Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 10:55 AM
So much has been happening simultaneously with the ministry! For years we have been praying that the Lord would expand the ministry by having travel teams, utilizing younger talent (college students). These students would take one full year out of college performing 300-350 assemblies a year. They would perform in high school assemblies, Pizza Blasts, and churches, etc. This would be a motivational, non-religious program in the schools, and a secondary program held later during after school hours. This is the program where Christ would be shared with the students.
The way we would accomplish this is by partnering with International Center for Youth Ministry (ICYM) out of Boyce College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary out of Louisville, KY. The exciting thing is that the college would hold the auditions and provide full tuition scholarships for each year a student travels on the team. They will begin with a pilot team this fall and spring, with a full-time team to follow in the fall of 2009. Once perfected, we would like to expand this outreach into several teams.
Naturally, a vision of this magnitude would require additional staffing. The cost of production, costuming, and traveling, would also be required. To oversee this project, we are currently looking to hire an executive director for the ministry. The Lord has provided an individual who meets the criteria and has served in the business world for 27 years. Kevin McCartney, from Raleigh, NC has been in the electronic industry as operations manager in manufacturing for 10 years, and technical support/regional sales manager for 17 years. Kevin has prayed for 7 years that God would allow him to serve in a ministry somewhere. The Lord seems to be putting the puzzle pieces together. Would you pray with us about this and that the Lord would provide the finances for this opportunity he is giving us.
If you are not currently partnering with us in ministry, would you prayerfully consider what the Lord might lead you to do? If we ever hope to see our country turn back to the Lord, it will start with the youth. We need faithful, monthly supporters more than ever before. Eternity is long, hell is real, but so is heaven. The scripture declares the Gospel (Good News) is found only through a relationship with Christ. We are either goers or senders. We are expanding the goers. Will you be senders? If you would like to partner with us, you may contact us in the different ways listed below. All gifts are deeply appreciated and are tax deductible. Make checks payable to:
Rick & Mick Ministries
P.O. Box 88
Wilsonville, AL 35186
(205) 669-0662
************************************ Dear Fellow Servants of our Lord,
Here are some praise and prayer requests---more general in nature, but very important.
PRAISE
- Very useful and meaningful courses at PBU this summer at the grad school in Christian counseling, for both Sue and myself.
- Provision of use of a car and house this summer.
- The delight of knowing the Lord.
- Great year past in working with our three interns, Ben and Patty from the Geneva Bible School who will be with us for a second year as interns, and Jonathan Kontz, recent PBU grad.
- Kids (elementary and also junior high) clubs with neighborhood kids; opportunity to meet several parents also.
- Teaching the Word in several contexts.
PRAYER
- Kids clubs to begin on a regular basis this fall.
- Counseling students at the Geneva Bible students and couples in our church.
- Outreach: personal evangelism with people we already know, development of new contacts, evangelistic Bible study for couples to begin this winter.
- Teaching this fall: three weeks of Bible Study Methods and Interpretation at the Geneva Bible School, one week of Prison Epistles at a Capenray Bible school near Grenoble.
We are almost at the half way mark for our studies and time in the US. It has been great. We're sorry that we can't see most of you and even most of our churches, but the studies are very intense and that's what we're here for this time. We expect a HMA (home ministry assignment, or furlough) to begin to late summer or fall, 2009, which will give us the opportunities that we don't have now.
Our phones until 8/20: 215 943 5371. (Preferably use this). or cell (215) 459 4521.
Thank you......Your co-workers in Christ, Woody and Sue Lewis (CrossWorld, France)
************************************ Friends,
It's time for another update since many have asked about Bob's health. The test results were good with no heart damage. The doctor figures he had a heart spasm...probably a common diagnosis when they cannot explain anything else. We are grateful, though, and Bob is more careful about diet, exercise and work load. The wake-up call was good and timely! Thank you for praying and for your concern.
Following are a few prayer items:
-Bethany Brown and Mary Tiller, the two single English teachers, are considering extending their term one more year to the end of 2009. Pray with them concerning God's will in this. They are recently more encouraged as they adjust to the work load and have become involved more in spiritual ministry. We are thrilled.
-Jon and Amanda Howard desire to leave for Costa Rica to begin language study next month (August), but are lacking quite a bit of support. Pray this need be met as we really want them to go as scheduled to make a team with Bethany and Mary.
The Esperanza Church is working on a strategy to plant a 2nd daughter church in the town of Gaira where a small group meets weekly. Pastor Wilson from Ciénaga has wanted to move on to begin another church for some time and he is a consideration to head up this effort. Pray God put together a team to take on this task. With it comes the age old problem of finances which is another prayer concern.
