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.”

We pray that your Pesach was good. We have received several reports of Pesach Seders where G-d moved in powerful ways.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Messiah Yeshua,

It is my pleasure to greet you in the Lord Yeshua. My name is Michael Saffle and I am honored to serve you as the president of the SBMF. I am looking forward to all that HaShem will do this year in the ministry. We are continuing to see the L-rd at work in the Ministries of the SBMF.

I am pleased to announce that the plans for the 2010 SBMF conference are coming together nicely. The annual meeting will be held in Orlando Florida on June 11th & 12th, 2010. Our worship team will be international recording artist Zemer Levav. Zemer Levav consists of Mark and Shimrit Hanes and their five daughters. They have recorded and published two CDs and are working on a third. Zemer will be leading our worship service on Friday and perform in a mini-concert. They will also be providing worship sets throughout the day on Saturday. They plan to perform their original music but also to lead us with some old familiar messianic favorites. I am sure you will be blessed.

Our speakers will be H. B. London and Bruce Mills. H. B. London is the leader of Focus on the Family's Pastor to Pastor Ministry. H. B. will be sharing with us about knowing God’s plan for our ministry and will be encouraging those of us who are striving and thriving in the trenches. Bruce Mills is the founding Deacon of Jerusalem Baptist Church and will be sharing with us about God’s plan for evangelism. He will challenge us as we share the Truth of the Gospel of Messiah with those who have not trusted in Him, by reaching out to our Israeli family.

I am excited about this conference, especially considering we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SBMF. We are working on a youth track and on something for the kids. I hope that this year will be a time of encouragement and bridge building within the fellowship. It is time for us to put away all that so easily besets us and run with endurance the race set before us.

Another exciting development is that once again NAMB will be sponsoring an SBMF booth at the SBC Convention the following week in Orlando. This means we will be able to share our ministries with other ministry leaders and messengers. I hope that this news excites you as much as it does me!

I am asking all ministries, ministry leaders, members and those who are encouraged by the ministry of the SBMF to help us to raise the funds to cover the expenses for the booth and the SBMF Conference. We estimate that we will need about $5,000.00, to meet the expenses of these two events. Please pray about helping to support this effort. I challenge each congregation and ministry to give $250.00 toward this effort. That is a small amount, considering the number of missions we have in the Fellowship. That amount would allow us to fund the booth and the necessary printing and advertisements we need to provide to the SBC. Please pray and consider giving to the booth fund. HaShem, Himself has given us this opportunity.

In closing, May the Lord Bless you and keep you as you serve in Spirit and truth.

Your fellow servant,
Michael Saffle

Ministry news from Congregational Leader Jeff Dumont Congregation Beth Yeshua

Congregation Beth Yeshua has moved and changed their name to Lion of Judah Messianic Congregation.

Ministry news from Congregational Leader Lewis Gillilan of Beit Shomrim, in Longview, TX.

We meet in the Fellowship Hall at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
1300 Judson Road
Longview, TX

PRAISE HIS NAME!-HAPPY NEW YEAR! God bless you and your family! Thank you for supporting our ministry. Please pray for BOLDED newsletter items and our MINISTRY in general. Please pray for our Tuesday Night Bible Study FELLOWSHIPS and Thursday Mall OUTREACHES. Please pray for a FAMILY Bat Mitzvah in Bradenton, FL Jan 16 and I will share testimony at a SENIORS’ home in Roswell, GA Jan 24. I am writing a BOOK about my testimony and our ministry testimonies. Please pray for God’s hand to be on it!

EDDIE AND LURA BECKFORD-Please continue to pray for EDDIE and LURA, here’s an update from them: “We were supposed to have court today, but the prosecutor asked for more time. Next court date is Jan. 18 - this means the prosecutor is two months late in getting her summation to the Judge. Our lawyer can do nothing until she does that. More postponement means more house arrest. We are having a difficult time getting out to look at houses and we need to move by February, since we are coming back to the USA for a tour in March. Another case was postponed until next October because the Judge is pregnant and won't return to work until then. The Lord will work it out; He always does! We have been distributing Arabic and Russian Calendars with Bible verses on them. We are looking for ways to advertise the Community Center for Arad; it will be the largest outreach in southern Israel! The Lord set it up so we would have an in-depth discussion with a Sudanese about inviting Y'shua into his heart & Life! He is seriously considering it! We can't get out much because of the house arrest, but the Lord uses the time wisely! We’re looking for a reliable house sitter for 6 months; Pray for it!”

