1SFMI Update

Profit Motive

Winter 2016

Prayer/NewsUPDATESFMI

Shield of Faith Mission International

Fulfillng the Great Commission Through Establishing New Testament Churches

P.O. Box 144, Bend, Oregon 97709 • Phone (541) 382-7081 Fax (541) 382-4471 • Email sfmi@sfmiusa.org

Online at www.sfmiusa.org

2015 Reunion Report

Myanmar Report

2 SFMI Update

2016In this issue:

Profit Motive .....................................................................................................................Page 3Myanmar Report ..............................................................................................................Page 6Lost is Found .....................................................................................................................Page 9Discipleship Training in Nigeria ..................................................................................Page 10Missionary News ............................................................................................................Page 112015 Reunion Report .....................................................................................................Page 16

Thoughts for the New YearThis is the beginning of a new year, 2016: one year closer to that glorious event when the Lord shall come, and every man shall give account of himself. Our desire is to increase our energy toward fulfilling the commission and to use all the tools at our disposal. We would like to fill our calendar with appointments in cities like yours to present our seminars and workshops with a view of edifying the saints, stimulating vision, encouraging outreach and equipping disciples. We want to be laborers together with you.

Here are some opportunities to work together and for mission involvement:

During the recent “Reunion of SFMI Trainees,” there was a presentation of mission opportunities that any of us could participate in or encourage others to consider. Below are two things that are immediately available, and many others may be accessed by contacting SFMI.

1) Form a focused mission-oriented prayer cell. This is something each of us can do, and something we can assist others in doing. It is the most fundamental need of all ministry. Luke 10:2

2) Hosting or participating in vision casting events. Some examples:• Invite a missionary to speak to your fellowship or a group you bring together.• Host a “Great Commission Seminar.” SFMI has four seminars that help churches

and individuals gain a vision for making disciples.• Hosting (and being equipped to hold) a workshop on effective, biblical

discipleship. This is an opportunity that Jack Ring is eager to offer to interested groups of four or more people – have Bible, will travel.

For more information on these opportunities, contact Jack Ring at jack-ring@sbcglobal.net or the office of SFMI at sfmi@sfmiusa.org.

Also we would like to remind you that we’ve put all four Great Commisssion Seminars on16 GB flash drives and they are now available for you to use in your home or your church gathering. Each seminar consists of six hours of teaching; and they cover God’s Eternal Purpose, Renewing the Mind and Defining Discipleship, Spiritual Warfare and The Great Commission. The flahdrive contains all twenty-four hours of the four seminars.

If you would like to arrange a discipleship workshop or a live seminar this year in your home or church or some public venue, please call the office for details.

Wishing you a blessed and prosperous New Year in the Lord!

3SFMI Update

Obviously, nothing can be maintained without increase. Naturally speaking, for a nation to

survive, it must produce more than it consumes, likewise a business or a family. If its production is only equal to its consumption, every minor setback will be a major catastrophe. If production falls below consumption, demise is inevitable. That required margin of production over consumption is called profit. From a purely natural business perspective this margin of profit is essential not optional. It affects not only the physical requirements but the emotional well-being as well. The greater the realization of revenue the more incentive there is to increased effort and continued investment of energy, time and material resources. That’s why a productive employee is worth more to an employer than a less productive one; and, normally, employers are willing to pay more to get more.

People who are seeking profit in order to be successful are sometimes willing to sacrifice inordinate amounts of their time and even, unfortunately, some more important things, like family and other priceless treasures that they, for some reason, think are of less relevance than their increased revenue. They are incentivized by profit, sometimes captured by it—even addicted to it.

Although there are such hazards, naturally speaking, there are positives as well. The promise of profit inspires innovation. For example, the assembly line: Mr. Ford realized that one handmade car at a time would be inadequate to meet the demand that he hoped to see. The assembly-line concept would increase production and reduce cost; a cheaper product would increase sales, which would mean more profit. (OK, I understand that today there are people who think industrialization is not a positive); but our point here is to demonstrate that profit, or the hope thereof, drives incentive while the lack of

reward (or profit) does the opposite.Profit is not to be confused with illicit gain; it is

not synonymous with greedy acquisition of that which rightfully belongs to others (a definition that some folks mistakenly apply to capitalism). Profit is the legitimate reward of wise and industrious investment whether it be of money, time, energy or emotion. Profit can be described as reward.

Sometimes, though, the idea of profit is made to seem obscene. Corrupt politics and business practices employing dishonest means to reap unearned reward have done much to further that point of view. There is nothing in the human experience that has not been corrupted by sin. As long as and wherever fallen human nature is involved, there will be perversion of that which is good. Profit is good, even essential, for the health of any economy and the well-being of the participants; but greed, that condition of the human heart that causes the lust for profit to obscure the legitimate reason for service, is a perversion and a destructive deception.

