Exhausted - But Changed!

Mission trips are designed to help others, and that was our intent when we left on Thursday 7/31 with a group of youth, young adults and ‘slightly older’ young adults, but we all found ourselves equally blessed when we returned that Sunday. 

We had one day of sight-seeing in St. Louis, and loved every minute.  It was good fellowship together walking through the city under the Arch and walking by the beautiful fountains and city gardens.  Some of us even waded into the fountain water – to my surprise, it was Bro. Benjamin of the ‘slightly older’ bunch that lead that initiative!

Friday morning started out with a few obstacles (locked church, rain, lack of parking, a church van pulling a trailer, and a steep hill), but when does anything ever go exactly according to plan?  We met with the Pastor of the Pentecostals of Louisiana, and right away saw his passion for the people of the community and his church.  Excited to get started, we divided into groups and set out in the community to talk with people and invite them to Saturday’s block party.  Some doors I knocked on was met with skepticism, others with indifference, but occasionally I would run across an individual who would comment that they had grown up in a Pentecostal church, or comment that they used to attend that little white church on the corner.  It was true that many of the houses we approached were vacant or disinterested, and many of them would likely toss the flyer into the trash, but what about those houses that read it a little closer or reminisced about what used to be when God touched their live so long ago. That made all the difference and our efforts worthwhile.   Door knocking, which is normally met with a feeling of apprehension (at least for me!), was surprisingly rewarding and left us looking forward to those that would come the next day. 

 

Everyone had a part in putting together the block party for Saturday - moonwalks, kids games, clowns, free food, gift card and prize giveaways, and a puppet show!  We had the honor of putting everything together and serving while the Pastor and other members of the Pentecostals of Louisiana church mingled and connected with the guests from the community who came.  Multiple connections were made and doors opened.  It was exciting to watch, and see people we talked with the day before!

Saturday was a full day and we were ready for Sunday morning's service to see the fruit of our labor, and answered prayers.  Such a sweet presence of God filled that little white church building on Sunday morning as the songs began, but a twinge of disappointment when no visitors were to be seen.  Our group was determined to worship God regardless of the attending audience, giving Him our all.  After a while, we began to notice one family come in to sit in the back, followed by another lady and her grandchild, then another, and another.  The visitors rivaled the congregational members in number by the end of the service to the glory of God.  Not only were they there, but one glance over in the middle of the preaching revealed a smile and tears streaming down the face of one of the visitors.  God moved in our midst and made us hungry for souls.  We were able to be witness God's touch on someone else's life made possible by our prayers, and the making ourselves available as vessels for his purpose.  

We left exhausted....we left changed.

So Many Questions

“Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready to believe and to act without asking questions.”
― Primo Levi, Holocaust survivor

Believing in something while at the same time being afraid to ask probing questions about what you believe in is a dangerous concept. That is why this past Sunday in PYRO's Sunday School class everyone had an opportunity to ask burning questions. Everything was done anonymously as I gave a topic about which everyone in class wrote questions that they had.

The topics included questions regarding biblical doctrine, holiness, morality, and general facts about the Bible. They also asked questions about New Life Tabernacle such as who named the church, and how does someone get involved with Power Hour? The sixth and final category of questions was about questions that their non-Pentecostal friends might have the first time they visited church. This generated some fun questions like do you guys have snakes, and what language is everyone speaking?

The next several weeks of class are devoted to giving responses to the 66 questions that were asked this past Sunday. I may not have all the answers, but I am sure going to try to give a response to all of their burning questions.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about your own walk with God. If you never ask the questions that are hovering in the back of your mind then your relationship with God is always going to have a buffer of insecurity. Questions are good, because the fact remains that God has the answers.

Bro. Austin Gilliland, Youth Pastor

Purpose Institute

Purpose Institute classes will be starting soon!! If you would like to dig deeper in Biblical studies without leaving the area to go to a Bible College, this is the answer!! For more information, contact Sis. Ginger Zimmerman by leaving a message at New Life Tabernacle 260-347-8488

To sign up for classes for the fall 2014 semester, go towww.purposeinstitute.com!

New Life Tabernacle 90 Day Tithe Challenge

We want to challenge you to start tithing, and see God begin blessing your life as you commit to healthy financial stewardship.

How?  We're asking you to commit to take 10% of your total income for the next 90 days and give it to God through the church.

Who?  Tithing is God's plan for every follower of Christ.  However, the 90 Day Challenge is for individuals or families that have not been tithing in at least the last six months.  Tithing is 10% of your income not just regular or spontaneous giving in the church offering.

When?  The 90 Day Challenge will begin February 16, 2014 and will end May 17, 2014.  You will then faithfully tithe 10% of your income, and at the end of 90 days we will give the opportunity for you to share the blessings that have come your way due to your faithfulness.

Then what?  We understand that giving away 10% of your income can be a bit - and often frightening - commitment!  That's why we created the 90 Day Tithing Challenge.  Essentially, it's a contract based on the promises of God in Malachi 3:10-11.