SBJ
Subject: pop up hallelujah chorus at macy's
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pop-Up "Hallelujah Chorus" at Macy's
Just had to share this one. . . .Brings tears of joy!!!
SBJ
SBJ
"Your Prayers Were Certainly Effective!"
Remember that a few days ago we forwarded a request for prayer for the Boston International Ministries annual Thanksgiving banquet? Well, here's an update from our friend Barbara Beevers, the Mission Service Corps missionary who made the request! Thanks to all of you for praying. . . God is answering!!! Keep praying!!
That's Barbara and Ernie Beevers hosting young internationals at last year's event. FYI---The shawl was a gift from a Chinese friend! Dear prayer partners, Your prayers were certainly effective. You prayed that we would get hosts and guests matched up well. Even though a host couple had to call in sick, and some students did too, all of the hosts and guests seemed to enjoy one another. A research scientist brought her mother and sister who didn't know English. Michael matched them with Chinese-American hosts. Everyone at the table joined the conversation in Chinese. Those hosts are planning two Thanksgiving dinners: one for Chinese-speaking guests, one for English. The Lord opened the way for me to share some facts of the Christina faith with guests from two Middle Eastern countries. I had not met them before, so I asked about their studies and their countries. Then we got talking about the economy. I asked the man if his country had a capitalist or a socialist economy. He said, "Captialist, but a bad kind." He surprised me by asking, "What is the difference between Baptists and other Christians?" "Do you know the difference between Catholics and Protestants? I asked. "A little," he said. "One difference is the source of authority," I explained. "Protestants accept only the authority of the Bible, while Catholics add the tradition of the Church." "And the Pope," he said. The woman nodded. Then she asked, "How are Baptists different from other Protestants?" "A big difference is that we do not baptise a person or count him as a member of the church until he is old enough to decide for himself that he wants to follow Christ. So it's a person's own decision, not that of parents or society, that makes him or her a Christian." "That's how it should be," she said. "Another difference is the way we baptise. Just as Jesus was baptised in a river, we put the person under the water. The Bible compares this to the burial and resurrection of Christ." "What is the burial?" he asked. "Is it our sins?" she asked. "Yes." I said, "and then rising from the water of baptism symbolizes a new life, following Jesus." I don't remember what interrupted us then, but I was thankful we got that far. We are now matching students and hosts for Thanksgiving Day. Please keep praying "that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." (2 Thess.3:1) Sincerely, Barbara ____________________________________________________________
Friday, November 12, 2010
Urgent Prayer Need for Boston International Ministries Banquet this Sunday!
NOTE: Below is a portion of an e-mail we just received from our fellow Mission Service Corps missionary Barbara Beevers who serves university students through the Boston International Ministries team. Please join us in praying fervently for their annual Thanksgiving banquet THIS SUNDAY (November 21) as well as for their ongoing ministry whose message to you is "Touch Boston and Touch the World!"
*********************************
Overwhelmed with all the needs I'm praying for, I found a timely
reminder in 2 Chronicles 20 this week: "Do not be afraid or discouraged. . . the
battle is the not yours, but God's." As I pray for our efforts to make
disciples of the nations, I need to remember who I'm talking to. Here's more
from 2 Chronicles: "Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the
kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand."
Please join me in praying to our great God for the Boston International
Ministries annual Thanksgiving Banquet in Cambridge this Sunday, November 14.
Pray that those God wants to be there will come and be matched with the right
hosts, and that conversations will draw us together and open doors for faith.
There is much arranging to do in these next few days: food, program,
last-minute invitations/responses, seating charts. Ask the Lord's blessing and
guidance on these efforts and pray especially for our leader, Rev. Michael Dean,
balancing all these kingdom details.
Last year, only weeks before the banquet, Rae suddenly appeared at the
Bible class. As designed by our strategy for the banquet, her table hosts
invited her to their home for Thanksgiving Day.
The next month at the Christmas party, Rae talked a lot with Ernie. She
called out to me, "Barbara, Ernie says he wouldn't have married you if you
weren't a Christian!" I added to her shock by saying I wouldn't have married him
if he was not a Christian. So I explained. "I made a promise to obey and follow
Jesus. I couldn't marry someone who did not obey Jesus. I would be pulled
apart."
She wrote soon afterward, "I have a close feeling with you and Ernie.
It seems there is no gap between us besides the age and language. I love to talk
with you. I feel we can communicate smoothly." No gap but age and language!
Small stuff to our God!
Second semester Rae's class in grad school was the same hour as the
Bible class so I emailed her the lessons. She came to church on the day I gave
my salvation testimony to the congregation. She lived too far away to attend our
church, but began to attend another church from our coalition.
