Prayer Update

Dear praying friends,

Thank you for your faithful prayer for the ministry of Camp Joy.  We continue to prayerfully seek the Lord’s care and intervention.  The faithful prayers of God’s people profiteth much.

This week is a church staff retreat and they seem to be having a good time relaxing and enjoying their families.  Please pray that we can be a blessing to them.

We rejoice in the decisions that were made last week during a school camp with Evangelist Jake D’Andrea.  There were at least 5 decisions for salvation and assurance, and we praise Him for working in hearts.  Along with the decisions for salvation, we saw over 80 decisions for the Lord.

Praise the Lord for the souls we have seen saved this fall and for the many things the Lord is done and continues to do.

I am not at liberty to share any details, but I would like to express the real need for special prayer for God’s continued protection and provision in unusual ways during this time.  It is vital that our Camp Joy prayer partners remain faithful to the work of prayer.  Please remain steadfast in your commitment to pray daily for the work.

The following are special requests for this week:

1.            Pray for the safety of the campers who are attending this week.

2.            Pray as we continue to seek the Lord for the financial provision to meet the great needs pressing on us at this time.

3.            Continue to pray that the vehicle needs will be met as this is the time of year when we do a lot of traveling to promote the ministry and to recruit summer staff.

4.            Pray for our upcoming summer staff recruitment various Christian colleges.  The economic times can be a real test of faith, and those who are considering serving Him next summer in ministries like ours will need clear direction and a strengthening of faith to commit.  Pray for the Lord’s leading in hearts and for the right staff to be here next summer.

5.            Please pray for next week’s Young-at-Heart Retreat with Pastor David Atkinson, that the hearts of the seniors will be encouraged and strengthened in their Christian walk.  Our staff will be limited that week as a good number of our staff will be recruiting at Ambassador Baptist College and Bob Jones University.

6.            Pray for extra hands.  We can use some work crews to come and help us winterize the campgrounds and do an overall clean-up before winter weather sets in.

7.            Please pray for mechanical needs we have with our box truck.  The transmission is going out and this is a vehicle that we use twice a week to pick up the food and supplies that the Lord graciously provides.  Please also pray for a mechanic who has volunteered to take care of some of our automotive needs, and that we can get some things taken care of soon.

8.            We need some special prayer for our staff.  Please pray for Katie as she leaves in a couple weeks and prepares for her wedding next spring.  Pray for the protection of our staff during these times and pray that the Lord would strengthen us all physically but most important spiritually.

9.            Please pray for our printing department.  There are a number of printing projects (brochures, flyers, etc) that are in backlog that we haven’t been able to get to.  Jonathon Fruin is one who works in that department, but he is filling in other positions.  We have a lot to accomplish, and our staff has dwindled.

Open Doors

Two adult ladies in Dikgale asked for baptism. Ruth (65?) is Piet’s wife and was saved around a year ago. Joyce (35?) was saved about a year ago too. We look forward to baptizing them this next Sunday. Olga (17) also expressed  a desire, but for some reason is waiting.

Piet has also been witnessing to a couple of other adults and is requesting Bibles for them.

Maria (19) was also a first time visitor and asked for an English Bible. Not until after we left did I suspect her to be a Zimbabwean for several Zim folks are living in and around. Roy (18) who was saved about two months ago was the one to bring her.

Samuel (23) came up to me after the service and said, “Moruti, is it alright if I teach the character lessons (correspondence courses) to others in my mother tongue?”

Prior to running out the door tonight for our study in town, we grabbed one of each of our correspondence studies to show and to offer to the folks to study over the next year in lieu of our upcoming furlough. In the group was Anna’s husband, a first time visitor from Zimbabwe. He asked for the studies and after perusing them said, “This is what we need to make available in Zimbabwe,” as he held up the three booklets on Character. It just so happens that he works for Scripture Union which is an effort to put Christian literature into the hands of school age children.

Friday we met with three men, one of whom has a salvation testimony. We met Jack back in 2002 and did some studies with him. He moved to Capetown shortly thereafter but has been back for a year or two. Getting an email from him out of the blue really took me by surprise ten days ago. In it he said, “Moruti, I am ready to continue the lessons we started back in 2002.” Can you believe it? Seven years later! What a blessing! We made an appointment and went to his village Friday a.m. to help chart a course for him in doing some studies during our absence.