- Pray for Bob as he travels to Peru August 4th.
-Remember Rod in Kenya with an extraordinary heavy work load. He is the only DC-3 captain until the end of August. He is away much of the time requiring much patience for Michelle and Cristiana. Katie is already 6 months old and a beautiful baby! If you wish, you can read all about them and see their photos on moyeradventure@blogspot.com
Praise God for our freedom in Christ and in America!
Bob and Ruth Ann Moyer
Friends, On Thursday morning around 10 AM Bob called me from
his upstairs office at home saying he felt so bad.
He had a tightness in his chest up into his throat
and severe pain radiating all the way down his right
arm. I had him lie down and took his blood pressure
which was 183/113. His medication keeps his
pressure normal so I knew something was amiss. I
called the doctor who said we should call 911 and
take him to emergency. Bob says, "No, you can drive
me." I had to change clothes and get things
together to leave quickly. It is a 20 min. drive,
but so many traffic lights along the way. Upon
arriving at the Pineville, NC Medical Center, they
took him in immediately and began the process of
examinations and tests. When they saw his blood
enzymes level was very elevated, they told me they
were transporting him by ambulance to the coronary
unit of Carolina Medical Center in downtown
Charlotte and I was supposed to follow them. I did
not realize Bob could watch me out the back window
as I was frantically trying to stay behind the
ambulance as it weaved in and out of freeway
traffic. The traffic was heavy and the Lord helped
me as I panic changing lanes. He was admitted
immediately and they ran the gamut of tests.
Meanwhile all our family and friends were advised
and several prayer chains began. It was an
incredible blessing to know so many of you prayed
and were so concerned. He was hospitalized 2 days
and 2 nights and many tests were done. This morning
the doctor came in to say that they cannot figure
out what caused this episode as his tests are normal
in spite of the symptoms of chest and arm pain,
spiked BP, and elevated blood count which all show
that something happened, but no damage is noted.
His arteries are not clogged nor values damaged. He
was discharged and feels fine. He is to have
further tests on his lungs next week and will see
his cardiologist. So the cause remains a mystery
and we do not rule out a miracle! Bob has had
painful arthritis in his right shoulder for the last
several months that would wake him up at night. The
pain radiated down that same arm during the incident
and today he has full movement of that arm with no
pain. So we marvel at that. All we can say is that
God can answer prayer and He does. We will give Him
the glory for this and thank you for your part as
well. He gave us great peace! Ruth Ann
************************************ Friends, We pulled into the driveway yesterday afternoon,
June 2nd. Before getting out of the car, we thanked
God for a safe and wonderful road trip around the
USA. No words describe the majesty of this country:
the humongous corn fields, badlands, snow capped
mountains, never ending plains, mysterious desert
with buttes along the horizons, etc. The different
people were so kind, local foods delicious, even
drove through two snow storms. We saw old friends
and enjoyed their hospitality. We enjoyed the
nostalgia of scenery described in Louis L'Amour
novels, stopped at Tucumcari's train station from
Clint Eastwood's movie, "For a Few Dollars More",
slept in our car outside Durango, rode the Silverton
Train that C.W. MC Call sings about. We drove
through Amarillo remembering Glen Campbell, listened
to John Denver in the Rocky Mountains and Chris
LaDoux in Wyoming. So much fun! Only one flat tire
and no accidents. We drove 5,500 miles through 17
states in 15 days. We beat the hot weather and the
tourist crowds, but were too early for the nightly
rodeos in Cody. This adventure was a true gift from
God! Thanks for praying for us. Now the sad news is the tragic death of 31 year old
Diana Ramirez. She left behind 6 small children,
husband Nelson and the Piyushipana School of 110
students. As the Wayuu leaders say, she was the
motor that kept the school running. It was their
dream to add boarding students to educate the
leader's children who live in remote areas. Right
now 40 boarding children are finishing the first
semester. Each Sunday afternoon, she traveled to Maracaibo,
Venezuela to bring back merchandise to sell. The
profit gave them money to feed their own children.
On the trip over, the van collided with another
vehicle and she was the only casualty. Fearing for
his life, the driver carried Diana to the nearest
"ranchería" ( Indian settlement) and placed her body
in a hammock abandoning her there so he could flee.
