Savannah STM

July 11 - Outdoor evangelism at Forsyth Park

2009-07-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Today, our outreach came to the beautiful Forsyth Park targeting the crowd coming to the park and the Farmer's Market. Somewhat a tougher crowd than yesterday, I must say. But, nothing is impossible to God. He gave us again the nice weather, and He came to find His sheep. We are glad to report this is another day of harvest.

We "stationed" in front of this big tree next to the bench, which was occupied by a homeless man with whom we shared the gospel. Since many actions happened around this tree, we named our tree "the Oaks of Righteousness " in remember Isaiah 61:3:

"To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

The kids at the fountain...

Tomorrow, the Brunsons and the Vitters will be at the Calvary in Savannah church to encourage the memebers to fire up for missions and outreachs. The rest of us are heading back to the Savannah Baptist Center Church to help serving breakfast and the worship service. Then, we are heading back to Atlanta.

So the beautiful feet continues...

Big hugs and kisses to you who have prayed and supported us! It's incredible to watch God at work, but we also know there are prayers behind every "yes" we heard from the saved soul.

Team Spotlight

2009-07-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Prayer requests:
- realize that it is the Holy Spirit who changes heart not us
- obedient to Holy Spirit
- safety
- reach to others at where they are

Why savannah:
Rowland used to live in Savannah, so Savannah is dear to his heart. "I would like to witness to people there." Roland says.

Something about Roland:
Ken used to be a real estate agent. He now has retired.

July 10 - Savannah Baptist Center

2009-07-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

"For we do nto preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5

This was a day of harvest! People were thirst for truth and need the Lord. We spent more time than planned for canvassing in the morning. But many have confessed and accepted Christ as we walked around the complex inviting them to the block party. More amazingly, Lord held up the rain but kept the clouds, so it was a really nice weather to have the block party. At the party, we were huged many times by the kids, and we repeat many times the great STORY that must be told. And, we popcorn 160 times!!

THE PARTY TIME!!!

The team

The water fountain at the Fred Wessels Homes (a public housing). I hope soon Joseph (the boy drinks from the fountain) drinks from the Living Water as well.

The girl magnat...

The boy magnat...

Jesus loves me this I know...

Ken with his giantic EvangeCube (I want one, too...the kids say.) We found out many kids are able to re-tell the Jesus story after hearing Ken told the story.

Americans Got Talent!

Ooooohhhhhhhh! the lunch!

So the beautiful feet continues...

July 9 - Old Savannah City Mission (OSCM)

2009-07-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?" 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Connel Stiles - Development Director, gave us an overview of what OSCM is all about and a tour of the place. OSCM is a Christ centered, tough love, and high standards, Biblical based home for those who, unfortunately made some wrong decisions in their lives, want a second chance in their lives. And they want to make it right this time. OSCM provides a place and the program enables them to reach that dream!

Holy Spirit works among the brokenhearted and souls. The messages spoken thru Robert and Derrick today impacted many people. Thank you for praying...

We worship God with a new song...
I know it was the blood (3x) that saved me
One day when I was lost Jesus died on the cross
And I know it was the blood that saved me

They whipped Him all night long (3x) for me
They stomped Him in His head (3x) for me
He hung His head and died (3x) for me
His rose on that third day (3x) for me

Come in the room (2x)
Jesus is my doctor
He writes down all of my presciptions
He gives me all of my medicine
In my room

Service at OSCM and new friends we made...

Our very young missionaries did a fantastic job as well...

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Like the kids, we all had a blessed day...much to be thankful for, to ponder about, and to come to our Heavenly Father to be loved and know that we belong there FOREVER. Come! Let us worship and give all the glory to Him!

So the beautiful feet continue our journey...

Team Spotlight

2009-07-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Prayer Requests:
- build bridge of friendship
- opportunities to witness

Why Savannah?
Lord’s clear leading.

