Dispatches From The Front

Last Sunday evening we were privileged to host the premier of the latest installment of the Dispatches From the Front DVD series from Frontline Missions. This third episode, entitled I Once Was Blind, shows the transforming power of the Gospel working its way through West Africa. Through ministries like Water of Life and numerous native church planting efforts, God is bringing a powerful and gracious change to the hearts of those who have been bound in darkness, blinded by sin, and bringing them into His marvelous light! It is an awesome and humbling thing to see Christ building His church!

If you were unable to purchase a copy of the DVD Sunday and are interested in doing so, you can order online here. All three episodes are available individually or as a set, and bulk purchase discounts are also available.

To stay up to date on further developments in the Dispatches series, as well as see more photos and videos, you can connect with them on Facebook.

Below are some excerpts from the first two episodes.

About the Series

Episode 1: Islands On the Edge

Episode 2: A Bold Advance

Tim Keesee Featured in Greenville News

Tim Keesee, director of Frontline Missions and one of our members, was featured in the City People section of the Greenville News this week. As you might imagine, Tim used the opportunity to speak of Christ:

“When you get tired of the travel and the strange food, the thing that sustains you is your relationship with Christ,” says Keesee.“My role is finding the open door, looking for the opportunity that will allow people to advance the Gospel where it has not reached before.”

Read the entire article here.

Sunday, February 7

On Sunday morning, David Hosaflook, missionary to Albania, preached during the morning service. This message will soon be available on the sermon page of our website. 

 

During the evening service, Dispatches from the Front: A Bold Advance was shown. For  more information or to purchase this DVD, visit www.dispatchesfromthefront.org. To learn more about Frontline Missions International, visit their website.

 

 

 

Questions about Sharing Christ

Here’s an article worth reading dealing with the question, “How do you initiate Gospel conversations?” A summary of the answers:

• Frequent the same places.
• Leave big tips.
• Ask how you can pray for someone.
• Invite people to church.
• Use the FIRE acrostic in conversation: Friends, Interests, Religion, Evangelism.

Read the whole thing here.

How to Help the Homeless

In light of Pastor Brooks’ message Sunday night on showing kindness to others, here’s an excellent, brief video from the Los Angeles Mission that gives five ways to help the homeless.

5 Ways To Help from Los Angeles Mission on Vimeo.

HT: Josh McCarnan

Recommended Recources on Islam

One of our missionaries, David Hosaflook, recently posted some suggestions for those who would like to learn more about Islam. Here’s a summary:

1. Read the Qur’an. (But note David’s suggestion about note-taking.)
2. Read about Islam from Islamic sources (e.g., Islam World and Islam.com).
3. The best source of knowing what Muslims believe is simply meeting a Muslim and asking him.
4. One of the best overviews from a Christian perspective is Timothy George’s Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? (Zondervan, 2002).
5. Read Badru Kateregga and David Shenk’s A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue (Herald, 1997).
6. David is looking forward to reading Peter Pikkert’s Protestant Missionaries to the Middle East: Ambassadors of Christ or Culture? (CreateSpace, 2008).
7. David shies away from books and articles with an agenda of proving Islam’s link with terrorism. His comment: “I’m not blind and I don’t need books which lessen my compassion for the lost.”
8. David’s final piece of advice: “As far as specific books on reaching Muslims for Christ, I would like to read one from someone who has seen it happen a lot. I understand that the two most effective books are The Bible and the Christian who lives and loves like he is one.”

Read the whole thing. You may need to contact him (missiomishmash [at] gmail [dot] com) to receive a username and password.

Desiring God Audiobook for Free

This month christianaudio is offering John Piper’s Desiring God for free. From their announcement:

Desiring God by John Piper is the free audiobook download for November; one of the best-selling and most popular titles ever published by christianaudio!

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.

Desiring God Ministries was founded in 1994 by Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN. Desiring God exists to say that God’s ultimate goal is to glorify himself. Everything they do aims to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. Learn how they accomplish that and how you can join in the mission at www.desiringgod.org.

christianaudio is truly thankful for the ministry of Desiring God and appreciative of Waterbrook-Multnomah for allowing us to offer this book. The Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group is committed to creating products that both intensify and satisfy the elemental thirst for a deeper relationship with God.

Make sure you select the Download Format and enter the coupon code NOV2009.

Related: In connection with this deal christianaudio is offering all of their John Piper titles for $4.95 each until November 21.

How to Encourage Your Pastor

Here‘s a helpful article from Christianity Today that outlines eight ways to encourage your pastor. Here are the main points:

1. Cut the criticism

2. Pray regularly

3. Express appreciation in writing

4. Use your skills to bless

5. Squelch gossip

6. Offer to meet a need

7. Be openly responsive

8. Throw away the measuring stick.

Read the whole thing.

 

HT: Dan Olinger.

Free Audio of Luther’s “Here I Stand”

To celebrate Reformation Day (this Saturday), The Listener’s Bible is giving away a free mp3 download of Martin Luther’s “Here I Stand” narrated by Max McLean. From Andy Naselli:

Jenni and I just listened to Martin Luther’s Here I Stand this morning to begin our celebration of Reformation Day later this week. It’s a simple 24-minute recording by Max McLean, and it’s moving. After we heard Luther’s famous words again, we both remarked, “That was awesome!”

You can download it for free through Sunday, November 1.

Related: Max McLean’s audio recording of the ESV is worth your consideration. You can choose either the New Testament (audio CD | MP3 download) or the whole Bible (audio CD | MP3 CD | MP3 download). Other titles to consider: The Valley of Vision, Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Through the Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Mark also has theatrical presentations of Mark’s Gospel and C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.

What God Can Do

Perspectives from Peacemaker Ministries on Vimeo.

HT: Justin Taylor