Nelson did not find her until Tuesday morning. She
was buried that afternoon in a semi-decomposed
state. All this on top of loosing his wife. Please
pray for Nelson and the Wayuu leaders to make wise
decisions and to know God's leading for the future
of this school and their personal lives. We pray
Nelson know how to console his children, provide for
them, and not turn away from God during this period
of grief. Thank you so much for ever holding us before our
sovereign Lord! Bob and Ruth Ann |
RickMickMinistry@aol.com
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 6:54 PM
Below is a copy of an email we received from a friend and former pastor from Michigan. He has started a work in Great Britain and has a burden for the youth there and in Europe. His ultimate goal with our ministry is to get into the public schools like we do here in the U.S. and have an evangelistic outreach . He is asking us to speak at a camp he has put together next month just outside Birmingham, England. This would open up many doors for us to go back and minister in the schools there. Great Britain is ripe for the Gospel and our heart is to go where God is moving. Thanks for your prayers concerning this. Please read his letter:
Rick and Mick –
I wanted to touch base with you about the critical nature of our partnership in youth ministry this summer in Great Britain. Let me reiterate this importance.
Christianity has become so irrelevant in the eyes of the British over the last several decades, that many of them see it as a force for evil in their society rather than a force for good. The vast majority of young people there NEVER darken the door of any kind of church. In fact, less than 2% of the entire population of Great Britain will attend any kind of church on Sunday; instead, there will actually be more mosque-goers than church-goers!
And yet the teenagers of the United Kingdom are hungry for something of significance. The time is right … but we must act immediately.
This summer's camp for “street kids” in Cannock, England, is a critical building block toward future ministry, especially an effective ministry in the schools, which are quite open … perhaps more so than schools in the United States. Yet few Christian workers are willing to get involved in Europe, especially Great Britain – in part because it is so difficult and expensive. Expensive or not, I believe that we are on the verge of a “great awakening” in the UK … a movement of God like no one alive has seen in their lifetime … and THAT in a place as unlikely as humanistic Great Britain. And it will begin with the youth culture.
Thirst '08 (the 4-8 August youth camp that specifically targets unsaved teenagers) is only the initial thrust of evangelism. And Rick and Mick, as well as LIFT Student Ministries with whom we are also partnering, are essential to beginning this student ministry.
But I'm also concerned about something else … finances!
Recently, as I listened to a few Christian youth workers … men and women who work vocationally with young people for the government … I realized that the teenagers who hang out in the town centre of any city of any size are so disinterested in “Christianity” (at least as they perceive it in their previous experiences), that they would not pay a cent to attend a Christian camp like we have planned for this summer … so I made the commitment to come back to the USA and raise $20,000 to cover the expenses of hosting them … at no charge to them! That goal will be accomplished by the time I leave Michigan for England on July 14 th . I chose to raise these funds, even at the expense of raising my own monthly support. (No pat on the back … just a fact.)
I know funds are tight for you guys, too. We're all feeling the financial pressures of the weakening economy here “at home.” But … Rick, Mick … I MUST HAVE YOU GUYS ON THE GROUND IN ENGLAND by Saturday, August 2 … even if it takes a miracle! In fact, over the next few days (even while I'm speaking at a singles conference in South Dakota), I'm going to make some phone calls to help secure some financial support to help get you two there. Please, please, ask your board, ask your prayer partners and financial support network to help us salvage Great Britain while there is time!
If we're going to capitalize on the open door of opportunity in the public schools of Great Britain in 2009 and beyond, we MUST not fail in our camping endeavors in 2008. I'm counting on your partnership for years to come. God has set before us an open door … an effectual … Let's go through it together for His glory!
The need for this trip is approx. $5,000 and we have raised $2,250 thus far. Thanks for your prayerful consideration in helping us reach out to Europe Pleading on behalf of young souls in Great Britain …
Dale
The latest from HCJB...click here
Dear Praying Friends,
Well, school is out in most places, and so we hope that many of you are enjoying a change of pace during the weeks of July. Hopefully, this change of pace won't keep you from church or Sunday School! And hopefully, you won't take a vacation from praying for us. We need your prayer help as much in July as in January!
1. Carol began her work in the TWR Finance Department in June. Now she is being given a choice between Finance, or Personnel, or even a third option. Please pray that she will be able to see which job God wants her to do for Him.
2. Mexico City is the third largest city in the WORLD! It has about 22 MILLION people living in it! ( Philadelphia has about 1 ½ million. In other words, for every person living in Philadelphia , Mexico City has 22 ! IMAGINE the SIZE !!) TWR has just begun an agreement with an AM station in that city. They will broadcast a 30 minute Bible teaching program that we make in Spanish each weekday! It is expected that this radio station can cover about ½ the people living in Mexico City . Please pray that as people listen, and as they come to know about Jesus, that they would give their hearts to Him.
