church. These teams did evangelism and handed out tracts. One story from this day came from Negash’s team. The team had three men and two women in it. The two women talked with two young ladies about salvation through faith in Christ. After their discussion, Negash handed the girls a tract entitled “No Greater Love Than This” The girls seemed very interested and said that they would try to meet with some one from the church later in the week. At the end of the day, all the teams met back at the church to close the day in prayer. As they finished praying, these same two girls came running up to them. The girls’ mother had seen the teams in the neighborhood and was very upset about them being there. When she entered the compound and saw her daughters reading these tracts the woman was outraged and told them that they must return the tracts and talk no more about Jesus or else they would be kicked out of the home. The girls then brought the tracts back to Negash and the others. One of them said, “Here is your tract; take it! We have the message in our hearts and minds, but we have to give you the paper back as our mother ordered” The believers were brought to tears and pray that God will give them more contact with these girls and that they might see them grow in the Lord Who burned the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection into their hearts. Please pray for them.
Announcements
My wife, Shelley, and I are excited to announce the birth of our first child Addison Grace Kennedy. She was born on May 31st and weighed 6lbs 15oz. She is a beautiful gift from the Lord and has had a good first month of life on this earth. Her name means “descendant of Adam with grace”. We pray that as she has the blood of Adam in her veins, as we all do, that the Lord would pour His grace out on her and that she would walk with Him all of her days.
Continue to pray for and make plans to attend the upcoming Robin Mark concerts.
Friday, August 1st in Memphis, TN
Thursday, September 4th in Jackson, TN
More details can be found on our website www.ioiusa.org or by calling the IOI office (731) 664-9960
Peace of Christ to you all. By the grace of Christ,
Stephen A. Kennedy
Missions Coordinator
Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Christ.
Chapter three of First John begins by saying “how great the Father’s love for us that we should be called the sons of God”. This great love that God has poured out on us was made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, particularly in His death, burial, and bodily resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. As John continues this letter he says “in this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another” Surely the love of God causes us to glorify Him and will bring much joy as we grow in our intimacy with our Bridegroom for all of eternity, but there is an outworking that even now is made possible because of His loving us. We are to believe on the Son of God, love one another, and keep His commands (1 John 3:23-24). The work of Indigenous Outreach is a work of love. As Patrick and I seek to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ to these brothers and sisters it is not just because they have less than we do. There are many in the world that have much less than anyone reading this letter, but why these people? Why is our work with them? Our hearts have been tied with these brothers and sisters by the hand of our Lord, and we have been given a passionate love that longs to see these dear ones succeed in Christ. God has poured out His love on us and our overflowing cups must be directed first to brothers and sisters in Christ both here and abroad. God loved us, so we love them. God has given Himself to us, so we give our days to loving them.
There are many amazing things that the Lord is giving us to do, but be sure as you learn of them that you know the motive of all our efforts is to work out the love that God has given us. I know that as supporters of the ministry you have been given a burden of love for these brothers and sisters as well. I would encourage you that your love is efficacious even as God’s love is. There are tangible benefits that our brothers and sisters are seeing through your tangible love. Do not grow weary in doing good; it is a blessing for us to see your love for our brothers, and it encourages us to continue. God bless you all and may His love for His bride continue to work out through us all toward the beloved.
News from the field
Negash sent word to us that recently ten teams of five blanketed the neighborhood surrounding Militar church. These teams did evangelism and handed out tracts. One story from this day came from Negash’s team. The team had three men and two women in it. The two women talked with two young ladies about salvation through faith in Christ. After their discussion, Negash handed the girls a tract entitled “No Greater Love Than This” The girls seemed very interested and said that they would try to meet with some one from the church later in the week. At the end of the day, all the teams met back at the church to close the day in prayer. As they finished praying, these same two girls came running up to them. The girls’ mother had seen the teams in the neighborhood and was very upset about them being there. When she entered the compound and saw her daughters reading these tracts the woman was outraged and told them that they must return the tracts and talk no more about Jesus or else they would be kicked out of the home. The girls then brought the tracts back to Negash and the others. One of them said, “Here is your tract; take it! We have the message in our hearts and minds, but we have to give you the paper back as our mother ordered” The believers were brought to tears and pray that God will give them more contact with these girls and that they might see them grow in the Lord Who burned the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection into their hearts. Please pray for them.
AnnouncementsMy wife, Shelley, and I are excited to announce the birth of our first child Addison Grace Kennedy. She was born on May 31st and weighed 6lbs 15oz. She is a beautiful gift from the Lord and has had a good first month of life on this earth. Her name means “descendant of Adam with grace”. We pray that as she has the blood of Adam in her veins, as we all do, that the Lord would pour His grace out on her and that she would walk with Him all of her days.
Continue to pray for and make plans to attend the upcoming Robin Mark concerts.
Friday, August 1st in Memphis, TN
Thursday, September 4th in Jackson, TN
More details can be found on our website www.ioiusa.org or by calling the IOI office (731) 664-9960
Peace of Christ to you all. By the grace of Christ,
Stephen A. Kennedy
Missions Coordinator
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