The reason for a believer to do what he does should be because he knows it to be the will of God: it is the action God has prescribed for him and the venue in which he is to demonstrate the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The profit derived therefrom is the reward for doing it well; the difficulties and setbacks encountered therein are the instruments that refine the character and reveal Christ’s. The diminishing of self and the increased evidence of “Christ in you” is also profit. In fact, from God’s perspective, that is of more value than financial increase.

Greed, the lust for excessive material profit, has been the downfall of many a potentially successful business. Jesus addressed this issue, and the apostles expanded upon it. Jesus spoke of attitudes and priorities which are foundational to all that we do, attitudes which apply to

I asked a friend, “What would you do if you should unexpectedly inherit a million dollars?”“I guess I’d just keep on farming,” he said, “until it was all gone.” This is the answer of someone who does what he does for the love of it even though the

returns are negligible. It suggests that people measure profit in different ways. This man also worked a job, however, in order to sustain his farming; something had to produce profit to make it sustainable. Profit is essential.

Profit MotiveDick York

4 SFMI Update

every aspect of our lives whether it be business or any other relationships. We must remember that Jesus himself was a carpenter. We understand therefore that He, in a very real sense, was in business, either working for others as an employee or as a vendor. (Sometimes we forget that part of His life.) What He taught us to do is what He did. The priorities that He proposed for us were His priorities; He was our example. Listen to what He said:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. … No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ... Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for tomorrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 1 Jesus said, furthermore, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 2

Obviously, governed by such principles, there could be no motivation for illicit gain or excess profit in the Lord Jesus’ dealings as a carpenter, nor could there be in those who are led by His Spirit.

The apostle Paul, expanding upon Jesus’ words, spoke specifically to those who were servants and to those who were masters (which we will liken here to employees and employers or to capital and labor).

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye service as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And ye masters, do the same

things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. 3

In this present evil world where biblical principle is despised and where greed has seemed to prosper (always creating disaster for someone), it has left much ruin in its wake. On the other hand, a godly spirit creates a biblical work ethic and generates an everlasting profit in more ways than merely financial.

When we think profit, then, we must also think of the two economies: that of the kingdom of God and that of this present evil world. What seems profitable in the one, may sometimes seem detrimental in the other. The Bible speaks much of profit or gain in very positive ways: notably, when speaking of the word of God. Consider 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 for example:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…”

You may not think of this “profitable” as you think of “profit” in the natural world, but perhaps you should. Since we are, as believers, citizens of the kingdom of God, we must prioritize what is profit in that realm. Jesus did that: He lived in this world but on the economy of the kingdom of God and taught us to do the same. After all, all that is in this world is to pass away, but the economy of the kingdom is everlasting. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” 4

Now that’s an important question. At the end, how profitable was it, really, to have gained all the perceived benefits of worldly success (which we know is temporary) if we achieved it at the cost of all that is eternal? Is that really a bargain? So let’s give some thought to this scripture. What is the profit that is gained by taking heed to the scriptures and submitting to their authority? Four things are presented to us here.

“All scripture is profitable 1) for doctrine, 2) for reproof, 3) for correction, and 4) for instruction in righteousness.” And to what end? “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Profit-making has a goal in incentivizing the believer to look forward to eternal reward and equipment for service beyond the temporal and fleeting rewards of this world’s economy.

Citizens of this world are continually encouraged to diligence for the express purpose of equipping themselves in business or other means of accumulating monetary wealth. As they respond positively to that encouragement, they commit their time and energy to the singular pursuit of success in this world’s economy, often to the neglect of that which will equip them for profit in the kingdom of God. When that happens, they seek to increase the probability of worldly gain while, at the same time,

5SFMI Update

compounding their eternal losses commensurate with the investment of themselves into this world’s economy. On the other hand, when they are incentivized by the hope of eternal reward and seek after the profit of God’s doctrine (so that they know what God would teach them), God’s reproof (so they can know when they are wrong), His correction (so they can be made right) and His instruction in righteousness (so that they can demonstrate His good and acceptable and perfect will) can make them perfect and equip them for every good work, thereby assuring prosperity in both economies.

But prosperity is not accurately measured in the accumulation of material wealth alone. Large bank accounts do not necessarily testifiy to prosperity. Sometimes they may signify greed or criminality or self-aggrandizement or even some other form of misconduct. Prospering has to do with success in accomplishing a legitimate goal: of hitting the mark at which one has been commissioned to aim.

In the New Testament book of Hebrews there is a brief note about Abraham. “By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles [tents] with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” 5

No one can question Abraham’s prosperity or his prominence; his fame continues to this day, and his name is revered around the world. Some even point to his material wealth as a reason to aspire to the accumulation of money as the blessing God’s people should expect. But that misses the point.

