my blog and much more to help you
Shoutout to Matt Higby and the Japanese Ministries of Greater LA for this plug via @EncompassWorld:
Want to know how to pray 4 the people of Japan? This Facebook group from 1 of our missionaries will get you started: http://t.co/OkXG2YLg0L
— Encompass (@EncompassWorld) January 2, 2015
So excited and proud of my friend, Sara Lindsay ( or Mrs. Dolmage as some call her) to release her new album TODAY! I’ve got mine…and you gotta get yours!!!
For eight years now, a growing network of mission leaders, agencies and churches have been drawing attention to those least-reached people groups who have no known churches, pastors or mission workers. The missiological title for these people groups are “unengaged”—meaning no one is engaging them for the sake of the Gospel. The Finishing the Task network has purposed to count down to ZERO people groups who have no workers engaging them.
Encompass World Partners has been participating over the years and contributing to taking people groups off the list as we send workers to engaging these “unengaged” people groups! The annual working meeting for Finishing The Task was attended this week by our own Ed Trenner and Mike Jentes at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.
Last year, Encompass mobilized students at Momentum and Grace College to pray for these people groups through the 533 Challenge. 
It was exciting to see answered prayer this year as we were able to contribute one more people group taken off the list through the Encompass family! Over the course of the working meeting more than 70 people groups were taken off as we count down to zero!
Finishing The Task is coordinated by long time Cru and Jesus Film Project leader Paul Eshleman(pictured). We encourage you and your church to check out their website and resources as you seek to reach the least reached for the sake of the Gospel.
Below is the testimony of Cannon Andrew White on what continues to take place in Iraq with the displaced Christian communities. Remember these communities in prayer.
Thanks to my friend John Lambert who shared this information.
If you want to get involved in helping the displaced Iraqi’s, check out Grace4Iraq.com
If you would like to connect with an emerging coalition to help, please contact me or Ted Rondeau
Also, you might learn from this video done by Encompass World Partners about Iraq.
“Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions.It’s the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white hot enjoyment of God’s glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.
“The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Ps 97:1). “Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” (Ps 67:3-4).
 Mindi and I meeting with ethnic leaders from SoCal! On Saturday, August 30 we had a little gathering of leaders from Cambodia and Latin America for a little breakfast get together with Jesús Muñoz (our Cambodian brother left before the picture and our Japanese friends were on a retreat!). This gathering may emerge into a network of ethnic leaders who can spur one another on to make disciples and plant churches in the nations of our world! |
| WHAT’S HAPPENED WITH ME |
| The Latest Scoop |
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Sorry it has been a while since I’ve communicated to you via this means. The past few months have been full, as I’m sure they have for you!
At the FellowShift Conference this summer, Encompass sought to do something which would engage people in reaching the nations. We set up stations we called “Engagement Stations” with a variety of different ways to participate. We also created an online version of the Engagment Stations so you can participate right now! Check out all 7 online!
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 Cameroon Leadership Training CoalitionJust yesterday, I talked via Skype with Jason Carmean in Cameroon! He and his family have been on the ground for one month and are adjusting well. I’m excited to be part of a coalition that has committed for 5 years to seeing dozens and dozens of pastoral leaders trained for the more than 45 churches and 30+ church plants in Cameroon. Dave Guiles has described this “as the greatest leadership development need the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches has seen in several generations.”
One of the ways you can help is by supporting the first modules of Bible training supporting the first modules of Bible training–please consider a gift! |
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Pray for the Ongoing Ministry of the Château de St. Albain
Yesterday, September 3, 2014, was declared as a Day of Prayer for the Château by Joël Rongier, president of Château Association. Please join in praying and fasting for God to supply the following personnel needs for the Château so that ministries will continue without interruption: 1) A European business manager and coordinator: Pray especially for wisdom and direction for the Château steering committee to find the right people to fit into ministry leadership. 2) An American support couple: To care for the responsibilities of welcoming visitors, preparing and serving meals, maintenance and grounds work. Our Château Coalition is seeking to publish a coffee-table book (in English, French and German) to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ministry and funds are needed to get it rolling. |
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Catalyzing Networks
Over the last few months, I’ve been part of catalyzing two really important networks: One is around Women in Church Planting. All over the world, women are involved in the church planting endeavor– moms, businesswomen, educators, missionaries, single women, etc. Many of these ladies don’t have a place to connect with others. Through the leadership of my friends Louise Klawitter and Jessica Robertson, this network has formed a Facebook group that is nurturing this network. It’s a secret group to hide the identities of some of our bravest women who are in closed countries, but if you send a message to Louise, she can get you synced up.
