When Mormon missionaries arrive at our doors few Christians take the opportunity to give them a loving presentation of God’s plan of salvation.

Nineteenth-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody had already had a degree of success in reaching sinners when something happened that would transform his ministry and make him one of the most effective soul winners to ever walk the face of the earth. He invited Henry Moorhouse, a converted English pickpocket, to preach in his church. Moorhouse preached several times, always using the same text, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Moody, whose message had been of a vengeful God ready to cut the sinner down if he didn’t repent, was touched deeply. “This heart of mine began to thaw out,” he said. “I could not keep back the tears.” Moody’s message changed to a God of love in pursuit of the sinner running away from Him. After that Moody would be known as “the Apostle of Love.”

Christians who encounter Mormons today can profit from this lesson. It is not for us to determine when someone is beyond God’s reach. Mormons, though trapped in a false belief system, certainly are not beyond reach. Neither are they deserving of our scorn. He who has a love for lost souls must love them.

The Mormons at your door should not be seen as a threat, but as an opportunity. If the thought of talking to a Mormon disturbs you, do this: Pray that God will give you a love for them!

If you love them, then when you face them you will respond differently. Christians should be informed and prepared to defend their faith. That’s one of the reasons for this issue. But a visit with a Mormon need not be a debate. There are two things that every Christian can effectively deliver to any Mormon who crosses his or her path: Christian love and a personal testimony. In a loving way, share how Jesus is real in your life. Just like Moody, we will win more when our hearts thaw and we love the lost.

Exodus 33:13
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

To the people of Israel God showed his acts, but to Moses He showed His ways.

Today while rushing to get to a field hospital in Port au Prince, then off to receive a team at the airport (all to help Haiti), it was very easy in the heat of the moment to work on problems without seeing THE problem - hurting people. As we rolled up to a security gate a large UN bus blocked our path. It was a bit of a nuisance as we had so much to do and so little time - all good stuff but…

I watched as the bus driver stopped and handed a Halal MRE (meal ready to eat) to a small Haitian boy standing at the gate in front of us. I then noticed the Jordanian patch on his military uniform and was challenged by his compassion and the significance of the moment. It is so easy to help the crowds but miss the individual person. Yet this driver was moved to act and to serve. It provides a reminder of what our own Lord modeled so well - that while Jesus could speak to multitudes, He always ministered to individuals.

Can we not also keep our eyes ever open to see both the near and the far? The crowd AND the little boy who needs to eat? Let us as believers learn from the heart of God who speaks to us even using those who do not share our faith. In so doing may we not only learn the acts of God, but also His ways. Then may we too see the joy of compassion ministry reflected in the full toothed smile of a little boy who will get to eat tonight.

Dr. Jim Lindgren is President and Founder of Window of Hope and an ordained minister in the Arizona District of the Assemblies of God. He has led a disaster medical response team to Haiti and collaborated with Convoy of Hope to provide relief to the victims of the January earthquake. Convoy has provided over 3.6 million meals to the hungry in Haiti.

Tags: Convoy of Hope, compassion ministry, ministry, disaster, missions, Haiti, earthquake, Haiti earthquake

The following story is written by AG News. My wife, Peggy, and I took the photos.

It was a cold, wet, miserable day — perfect weather for an icy plunge into Table Rock Lake.

On Thursday, February 4, at 3:30 p.m., David Boyd, the national Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) director, took the BGMC polar plunge in the icy waters of Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. Boyd had pledged to take the plunge if the kids and adults in the United States raised a record $6 million for BGMC in honor of Buddy Barrel’s 60th birthday.

Behind Boyd’s challenge, the nation rallied, and raised $6,042,216.64 for BGMC. The funds raised are used to help Assemblies of God missionaries reach people around the world.

When Boyd originally presented the national challenge, many district BGMC directors also set BGMC goals for their districts - and were willing to take the polar plunge if their district goal was met. Five districts met their goals and their directors became eligible for the plunge. Those directors were Pam Hodges (Alaska), Mark Kilcoyne (Wisconsin-Northern Michigan), John Osborne (North Dakota), Jay Risner (Rocky Mountain) and Duane Swanson (North Texas). Although Hodges was not able to attend the Branson polar plunge, the other four directors joined Boyd for the literal blood-chilling event.

Before: David Boyd Getting Psyched up for Buddy

Boyd & Jay Risner Get Set to Take the Polar Bear Plunge

The weather cooperated for Boyd and the district directors - coming through with rain, sleet, snow flurries and frigid temperatures. Standing at the edge of a boat launch, the men paused briefly and then charged into the “invigorating” water.

