Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Juba Mission Day 2 & 3 Update

We have received many great updates from the Juba Sudan prayer team! They have been holding meetings all over the city with several teams ministering all at the same time. They have been ministering in government ministries and departments, clinics, schools, markets, slums, open air meeting and many other venues. God is truly blessing this project. With over 1,000 decisions each day, people are coming alive in Christ! At one school, the team was expecting 300 students and more than 1,300 students showed up and were presented with the life changing message of the gospel! It is still amazing how God works!

There are many stories of how God is moving and we can't wait to share them all with you. We heard of one story where the team visited a military barracks where the soldiers seemed to be very tired. The gospel message of Christ was presented and the soldiers were challenged to remember the love of God and many of them came forward for prayer. God is Good!

God is doing a HUGE work in Juba, Sudan and we’d greatly appreciate your continued prayer for the project, and thank God with you for the wonderful way He is touching lives in our midst.

We are so thankful for your partnership, and ask you to continue to pray for:

  • The Leadership luncheon on Thursday 16th which the Vice President and other leaders will attend
  • Wisdom, energy and anointing for the evangelists
  • Smooth logistics and clear communication with each other
  • That those who have been saved will be protected from the enemy, and will join the discipleship groups.
  • Fellowship and unity within the team
  • For an even richer harvest around the city of Juba tomorrow and for major breakthroughs at every level.
  • The co-ordination of the teams – counselors, choirs, musicians for each venue
  • Against logistical confusion and obstacles
  • Continued energy, joy and strong voices
  • For the leadership luncheon, and for the Lord to deeply touch these top level leaders.



Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Juba Prayer Team Update

Greetings everyone,

Below is just a short update we have a big day tomorrow to prepare for!

Our day started in churches around Juba, publicizing the mission and preaching the Word of God. The evangelists were well received and arrived back just in time to leave for the Opening Rally. The weather was HOT, and we were dehydrated before we got there. General attendance was slow, probably because of the heat, but it was well attended by dignitaries and church leaders. The Minister for Gender and Welfare, the Religious Advisor to the President, and even the Vice President himself attended.

At one point a huge storm approached, blowing a gusty (but relievingly cool) wind. Many people ran for cover as large drops of rain splattered the choir which was singing. The prayer team and counselors who were strategically positioned around the ground starting praying urgently – this storm had the potential to literally wipe out the Opening Rally.

The Choir sang more fervently, and everyone realized what was at stake. The singing grew in intensity and people started dancing in the rain… we were not going to give up this God given opportunity. Eventually the storm passed by and we were able to continue in considerably more pleasant cooler conditions.

After some great Sudanese choirs and our own youth Foxfire evangelists had performed, the Vice President warmly welcomed us to Juba, thanking the various African nations represented for their care of Sudanese refugees who fled Juba during the war. He emphasized the diversity and freedom of religion in Southern Sudan, and encouraged us to preach hard!

Stephen then shared his testimony, and clearly touched people deeply as they heard about his abandonment and suffering as a child, and had them laughing as he described how he tried to duck the preacher’s finger which pointed into the congregation where he was saved.

Both speakers set a poignant foundation for main speaker, Keith Cook’s message based on John 14:6 – Jesus is the only way to the Father. He described how God had rescued him from near death experiences, and more than that, how in Christ had completely dealt with our sin so that we can be assured of eternity in heaven with a holy God. The sun had set by this time, but people had stayed to listen to the message. When the listeners were invited to give their lives to Jesus, many hands were raised, and we were surprised by the number of people who trailed over the waiting counselors. 124 people gave their lives to the Lord for the first time.

Thanks so much for upholding us in prayer through this first day. The teams will be dispersed into the 6 mission zones tomorrow, visiting schools, businesses, government ministries and markets. Please continue to pray for:

· That many hearts will be prepared to hear the gospel

· Against obstacles and logistical difficulties

· Health and energy

· Safety as we travel around

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Prayer Update From the Juba Prayer Team September 11, 2010

Dear All,

Usually missions are riddled with difficulties, understandably we are storming the enemys territory. Although weve had significant challenges during this mission, we are just blown away by how much the Lord has been providing and answering prayers beyond what we can ask or imagine.