According to the account we just read, Abraham didn’t know what to expect; his aspiration was to obey God. He went out in response to God’s command without knowing where he was going. He camped out in the promised land without knowing it. He lived there in tents with his family; but, by faith, he looked for a city with foundations: a city built by God. Here is a picture of the temporal and the eternal. While he dwelt in those comparatively flimsy, mobile tents moving about continually, making many mistakes, being tried in many ways, he gained a marvelous knowledge of God and also gained great material wealth, all the while looking expectantly for that permanent, heavenly city of God where the true riches are laid up: a city with foundations, neither flimsy nor mobile, an everlasting habitation—the New Jerusalem. While he was seeking the heavenly kingdom, God added the other things.

(Endnotes)1 Matthew 6: 19-21, 24, 25, 31-342 Matthew 7: 123 Ephesians 6: 5-9 4 Mark 8: 365 Hebrews 11:8-10

I have fallen in love with the Bride of Christ. Our Heavenly Father is preparing all those that are washed in the blood of Jesus as a Bride for His Son. He is calling those that are seeking Him: those who are crying out for forgiveness of sins. He is calling those who are brokenhearted, who have lost their way.

I am so attached to those humble ones that have not much claim in this life, broken ones you could say. But oh, our Heavenly Father esteems such very highly and is patiently gathering them to be a Bride clothed and adorned with His Righteousness. These chosen ones are they that have cast all their hope on Him who is able to deliver them from death; for He, Jesus, conquered death and rose again, just as the Holy Scriptures promised, claiming the inheritance of all things in heaven and earth. He, the Groom, is waiting for His Bride. Just as Isaac waited for Eleazer to bring Rebecca to him in days of old, Jesus the Begotten One of God waits for the Holy Spirit to bring Him His Bride. Oh, what a glorious day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

You can always tell when you have met one of those that will be the glorious Bride of Christ because they love to talk about their Groom, the One who was slain to take away the sins of the world just like John the Baptist rejoiced to hear the Bridegroom’s voice. (John 3: 29). So, even though she may look a little shabby at times, hard to distinguish maybe because of all the religious counterfeit, this precious lady will come forth soon in bright, shining robes to meet her Savior. Hallelujah to the One who has purposed this from the foundation of the world.

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2: 14

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Revelation 22: 17

Written by Larry Hagen while with the saints in Myanmar

6 SFMI Update

Richard McDanielMyanm

ar Report

Making Disciples Ministry with Elisha Sanga

We arrived in Yangon on Wednesday, October 22nd; and the ministry began on Thursday with four of us dividing into two teams. Frank Stangel and I went to work with a group called Making Disciples Ministry led by Elisha Sanga. For two days, five hours each day with a lunch break in the middle, we taught on the Priesthood of the Believer, Defin-ing Discipleship, Quiet Time and an overview of God’s Vision. This was a group of about twenty-five church leaders and workers in the ministry. It was an exceptional group, and we were encouraged by the results. The other team was James Lucas and Larry Hagen. They went to a different group put together by Joseph Puia with the same teaching schedule that we had. Their teaching on various aspects of Disci-pleship was very well received by the attendees.

On Saturday we all went together with Joseph by ferry to a village across the river. On the ferry we passed out a lot of tracts, and Jim preached the gospel to a small group of passengers with Joseph interpreting. At the village we had a meeting in a small, humble home filled up with a good group of youth and adults. Each of us contributed, and the people received us very warmly.

On Sunday, Frank and I went to Joseph’s church for the meeting, and the other team went to

Elisha’s church. There were meetings in the after-noon as well for both of us in different locations.

Monday Jim and Larry went with Joseph by bus to a place called Padan. They ministered for three days in vari-ous small v i l l a g e s and were e n t h u s i -ast ical ly rece ived by all. One of the b r e t h r e n told them that there were twenty-five villages in the surround-ing area with no churches. The people are predomi-nately Buddhist.

Also on Monday Frank and I went with Thara by air to a city on the border with Thailand called Tachileik. This is in the infamous Golden Triangle region. Much opium is grown here, and there is the lawlessness associated with that. We had meetings for three days with a group of twenty or twenty-five. Some of them were missionaries to the Akha peo-ple who are animists and live in villages nearby. We taught God’s Eternal Purpose, the Priesthood and Discipleship. They said these teachings were very helpful to them and would be used in their ministry.

Friday afternoon our team flew to Mandalay and stayed in a hotel near the old palace grounds. The other team traveled by bus to Mandalay and then by taxi up onto the plateau to the city of Pyin U Lwin. They were supposed to have teaching meet-ings arranged there for two days plus Sunday meet-ings. The only scheduling setback we had was when those meetings, except for Sunday, were cancelled.

2015

Ministering in one of the village homes in Padan.

