In our eagerness to make converts I am afraid we have lately been guilty of using the technique of modern salesmanship, which is of course to present only the desirable qualities in a product and ignore the rest. We go to men and offer them a cozy home on the sunny side of the brae. If they will but accept Christ He will give them peace of mind, solve their problems, prosper their business, protect their families and keep them happy all day long. They believe us and come, and the first cold wind sends them shivering to some counselor to find out what has gone wrong; and that is the last we hear of many of them….
By offering our hearers a sweetness-and-light gospel and promising every taker a place on the sunny side of the brae, we not only cruelly deceive them, we guarantee also a high casualty rate among the converts won on such terms. On certain foreign fields the expression "rice Christians" has been coined to describe those who adopt Christianity for profit. The experienced missionary knows that the convert that must pay a heavy price for his faith in Christ is the one that will persevere to the end. He begins with the wind in his face, and should the storm grow in strength he will not turn back for he has been conditioned to endure it.
By playing down the cost of discipleship we are producing rice Christians by the tens of thousands right here on the North American continent. TIC116-117.
"Lord, I suspect this is getting much worse even since Tozer’s day. In our emphasis on growth and success we may indeed be guilty of producing rice Christians. Deliver us from that error. Amen."
(A.W. Tozer, Tozer on Christian Leadership, August 30)
Vision News
Friday, August 31, 2007
quote
G. Campbell Morgan told the story of a successful actor named Macready who was approached by a pastor puzzled as to why crowds flocked to hear drama but not to hear sermons. Macready answered, “This is quite simple, I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction.”
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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005
There are some interesting truths Steve Jobs has learned that we should know because the Bible already said it
How to have a passion
Control your thoughts.
Force yourself to think about people.
Put a globe in your pocket.
You need to work at it.
You need things to remind you about people.
You need to watch people--see their faces.
Fall in love with God.
You will fall in love with people--dirty, rotten people.
Force yourself to think about people.
Put a globe in your pocket.
You need to work at it.
You need things to remind you about people.
You need to watch people--see their faces.
Fall in love with God.
You will fall in love with people--dirty, rotten people.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Over Zealous Evangelists
These humorous videos are made by the guys that are preparing to be missionaries at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville, Georgia.
Just in from Peru--The Earthquake
This came in from Joe Kotvas.
Team:
I just wanted to let everyone know that we are back to normal here at Efata. All services are up and running and the minor damage repaired. However, sadly enough, that is not the case for our neighbors to the south.
Many of you have written and called and asked if there is anything that you can do to help. The answer is YES.
We would like to assist in relief efforts to help those who have lost everything. There are several churches and pastors who no longer have a church or home. Everything was lost. We would like to help them. There are families of members in our church that need help and we are working out a plan to do so.
We need your help! Please, if you can, send a special love offering to help us buy water, food, clothing, and supplies for the victims of this tragedy. We want to help the churches rebuild and we will do all we can. We will be coordinating with other missionaries and churches here in Peru as well to get this relief to those who need it.
We are looking to coordinate bringing three families, relatives of members of our church, with 15 kids who lost their homes and possessions here to stay at Efata until they can stabilize their situation. We would like to provide food, new clothing and personal items to help them begin to rebuild.
If you would like to help, please send the funds to:
Macedonia World Baptist Missions
P.O. Box 519
Braselton, GA 30517.
Designate it “EFATA/Peru Earthquake Relief Fund”.
The account will be set up Monday. The sooner we receive it the sooner we can get the help dispersed.
Thank you so much for your care for us. Please help us care for them.
We do so much together to help one another; let’s again work together to help others that Christ will be glorified.
Call or e-mail me with any questions.
God Bless,
Bro. Joe
(770)530-9410
jkotvas@efata.org
Team:
I just wanted to let everyone know that we are back to normal here at Efata. All services are up and running and the minor damage repaired. However, sadly enough, that is not the case for our neighbors to the south.
Many of you have written and called and asked if there is anything that you can do to help. The answer is YES.