Today the Government of Southern Sudan covered the US$30,000 needed to pay for the Opening and Closing Rally venue!! Not only that, they will also supply the 500 bottles of water, 500 sodas and 7 tents to provide shelter for the audience. The Vice President himself will be the Guest of Honour. The President would have come if he had not been travelling to the USA. WOW!! We are so excited and thankful to the Lord for His amazing provision!

Also today the rest of the team arrived safely and we have enjoyed a time of orientation and settling in (as well as Ethiopian New Years celebrations!)

During the introductions with the Steering Committee, Stephen explained that just as 4 people were needed to carry the cripple to Jesus, so we all are needed to play different roles in bringing the city of Juba to Jesus for healing.

We want to thank you all so much for being a stretcher bearer with us and the local church in Juba without your prayers, support and encouragement, we would never had made it this far. Please pray that, just as the cripple received forgiveness of sin, and then was healed, Juba will be cleansed by our Redeemer, and will walk forward into its future strongly in the Lord.

Please continue to pray for:

  • The team as they scatter into churches throughout the city tomorrow morning, to preach and raise awareness for the mission
  • Mission Africa guest Keith Cook was one of those who arrived safely please pray that he recovers quickly from jetlag, and that the Lord prepares him to speak at the Opening Rally.
  • Stephen who will be sharing his testimony
  • Foxfires who will be dancing and the local officiants, choirs and singers
  • The finalization of the mission preparations, particularly our logistics co-ordinator who has done a fantastic job, and has an enormous challenge on his hands as he organizes practical necessities for over 160 meetings around the city!

God bless, and love from all of us here in Juba,

Juba Prayer Team

Friday, September 10, 2010

Update from the Juba Prayer Team September 10!

Thank you so much for your prayers!
Today we welcomed the majority of our visiting evangelists from
South Africa, Kenya, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Malawi, and there was great excitement as they settled in. The national television station covered their arrival, and interviewed Stephen, Grace and a Foxfire about the ministry. The Foxfires with usual enthusiasm and spark also spontaneously performed a song and dance which will be screened tonight on “South Sudan Television”.
  • Radio announcements are being aired 4 times a day publicizing the mission, and posters are hanging around the streets. The head of the evangelism committee spent much of yesterday answering phone calls from people curious about the upcoming events, or confirming that there was great need for the gospel in their area.
  • Praise God for the safe arrival of many of our evangelists today. Please pray for the safe arrival of the others tomorrow·
  • Please pray for the final preparations of the various meetings around the city, particularly the Opening Rally on 12 September.
  • Praise God that we have received positive indications that the President will subsidize some of the cost for the Opening ceremony or leadership lunch.
  • Praise God for open doors – please pray for the radio talk show tonight, at which a group of our evangelists and foxfires will share their testimonies and publicize the mission. Pray for those listening, and those who “call in”.
  • The Leadership Luncheon for politicians – we are waiting now for RSVPs and pray that many will be drawn to come along. Pray for the speaker at this event who needs great wisdom and words from above.
  • Preparations for discipleship groups which will continue after the mission – this is crucial to the long term preservation of the fruit of the mission. Please particularly pray that those who were trained at the Discipleship training session in August, and the refresher courses this month, will remember what they have learnt and have commitment to the discipling process (which as we all know is sometimes not easy!).

Many thanks from all of us here!
Juba Prayer Team

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Prayer Update from the Juba, Sudan Prayer Team!

