Nations Magazine

SPECIAL 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION y WWW.MUTUALFAITH.ORG

NATIONS

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF LIFE-GIVING MINISTRY LIFE CENTER USA DREAM

TOP NEWS

Mutual Faith Ministries has just acquired a beautiful new headquarters campus, to mirror much of the missions work in the nations and help train a new generation of leaders for missions and evangelism.

01 30TH YEAR CELEBRATION 02 ORPHANAGE GROUNDBREAKING 03 SYRIAN REFUGE OUTREACH

Keith & Heidi Hershey - Zimbabwe, Africa (1984)

UNITED STATES y AFRICA y MIDDLE EAST y LATIN AMERICA y ASIA

MInIsterIng to the Poor

buILdIng orPhanages

Throughout these three decades, Mutual Faith has ministered around the world in over 70 nations.

In the mid 1980’s, India was the first nation that Mutual Faith built an orphanage and sponsored the physical and spiritual health, along with education of many children. Over the years, hundred of kids have been blessed through the Life Homes orphanages.

Lebanon

Int’L MInIstry

begInnIng of MInIstry

1985 - Keith Hershey training the Mutual Faith team of indigenous evangelists in Liberia, West Africa.

This was our first Mission Center campus, and it was completely destroyed in 1990 during the civil war.

Our team members were all spared, and fled to neighboring nations.

In the early years, Mutual Faith shipped many 40-foot containers to distressed nations around the world in order to provide food, clothing, medical equipment and vehicles. Heidi Hershey is distributing some of the shipped clothing to children in Africa.

Our newest campus is in Beirut, Lebanon reaching thousands of people in the heart of the Middle East.

NATIONS •••••••••••• EDITOR Keith Hershey CREATIVE DIRECTION/DESIGN Carlo Krouzian WRITERS Keith Hershey Joshua Hershey Justin Hershey Heidi Hershey PROOFREADER Cheryl Benedick

QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK Mutual Faith Ministries 10600 Sepulveda Blvd Mission Hills CA, 91345 TEL 818.837.3400 FAX 818.837.4686 WEB www.mutualfaith.org EMAIL info@mutualfaith.org

WWW.MUTUALFAITH.ORG Nations is published by Mutual Faith Ministries Int’l., a non-profit missionary evangelistic organization. ©MFMI. All rights reserved. Nations magazine and logo are trademarks of Mutual Faith Ministries Int’l. in the U.S. and countries where it circulates and MFMI offices are established.

KEITH

HERSHEY

W

ow! 30 years of Mutual Faith Ministries!

I can hardly believe the time has gone so quickly. But it is with great joy that we celebrate God’s unconditional love for us as we have had the privilege to dispense His grace and mercy around the world these past three decades.

Heidi and I have been doing a lot of reminiscing – thinking of the places and people that have so influenced our lives. Sometimes, it is as though the precious ones in these many nations have ministered more to us than we could ever give to them.

I guess, in a way, that is what Mutual Faith is all about. Sharing the Love, and imparting the wonderful truth of the finished work of Jesus – so everyone, everywhere, knows that God loves them completely!

Even though we are thrilled with the past ministry and open doors, delighted with the thousands of people who have made public commitments to the Lord Jesus – thrilled with all the churches build, orphans helped, and Life Centers established – we are most excited about what God has for us right now, and for the future.

In fact, we are so pleased to introduce Life Center USA, the new international missions and ministry hub. From this place, we believe that thousands of lives will be impacted with the love of God, and that many will be trained and equipped for missions and evangelism ministry.

Also, the new ground breaking of the Orphanage on our campus in General Santos City, Philippines will rescue many children and bring countless blessing to the community.

30 YEARS

MUTUAL FAITH MINISTRIES Our Story is telling His Story

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he mission’s ministry assignment of Mutual Faith is all about Jesus! He is our focus! We delight in unveiling the finished work of Jesus, revealing to all His magnificent love and grace. This is what Mutual Faith has done for 30 years – focusing on imparting Charisma, the unmerited grace of God accessible to all in Christ Jesus!

