Monday, December 29, 2008
Our next mission begins Jan. 5th, next Mon. Rosemary and I plan to leave rather early in the morning for the 3 day trip to Key West, some 1100 miles south of here. This is our third year working with the Key West Church. There will be a group of us sojourners there highly involved in evangelism. During the past two missions, we have taught and baptized about a dozen people. We will give special emphasis on this mission in teaching more material to these new converts. Our team leader is Doug Shepherd and his wife Maxine. This couple has been doing this type of mission work for over 10 yrs. They are great leaders. They are great servants. Rosemary and I count them among our very best friends. We are planning to have a "Super Saturday" on Jan. 10th. We will be teaching lessons on the life of Christ. There will be a break for refreshments and at the conclusion of the three hour teaching sessions, we are planning to have a cook out. We will be using this occasion of pleasant experience for the children and adults who attend to set up further bible studies with them. We hope to sign up a lot of people for bible study. The Key West Church is looking forward to our coming as we are looking forward to this effort. Good progress is being made in the area of community evangelism, I really believe good things will be occurring with the church. This is a mission that is developing into a real success story.
Am looking forward in speaking at the Fla. School of Preaching Lectureship in Jan. We will be teaching methods in helping get people back in church. We have had some real success this year in this area of evangelism at Howell. One reason is the very interested friendly brethren that make up the congregation at Howell. There is a great desire for teaching and also a great desire for fellowship. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." When you go to where people are, you can take them where you are going." More on the lectureship in the next report. Don
Am looking forward in speaking at the Fla. School of Preaching Lectureship in Jan. We will be teaching methods in helping get people back in church. We have had some real success this year in this area of evangelism at Howell. One reason is the very interested friendly brethren that make up the congregation at Howell. There is a great desire for teaching and also a great desire for fellowship. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." When you go to where people are, you can take them where you are going." More on the lectureship in the next report. Don
Friday, December 26, 2008
I received this info from a sojourner brother of mine, Br.Rod Crane, who knows first hand of this work having worked with the missionaries there.
The Allisons are missionaries in Tanzania and Kenya and have sent out this call for help.
" I just want to remind you of the great need that is still present on Mt Elgon. The Red Cross recently made a survey and found that there are 2000 widows of men killed in the conflicts there. At least 30,000 people lost everything, their houses were burned their likelihood destroyed, schools were closed and ransacked, church houses looted of their timber and metal roofing, food stores burdened or looted all that beside the loss of countless loved ones.
Within the past 2 months peace has returned to the mountain. The government stepped in and destroyed the home grown militia that had caused so much trouble. government army camps have been set up to monitor the peace. People have begun pouring back in to try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. most of them did not get to plant food crops this year. Janet and I are planning to be back on the mountain from Feb. 10-12, 2009 to take benevolent help to the Christians there. We will need to help some of them construct new houses. For most of them we want to give seed corn and fertilizer for planting. Their planting season begins in Marc and they nee a kick start to help ensure that they will have food next year.
You still have time to make a year- end tax deductible donation to this good work....A godly church committee has been selected to oversee the screening of those in need and the distribution of the materials.
Please make your check out to Monmouth Church of Christ and indicate it for Elgon Relief Fund. Send the check to Monmouth Church of Christ 312 Hance Ave. Tinton Falls, N. J. 07724
I believe I have passed on this info correctly. For further info about this work, you may write the Monmouth Church of Christ at the above address. Don
The Allisons are missionaries in Tanzania and Kenya and have sent out this call for help.
" I just want to remind you of the great need that is still present on Mt Elgon. The Red Cross recently made a survey and found that there are 2000 widows of men killed in the conflicts there. At least 30,000 people lost everything, their houses were burned their likelihood destroyed, schools were closed and ransacked, church houses looted of their timber and metal roofing, food stores burdened or looted all that beside the loss of countless loved ones.
Within the past 2 months peace has returned to the mountain. The government stepped in and destroyed the home grown militia that had caused so much trouble. government army camps have been set up to monitor the peace. People have begun pouring back in to try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. most of them did not get to plant food crops this year. Janet and I are planning to be back on the mountain from Feb. 10-12, 2009 to take benevolent help to the Christians there. We will need to help some of them construct new houses. For most of them we want to give seed corn and fertilizer for planting. Their planting season begins in Marc and they nee a kick start to help ensure that they will have food next year.
You still have time to make a year- end tax deductible donation to this good work....A godly church committee has been selected to oversee the screening of those in need and the distribution of the materials.