In March I invited her to lunch at our home. We talked about various
things, then she asked, "What are the requirements for becoming a Christian? Do
you have to attend church a certain number of times? Or read a certain amount of
the Bible?" We began to explain repentance for sin and how we must put our trust
in Jesus, not just for forgiveness but for everyday decisions.
She asked, "Could I do this secretly? I am a university professor. I
could lose my job."
I said I'd heard of secret Christians. "But Jesus said if we deny him
before men, he will have to deny us before God the Father. I'd be afraid to take
a chance on that. But this is your decision."
Three months later, she came to lunch again. "Coming to your class and
going to church has changed my life." Two days before flying home to East Asia,
she was baptized. An email gave us the wonderful news that she is attending
church there, "a church with people like me who went to America and became
Christians."
May there be many more like that, and may some of those journeys to
faith begin this week.
Thanks for your prayers. They make a difference!
Sincerely, Barbara
Our friend Michael Dean, Director of Boston Internation Ministries, added this comment:
*** Thanks to all for your prayers and partnership. There are hundreds here who are
beginning journeys of faith including some who will join our annual banquet on
Sunday. If you or your church want to partner to help provide toward our
banquet or language Bibles or any of our mission to the world in Boston, send a
tax-deductible gift written to "GBBA" and mail it to: Boston International
Ministries, Greater Boston Baptist Association, 754 Greendale Avenue, Needham,
MA 02492. Or perhaps you feel God leading you to come and join our efforts to
Touch Boston & Touch the World. Any questions? Email mdean@bostonbaptist.org.
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Rev. Michael Dean
Director/Founder, Boston International Ministries
*********************************
Overwhelmed with all the needs I'm praying for, I found a timely
reminder in 2 Chronicles 20 this week: "Do not be afraid or discouraged. . . the
battle is the not yours, but God's." As I pray for our efforts to make
disciples of the nations, I need to remember who I'm talking to. Here's more
from 2 Chronicles: "Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the
kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand."
Please join me in praying to our great God for the Boston International
Ministries annual Thanksgiving Banquet in Cambridge this Sunday, November 14.
Pray that those God wants to be there will come and be matched with the right
hosts, and that conversations will draw us together and open doors for faith.
There is much arranging to do in these next few days: food, program,
last-minute invitations/responses, seating charts. Ask the Lord's blessing and
guidance on these efforts and pray especially for our leader, Rev. Michael Dean,
balancing all these kingdom details.
Last year, only weeks before the banquet, Rae suddenly appeared at the
Bible class. As designed by our strategy for the banquet, her table hosts
invited her to their home for Thanksgiving Day.
The next month at the Christmas party, Rae talked a lot with Ernie. She
called out to me, "Barbara, Ernie says he wouldn't have married you if you
weren't a Christian!" I added to her shock by saying I wouldn't have married him
if he was not a Christian. So I explained. "I made a promise to obey and follow
Jesus. I couldn't marry someone who did not obey Jesus. I would be pulled
apart."
She wrote soon afterward, "I have a close feeling with you and Ernie.
It seems there is no gap between us besides the age and language. I love to talk
with you. I feel we can communicate smoothly." No gap but age and language!
Small stuff to our God!
Second semester Rae's class in grad school was the same hour as the
Bible class so I emailed her the lessons. She came to church on the day I gave
my salvation testimony to the congregation. She lived too far away to attend our
church, but began to attend another church from our coalition.
In March I invited her to lunch at our home. We talked about various
things, then she asked, "What are the requirements for becoming a Christian? Do
you have to attend church a certain number of times? Or read a certain amount of
the Bible?" We began to explain repentance for sin and how we must put our trust
in Jesus, not just for forgiveness but for everyday decisions.
She asked, "Could I do this secretly? I am a university professor. I
could lose my job."
I said I'd heard of secret Christians. "But Jesus said if we deny him
before men, he will have to deny us before God the Father. I'd be afraid to take
a chance on that. But this is your decision."
Three months later, she came to lunch again. "Coming to your class and
going to church has changed my life." Two days before flying home to East Asia,
she was baptized. An email gave us the wonderful news that she is attending
church there, "a church with people like me who went to America and became
Christians."
May there be many more like that, and may some of those journeys to
faith begin this week.
Thanks for your prayers. They make a difference!
Sincerely, Barbara
Our friend Michael Dean, Director of Boston Internation Ministries, added this comment:
*** Thanks to all for your prayers and partnership. There are hundreds here who are
beginning journeys of faith including some who will join our annual banquet on
Sunday. If you or your church want to partner to help provide toward our
banquet or language Bibles or any of our mission to the world in Boston, send a
tax-deductible gift written to "GBBA" and mail it to: Boston International
Ministries, Greater Boston Baptist Association, 754 Greendale Avenue, Needham,
MA 02492. Or perhaps you feel God leading you to come and join our efforts to
Touch Boston & Touch the World. Any questions? Email mdean@bostonbaptist.org.