To put it simply – we tell His story! We share His Love! And the results have really life changing! Sharing of His death and resurrection, His obedience to the cross, His work to qualify all of us before the Father, is really a thrilling assignment.

In three decades of ministry we have seen: • Thousands of people make personal commitments to Jesus, as we have preached the Good News all over the world!

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• Young indigenous leadership teams have been raised up in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Our relationships with our team leaders have been strong, with much longevity – some serving with us since the beginning of Mutual Faith Ministries. Also, the buildings, churches and campus’ that have been established are under local national leadership, where Mutual Faith USA serves alongside as a facilitator and spiritual covering of the life-giving expression of these teams in all these nations.

• The planting and building of local churches throughout these years has been abundant! Whether in Africa, Latin America or Asia, we have been blessed to build countless physical structures and help establish the local church in these communities.

“IT WASN’T UNTIL AFTEr WE WErE CALLEd INTO THE MINISTrY, ANd BEGAN WOrkING FOr A MISSION OrGANIzATION THAT WE HAd A NEW UNdErSTANdING OF WHAT THAT MEANS.

WE BEGAN TO rEALIzE THAT JESUS CAME NOT ONLY TO rEdEEM US, BUT ALSO TO GIvE US THE WOrLd! HIS LIFE dEMONSTrATEd THE WILL OF THE FATHEr IN THE EArTH. ANd WHEN JESUS dIEd ON THE CrOSS ANd WAS rAISEd FrOM THE dEAd, EvErY PErSON WHO CHOOSES TO FOLLOW HIM IS THEN POSITIONEd WITH JESUS’ AUTHOrITY ANd POWEr TO CHANGE THE WOrLd! THAT’S THE ESSENCE OF THE GrEAT COMMISSION — GO INTO ALL THE WOrLd (MArk 16:15-20).”

• Training and equipping Pastors and leaders through our many conferences, and via the Life Leadership Institute where thousands have graduated from our 1 and 2 year programs.

• Providing for the care of orphans by building Life Homes in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Many of these children have grown up now, completed their education, found employment, and have established families. We are grateful for each of the children who have been helped, as well as for the ones we

can continue to assist.

• Broadcast the Good News of God’s unfailing love through our television ministry in over 100 nations of the world. Additionally, we have utilized social media, printed published books and materials to continue to herald the news that Jesus saves! We love when people believe and receive what Jesus has done for us!

We continue to make our story, about His story! Our life is hid in Christ in God! We like it that way!

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REMINISCING WITH A GR

Thinking Back Through 30 Yea

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t’s early morning and I am watching keith as he finishes packing up his suitcase. He is squatting down on the floor like a young man and yet his hair has turned gray and his step is a little slower. However, his passion has not changed. If anything it has grown stronger. His heart is burning with the desire to let people know that they are loved by God! I have enormous respect for this man as I have watched him “give life away” these past 30 years.

When keith and I first met and married, we were in Bible School, I had no idea the adventure in life we were about to begin. Six months after we were married we were off to the nations! I had never traveled outside of the U.S. and really didn’t know what to expect. We would be experiencing cultures that we knew nothing

about, and the sights, sounds and smells, at times would be quite overwhelming. We made our share of cultural blunders, but somehow God allowed us to reach the hearts of people and we were blessed to see many lives changed in those early years!

As I think back through the years, I see faces from Africa, India, Europe, the Middle East and Central America. People with different cultures but all with the same need, the need to know that they are loved and that there is a Savior who gave His life so that they could have peace with God. The Gospel is so simple and when people hear the good news they respond!

I remember a young girl in Amsterdam who had a twin sister who had died. She was so distraught that she wanted to take her life so she could go be with

her. We spent time talking to her and praying with her and the peace of God filled her as she received Jesus into her life.

There was also a young girl on a college campus in zambia who was tormented by the devil, and when talking to her about Jesus she was thrown to the ground and started writhing around foaming at the mouth. We saw the powerful name of Jesus set that young girl free.

