Life Issues Monthly update
Making a difference update, from the recovery field – June 2015 edition…
God has worked mightily in our midst this month; below are some highlights, updates, and announcements:
Life Issues had its biggest and one of its best “Final Friday” nights ever on 5-29, when Lucinda Pennington gave her testimony of victory over being abused as a child; we had 62 adults present and nearly 20 children in childcare! We were also blessed with the singing of Mandy Dunlap-Yates, and her husband Tommy, as they sang some of the songs from her CD. This was a Spirit filled evening, and one young man gave his life to Christ at the end, and another young man re-committed his life to Christ. We praise God for these decisions and for all that God did in our midst that night. You can learn more about Lucinda’s Overcomers counselling ministry and her book at http://theymeantitforevil.web.com.
On the final Friday of June, Jeff Dethloff will be giving his testimony, and Ralph and Cheryl New will be ministering to us with music.
On the final Friday of July, Clara Tanner will share her victory story; please make plans to attend this special meetings and hear the wonderful works that God has done in these lives.
On June 19th we have a guest speaker, Joan Pierce, who was formally the director of Hope Haven (battered women’s shelter); and she will be speaking to us about abuse and giving us Biblical principles to a pathway out. This night is also the last night of HBF’s VBS, so we will be meeting in the south modular for big group, and letting out the meeting after Joan speaks, for all to enjoy some of VBS’ food. There won’t be childcare that night (children can enjoy VBS), but it will be a good night to invite a friend who might benefit from Joan’s counsel.
Heartland Baptist Fellowship has moved their food pantry (His Harvest) distribution nights, to the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, to facilitate the needs of those Life Issues’ students who could benefit from this ministry. Please arrive at 6pm on these nights (6-12 & 6-25) if you could use some food.
Many of you know that one of our leaders, Del Litle, travelled to Chicago earlier this year, and worked with the Pacific Garden Mission, in order to have his testimony recorded by actors, to be aired on Christian radio stations around the country. Below are the times that his testimony will be played on 88.9 FM, broadcasting out of Adrian MO; if you aren’t able to listen to it at those times, you can request a copy of the CD that we will dub and have available after Del receives it, probably in July after it airs on radio.
- Episode #1 will be Sunday June 14th at midnight, and Monday June 15th at midnight.
- Episode #2 will be Sunday June 21st at midnight, and Monday June 22nd at midnight.
Our annual fundraiser, Next Step Walk, is quickly approaching (8-29), and I’ll be holding a planning meeting on June 22nd at 6:30, at HBF for all who are interested in helping, I’ll also be giving personal invites to some of you.
We’re in the process of updating our Life Issues trifold (for advertising and witnessing), to reflect our Tuesday night edition of Life Issues, as well as some new pictures and other changes. I should have a rough draft available later this week, and a final edition ready for printing later this month.
Many good things are happening; I had a good phone conversation with a first time guest earlier this month, and she repented of many wrong doings in prayer, and rededicated her life to Christ. We also had a man and his fiancé start attending our meetings, that we met in jail a year or so ago; he recently accepted Christ while in a different jail on March 23rd of this year, and is committed to breaking free from the bondage of addiction, through the power of Christ. Please pray for these folks, and for the things we are endeavoring to do for Christ in these last days.
Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…