December 2009: SHARING THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST'S LOVE AT CHRISTMASTIME

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." II Cor. 9:15 NIV

Articles contained in the December 2009 InterKnit Newsletter:

• Jehovah Shammah Children's Home and Outreach Ministries – The impact of this ministry extends far beyond the children at the JSCH; one of the evangelists we help to support shares the story of a life changed for eternity; EWI's Wish List for Christmas 2009. Read more >>
• Special Event for the Burmese/Thai Community – Update on the 15th Annual Evangelistic Crusade Read more >>
• Bethel Mission in KGF, South Central India – Special programs during the holiday season give the mission a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with people who would not normally attend services or other activities. Sharing food, providing clothing, and gifting the children are just some of the ways in which they demonstrate the love of Christ for all people. Read more >>
• Good News Theological College and Seminary in Accra, Ghana, West Africa – The introduction between our founder, Dr. Sam Jones, and the current Principal, Rev. Dr. Thomas Oduro, was the beginning of a partnership between our two organizations which continues to enrich the ministries of both. The focus at GNTCS this month: (1) their library, without which it would be difficult for GNTCS to fulfill its mission; (2) scholars being considered for grants from our V. Samuel Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund; and, (3) our 2009 Christmas Wish List for GNTCS. Read more >>

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH CHILDREN'S HOME & OUTREACH MINISTRIES (JSCH)

The eleven evangelists at JSCH, eight of whom came to Christ while being raised at the home, are engaged in leading local congregations as well as traveling to share the Good News with those who have never heard. The established village churches typically have from 30 to 50 people who meet in small buildings, some of which are thatch-roofed. Most report good response to the message and have reported numerous baptisms especially in the tribal regions and among fishermen.

Director David held a day of prayer and training for the pastors on November 14th. They spent several hours in prayer and Bible study and in discussing the most effective methods for sharing the gospel in "sensitive areas." He also encouraged them by distributing the supplemental income provided by East West InterKnit. These funds allow them to give more time to the ministry and to travel greater distances to share the gospel.

Evangelist Padam shared the following story of one who came to faith. Mr. T. Prasad was an active worker in a non-Christian fundamentalist group and regularly harassed those attending church, used loudspeakers playing Hindu music next to the church, and organized youth groups to harass the pastor. The church members prayed "fervently before the throne of grace with tears" for this young man. When he contracted a serious life threatening illness he realized his mistake, repented, and invited Padam to visit. When the gospel was shared, Prasad and his entire family accepted the message and "became good believers of Jesus Christ."

The JSCH children have returned to the home after visiting relatives during thier midterm break. They are back to school and busy with study, exams, and preparation for holiday events. In a recent email, Director David said, "they are shining brilliantly in their examinations." Please join them in prayer for the planning of the December 21 Christmas gathering for relatives, friends, board members, and neighbors of JSCH. Pray that the Christmas message will be clearly presented and that hearts will be open to receive the message.

Our involvement with JSCH -

• EWI provides $20.00 per month for each of 9 evangelists as a supplement to their meager earnings and to enable them to travel to preach. Our hope is that, in spite of ministering in very poor communities, some will be fully supported locally within a year or two.
• EWI sends an average of $400.00 per month to supplement the funds that JSCH is able to raise for the care of children. They need about $1,200.00 per month to cover all costs but often experience shortages and are forced to pay high interest on loans. We are working with them to raise funds through the sale of lace products and by identifying new sources of revenue.
• EWI participates in funding annual expenses at Christmas and in meeting emergency or special needs.
  
  Our focus this Christmas is on the following:
  • Clothing for the 40 children - $350.00
  • Special holiday events including food for families and friends - an opportunity to share the gospel - $350.00
  • Christmas distribution of saris (clothing) for aged widows in the churches - $350.00
  • Three of the evangelists would benefit by having portable sound systems for preaching to crowds in rural areas. Each unit is about $100.00
  • They need to replace a non-working generator to enable them to function during power outages lasting 3-4 hours each day - $1,200.00

BETHEL MISSION

KGF, South Central India

Bethel Mission planned many special events to be held during the holiday season, as is their custom. These special programs are open to the public and give the mission a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with people who would not normally attend services or other activities. It is also the time when they demonstrate the love of Christ for all people by sharing food, providing clothing, gifting the children, and meeting other needs as they are able.

The mission is actively engaged in church planting, discipleship training, care and training of widows and orphans, and meeting special needs in the community. Though the parent church started with fewer than 50 people, it has grown to include more than 2,000. Many of them responded to the gospel message as a result of having experienced Christ's love demonstrated by people of the church through the same kind of events as are being planned for the 2009 holiday season. Many of the current leaders in the churches came to the Lord as a result of having been raised in one of the mission's children's homes.

The mission has not been able to keep up with expenses due to rising prices. Pastor Frank explained that prices on all commodities have risen and they are finding it difficult to meet all expenses for the children's homes. He told of the Lord's provision when they experienced a major cash shortfall in the spring. Just when the need was greatest, their gardens produced an abundant harvest making it possible to provide the food that was needed for the children. However, there are still many unmet needs.

GOOD NEWS THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE & SEMINARY

Accra, Ghana, West Africa

The mission of Good News Theological College and Seminary in Accra, Ghana is "to provide sound Christ-centered education to the Church and Society, fully equipping both men and women with character, knowledge and skills for servant leadership in the African context." They further express the desire not only to educate new leaders, but also to raise the level of biblical knowledge and pastoral skills for those who are already serving in the ministry. Those who attend GNTCS are typically members in good standing of a Christian church, most commonly one of the many African Instituted Churches (AICs).

GNTCS has a number of partners and needs them if it is to effectively fulfill its mission. The partnership between East West InterKnit and GNTCS was established in 1994 when our founder, Dr. Sam Jones, was introduced to the current Principal, Rev. Dr. Thomas Oduro. That partnership has grown ever stronger over the years as ways of communicating have improved, visits from West to East and East to West have taken place, teams have been organized to build vision and lend a hand, and we have seen the evidence that God is at work accomplishing the mission. Many graduates serve as pastors, evangelists, Bible teachers, counselors, music directors and church administrators. Others work with children and youth and in other ministries. Were it not for GNTCS, they may never have been able to receive training.

East West InterKnit continues to focus attention on the development of the library, without which training leaders would be difficult. Their library currently houses a collection of over 25,000 volumes, nearly half of which have been provided by East West InterKnit's partners and shipped with the help of our volunteers. Your financial gifts have enabled East West InterKnit to provide funding that permitted the completion of their new temporary library. GNTCS has a new libarian, Mr Paul Owusu Sekyere, who began work about the first of November. Please remember him in prayer as he begins this work and participates in the life of the seminary.

East West InterKnit grants a number of scholarships each year so that some students without adequate financial resources or backing from their churches might remain in school. We are currently considering two students at GNTCS for financial aid:

• The first is Amos, who came from one of the largest African Instituted Churches in Ghana where he served as an ordained minister. However, when he came to Good News Theological College and Seminary, it was apparent that he knew almost nothing of the Bible, as his church emphasized only that which came by revelation or in visions. One of his GNTCS advisors wrote that his knowledge of the Bible has improved tremendously and he can now preach good Biblical sermons. His desire is to be a faithful servant of God.
• The second is Abednego, another student who is described as an eager learner who studies hard and is always asking questions. His desire is to fucus on teaching traditional rulers and leaders both in the community and in AIC churches. Many are only semi-literate and need to be taught scripture and ways in which they might minister more effectively.