Underground Church

Monday Jeff leaves for a country to the south where he will meet with folks who are coming out from their country for a Bible Conference. Please pray for Jeff as he prepares to lead this group starting on Wednesday and going through the weekend. We do not mention the country or the people because there has been persecution and some of the attendees have even experienced imprisonment and torture. Please pray for the safety of all in coming, attending and then returning home. We are grateful that you lift us up before the throne of heaven. It is hard to imagine how it would be without you.

Call2All, Kiev, Ukriane

Today Jeff finished an exciting conference held in Kiev. What has now become a worldwide movement was started by the late Bill Bright, past president and founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. I took the following from their website:

Call2All is a worldwide movement calling the church to a renewed, focused collaborative effort to fulfill the Great Commission.

Jesus' heart that "all be saved" still reverberates through every syllable of the Great Commission, just as it did over 2000 years ago when he spoke them on that dusty Jerusalem day to his disciples:

"...All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28 v 18-20

Call2All is about all nations, all spheres of society and every unreached person everywhere in the world. It is a strategy-centered, action-oriented movement focusing on where the Church is NOT, rather than where it is. It's purpose is not to replace existing ministry but to network, train and focus the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.

This has been an event for Kiev. We shall see what the Lord does with it. Jeff already has come home with a new spirit of enthusiasm.

"Creative-Access" Country

The tickets are bought and we have Ukrainians Pasha and Tanya getting ready, with their three boys (ages 2 to 9), to move to another country to live for at least the next three months. I say three months as they are going on a tourist visa and may be able to do a two month extention, but then will have to leave for three months before returning again. Tanya has been diligently studying the language and they will continue there. Please keep them in your prayers as they leave September 19th and there will be many adjustments to adapt to this foreign culture.

River Baptism in Armenia

As you arise this morning, if you are reading this, then please pray for the baptism that is going on now in Armenia. Three people who became believers about three years ago have asked to be baptized. This is a special joy for Jeff to be a part of their immersion in a river outside of Yerevan.

Yerevan, Armenia Second Day of Seminar

Again, a great second day. I woke up barely rested, nursing my developing cold. No voice at all. Still, I knew the Lord would not be limited by my weaknesses! When I arrived at our location, I walked in the room, and found strength, spirit, joy in fellowship, and taught (conversationally/inductively) all day.

I am so grateful, but all that's just peanuts. God is revealing himself! It is awesome and I just don't have the words to express how glorious it is to gather with people who have a hunger to know and serve Jesus. Amazing! What a joy and what a privilege!

Now I'm back at the hotel, exhausted but happy, nursing my sore throat and getting ready to hit the sack. Tomorrow is culmination. After lunch I have the privilege of baptizing 3 believers, all saved about two years ago. For this we are driving out to a special location on a river. After the baptism we will have a time of worship together before we part.

This is a letter I received from Jeff. Please continue to hold him and the group up before the throne for the last day, tomorrow. Then, the following day, on Thursday he will fly back to Kiev where I will meet him and bring him home.

Yerevan, Armenia

There were 21 attendees from a "no-access" country for the first day Bible seminar on Monday. Jeff said it was a wonderful time for all filled with much praise. There are new people who have come to be baptized which is always a special joy for Jeff to be able to do. Please pray for them, but also for Jeff who came down with a sinus infection over the weekend. He sounded pretty bad last night, but he still will do the seminar, of course, so please pray for his health. May these dear souls grow rich from the feeding they will have over 'the next few days.

Letter from Jeff

Thanks so much for praying. We enjoyed very exciting times as we discussed praise and worship of the Lord with the Armenian brothers. I just love being with them. They also expressed some sadness on completing the training.

I am feeling very confronted and needing prayer for the 21 friends(from a "no-access country")arriving Sunday. Our 3-day conference starts Monday morning. Some are seekers, others new believers needing pure milk, others meat. Only God can meet these needs, but I tremble before him for the sacred trust of teaching. Please ask your church families to remember their needs and mine before the Father. I know you will and so thanks in advance.

Yerevan, Armenia Worship Seminar

This is Mount Ararat in winter. Jeff took this picture several years ago, but he said that even now it still has a lot of snow up there. A country in great poverty, but rich in beauty.
Khor Virab Temple
Y-10 stands for 10 pastors startig 10 churches in the capitol city of Yerevan. As you can see, there are always more than 10 as some bring along their disciples. Jeff is back row, second from left in purple shirt. He has been teaching the module on worship this week, but has been working with these men for a couple years now and they have a good close relationship. Tomorrow is the last meeting and he has asked for prayer. Then next week, in this same location, he will start another seminar with a different group on "The Meaning of the Gospel" and worship.

Evening in Yerevan, Armenia

Though the scene is lovely, Armenia is a very poor country. Jeff has the privilege to train pastors and missionaries there who are starting new churches in the capitol city of Yerevan. Please hold them all up in prayer this week that the material Jeff will give them will not only be accepted, but put to use for bringing many souls into the kingdom.