We would like to assist in relief efforts to help those who have lost everything. There are several churches and pastors who no longer have a church or home. Everything was lost. We would like to help them. There are families of members in our church that need help and we are working out a plan to do so.
We need your help! Please, if you can, send a special love offering to help us buy water, food, clothing, and supplies for the victims of this tragedy. We want to help the churches rebuild and we will do all we can. We will be coordinating with other missionaries and churches here in Peru as well to get this relief to those who need it.
We are looking to coordinate bringing three families, relatives of members of our church, with 15 kids who lost their homes and possessions here to stay at Efata until they can stabilize their situation. We would like to provide food, new clothing and personal items to help them begin to rebuild.
If you would like to help, please send the funds to:
Macedonia World Baptist Missions
P.O. Box 519
Braselton, GA 30517.
Designate it “EFATA/Peru Earthquake Relief Fund”.
The account will be set up Monday. The sooner we receive it the sooner we can get the help dispersed.
Thank you so much for your care for us. Please help us care for them.
We do so much together to help one another; let’s again work together to help others that Christ will be glorified.
Call or e-mail me with any questions.
God Bless,
Bro. Joe
(770)530-9410
jkotvas@efata.org
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
quote
The world has a standing advertisement over the door of every profession,
every occupation, every calling: "Wanted--A Man."
every occupation, every calling: "Wanted--A Man."
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Fear
"These three qualities -- peace, joy, and courage -- are essential to missionary service. Fear is one of the most disintegrating forces in the human personality. It can paralyze a person to the point where he is incapacitated for any kind of constructive work. A timid, joyless, troubled missionary won't last long on the mission field." page 205
from Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective by J Herbert Kane
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from Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective by J Herbert Kane
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Religious fanaticism!
"In our own day the Christian mission encounters religious intolerance in many parts of the world, but it is found in its most virulent form in Islam--the most fanatical of all religions. As mentioned before, in Islam there is the Law of Apostasy which permits the community to kill any member who defects from the faith. This law goes a long way toward accounting for the paucity of converts from Islam. The law is not always applied, but its very existence acts as a strong deterrent.
In most Muslim countries conversion is an exceedingly dangerous undertaking and only the bravest souls have the requisite courage to face the prospect. Discipleship is so very costly that few are willing to pay the price. A veteran missionary to the Middle East had this to say: 'So confined is the Muslim that in some countries of the Middle East a follower of Islam who changed his religion would in effect be tearing up his birth certificate, citizenship papers, or passport, voting registration, and work permit; and would become like a man without a country.'"
from Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective by J Herbert Kane pages 278-279
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In most Muslim countries conversion is an exceedingly dangerous undertaking and only the bravest souls have the requisite courage to face the prospect. Discipleship is so very costly that few are willing to pay the price. A veteran missionary to the Middle East had this to say: 'So confined is the Muslim that in some countries of the Middle East a follower of Islam who changed his religion would in effect be tearing up his birth certificate, citizenship papers, or passport, voting registration, and work permit; and would become like a man without a country.'"
from Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective by J Herbert Kane pages 278-279
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The mission will go on!
"Dictators come and go, kingdoms rise and fall, civilizations wax and wane; but the worldwide mission of the church will continue to the end of the age in spite of all the vicissitudes of world history. When one door closes, another will open. If Western missionaries become personae non gratae, non-Western missionaries will be raised up to take their place. If all expatriate missionaries are expelled from a given country, there will be the indigenous church to carry on. If the indigenous church is forced underground there will still remain the Spirit of God, who dwells not in temples made with hands but in the hearts of His people. It is one thing to get rid of the visible church, it is quite another to get rid of the Almighty God. Heaven is His throne and earth is His footstool, It is impossible to banish Him from any part of His domain. The Christian mission is here to stay -- until the end of the age, however long that may be." from the Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective by J Herbert Kane page 254
Though we know that the mission will go on we must remember to do God's will in our lives. We must not run from nor shirk our duty to take the gospel to the world. We will be risking our lives, our financial goods, our ministries but the most important thing is that Jesus and His name be magnified and spread all over the world!
