First Tour in Greece -- But not the Last

Didn’t we just get on this plane?? 

Now we’re already back from Greece, over colds and jet lag, and have had a chance to do some unpacking -- of our suitcases and our experiences in Greece.  

First we have to say how amazing this tour was! The team dynamic totally worked -- spirit and enthusiasm were excellent. And we experienced an incredible bond with our ministry partners in Greece. Everything Jim had sensed about the potential of this cooperative effort when they met last year was true -- and more. 

We can’t say enough about Mihalis who planned, organized and kept the tour going, drove, set up and ran sound, and made sure we were fed, served, entertained, and introduced to history and culture. And all while balancing other major responsibilities. This was definitely a “plowing” tour, and we knew that going in. But we sensed that every venue-- large or small -- and every ministry was strategic.

 

We were very aware of prayer on our behalf that whole time. God’s hand was evident. It was affirming that even with extremely diverse audiences the music was universally embraced. 

And the songs chosen and the message and introductions in each context were just right for the unique need in ways we could not have known or planned for.

And we were protected in what could have been some threatening locations with outreach to drug addicts, and frequenting rough areas of town in ministries to refugees and homeless. We never felt in danger.

As follow up – please pray for the new contacts who have strongly connected with these ministries we worked with. And for the tireless leaders whose innovative ministries are reaching people. We’re encouraged, especially by young leaders who are so dedicated and resourceful. Please pray for us as we consider future possibilities there.

Thank God, and continue to pray, for this team of guys –- Matt, Joel, Greg, Nels –- who were positively impacted by this experience, that their desire will stay strong to serve God however he leads. 

Southern Cross is planning to keep going. Please pray that God will direct in the opportunities.

The first day our friends in Greece were saying:       

      "If you come back . . . "

2nd day they were saying       

       "When you come back . . ."

3rd day WE were saying --          

       "When we come back . . . "

Next Stop: Greece - October 12-27

            

Southern Cross in Greece

Greg   Matt   Nels    Joel    Jim

In less than 2 months we will be with this band in Greece. All from our home church in Jacksonville, this is a a very motivated and dedicated group of excellent musicians already serving God and the local church through faithfully leading in Sunday worship times. Now they are excited about this opportunity that God has so clearly put together. See a sample of their music in this song that Matt wrote, and a little background on the group and info on the tour.

32 Years Ago Today

That was the day, July 2, 1982, we arrived in Ireland (because Belgium wouldn't let us in) for our very first mission experience together. We went not knowing where we would end up for our 3-year term -- Spain, Greece, Ireland, maybe Belgium? The hardest part was saying goodbye to family and friends but we were excited about our new adventure whatever it would be . . .

Little did we know what an amazing and rewarding adventure WAS ahead as we got off the flight in Dublin met by a team that welcomed us refugees without a country. 

Phil and Cheryl

The Kingsleys, who had already been in Dublin for a whole 3 months helped us settle in, and we had total confidence that they knew everything about Ireland and missions.

As it turned out -- we were there for only about 3 weeks before we got word that our visas for Belgium had finally been approved after a year of waiting. Within a couple days we were whisked off on a ferry across the Irish sea to pick up our car and some belongings that had been shipped to Liverpool, for a drive across England, car ferry to France, and the rest of the journey to Brussels. 

But in those short weeks in Ireland we bonded with the team and the country and are thankful for that great welcome experience God gave us. 

Sort of our missions honeymoon. 


I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
 Isa 42:16 

Memories of World Cup Events Past

I'm remembering our first up-close experience with World Cup madness. We moved into our house in France the day France won the 1998 Championship which was played IN France. Poor 11-year-old-Jami who understood barely a word of French was out riding her bike when the neighborhood erupted. She was so traumatized by crazed neighborhood kids, I don't think she ever rode her bike again in the 4 years we lived there.

It's a huge deal, and one of the means Proclaim ministries are using to engage people as World Cup excitement builds in July. 

Click here to see how Proclaim ministries in Croatia and Peru are bringing World Cup crowds a world changing message.

2014 Proclaim! Fund Raising Gala!

God answered prayer! The Proclaim Jacksonville team worked hard! Our entire team met weekly for over a month for prayer, planning, updating, and encouragement. Board members invited many guests, helped with planning, and one member took the event photos you see here.

Staff members all helped with various aspects of the evening, under the leadership of Patty Sullivan who headed it up. Jim coordinated the technical equipment and set up, and he and Kim were on site throughout, from the beginning of set up to the end of tear down. Kathie helped with communication, print design and tracking guest sign up. 

We were concerned about the lower than usual number of guests signed up as the date approached, but prayed that God would be glorified and the evening would be a blessing to those who came.

From all we experienced and heard from others, it is evident that God answered. We made every effort to get an on-time start, and even with a shorter than optimal set up time everything was ready to go right on the dot.

We were thrilled that table hosts and guests took their commitments seriously and almost all of the people who had registered were actually there! And thanks to a few additional guests, every place was filled. That was a specific prayer request and God answered decisively. 

The program went very well. Everyone loved the dance team! Even some problems with the rented stage did not phase the girls who dealt with the conditions that couldn't be changed like the professionals (and servants) they are.

They did an amazing job of demonstrating how effective this kind of approach is in ministry with their performance that included samples of pieces they used last year with Proclaim in Peru.