We went to some remote places in Africa where the children had never seen white people before. When they saw us they were rolling on the ground, holding their stomachs and laughing! Our host and interpreter for the day explained to us what was happening. I remember meeting under a tree in that village for “church” and praying for many people. At the end of the

ATEFUL HEART

ars of Ministry day we were given a goat as a gift. It was put in the back of the van we were riding in. We left the goat with our host! I remember preaching at bus stops, schools, businesses, and venues set up with masses of people. Everywhere we went we met people who wanted this Jesus we were talking about. These were such exciting days for us, seeing scores of people coming into the kingdom!

I remember ministering in an Arab community of people and feeling so rejected because we were ignorant of their culture and made many mistakes. God sent some precious people to educate and help us. An opportunity for keith to preach opened up and when they heard his heart they softened to us and started coming to us to learn more of this Jesus who could heal their bodies and help them in life. We did our best to “become all things to all people that we might save some”. When we went to the Middle East in our early twenties we felt like we stuck out and just tried to learn and walk through open doors as they presented themselves. Little did we know that the Lord was preparing us for many years later and the ministry

BY HEIDI HERSHEY that He would allow us to have in Beirut, Lebanon.

Then came the “middle years”. I had to leave a trip in Africa early because I wasn’t feeling well. Nine months later along came our first son Justin and just a year and a half later, Joshua joined us. This changed our lives drastically and I am so grateful for the wisdom that God gave us on how to balance out family life and ministry. It wasn’t always easy but there is truth in the words that God gives you grace in whatever He calls you to do. We learned a lot about our callings through these years. keith would do most of the traveling and worked hard to establish the Life Centers we now have in various nations. My calling was to keep our home a peaceful place, a place of refuge for my road-worn husband, a stable home for our children and to keep our family involved in church and school activities. I was also called to pray, pray, pray!

We learned from others to never be separated for more than 3 weeks maximum and keith made sure he was home for all the special events in our boy’s lives as they were growing up. He even made time to coach basketball while they were in High

School and be there for most things they were involved in. In the summers we always took the boys with us on the road and traveled around America as we developed relationships with many partner churches and friends.

When they became teenagers, we took them overseas so they would have a solid understanding of all that Mutual Faith was involved with. These were probably the toughest years but God was faithful and always provided every need. I also am grateful that God set us in Overcomers Church with Pastor Wil and Sandy Strong, where we have been for the past 29 years. It has brought great stability and strength into our lives.

We have now entered a new stage of life as empty nesters, being grandparents, and having the ability to travel together again and enjoy all that has been established. I love visiting our different centers around the world and spending time with the precious people that God has given us “Mutual Faith” with. We have also had the joy of watching our children want to join us in ministry and take their place! I just want to take this opportunity as well to thank all of our faithful partners through the years that have helped us to do what God put in our hearts. We have some partners and churches today that have been with us since the beginning. Without our partners being willing to take their part in Mutual Faith Ministries, we would never have been able to give life away all these past thirty years.

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INTRODUCINGLIF

After 30 years of sowing in the nations, God has fi

A beautiful landmark facility in the city of San Fernando, a community commited to pay a price of $2,350,000/$100 per sq.ft. (land, building an

FE CENTER USA

finally made this ministry dream available to us!

rich in California history dating back almost two centuries. We have nd equipment) and launch our Life Center USA ministry headquarters.

her. We spent time talking to her and praying andvilthe meeting under with a treeher in that God filled as shefor repeace lage for of “church” andher praying ceived Jesus into her life. many people. At the end of the There wasgiven also aayoung day we were goat girl as aon a college in back zambia who gift.

It was campus put in the of the was tormented, and when talkvan wesowere riding in.

We left the ing to her about Jesus she was goat with our host! I remember thrown toatthe ground started preaching bus stops,and schools, writhing around foaming the

BY HEIDI HERSHEY businesses, and venues setat up mouth.

Weofsaw the powerful with masses people.