TUESDAY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP-INA (Jewish non-believer widow) we minister to came and stayed one night! She is going through trials and tribulations and would benefit greatly from your prayers. LEE, our regular Bible study teacher was out of town, TIM (his replacement) got sick and I was sick. 11 year old SIMEON (Jewish believer) offered to teach on the Book of the Revelation and did an awesome job! MIKE (Jewish believer) had a relapse and is in a drug rehabilitation program. Please pray for him to follow Jesus.

AROUND ATLANTA-I had lots of divine appointments in various stores and restaurants around Atlanta last month. STEVE (Jewish man) asked about my “Jesus Loves You” t-shirt and told me he was in a car accident and came to faith! He‘s new to Atlanta, and said he might come over one Tuesday night. I ran into RONNIE again. He’s the hostile Jewish man who gets upset whenever he sees my t-shirt. This time it was where he worked and he had to help me. We had a longer conversation this time. He even took a tract but later told me even though he looked at our website, he threw the tract away? He’s says, “They are trying to kill the Jews, why would you help them?” I ran into RYAN (Jewish non-believer) who used to live on the next street. He thinks he can have forgiveness of sins by doing good deeds? ERIC (Jewish non-believer) is the host at a restaurant and told me he likes my t-shirt. He’s seen me lots of times, but this was the first time he said something. It turns out his PARENTS are believers, and he was open enough to take a Gospel tract while the Cohen FAMILY of eight walked by and noticed my t-shirt! I walked into a restaurant and gave my name to the hostess. I noticed GARY and EVA (Jewish non-believers I have a very long history with and run into periodically) sitting at a table with three other obviously Jewish COUPLES. One by one they all turned around to look at my t-shirt!

PALM SPRINGS CALIFORNIA-STEVE, a Jewish believer from Oregon, sat next to me at the Atlanta Airport, invited me to the Red Carpet Club at the Denver Airport, before we caught our respective flights, and we had a great time of fellowship! My friend STEVE BABKOW pastors two Messianic CONGREGATIONS in the Palm Springs area and invites me out for the Festival of Lights Parade in downtown Palm Springs. I spoke at the congregations on Friday night and Saturday morning. They have a float in the parade and some of his people wear “Jesus Loves You” Jewish star t-shirts. I get there early and distribute Gospel tracts down one side of the parade route and then walk behind the float and distribute Gospel tracts up the other side of the parade route. I gave out about 2,000 Gospel tracts and shared with a Polish Jewish man named JOSEPH. He saw my t-shirt and was all excited and said, “I Jew too!” On Sunday, I distributed Gospel tracts at the Tamale Festival in Indio. On Monday, DAVID CHAGALL interviewed me for his television program, “The Last Hour”. When I got to the Palm Springs Airport, they said there was fog and no planes could come in? Thankfully, a flight to San Francisco was delayed (I was booked on a later flight to San Francisco) and I was able to get on that flight which was the last plane out of Palm Springs! While in the San Francisco Airport, I distributed Gospel tracts. I wasn’t sure of the rules (you can at LAX), but figured they would stop me and they did. You need a permit. Nevertheless, I spent a long time sharing with a MAN from Bosnia, gave out several tracts and challenged MANY with my t-shirt! I arrived in Chicago just before a blizzard and got one of the last flights out to Atlanta! Although I flew from Atlanta to Denver to Palm Springs to San Francisco to Chicago to Atlanta, I used frequent flyer miles and it only cost $10, and I was able to show off my “Jesus Loves You” t-shirt in all those airports!

HANUKKAH GIFT BAGS-We went to 12 malls and gave 71 Hanukkah Gift Bags to ISRAELIS working at malls during Hanukkah! The bags were purchased at a Judaica store and said “Happy Hanukkah”. We put a Hebrew Gospel tract, an English Gospel tract and assorted candy in each bag. They get excited by my “Jesus Loves You” Jewish star t-shirt, and we greet them with “Hannukah Sameach” (Happy Hanukkah in Hebrew). My Outreach Pastor BEN and my friend TODD (Jewish believer) came with me during the week. We had a variety of reactions and shared with many. Some didn’t want it? One wanted a t-shirt, one was from Arad (we were both excited), one said they would come to church, one said they never heard of Jesus before and one said we were so sweet and thanked us for remembering them again this year! Although this is an awesome outreach, there is some gray area about distributing things at a mall, and we did have security watch us at one of the malls. Another effective way to reach out to Israelis is by sharing one on one with them. MARY in South Carolina wrote: “Hi, Steve. I had the privilege of witnessing to a Jewish person in the shopping mall a few days ago. He was selling something down the center of the hallway and gave me a sample of his product. We got to talking. He was not a Christian, but I started talking about what Jesus meant to me. I asked him if he knew where he would go when he died, and told him he could know for sure about heaven. We ended up praying together right there in the mall. He repeated the sinner’s prayer after me. Then he told me he felt different inside and had a happy feeling. I trust that God has and is, working in his life. Have a wonderful Christmas!”

