The Armor Bearer – September 7, 2011

September 7, 2011

FAMILY WEEK UPDATE
Dear Pastors, Supporters, Prayer Warriors, AFBM Family and Friends,

We consider it a great honor and privilege to be part of your missions family. Thank you so much for your financial and prayer support. All of you make a wonderful difference for our Lord, and are used greatly by Him. Recently, your prayers and support were put to work with our AFBM Family Week. With that in mind, often we’re asked what type of update training we have for our missionaries. To answer your questions, we dedicate this letter to our recent training. We thank the Lord that90% of our missionaries from around the world received training on how to better serve their Lord and their mission field. The topics covered were:
I. Finances, Tax Preparation, and Support Levels. We were blessed this year to bring in an Independent Baptist CPA who specializes in missionary and church taxes. This four-hour block of instruction was full of questions and answers. The new medical and ministry tax breaks will prove very helpful to our missionaries. Most missionaries and pastors will realize substantial tax savings this year.

II. Reviewing a successful church plant, church rescue, and lessons learned from pastors.

III. The ladies breakout included training in their husband’s responsibilities, their role in the ministry, and keeping romance in a busy marriage.

IV. During the final two days of training, we had breakout groups which rotated through pastors and subject matter experts. Our missionaries received the following training:

• Multimedia for Graphics and Websites
• Presenting their Ministry
• Preaching Evaluation and Practice
• Records/Wills/Support/Review Current Correspondence/Prayer letters, future meeting letters, thank you letters

All of us felt as though our training was blessed by our Lord and a complete success. Allow me to share responses with you from some of our attendees and one of our board members:

It was a great blessing being a part of Family Week this year. I have been on the Board of Directors for 5 years and have found that each year the preaching and teaching have been invaluable. The one thing that I noticed this year was that the enthusiasm and the Godly spirit that was exhibited by both new and experienced missionaries was outstanding. It was my great privilege and honor to work with the missionaries on their presentations. The teachability and cooperation that was displayed by each missionary impressed me. I am excited to think about what God has in store for this ministry as we move ahead. As we continue to reach our military, may our hearts be ever with each and every soldier who dons the uniform to keep us safe, and give him or her the greatest gift that can be given, the gift of salvation. May God bless each and every one of our military personnel and each one of you that work to share the gospel with them. You are always in our prayers.

~Pastor Tim Gengarella, AFBM Board Member, Pastor, North Stonington

While we aren’t officially missionaries yet, Brother Doug knew that we have been praying about what the Lord would have for us after the Army, and he invited us to be guests at AFBM Family Week. We’re so thankful that he did! It was such a blessing to meet the missionaries and staff associated with AFBM- so many sweet and humble servants who are busy serving the Lord! And it was so evident that AFBM loves their missionaries and wanted to be an encouragement to them. We very much appreciated the practical teaching each day and as a result have committed ourselves to get back to occasional fasting for spiritual breakthroughs, and to being in more specific prayer for our missionaries. Thank you again for including us in this very special week!

~Dan and Kelly Kursinsky, missionary candidates

Being at AFBM’s Family Week was very helpful and informative. It was also encouraging to see several new faces and get reacquainted with old friends. I learned about administrative things such new updates to forms and website information. I also learned about practical aspects of the ministry. But, to me, the most important things I learned were about myself. I thank the Lord for the preaching of His Word in church services and devotional times. I came away from that week not only armed with practical applications, but spiritual encouragement and refreshment. Thanks to all who made that week possible. And may God continue to bless each of you.

~Bill Wright, missionary to Fort Carson, CO

My family and I were greatly encouraged by the AFBM Family Week activities at Good News Baptist Church. We were challenged to learn and grow to better serve our Lord in the calling He has given us. The instruction we received in the sessions has already been a valuable asset to our ministry. The practical lessons of the multiple workshops were exactly what we needed and helped us with areas in which we are currently involved. The spirit-filled preaching had a tremendous impact on our spiritual life and helped motivate us to carry on in our labor for the Lord. One of the greatest blessings to us was the fellowship with pastors and other missionaries. It can be difficult to develop deep friendships while on deputation simply because of the constant traveling. We praise the Lord for the chance we had during Family Week to develop and cultivate friendships with sold-out servants for Christ who will build us up in the faith and keep us accountable to the Word of God. We are more excited to reach our field and more burdened for our heroes than ever before because of AFBM Family Week! Thank the Lord that, because of the help we received there, we are also more prepared then we have ever been to accomplish the task to which God has called us.

~Jon Gorman, missionary to Fort Dix, NJ

Thank you so much for a great Family Week! It was an encouragement to Brianna and I, and I feel that I have a much better idea of what it is that I should be doing.

~Chris Stieg, missionary to Camp Carroll, South Korea

I came to Family Week wanting to quit. I’d lost my first love and desire to serve. Within hours of arriving, I found myself seeking forgiveness from a great Lord and help to continue on. I now find myself with a right relationship with God. Thank you for the training and the wonderful care. Please thank the churches which gave sacrificially to insure we could have a conference. You made a difference to this preacher and my family. Since the conference the Lord has allowed me to see Him save three souls. Your financial help, hard work, and prayers are having eternal rewards.

~Withheld upon request

 
I wish I could include every letter and note, but they would fill too many pages to economically print. I just wanted to let those know who faithfully support and pray for AFBM and our missionaries, that the Lord is working and your sacrifice is not in vain. We are so thankful for your faith in our ministry and love for our mission fields. It is our sincere prayer that the Lord will bless you many times over.

We are Your Servants for Christ,

General Director

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ~Acts 16:9