Everyname of Jesus set that young girl Central America. People with dift’s early morning and I am where we went we met people free.wanted this Jesus we were ferent cultures but all with the watching keith as he finishes who Weabout. went These to some same need, the need to know that packing up his suitcase. He is talking wereremote such places in Africa where the chilthey are loved and that there is a squatting down on the floor like a exciting days for us, seeing scores dren had never seen white peoSavior who gave His life so that young man and yet his hair has of people coming into the kingple before. When they saw us they could have peace with turned gray and his step is a little dom! they were rolling on the ground, The HERSHEY Gospel is so simple and slower. However, his passion has I remember ministering in an

BY God. KEITH holding their stomachs and when people hear the good news not changed. If anything it has Arab community of people and laughing!

Our host and interthey respond! grown stronger. His heart is burnfeelingloves so rejected veryone treasure!because Every- we preter for the day explained to us I remember a young girl in ing with the desire to let people were ignorant ofistheir culture one, everywhere looking forand whatmany was happening.

I God remember Amsterdam who had a twin sister know that they are loved by made mistakes. something to satisfy, fulfill andsent meeting under a tree in that vilwho had died. She was so disGod! I have enormous respect for some precious people to educate about, and the sights, soundssecure and his t’s early morning and I am or her life. People want aulage for “church” and praying for traught that she wanted to take this man as I have watched him and help us. An opportunity smells, at times would be quite watching keith as he finishes thentic hope.

People desire real help! for manytopeople.

At the end the her life so she could go be with “give life away” these past 30 preach opened up of and overwhelming. We made ourMostkeith packing up his suitcase. He is treasure needs to be found. day we were given a goatthey as a her. We spent time talking to her years. when theyfor heard his have heart share of cultural blunders, You buthave squatting down on the floor like a to look it! You to gift. It was us putand in the backcomof the and praying with her and the When keith and I first met and started somehow God allowed usdesire to itsoftened young man and yet his hair has and wantto it. Are you looking van we were riding in.

We left the peace of God filled her as she remarried, we were in Bible School, ing to us to learn of this reach the hearts of people and wethe kind turned gray and his step is a little for of Treasure thatmore can thrill goatwho withcould our heal host!their I remember ceived Jesus into her life.

I had no idea the adventure in life were blessed to see many lives slower. However, his passion has you andJesus be your full supply?

If bodies so, preaching at in bus stops, schools, There was also a young girl on we were about to begin. Six and help them life.

We changed in those early years!then I have some very good newsdid not changed. If anything it has for our businesses, andallvenues a college campus in zambia who months after we were married we best to “become things set to allup As I think back throughyou. the grown stronger. His heart is burnwith masses of people.

Everywas tormented by the devil, and were off to the nations! I had that towe years, I see faces from Africa,This people ing with the desire to let people is why I want talk might with yousave where we went mettopeople when talking to her about Jesus never traveled outside of the U.S. some”.

When wewe went the India, Europe the Middle Eastabout and the know that they are loved by Treasure. really!

The auwho wanted this early Jesustwenties we were she was thrown to the ground and and really didn’t know what to exMiddle East in our Central America. People withthentic dif- Treasure! Not something that God! I have enormous respect for talkinglike about.

These such started writhing around foaming pect. We would be experiencing we stuck outiswere and ferent cultures but all withisthe this man as I have watched him cheapweorfelt temporary.

This thejust exciting days for us, seeing scores at the mouth. We saw the powercultures that we knew nothing tried to learn andbeen walk lookthrough same need, the need to knowTreasure that “give life away” these past 30 you have always of people coming into the kingful name of Jesus set that young about, and the sights, sounds and doors as they presented they are loved and that thereing is afor… open years.

It is the Treasure of God’s undom! girl free. smells, at times would be quite themselves. did we of know Savior who gave His life so conditional that When keith and I first met and love and Little acceptance We went to some remote overwhelming. We made our that the Lord was preparing us for they could have peace you. with married, we were in Bible School, I remember ministering an Arab places in Africa where the chilshare of cultural blunders, but years and the in ministry God. The Gospel is so simple andJesusmany I had no idea the adventure in life spoke of later the Treasure this community ofallow people and feeling dren had never seen white peosomehow God allowed us to that He would us to have when people hear the good news we were about to begin. Six way, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is in so rejected because we were igple before. When they saw us reach the hearts of people and we Beirut, Lebanon. they respond! months after we were married we like treasure hidden in a field, which a norant of came their culture and made they were rolling on the ground, were blessed to see many lives Thenhid; “middle I remember a young girl in found and were off to the nations! I had man and for the joy over it many mistakes.