7SFMI Update

Myanmar Report

Meeting with the Tachileik group in the Golden Triangle Region.

S a t u r d a y morning our team left by private taxi for a twelve hour drive from Mandalay to Ka-lemyo arriving at night. On Sunday I preached at Cal-vary Church, and Frank preached at Shalom Baptist Church. The next day we had a full day of teaching the Calvary Mis-sion’s full-time workers. They have nineteen missionaries that they send out to work primarily amongst Buddhist peo-ple. Because of travel distances and cost, some of their workers weren’t able to come; but local mem-bers attended also. Jim and Larry flew into Kalemyo on Monday afternoon, and we were reunited with them at the hotel.

Tuesday through Friday were full days of teach-ing at two different places. Jim and Larry took the Calvary group Tuesday through Thursday, and Frank and I went to the Shalom Baptist church site to teach a group of about twelve seminary students from the Jobie clan of the Chin. The Jobie have their own language and history. On Friday we switched places. The comment I heard several times from the Calvary mis-sion leader was that our teaching was simple but powerful.

On Thursday night we had a very special meet-ing at a rehab center. Jim was invited to preach. For several years Brother Sanga, the leader of the ministry, has been taking in alcohol and drug ad-dicts to give them opportunity to break the chains of addiction. When I first met him, he had twenty he was caring for; the next time there were fifty; this time there were over one hundred. The meeting area

was full of people, both believers and n o n - b e l i e v e r s . There were some great special mu-sic, prayers and powerful preach-ing. Each of us had opportunity to share a word of testimony and in-troduce ourselves, and then Jim preached the gos-pel. It was a very clear message, and the Lord was

moving in our midst. At one point during the night we all stood, raised our arms and in unison shouted Hallelujah three times.

Friday night was a night for giving thanks by the two groups that we ministered to. Jim and Larry went to Calvary church, received gifts and heard many testimonies from those in attendance about how God ministered to them through the teachings. Frank and I went to an appreciation night with the seminary stu-

dents. We were present-ed with scarves worn by the Jobie men. As they took our picture, I told them we were now Jobie Christians. They liked that idea.

Saturday morn-ing we visited a site of land the rehab center is purchasing. They have some simple housing built for staff who are living on site, and work is being done here by

some of the rehab treatment recipients. Saturday af-ternoon we flew from Kalay back to Yangon.

Sunday was our last day in Yangon. For the last two nights we stayed in a hotel near the airport. Our plan for Sunday was to fellowship with the brethren at Joseph’s church; but this was Election Day, and the meeting was canceled because people were vot-ing. There was a shopping mall near our hotel, which we visited late in the afternoon for coffee and dinner.

Calvary Church in Kalemyo

8 SFMI Update

Team Breakfast with (left to right): James Lucas, Frank Stangel, Richard McDaniel, Joseph Puia, and Larry Hagen.

On our return it was dark enough outside that the cars all had their lights on. We had to cross a large boulevard to get to our hotel. In Myanmar there are no privileges for pedestrians; you cross when you can and at your own risk. There was a break in traffic, and Jim headed across. He was almost to the center of the boulevard and paused to let a mo-torcycle pass, then took another step right into the path of another motorcycle. This one had no lights, and no one saw it coming. The motorcycle spun him around and knocked Jim to the ground before it went down also. Jim lay there immobile. Seeing this from the roadside, I began to call out audibly to the Lord for His assistance. Mercifully traffic part-

ed, and we were able to get over to Jim who, after a few minutes, was able to rise to his feet. The wind had been knocked out of him, and he had an enor-mous bruise from his left side and across his belly where he’d been hit by the han-dlebars of the motorbike. He

was shaken up,

but nothing was broken. The motorbike rider hit the ground pretty hard; but he also got up and, seeing Jim was upright, hightailed it out of there. Back in the hotel room we prayed together and thanked God for His mi-raculous deliverance.

In contemplating about why this event happened, I had these thoughts: the Lord had granted us a fruit-ful ministry everywhere we went. Here was an opportu-nity to put a damper on the trip, which Satan attempted to do. However, we have an-

gels too. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

(Psalm 34:7) In the finale it was proven that God is watching over us and would not allow the spoiler to set us back.

As a team we’d like to thank the saints who prayed for this mission and for those who interpret-ed for us, especially brothers Joseph and Thara who did the bulk of the work. I’d like to conclude with a testimony from Thara who said: “It was a great time with you all in the last trip to Myanmar. Your teach-ings helped me a lot, and it was a great blessing to me. I believe that the brethren in Myanmar were in-spired through your messages. Our family has been thankful for you and praise God for giving us op-portunity to serve in different places in Myanmar.”

Visiting the new Rehab worksite in Kalemyo on Saturday morning.