Something about Ken...
Around age 8, Ken had this terrible fear of death. That fear is completely gone when he accepted Christ at age 12. Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection 3-days later has completely swallowed the power of death. He has hope in Christ Jesus!!

The beautiful feet that brings the good news...

2009-07-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

July 8, 2009 -

loading up at FBA....

Joshua 5:1-12

"...Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way....The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year."

We came to the city to bring the good news to the people. Just like the days of Joshua, before we march into the city, we are called to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. After eaten the first meal of the land, the manna ceased, and the trumpet sounds. We marching on under His leadership...

Please continue to pray for us especially for Robert and Derrick who will be speaking at the OSCM tomorrow.

Team Spotlight

2009-07-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for Robert at FBA, come to the Mission Mall on Sundays. You usually can see Robert there helping people. When ask why he wants to join the Savannah short term mission trip, he says (with a big smile on his face) "to spread the gospel of love, hope, and salvation of Christ". You should see his determination when we were at the EV2 training when preparing for the trip. Rober and his lovely wife, Lara, are serious when it comes to the Gospel.

Prayer Requests:

- boldness when delivering the message on July 9 at OSCM at noon

- the message be clear and real to those who come to listen

- group unity

- Holy Spirit's guidance and leadership

A quote from Robert...

If you are not a gator, then you are gator bait!

Prayer Requests

2009-07-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 8
Please pray for travel mercies and safe arrival in Savannah for the team. Pray that the team will have boldness, compassion, unity and love for the Savannah community.

Thursday, July 9
We will be participating in a day of service at the Old Savannah City Mission (OSCM). Please pray for stamina as we have a full day of physical, as well as spiritual, labor. Pray that OSCM will have an organized plan for what they want us to accomplish. Pray that the "friends and neighbors" staying at the mission will be open to us and that God gives them willing hearts to listen to the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give us compassionate hearts and the words to speak to them.

Friday, July 10
We will canvass neighborhoods in the morning and help host a block party in the afternoon. Our desire is to share the gospel with children and their parents during this time, and help promote First Baptist Church of the Islands. Pray that we appropriately identify the areas to promote the block party, for good weather since we will be outdoors, for high attendance by the surrounding neighborhoods, and for people to be open to hear the Gospel.

Saturday, July 11
We are holding outdoor evangelism at Forsyth Park distributing literature including Bibles and other Christian books. Our ministry partner for this event is Calvary in Savannah. Pray for good weahter, for our boldness to confidently share our faith and that many people receive salvation.

Sunday, July 12
Please pray for travel mercies as we travel home after church services. Pray that those we have impacted during the week will attend the church of their choice today and that they continue their journey with Christ.

Team Spotlight

2009-07-02T17:43:00.001-07:00

John Brunson - teamleader
What can we say about John...well...it doesn't take long for you to realize his passion about telling others about Jesus. An EE teacher and a DCM teamleader, John is serious about the gospel but also brings lots of fun in the conversation. He is a tough teacher who makes sure we learn our EE outlines well, but he also makes the learning environment joyous. At the Decision Counseling Room, he would keep reminding us "it's the people we care...make sure you listen to what they say."

Prayer Request...
- the openness of the Divine Appointments at Savannah
- wisdom
- God's guidance
- joy among the team

Team Spotlight

2009-06-22T19:22:00.001-07:00

Umm...this is Karen's sideview. The one facing you and is getting the face paint is Suzanna Poston.

Please pray for Karen...

Safety

People will be receptive to the message

Our schedule will run like clockwork

Something about Karen...

John and I have been married for 10 years and have 3 boys. I grew up in the Atlanta area. I know how to clog. I enjoy reading voraciously. I went to Georgia Tech and actually graduated (with honors!!). Family is extremely important to me. I have a gigantic extended family and we are all very close.

Q: Why do you want to be in this Savannah STM?

