From Adwolfe to wherever it may be………………………

I Corinthians 3:9 “For we are laborers together with God”

Monthly Support

• Jeff Crabtree, Canada
• Mark Neppl, Suffolk
• David Sexton, Suffolk
• Anthony Edgmon, Spain
• Carlisle Hanna, India
• Paul Collins, Harrisonburg
• Camp Jacob, Clintwood

Quarterly Support

• Jerry Gibbs in France
• Free Will Baptist Family Ministries in Greeneville TN

There are links to the above on the “Fellowship” page.

On the home front

• Sunday school every week at 10am
• Food pantry
• Pre-service prayer circle
• Electronic prayer circle
• Pioneers for Jesus, Youth Program
• Young at Heart, Senior’s Group
• Ladies Auxiliary
• Christmas and Easter programs for outreach
• Personal visitation

Speaking of vacation, have you wanted certain people to take a vacation and wish they decided that they like it on vacation and jest decide to move. Oh dude! There are dem days, ain’t they. Let me give you an example. We are in the process of doing a new church directory. Now I did not say that we were trying to decide the color of  new carpet. You know how that goes, dude-that’s split more churches than theology! All we want is to make a directoree so everybody will not have to call the Rev. to get a number. But now all we hear is, “You forgot to put Aunt Nelly’s info in the book!” Or, “We ain’t seen her at church since the Germans invaded, what’s her name in der fer?” Or, “You left my name out and I ain’t comin back to church!”  Needless to say, our special international elite team working on this thing needs a family tree from everyone from Napoleon to Sarkozy  (French president) in order to keep every one happy. Sorry “elite team,” I am glad hits you and not me!

On the MORE serious side…   Let me just give you an update. There is a newsletter on the computer as I write. It shall be forth coming very soon.   Things are going well at church. The attendance is up a little and there are new folks almost every Sunday. We are starting a leadership class for the newly elected church council. This group will be working on next year’s election of deacons and elders. Some exciting things are happening in our youth group. Our youth leaders, Andrea and Benjamin have a big heart for these and they are doing a remarkable job with them.  We just finished up a series on studies on the “Darkroom of Sin”. Saturday night we closed out the series by writing on a piece of paper our  “darkroom secret sin” and then we burned them in the parking lot of the church. Next month we will have our youth retreat with the other churches in our association of churches.

Our family is doing well health wise. Ryan and Rachel are expecting our 4^th grandson the last part of next month. We are all excited about that! And our little Noémie, Joël and Cécile’s baby is doing much better with her reflux. We have talked to Garrett and the twins, they are growing up so much and are sweet little fellas. Melissa’s health seems to be doing well also. Pray for Marc. Since the economy has slowed down their business is really struggling also. Thanks for praying for them all. We miss them!

And lastly, we are looking for a house to rent. Ours is being sold and will eventually be torn down. So, HELP! Pray! Thanks!

A little story to leave you with: A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. “But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.”  “But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied. “Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” “Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son.  As Dave Ramsey says when someone ask him how he doing, he always says,”Better than I deserve!” Ain’t it the truth! God’s mercy is great.

God bless! Thanks for your prayers.

This IS Monday and I am THE Monday Man,

Jayree

Fifty-three gathered for the morning worship service.  One first-time visitor was present, the wife of a man who came last week for the first time.  The day is beautiful, weather-wise, which encouraged people to get out.  Some of the regular families were absent due to illnesses, but hopefully the congregation is beginning to regather after the long winter.

Some of our families appear to be under direct spiritual attack, so we would appreciate your prayers on their behalf.  Also, please continue to pray for the salvation of the lost.

Thank you for standing along side us.

Jeff Crabtree

Church Planter/Pastor

Fredericton, NB

Canada

As part of missions, a program was given on “go green.”  That’s the buzz phrase isn’t it?  While it is important to “go green” for the planet, it’s important to apply those same principles to our spiritual life.  Use less energy in a planetary way. Use more of our energy for the Lord.  Solar energy is good. Let’s use the power of the SON.  By all means recycle, but allow God to recycle our lives. He can mold us for his glory.  “Go green” is so familiar because talk of it is far and wide.  We need to “go green” with spreading the gospel.

What’s this got to do with shoes?  We’re glad you asked!  A young girl from Lowman’s Valley Church is going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. There is a company that buys shoes, refurbishes them and sends most of them to third-world countries.  That’s recycling if there ever was.  She is going to use that money to help finance her trip.

She has collected 1,500 pairs so far and is shooting for 5,000. For the next two weeks we’re collecting shoes.  So….send your shoes!  She can use them. Others in the world who have none will benefit from your gift.

The company will not take bedroom slippers, but the rest are welcome!

We woke to a new 4-5 inches of snow on top of ice.  The snow continued to fall until after the morning service ended.  We salted the parking area yesterday for safety reasons because of large patches of thick ice.  The new snow made unsalted walkways and driveways treacherous. However, some braved the elements and for that we are grateful.

We showed the Christian movie “Flywheel” this past Friday evening.  Four or five inches of snow and freezing rain in some parts of the Fredericton area made us wonder if we should cancel the event.  Several people called to let us know they were not coming. But, there were fifteen or so visitors included in the group that came.

Please keep us in your prayers as we sow seed and pray for God to give an increase.

The Gibbs' have been on the mission field for 34 years and at 23 were the youngest Free Will Baptist missionaries to go the field. Barbara reminded us that missionaries are human like anyone else except
they were obedient and answered the call to France stating that
nothing is better than being in the center of God's will.

Jerry showed a video of interviews with the French people. These were not set up interviews, but real on-the-spot questions and answers. The people were asked what does Jesus mean to you? Jerry reminded us that French attitudes are not like ours toward God. A French leader stated that the French are a society that has chosen to live without God. The answer most given was nothing; Jesus meant nothing to them.

The Gibbs sang a beautiful chorus written by someone in their church in France. It was first sang in French and then English. The words are as follows: Oh, Lord, my God, I offer you my heart. May all my life be fully set apart. Come touch my thoughts, my will, my days. May my whole live be one of praise. Oh, Lord, my God, I offer you my heart.

The need for missionaries in France was given by this example. Imagine Smyth County, with it's 30,000 population having only one other church than ours. Now imagine that with 70,000 people. In those circumstances we were asked how we would reach the people if it were our county. Answers were the normal–people we work with, see everyday, or with kids. We were reminded that one of our ways is our upcoming Easter program/play on Good Friday.

The people in France look like us; they dress like us. However, they do not think or believe like we do. Only 1/2 of 1% know Christ as Savior. It's estimated that 10 million people consult fortune tellers. They know God has only a God of wrath; how can they be shown the loving God we know? They tried the traditional ways of sending out letters, putting up notices, etc and got very little response.  Here are some innovative ways they are getting the message of Christ to the people.

Music is very important to their culture and  musical events put them in a non-threatening situation where they can meet Christians and see we are not weird.  Christians can have fun and not drink and party.  They cannot give our tracts or preach, but they can sing.  The choir sings in shopping malls at Christmas.  For three years they have done a live nativity.  This has been very successful. They offer hot chocolate to the visitors and give tours of the church. Most have never entered a Protestant church.  There are 36,000 towns and villages who have never heard of God's amazing grace.  It has been said that no one should hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once.

Pray for Jerry and Barbara as they seek continued support so that they can return in May. With the value of the dollar decreasing it takes much more to live in France right now.  The church has preachers filling in for him, but they have no pastor.   Their desire is to return as soon as possible. ]]> http://www.adwolfe-freewill-baptist-church.org/2008/03/16/missionary-visit/feed/ 0