Things are moving quickly
now, and we want to give God the glory for some quickly answered prayer

  • We met with the Presidents Religious Advisor yesterday who is very supportive and will be trying to arrange for the President to attend the Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as the Presidential lunch. Please pray the government will subsidize the cost incurred for the necessary security at the venue
  • We also met with the Minister for Internal Affairs who became a believer at the 2007 AE Presidential Prayer Breakfast. He has offered us his personal phone number if we have any security problems, as well as giving us a police jeep, and two security personnel to accompany those of us taking photographs.
  • Posters and handbills have arrived!! Without going into the complicated story it seems that the packages were opened in Khartoum, then deliberately delayed and false charged by Customs, probably because of the content of the posters. Thankfully John Shikukus wife persevered and ensured they were forwarded to Juba, and a kindly woman in Juba Post Office discovered the location of the posters where they had been concealed by the airline (in Juba Airport!) since Monday. The Juba Post Office lady, knowing our difficulties, personally covered the customs payment and took them to her office for us to pick them up! Praise God for these faithful people who have spent time, energy and personal resources dealing with this situation. Please pray they are strategically placed so that many people become aware of the upcoming mission.
  • Positive Steering Committee meeting yesterday was the largest ever, and we have agreed to meet again today to continue discussions. Please continue to pray that the mission meeting arrangements will fall into place.
  • Please continue to pray that the Lord would be preparing, anointing and protecting the visiting evangelists, many of whom will commence their journey tomorrow.


Thanks so much from all of us in Juba!

Juba Prayer Team

Thursday, September 2, 2010

PRAY FOR SUDAN MISSION September 9 - 20


Pray for God to do great things in Juba, Sudan. Pray that the crusades, school meetings, one on one meetings, festivals, and training events all see many of decisions for Christ. The main festival will be the weekend of September 17-19. We are looking forward to this exciting outreach in conjunction with the Lausanne Congress on Evangelism. Our partner mission in Africa is African Enterprise Ministry. Keep all the team in your prayers as the real work of the outreach is underway!

2010 PEN Conference/E-School "Do The Work Of The Evangelist"


PEN Conference/E-School “Do The Work Of The Evangelist”


The Proclamation Evangelism Network (PEN) Conference/E-School is November 17-20, 2010 at the Opryland Convention Center & Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. The E-School will start with an evening session on the night of November 17 and conclude with a community-wide outreach on the 20th.


This years theme will be “Doing The Work Of The Evangelist.” The event is open to all proclamation evangelist, students, Christian leaders, and believers who have a burden to proclaim Christ publicly.



Fast Facts

  • Date: Nov. 17-20, 2010
  • Location: Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN
  • Conference Fee: $50
  • Lodging: Opryland Hotel, $99+tax per night, double room
  • Register: Call 615-299-0222, or visit onthego.org

Costs: The Conference Fee is $50 Per Person. This includes lunch and evening meals on Thursday and Friday, speaker fees, and materials.


Lodging Options: We have secured a special rate at the Opryland Hotel for $99 each night for a double room! This does not include taxes. You are also free to stay with friends in the area or in any other hotel of your choosing.


Scholarships & Assistance: PEN has limited scholarships available to cover Conference Fees for students and those needing assistance. Do not let a lack of funds keep you from joining us. On The Go, Alliance Ministries of LPA, and other PEN member ministries are also providing some assistance to help with lodging.


Format:

The conference will include:


• Plenary Sessions that will include music, creative arts teams, and

inspirational messages based on the theme of the day.


• E-School Workshops that will offer training that applies to real evangelistic ministry issues. Each presenter will provide practical “how to” points, materials relating to workshop topic, and a time of discussion.


• Peer To Peer Breakout Roundtables geared to various needs of those in attendance. (See Peer To Peer Breakout Groups Below) These times will give participants the opportunity to glean from like minded individuals who have been down, or are going down, similar paths in ministry.


• Outreach Project on the closing day. While this is optional, it is a great opportunity for fellow evangelists and believers to work together as a team. On this project you will be able to share the love of Jesus at On The Go’s annual Thanksgiving Neighborhood Outreach to Nashville’s Inner City.



FOCUS


Focus One - Couples & Singles IN EVANGELISM - We are going to focus on how to guard and relate as couples, and singles, in ministry. Speakers, sessions, inspirational music, testimonies, and materials will all be geared towards couples in ministry, singles who want to minister, family relationships, male and female issues.


Focus Two - LIVING IN CHRIST - We will also be discussing, studying, and sharing on the evangelist as he/she relates to God. Character, Integrity, Holiness, Disciplines, Commitment, and Mentoring.