A: My purpose in going to Savannah on this mission trip is not only to share the gospel with others but to also model service for my children. I am excited that they will be able to work along side of us at the mission and I pray that this will be a springboard to a life of service for my kids.

Team Spotlight

2009-06-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

You often see Marianne in or nearby the Decision Counseling Room or desk on Sunday's, and she is always willing to talk to you about gospel. She is a great prayer partner to us and a faithful servant of God.

Q: Why do you want to be in the Savannah STM?
A: God led me to the US from Sweden and tell others about the gospel of Jesus. I have gone on many mission trips in the past, but they were all outside of the US. This is actually the first one inside the US, and I am looking forward to this short term mission trip.

Please pray for Marianne...
To be bold
To talk to many people
To have people accept the Lord
That people get assurance of their salvation
To stay healthy
Protection from the heat and humidity
Travel safety
Team active and work well together

Ministry Partner - Calvary in Savannah

2009-06-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Calvary in Savannah is a Gathering of Servants:
Praising the Lord in Worship
Praying To God for Power
Persuading the Lost To Be Saved
Putting the Word of God To Work in Everyday Life
Participating in Ministry as Gifted

On Saturday, July 11th, we will be engaging in outdoor evangelism at Forsyth Park with Calvary in Savannah.

www.calvaryinsavannah.net

Ministry Partner - Coastal Empire Ministries (CEM)

2009-06-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

The Coastal Empire Ministries (CEM) provides creative ministry opportunities, partnerships, and training for churches and volunteers among those who live, work, and visit the Coastal Empire for the purpose of Kingdom growth. Since 2001, there have been over 66 mission teams, 71 local churches involved, 29,174 people reached, and 1,305 salvations.

"For myself, I set no store by life, and I only want to finish the race, and complete the task, which the Lord Jesus assigned to me, of bearing testimony to the Gospel of God's grace." -Acts 20:24

CEM hosts events all around the Coastal Empire. Some of the resources CEM uses to reach the Coastal Empire are balloon handling, creative worship, face painting, and special event ministry. CEM provides resources to equip ministries and ministry teams to reach those for the sake of the Gospel.

CEM is always looking for mission teams to come in to the city of Savannah and reach people for Jesus Christ. CEM is about taking the Gospel outside the walls of our churches and in to the heart of the community.

On Friday, July 10, we will be canvassing in the morning and hosting a block party in the afternoon with CEM and First Baptist Church of the Islands on Tybee Island. Does this remind you about Impact Atlanta?

Ministry Service - Old Savannah City Mission (OSCM)

2009-06-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

OSCM's Vision is to be a FIVE STAR Gospel Rescue Mission

Mission:
To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
To feed the hungry,
To shelter the homeless,
To rehabilitate the addict, and
To restore the ex-offender.

The Mission aspires to:
Establish High Standards,
Maintain Strong Boundaries, and
Give Clear Direction

One of our ministry service is to help out at the OSCM. We will be helping out with cleaning, cooking, serving, etc. This is a shelter to serve the homeless and the hopeless with food, beds, and the hope of salvation. The full schedule of Gospel is presented to everyone who come to the shelter. The Urban Training Institute (UTI) is the adult recovery program in the mission found with the principles of High Standards, Strong Boundaries and Clear Direction. The front line ministries of the Mission are its emergencies services. Hot food services and shelter beds for the homeless and assistance to families in crisis are the primary means by which the Mission does outreach ministry. Services are provided with an awareness that every person who comes through the doors of the Mission is made in the image of God irregardless to their present state or condition. For this reason they are called friends and neighbors, not homeless or clients. By November 30 of this year the Mission had provided 111,993 meals and 25,323 nights of shelter. The final numbers for 2007 are well beyond 120,000 meals and 26,000 beds provided.

2414 Bull St, www.oscm.org

Preparation...

2009-06-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

Countdown: 29 days

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all htat I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

If it isn't because of Christ, everything we do is in vain.