Switching it Up

In the beginning, our main goal was to sign as many people as many people we could for the truth link guides so that they would attend the evangelistic series.  Now, since the meetings have been over for a little more than a week, our day to day duties have become quite different.  Instead of chasing down truth link contacts, we actually get to give 'real' Bible studies!!!  We spend our days preparing Bible studies, visiting and giving studies and canvassing.  It is a big blessing to actually get to spend time with people in their homes and study the Bible.  Since we are in the last 2 weeks before our practicum ends, we try to study with our people as much as we can throughout the week.  This means sometimes doing a study every other day so that we can prepare them for baptism on the 17th. . . ... anyways, off to do another study right now.  GB

The home stretch

We are nearing the end of this Bible work term and we can honestly say that I've been blessed. I know that God has put every study contact in my path for a purpose. There is a particular family that I have got to know and appreciate this term. After we finished the truth link she wants to continue studying so we began search for certainty studies. This family was haunted by demons in their home but they said once i started going to their home they've felt a peace. She loves when we pray at the end of each study because she feels that Jesus is there. The love of Jesus truly is showing from the family that even their family can see a change. By Gods grace that love will continue to grow. 2 more weeks!!!!

Baptisms!!!

This past Sabbath was another high Sabbath for the  Mentone Church.  Why?  Because it marked the last night of the Apoc 2012 series.  It was amazing because the 3 week series seemed to have flown by so quickly.  The blessed day started with the New Believers Sabbath school.  Just like the previous Sabbath we held a new believers class for those that had been coming to the meetings.  The study for the morning was on personal devotions.   David Machado led out the study where he taught the class about the importance of having their own personal relationship with God.  We know that many were blessed as they were shown through the  Sanctuary about having their own walk with God.  The class was jammed packed with over 40 visitors.
       The blessings continued on with the divine service.  Right before the sermon began we had 4 baptisms.  It seemed like everyone in the community had come out to the event.  There were absolutely no more seats in the sanctuary.  A record high of about 350 people had come out to witness the baptisms and hear the message.  The head deacon wouldn't even allow any more folding chairs to be put into the sanctuary for fear of a fire hazard.
    The overwhelming audience continued to the evening meeting where 3 more baptisms took place.  During that night the topic was on Heaven, and at the close of the sermon one more call for baptism was made.  Praise God for that call, because 5 young girls came forward to give surrender over their lives to God.  We praise God not only for the 26 decisions for baptism, but also for the many lessons this series has taught us.  Through this Apoc 2012 we have learned about team work.  About depending even more on God, and also the power of prayer. Please keep those that were newly baptized and also the others that are currently preparing for baptism in your prayers.

Mentone's largest attendence

IDK if I can fit in the Baptismal tank!!!??

Ron came to the series as a result of Pastor Kyle handing him a flyer.  He is an older gentleman about 6'4" with a prosthetic leg.  He attends the Church of the Nazarene, but told Pastor Kyle that he's always wondered why Adventists believe in the 7th day Sabbath.  Of course Pastor immediately invited him to the series.  Ron agreed to go, but told Pastor, "I'll go, but don't expect to convert me." Upon leaving the meeting a few nights later Ron gave Pastor another message, "Pastor, you may very well convert  me."  Just last night before the meetings started, Ron had Pastor show him the baptismal tank because he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to fit inside it.  Also, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to be submerged in the water because of his leg.  Ron hasn't fully made the decision to be baptized yet, but I know that the Holy Spirit is tugging at his heart.  Please continue to pray for Ron and the many others that are in the valley of decision.

High Sabbath at Mentone Church

A Full House

This past Sabbath was amazing.  The previous night was the first night that our evangelist, David, had invited everyone from the Apoc 2012 meetings to join us for church.  The result was incredible.  320 people showed up for divine service the next morning!!!  A record high for the tiny church.  The blessings continued to the meeting in the evening with the topic on baptism.  David mad an appeal for baptism and 16 people decided to commit and re-commit their lives to God.

Prayer with the Baptism Candidates

David appeals for baptism

Difficult for us. . . .Easy for God

We're not going to lie and say that everything is easy, it's all fun and games, and everyone that we talk to wants to come to church with us.  The territory that we work with is Redlands.  This area is very secular.  However, this doesn't mean that God isn't doing amazing things in the are.  He is. The evangelistic series has been amazing.  We've already had people that say they want to be baptized.  Sadly, none of these are my or Andy's contacts. We're still laboring with our people, but most of them are too busy to come to any of the meetings.  It is a struggle but with God's help I know that something big will happen.

      "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28

Truth Link

This Bible work term working with full circle we have been doing something different.  Instead of using the conventional Bible Study guides like Amazing Facts or Search for Certainty we have been using a new program called Truth link.  The way it works is very simple.  There are 5 guides all with true or false questions with the answers from the Bible.  Each guide covers three topic with five questions per topic.  It is a very quick and fun way for the community to dive deep into the Bible and learn more about God.  After one completes all five guides they "graduate" where they come in front of the meeting where they are acknowledged that they have completed the studies and are given a little gift and a certificate of completion.  So far we have had two graduations, and are planning more in the future (another is taking place tonight).  Continue to keep those doing the Truth Link studies in prayer, as it is very difficult for many that have completed the studies to actually find time in their schedules to attend the meetings and graduate.      

The First Graduation