SBMF News

Shalom to all. “The grace of the Adonai Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, and the love of Elohim, and the fellowship of the Ruach HaKodesh, be with you all.”

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, G-d blessed forever. Amen. [Romans 9:1-5 NASU]

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the L-RD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our G-d. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the L-RD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the L-RD has spoken. [Isaiah 40:3-5 NKJV]

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same L-rd is L-rd of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the L-rd will be saved. [Rom 10:10-13 NIV]

We pray that all is well with you. G-d is so good. Be healthy, be safe, be blessed, be found in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.

The Spirit of the L-rd is truly working through us in our call to build a new Messianic Congregation in Marietta, Georgia through which to serve the Kingdom.

Our mission is to bring G-d’s Blessings to Abraham and His descendants that are made full in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Jesus Christ, to the House of Israel and the Church body.

Genesis 12:3 (G-d to Abraham) I will bless those who bless you, and
whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Beth Chaim, House of Life, is the new Messianic Fellowship Congregation Ministry of Eternal Life Style Ministries located in Marietta, Georgia.

We initiated Beth Chaim in June 2006 and have seen the L-rd work mightily in this new work. We started as a bi-monthly home fellowship on Shabbat mornings along with special Havdallah (Saturday evening) services, programs and fellowship. We have regular visitors and guests who have been enriched with Messianic worship and teachings.

In 2007 we will move to an every Shabbat morning worship service format. We will continue our special evening programs and Havdallah fellowships. In addition, we are adding new ministries for outreach, care giving, and financial giving as we become a fully grounded Congregation. These Ministries will focus on sharing our love for Israel, the unsaved Jewish people, and bringing Messianic Jewish values and education to our Church body.

G-d has worked miracles in our fellowship. Both my wife and I have grown as we move to become the spiritual covering for others. Michele has a unique gift of mercy and hospitality that covers the broken hearted in hope and love. I enjoy a growing gift of Teaching and Leading.

Yeshua has blessed our new fellowship. We have seen many individuals and families grow in their Messianic faith and in their joy by coming to our services and fellowship programs.

We offer deep gratitude to all our SBMF friends from Convention 06 who blessed and encouraged our new work. We offer a special praise of gratitude to Rabbi Worshill, President SBMF and Police Shomreem Ministries, Sam Nadler, Congregation Leader, and David Taylor, Worship Leader of Hope of Israel Congregation in Charlotte N.C. Ric, Sam and David have been so generous in their help. In addition, we offer special thanks to Dr. Howard Morgan, Kingdom Ministries, one of our ministry mentors. Naturally, we share our appreciation to our fellowship regulars and guests for their help, prayers, and support in our start up.

We have seen many individuals and families grow in their faith and in their joy by coming to our services and fellowship.

Disciples: Please share our prayers that G-d continue to send us those he would have us disciple. Pray with us that we will continue to be good stewards of their spiritual gifts as they serve beside us in our ministries. Beth Chaim is looking for Messiah’s Servants to join us.

Partner Church: Please pray along with us that G-d finds the appropriate Church partner to serve as a parent Church for our new work. In return we commit to serve them through our fulfillment of the L-rd’s mission in us and to help them continue to grow in their love for a Jewish Messiah and the Hebraic roots of our faith.

SBC Local Associational Membership: We pray for our application process to join the Noonday Baptist Association as an ethnic new work in evangelism. We want to be a part of a sound and grounded local association.

We have had numerous Shabbat, G-d’s Appointed Feast and Holiday services and programs to promote our new fellowship and enrich our guests with the Word.

In June we held a Messianic Seminar with about 15 attendees. This was a 3 hour teaching on “The Relevance of Messianic Judaism for our Church body.” We had a catered fellowship lunch during a break. The event received accolade reviews from attendees.

We began a small group fellowship and Messianic Service on Shabbat mornings. We have felt and seen the presence of the L-rd at work in our ministry. At each fellowship G-d seemed to bring a specific person or family that needed G-d’s love and favor to be bestowed upon them. Our ministry has turned out to be a blessing to regulars and special guests.

