DISPLAYING GOD’S HEART THROUGH THE ARTS W I N T E R
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GR EE T I N G S F ROM G E O F F AN D JI LL
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hat an amazing, unforgettable year! A year of new beginnings, like the addition in January of our Director of Communications, Ryan Brisco, and the birthing of our summer Refresh worship nights in the backyard. It’s also been a year of sad endings, like the loss of our dear friend/mentor/partner in ministry, G. Lory Bennetts (8-12-27 to 10-11-16). But through it all we have sensed the comfort, direction, reviving, championing Love of God blowing into the deepest places of our souls and filling our sails. We have been thrilled to see individuals drawn into vital relationship with
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their Heavenly Father for the very first time, and we have wept alongside others who have experienced His seeing, knowing, unconditional Love meeting them in the midst of the mess and melancholy. Our conclusion? There is no one, nothing, nobody like our God!! “Everything comes from Him; everything happens through Him; everything ends up in Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes, yes, yes!!” (Romans 11:36) Join us in the following pages as we remember and rejoice over the many ways we’ve seen God show Himself to be real and remarkable this year!
UPDAT E S ON T H E L U D L OW FA MI L Y
or any of you who have had the chance to experience any of our events, you know that our four children are intricately involved in helping to set the safe space and un-rushed time for connection with God that happen at each one. Whether leading in worship, dancing, painting, praying, or encouraging – these four goofy, fun-loving, messy, amazing individuals carry the heart beat of this ministry and, more importantly, of Father God Himself. They are the real deal. Erin, who graduated as a Psychology major a year ago from Azusa Pacific University, is a shining Light in the drive-through window at her Starbucks store in Visalia and will be entering the substitute teaching world in the spring. Trevor, in his last year as a Music and
Worship Major at Azusa Pacific, finds himself co-leading worship for APU Chapel Band and preparing to lead a small team to the Middle East for 6 weeks this summer. After graduating high school in June, Aubrey embarked on a gap year – a chance to deliberately listen for God’s heart and direction for her future. This gave her the opportunity to work for Lory and Nancy Bennetts before Lory’s unexpected passing this fall. His deep encouragement during those days felt like gifts for a lifetime. Allison, who is finishing up her Senior year in high school, is continuing to grow in wonder and skill in the area of art – painting, drawing, sculpting, pottery – and hopes to further her art studies at a college or university next fall.
I N T H I S I SSU E Thailand Update
Remembering Lory Bennetts
Current For Women - Ohio
Ludlow Family Update
A Season of “Living Hope”
Upcoming Events
Team Dynamics
Stories of God’s Faithfulness
“In Their Own Words”
Malaysia Update
How You Can Help
G OO DB Y E TO A F R IE N D
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Lory Bennetts pictured here with FSM Board Member, Stacy Bush.
n October 11th, we said goodbye to our friend and mentor G.L. (Lory) Bennetts. For over three decades his counsel, support, and prayers helped to sustain and inspire us. Over the years, his extreme generosity and hands open approach to the use of his resources and property enabled thousands of people through countless events on the ranch (including quarterly Oasis Day Retreats since 2014) to experience a personal relationship with Jesus. We already miss him dearly, but believe his heart for God and for people will be carried on for many years through ongoing ministry on his ranch.
T HAILAN D Creating safe space and un-rushed time in the “Land of Smiles”
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Jill reconnects with Ajarn Wannapa and the local Thai church which hosted our Thai Current for Women in 2015.
ver since hosting our first set of English and Thai Currents in Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 2015, our hearts have been eagerly anticipating an opportunity to return. We were so blown away last time by the refreshment that flowed to weary women during the two weekends – many of whom are full-time Christian workers who are constantly pouring out but rarely in a space to receive. During a planning/preparation trip there in September, we met up with one of the attendees from last year and she confirmed what we sensed… “From simple worship that is truly about intimacy with God, to testimonies that burst forth from hearts in the thick of the journey; the genuine love of a wild God cannot help but be poured out through the cracks in broken vessels. And it has clearly done so through your team… [It is] an invitation into the safe place in the arms of our Creator, who sees us fully and loves us all the way. It is an invitation into a freedom to simply BE. To rest. To stop striving. To BE LOVED… There is no question that THIS is the heartbeat and passion and driving force behind Current for Women and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to not just see this displayed on a stage by the staff involved, but in their every interaction with those whom God places in their path.”