While there a man came into the room where we were and said, “Those people across the street are interested in your bakkie (I am trying to sell it to cover expenses here while we are gone, so I have ‘for sale’ signs on it.).” After my study with Jack we went over, showed them our truck, and they made me an offer; an offer a tad bit lower than I would like, but higher than another offer I received this week. Interesting how the Lord directs steps, very interesting.

By the way, did I tell you our study at the University this last Tuesday was the best ever attended?

The attachment is Dyanna’s creation for a prayer card. Didn’t she do a super job for having had no formal graphic design instruction? I am blessed to have such a talented family. Also, this week Drew, Derek and Jeremiah have music exams through UNISA—pray for them. We also have the privilege of having two young men Jon’s age flying in for a visit. Andrew Castner and Nathan Heinz are due to arrive on my birthday this Thursday. I think I will be 41, but I’m getting old, so I’m not real sure J.

Isn’t God good? What open doors! What opportunities! What opposition!

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Brother Wilhite and Family,

South Africa

Prayer Update

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Much has happened in our ministry recently. It’s hard to know where to begin!

First of all, we covet your prayers for a missions trip I am about to make to the work of a Japanese medical missionary in a third-world country. I have known Dr. Tomioka since I came to Japan and sat on his ordination council about 25 years ago, so it will be good to see him and his wife again. On October 15-18 I’ll be preaching in his church four times, showing slides, and teaching soul winning in the Bible institute. The itinerary to get there and back is complicated, so please pray that I’ll make all my connections.

During street evangelism in September, I was able to witness to one of the top yakuza gangsters in Asahikawa, a man named Furuta. Mr. Furuta is suffering from advanced diabetes and seems to be somewhat open to the Gospel.

In September I preached the funeral service of Mrs. Asako Sato, who went to be with Jesus at the age of 100! The mother of Mrs. Takasugi in our church, Mrs. Sato moved up to live with her daughter several years ago and came to our church until she was no longer able. She was a blessing, always reading the passages, smiling, and nodding when I preached. Japanese funerals are very difficult, because of the funeral director and non-Christian family attempting to worship the spirit of the dead person, but God took us through with only a couple of minor hitches. Praise the Lord that lost family members heard the Gospel.

Please pray especially for Mr. Usuki right now. He has a major decision to make. To simplify a very complicated matter, he is a member of a certain organization that he must leave. However, his senior in this organization is someone with whom he grew up. On the other hand, in an answer to prayer, Mr. Usuki has a new job due to the help of that same friend, so the decision is difficult.

Thanks as always to each of you for your faithfulness in prayer and support.

In Christ’s service,

John and Patty Himes

Munchies

Dear Munchers:

In our society today I think we do far more Feasting than Fasting.  I have had a wonderful week preaching in Romania.  I was certainly not allowed to Fast.

1.  The church in Pecs still enjoys seeing new and returning visitors so we thank the Lord for Bela’s faithful leadership in the church.

2.  The new church in Nagykanizsa still continues to grow with many exciting blessings.  Please PRAY on for Gedeon and Yoli in this vital work.

3.  What a blessing to see virtually the whole church at the altar this morning on their knees.  I was humbled and felt totally unworthy of the privilege of preaching for our Lord.  The churches in Romania have a great burden to reach their lost communities for Christ.  Praise the Lord that one teen girl was saved after the service tonight.

4.  Tomorrow I will return to Hungary.  Please PRAY as I preach another series of meetings in Dunakeszi, Hungary a very cosmopolitan and needy suburb north of Budapest.  I will also be preaching for Gedeon many more times this month.

5.  Valerie and the girls are doing well in the states and I will soon join them again next month.  If you didn’t pick up one or more of Valerie’s CDs already please visit www.valerieknies.com and get some right away!

I shouldn’t ask you to PRAY when you Fast this week as I might better asking you to PRAY when you Feast.  In any event, please remember . . . “When You’re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!”

Jim Knies

Upcoming Preaching Opportunities

Dear Munchers:

As I am in Romania this week, I am enjoying Rich Romanian Cuisine.  Food is wonderful all around the world.

1.  October begins a lot of preaching opportunities in Hungary and Romania.  I started preaching a series on the Holy Spirit at the new church in Nagykanizsa, Hungary.  That new work is such an encouragement to show that Jesus Christ still desires to build local churches.  I have not heard about the day in Pecs.

2.  I love to preach and am humbled to see the Lord bless the messages at the Independent Baptist Church in Beuis, Romania today.  We began a five-day Missions Conference so please PRAY this week for the preaching each evening.  This Friday through Sunday I will preach Evangelistic Meetings at a sister Baptist church in Stei, Romania.

