Miami Trip Update

Well, the trip to Miami (actually Homestead) was productive! Bill had a great first visit with Hatian Pastor Johannes Bazelais. He is interested in joining the EMC. He has a vision to reach the Hatian community of southern Florida with the Gospel. His congregation isn't very old, but he already has a good group of men who are growing leaders in the church.

The vision is that these men will become church planters. The EMC can help the church in this way--offering ministerial and leadership training in conjuction with their discipleship in the local church.

Pray over the next few months as this a plan is developed to see this from idea to reality. The spiritual need among Florida Hatians is great, and we thank God for raising up a man like Johannes! He seems to be a good leader who has the respect, love and admiration of his people.

There will be some more trips upcoming before the end of 2009. Pray as God guides our steps in this new multicultura ministry venture!

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Ministry trip to Florida

Bill is flying to Miami, FL this week to meet with Brother Johannes Braselais. He is a Hatian immigrant pastoring a congregation in Homestead (near Miami). Some time ago, he requested information about the Evangelical Methodist Church, and is interested in joining our denomination.

This trip is an initial visit. I am going with Rev. Vernon Perkins, the national director of Multicultural Ministry for the EMC. We pray this will be a productive visit, and will be the beginning of a path that will end in a Hatian EMC in Homestead, as well as new ethnic outreaches in southern Florida.

Pray for saftey and also for wisdom as we go.

GREEN LIGHT

Praise the Lord! Multicultural Ministry takes on a new angle! We have been cleared by the Easteriling Prison chaplancy to start teaching Bible and Theology courses via correspondence to the spanish speaking inmates there.

There are presently two men who are interested, so please pray for them. Elias and Ruben. I will be organizing the courses and evaluating their placement over the next few weeks, then I plan to send them material and start them working on their studies. They are both anxious to to get started!

I will be using the cirriculum from the Life and Truth Bible Institute, with some modifications to fit their needs.

The Multicultural ministry will be glad to accept donations for materials to keep these men supplied and moving forward. (Funds will be appreciated for paper, postage, text books, etc.) Please send all such money to PO BOX 116 Franklin Springs GA 30639 and please designate it for "Prison Bible Institute".

KEEP THE FORK

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. There's one more thing,' she said excitedly. "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor. The young woman explained... “My grandmother once told me ‘In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.’ Something wonderful and with substance!”

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come..."

Author Unknown (to me)

CREDENTIAL COORDINATION

We have been asking God for at least four places to develop multicultural ministry here on the Southern District; the first of these looks to be in conjunction with the Gospel Light EMC in Marietta, Georgia. That church has been hosting a Hispanic congregation for about two years, and the pastor is interested in affiliating with the EMC.
Receiving this man and his congregation into the EMC will be a blessings for the denomination and could open up more avenues for ministry among Hispanics in other locations. Please pray as we work though this process and continue to cultivate this relationship. May God guide our steps and give us wisdom.
Although small, this is a stable and growing congregation with a capable minister. They are financially independent and have demonstrated considerable responsibility as they have been sharing the Gospel Light facilities.

Circit Riding

Bill and Rev. Dewey Fleming are traveling the district together, and will be away from home for a couple of weeks. Please pray as Bill shares the multicultural ministry vision with each district congregation. Pray that God will open new opportunities for ministry to open (several have already).

Pray for our safety on the road.

Praise for a vehicle that is being donated for Bill's ministry use.

Pray for the needed funding for our ministry.