Celebrating New Life in April

Have you been observing the new growth on trees and plants? It is a tender, pale green, and it reminds me of how precious and tender each new life in Christ is to Him. This month, another sister prayed to receive Christ and has been connected with a church for discipleship. Two others prayed to recommit their lives to Christ and were referred to churches as well. Please pray for the ministry at Forest Park, that we will always be faithful to share the gospel with the lost and hurting as we minister to their dire physical needs. Here are April statistics: 119 families served, for a 2009 YTD total of 489 families. This represents 299 people in these families, for a 2009 YTD total of 1,127. 3,254 pounds of food distributed, for a 2009 YTD total of nearly 6 tons of food. Don't forget that if you plant a garden, you have a unique way to minister by tithing the produce from your garden to the ministry centers. Monday is the day at Forest Park Ministry Center when we will receive fresh produce. A very special and powerful day on April 25: over 20 summer missionaries, all college students who have committed themselves and their summers to serve the Lord all over the world, converged upon Forest Park Ministry Center during their time of training and orientation held here in Montgomery. They canvassed neighborhoods, they prayerwalked, and they prayed specifically for the ministry events that will be happening this summer at the center. Would you pray, too, that these new areas of ministry will bear fruit for the Kingdom?

Produce for People in Poverty

As we reflect on the abundant life that Jesus's death and resurrection has made possible for His children, the passion to reach the lost with His message of hope is kindled and rekindled. If you have not yet seen the YouTube video that is posted on the MBA Church and Community Ministries blog, please do it now! The God of this City, the one and only true God, is as alive and relevant today as ever, and He can enable us to accomplish His work, no matter how daunting the task!

Here's a novel way that you gardeners may want to contribute: have you ever considered tithing your produce? Everyone loves fresh from the garden fruits and vegetables, and we try to offer this as much as possible by purchasing fresh produce from the Food Bank. But it is not always available, and the selection is very limited. Would you consider, as you plant your spring and summer garden, planting an extra row or a couple of extra plants, and tithe it to the Ministry Center? Monday mornings are the best time to bring fresh produce, as that is the first day of the week that we begin distributing food to our guests. Thanks, and may God bless your efforts!

I am posting the March summary of ministry services below. As I have been researching the history of services through Forest Park Ministry Center, the startling reality of how much increased need there is has come to light. In the first 3 1/2 months of 2009, over 430 families received either food and clothing or financial assistance from the center. That is almost as many families as were served in an entire year in 2003. Can you see the dire need? And so many of these are people who have never received services before; they are in deep crisis because of job losses. The Hope of Christ has never been so needed by so many as today! Summary of Ministry at Forest Park for March 2009: > 132 families served, for a total of 302 family members > 4 people prayed to receive Christ and 2 more prayed to recommit their lives to Christ > 3,218 pounds of food were distributed to people in need. > 6 households were assisted with their heating bills. >3 new moms were supplied with layettes and counseled about the importance of a home centered on God’s principles. A praise is that in two cases, the father was present, listened, and prayed with us! >>>Praise the Lord for Missions Mobilizers! Jim and Marilyn Oliver, MSC Missions Mobilizers, have assisted me in visiting two Hispanic families who have moved into the neighborhood near the center. Marilyn and I made the initial visits, and Marilyn’s fluency in Spanish was so helpful as we discovered the families’ needs and shared with them about the ministry center. Later, Jim and Marilyn returned and led two of the men to Christ!

As spring approaches and I see the beauty of God's creation reawakening, it is a powerful reminder of how He moves and reawakens our own spirits, showing us opportunities every day to reach out and share His Hope with those who hurt all around us. The visits that we make in the homes of our guests are some of the most joyous experiences that I have ever had. The new moms, their hope, their willingness to talk about God and about raising their children in the admonition of the Lord is so sweet and special. Thanks to one of our dear sponsoring churches, we are able to include a book about "Steps to Godly Parenting" which is a great way to introduce the subject matter of a wholesome and Christian home environment. Last week, as I visited in the home of a new mom and her infant, the father of the baby slipped the book out and began perusing through it. As I saw his interest peaked, I thanked God that seeds are being planted and that His Word never returns void. Pray for these families, that they will seek daily to live a life that demonstrates godly character to their children! Yesterday, a precious friend and fellow missionary, Marilyn Oliver, assisted me as we visited two Hispanic families that have moved into the neighborhood near the center. Marilyn and her husband Jim served as IMB missionaries for many years, 29 years in Colombia, so her "Espanol" is fluent. She was so helpful as we talked of the needs of these families, told them about the center, and prayed with them for strength, guidance, and grace from the only Source, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Marilyn, and thank you, Jesus, for such a powerful experience. I pray for all of the internationals in our city who may not have the language skills to learn of the resources that are available to them.