A second network is forming for those who are passionate about Adoption, Orphan & Foster Care. This budding network, in addition to it’s Facebook Group is holding monthly Skype calls where folks from all over the world can call in and participate. Find out more on my blog about this group.
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THANK YOU! I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank YOU for your prayers and support which are vital to the Lord’s work in our world. I’m humbled and privileged to serve our King and alongside you! |
 Thanks so much for your financial gifts to support the work of reaching the least reached! Some of you have remained very diligent even without a lot of info from me! My work continues to be fruitful, so I want to encourage you to continue your pledge or consider a monthly gift! |
Read the entire September 2014 E-newsletter online
My E-newsletter Archive:
Read my February 2014 e-newsletter
Read my December 2013 E-Newsletter
Read my August 2013 e-newsletter
Read my June 2013 e-newsletter
Read my May 2013 e-newsletter
Read my April 2013 e-newsletter
The masterful C.S. Lewis wrote a collection of letters between between a couple of demons, attempting to give insights into the realities of the spiritual world and our human existence. The Screwtape Letters although fictional, provides poignant insights into the true realities of following of Jesus Christ.
This letter is from the Uncle (and mentor demon) Screwtape to his nephew, a demon in training on his first assignment to distract a new Christian away from a fruitful life for Christ. This new Christian has been on a roller-coaster in his journey, but has recently savored a couple of positive pleasures (reading a good book and a walk in the country). These moments actually paved the way for the direct presence of God with the Christian.
Screwtape chastizes his nephew for allowing such pleasures as they are truly gifts from their Enemy (God) and create a conduit for relationship between the two.
In this letter, Screwtape shares with his mentee a snippet of how much God thinks of each Christian on the planet:
“Remember always, that He [God] really likes the little vermin [humans], and sets an absurd value on the distinctiveness of everyone of them.”*
Later Screwtape shares this insightful bit of demonic strategy about the new Christian’s mind, emotions, and obedience:
The great thing is to prevent his doing anything. As long as he does not convert it into action, it does not matter how much he thinks about this new repentance. Let the little brute wallow in it. Let him, if he has any bent that way, write a book about it; that is often an excellent way of sterilizing the seeds which the Enemy [God] plants in a human soul. Let him do anything but act. No amount of piety in his imagination and affections will harm us if we can keep it out of his will. As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape*(*From Letter 13 in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis)
So the question for you and I is:
What is it today that is floating around in my head, that I feel or know I should do for God, but I’m delaying on doing it?
Let’s take action!
Let’s develop the habit of obedience!
1) Job chapters 1-2 – Interaction & reality
Satan’s awful work, but still under the authority of God.
2) John 8:44 – Devious Description by Jesus
Jesus describes him as: devil, murderer & father of lies.
3) Revelation 12:9-10 – More Descriptions
Also named: satan, devil, serpent, dragon, deceiver.
4) 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “God of this age.”
Called the god of this age who blinds people from Jesus.
5) Mark 4:15 – Steals good seed
He snatches away the Gospel from “hard soil.”
6) John 12:31; 16:11 – “Prince of this world”
Called by Jesus the prince of this world.
7) 1 Peter 5:8 – Intimidator
He prowls around like a roaring lion.
8) 2 Corinthians 11:14 – Masquerade
He masquerades as an angel of light.
9) Revelation 20:1-10 – Final Deception & Destruction
He deceives nations and his final destiny of destruction.
10) James 4:7 – Victory is ours -Resist!
Resist the devil and he will flee!
*11) Possible descriptions of satan’s fall: Isaiah 14, Ezek 28:11-19
*somehow every top ten list has one I just can’t leave off.