Jim, Joseph and Larry

9SFMI Update

Dear fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,I want to thank you all who prayed for us

when our son James went missing on 9/17/2015. Actually, it was one of the horrible times we as Ketikai family have ever gone through. It was not until after one week had passed that we knew that our son was missing when my wife’s sister asked if James was still going to visit them. “What do you mean if he is still coming!!!? James left home two weeks ago for your home!” At first we thought he went to visit his friends, who are his schoolmates. We called his friend’s parents over the phone only to find the last time James was seen was last year when he lastly visited his aunt.

The whole family was worried, especially his mother, brothers and sisters. Naomi, one of my young daughters who loves praying, said to her mummy, “Don’t worry, I’ll pray and ask Jesus to bring James back home.” Then she asked Richard, her older brother, “Do you believe? Yes. Then go on, pray for him.”

We prayed. The next morning I went to Narok and came back to all my friends with fellow broth-ers and sisters gathered in my house, planning on how they will mobilize the villages around in search of James the next morning. It was raining heavily, and the rivers were flooded. People had different suggestions. Some said maybe he was drowned by the flooded rivers, but my wife and I were bold and had strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that He has all the power and can keep our son safe for us. I called brothers and sisters in USA asking for prayers; for sure the Lord Jesus Christ heard their prayers.

It was on a Friday that a stranger called me over the phone asking if I had missing child. “Yes!” I replied quickly. She introduced herself as Angel-ica Ntaia. She went on and said she was a born-again Christian. We all broke into tears on hearing how the Lord Jesus Christ had led our son to a safe place into a believer’s home! She also gave me the direction on how to get there. I traveled to their home in a place called Iltuati. When I got there, I found her with James standing by the road waiting for me. I was really amazed to see the love sister

Angelica had for us. She told me how James was left by a speeding car by the road where he spent the night in a wheat farm near their home. That is where she found him the next morning while tak-ing milk to a hotel that buys the milk from her. I spent two weeks in their home. I used the time in teaching them the word of truth. For sure the Lord Jesus Christ used James missing to take me into an-other area of mission that needs more of the word of God. I am planning to go to the area next year, God willing.

I am thankful to Lord God Almighty for safe-ty and deliverance and provisions during this time. Surely the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 (KJV) May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you all! Surely the Lord answers prayers! Your brother in Jesus Christ, John Ketikai - Narok, Kenya

Testimony: Lost is Found!

10 SFMI Update

Missionary NewsI arrived in Nigeria on the 7th of November

and had a couple of days to “un-jet-lag” before the conference began on the 9th. The Solemn Assembly of Church Leaders was the second such gathering to consider the state of the church in Nigeria, which has been engulfed in a tidal wave of man-exalting, prosperity teaching. There were about 250 church leaders in attendance, from a wide array of denominational backgrounds. The four-day event was organized by Samuel Deji, long-time friend and co-worker and Director of Ethnos Mission.

The speakers were Steve Phillips, Tunde Oloyede and I. The messages were focused on the need

to set aside tradition in favor of simple biblical truth at whatever the cost to oneself. There was an emphasis on the evident approach of end times and the need for each believer to be involved in “making disciples.” The messages were well received—often enthusiastically so. The conference ended with a video message from Dick York on “Availability.”

Discussion group

Jack Ring

Following the Solemn Assembly we held a workshop on disciple making in Abeokuta, Nigeria. 46 registered, and 42 completed the three-day training. One of the participants sent me the two following emails; they encouraged me, and I thought they might encourage you. (Jack)

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus. I want to thank you for allowing God to use you for me especially in the Discipleship Making Movement.(D.M.M). Just day 1, and I’m blessed like this!! Definitely I will be there throughout the training in spite of my condition (Slip-disc). It’s a training I’ve been longing for. Though I heard of it 8hrs before commencement, my co pastors in

Rural discipleship centers could not be reached in time. Please find time to repeat this meeting sir. My Church will be willing to host if need be sir. Thanks a lot.

Dr. Bayewu, Olakunle.I replied briefly that evening. The next evening

this email came. (Jack)Sir, today’s training is wonderful. Addressing

many quiet questions I faced on the field. By His grace there shall be Increase in disciples in villages we cover. By His grace you will hear from us on unreached villages. I’m so happy, very grateful.

Dr. Bayewu Olakunle.

Some of the Solemn Assembly participants

Nigeria Report

Jack, Steve Phillips and several pastors

11SFMI Update

BangladeshThe Burwell Family

Missionary News

We have been back in the States now for two months—living in Chris and Lisa Booher’s house in Drain, Oregon during their trip to Poland. Emily is working at Rudi Booher’s coffee shop, and Tracy is also working a couple of shifts per week. I have taken a job driving a belly dump truck for a local company building and maintaining logging roads. I haul gravel into the areas being logged. Hannah is back with us from Wyoming and looking for employment.