Led by BGMC National Director David Boyd, the men rush into the freezing waters to fulfill their pledge.

Boyd described the experience as “a blast of cold that covered every inch of my body and then nothing! I was numb. I couldn’t feel anything! I tried to scream but air wouldn’t leaving my lungs.”

Risner surprised the group by extending his stay in the icy lake and singing a song he made up just for the event - with barely a shake in his voice.

“When it was time to leave [the water], my legs felt heavy - they didn’t want to move,” Boyd admits. “Finally we had to drag Jay [Risner] out.

“I just want to thank all the kids, adults, children’s pastors, children’s workers and BGMC coordinators who worked so hard in their churches to raise funds for BGMC,” says Boyd, who is still debating what he’ll do next year to top this year’s challenge. “Also, a big ‘thank you’ to the district BGMC directors for being such good sports and for working so hard to make their BGMC goals.”
…

After: David Boyd, Cold, Drenched & Still Smiling

“”Would I do it again?” Boyd asks rhetorically. “Not for fun, but maybe for . . . some more money for missions. After all, our missionaries put up with a lot worse than that!”

To learn more about BGMC, see its Web site.

Author: AG News

Tags: BGMC

Click here.

Tags: Convoy of Hope, compassion ministry, ministry, disaster, missions, Haiti, earthquake, Haiti earthquake

Convoy of Hope continues to get meals where they are needed most in Haiti. Recently, the humanitarian-aid organization distributed its 2 millionth meal to people in need.

“Convoy of Hope’s involvement in the relief effort is possible because of the countless people who have stepped up and supported our efforts there,” says Jeff Nene, senior director of communications and technology. “Because of the tremendous response we’ve received, we’ve been able to keep our supply lines flowing into the hands of the survivors of the earthquake.”

Help Convoy of Hope provide food in Haiti.

Convoy of Hope’s two major points of distribution are at Quisqueya Chapel and in Cite Soleil, one of Port-au-Prince’s most impoverished areas.

Each day, thousands of people line up to receive food.

“The need for the basics of life such as food remains great in Haiti,” adds Nene. “Our goal is to meet as many needs as possible so that families can begin rebuilding their homes and lives.”

Join with Convoy of Hope to feed Haitian families.

Tags: Convoy of Hope, compassion ministry, ministry, disaster, missions, Haiti, earthquake, Haiti earthquake

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— Joe Gibbs

“No Average Joe,” Eric Tiansay

Pentecostal Evangel, Super Bowl Outreach Edition, January 31, 2010

Tags: football, NFL, testimonies

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon applauded the selfless giving demonstrated by elementary and secondary students in his state for taking part in Kits4Kids, an initiative to get 100,000 hygiene kits to children in Haiti.

“I’m very proud to note that students in Missouri schools are responding with health and hope to students and children whose lives have been shaken by the tragic earthquake in Haiti,” Gov. Nixon said.

To learn more about how your school can help Haiti please click here.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Convoy of Hope spearheaded the Kits4Kids campaign with the support and participation of schools all across Missouri.

Each personal hygiene kit will include a bar of antibacterial soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand towel, comb and shampoo. Convoy of Hope will gather the kits, transport them to Haiti and distribute them to children and families in need.

For Haiti Hygiene Kit instructions please click here.

“Through a network of partners and our already established points of distribution in Haiti we can get the kits into the hands of some of the 1.1 million school students in Haiti,” says Ron Showers, outreach director for Convoy of Hope. “Since the earthquake struck we have been able to distribute more than 1.8 million meals, install 30 water purification units and help give medical aid to hundreds of people.”

Tags: Convoy of Hope, compassion ministry, ministry, disaster, missions, Haiti, earthquake, Haiti earthquake

“Colossians 3:23 says, ‘Do all things as if working for the Lord and not for men.’ In the NFL, being a Christian can sometimes come with a negative connotation. You can be stereotyped as being more soft or more fragile spirited. But I believe it’s the opposite. I think that it raises the bar, because I’m playing for something greater than myself. For me it’s not about any kind of worldly success. It’s am I stepping on the field representing my God every single time, every single play?”

“Connections: Ben Utecht/Pursue Excellence”

Pentecostal Evangel, Super Bowl Outreach Edition, January 31, 2010

Tags: football, NFL, testimonies