WE’RE GOING BACK! We are delighted to announce that from February 22 – March 6, we will be fielding a team of 20 to host our next set of Current for Women Weekends in Chiang Mai, Thailand! Would you consider partnering with us in this upcoming adventure?!!
M ALAYSI A Jean updates on the outreach to Penang
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e had an unexpected invitation this fall to visit Malaysia. Jonathan and Kari Steffan who work at Dalat International School in Penang heard about FSM through Tom (FSM board member) and Jamie Beck. A conversation about FSM’s possible participation in their 2017 Spiritual Emphasis Week began. In September we flew from Chiangmai to Penang to check out Dalat as well as a potential Current for Women event. God surprised us with even more than just details – He provided heart connections! During a C4W informational meeting with 15 local ladies, we met up with Josephine. In an email to Jill later, she wrote: Jill shares the heart behind C4W with “…On my way to the ladies brainstorm meet(ing), I kept telling the local Malaysian women. Lord, ‘I am not sure why I am going; I have too much ministry and everything else on my hands already’…(But) the Lord told me to relax and just go as He opens the doors and enjoy myself. So I eased up and went with an open heart. During ministry time…(Jamie) prayed over me, that I fall back into a refreshing pool and just enjoy as the Lord opens the doors…That has set me free to just enjoy ministry and not think too much…. God gave us the privilege to ‘experience’ your ministry and have precious fellowship time together. This way it has been so much easier for me to share with other women about your upcoming ministry and I can see women’s eyes light up…Even my sister in Kuala Lumpur says she will try to get a whole bunch of women to come up for it.” Then, during a meeting at Dalat International School, the Spiritual Life Director Kirk Ronzheimer expressed his deep desire to provide his students with more time and space to meet with God – the very heartbeat behind Full Sail Ministries!! We all left with confirmation that God Himself was putting this together! So, an unexpected conversation in Ohio opened the door for future possibilities. We can hardly wait for September 2017 when we’ll head back to Malaysia with a larger team to put on a Current for Women weekend and to create safe space and un-rushed time during Dalat’s Spiritual Emphasis Week!
Current for Women presents...
FINDING LIFE I N T H E WA I T I N G
Jill writes about a new theme for a new season
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n November 11-12, we had the privilege of returning to Northwest Ohio for a second Current for Women Weekend at Pettisville Missionary Church. We chose the brand new theme of “Living Hope: Finding Life in the Waiting”, believing it would lend itself to providing safe space and un-rushed time for women to connect deeply with their Father right in the middle of real life. Finding myself in a “waiting” season in my own life, Father God has been gently teaching me that the Living Hope He promises in I Peter 1:3 isn’t just a wish that my situation will change. It doesn’t rely on closure to finally be reached. It is a deep and trusting “expectation of good” that is rooted in Living
Hope Himself – Living Hope Personified. I am becoming infinitely convinced that our God is inviting us to experience the security of His Life and Love smack dab in the middle of the insecurity of circumstances, the torrent of emotions, and the unanswered questions. This security allows us not only to weather the most difficult of times, but becomes an intimate, thriving Connection through which His Love flows. We can stop our mental spinning, release our clenched grip, and relax into the Neverleaving, Never-forsaking Love of a Father Who holds our whole world in His hands – truly discovering Life in the waiting!! FIND MORE INFO ABOUT C4W AND “ L I V I N G H O P E ” AT W W W. F U L L S A I L . O R G /C 4 W
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ake courage my heart. Stay steadfast my soul. He’s in the waiting,” are key words from a theme song from Current for Women (Pettisville, Ohio). Our team of 35 joined 300 women to meet with God. Living Hope met us this weekend, became flesh and walked among us. Bringing freedom from uncertainty and fear. Although He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, He is also in the middle. Walking with us and bringing Hope to our hearts.
