Christmas & New Year’s greetings

Christmas is always a time to reflect upon our lives and consider why Jesus came to earth and how do we announce to the world around us the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). We need to heed the words of the angel to “not be afraid”. May the Lord open many doors for us to share the “good news of great joy” of God’s love. We wish you all the best for the coming year.

Deliverance seminar in Kętrzyn

I was invited to the northeast of Poland to conduct a seminar on deliverance for a church that had various people attending who needed to be set free from demonic influence. I took with me students from the Bible school to help me minister. Lectures included: “The ministry of Jesus” “Our authority as believers”, “How to minister to those needing deliverance”, “Open doors for demonic influence”. At the meeting were a number of people who needed to be set free. Some of the problems that led to bondage in various people were drug use, alcohol abuse, homosexual behavior, depression, lust and a boy who practiced vampirism – drinking blood from victims that he drugged. The ministry time was very powerful as demons submitted to commands given in the name of Jesus. The next day people gave testimonies of how God had freed them the previous day. Pictured here is Pastor Arek and his family.

Financial teaching in Starogard Gdanski, Kielce, Gdynia

Based on the financial seminar presentation that I had prepared earlier using power point, I spoke in a few churches many on the topics of debt, credit cards, borrowing money, loans, buying on rates and credit, etc. Debt is one of the ways that the devil keeps us infective in our ministry for the Lord. A person in debt is a slave to the lender. Instead of trusting God to meet needs, many trust in a bank / family / friends / credit card to meet their greeds. I believe that when we are in need and we go to a bank / institution / person to meet those needs, that many times we rob God of an opportunity to perform a financial miracle for us.

New classes at the Bible School

With the new semester, I am teaching some courses for the first time at the school. Right now I am only teaching the first year students (7 women and one man). One course is Old Testament history, teaching the 12 books from Joshua to Esther. This is a challenge for the students and myself also, for there is on average only 3 lectures designated to each of the books. I just finished also teaching a class on faith, challenging students to overcome all the giants that they have faced or will face in life. I have just also started a class on false religions and cults, teaching the students the most important differences as compared to Christianity, how to witness to them, how to discern when a true church starts to turn down the path of a cult. I have invited as a guest speaker next month the head of the Jewish community to speak as we are studying various religions. We hope that by doing so we will also understand deeper our Jewish roots and initiate an ongoing cooperation with the small Jewish community here. The chairman of the Jewish community (for they do not have a rabbi yet) is pleased to come and invited me to be at the Hanukkah celebration this week. It was an honor to attend and to meet both him, and one of the head rabbis from Warsaw.
Please pray for the school’s financing, as the amount of student fees do not cover the basic costs of maintaining our building at the moment.

End Times seminars planned for next year

There is a growing interest in learning about the end times in Poland, and as one who has taught courses on the books of Daniel and Revelation for the past 4 years at the Bible school, I have been asked if I can condense the teaching (36 hours) into a 2 day seminar. In the spring of 2009 there are plans to do seminars in Gdynia and Szczecin.

Renata’s new ministry

Renata felt that she should pass on most of her responsibilities at the Bible school to a new employee and was looking forward to what the Lord had next. It did not take long until Pastor Michal from the church were we attend asked if she can be the church administrator. Renata agreed to fulfill this need and will be taking care of all the administrational duties of the church.

Karolina, Asia & Gosia

Karolina serves now on the worship team at the church as one of the singers. It requires some discipline to attend practices during the week and get up very early Sunday to be at church for another time of practice and prayer. This though is something that she has been looking forward to for some time, and now finally is able to be on the team. Asia and Gosia continue to also be active in worship at the church and during the worship evenings at the Bible school. You can find them in the front worshipping the Lord with flags. Recently all three were involved in a presentation in the church of the 5 foolish and 5 wise virgins, and in the Christmas program. We are very glad that our children enjoy church and being involved in whatever way that they can.

Financial update

Recently a pastor asked me if I could give everyone an update on our finances. Last November I announced our need of 75 supporters who would pledge a $22/month gift. Such an amount last year would enable us to be in full time ministry without having to also work secularly full time. Initially 9 families / persons responded. Later this amount increased to 13 supporters, and within the last 5 months 2 other supporters have joined to make the total amount of supporters 15 who give at least $22/month. A few of supporters are giving more as they are able. On average, over the past 4 months our financial support wavers between $400 – 600/month, which is about 1/3 of the basic amount that we need. We are very grateful to the Lord for those who have sacrificed in this way to allow us to minister at the school and travel to various churches. For those that request, we will send a detailed financial report. As the end of the year approaches, could you consider …
1. Making a year end tax deductible gift. For your gift to be tax deductible, it needs to be sent to the church address listed below.
2. Joining our team of financial supporters. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your prayers and support.