Focus Three - DOING THE WORK - This E-School will primarily be geared towards proclamation evangelism - "The Work of the Evangelist". We are going to be looking at realistic obstacles, critical issues, and pressing opportunities for modern evangelists. We will explore together better ways to do the work especially in the areas of promotion, networking, outreach strategies for small, medium, and urban areas, international evangelism needs, local church integration, and financing the great commission. We will also take a fresh look at our Biblical mandate, how we proclaim the good news, give the invitation, and follow-up and make disciples of those making enquiries.


Focus Four - PEER TO PEER - We want to allow time every day for each individual to relate, pray, and share with peers. This kind of peer mentoring builds lasting friendships, ministry partners, and brings wisdom and encouragement.



PEER TO PEER BREAKOUT GROUPS

  • Ministry Leaders - If you have a ministry that is primarily a proclamation evangelism ministry with several team members and have been in ministry over 5 years.
  • Emerging Ministry Leaders - If you have a calling that is primarily to proclamation evangelism with several team members & have been in ministry less than 5 years.
  • Individual Evangelist - Bi-vocational, just going when invited, wanting to expand ministry if God directs and leads, may want or need to developing a team
  • Student or Future Evangelists - Just getting started or wanting to see just what God has for you in the area of evangelism.


Planned E-School Sessions & Workshops:


Personal & Ministry Finances

Festival Directors and Advance Team

Couples In Ministry & Being Single In Ministry

Board Development

Funding Options For Evangelists

Evangelistic Preaching Techniques - How To Share The Gospel, Give The Invitation, Develop Evangelistic Sermons

Cultural Obstacles and Insights

Defending The Faith - Knowing, Sharing & Caring

The Evangelist & The Pen! Writing to share the Gospel and Inspire Modern Day Evangelism

Building & Leading Your Team

Getting Invited, Promoting Your Ministry

The Personal Life Of The Evangelist

The Evangelist & the Local Church: Pastors Panel & Evangelist Panel on the good the bad and the ugly and how to move on for Jesus.

Helping The Church with Evangelism Programs

How To Set Up Local Outreach Projects

How To Set Up International Outreach Projects



Speakers & Guests: We already have several nationally know personalities that have agreed to be a part as well as PEN leadership that will be sharing. Some that will be sharing - Ken Abraham, Keith & Joan Cook, Steve and Annie Chapman, Tim Robnett, Jerry & Becky Drace,, Dave Jones, Ted Lyke, Bill Newman, Steve Wingfield, On The Go Team, Luis Palau Association, Alliance Ministries, PEN Board, Jeff & Mindy Pieper, Keith Cook Jr., P.J. Meduri, David Brandon, Dave Ramsey Group, Reid Saunders, and more. The PEN Network members are the real experts and we will be hearing from you!


Pre-Register: Space is limited and so are scholarships so sign up as soon as possible. You Can Sign Up Online - Go to www.ONTHEGO.org and click on the PEN link/button and fill out the online form. You Can Also Call - Call On The Go at 615-299-0222 for more information and to register.


Reaping And Sowing In Our Future Part 3 by Keith Cook

On The Go Daily Devotional for September 2, 2010
Brought to you each day by
Keith Cook Evangelistic Association / On The Go

Reaping And Sowing In Our Future Part 3 by Keith Cook

"We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright." Psalms 20:5-8

So far this week we have noted that we can sow: Love, Stability, and Faith. Let us continue to look deeper into sowing for our future.

4. We can sow Hope - Sowing hope in someone's life brings great reward. When we go out of our way to see the needs of others and then ask God how we can help meet those needs, we will be blessed. Christians are known the world over for their compassion and giving spirit.

A few years ago we met Pastor Daniel. We had been preaching in Kenya and had seen around 6,000 decisions for Christ. Pastor Daniel said that the people of the slum area where we were preaching had no hope of ever growing in Christ because they did not have a church.

His church was in the suburbs and they could not tend to the needs of the people in that area. With tears in his eyes he said that he would be willing to leave his church in order to come start a new church in the slums. God quickly led us to help him bring hope to the people. We helped him build a simple church for the people.