God sent holding their stomachs and changed in those early years!

I all hadthat to leave tripsome in Amsterdam who had a twin sister never traveled outside of the U.S. he goes years”. and sells he hasaand precious people to educate and laughing! Our host and interAs I think back through the because I wasn’t feelwho had died. She was so buys dis- thatAfrica and really didn’t know wha to exfield.”early Matthew 13:44 help us. Nine An opportunity keith preter for the day explained to us years, I see faces from Africa, ing well. months laterfor along traught that she wanted to takeIn this parable, a man found pect. We would be experiencing a to preach opened up and when what was happening. I remember India, Europe, the Middle East and came ourinfirst son Justin and her life so she could go be Treasure with cultures that we knew nothing hidden a field.

In order tojust they heard his heart they soft-

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THE VALUE OF THE Josh Article

TREASURE E

s

ecure the Treasure he hides it again – and then because of the massive joy over the Treasure, he buys a field.

Think about that! This man did a real estate transaction, without appraising the value of the field.

He only was moved by the value of the Treasure that influenced his heart. The Treasure made him happy, and it gave him enough joy to move him to find the resources to buy the entire field!

What does this story tell us? What is Jesus saying?

When you know and believe that God loves you completely, everything about you can change.

Everything! Many people do not know how to value this Treasure, so their hearts are not moved with joy, and life continues to be a routine of tradition, fear, worry and drudgery.

But when you find the Treasure, and you know and believe that God accepts you as you are, and not as you need to be, suddenly your heart can be stirred with overwhelming surprise and great joy!

God’s love for you, and acceptance of you, is really that good.

You reallyministry can find the treasure of love for The mission’s assignment ofGod’s Mutual he mission’s ministry assignment of Mutual you!is But whereJesus! do you He look?

At the crossWe of Jesus Faith all about is our focus!

Faith is all about Jesus! He is our focus! We Christ! came tofinished the earthwork (the of field) to reveal delight in Jesus unveiling the Jesus, delight in unveiling the finished work of to you the heart the Father. In Hisand life, grace. you can see revealing to all Hisofmagnificent love Jesus, revealing to all His magnificent love and by His teaching, and His touch, that He brought This is what Mutual Faith has done for 30 years a full grace.

This is what Mutual CHARISMA, Faith has donethe for 30 – focusing imparting supply of on God’s goodness.

When you see unJesus in years – focusing on imparting Charisma, the unmerited grace of God accessible all isingood Christ His life, you can understand that to God to you! merited Jesus! grace of God accessible to all in Christ Jesus!

To put it simply – we Hisstory! story! We To put it simply – we telltell His We shareshare His changHis Love!

Love! And Andthe theresults resultshave havereally really life life changing!

Sharing of His death and resurrection, resurrection, His His ing! Sharing of His death and obedience His work to qualify all of obedience to tothe thecross, cross, His work to qualify all us before the the Father, is really a thrilling assignof us before Father, is really a thrilling assignment. ment.

In three decades of ministry we have seen: In three decadesofofpeople ministrymake we have seen:com• Thousands personal mitments to Jesus, as we have preached the • Good Thousands of the people make personal News all over world!

He is not mad at you, He is mad about you. He longs for relationship with you.

However, it is at the cross where this Treasure of God’s love for you is demonstrated. (rom 5:8) This is the place where Love can grip your heart, and free you from every fear. You see, at the cross Jesus took our sin and shame and paid the price with His own blood.

Your sins have been forgiven once and for all! Think of this; your sin will never be held against you!

Jesus’ work – the finished work of the cross – is really what works for you!

“In Him we have redemption commitmentsthrough to Jesus, asblood, we have preached Hisleadership theteams forgive• Young indigenous have the Good News all over the world! ness of sins, according to the been raised up in Africa, Latin America, Asia, • Youngriches indigenous leadership teams1:7 of His Our grace.”