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Rev. Michael Dean
Director/Founder, Boston International Ministries
Friday, November 5, 2010
Have New Missions House---Need Some Help!
One of the most rewarding things about serving in New England is getting to know Christians from all over the country who come there to serve in so many different capacities. As you might imagine, one of the biggest challenges for those who are not already New England residents is locating affordable housing for a short period of time. . .
With the help of some "seed money" provided by FBC Longview, about a year ago the Massachusetts Baptist Association purchased two "triple-deckers" in Worcester, MA, each of which houses three apartments. Currently there are tenants in five of the six apartments, leaving one available for small mission teams, Mission Service Corps missionaries, pastors in need of temporary housing, or collegiate workers. The vision is to have all six apartments available to our good Baptist folks who come there "on mission"----- for a few days to a few weeks or months.
The buildings both have a brand new roof now as well as updated electrical wiring. In August, a very energetic team of young adults from Vida Nova Church in Amherst, MA, (home of the University of Massachusetts) spent a Saturday doing clean-up, fix-up, and painting! You can almost FEEL their energy in these pictures!
At this time there are two ongoing needs:
(1) A construction team who might update the small bathroom in the available apartment. Would probably require new fixtures, walls, and flooring. Need both labor and funding to be provided.
(2) Significant financial contributions to help address the indebtedness on the building. The rentals currently pay the mortgage payments, but there is a balloon note that comes due next November.
We are praying that the Lord will impress individuals or churches to partner with MBA in this endeavor.
If you or someone you know would consider becoming an onsite or financial partner (or both!), please contact MBA Director of Missions Ray Allen at dom@massbaptist.org or (508)393-8010. Or you can always send us a note to learn more by responding to this blog at sherilynbj@gmail.com.
With the help of some "seed money" provided by FBC Longview, about a year ago the Massachusetts Baptist Association purchased two "triple-deckers" in Worcester, MA, each of which houses three apartments. Currently there are tenants in five of the six apartments, leaving one available for small mission teams, Mission Service Corps missionaries, pastors in need of temporary housing, or collegiate workers. The vision is to have all six apartments available to our good Baptist folks who come there "on mission"----- for a few days to a few weeks or months.
The buildings both have a brand new roof now as well as updated electrical wiring. In August, a very energetic team of young adults from Vida Nova Church in Amherst, MA, (home of the University of Massachusetts) spent a Saturday doing clean-up, fix-up, and painting! You can almost FEEL their energy in these pictures!
(1) A construction team who might update the small bathroom in the available apartment. Would probably require new fixtures, walls, and flooring. Need both labor and funding to be provided.
(2) Significant financial contributions to help address the indebtedness on the building. The rentals currently pay the mortgage payments, but there is a balloon note that comes due next November.
We are praying that the Lord will impress individuals or churches to partner with MBA in this endeavor.
If you or someone you know would consider becoming an onsite or financial partner (or both!), please contact MBA Director of Missions Ray Allen at dom@massbaptist.org or (508)393-8010. Or you can always send us a note to learn more by responding to this blog at sherilynbj@gmail.com.
"Busy Hands" Help Keep Babies Warm !
In addition to previous shipments to several churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut, they are now sending Christmas baby blankets to be distributed in Rhode Island as well. What a gift to new parents and new babies! These are always highly prized by all!
NOTE TO NEW ENGLAND PASTORS-----If your church would like to receive some of these beauties to be used for needy families or for gifts to new babies in your congregation or community, please contact Ann Walston at gramliz@msn.com.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Heading for the Baptist General Convention of Texas Annual Meeting!
Just wanted to let you know we'll be representing the Baptist Convention of New England at the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in McAllen November 7-9, 2010. In addition to serving as messengers from our home church, First Baptist Church of Longview, we will have an opportunity to talk with folks from all over Texas who might be interested in ministering in New England. This could include church mission teams or individuals, couples, or families who would like to explore the possibilties for following the Lord's leadership. Could be for a few days or a few weeks or a few years!
We covet your prayers as we seek to make God's connections!!
If you'd like to see SOME of the current mission opportunities, please go to http://www.answerthecall.net/ or to the website of the Baptist Convention of New England, http://www.bcne.net/.
We encourage you to follow up with the contact persons as listed or just give us a call at
(903) 235-7507 to talk further.