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

1. Thanks for praying for our ladies Bible study. This week we were able to download and watch Beth Moore's teaching and have started doing our homework. It is a wonderful study and I can see that God is already using it to transform me more and more into His image.

2. It looks like I will have several opportunities to celebrate Passover next month. I will probably be involved in leading and coordinating 3 Passover seders (holiday celebrations) in 3 different locations and I have been asked to lead a time of prayer for the Jews at a Missions school. I am very excited about all of these opportunities. Please pray that I will have the time that I need to get these organized for these events and most importantly that they will be used by Him to draw many people into His kingdom.

3. Yesterday, Friday Feb. 19th, I go together for lunch with one of my colleagues who is working here in Novosibirsk. We had fun eating pizza, talking and watching some of the Olympics. She is going to be returning to the States in 2 months as her term of service is ending so I am grateful to be able to spend time with her before she leaves.

4. Throughout the month of January and into February we have had record low temperatures. However this week it finally got above zero and almost up to 30F. A heat wave. The temperatures went back below zero yesterday and are supposed to stay cold for several more days but I am thankful for the break we had and hoping that this will be the last blast of really cold weather before we move towards spring.

5. The big news in our household is that Dodi, my Persian cat, got her hair cut yesterday. I found a groomer that was willing to come to me and she did a great job. Dodi seems much more comfortable and she looks so cute. Don't worry that she will freeze in these cold temps. My apartment is very hot and she doesn't go outside so I think she will be just fine.

1. People from my English club are coming over today to bake Purim cookies. Please pray that God will bring those that He wants to come and that we will have an opportunity to engage them in spiritual conversations.

2. Next Saturday, Feb. 27th, Zoya, Irena and I will be hosting a Purim celebration in Berdsk. I have not had time to meet with Zoya and hear about her plans, etc. Please pray that we will find time to meet together to discuss this and other plans. She has sent out letters inviting people to the celebration. Please pray that many will come. Last time we doubled our turn out, from 3 for Jewish New Year to 6 for Hanukkah. Please pray that he will double our numbers again this time and that 12 Jewish people will attend and that they will be people who have hearts that are open to God.

3. My team mate Donna, who lives in Moscow, is busy with preparations for English camp which will happen in July. Erin and I will be participating in it and I hope that my team mates in Israel will be able to come as well. Please pray for Donna as she does her initial preparations. This is a very big task and can be overwhelming at times. Please pray that God will provide the resources that we need in order for all of us to be able to participate in this event.

1. Thanks for your prayers for the visit that Zoya and I had with Arcadia, the blind man that we gave the cane too. He was very pleased to get the cane and also to have visitors. He is without any family at all but seems comfortable with his life. We had a chance to share about our faith but didn't get a chance to clearly hear where he is on his faith walk. We did offer to find him a Bible on CD and he seemed pleased about that. Please pray that the truth we spoke to him will impact his life and that his eyes would be open to his Messiah.

2. This week English club met at my house since Erin had another commitment that evening. We celebrated Valentine's Day and I gave each of them a Scripture verse about love, in English. They were all anxious to look up their verses in a Russian Bible to be able to understand them. Please pray that these verses will start them thinking about the love that God has for them. Please continue to pray that we will be able to have spiritual conversations with them and that many of them would come to faith.

3. On Monday night we planned to start our Ladies Bible study for the IMB ladies serving here. We will be studying Beth Moore's book Breaking Free. Unfortunately we were not able to download the teaching so we had a time of prayer instead. It was great to be back together again. Please pray that God will teach us much as we study His Word together.

1. I am planning on attending a conference in Poland in April and am having some problems with coordinating all the details. Please pray that I will be able to get all of the details sorted out this week. I am very excited at the thought of reconnecting with some friends while I am there.

2. Next Saturday, Feb. 20th, I have invited the members of my English club to come over to my house for a baking day. We will be baking a special cookie that people eat on Purim (coming up Feb. 28). Please pray that there will be a good turn out for this event and that this more informal setting will be a good time to get to know people better.

3. On Feb. 27th Zoya, Irena and I will be hosting a Purim celebration in Berdsk, where we have celebrated Rosh Hashana and Hanukkah. Please pray that as we make plans and visit people before the celebration that God will prepare people's hearts to come and hear the message of salvation that comes through their Messiah.

I pray that each of you experience the great love of our Lord on Valentine's Day. I love you all and thank God for your support of me and the ministry here in Novosibirsk.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

1. After a month of traveling in the Middle East I arrived home on Sunday, Jan. 31st. It is wonderful to be home again in spite of the bitterly cold weather that we have been having since the first part of January. My cats were glad to see me although Dodi still is keeping an eye out for Natasha the cat sitter to come back. I guess that they truly bonded.

