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Not Either/Or, It's
Both-And!
Randy M. Keeley, Executive Director
Churches choose what they will focus on. Will they focus on
themselves or upon reaching those who are not yet part of the Body of
Christ? Those who choose to be outward focused sometimes believe they
need to choose whether their outreach is local or global. Christ's
commission to us is very clear, we must be outward focused and it's
not either/or, it's both-and! Not all translations of Acts 1:8
include the little word "both" from the Greek. But that's
what Jesus said. It's both!
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Reaching
Out Around the World
Immanuel Baptist Church,
Woodside, NY
Six men from the church set out to accomplish three objectives: To
build a worship center, to dig a water well, and to show and tell the
love of Jesus to the people of Salemata. Pastor Bert Vitaliz says,
"By the help of God, the cooperation of the people and the
dedication of the team, it can truly be said, "Mission
accomplished".
This humble building is a mansion by comparison to their previous
grass roof lean-to house of worship shaded on the left of the
picture. This building is dedicated to be a house of prayer and an
educational building where children will learn to read, write and
live as productive citizens of their community.
 Well digging is done manually since there are no power
tools and no electricity. In the case of the well in the picture, the
diggers need to break through 3-5 feet more of shale to strike water.
Lord willing, water will gush forth within a couple of weeks after
the team has left the place. The team from Immanuel labored hard
under extreme heat and trying conditions.
The gospel was preached in two other tribal villages. About 30 people expressed their desire to commit their lives
to the Lord Jesus Christ. Putting their trust and hope in Jesus the
only Son of God, 10 people were baptized on the day the building was
inaugurated.
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Reaching Out to Our
Community
Christian Fellowship Church, Amherst, NY
Last Spring, Pastor Godwin Manuel from Christian Fellowship Church in
Amherst, New York wrote, "for the past few months our church has
been reaching out to a number of refugees from the country of Nepal.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of new immigrants within 15
minutes of our church."
The people at First Baptist in Amherst have formed a team to minister
to new immigrants settling in the Buffalo area. These immigrants have
very little coming to the US as refugees and they are impressed with
the love and help we try to show them. We help by providing
transportation to church services and other events. We show the Jesus
Film in the Nepali language and provide dinner for them before the
film.
Recently Godwin wrote to us again saying, "It is with great joy
that I share the news that one of the key men among the Nepali
immigrants, San Rai, has decided to become a Christian. San is one of
five brothers who are here with their families. We were gathered in
the living room with three of his brothers and their wives, they sat
on the floor with Bibles open ready to learn. There was just one
table lamp from the kitchen providing light for all of us. Before I
could even begin the study, San asked, what is the next step? So far
we've been coming to church and learning about God, what is the next
step to become a Christian?" After explaining the gospel to San
he prayed to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior!
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Reaching Out Together
Falmouth Baptist, Falmouth, MA and First
Baptist, Morris, NY
Young teens from Falmouth Baptist Church in Falmouth, Massachusetts
are giving a week of their summer this August to serve another CB
Northeast Church. They will be traveling to First Baptist Church in
Morris, New York. The teens will serve the church and the community
by providing a Vacation Bible School and doing other service projects
as needed.
First Baptist Church in Morris is currently searching for a new
pastor. Thank you Falmouth Baptist for your investment in another
community through your time, money, effort and talents.
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SuperCluster Gatherings!
Further
Together!
Last year's SuperClusters were a tremendous success and we look
forward to this Fall's gatherings in four locations across New York
and New England. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Roger Haber,
pastor of Central Baptist Church in Middleboro, MA and the president
of CBMNE. Roger's message is entitled: "Further Together:
Reflecting God's Image". More details will be available soon.
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Synergy \ˈsi-nər-jē\
the
working together of two or more things, people, or organizations,
especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual
effects or capabilities
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Printer Friendly
Versions
Synergy is available in a single page printer friendly version and as a
bulletin insert. Right-click the link below for the version you want to
print. Then choose "save target as" to save it to your
computer.
Color Bulletin Insert
B/W Bulletin Insert
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