NOTES IN MY MAILBOX From the Literature Secretary: As many of you have discovered Dear Enemy by Jack Cavanaugh, the suggested missions book, is no longer in print. If you wish, you may obtain a used copy from Amazon.com. It could also be available on eBay. Another option is to substitute another book with a mission emphasis. Some possibilities are: Through Gates of Splendor, Shadow of the Almighty, or A Chance to Die, all by Elisabeth Elliot; At the End of the Spear by Steve Saint; Peace Child by Don Richardson; or Ships of Mercy by Don Stephens. These should all be readily available. Corky Fisher Literature Secretary About the 2-year project: The 2-year project which concluded in July 2009 was designated for the soccer and youth program in Bradenton, FL, where Miguel and Sonia Antunez minister. Miguel reported: The past year of ministry was a blessed year. Seeing Sonia healthy after battling with leukemia was a great thing! However, with every little thing she felt, our fear it was coming back was with us. God’s grace was abundant in such moments of pain and we felt your prayers and your support at all times. Thanks a lot! Pastoring the Anglo congregation added a lot of work. But now we are working with the Hispanic congregation in order to merge both into one. On Sunday we have a traditional service and Thursday night we have a contemporary worship service. Here we started with six ladies who came to Sonia’s ladies’ meeting. Now we average 12-14. On Sunday at 11 a.m. we have a tremendous opportunity to share the gospel with their parents. We will have a parental seminar called “Parenting the Early Years” by Les and Leslie Parrot. Miguel concludes: “We are trying to be good stewards of the money you provided for us. I have to make decisions in order to know what is the best way to spend the money and benefit the ministry, so I beg you to understand that things are going slow but sure. I pray that God will give us health and energy
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Missionary Miscellany (continued)
President’s Pen (continued)
(5) for the new Christian bookstore in our area. A couple from the church had to close it about 1½ years ago. Two weeks ago the husband talked to Todd and commented that they were beginning to think that God wanted them to reopen. We all prayed about it and God began to drop things into place very quickly. Now they are preparing to re-open in a very strategic place in our neighborhood, in a storefront that God provided at less than 1/3 the normal rent! Pray that it will be a powerful tool, to reach people for Christ, to give a place for counseling and healing, and to assist people in getting the tools needed for ministry. Thank you, ladies. God works through the prayers of His saints. May He bless you as you serve us (and Him) in this beautiful way. To God be all glory and honor. A big hug to all, Tracy Ruggles
likeness of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brothers. How fantastic it is that God the Father wants us to be like His Son, Jesus! We may look at our lives and the way we struggle with sin, and wonder how or if we will ever really change or be changed into His image. Well, if it were only dependent on our weak attempts, we would be justified to doubt; however, we have something more than our own lives to look at. We have God! We have His Word! 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. As we change, so that we more consistently reflect Christ’s character to the world, I’m sure we will experience some outward changes as well. One benefit of our inward change is the joy that comes from communing regularly with God. Our response to our Lord may be that of Psalm 16:11, You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Joyfully,
Changing news from Tom and Lindsey: The Center is moving along at a rapid pace and continues to reach a lot of new people with the Gospel. Over the summer we took another look at who we are and what we do. We also looked at how we “do” church. This exciting new development has opened new opportunities. The Center will still continue to offer our small group ministry, which is what we are built from. Now we offer three house churches located in Bolivar, Cuyahoga Falls, and Ashland. We also
decided to offer a traditional Sunday service at one of our partner churches in Kent. This partnership was born out of a mutual respect for one another as well as a passion to bring people to the kingdom of God. This service has tripled in size since we joined. We are very excited to see Kent State University students attend. Needless to say, we are busy, but we are always very active and passionate about Jesus Christ. We thank you for your prayers, gifts, and financial support throughout the years. Tom and Lindsey Asbury
to keep working for Him, you over there and us here. Bless you in Jesus, Miguel and Sonia Antunez
Phyllis
The Editor’s Ending
Dear Friend, Throughout the Newsletter are changes — beginning with Phyllis’s Pen, describing changes that occur in life, continuing to the suggested literature book, the directory with a few different officers and addresses, and missionary changes from the Antunez, Asbury, and Ruggles families. Today my optometrist said “Three things we can count on: death, taxes, and change.” Even my eyes! However, we really can count on our Lord. “O Thou, Who changest not, abide with me.” He is all we need. Your friend,
Joan