2. My time in the Middle East was wonderful. I flew into Israel and spent a few days in Eilat with my supervisor and his family and another family who serve in Argentina. The weather was sunny and warm and the fellowship was great. We got to see a model of the Tabernacle in the wilderness which was really amazing. After a few days in Israel we crossed over to Jordan and spent 3 1/2 weeks in training in Amman. There were 5 families who participated in the training-3 who are working with Jews and 2 who are working with Muslims. This was the first time in their history of doing these conferences when Jewish workers outnumbered Muslim workers. We really had a great time of fellowship, learning, exchanging ideas, etc, etc. I also got to enjoy some American restaurants and even saw a movie in English. Coming from Novosibirsk that was a real treat for me. The weather was very pleasant the first few weeks we were there but turned cool and rainy the last week or so (although still balmy compared to Siberia). By far the highlight of my time in Jordan was getting to know my colleagues who serve in many different places in the world. I once again was amazed at the really great people that I am blessed to count as my colleagues. Although the conference itself was very intense (8 hours a day 5 days a week) I did manage to get in a trip to Petra, which is an ancient city built into beautiful red rocks. If you have seen the movie Indian Jones and the Last Crusade than you have seen Petra. We took a really rugged trail down the mountain and I was sure that I wouldn't make it but I did. If you want to see a picture of me navigating some of these steep cliffs let me know and I'll send one your way. After the conference was over I went back to Israel for a few days. I had a really good time with my team mates who live in Israel. They took me to Jerusalem one day and another day I got to meet a family who recently moved to Israel from France. I had met them on Skype but was glad to get to meet them in person. Thanks so much for your prayers for me during this past month. God truly did hear and answer them in amazing ways.

3. Since arriving back in Novosibirsk I have met with one lady from my English club for tea and also had one meeting of our English club. It was great to reconnect with them again. Our numbers for English club were a bit down this week. Please pray that those who were coming last year will return and that some new people will come as well. Also please pray for Tamara, whose daughter and family live in Israel. I got to know her better when she came over for tea and I again was struck at how desperately they all need to know the Lord. Please pray that the next time we meet I will have the chance to share the Gospel with her.

4. Last night, Feb. 4th, the team that lives here in Novosibirsk got together to celebrate Rachel L's 16th birthday. Several of our team members were sick and not able to come but it was really fun to see everyone again and to catch up on the latest news from Novosibirsk. Rachel's dad, Andy is traveling to Kiev today and will be gone for 10 days or so. Please pray for his time away and for the rest of the family as they are here without him. Also please pray for a quick recovery for those on the team who are sick.

1. Tomorrow, Feb. 6th, my colleague Zoya and I will be going to visit a Jewish man who is blind and requested that I buy him a cane in the US since they are not available here. I found one on the internet and my brother sent it to me. Tomorrow we will bring him the cane. Please pray that this gift will open up the opportunity for us to share our faith with him. Please pray that Arkadia's spiritual eyes will be open to the truth that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.

2. Since returning to Novosibirsk I have been rather overwhelmed with all that I need to get done. I have lots of ideas and plans for future ministry and really need God's wisdom about how to best use my time. I also have realized that it is important for me to have regular times of rest also. Please pray that I will find that balance and be able to glorify God with all my being, each day.

3. One of my colleagues, David, who was participating in the training in Amman, had to leave before the training was over because his mother passed away. Please pray for him and his family during this time of grieving.

Thank you so much for holding the ropes for me. I could not do what I do without your prayers. May God bless each of you richly today.

Beth El Shaddai is hosting a Mid-Rash study over the internet each Monday evening. This web study is moth in text and voice over the internet. As soon as we have the details, we will post them on this page.

Monday Night Midrash is "Online" - to access the room please contact us via email at: info@shaddai.com

News from Amy Downey at Tzedakah Ministries -- "To Equip His Church to Reach His People"

The purpose of Tzedakah Ministries can be found in its name -- Tzedakah -- which in Hebrew means "righteousness." However, Tzedakah means so much more. As the Holman Bible Dictionary explains, “.... righteousness is the fulfillment of the terms of a covenant between God and humanity or between humans in the full range of human relationships.”

Tzedakah Ministries has a burden to see the Jewish people restored to a righteous covenant relationship with Him -- one that is only possible through Messiah Jesus.

Take a look at her web site “Mystery Solved with Messiah Jesus is an apologetic discussion aspect of Tzedakah Ministries.”

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [Matt 28:19-20 KJV]

We believe that we are what we eat. Eat Life from the Tree of Life. Be filled with the Light and Life of Yeshua. Read the Word.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. [Revelation 1:3 NKJV]