On December 4, 1857, David Livingstone, the great pioneer missionary to Africa, made a stirring appeal to the students of
Cambridge University, showing that he had learned through the years of experience what Jesus was trying to teach Peter:
“For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice
I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice, which is simply paid back as a small
part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in
healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say, rather, it is a privilege.
Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this
life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these
are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.”
“The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”
May this be your joy in all of life, in whatever you do – that where God has placed you is a privilege and a pleasure, because “the chief end of man is to glorify God by ENJOYING Him forever!”
–From Desiring God by John Piper
Yesterday we had a conversation via SKYPE about ways people who are passionate about orphans, adoption & foster care can network together for greater encouragement, resourcing, and effectiveness.
It was our first OPEN meeting…where anyone can jump into the conversation. It was good to have a new voice join the conversation.
Here were a couple of helpful quotes/ideas:
Orphan care is human trafficking prevention. – @John_McCollum of @AsiasHope
— Mike Jentes (@mikejentes) August 21, 2014
You can't talk about human trafficking WITHOUT talking about orphans. @John_McCollum of @AsiasHope
— Mike Jentes (@mikejentes) August 21, 2014
The book Orphanology by Tony Merida & Rick Morton
Could be helpful for churches, individuals starting local ministries & support groups.
Below are my notes from today just to share all the resources and ideas which were bounced around. OrphanAdoptFosterConvo2014_08-21
You can see a little Facebook page we started at http://www.facebook.com/groups/557467357708956 It’s got some cool conversations and stories already rolling on it! This page is being used quite a bit and we will probably promote other events, etc. via that group.
It was suggested for a regular monthly call, using Skype. So let’s plan on the 3rd THURSDAY of the Month at 4pm Eastern, 3pm Central, 1pm Pacific. We will schedule this out for 3 months:
I’ll be facilitating the conversation by Skype. My Skype name is “mikejentes” send me a friend request so I can add you to the call!
If I don’t know you, please feel free to email me your name (and Skype name) and introduce yourself so I can get in touch with you! Make the time for one of these calls and invite your friends wo are passionate about caring for orphans!
This passage was part of our call to worship today @LosAltosGrace.
Isaiah 40
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
Thanks Pete Anderson for sharing!
1) 1 John 4:7-8 – God is Love
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God–for God is love.
2) Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus says Love God & Love Others
Jesus replies to a question about “What is the greatest commandment?” with this profound statement.
3) 1 Corinthians 13 – Love:What it does and what it doesn’t do
The “wedding” passage is beautiful because it is applied to all of life…not just matrimony.
4) Romans 8:35-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us From Jesus’ Love
The bottom line of Jesus’ love for us…nothing can get between us!
5) Psalm 136 – God’s Love Endures Forever
This Psalm repeats how “His love endures forever” after every phrase of the history it records. A powerful and repetitive lyric of how God’s love connects with our history.
6) Exodus 20:6 – God’s Love Lavished on a Thousand Generations
Packaged in the Ten Commandments (sometimes thought to be not very loving) this verse shows how much God blesses those who love and obey Him.
7) Psalm 23:6 – God’s Chasing Love
At the end of one of the most famous passages in the Bible, David finishes his poem with God’s “unfailing love pursuing him all the days of his life.”
8) John 15:12-13 – Jesus’ Love Leads to Laying Down Life
Jesus in this passage defines the greatest love as laying down your life for a friend. Then a couple of hours later, He dies on the cross.
9) John 13:34-35 – Love Proves Following Jesus
After the footwashing at the last Supper (where Jesus “shows the full extent of his love—see 13:1), Jesus says show the world you are my disciples through love.
10) Matthew 5:44-46 – Love Your Enemies
Jesus urges His followers to go beyond natural love to “supernatural” love…to choose to love our enemies.
*11) Luke 7:41-47 – Forgiven Much, Love Much
The immoral woman was forgiven much and she loved Jesus much. Jesus tells a story which links “much forgiveness” to “much love.”
*So many good LOVE passages in the Bible I had to add this one! 😉
A burgeoning conversation has been going on over the last few months about adoption, orphan and foster care with some people who I really like, and who are INSPIRATIONAL! These folks aren’t just pontificators…they are difference makers!