We are all enjoying the quiet country setting, and the boys are making full use of the acreage. In Bangladesh there was very little safe play room, so we are very thankful for the provision of this home.

We are fellowshipping on Sunday at a local Baptist church with about thirty members, and on November 29th we gave a presentation on our time in Bangladesh. We also join a few from this group for a Wednesday night Bible study. Pray that we will be able see where we can be contributors in their midst.

We are very pleased to share with you all the good news, that we received our third beautiful granddaughter on the 3rd of November. Her name is Jonni; and she is the first child of our son, John, and his wife, Sara. They live in Seattle, which is about six hours away; so we are able to go and see them on weekends. She is perfect, and we thank the Lord for her.

We remain in contact with our brother Suranjit who recently spent a week in the hospital with Dengue fever. We last heard from him on November 17th, and he reported that he was well and able to work. In the course of his work among the people of Ramu, Suranjit lead a man to the Lord and baptized him.

We recently heard from our faithful brother Sumit who informed us that he is receiving strong warnings to cease from the children’s ministry he and his wife Nonabi and our brother Kokon are doing in Cox’s Bazaar. Although many, if not most, of the parents are in favor of Sumit continuing his classes in which the children learn about the Bible, there are some parents and some community leaders who have advised Sumit to stop because they do not want the children to become Christians. Sumit and Kokon have three such children’s groups in Cox’s Bazar with around sixty children in attendance. Please join us in praying for these faithful brothers that God would protect him and his family from evil men and that they would have continuing boldness and wisdom in the matter. Please don’t forget our indigenous workers who suffer many things for the Lord’s name.

Sumit also told me that he travels to Ukiah preaching when he is able. The village near Ukiah is a place where Austin Ball and I preached with Sumit and Kokon. We found the people there to be attentive and seemingly serious listeners. Please pray for them and for Sumit and Kokon to be able to visit this village regularly.

Certainly these are troublesome times, brothers and sisters. I pray that we are able to maintain our heavenly perspective and avoid being caught up in the various tumults which seem to be breaking out everywhere. May the peace of God abound in your hearts and minds,The Burwells

NOTICE !! Because of space limitations, missionary reports are sometimes abbreviated and some information omitted. For the full unedited versions, please go to the SFMI website and click on the Missionary News tab. If you do not have internet access, contact the SFMI office.

12 SFMI Update

MexicoSteve MontgomeryAtotonilco

“Dinosaur trainer,” Tess Wasson, walks through Atotonil-co’s main plaza intriguing curious onlookers during the

Answers in Genesis outreach event in November.

As Dick York often told us in the Training Program, church planting starts with and continually includes evangelism, and that means getting as much of the Word as possible to as many as possible as often as possible.

It might also include building a dinosaur.When the opportunity came up to

have the Director of Hispanic Ministries for Answers in Genesis with us here, we were excited about the possibilities. One problem: he would be with us on Tuesday and Wednesday, not prime days for a public event in this town. We used flyers, got on the radio and encouraged the brethren to spread the word. But we also did something unexpected: we built a walking dinosaur suit, complete with a mouth that opens, head and neck that move and the growling sounds normally associated with a dinosaur. The brethren from the church in Atotonilco organized and operated virtually everything here with brethren from the churches in Tototlán, Santa Fe, Briseño and Arandas helping.

Along with preaching, science demonstrations, special music and creationist films, the dinosaur captured interest and drew people to the Walk through Creation exhibit, where people heard an explanation of the six days of creation, with information from the Scripture and from science.

Hundreds of people—families, children, teens, in groups and individually—went through the exhibit, had questions answered and took literature. The dinosaur continued to be a big draw.

He took a “walk” through the Plaza three or four times a day and every evening as we began the time on stage. Crowds pushed in to get a picture then backed off when he roared! We were able to explain what happened to the dinosaurs and point people to the scale model of Noah’s Ark to see the animals, including

dinosaurs, inside and get an idea of the size of the ark. The emphasis, as with all of this event, is the trustworthiness of the Bible.

Over 200 people each day (Monday and Tuesday) took the tour through the Walk Through Creation exhibit; and, in addition to hearing a defense of the Scripture and a presentation of the Gospel, many left with a copy of the Bible or the New Testament in hand.

On the last night, Joe Owen of Answers in Genesis gave an excellent presentation on the veracity of the Bible, ending with a clear declaration of the death and resurrection of Christ and a call to recognize Christ as Lord. A large crowd stayed through the message and the film afterwards (Evolution vs. God).

One key incident was the time Joe had with the man from the television station who came to interview him. This man, Carlos, is someone I have known for years. We initiated a Bible study some years back, but he withdrew when he began to be mocked for his interest in the Scripture. After the interview in the Plaza, he opened up to Joe in a manner Joe says he has not seen in all his years of ministry. Carlos confessed his fear of rejection by those around him but also declared his desire to be right with God. Joe was able to speak frankly and clearly with him for 45 minutes, leaving him with a clear understanding of the urgency the Gospel implies.

