all n
ew Gilead Friends Good News!
for
! “Your Word gives wisdom to the simple.” Psalm 119: 130
2010
~Good News for the Believer!~
Steady obedience to God’s Word ushers in at least two unmistakable
sustaining provisions for the Believer: Wisdom and Peace.
Outside of obedience to God’s Word there is no true wisdom.
And outside of obedience there is no real peace!
—and ahh!—God’s peace... you gotta love God’s peace!!!
We are cautioned in 1 Corinthians, chapter 1 that knowledge puffs up,
while love edifies. Simply gaining knowledge of His Word does not
make one wise. Reading, obeying, reading, obeying, and reading,
obeying—that is the rhythm.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey My commands”—
Obedience to Him is the test of our love for Him.
(John 14:21,23 & 15:10&14)
If you don’t walk in this rhythm
—what’s hindering you?
Start today. Read His Word today.
If you don’t know where to start, try the New Testament Gospel of
John for a good look at the heart of Jesus.
Before you read, pray and tell the Father that you intend to obey
His Word. Ask Him to “enlightened the eyes of your understand-
ing,” (from Ephesians 1:17-23) and pray “that He would strengthen your
inner man with might and that Christ may dwell in your heart through
faith.” (from Ephesians 3:16-19). Humble yourself and ask the Divine
Author for help and grace to obey what His Word says—then as
your heart is moved in conviction—
don’t delay obedience!! Walk it out… obey His Word.
Wisdom and peace will follow.
(Read Psalm 119—pay close attention to verses 9,98-100,130,165)
Happy1st Anniversary to the
Morrow County
24/7 Prayer room
March 6th marked the official one year anniversary!
“Since its inception there has been
someone praying in the 24/7 Prayer Room
every single week!”
—Robin Stuttler, Prayer Room Coordinator
Now that’s Good News!!
If you have never visited the prayer room located at the
Methodist Church on Church Street in Mt. Gilead,
please do! It is open 24/7!
March 2010 Volume 1 Issue 3
Let’s Celebrate Highlights
from Community Meal!
Here at Gilead Friends Church the last Wednes-
day of each month means something special to
all who have participated in Community Meal.
Over the past 2 years specifically, we have seen
over 126 different faces come through the doors
to share dinner together in the Fellowship Hall.
Over 95 different people from Gilead Friends
have come to help greet and welcome folks,
prepare and serve food, carry meals to shut ins,
and visit families. We know of at least 5 that
have prayed to receive Christ’s salvation
through this ministry.
~~~
“One of the most encouraging things we do
is pray for those who come with needs—
sitting around together and sharing comfort
and really connecting with hearts. And just
look at how many items we’ve been able to
give out each month- anything from canned
goods and meat to bed sheets and dish-
washing liquid!”
—Sandy Henry, coordinator
It’s more than just a meal!
Sometimes the meal prepared is very simple,
other times a more elaborate fare, but
always—it is served with love and smiles!
Each monthly Community Meal is served on
the last Wednesday of each month at 6pm
with the exception of Thanksgiving—of course,
served on that Thursday evening at 5:00 p.m.
When New Years Eve landed on the last
Wednesday of the month a couple years ago,
we served the meal followed by a
God-honoring movie and popcorn-party!
The hope and mission of this ministry is to
express the love and friendship of Jesus Christ
with a hot meal and lots of care.
Anyone can come, anyone can help, and
EVERYONE will be blessed!
If you’d like to lend a hand or donate food—
please call Sandy Henry at 419-947-6142
Let’s Celebrate...A collective
testimony to “faithful prayer” and “team
unity” from the Winter Jamaica Team
The Team walked and ministered in unity. This
unity was a resulting fruit from the steady prayer
times together in the months leading up to the
mission. Frank Carter, Jamaica Field Director,
spoke about this to the team and to Pastor Ron on
several occasions:
“Your teams always come so prepared. It’s
quickly noticeable to see when other groups
come and treat this mission like it’s just a
vacation, Your church teams come trained and
prayerful and ready to minister
to the people.”
Unity is derived from time spent together with the
Father. It is a byproduct. It takes keen effort,
commitment, and a willingness to focus.
Looking back on 2008 Vessels of Hope Board
meeting in preparation for the 2009 Summer Team
to be sent: We had gotten word that there had
been no more revival meetings or nightly ser-
vices held in Zion because the crime was so bad
it had become dangerous for the people to at-
tend at night time. This “word” did not set well
in the hearts of the Board members. It “didn’t
feel right.” And so we stopped the meeting and
called upon God in unity—complete unity— that
this decision be overturned and that God would
provide angelic protection and for nightly
services to be reinstated at Zion. Something
shifted in the heavens! We knew God had heard
and was answering our prayers.
The answer was not seen, however, until one week
before the 2010 Winter Team departed for Jamaica.
The Zion Church asked the team to come and hold
nightly services!!! Jamaican men attended these
services!!! And then these same men showed up to
the job sites during the daytime to work with the
GFC men...forming a real connection between Jesus
and everyday life! —excerpts from the 2010
Winter Team and Vessels of Hope Board
Thank you to ALL the teams that have
walked in unity and prepared the soil all
along the way!!!
The VOH Board along with the Outreach and
Stewardship Commissions are in prayer concerning the
timing of the next Jamaica Team to be sent.
Watch for details in the Sunday Bulletin!
Gilead Friends Good News! March edition, page 2
Hey GFC Body, Let’s Celebrate!
Please read the following testimony
submitted by: Glenda Morgan
Parenting is the single most powerful tool we can use
to impact our culture.
There is no greater calling in life than that of a parent.
These kinds of statements inspire us to take
our God-given role as parents seriously!
Last year about this time Shawn and I were asked by Pastor Mark and
Diane Googins if we would be interested in becoming Youth Ministry
Parent Coordinators. We were not sure what all this would entail, but
we were sure it was a call from the Lord as well as a fulfillment of a per-
sonal prophecy we had received five years earlier. Shawn was already
ministering to parents and teens through his job as a school guidance
counselor, but the opportunity to serve together in this type of ministry,
and to our church family sounded very exciting to us!
We started last summer by hosting three different parent meetings.
The response was encouraging and we quickly saw the value in meet-
ing together. These Ignite Parent Meetings (as we called them) were
geared primarily toward parents of Jr. and Sr. High kids. The teenage
years are undoubtedly some of the most challenging, but feedback
from our GFC parents revealed that this ministry should also include
parents of our younger children. Helping parents establish a solid
foundation early could prevent some of the challenges and problems
we face when our kids are teenagers. So now “Ignite Parenting” refers
to all parents, not just those who have kids in youth group!
The Lord has allowed Shawn and I the privilege of starting a
Sunday school class for parents this January! So far it has been an
excellent way for parents to connect with each other on a weekly basis.
We like to think of it as more of a parent support group than a “class.”
Attendance has ranged anywhere from 15-30 people. We are cur-
rently enjoying the humorous wisdom of Dr. Kevin Leman through a
DVD series entitled, “Raising Rock Solid Kids in a Pleasure Driven
World.” The greatest blessing for us has been listening to other parents
share their struggles and victories. I think most of us would agree that
it’s just nice to know we’re not alone.
If you are someone who takes your calling as a parent seriously, or
want to take it a little more seriously, we would love fro you to join us
on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 in room 202. We guarantee you will
come away blessed! -Shawn and Glenda Morgan
Good News on the Prayer Front!
GCS school staff and GFC members
joined in prayer to lift up the American
college campuses from sea to shining sea on the
National Collegiate Prayer Day, Feb. 25th!