Ephesians and the Middle East. relationships with have beenInraised up inyou Africa, Latin in fact, when see Jesus our team leaders have been strong, with America, and the Middle East.

His Asia, death andserving resurrection, you much longevity – some with us since Our relationships with our team leaders can see that you are good to God! the have beginning Mutualwith Faith Ministries.

Also,– beenof strong, much longevity In Christ you have become the the some buildings, churches and campus’ that serving with us since the beginrighteousness of God! Now that is have been established are under local ning of Mutual Faith Ministries.

Also, nathe a thrilling where Treasure. tional leadership, Mutual Faith USA buildings, churches and campus’ that “Foras Hea made Him and whospiritual knew serves alongside facilitator have been established are under local no sin to be sin for us, that we covering of the life-giving expression of national leadership, where Mutual these Faith might become the righteousness teams in all these nations.

USA serves alongside as a facilitatorof God inand Him.” • The planting buildingofofthe local and spiritual covering life-giving 2 Corinthians 5:21 expression of these teams in allhas these churches throughout these years been The Treasure of Latin God’sAmerica love foror nations.Whether abundant! in Africa, you been is the revelation of Jesus • Asia,The and building ofwhat local we planting have blessed to build countless has done!

Youhelp see, establish because of churches throughout these years has physical structures and the Jesus and what He has done, you been abundant!

Whether in Africa, Latin local church in these communities. are assured that God loves you completely! The Lamb of God has taken away your sin – and the sin of the whole world! (1 John 2:2)

30 YEARS

MUTUAL FAITH MINISTRIES Our story in telling His story

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LEBANON

We are in awe at what God has accomplished in the past decade and especially the last five years now at our debt-free Middle East Life Center in Beirut, Lebanon. daily our team is sharing the Gospel by helping people with their real life needs, especially now with the influx of over one million Syrian refugees in the country.

Whether it is the free medical clinic, feeding and clothing programs, free school for disadvantaged children or various community events throughout the year, people are getting help and learning that God loves them completely, because of Jesus!

Each week our team is reporting that scores T WASN T UNTIL AFTEr WELord WErE of people are accepting Jesus as their and Africa Savior. No matter their nationality, history, CALLEd INTO THE MINISTrY or background, people can now rest in Christ’s finANd IN BEGAN WOrkING FOr ished work on the cross. This is the good news!

MFMI “I

REPORTS FILED BY: JUSTIN HERSHEY

Justin Hershey travels the nations assisting the Mutual Faith Ministries national teams. recently, Justin was in the Philippines for the groundbreaking dedication of a new Life Home orphanage.

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1979

A

MISSION OrGANIzATION THAT WE HAd A

PHILIPPINES W J

NEW UNdErSTANdING OF WHAT THAT MEANS.

M.E.

E BEGAN TO rEALIzE THAT ESUS CAME NOT ONLY

,

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Imagine being left fend ALSO for yourTO self on the tionWOrLd on the Philippines Home, which will GIvE US THE IS LIFELife dEMONSTrATEd TO rEdEEM USto BUT street as a child. Scrounging for whatever scraps eventually serve up to forty orphaned children Nd WHEN ESUS dIEd ON THE THE WILL OF THE ATHEr IN THE EArTH of food to survive, going to sleep each from the surrounding community. In december I night CrOSS in fear, ANd not knowing if you FrOM was THE able dEAd to attend the groundbreaking cereEvErY PErSON WHO WAS rAISEd Latin America would wake up unharmed the mony, and we also dedicated the project to the next day.

Sadly, this is the realmemory of my friend robert’s wife, grown up great now, completed theirlate education, • Training and equipping Pasity soleaders many through childrenour in Julie found Spina. Julie had a great forestablished children, employment, andlove have torsfor and developing countries, andvia it and isfamilies. survivedWe by her son’sfor after loosing are two grateful each of theher chilmany conferences, and is no different throughout battle to cancer.

This project will go on to show dren who have been helped, as well as for the the Life Leadership Instithe many islands in the that every child deserves a home and to know ones we tute Asia where thousands Philippines.