Then we had to pack all the materials away for use at another time. Please pray for the impact of the preaching. Thank you for standing with us in this outreach.Steve and Linda for the church in AtotonilcoJoe Owen presents

the Gospel.

13SFMI Update

Testimony from Tess Wasson in Jalisco

Best moment of my whole life... handing tracts through a chain-linked fence in the dark to a Mexi-can soldier on guard duty with a big gun.

On this trip I’ve had to be extremely flexible, and by God’s grace I haven’t snapped yet :). I nev-er know what the day is going to hold, and I have learned to just go with the flow. I’m already liv-ing in my fifth house, and I’ve spent the night at two others. I’ve done everything from cooking and cleaning to making piñatas for birthday parties, clay models for teaching homeschool, playing the piano and singing in a choir, going to door to door with the gospel, and playing my saxophone in the town plaza and for worship. I’ve slept in a living room, dining room, on a couch, and had many other wonderful, learning stretching experiences.

So when I was living in the Nuevo Refugio with the Valadez family and saw those soldiers driv-ing by all the time, the Lord just put them on my heart to pray for them and gave me a desire to share the gospel with them. I couldn’t just walk up to their trucks, or I might get shot; so I talked to Mr. Valadez about it. Some of the brothers in Christ came with us, and we went to their camp late Friday with the purpose of witnessing to them. They didn’t let us come in the camp, but they let the soldiers come out and listen. There were over fourteen soldiers that lis-

West AfricaEd & Patty Enns

I just got back from Abidjan where I shared the word of God with at least 125 enthusiastic believers. It went well and was inspiring to me also. I was also able to spend time with Semu, a Komono believer who I have spent time with over the years. Semu is one of the sons of the chief of the Komono people group in Tougbo where we used to live and minis-ter. He has been ostracized but is strong in faith. I am sending him to Tougbo to participate in the offi-cial opening of the first church building there of the Komono people. The event will be on December 25.

Patty and I will now be heading to Lome, Togo and spend some time there at the fellowship of Brother Emmanuel. On our return to Ghana we hope to meet up with David Kangni in Accra and see what involvement we might have there with the missionary training that will be going on during Jan-

tened! And afterward they asked questions, and we gave them each a New Testament and a tract. They were attentive and interested! It’s really a miracle we got to talk to them at all.

That night when I was going to bed, the Lord gave me another idea: to make cookies and caramel popcorn for the soldiers. So the next morning I did, and we took it to the camp. They actually took them (which is a miracle too because the Nuevo Refugio is a cartel hangout), and the guard that was on duty asked me if I had another New Testament because he didn’t get one. I had some in my purse and gave him extras too. And when we drove up, we saw a soldier sitting on a window sill reading a New Testament!!! God is so good. Sar-gento Mora said that they would try to return the cookie platter too... yet another opportunity hopefully to witness!

uary and February.Looking down the road a bit further I will be

returning to Abidjan in April and then onto Tougbo where I try to be twice a year in order to bring some edification to the saints and especially Kassoum and Yakouba the two evangelists. Beyond these, there is a chance our son will visit us for Christmas as well as a couple from my original home church in Van-couver, Canada.

Time spent here in Cape Coast is for recu-peration and preparation for other trips. I have a couple believers that I am working with also here in CCM by the names of Obed, who is a more mature believer, and Ramzi who just trusted in Christ. That is about all I can say for the moment. Standing in His grace, Ed

Soldiers pass by outside Tess’ window at Nuevo Refugio.

14 SFMI Update

Friends,We just wanted to let you know that it looks

like we will not be allowed to do any business here after this coming Wednesday (November 18). We were called in to the Security Bureau this morning and told we have seven days to leave the country. L. and his crew are working long hours trying to get as many trees harvested and sold as possible in the few days we have left.

Apparently they have mistakenly allowed us to live here. The reason they are just now telling us this is because now that two other foreigners are registering businesses here they have looked more carefully at the law and realize that our registration is not valid. If we return in the spring we will not be allowed to do any business or to stay in our apartment. We will have to stay in a hotel.

I am visiting friends, local and foreign, to let them know in face to face conversations that we have to leave. Things are quite tense in the whole area right now so we avoid phone calls.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we adjust to this new reality. It will be sad to lose the trees that L. has worked so hard to grow. But it is breaking our hearts to leave all the dear ones who have become like family to us.

We are not clear yet on whether we can pay workers to care for things here or not. We are going to have to get more clarification.

We have tickets to fly out on Wednesday the 18th and arrive in Seattle on the 19th. Please re-member L. has a very difficult week ahead of him. We are not discouraged. We always knew this could happen.Thanks,M.

