February 2015

December 2014

The Shepherd's Conference...

Each year our church, Bethel Bible Baptist Church, hosts the Shepherd's Conference. This is a time for Ethiopian pastors, leaders and missionaries to come and receive training and challenges from God's Word. The conference is held the last three months of the year.

In October, one of the men that normally comes to the conference brought a family member. During our lunch break, I saw several men talking to him very intensely. At the beginning of our second session, they announced that this young man had received Christ as his Savior!

For November, our speaker was Pastor Tesfay, a local Ethiopian pastor that I met not long after arriving in the country. Pastor Tesfay was blind from an early age and lost much of his right arm because a bomb exploded in his backyard. Presenting his material on I Timothy, he stood at the pulpit with his one usable arm rubbing his thumb over his Braille notes so that he could read them.  Blind, having the use of only one hand, he was a powerful example speaking from God's Word.

Family Festival Outreach...
Kids always show up early for this event. We tell them each year the doors open at 6:00 p.m. and they just can't seem to wait! We saw over 120 people pass through our doors to attend this special night. We praise God for the relationships that we made and the Gospel tracts that were handed out. Pray that God would continue to develop these relationships for the sharing of the Gospel.  

Church Rent Offering...
In December, our church receives a special offering from our people that goes to the rent of our current facility. One of the prayers that we have is that our church will continue to grow in its responsibility of paying for the rent. Currently, our church has around $14,000 that will go toward this expense. Next March, we anticipate the rent to be over $19,000 for the two year lease.

Would you please pray for our special offering on December 14th, that God might  be glorified as we give? If you have any questions on this offering or would like to participate, please feel free to contact us.

August 2014

April 2014

Discipleship ...                   
We all know the importance that the Bible places on discipleship. Teaching, training, and growing those that have placed their trust in Christ. Spending time together and using those daily moments to make application into the lives of individuals from the Bible. When Jesus had the Great Commission in mind, evangelism and discipleship always went hand in hand.

Henock, was one of those men that received Christ and was baptized earlier this year. Since he has received Christ, God has truly given him a desire to learn the Bible. Over the last month, we have been meeting for discipleship. Often after a meal at our house, we will continue working through the material. Watching him learn the Bible and making application to his life has been incredible. He is currently on lesson nine of thirteen. Please continue to pray for him as he learns the truths of Scripture.

Bethel’s Birthday...
On May 25th, our church will be celebrating three years since we first opened the doors. Thinking back over those years reminds me of God’s faithfulness and what He can accomplish. He has truly blessed the preaching of His Word.

Next year, it is our desire to renew the lease on our current meeting place. This lease normally requires us to pay one or two years of rent at the time of signing. On the birthday of the church, we will be taking up a special offering that will go entirely toward the rent. We ask that you will pray for us as we celebrate what God has done through giving.

Biblical Counseling Class...
The last several months I have been teaching at a local Bible college that is connected with one of our sister churches.  The course I am teaching is “Introduction to Biblical Counseling”. I meet just one time a week for a two hour session. In the class, we have been able to cover some amazing topics. We have looked into the sufficiency of Scripture, the goals of counseling, and how to help people apply Biblical principles through weekly homework. I believe these future pastors and evangelists have a real desire to make a difference with the power of the Gospel. Please pray as we conclude the class that God will allow them to use the knowledge for His glory!

Car Fund Update...
Our funds for the second car are currently at $15,500. The target goal is $25,000 to purchase this vehicle for the work here in Ethiopia. We appreciate your prayers and consideration. We know God’s timing is perfect in all things!

February 2014

Baptisms ...                
            The photos of our eight recent baptisms still thrill me. I’m amazed that over the last few months God has spoken into the lives of families and individuals with His grace. Hearts that seemed so hard and unresponsive have come alive. Ears that we weren’t sure were listening, heard the message.

           Each photo tells a story that is unique. Solomon, a Catholic man, was religious but lost. After hearing the Gospel for weeks, he realized that what he needed wasn’t more religion but a relationship with Jesus. Hennock, Solomon’s son, told me he knew nothing about the Bible. The same Sunday his father received Christ, Hennock also accepted Christ. Tigist and Ariam both made decisions for Christ through our vacation bible school and youth ministry.
          The stories are different but all have one thing in common. A relationship with Jesus that has changed them! We know you are rejoicing with us at the work God has done through His Word!!!

Car Project Update...
      The funds for our second vehicle continue to come in and we thank the Lord for those that have contributed. We currently have $15,500 of our $25,000 goal. We trust that the Lord will complete this project in His time. Please let us know if you have any questions on this project.
Pray for the Dyson’s...
      The Dyson family will be heading back to the USA in just a few weeks for their furlough. We are praying that God allows them a time of rest and enjoyment as they tell all that God has done in Ethiopia. Please pray for their safety on the road over the next few months.

December 2013

Good news... 
The Christmas season is all about the good news of a Savior. Without Him, there would be no reason to celebrate. We want to quickly share some of the good news that has taken place because of Him!
            First, in November our church spent several weeks teaching on “Stewardship”. This series reminded all of us the importance of giving and the motivation behind it. On December 9th, our church took up a special offering. We challenged our people to bring whatever God had put on their heart and that everything received that Sunday would go to the rent of our facility. At the end of the service, we saw over $2,000 given! It was an amazing Sunday to see what God can do with hearts giving out of grace.
           Second, in December we finished the last of three “Shepherd’s Conferences” hosted by our church. This conference is used to train national pastors and church leaders on various topics. We covered evangelism, counseling, and children and youth ministries in the church.  This year we had 12 Bible college students join the conferences giving us an attendance of 38 people in December. God has continued to bless this ministry of our church. We are thankful for the unity of the national pastors and missionaries as we challenge each other from God’s Word.
            Third, we have been so excited to share the way the Gospel has been transforming hearts. This year we had two youth nights at our church focusing on building relationships with our teens as well as speaking truth into their lives. During one service, we had several teenagers raise their hands that they had received Christ as their Savior!
            Just a few weeks ago, we had a woman named TeeTee ask to meet us at the church early. She has been attending the last few months.  As we met, she told us she wanted to receive Jesus as her Savior. After talking with her for a while and walking through the Gospel, we were able to listen as TeeTee trusted Jesus to save her!
          This last week, the final service of the year, we also watched God work. Two young men raised their hands that they had received salvation. It reminded me once again that the Holy Spirit is faithful to work when His Word is preached. Please pray for those that have professed faith in Christ and that we will be faithful to disciple these new believers.

Thank you for another year...
Our family is thankful that we have the opportunity to live in Ethiopia to spread the Gospel. Please know that your faithfulness in giving and praying is a blessing. God has supplied for us everything that is necessary through your generosity. Driving through our city, Addis Ababa, I see people that have nothing.  Many looking for their next meal or place to sleep. So many who need basic medical care. As I write, I’m reminded of the undeserved blessings that our family has been the recipient of. Acts of random kindness, prayers for many situations we have faced, and new friends God has brought our way at just the right time. We thank the Lord for another year to serve Him.