3.  Under separate cover, you will receive all the information launching my wife Valerie,s new CDs.  As a slightly biased husband, I must say they turned out beautifully and you will enjoy hearing and distributing them.  If you don,t receive the separate letter, please let me know.

I will be preaching ten times over eight days besides enjoying the Rich Romanian Cuisine.  So when you,re having physical or spiritual food this week, please remember . . . “When You’re Hungry, PRAY For Hungary!”

Jim Knies

Presenting two recordings by Valerie Ann Knies

My Faithful Lord, songs and hymns and spiritual songs on the theme of prayer is an album to inspire listeners to realize once again the value of prayer and worship. It includes several classic songs and hymns and spiritual songs of prayer including “The Lord’s Prayer,” J.S. Bach’s “Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Create in Me a Clean Heart.” Since Valerie has served nearly twenty-five years as a foreign missionary, she has included a section on missions including “A Tender Heart,” and “Lord, Send Me Anywhere.” Hymns include “How Great Thou Art,” “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Accompanied by several professional musicians, these fourteen songs will provide refreshment to the soul and comfort to the heart.

Glorious Victory! Songs and Hymns of Victory in the Hungarian language. This lively and joyful album is presented by an exciting men’s quartet, The Messengers of Truth. These wonderful and familiar songs will encourage every listener. All of the musicians on this presentation are from the Bible Baptist Church in Pecs, Hungary and are dedicated to serving the Lord with all of their hearts. This album was produced and directed by Valerie Knies , who also taught them music and Bible throughout their youth.

These two recordings can be purchased as a CD or as a download from http://valerieknies.com/

The CDs are available at Valerie’s web site for a 33% discount from the retail price at

only $10.00 each! Valerie’s original two other recordings of hymn collections are available as well.

Go now to http://valerieknies.com/ to discover the details of these wonderful additions to your sacred music library. Several people have already brought multiple copies to distribute to their friends and relatives.

Final Fall Events

Hello there!

Ladies, enjoy a relaxing weekend at our Ladies Retreat this weekend. The cost for the event is $49.00 and registration begins 5:00 PM with dinner at 6:00 PM. A late fee of $10.00 will be charged for those who register after September 30th. Our theme this year is “Keys To Hospitality,” with challenges from Mrs. Carole Gordon a pastor’s wife for over 30 years. You won’t want to miss this weekend!

On October 9-10, 2009, we will be offering Truth Weekend where teens will have an opportunity to be reached by the Truth of God’s Word. The cost is just $29. Ken Turner, youth evangelist, will be joining us this year. The event will start at 5:00PM on October 9 and will end at 4:00 PM on October 10th. Send in your registration by October 3rd.

All of our brochures and flyers for these events are located on our web site. Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing me back or calling (715) 924-3236.

We look forward to seeing you here!

Kiersten Robertson

Office Manager

Phone: (715) 924-3236

Fax: (715) 924-3234

Pieri Praise and Prayer Letter

October 2009

Newsletter from Italia

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for your prayers. The Lord blessed the farewell to my children and my return trip to Italy. I was able to witness to a number of people on the three-stage plane ride through Frankfurt to Rome. Warren, an elderly man from Boston, was very open and desirous to turn to Christ. Several Muslims also gladly received the Gospel of John in Arabic.

There had been no rain in Aprilia for a month-and-a-half. The first day of my return, it rained, and it has continued to rain regularly since then. “There shall be showers of blessing.”

The work here has been going well during the summer—thanks to the care of two men, Mimmo and Amleto. It is a blessing to see the growth of some of the believers. After preaching my first Sunday back, I took a trip up to Grosseto and found a place to move. It would be a privilege to work with the two families ministering there. At the same time, there are still a lot of loose ends here in Aprilia, and the future of the work is not as clear as I had hoped. Please pray about the transition and the people here. Attendance has been good (averaging about 20), and there is a good spirit among the believers, many of whom are young Christians. The Lord has also brought a good number of visitors. Thanks for your prayers. God is working through His Word and circumstances.

Many contacts have drawn closer to salvation. We also had a good meeting with Edinson Romero’s dad. Edinson is the young man who was saved and baptized this past summer. I had asked you to pray for their reconciliation; and glory to God, they were reconciled. Please pray for Walther Romero’s salvation.

Faith and Joseph are settled in at Bible college at Northland and are doing well. They travel 180 miles each weekend on extension to the church where I was a youth pastor in the 80s.