If you plan to attend, but have not yet requested your enroll-ment application, please contact the SFMI office as soon as possible!

ASIAL. and M.

We are just a few months away from the start of another training program. This program has been a staple of the Shield of Faith Mission for many years. We don’t put up big numbers or have great name recognition that would impress some folks; but God has enabled us over many years to strengthen a few, equip a few and assist in sending them into the work of the ministry in many places around the world. On March 7th, 2016 we anticipate starting our next program. Won’t you pray about joining with us?

Recently, Dick York preached a message entitled “Availability.” You can listen to it on our website. We will not always have the privilege to band together with others for teaching, fellowship and the opportunity to labor together in ministry; but the training program offers such a unique opportunity with all these various facets combined together.

In this season of life, as a responsible husband and father, I’m inclined to be diligent towards building a secure future for my loved ones. I think the Lord is honored by hard work and our faithfulness in handling the necessities of this life as long as our perspective is right and we don’t fall into the trap of depending upon our own resources. The key to success is to maintain the conviction that I belong to the Lord; my loved ones belong to the Lord. Whatsoever I do, I should do heartily as unto the Lord; but let me not forget that the Lord is my Father and the responsibility for my current, as well as my future, provision lies with Him. Does He have access to my heart to guide me and to reveal

Available?

Email Subscription: If you are interested in receiving the Prayer/News Update by email, please contact our office today with your email address. NOTE: The Update is sent free upon request to all wishing to receive it. The cost of $9 per year per subscriber for this Update is covered by the freewill offerings of God’s people.

15SFMI Update

Come Train with Us.

}

His will in all my decisions? Availability to God is the state of mind that Mary expressed when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1: 38).

Sometimes in my zeal to be a good provider I find a subtle change in my perspective. I begin to focus on the home projects and finding ways to secure a better future, and I can get caught up with that rather than keeping focused on the kingdom that God is building for His children. In these times I’m reminded of what Elisha said to his servant Gehazi, “Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?” (2 Kings 5: 26) God is the One that can answer that for each of us in particular according to where He has us and what He has for us. The key for us, however, is to let God do His work. He knows what we have need of and how to provide for it. Our own perceived necessities should never interfere with what God is calling for us to do. The work of eternity has far greater value and significance than our temporal pursuits.

I believe that Peter was perhaps boasting of the sacrifice that he made when he said, “Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.”

Jesus responded; “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses

Available?

and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10: 28-30).

The Lord’s answer seems to say to Peter, “You’re not going to lack anything by following Me but rather have everything to gain.” We need not fear “missing out” on any of our family or material needs by leaving all and following Jesus. In fact, His provision is so much more than what we can do for ourselves.

We all see the signs and know that the time for our Lord’s return draws near. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Around the world today laws are in place among the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist nations to restrict what they call proselytizing. Men are seeking to limit the preaching of the gospel and the converting of the heathen to Christ. Western nations are also headed this way. It appears that the open doors we have been accustomed to are beginning to close. I think that we should make full use of the daylight that is left. That is where availability is key. God does the planning, the equipping, and the sending. Man’s part is to say to Him, “Here I am Lord, I’m available for however and whereever I can serve.” For some of you, the training program might be a part in His plan. All we are asking is that you consider it prayerfully; and if you want more details, you can find them on our webpage or inquire at the SFMI office. But do it soon; March is only a couple of months away.

16 SFMI Update

2015 Reunion Report

On October 2–3, 2015, SFMI held an “Equipping the Saints” gathering and reunion of former trainees in Bend, Oregon. It was a wonderful time of teaching and fellowship around the person of the Lord Jesus.

Keyed to the unique times in which we find ourselves and the challenges and opportunities that they present, the emphasis of the gathering was focused on the vision God would have us see (and thankfully many are embracing), the logic and the simplicity of discipling (which seems almost like a new concept to many in the church but what Jesus clearly presented at the outset), and the meaning and importance of our availability to his agenda at the expense of our own. (You can view the videos and pictures on our website at: www.sfmiusa.org/reunion.) It is our intention to meet every two years to encourage one another in continuity and perseverance in our pursuit of God’s revealed will.

It is our hope that as time goes by there will be an increasing number of committed, dedicated and available team members ready to address the needs that exist and are easily accessible around the world. This is a team-building effort. For more information contact sfmi@sfmiusa.org. or phone 541 382 7081.May the Lord bless you with a greater knowledge of Himself.Sincerely,Your SFMI Family Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto myself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee! 1 Tim 4:13, 15-16

Shield of Faith Mission InternationalP.O. Box 144

Bend, Oregon 97709

Return Service Requested

Non-profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDBend, OregonPermit No. 118

Visit our website to view all 24 teaching videos from our seminar series! www.sfmiusa.org