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Though we know that the mission will go on we must remember to do God's will in our lives. We must not run from nor shirk our duty to take the gospel to the world. We will be risking our lives, our financial goods, our ministries but the most important thing is that Jesus and His name be magnified and spread all over the world!
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from Asking by Jerold Panas
"And don't be concerned about not being an expert at this. Keep in mind that the Titanic was built by an expert and Noah's Ark by a rank amateur." page 13
"But your donors run away from 'needs.' they hide from the institution that isn't financially stable. Major donors give to bold, heroic, and audacious programs rather than to needy institutions.
Keep in mind, too. that your organization doesn't have needs. People have needs. Your organization has the answer, the solution to problems and challenges. Don't sell needs--sell your answer, your response, your successful solutions." page 39
I thought these were interesting thoughts and might even help those of you that are on deputation. John Pearson gave me the book to read last night. It is a short book and quick read but has some things that will be interesting for you.
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"But your donors run away from 'needs.' they hide from the institution that isn't financially stable. Major donors give to bold, heroic, and audacious programs rather than to needy institutions.
Keep in mind, too. that your organization doesn't have needs. People have needs. Your organization has the answer, the solution to problems and challenges. Don't sell needs--sell your answer, your response, your successful solutions." page 39
I thought these were interesting thoughts and might even help those of you that are on deputation. John Pearson gave me the book to read last night. It is a short book and quick read but has some things that will be interesting for you.
Vision News
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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Going into the next towns
I do not know if you are reading what Ron Maggard has to say but I must tell you that I really enjoy reading his posts. He does a great job and I think is a voice of right and calm in the hurried desire of so many of our people to throw away what God has done in the past to get to what we think we see God doing in so many churches today.
Go read and enjoy.
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Go read and enjoy.
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The Two Views: “Collective verses Personal”
The following is an article by Jeremy Hall that I thought was very well done. Read and enjoy.
I was working at Vision Baptist Church’s VBS a few weeks back. We were all continually busy leading children in and out of the auditorium. I noticed on the first night that there was a problem with one of the doors. I chose to ignore it. Second night rolls around and the problem was still there, a little worse; third night the same. Finally on the fourth night the door was stuck in the open position. It would not close. What had happened was the screws on the hinges had backed out. This caused the door to sag to the point that it was sitting on the floor. All week every person who walked through those doors had to notice there was a problem. It wasn’t until I decided to volunteer my time to go to the closet, find a screw driver, and tightened the screws that the problem was fixed. It had to become personal.
I believe most born again Christians who study the word of God come out with a knowledge that everyone in this world needs to hear about Jesus Christ. We have a collective view of world evangelism. Just as everyone who walked through those doors realized they needed to be fixed, we realize that Jesus Christ needs to be preached. The problem lies in the fact that we’ve not personalized it! We’ve not picked up our tools and gone to work! We’re waiting on someone else to do it!
It must be someone else’s job!
Funny thing is we blame God! I hear all the time, “He’s not called me to go.”
The very last words we have recorded from our LORD, Jesus Christ are: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Now of course we know this was spoken to his disciples. Are you a disciple of Christ?
“‘Not called!’ did you say? Not heard the call,’ I think you should say.
Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.”
William Booth
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed” Hudson Taylor
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I was working at Vision Baptist Church’s VBS a few weeks back. We were all continually busy leading children in and out of the auditorium. I noticed on the first night that there was a problem with one of the doors. I chose to ignore it. Second night rolls around and the problem was still there, a little worse; third night the same. Finally on the fourth night the door was stuck in the open position. It would not close. What had happened was the screws on the hinges had backed out. This caused the door to sag to the point that it was sitting on the floor. All week every person who walked through those doors had to notice there was a problem. It wasn’t until I decided to volunteer my time to go to the closet, find a screw driver, and tightened the screws that the problem was fixed. It had to become personal.