Please make your check out to Monmouth Church of Christ and indicate it for Elgon Relief Fund. Send the check to Monmouth Church of Christ 312 Hance Ave. Tinton Falls, N. J. 07724
I believe I have passed on this info correctly. For further info about this work, you may write the Monmouth Church of Christ at the above address. Don
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
We are nearly finished with this lesson on personal evangelism. The material in this lesson is some of the material that I personally use and that we use in classes that we teach on evangelism.
#3 A third method that is very helpful in retaining new members, is giving them something to do. Now we are not talking about forcing something on them. We are talking about taking some time with them to find out what they would like to do and are qualified to do and then helping them to engage in this. If someone isn't interested or qualified to take a leading role, surely we can find something for them to do that helps them have a sense of belonging and a part of the work. We have found that when we go door to door advertising our meeting or our "Super Saturday" VBS that this is something all can be a part of. I am sure you can think of additional
opportunities. The point is it is hard to retain new members if their only opportunity to serve is "sitting on the premises."
We close this lesson with these thoughts that have helped me a great deal in evangelism:
PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
WHEN YOU GO TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, YOU CAN HELP THEM GO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
Our next entries will be about Rosemary's and my up coming mission in Key West. We leave on this mission on Jan.5th. This a mission with Sojourners We will also be discussing the Florida School of Preaching Lectureship.This lectureship begins about the 19th of Jan. I will be a part of this lectureship, teaching about evangelism esp. about how to bring members back who have discontinued coming to the worship. If you have questions or want more info about the school of preaching please email me at donhudsoncoc@gmail.com I'll be happy and honored to tell you about this school. By the way Mike, the Director of "Disaster Assitance" will have a booth there and I will be helping some in the booth also. Come on by and let's share some ideas with each other esp. as it pertains to evangelism... Don
#3 A third method that is very helpful in retaining new members, is giving them something to do. Now we are not talking about forcing something on them. We are talking about taking some time with them to find out what they would like to do and are qualified to do and then helping them to engage in this. If someone isn't interested or qualified to take a leading role, surely we can find something for them to do that helps them have a sense of belonging and a part of the work. We have found that when we go door to door advertising our meeting or our "Super Saturday" VBS that this is something all can be a part of. I am sure you can think of additional
opportunities. The point is it is hard to retain new members if their only opportunity to serve is "sitting on the premises."
We close this lesson with these thoughts that have helped me a great deal in evangelism:
PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
WHEN YOU GO TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, YOU CAN HELP THEM GO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
Our next entries will be about Rosemary's and my up coming mission in Key West. We leave on this mission on Jan.5th. This a mission with Sojourners We will also be discussing the Florida School of Preaching Lectureship.This lectureship begins about the 19th of Jan. I will be a part of this lectureship, teaching about evangelism esp. about how to bring members back who have discontinued coming to the worship. If you have questions or want more info about the school of preaching please email me at donhudsoncoc@gmail.com I'll be happy and honored to tell you about this school. By the way Mike, the Director of "Disaster Assitance" will have a booth there and I will be helping some in the booth also. Come on by and let's share some ideas with each other esp. as it pertains to evangelism... Don
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
To continue our lesson on Retaining new Members:
#1 we want to emphasize that Christianity is not a "flash-in-the -pan religion. You are in this for the long haul- - eternity.
#2 Continual efforts in fellowship with them. Fellowship is important for all of Christians, but especially is this true for new Christians. This may be all new to them. They may have had to give up some long time friends because they are now Christians. There is a good chance that they don't really know many people in the church. Calls, visitation, helping them have a part is all important. It will take a lot of your time. Is it worth it? For me it is. You may rest assured that Satan doesn't mind giving of his time if it means another convert. Can I do less? I have found the following statement to be very useful. "People don't want to leave where they feel like they belong". Let's make the effort to help Christians realize they belong. It's worth the effort. Don
#1 we want to emphasize that Christianity is not a "flash-in-the -pan religion. You are in this for the long haul- - eternity.
