"BEHOLD, How Good And How Pleasant It Is For The Brethren To Dwell Together In Unity"
CONTINUING with my Biblical journal through the Bible. I come to this passage that I had come to several times before, (Psalm 133:1). Only now and three years after my arrival to the Island of Mauritius does the Word of God speak. To answer the question I have had since a time soon after my arrival- 'Why Haven't I met with any other Pastors of the Island?'
MY personal research, as I became keen to the movements and mannerism of the people especially in the religious circle, has shown me this. As divided as the Body of Christ is with all its denominations and personal interpretations. It is sad even to see that local churches here on the Island will not even pray for each other to any capacity.
IT is also sad to see that church organizations are more apt to be territorial as it pertains to the fellowship of believers. Jesus said, (MATTHEW 12:30)- "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad"
IT is clear that Jesus is speaking of coming to the understanding of salvation in Christ alone. With this understanding of the text it is also clear that all those with their hands to the plow are working together plowing the same field. Why then are we not working together.
UNFORTUNATELY on the Island, this verse from the Gospel of Matthew is demonstrated as being applied only to the local church fellowship. If you are not part of a certain church organization, then according to that organization, you are not part of the Body of Christ. Giving the believer even less of the chance to learn that they can freely have the relationship to the Christ lead by the Spirit of God. This type of lifestyle may be a cultural issue or an issue of pride, (I lean more toward the latter). This 'Style of Life' has no place in Ministry. For it is not biblical when we read in context from (Mark 9:40)- "For he who is not against us is on our side"
THE people are more confused than ever before when it comes to understanding the availability of a personal relationship with their Creator, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It has come to this, the conversation between believers begins with 'WHERE' do you go to church. It is even surprising to me to see that if you do not attend a certain fellowship, there is no conversation to be had. Yes, you are as dead to them.
YOU will find that teachers of the Word are not teaching the Word and if they are, you will find them only to follow what satisfies their need. I find that both styles of teaching are equal in being self centered. Working to get from others what will benefit their own personal comfort, to whatever degree that is.
I will choose to stay open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust that as the Spirit of God has lead me to the Island of Mauritius will He also lead me to work with whom He has set aside for His work- (MATTHEW 22:14)- "For many are called, but few are chosen"
WITH a language unknown to me; A wife prepared for me; My first child given to me, and the list goes on as I move forward building momentum. All because of a text that spoke to me while in prayer and fasting- (1 Chronicles 28:10)- "Consider now for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it"
HOW better do you verbally entertain the argument of an active Spirit in the life of the believer when action speaks louder than words. It came as a surprise to me that some church organizations had refused on more than one occasion to partake in the work of ministry that they would be invited to.
LET me give you a "Show & Tell"- First I will tell you of the events leading to this wonderful work of ministry, then I will show you the work and its outcome as the Lord would have it- By His Holy Spirit.
DURING a separate time of prayer and fasting it seemed right for me to seek out for any Pastor who was willing to work with me as the Lord would lead. I was looking for anyone who did not want something from me other than the same motivational drive to reach the people with the Gospel. It was by chance alone or (divine providence)...I found one.
AS I was paying the electric bill one day did I notice a Pastor of a local church also waiting in line with me. Several months earlier this Pastor had invited Dominique to share the Gospel to a group of kids during ministerial work held by his church, entitled- 'The Gospel Kid's Club'. I thanked him for letting Dominique be a part of this work and encouraged him to let Calvary Chapel know how we can help him spread the Gospel on the Island. He agreed as we parted ways.
PASTOR Francois Serret from a local
Baptist Church did in fact call after eight months of my communicating with him about scripture and sharing with each other personal experiences with the Lord and how they fit in line with scripture. HIS heart was to reach all (or as many as he can) with the Gospel. He was not going to wait for the people to come to him. When I saw how he planned to go out to the people to give them the Gospel Message, allowing for very little to stand in his way- I chose to strengthen the effort by joining the work.
AFTER I made contacts in my neighborhood. Pastor Francois and his family determined to set a day for ministry- 'The Gospel Kids Club' would be held to reach the children of my neighborhood. Now that's what I call working together!
I pray that you are as encouraged as I am about seeing our Lord at work- Using those that would let Him...Enjoy!
PREPARATION:
'Virginie went straight to work in the design of the flyers that all of us involved in the project would distribute'
'After the printing of over six hundred flyers. Virginie would fold each one'- (with a little help from Rakhel)
'I design a banner to have placed in different sections of my area'
'Rakhel helps Papรก to organize the ready made banner'
'I place one banner where over 200 apartments will be able to see'
'A second banner at the municipal gymnasium'
'A memory verse for the day is given to the children as it pertains to our theme- 'THE PROMISE OF GOD'
'Here we have a member of the Serret family assisting the church along with the Australian team making sandwiches for all the kids'
- AFTER all the preparation is complete. The team has a prayer together and then all were ready to 'GET TO WORK'.
'Kids have a lot of energy. My job was to have them perform an exercise specifically designed to have them sit still and better listen to the Gospel message'
'The group of children listen as the Gospel is given to them'
'Pastor Guy Grenade gives the Gospel to one group of children of a specific age group. While other Pastors work with other children of a certain age group'
'Rakhel dressed for the occasion with her rainbow outfit- Demonstrates one of God's Promises to man'
'All the children were amazed at the demonstration given of the Gospel. With Jesus Christ in your life are you safe from the flame'
'A child listens intently as he hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ'
'A group of children along with my nephew Hayden, receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior'
'Pastor Francois along with a Pastor Gaietan, prepare to pray with all the children that accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior'
- AS the Spirit of the Lord leads, will I continue to work with all those willing to work. I am continuing to read through the Bible in my home with my family and to whomever may come.
- WE are also continuing to pray for:
Calvary Chapel Myrtle Beach, SC
Calvary Chapel Florence, SC
Calvary Chapel Bangor, ME
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| 'Rakhel is learning: Ministry is when YOU say YES to the LORD' |
- May The LORD Bless You By HIS Grace -