I believe most born again Christians who study the word of God come out with a knowledge that everyone in this world needs to hear about Jesus Christ. We have a collective view of world evangelism. Just as everyone who walked through those doors realized they needed to be fixed, we realize that Jesus Christ needs to be preached. The problem lies in the fact that we’ve not personalized it! We’ve not picked up our tools and gone to work! We’re waiting on someone else to do it!
It must be someone else’s job!
Funny thing is we blame God! I hear all the time, “He’s not called me to go.”
The very last words we have recorded from our LORD, Jesus Christ are: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Now of course we know this was spoken to his disciples. Are you a disciple of Christ?
“‘Not called!’ did you say? Not heard the call,’ I think you should say.
Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.”
William Booth
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed” Hudson Taylor
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Thursday, August 09, 2007
The Summit
There is always a lot going on at Vision Baptist Church without a doubt! I would also say that much of it revolves around world evangelism or missions. One of the very special things that we do every year is called the Summit. As a team of missionaries we began holding this very special conference to try and inspire and motivate everyone to take the next step in their part of world evangelism.
The Summit has evolved into a meeting that is like a winter retreat for the entire church with a special emphasis on fulfilling God’s will for our life. You can get all the information at this site by simply clicking on these words.
The Our Generation Summit is an annual gathering in Gatlinburg, TN, of Christians with a heart for world missions. Pastors and missionaries, teachers and students, businessmen and families join for three days to address the needs of a world waiting for the Gospel.
Located once again at the beautiful Music Road Hotel in the center of action-packed Pigeon Forge, the OG Summit provides a fantastic venue for any church or youth group seeking an easy-to-organize winter retreat filled with excitement and passion for Christ.
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The Summit has evolved into a meeting that is like a winter retreat for the entire church with a special emphasis on fulfilling God’s will for our life. You can get all the information at this site by simply clicking on these words.
The Our Generation Summit is an annual gathering in Gatlinburg, TN, of Christians with a heart for world missions. Pastors and missionaries, teachers and students, businessmen and families join for three days to address the needs of a world waiting for the Gospel.
Located once again at the beautiful Music Road Hotel in the center of action-packed Pigeon Forge, the OG Summit provides a fantastic venue for any church or youth group seeking an easy-to-organize winter retreat filled with excitement and passion for Christ.
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Tuesday, August 07, 2007
How to have better press releases
I think that the following article might help all of us that have to prepare things for others to read presenting our ministries in prayer letters or press releases.
Click here to read the article
Be sure and take the survey to the on the blog here.
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Click here to read the article
Be sure and take the survey to the on the blog here.
Be sure and visit Vision News
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Monday, August 06, 2007
Wanted……..Men!
There is a story to the effect that a certain missions society in South Africa once wrote to missionary David Livingston: "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingston replied: "If you have men who will come ONLY IF THEY KNOW THERE IS GOOD ROAD, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is NO road at all"
Check out the video of Happy Day on Vision News
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Check out the video of Happy Day on Vision News
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Saturday, August 04, 2007
Travis Snode
I do not know if you are keeping up with what God is doing in Travis and Terri Snode's lives but it has been super exciting to see God open doors and work miracles in their lives.
I wanted to invite you to read this latest post and to be praying for them as they try to reach boys and girls and men and women in a country where the gospel has really been slow to move.
God is using Travis and Terri and they have really stepped off into nothing but the grace and faith that the Lord Jesus will bless their work.
Pray for them.
I wanted to invite you to read this latest post and to be praying for them as they try to reach boys and girls and men and women in a country where the gospel has really been slow to move.
God is using Travis and Terri and they have really stepped off into nothing but the grace and faith that the Lord Jesus will bless their work.
Pray for them.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Be sure and read Mark's new blog
I am very excited about the new blog that Mark Coffey is writing. He is helping men learn what it means to be the second man. Not all men are called to be the senior pastor and some are called to serve in a very unique and often difficult position.