For from the past the love Christ. to assist. canof continue have graduated our twenty years, Mutual Our team alsothe continues to minister the • Published Good News of God’sinunfail1 and 2 year programs. has been working surrounding weekly, sometimes having in ing lovevillages through our television ministry •Faith Providing for the care on the southern island of to travel hours on horseback to reach the remote over 100 nations of the world. Additionally, of orphans by building Mindanao coastal areas.we In have addition to feeding and clothing utilized social media, printedthe pubLife Homesininthe Asia, Latin town of General Santos needy, our team also gives literacy classes for America and Africa. Many lished books and materials to continue to City, helping people where adults and kinder care courses for children.

In the of these children have herald the news that Jesus saves! We love they hurt, and letting them city, we have established the Mutual Faith Tv know that God loves them comChannel, sharing the love of Christ twenty-four pletely! hours a day, seven days a week. Because of this, This year we are starting construcmany churches have been planted in this region.

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BeLoved

possible tornado touchdowns. Everything inside of me just wanted to run outside and see how strong the 85mph gusts of wind felt like.

EXPERIENCING THE HEART OF GOD It was to beautiful and powerBy Joshua Hershey ful a scene to want to pass up on. Jonah however was not just up against some strong winds and a possible once heard someone say, “The more I read category one or two tornado. Jonah was up the bible, the less I see great men of God and against a GIANT tempest! the more I see a great God of men.” Isn’t that Jonah boarded the ship to Tarshish trying to so true? All of the supposed “hero’s” of the bible flee God’s presence, “But the Lord sent out a were a bunch of sinners touched by the grace of great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty God.... tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about The Bible really isn’t about great men of God. to be broken up” (Jonah 1:4). Every sailor on the rather, the Bible is about less than great men ship was scared to death. This was a storm like having a more than great God. It doesn’t matter they had never seen before. They tried pulling all what anyone has ever done in their life. It doesn’t the religious tricks out of the bag, because they matter how bad or how good you’ve been. All knew their own efforts to try to make it to land that matters is that you have a great God. You can were useless, and that they were probably going stop being resistant to the grace of God because to die. Jonah knew that the storm was personal. you think you’re too sinful, or you think you’re Look what Jonah tells them, “Pick me up and too great, and you can just open yourself up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become say yes. If God used all these “great men”, he can calm for you. For I know that this great tempest use me. You see God ever pursues the person is because of me” (Jonah 1:12). At this point, wherever they’re at. When God saw Jonah leave Jonah fully realized the folly of trying to run from to go to Tarshish, he didn’t let Jonah alone. He God. got on Jonah’s nerves. He said, “I’m not just going Nevertheless, the sailors didn’t want Jonah to to let you flee Jonah. I’m going to go after you.” I die and have blood on their hands, so they conlike to call it the hurricane of God’s love. It’s tinued to row. “…the men rowed harder to return God’s furious longing toward man in his resistto land, but they could not, for sea continued to ance. As Brennan Manning puts it, “The furious grow more tempestuous against them” (Jonah longing of God is beyond our wildest desires… It 1:13) cannot be tamed, boxed, captivated, [or] housebroken… It is simply and startlingly Jesus, the efExcerpt taken from BeLoved’s section written by Josh fulgence of the Father’s love.”

Hershey. See back cover for order details. during my time in Tulsa, some of my fondest memories are of the great thunderstorms, big winds, and occasional tornadoes. I remember one night there was a giant storm. Every Tv channel was tuned into the weather as the weatherman tracked the tornados across the whole Tulsa metropolitan area. Sirens were going off through the city warning people of the high winds and

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People & Events PHILIPPINES ORPHANAGE GROUNDBREAKING

MIDDLE EAST LIFE CENTER REACHES SYRIAN REFUGEES hampions Golf4Beirut C

Syrian Refugee Outre ach

MFM Philippines Festi

VIDEO TAPING 20/20 VIDEO BLOG

val

LEBANON KIDS SUMMER CAMP

JOSH & KELSEY WELCOME BABY BROOKLYN

Mission Trip to Co sta Rica

P.O. Box 951060

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