I N T H E I R OWN WOR DS
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ncredible attendee responses have been pouring in from the weekend. Stories of God’s faithfulness to meet us and engage with us when we “set the table” and invite His presence. Transformation! Stakes in the ground!
No going back! Fully loved! Fully trusting! Hope restored! These experiences are priceless. They represent eternal reward and great gain for God’s glory. We hope you are as encouraged by these reflections as we are!
The weekend was amazing and has brought change to my relationship with God, something I have been trying to achieve for over a year now, Thank you FSM and thank you Papa God for seeing me and loving me so completely. It was executed flawlessly with such care and attention to detail – thank you. A personal highlight was taking time to be still & focused and to listen to God’s voice. He and I covered a lot ground this weekend. I’m especially grateful for the reflective stations where I could journal & document all of the truths God wanted to remind me of. Thanks for this event – what a blessing! Thank you for a weekend all about connecting with and loving God. Thank you for taking time this weekend to pour out yourselves so [we] girls could be filled up with God and His beautiful, undeniable Spirit. I know God is Living Hope and is awaiting me with open arms. I was flooded with God’s love and reminded He overcame the world for me. Nothing can separate me from him. He is for me not against me. I am seen. I am not alone. I am loved. I am not worthless. I have a purpose – Let God unfold it to me instead of trying to figure it out on my own. The people leading were totally aligned with God & His will, which created a beautiful space for Him to move, speak and change lives. Thank you for an amazing weekend. I was unsure about coming at first, but I am SO glad I did. It was so worth it. This weekend made me feel God more than I’ve felt him in a long time. So just thank you for all your willingness, time, and effort you’ve put into this. Hope you come back next year because I’ll be here!! The overall experience just allowed for Jesus to meet me right where I’m at. There were no impressions to be made – just real honest time with the Holy Spirit.
W H AT MAK E S “ T E AM ”?
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lmost any event we do these days takes a team of 20 – 40 people to make it happen. These are not just any people. These are people who excel at their crafts – singers, musicians, dancers, painters, videographers, photographers, communicators... But “Team” for us goes far beyond these roles. Team has to do with heart connection, not just with each other but with a Father who is always calling us into deeper intimacy. In order to create safe space and un-rushed time for the people who attend
our events, we are discovering that it is vital to first go there ourselves. It all begins with our own intimacy with Father God – locking our eyes with His, tuning our ears to hear His voice. Our idea of Team flows from this place. It is our desire to link arms with individuals who share in this desire for connection with God and each other in the deep places. As we connect first with Him and then each other, we find rich life and deeper relationships than we realized were possible!
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ur lives are full of being told what to do and how to think. The insanity of dwelling in our heads catches up with us. Our definitions of living become dull and monotone. I have yet to find a group of people who manages to create a space that halts all that and lets you center, connect, and feel love better than the Ludlow family and the Full Sail team. We are messy people, but people who wish more than anything to show you Love and create an opportunity for you to feel and create your own relationship with God. And when you work with them or experience the fruits of their love and labor, you can breathe and know that you are living with the promise of your worth to a God who desires to show you the Love that overflows infinitely for you. Deep breath. We go on living, but it does not have to be alone. Reflection from Te a m M e m b e r A b i e l L o c ke
VISIT WWW.FULLSAIL.ORG TO M E E T M O R E O F O U R T E A M
U P CO MIN G E VE N T S Our calendar for the next year is quite full! We are looking forward to hosting more Oasis Day Retreats at Bennetts’ Ranch throughout the year, bringing Current for Women back to Visalia for the first time in a few years, and partnering with missionaries in Thailand and Malaysia for Current for Women events and other ministry opportunities!