We started bi-monthly and will begin having weekly Shabbat services and new ministries on January 20^th, 2007.

We held our first “Feast of Trumpets” services with about 15 attendees. Pastor Jonathan Mickelson blessed us with Shofar blowing. After worship and liturgy, I gave a teaching on “The Relevance of Feast of Trumpets for all Believers.”

Our service was blessed to have Rev. John Haeger and his wife from Noonday Baptist Association in attendance.

We followed Rosh Hashanah with a second special service and teaching on Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. Jeff Mitchell, a Messianic Teacher gave a meaningful teaching on how Yom Kippur is not ethnically Jewish, but an appointed time and feast of G-d. He taught how Yeshua is the fullness of this appointed feast.

Our fellowship went to the movies to see the blessed story of Queen Esther and Purim. We followed with a dinner discussion on the importance of Purim to the Church body.

We had a wonderful dinner fellowship, followed by a Havdallah and Chanukah candle lighting service. I then gave a teaching called “Redeeming Chanukah (Feast of Dedication) and Christmas (Chag Ha'molad Same'ach (Merry Christmas Celebration and Yom Yeshua Tov, Good Day of Jesus –for Messiah.”) for Messiah.” The teaching emphasized what the Bible says are the requirements for sanctifying a Holiday for Believers, whether the holiday becomes one to celebrate G-d’s miracle, or is one of G-d’s scriptural appointed Feasts.

News From Ruth, Our Sister Missionary In Russia

Our vision is to see Russian Jews gathered into Messianic congregations being a light to the nations.

1. Thank you so much for your prayers for the Hanukah-Christmas party last Saturday. It was a great time. This time it turned out that there were more Christians than Jews but that turned out to be a good opportunity for them to learn about Hanukkah and to be challenged to think about how they can reach out to Jewish friends and acquaintances. We did a white elephant gift exchange which was a big hit. You have been praying for a long time for my Jewish neighbor Luba. Well, she came to the party on Saturday and seemed to really enjoy it. Please continue to pray for G-d to work in her life.

2. I had a very blessed time celebrating our Savior’s birth. On Christmas Eve my friend, Rachel, came over and we had a very leisurely dinner and then watched the movie Nativity Story. Then on Christmas Day Rachel came back over and helped me get ready for my guests. One family was not able to come so 6 adults and one infant gathered around my table for Christmas dinner. It was a great time of fellowship and celebration of this special day.

3. This week has been a little calmer than last week, although I still had my regular activities-like Hebrew class, Russian lesson and Bible study. But by G-d’s grace, I was able to get a lot of administrative things done. I still have a few important things to do before Joe arrives but I am trusting that I will get done everything that I need to. I think almost everything is ready for Joe’s arrival which is a great relief. I am really looking forward to his arrival.

4. When Rachel was here on Christmas she set up Skype on my computer. So now I can call other people who have Skype for free.

5. This week I completed reading my first book in Russian (The Lion, the Witch and the wardrobe). It was a very satisfying feeling to finish one of my favorite books. In the new year I am planning to start on a new book, which is not a translation from English. Maybe I’ll finish it by the end of 07.

1. Please pray for Joe as he begins his trip to Moscow today, Dec. 30^th, and arrives here tomorrow, Dec. 31^st. He is coming from California so it will be a very long trip for him. Please pray that he will have a safe trip and then he will be able to get some rest. Pray also that he will be a blessing to whoever he comes in contact with along the way. And lastly please pray that all of his luggage will arrive with him.

New Years Eve here, is the day when families and friends celebrate with a big meal, gifts and a New year’s tree and of course fireworks. And as in the US ,, it is also a time when people drink excessively. Please pray that on this holiday G-d will keep people safe as they travel and celebrate and as they think back over the past year and look to a new one that they will turn their eyes to G-d who has sustained them and blessed them and brought them to this time.