3. Thank you for praying about Carol's shoulder. It is much better now, and she can move her arms almost normally now. Thank the Lord that He has allowed this to happen for Carol.
4. On the 22 nd of June, one of our TWR radio program people was in a church in Columbia , South America . The pastor of this church told our program man in front of his church that when he was young he lived in the jungle and listened to Trans World Radio from Bonaire with a tiny radio that fit in his hand. It was very important to his Christian life to have the help of Trans World Radio-Bonaire. Today he is a well known pastor, with a beautiful church here in Bogotá. He was very happy to have someone from TWR in his church. He said, “If I am a Christian and a pastor I owe it in great measure to the programs of TWR-Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles .” ************************************
Bonjour, friends!
In reading through Jeremiah, I'm struck by Israel's
relentless sinful
attitude. Yes, she did wrong things. But, for the
most part, the Lord's
anger burned against her heart attitude. She
despised Him. She consistently
turned her back on her Creator, Father, Savior and
Shepherd. Her prayer
could be summed up like this:
"Father, I want your gifts, not You. Make me happy,
but stay out of my life.
I'll take anything good You want to give me, but
don't interfere with my
choices. I do what I feel like, what feels good, or
at least better than
when I try to obey You. So please keep pouring on
the blessings, but keep
your distance. I like it that way, like my rich
uncle who gives me an
amazing, annual Christmas gift and then disappears
till the following year.
That works well. Please don't get too close. I'll
keep going to church, have
quiet time, and even witness if I have to, but I
really don't like feeling
pressured or controlled. It's so much nicer when I
just call the shots.
Life's going pretty well right now and I'd like it
to stay that way as long
as possible. Thanks. See you next Christmas!"
What's incredible is God's response! Compassion. He
pities His rebellious
daughter.
We delight to be in relationship with a
compassionate God and Father! We're
no longer condemned, only loved and accepted
forever! It's something we'll
never get over! BEING with Him is FAR better than
GETTING from Him! He is
our DAILY, not annual, gift!
We're very thankful we can take some counseling
courses together this summer
at Philadelphia Biblical University. We'll be living
in Levittown from
mid-June to mid-August and will inform you of our
cell phone number once we
get it. In the meantime, you can always reach us via
email.
These two months are not a mini furlough so we will
not be visiting all of
our supporting churches and friends, but anticipate
doing so in 2009, Lord
willing.
PRAYER :
1. God's working in some who have recently
heard the Gospel: Valerie,
Aude and also for our neighbors, another Aude
and Johann.
2. We will desire God to invade our hearts,
not stay away. He will
open our hearts to His working through the courses
and enable us to better
share His love with others in France or beyond.
3. Our dear friends, Henry Bryant and Etienne
Metreau, will experience
the DAILY DELIGHT of being with their Father. We
pray for healing, but KNOW
that He is not withholding the best gift; He Himself
is that gift.
Your co-workers in Christ,
WOODY AND SUE LEWIS
************************************
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 16:25:23 -0400
From: "Curt Detwiler"
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for praying for us, and our work
with Trans World
Radio! As we begin the month of June, here are a
few updated items
which need your prayers! .
1. People continue to listen to their radios, and
in Portugal recently
one of them wrote us this letter.
"You can't imagine the joy and happiness I feel when
I listen to your
program, everyday, waiting for that half hour when
I'll listen to it.
Every Christian church should listen to it, and also
the political
people and those who don't believe in Jesus. I heard
it has been on the
air for four years and I only started listening
about a year ago. I
can't feel well if I don't listen to you talking
about the Word of Jesus
Christ.."
By praying with us about our ministry, you are
partly responsible for
this lady's joy and happiness!
2. Last month we asked for your prayers for our
moving in! Here is a
snapshot of the day the container arrived and was
being unpacked!
Unfortunately, there were about 10 things which were
broken. The Lord
has once again been teaching us not to put too much
value in "things".
Some of the things can be repaired, some can be
replaced, some can't.
3. Carol's physical therapy treatments for her
"frozen shoulder" are
going well. They will continue through part of the
month of June.
Please pray that she will again have the ability to
move her arms
normally when the treatments are over.
4. Carol begins working in the TWR Finance
department on June 2nd.
Please pray that she will be able to quickly learn
the jobs which she
will be given to do.
Thanks once again for your prayers and help for our
work. There are
many people who are hearing about Jesus and His love
for them because
you are praying for Trans World Radio!
In Him,
Curt and Carol |