I thank the Lord for you all and pray that you see His best during this new season.

Please pray for God’s will to be done during this transition.

In Christ,
Larry

Wisconsin Family Action Update

October 7, 2009

NEWS

***Assembly Education Committee holds public hearing on “Unhealthy Youth Act”
For about five hours yesterday morning and early afternoon, Wisconsin Family Action staff members were in the public hearing on AB 458, the grossly misnamed “Healthy Youth Act.”  WFA calls it the “Un-Healthy Youth Act” or the “Promoting Promiscuity in Youth Act” because it would make drastic and negative changes to Wisconsin’s current Human Growth & Development statues (i.e., sex education laws).  This is shaping up to be a pretty typical case of the majority party pushing through a bad piece of public policy as fast as possible in order preclude the opposition from having a say in the policy-making process. The bill was introduced on Wednesday, a week ago today, and the Assembly public hearing was set for the following Tuesday, yesterday, giving those of  who were opposed to the bill very little time to rally the troops to Madison for the hearing.  Read about the hearing here and the bill here.

***WFA offers first-ever, top-flight campaign/activist seminar.  Register today!
On October 23-24, 2009, Wisconsin Family Action will be conducting a seminar for elected officials, candidates, prospective candidates, concerned citizens, church leaders, and campaign team members.  “Winning Campaigns without Compromising Your Values” is designed to give all of these groups the information, skills, and tools they need to win elections–to put principled people in office!  Mark Montini of Campaign Secrets, one of the nation’s premier campaign consultants, worked with WFA to design this seminar and will be doing the presenting.  Space is limited. Thanks to the generosity of people who want to help make an impact in Wisconsin, there’s no registration fee, but registration is required.  Click here for more details and registration information.

***US Senate may vote next week on health care reform plan–complete with taxpayer funded abortion
WFA received word today that Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid may be moving up his schedule on the health care reform plan.  This means it could hit the Senate floor for a vote as early as the end of next week.  At this point, the plan still includes taxpayer funding of abortion.
What you can do:  Call Sens. Kohl and Feingold and urge them to vote against this plan that will expand abortion, is ridiculously expensive, that is further government encroachment in to citizens’ lives, removes personal options, is contrary to our free-market principles, and in general is unnecessary and unwanted.
Sen. Russ Feingold
202-224-5323 (Washington office)
feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html
(Sen. Feingold does not have a standard email address; you must use his online form if you wish to send him an email message.)

Sen. Herb Kohl
202-224-5653 (Washington office)
kohl.senate.gov/contact.cfm
(Sen. Kohl does not have a standard email address; you must use his online form if you wish to send him an email message.

You can also sign a petition to Sen. Harry Reid sponsored by Focus on the Family Action.  Click       here to go to the petition.

***October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
There’s more to this issue of breast cancer than you might think.  Click here to check out Wisconsin Family Action’s research regarding the Abortion-Breast-Cancer link and the link between Susan G. Kommen and Planned Parenthood.

***WFA board members file motion against intervenors in Appling v. Doyle
The David-and-Goliath story rolls on.  On Monday of this week, Attorneys Mike Dean and Rick Esenberg filed with the WI Supreme Court a response to Lambda Legal’s (representing Fair Wisconsin) and the ACLU of WI’s (representing 5 lesbian couples) request to be intervenors in Appling v. Doyle.  This lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the statewide, same-sex-only,       marriage-like domestic partnership registry passed into law as a part of the state’s new budget.  Read more…

EVENTS & MISC.

Bring The Truth Project to your community!  Contact WFC for information on half-day Leader Training events.  888-378-7395

Future Wisconsin Conference – Wisconsin Family Council co-sponsors prayer breakfast and “War on Christianity” panel
Saturday, October 10 – Bluemound Gardens, Wauwatosa, WI

Parenting Vision and Strategy Conference A unique conference blending encouragement and motivation with actual hands on tools to address family issues.

Evangelical Child & Family Agency 25th Banquet Celebration

“Abortion Is NOT Health Care” bumper stickers available from Wisconsin Family Action!
We still have some of these bumper stickers available. Give us a toll-free call at 866-849-2536 to request one or more, or send us an email.  Proclaim the truth about the proposed health-care insurance “reform”!