#2 Continual efforts in fellowship with them. Fellowship is important for all of Christians, but especially is this true for new Christians. This may be all new to them. They may have had to give up some long time friends because they are now Christians. There is a good chance that they don't really know many people in the church. Calls, visitation, helping them have a part is all important. It will take a lot of your time. Is it worth it? For me it is. You may rest assured that Satan doesn't mind giving of his time if it means another convert. Can I do less? I have found the following statement to be very useful. "People don't want to leave where they feel like they belong". Let's make the effort to help Christians realize they belong. It's worth the effort. Don
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thank you for checking this blog. We are having difficulty with our server at this time. As soon as we get this corrected, we will be putting more lessons on personal evangelism on it. If you have sent emails to us, we probably have not received them We hope to have this corrected by this coming Mon. or Tue. Dec. 15th or 16th. Thank you for your patience. Don
Monday, December 08, 2008
Now to sum up what we have talked about as far as developing bible studies, we remember 1. Use opportunities 2. Pray for opportunities 3. Make opportunities. If you have any questions about these or how to more effectively use them, please email me at dhudson@mcis.us I'll be honored to hear from you. Also remember these principles: PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE. WHEN YOU GO TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, YOU CAN TAKE THEM WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
Now let's talk about some ways to retain new converts. I wish I could tell you that in using the following methods, all the people I have taught and baptized have been retained. Sorrowfully, this is not the case. We have, however retained a great percentage. There are three principles that we try and practice. #1. Emphasize that Christianity is not a flash-in-the-pan religion. This is not meant to be just some "new toy". Just because you are now a christian, you will still face problems in life. Didn't Jesus teach that in the story of the wise man building his house on the rock? The floods, wind, and rain came to him too. His house, however, stood because it was founded on a rock. Talk with new Christians about stength from God thru His word and the support of the brethren. These are new Christians. Don't leave them alone. Be a brother. Be a sister. That's #1. We'll talk about some other helpful ideas next time. Don
Now let's talk about some ways to retain new converts. I wish I could tell you that in using the following methods, all the people I have taught and baptized have been retained. Sorrowfully, this is not the case. We have, however retained a great percentage. There are three principles that we try and practice. #1. Emphasize that Christianity is not a flash-in-the-pan religion. This is not meant to be just some "new toy". Just because you are now a christian, you will still face problems in life. Didn't Jesus teach that in the story of the wise man building his house on the rock? The floods, wind, and rain came to him too. His house, however, stood because it was founded on a rock. Talk with new Christians about stength from God thru His word and the support of the brethren. These are new Christians. Don't leave them alone. Be a brother. Be a sister. That's #1. We'll talk about some other helpful ideas next time. Don
Thursday, December 04, 2008
We always encourage our readers to make sure they read the "Disaster Assiatance" blog written by Mike, http://mikesmissionupdates.blogspot.com , now we want to add another blog of which I have only recently learned and that is the blog written by Royce Ogle http://gracedigest.com/2008/12/04/infantrymen-for-jesus/ It is a blog that brings some really good news about some of the good things going on in the body. Don
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Because of your support, we at "Disaster Assiatance" are going to be involved in more mission work than we originally planned. Under Mike's leadership, we had hoped to be able to minister to people affected by the late summer and early fall storms. We knew it would take a lot of support, but we hoped and prayed to be able to do this. Your support has simply been overwhelming and because of it, we are now able to plan to be involved in other disaster work as in weather related events such as spring floods and the like. We will be notifying you on Mike's blog www.mikesmissionupdates.blogspot.com and on our blog www.donchudson.blogspot.com as well as other means as the need arises. You may want to give consideration in helping us. We can use people to help cook, serve and wash up after cooking. The days are long,usually from 7:30am until finish, mostly around supper time that night. If you can help set up and teach bible studies, the opportunity is great. We do not single in on any specific method, but I personally use the Jewel Miller Videos and a method very similar to the Safety Chain.
Again thank you for your support of "Disaster Assistance" and we will do all we can to continue to merit your trust. As you know, "Disaster Assistance"is under the over sight of the Elders of the Alachua Church of Christ. You may contact them at Alachua Church of Christ P.O. Box 237 Alachua Church of Christ Alachua, Fla. Don
Again thank you for your support of "Disaster Assistance" and we will do all we can to continue to merit your trust. As you know, "Disaster Assistance"is under the over sight of the Elders of the Alachua Church of Christ. You may contact them at Alachua Church of Christ P.O. Box 237 Alachua Church of Christ Alachua, Fla. Don
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
If you want to read of an excellent work in the mission field, may I suggest you email Br. Henry Pendegrass lewistncoc@midrivers.com Br. Henry and his wife Agnes, both of retirement age, left Mid-Tennesee just a few years ago to establish a congregation in Lewistown, Montana. They have done that. The church now has purchased some land on which to build and that should be taking place shortly. Now while that is encouraging, even more encouraging is Br. Henry's monthly report esp. as he talks about the outreach work which he doing. To think, no congregation, now a congregation that is growing. All of this in an area where there are very few congregations. Email Br. Henry for his monthly letter. No charge of course, and you will be uplifted and encouraged by this work. Don