O A S I S D AY R E T R E AT January 28th | 9:00am - 4:00pm — Bennetts’ Ranch in Visalia, Calif.
CURRENT FOR WOMEN | THAILAND OUTREACH Thai Current: February 27th - 28th | Chiang Mai, Thailand English Current: March 3rd - 5th | Chiang Mai, Thailand
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March 7th - 14th | Chonburi, Thailand
CURRENT FOR WOMEN | LIVING HOPE April 28th - 29th | Visalia, Calif.
S P I R I T U A L E M P H A S I S W E E K AT D A L AT I N T ’ L S C H O O L September 12th - 14th | Penang, Malaysia
C U R R E N T F O R W O M E N | M A L AY S I A O U T R E A C H September 22nd - 23rd | Penang, Malaysia
STORIE S OF GO D ’ S FA I T H F U L NE S S !
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n October 8th, Geoff and Jill were driving to a team member’s birthday party when a car, traveling about 40 mph, ran a red light and t-boned into their passenger side, totaling both vehicles. The couple in the car fled the scene but were soon apprehended by an off duty law enforcement officer standing nearby. We are grateful that Geoff and Jill were driving the FSM 14 passenger van. Because of its size and height, the vehicle weathered the impact and they were not seriously injured. It puts us down one vehicle, but we are so grateful for God’s protection.
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n our Fall newsletter, Geoff had listed a new laptop as a desperate need. His MacBook Pro had been limping along for months, and the frequent trips to the Apple store for temporary fixes were significantly hampering his work flow. A few weeks ago, a longtime friend of the Ludlows e-mailed Geoff indicating her desire to support Full Sail Ministries in this practical way by fully covering the purchase of a new laptop! God is so good! Because of her generous gift, Geoff was able to pick out a brand new laptop!
H OW YO U CAN H E L P GI V E TOWARDS TH E M I SSI ON OF F UL L SAI L If the stories and reflections in this newsletter resonate within you as much as they thrill us, we would love for you to partner with us financially on an ongoing basis as we continue creating safe space for people to connect with our Loving Father!
To give a special year end gift or to donate on a monthly basis use the enclosed envelope or give online at https://fullsail.org/give All gifts are tax deductible.
GI VE TOWARDS O UR UPCOM I N G T H AI L A N D T R IP The first major event on the FSM calendar for the new year is our four-week trip to Thailand in February and March. Each team member is responsible for raising $3,000 to cover the costs of this trip, which makes the Ludlow’s support goal $18,000. If you want to give towards this ministry opportunity, please use the enclosed envelope (write Thailand on the memo line) or give to a specific team member on the Full Sail website.
G IV E TOWAR D S A PR AC T I CA L N E E D In addition to financial gifts, we have several specific items needed for the ministry to continue thriving and growing efficiently. If you would like to help meet any of the following needs or have another “gift in kind” to donate, please contact Geoff Ludlow at geoff@fullsail.org. Thank you! • Any vehicle in running condition (car/SUV/truck/RV) • A new FSM trailer for transporting gear and supplies (contact Geoff for details) • 12-32TB RAID Storage Array for backing up and storing FSM media and files • Musical instruments, sound equipment or road cases
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF FULL SAIL MINISTRIES!
GEOFF + JILL LUDLOW
FULL SAIL MINISTRIES c/o Tulare County Outreach, Inc. PO Box 1772 Visalia, CA 93279-1772
Erin and Trevor lead the Full Sail Band in worship at Current for Women in NW Ohio
Say “hello” to us at... WWW.FULLSAIL.ORG
Some highlights in this issue... • CURRENT FOR WOMEN UPDATE • INTERNATIONAL REPORTS • UPCOMING EVENTS