3. This coming week Joe and I, along with the other Americans who help with my English club will be getting together with those who attend my English club and hopefully others to have fun together. My prayer is that as we have informal times together that we will have opportunities to get to know our Russian friends better and to share the reason that we are here in Russia . I am including a schedule of our events so that you can be praying for us during the week.

If any of you live in Moscow and would like to join us for any of these activities, please give me a call or an e-mail and I will be glad to give you the details.

4. In addition to all of these activities I am hoping that Joe will have the opportunity to make some evangelistic visits with Jews who are not yet believers. He may also have the opportunity to do some street evangelism. Please pray that G-d will bring that together and that he will be able to meet with those whose hearts are seeking after the L-rd.

Thank you for the many Christmas greetings that you sent to me during this season. I pray that all of you will have a very blessed New Year and that G-d will do above and beyond what you could think or imagine in your life and the lives of those you love.

Shalom Ministry Dessert Reception

Dessert Reception a Great Success!

Upon arriving at the Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church for the Shalom Ministry Dessert Reception, I couldn’t help but notice a warm, positive atmosphere as if it were emanating from the building itself. Handshakes, smiles, hugs and warm greetings were doled out in abundant supply. Personally, I only knew a few individuals, but it felt as if I knew everyone. My past experience at fund raising functions is that they are very enjoyable, but the entire evening is spent in the comfort of the people you know – with occasional, slightly uncomfortable attempts to make meaningless small talk with strangers. But tonight something was different; as if you had come home and something special was about to happen.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Mat 18:20)

Special Guest Attendee

Something special was happening this evening. It was one of those things that you can’t really put your finger on, but as a Born- Again Christian, I would have to say it was a move of the Holy Spirit. It always brings great joy to my heart to be in the presence of dedicated and committed servants of the L-rd. But there was more to this effervescent atmosphere than just being around G-d’s people. No, this reception was being attended by the Spirit of G-d Himself.

After the reception, I discussed this with Pastor John Denson. “Yes, well we’ve asked people to pray for this reception months ago,” he stated. “Well the L-rd certainly answered your prayers,” I replied.

Guest Speakers Were Phenomenal

Headlining the speakers that evening was David Brickner, the dynamic Executive Director of Jews for Jesus. Prior to his much anticipated address was: Pastor John Denson’s testimony and missionary vision for Shalom Ministry. This was followed by Brenda O’Bezil’s fascinating testimony of how she came to know the Messiah as a Jewish believer. She was followed by Dion and Sophia Taylor. Dion’s testimony was how he came to understand our calling as Christians to bring the good news of the gospel to the Jewish community. Although Dion’s “sticks and stones and rib bones” speech was entertaining, keeping the audience in stitches - his overall message was a quite profound call to action to support this ministry with the piercing question: Are we doing all we can to proclaim the Gospel from the housetops? (Mat 10:27)

Next up was Serena Glover and her spiritually moving rendition of “I Choose Jesus” The only thing disappointing about this song was that it had to end.

Finally Rabbi Loren Jacobs introduced David Brickner as the featured speaker. The preceding cast of speakers was so exciting that I almost wondered if Mr. Brickner’s address would be a little bit of a let down. It didn’t take long for me to realize this thought was ridiculous. Mr. Brickner’s speech was like watching a batch of C-4 high explosives take down a huge skyscraper. His fiery demeanor was well complimented by his expressive tone of speech. If there was a single word to describe his speech it would be passion. He spoke of his days witnessing on the streets of New York, using this testimony to underscore the principle that we really don’t bring anyone to Christ, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit. But then he reminded us that we just have to be willing to be used by the Spirit in order to participate in G-d’s plan of salvation. Not only was the speech passionate but the content was insightful. He gave great examples of Jews and blacks in both the Old and New Testaments. Mr. Brickner speech offered the perfect climax to the evening, ending with the clarion call to make a commitment to this important work.