The dance team's involvement and other aspects of Proclaim's ministry were well communicated by Proclaim Co-director John Bowers, Dance Company Director Stacey Dumdei, and Proclaim Latin America Ministry Coordinator Kim Peterson. And an excellent video production by Russ and Marj Speiser explained the satellite broadcast ministry into North Africa and the Middle East that they head.

Many of the guests had seen the Chinese orchestra Proclaim brought to the US in March to perform at university and cultural events, including 3 venues in Jacksonville. We were excited to be able to share followup stories indicating changes spiritually in a couple of their members since their time here.

As for contributions . . . besides all the other profitable aspects of the evening, we were blessed to receive financial gifts and pledges greater than the amount that we received last year when we had a significantly higher attendance. 

Please continue to pray for additional finances for Proclaim as ministry opportunities abound. And we trust that God is continuing to use the Gala in people’s lives.

Photos by Jeff Westcott Photography

Easter Follow Up - One Story from the Plaza

Kathie: At the Plaza on Easter Sunday afternoon we were anticipating the impact that might be made by the showing of THE CROSS from the Billy Graham My Hope America videos. We had already decided to use monitors instead of big screen, then because of technical problems ended up just showing it on a laptop. But the sound system was strong so the message was heard throughout the plaza.

During setup I spoke with a young couple Brittany and Brad who had both been transient for several months and met during that time, became friends and now are engaged. I told them about the video that was getting ready to start and they seemed interested and went right over to the benches by the setup, even though Brittany had never heard of Billy Graham. 

They were very absorbed in the video and I was looking forward to talking with them when it was over. But just before the end they suddenly got up and walked over to join some friends down the walk.

I was trying to think of a way to break into the group without being too obnoxious since they seemed to not have interest in speaking further. In the meantime Jim made some follow up comments about the video over the PA and ended with the invitation for anyone who would like to have someone pray for them to come over and speak to one of us. Immediately a young woman from the group of friends started purposefully toward me and Brittany was with her.

Allison shared a couple of needs and then gave Brittany a chance to share a request. She said she and Brad were trying to get to family in Tennessee where they have jobs and shelter lined up, but didn’t have money for bus tickets. She asked me to pray that they could find a way to get their tickets for the following day. I told the girls I would be glad to pray for those concerns, but first I talked to them about the importance of their own relationship with God. 

Most of the conversation was with Allison, who said she was a believer, but expressed some pretty bizarre ideas that seemed to come from various experiences in her background. She was skeptical and resistant to much of what I offered, but I think Brittany is pretty much a blank slate when it comes to spiritual matters and she was listening to it all. Then I prayed for their specific needs and that God would reveal Himself to them in how he worked in those.

Eventually we said our goodbyes and I promised to continue to pray for them. I invited some more people to come in close for the second showing of the video and 2 of them did. Just after it ended I saw Brittany running down the walkway toward me with a huge smile on her face.

She came up and hugged me and said they had 

received the money to buy their bus tickets for the next day! 

Brittany and I ended up talking the whole time others were tearing down the equipment and loading vehicles. Brad came up for part of that time – he seemed to have more spiritual background although I didn’t get to talk much with him about his own relationship. But God got their attention and is certainly working in their lives in a very specific, personal, and obvious way. I have been praying that God will bring others into their lives who continue to draw them to the Savior.

Resurrection Hope

For over 2 years Proclaim members in Jacksonville have been going out on weekend "fishing trips" to share Christ locally. For the last few months the regular venue has been a park downtown where a lot of homeless or unemployed people spend time. As we have developed relationships we have found believers there who are encouraged and who encourage us, and spiritually needy folks that we are able to share with little by little. Music is usually part of it along with speaking publicly and one on one. Almost every week we see at least one new believer enter the kingdom.

Friends from our church or others join us regularly, and a couple weeks ago it was a special time when our family group came along for the first time. Here is part of the experience of one of the couples, Bernice and Stephen:

Our Family Group met at Hemming Plaza to support the Proclaim Ministry last Sunday.  We felt it was a great way to do evangelism and support missionaries Jim and Kathie Jenkins, who are in our Family Group, and experience what Proclaim does when they travel abroad. Here they are in our back yard doing ministry through music and sharing the word of Christ with the lost in the park.

We arrived a little apprehensive since this was our first visit. But soon we were sharing and praying with individuals, beginning with a young woman and then a young man, each in their early 20s, new to the town and alone. We talked to them and prayed for specific felt needs.

Stephen shared the Million Dollar Question with Kevin, a very interesting man who continued to return to talk about the question. Keven repeated scripture that we shared and seemed to be trying to understand the true meaning. Stephen spoke with him several times and Kevin enjoyed the interaction.

 

We both had other meaningful encounters and prayed with several individuals. The music set the stage to share and visit with people we may have never had the chance to meet any other way. 

This weekend for Easter afternoon we are planning something a little different. Instead of playing, we will set up a projector and screen and show the powerful video of Billy Graham

The Cross - from My Hope America  

We plan to do 2 showings with some selected recorded music and reading of related scripture between the two showings. This might be a good transition to something else we hope to start in the near future -- offering a Bible study to those who are interested. We sense that God is at work in the Plaza!