Mark comes at this in a very straightforward way and explains how the first man should treat his second man and then he also is giving points to the second man on how God can use him. I challenge you to subscribe to his blog.
Mark is the director of the Our Generation Training Center and the Administrative Pastor of Vision Baptist Church.
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Mark comes at this in a very straightforward way and explains how the first man should treat his second man and then he also is giving points to the second man on how God can use him. I challenge you to subscribe to his blog.
Mark is the director of the Our Generation Training Center and the Administrative Pastor of Vision Baptist Church.
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Fear Freezes
You do not want to miss the blog "the Gospel in China" and especially the post entitled "We're being watched". Our friend is doing a very good job writing and telling what is happening in China and also teaching us the right way to handle our fears. Read it and put a comment telling him how much you appreciate the stand that he and his wife are taking for Christ.
Also Jason Kenney just entered the blogging world and you will not want to miss what God is doing through thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifhem at Millions to Tell.
God blessed us at last night with a message on the gift of tongues and by having Robert Canfield become a member of our church. Be sure to stay tuned to the Vision News.
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Also Jason Kenney just entered the blogging world and you will not want to miss what God is doing through thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifhem at Millions to Tell.
God blessed us at last night with a message on the gift of tongues and by having Robert Canfield become a member of our church. Be sure to stay tuned to the Vision News.
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Thursday, August 02, 2007
Blogs that I highly recommend
Asian Bible Fellowship with Mark Tolson
BCWE Business Review with John Pearson
Chris Gardner
Wayne Cooke
David Gardner
Deputation Tips with Tony Howeth
Gospel in China
Jason Holt
Jeff Bush
Jeremy Hall
Keith Shumaker
Kevin White
Kindhart News
Mark Coffey
Muslim Evangelism with Tyler Masters
North West Baptist
Project North Africa
Ron Maggard
Single Focus
Spanish Vision
Students Ministry Vision
Travis Snode
Vision News
Whitfield Baptist
World Evangelism
World Evangelism News and Help
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BCWE Business Review with John Pearson
Chris Gardner
Wayne Cooke
David Gardner
Deputation Tips with Tony Howeth
Gospel in China
Jason Holt
Jeff Bush
Jeremy Hall
Keith Shumaker
Kevin White
Kindhart News
Mark Coffey
Muslim Evangelism with Tyler Masters
North West Baptist
Project North Africa
Ron Maggard
Single Focus
Spanish Vision
Students Ministry Vision
Travis Snode
Vision News
Whitfield Baptist
World Evangelism
World Evangelism News and Help
Subscribe to Vision News by EmailSubscribe to World Evangelism by Email
Subscribe to World Evangelism News and Helps by Email
View blog reactionsTwo links to look at
I want to invite you to look at two very good links that Travis Snode sent me that I believe can help all the missionaries and pastors that read any of my three blogs.
I of course do the vision news and World Evangelism News and Helps as well as this one. I hope that you will subscribe to all three.
The first page that I invite you to look at is about preaching on giving. I think that they answered some real questions that you might have. Check out this page from Generous Giving.
A blog that I read and that I am subscribed to is Ministry Marketing. I know that marketing can have some negative ideas attached but we are all marketing even when we say we do not. I have learned a lot from them and would invite you to read this post.
Feel free to write with your comments or questions at any time to gardner at bcwe.org
Subscribe to Vision News by Email
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Subscribe to World Evangelism News and Helps by Email
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I of course do the vision news and World Evangelism News and Helps as well as this one. I hope that you will subscribe to all three.
The first page that I invite you to look at is about preaching on giving. I think that they answered some real questions that you might have. Check out this page from Generous Giving.
A blog that I read and that I am subscribed to is Ministry Marketing. I know that marketing can have some negative ideas attached but we are all marketing even when we say we do not. I have learned a lot from them and would invite you to read this post.
Feel free to write with your comments or questions at any time to gardner at bcwe.org
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Subscribe to World Evangelism News and Helps by Email
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