I asked him what he hoped to do at the church. He relayed that his heart is to take the Jesus film and show it in all the slums of the city and at all the markets in the surrounding villages. The only problem is that he did not have a projector. We all prayed with him and returned to the U.S.A. One of our staff, Laurie McTier, went to church upon her return from Kenya, and learned that they had a projector that they wanted to give away. Is there any doubt who received the projector? Pastor Daniel!

God loves to use His church and Christians to bring hope to those in need. Financial, emotional, and spiritual needs are all the same to our God. He brings hope to each!

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that you will sow Hope to all you meet today.

On The Go Prayer Focus: The GoTeam Short Term Missions Projects and GoTeam Members. GoTeams are made up of young people and adults who voluntarily go on an On The Go mission project around the world and are making a strategic impact for Christ.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

Copyright (c) 2004, 2010 Keith Cook - On The Go
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries, Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
Founder/Director - Keith Cook, keithcook@onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this
"On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own
subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at
http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are subscribed as ##L@##H.
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dailydevotions-unsubscribe@onthego.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dailydevotions-help@onthego.org

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Reaping And Sowing In Our Future Part 2 by Keith Cookte

On The Go Daily Devotion for September 1, 2010
Brought to you each day by
Keith Cook Evangelistic Association / On The Go

Reaping And Sowing In Our Future Part 2 by Keith Cook

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9

Today, let us look deeper into sowing for our future. God says we will reap what we have sown. The Bible says we can sow into people's lives, we can share into people's lives, and we can be a blessing in someone's life.

3. We need to sow Faith - By sowing into other people's lives we can help their faith grow stronger. When we help someone trust God and see God work in their lives we have helped them prepare for their future life with Christ.

Think about which individual brings out the best in you? Who encourages you to trust and believe God for great visions and dreams? In my life it is probably Shad Williams. Shad is a crazy evangelist who travels all over the world sharing Christ. Several times a year we minister together in crusades in Kenya or India and God always uses Shad to build up my faith.

I will never forget years ago sitting in a Kroger grocery store parking lot with Shad. We both had just gotten in from projects overseas and we had very little money. Our wives had sent us to get groceries. We pooled our pennies and bought a box of crackers. We both were in tears leaving the grocery store.

On the way back to his house Shad started telling war stories. Now war stories are stories about great things God had done in our lives while working for God. We quickly were laughing and both were trying to one up the other as to who could tell the greatest illustration of God's provision. By the time we finally came in from the store we both were full of renewed hope and confidence in our calling, our God, and our faith.

Upon entering the house we discovered that the girls had found some food and had cooked up a great meal. We all rejoiced. The next day when Joan and I returned to our house we discovered that one of our friends had gone out and shopped for food for us and had left well over three hundred dollars worth of groceries in our kitchen.

God had worked a great miracle. Why? Because a faith sower had shared into our lives. Why not start sowing faith into people's lives? Be used of God to move people beyond pity and self-absorption into faith and trust in God and His faithfulness.

Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that you can live by faith today and in the future. Sow faith. Encourage others to live by faith.

On The Go Prayer Focus: On The Go¹s USA Outreach Effort. God has placed a United States effort on the heart and mind of the On The Go Team. Three key objectives are sharing, praying, and training in every county in the USA using On The Go Advance Teams, Training Teams, Planning Teams, Prayer Teams, GoTeams, and Outreach Efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.

Copyright (c) 2004, 2010 Keith Cook - On The Go
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.

On The Go Ministries, Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
Founder/Director - Keith Cook, keithcook@onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
Send E-zine questions or comments to: ezines@onthego.org
______________________________________________

Subscribing - If you're reading a pass-along copy of this "On The Go" devotional e-zine and want to receive your own subscription, free of charge, simply fill out the online form at http://onthego.org/ezine_newsletters.php .

After registering online you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription request, and you simply reply to that e-mail. Thank you and God bless.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are subscribed as ##L@##H.
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dailydevotions-unsubscribe@onthego.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dailydevotions-help@onthego.org