October 2009
Hello Friends and Family!
It’s fall again and Christmas will be here before we know it! As the seasons are changing and on the move, God is moving as well. We are living in changing times. It’s time for the church to be on the move like never before. God moves with movers, He works with workers, but He does not sit with sitters. Let’s move with Him!
This past month has been amazing! Many souls were saved, and many healed of infirmities and diseases. I spoke with a very good pastor friend of mine today from Oklahoma, who I was with around six weeks ago. God moved in each of the services. This pastor told me that the evangelism team we were able to help plant is still going strong after our time there, and that the church grew by around forty people. That is what we are looking for; to see fruit that not only remains, but to plant seed and see it grow!
As of today, we have planted five evangelism cells within local churches and have many more we are planting before the end of the year. These evangelism cells are continuing mobilization and evangelism long after we are gone, and make evangelism much more than a weekend event.
A few weeks back, I had the privilege to minister in Dennison, TX. We were with Pastor Gary Elrod at Denison First Assembly of God. Several churches came together and we mobilized around sixty-five people. There were around 2,000 people touched (outside of the church) that day with the love of Christ. Throughout the weekend God moved and people were healed! I spoke with the pastor again today and he informed me that they were continuing to train and mobilize, and just did another outreach this past weekend. They will continue training with the Acts 29 School of Evangelism and continue reaching out one Saturday every month. To all who have helped this ministry, you are a part of making this happen and reaching thousands of people across America.
During the weekend a good friend of mine, Bob Bonner, came all the way from Poplaville, MS to be a part of the Dennison, TX outreach. I ministered at the church he attends around eight weeks ago, and he became very excited about evangelism and the ministry. He wanted to join us on an outreach, so I invited him to come to Dennison, TX. Bob is 88 years old and full of passion to see souls saved. He has trouble seeing and cannot read signs in the airport, nor drive to the airport. Our mutual friend, Mark Gambino, drove him and got him situated for his flight to Dallas where he would ride with me to Dennison. He had to be guided through the airport with special assistance. I picked him up from the airport, and we were off with a team to Dennison. He walked up and down hilly streets and went door-to-door sharing the Gospel. He of all people has many excuses not to participate in an outreach. His age, sight, or stamina...but Bob was not deterred. He is a hero and an example. I chose to share this story to encourage you not to use any excuses for not sharing Christ. There is no age limit in the Gospel. God bless you Bob!!
I also had the privilege to hold some renewal meetings in Springtown, TX at Outreach of Love with some very good friends of mine, Pastors Gary and Shannon Veazy. It was a
powerful and explosive time of ministry. The fire of God fell! Many people were saved and renewed. I spoke with the pastor after the meetings and he shared with me several things about the weekend. “You helped bring us through a dry time in our church. Your partnership and your heart to serve us came through and was very evident. Not many evangelists have a heart and care about the people like you did. Since you were with us we have went up to another level, and I feel a fresh sense of fire in my heart. God used your ministry in our church in a powerful way and I am thankful for it.” Gary Veazy, Senior Pastor, Outreach of Love Church.
To all of my partners, I hope this blesses you as much as it does me, because I couldn’t do what I do without you. Your partnership helps allow this ministry to continue to bless and build up the body of Christ. Will you say out loud with me, “Miracles still happen today!” I just received another report from an associate pastor I was with in Mississippi of another confirmed miracle. “Berta Pecoul has been freed from pain that she has had
for 33 years. Her cancer is completely gone and she’s healed of fibromyalgia.” Pastor Mark Gambino. The 33 years of pain was a medical miracle because it was from removed disks in her back. We serve a God that heals His people! These testimonies are just a few that I receive regularly. What moves me the most is seeing the prodigals return home, the newly saved powerfully touched by God, and bound people set free! Not just
this, but to impart a fresh motivation for sharing Christ everywhere we go. To have an ear tuned in to what the Lord wants us to share. I believe the sender is just as important as the preacher because the Bible clearly says, “How can the lost hear unless they are sent?”
We are on the same team and God will give us a great reward for all of the souls we bring in together. We will celebrate as we each play our part on the team. Thank you so much for all of your prayer and support. Here are a few prayer-points you could lift up for this ministry.
1) For a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost to preach the Gospel.
2) Safe travel and perfect health.
3) Souls, souls and more souls............
4) That our monthly support would increase.
It takes team work to make the dream work,
Joe Oden