Being Part of Something Special

After Mr. Brickner ended his speech, people left their tables to sample some of the fine delicacies offered this evening. It was a joyous time of fellowship with dedicated believers in Christ.

As much as I was enjoying the fellowship the words of the speakers were ringing in the back of my mind like: “You are part of something special; this has never been done before in history; and, G-d works through improbable circumstances.” Yes there was truly something special about this evening and as it drew to a close, you just had to believe that G-d had anointed the entire evening.

On the way home my wife confirmed my own feelings stating that she had a blessed evening. Evenings are always blessed when you are in the presence of Jesus.

An Opportunity to Become Part of Something Special

It was a wonderful and an amazing evening, but it was only a beginning. You too can have the opportunity to be part of this important work and move of the Holy Spirit to bring the Good News to the Jewish community. These are Jesus’ own blood brothers. They are the ones that preserved the scriptures through great dedication and sacrifice so that you and your loved ones could come to know the Savior of the World, the Jewish Messiah – Yeshua. Isn’t it time we gave something back to this community? Maybe you can’t witness because of circumstances outside of your control, but you can be part of this ministry that can. As Jesus has said, “…freely ye have received, freely give.”

Article by: Don Lett

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of G-d unto

salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

Shalom Ministry

Please take a moment out of your day to check out our website. It is packed full of interesting information about upcoming events, seminar offerings, and topical teachings.

As we enter the New Year, I am reminded that the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that “ if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2Co 5:17)

I wonder if the L-rd has placed on your heart to consider supporting this new and unique ministry to G-d’s chosen people.

Maybe this New Year is the perfect timing for old ideas to pass away and to become a part of this special calling to bring the Gospel to the Jewish community.

Shalom Ministries has a new web site Please take a look at this site and see how Brother John can help. Here is the link: http://www.shalomministry.com/

Brother John has a new brochure to send out with speaking topics. Please contact him if you are interested in having him come and speak at your Church or Congregation.

Ministry & Outreach News from Hal and Esther Garrett, First Baptist Church Hardy, Cherokee Village, AR.

This past fall Hal and Esther took a team to Israel to work on the Tabernacle project. The following photos give you an illustration of the work they have been doing in Israel.

Ministry Report and blessings from Rabbi Richard Geiger, Valley of Blessing, Greensboro, NC.

Praise Reports:

Our holiday celebrations went well. We were all surprised to have 92 in attendance at the Chanukah service. It went well. We had one Israeli lady (who we have been in fellowship with this past year) recognize and believe in Yeshua as her Messiah. Baruch Ha'Shem Yeshua.

We have been led to a person who will lead us through incorporation.

We have ordered a practice Torah Scroll.

Prayer Requests:

We are praying for another location to worship.

We are praying for a member to step up to serve as treasurer,

We are praying for increased giving,

We are praying for speaking opportunities coming up (especially with an Arab congregation).

I have a lunch meeting with the senior pastor of a large SBC congregation next week on Wednesday (please pray). I have attended a number of SBC events in the last 6 months but have not received much help to date. I will continue to attend the monthly minister's meetings and occasionally other events.

Friday night (December 29th, 2006) we had our first baby dedication in our services. It was beautiful. Our Worship Ministers wife had a baby girl on Dec. 20th. She weighed 5 lbs 8 oz. 18 inches long. She was a miracle baby. The L-rd reigns, amen.

Please be in prayer for us as we are making some necessary changes to our building.

Also please be in prayer for an elder in our congregation. His father passed away Thursday night of December 28th. I am going to officiating the service. He is the ONLY believer in his family. His father did come to know the L-rd about a month ago. Halleluyah!! The elders name is Walter Lunsford.

The SBMF Annual meeting will be coming up soon in San Antonio, TX. We recommend that you contact the SBC Lodging Agency for reservations.

Faxed reservations should be faxed to the SBC Housing Bureau at 210-207-6702.