Please know that there are many mission opportunities that are not posted on these sights---some perhaps not even created yet! If you'd like to know more, please send us an e-mail at sherilynbj@gmail.com or call us at the number listed above. We'd LOVE to explore with you!!!
We covet your prayers as we seek to make God's connections!!
If you'd like to see SOME of the current mission opportunities, please go to http://www.answerthecall.net/ or to the website of the Baptist Convention of New England, http://www.bcne.net/.
We encourage you to follow up with the contact persons as listed or just give us a call at
(903) 235-7507 to talk further.
Please know that there are many mission opportunities that are not posted on these sights---some perhaps not even created yet! If you'd like to know more, please send us an e-mail at sherilynbj@gmail.com or call us at the number listed above. We'd LOVE to explore with you!!!
Have need of a used van for a New England Director of Missions!
Ray Allen, Director of Missions for the Massachusetts Baptist Association, has almost worn out his van! He would like to locate a used van which could be purchased at a discount. He says the number of miles on the vehicle is not an issue!
"It's okay if it has 150,000 or 200,000 miles," Ray says! As you might expect, Ray drives MANY miles in his duties serving Massachusetts churches from the Berkshires in the western part of the state almost to Cape Cod on the southeast. By our measurements, it's almost 200 miles between the most distant churches!
Ray is one of the two Directors of Missions with whom we have worked most closely these last four years.
We love him dearly and would love to help him "keep moving!"
If you or someone you know might be able to help with this, please contact Ray Allen at (508)393-8010
or e-mail him at dom@massbaptist.org.
Thanks for your consideration! See, there are LOTS of ways to be "on mission!"
"It's okay if it has 150,000 or 200,000 miles," Ray says! As you might expect, Ray drives MANY miles in his duties serving Massachusetts churches from the Berkshires in the western part of the state almost to Cape Cod on the southeast. By our measurements, it's almost 200 miles between the most distant churches!
Ray is one of the two Directors of Missions with whom we have worked most closely these last four years.
We love him dearly and would love to help him "keep moving!"
If you or someone you know might be able to help with this, please contact Ray Allen at (508)393-8010
or e-mail him at dom@massbaptist.org.
Thanks for your consideration! See, there are LOTS of ways to be "on mission!"
New church plant in South Kingstown, Rhode Island
A couple of weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending the very first worship service of a new church plant, The Bridge, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island! Leading the new church are Pastor Cal Bankston and his wife, Tammy.
Pastor Cal, a Louisiana native and a bivocational pastor, has served New England churches for several years previous to this new church start. Forming the core group to help the new church plant get started are members of the Bankstons' Sunday School class in Faith Baptist Church in Warwick, Rhode Island. Several couples from that church have agreed to attend the new church's once-a-month Sunday services at a Holiday Inn Express in South Kingstown, RI until the spring when they will have their formal church launch. In addition to the monthly Sunday morning worship times, the Bankstons will be leading weekly Wednesday Bible studies in their home.
Are you a member of a group (church, SS class, small group, family, etc.) who would like to be a PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT PARTNER for the The Bridge ? Your commitment would be to communicate regularly with the Bankstons to share concerns, praises, and prayer requests and then to encourage your group to pray and encourage them however you chose---e-mails, notes, cards, phone calls, etc. It would mean so much to this new church plant to know that they have people who pray for them on a regular basis!
Please let us know if this is something your group would like to consider. Phone no. is (903)235-7507 or e-mail us at sherilynbj@gmail.com. It's a vital way to be "on mission" wherever you are!
 |
| Cal Bankston, pastor of the The Bridge in South Kingstown, RI |
Pastor Cal, a Louisiana native and a bivocational pastor, has served New England churches for several years previous to this new church start. Forming the core group to help the new church plant get started are members of the Bankstons' Sunday School class in Faith Baptist Church in Warwick, Rhode Island. Several couples from that church have agreed to attend the new church's once-a-month Sunday services at a Holiday Inn Express in South Kingstown, RI until the spring when they will have their formal church launch. In addition to the monthly Sunday morning worship times, the Bankstons will be leading weekly Wednesday Bible studies in their home.
Are you a member of a group (church, SS class, small group, family, etc.) who would like to be a PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT PARTNER for the The Bridge ? Your commitment would be to communicate regularly with the Bankstons to share concerns, praises, and prayer requests and then to encourage your group to pray and encourage them however you chose---e-mails, notes, cards, phone calls, etc. It would mean so much to this new church plant to know that they have people who pray for them on a regular basis!
Please let us know if this is something your group would like to consider. Phone no. is (903)235-7507 or e-mail us at sherilynbj@gmail.com. It's a vital way to be "on mission" wherever you are!
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