Weekly Prayer Update

Brethren,

The sermons from the Annual meeting are now available on our website – Firstbaptistwb.org
You will find them in ”sermons”  in the 2009 folder “WFBC Conference” in MP3 format. They can be downloaded there.
Pastor Bruce Dunford

This is the weekly prayer update for October 7, 2009

Mary Spoonhour, pastor’s wife, First Baptist, Monroe
Mary Spoonhour is having some difficulty as they expect a new baby girl.  She’s been in and out of the hospital and needs prayer that the Lord will watch over and protect her and give strength to carry their newborn to full term.

Pastor Freddy McMillen, Park City Baptist, Merrill
Both Pastor and his wife have been laid off work and also five others are laid off in their small congregation. Pray for God’s provision.

Pastor Scott Buhrow, Bible, Reedsburg
Pray for Scott Buhrow as he is still having a lot of headaches from his car accident. He also has problems with his blood sugar going too low and he blacks out from this.

Pastor Jonathan Robertson (Portage) is serving as an Army Chaplain in Iraq
Mail Address:
CH (1 LT) Robertson, Jonathan
Camp Bucca Chapel
HHC 2-127 IN BN
APO-AE 09375-0500
DSN# 318-853-6127
E-mail: pastor@fbcpw.org

Pastor Greg Robotti, Victory Baptist, Eau Claire
Pastor Robotti has been laid off for several months and is in need of a job at this time.

Pastor Dennis Tapp,  First Baptist, Woodville
“We desire God’s blessing and protection during our coming building project.   God is blessing and we hope to break ground late October early November, Lord willing.  The goal is to have the building enclosed and work on it through the winter, finishing sometime late spring.  Construction costs are 25-30 % lower now which is a huge savings.  God is so good!! We are humbled and excited to be allowed to do this.”

Pastor Paul Brown, Green Bay, Pastor Ray Paez, Delavan; Pastor Phillips, Pembine — Pray for sale of their houses.
Praise the Lord, Doug and Donna Lowrey closed on their house in Waterloo on Oct 2nd.

Pray for the churches without pastors: Hurley, Mineral Point, Victory-Oshkosh, Sun Prairie, Wild Rose, Wisconsin Dells.

This Sunday AM I will be visiting churches in the North West

Wayne Vawter
WFBC

Start of Fall Classes

Dear Praying Friends,

Bela is taking a extra year of high school—strange when you consider that by the time a Hungarian graduates from a college prep high school, he has the equivalent of about two years of college in the United States.  Taking an extra year of study before college is actually quite common here.  His preferred college major is very demanding, and he was not able to take all the necessary math and physics prerequisites in four years.  He has an artistic side as well.  After playing the violin for many years, he recently took up the viola.  He plays trumpet, too, after having a few lessons.  He more or less taught himself to play the piano.

He has put his musical ability in the service of the Lord, playing piano to accompany services, leading the choir and overseeing special music.   He takes classes in the Bible institute, too, something that he may not be able to do if he has to go out of the area to attend college next fall.  He is trying to live for Christ in a hostile school environment and he feels overwhelmed with his church responsibilities because he takes them so seriously.  Young men like Bela are the future of Independent Baptists here.  Pray for him.  He is one of about ten million reasons God sent us to Hungary.

Thank you for praying for the start of fall classes here in Pecs and in Romania.  The response in Pecs has exceeded my most optimistic expectations.  Pray that the students will successfully complete the course.  The final exam will be October 24.  Four Greek students have begun the semester in Beius, Romania.  The third semester of New Testament Greek is the hardest.  The usefulness of Greek in their future ministry will depend on how they fare this semester.  Pray for me as the teacher, too, that I will give them both the instruction and encouragement that they need in order to succeed.

We are delighted in the progress of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Nagykanizsa, Hungary.  At their recent friend day Sunday they welcomed 13 visitors, with one professing salvation after the service.  Last Sunday four believers followed the Lord in baptism.

Jean is thankful for her improved health.  Ami would appreciate your prayers for her studies in Budapest and the Bible institute.  She needs safety in travel and protection from worldly influences.

We anticipate a visit from our friends John and Jean Waggoner of Lawrenceville, Georgia, this month.  They want to be a blessing to us and to the church.  Jean and I also plan to take them to Romania when I teach next time, as they have an interest in the ministry there as well.

Please pray for Family Day on October 18, as we encourage whole families to be present in the service.  I will be preaching on the theme of family in the afternoon service.

Please pray for the following who have spiritual needs: Niki, Attila, Anna, Lajos, Ildiko and Gyula.  Pray for the salvation of Agi, Miklos and Erzsi.

Thank you for laboring with us in prayer.

Yours for Hungary Hearts,

David Potter