Email: sahousing@sanantoniovisit.com
Mailed reservations should be mailed to SBC Housing Bureau at:
203 S. St. Mary’s,
2nd Floor, San Antonio, TX 78205.

We will again look into childcare for the times that we have meetings. There may be some of you who would like to attend but you need help with your children. Please let us know if you have childcare needs for these meetings. Please let us know if any of your young adults that are attending would like to work with the children as serving ones.

We have tentative plans in the works. As of this date we are scheduled to meet Saturday for Yeshiva and Business meetings. We are praying that a Messianic Congregation in the area will help us with worship music and a place to meet on Erev Shabbat (Friday Evening) for corporate worship. If you know of a congregation in the San Antonio, TX. area please contact me via e-mail. We will be contacting the local SBC associations in the San Antonio area in hopes to find a congregation who will give us hospitality for Friday evening Erev Shabbat celebration.

The dates for our meetings are scheduled for June 8th, 9th & 10th, 2006. Many of the brothers and sisters wish to attend the SBC Pastors Conference that starts Sunday evening. We plan to have Davidic Worship Dance training on Sunday afternoon.

Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. [Ezekiel 1:15-21]

We are on the move. We are speaking to two wonderful speakers. Baruch HaShem Yeshua. As soon as we can we will give you some information about the speakers.

We do want to thank the SBC Convention Relations Staff and the NAMB as they help us with arrangements for our meetings and supply the room for our meetings. They have been such a blessing to us. Please lift them up in your prayers as they work hard to make the SBC Annual Meeting and all of the associated events a wonderful experience for all who attend.

Please Pray: We are praying that we will be sponsored by NAMB to have a booth in the Convention Center this year. We would like to let our SBC Brothers and Sisters know who we are and how we can help them in this race we run together. This would be a great chance for us to work with NAMB in illustrating to the SBC Brothers and Sisters, how we can help as an arm of NAMB. We do not know if NAMB can help us with this booth. We are in prayer with an expectation of answered prayer.

And all things you ask in prayer , believing, you will receive. [Matthew 21:22]

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2007 SBMF Annual Meetings. Unless we hear the Shofar sound and a call from above, "Come up here". Then we look forward to seeing you up there.

I pray that you had a wonderful New Year. I pray that this year is one of blessing, praise and glory to the King of Kings and L-rd of L-rds.

Please pray for our dear brother Aslam (our NAMB rep.) and his family. Aslam's daughter was involved in an accident in November and she was injured severely. Please lift her up in your prayers. Also lift the Aslam and his family up in your prayers.

Please continue to lift Rav. Jay Fielding and his wife Michele, in your prayers as they started a new Messianic Jewish Congregation in Marietta, GA.

Adat Shalom in Dallas, TX. (Rabbi Robin Rose) has a new web page. Please continue to pray for this new web presence to have a great effect on those who are seeking.

Please continue to lift up Shalom Ministries (Pastor John Denson) as their new web presence illustrates their ministry to those who need to know.

Please keep praying for the ministry of Today With G-d. Translators and financial support is needed to bring the message to those in nations who speak in different tongues.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters who are working all over this world in missions service. Our Brothers and Sisters in the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board and all the missionaries, all over the world.

Please pray for Brother John Denson and myself as we work to secure a solid ministry and evangelism partnership with our Brothers and Sisters in the SBC African American Fellowship.

Please pray for Vice President Jay Isbell, myself and the SBMF Executive Board as we work with Aslam Masih and the North American Mission Board, to make your SBMF more resourceful to you in your ministries.

Again Please Pray: We are praying that we will be able to be sponsored by NAMB so we can have a booth in the Convention Center this year. We would like to let our SBC Brothers and Sisters know who we are and how we can help them in this race we run together, leading the nations and our Jewish kinsman to Yeshua.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of G-d revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. [Rom 1:16-17 KJV]

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 that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. [Matt 28:19-20 NASU]

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [Rom 10:12-13 NIV]

News From Ruth, Our Sister Missionary In Russia

Shalom Ministry Dessert Reception