January/February 2014 Report

Dear Fellow Workers,

Where did the first two months of 2014 go??? Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14). But, looking on the happy side: we still have TEN MONTHS to work! So lets be thankful and busy! B-r-r-r! This has been a cold winter! And its not over yet! As with all of you, the heat bills have been big enough to choke a horse, even though we try to minimize as much as possible. Since I am the only one in the house now, I keep a little heater in the bedroom and in the room I use for an office; the rest of the house is hurry through temperature! But we have been spared the power outages that many in the northern states (and even Georgia) have experienced, along with ice and snow. More things to be thankful for! Jerry and Paula left February 28 to begin the long trip to India. They will be gone about seven weeks, spending the last two teaching in the spring Bible school in Myanmar. I wish you could have been here to have seen their diligent work in the office, finishing up responsibilities here, right on up to mid-afternoon when they were scheduled to leave. God blessed the work so richly when He brought the Bates and the Rushmores to Winona shortly before J.C. died. Without them....? But with their abilities and willingness to work, much has been added in these 5 1/2 years to the program that was in place at that time. And opportunities continue to open up, so please be praying with us that it will be possible to go through every open door. The Rushmores have been in Guyana for the past month, with a very full schedule of teaching all over the country. Their emphasis in fulfillment of local requests is not primarily evangelism, though two Gospel meetings were conducted, but further grounding of those who are already Christians and providing deeper Scripture studies even for the men who preach. They returned to Winona on March 3. We continue to be so very thankful that Bonnie is doing well and has been able to cope with the challenging schedule Louis had planned for both of them. Volume 79 of The Voice of Truth International raises a question on the front cover: Hey!!! What do we do with the leftovers??? On the back cover we list ways that we hope the magazine will be used in outreach: leave copies in waiting rooms; share with people you meet; use them in prison ministry; give them to contacts in door-knocking; share with visitors at the assemblies, etc., etc. We would hope that not a single copy is left to collect dust on a display table in the foyer. Let them be the silent, ever-present little soldiers sharing the Gospel! When the Estes truck pulled into the parking area, we had help with the unloading from a group of sisters who had come Betty (Mrs. J.C.) Choate
(Continuing the work begun by J.C. in 1962) 708 Burton Drive Winona, MS 38967 662-283-1192 email: Choate@ WorldEvangelism.org Web site: WorldEvangelism.org gospelgazette.com

Here at Home

Sponsor: Liberty Church of Christ 689 Highway 25 Dennis, MS 38838 662-454-7362 Co-worker with Wayne and Janet Barrier Byron and Gay Nichols Jerry and Paula Bates Louis & Bonnie Rushmore Allon Brumley Robin Dunaway

Global Harvest

The Voice of Truth International

The Voice of Truth International

over from the neighboring Huntsville church of Christ to prepare about 600 appeal letters ready for the mail. This is another tremendous blessing, that volunteers from nearby or distant congregations will come for a day or so and help with special projects that we would not have time to do ourselves. In addition to their valuable aid in the work, they are able to see for themselves what we do, which makes the whole effort much more meaningful to them. The latter part of January, volunteers from the Collierville, TN congregation helped with counting and bundling tracts, getting appeal letters in the mail, and doing numerous other things. It may be that a group in your area would want to come over for some of that special work! If so, just let us know and well arrange a suitable date. We even offer free bed and breakfast if you stay overnight or for several days, as has occasionally been possible. And when its time to go, we give each one a box and let them choose the books from our inventory that will be useful to them. So, come on! The welcome mat is out! Sadly, even though the Lords final words to His people were, Go into all the world and preach the Gospel...., evangelism doesnt seem to be the primary focus for many congregations and individual Christians. Others in the past have tried to publish mission magazines, and they failed. We began Global Harvest, a magazine intended to help inform the church about what is being done to evangelize the world, the opportunities that are there, and what needs to be done yet. It serves as a voice for the work here in America, and for missionaries overseas. We would be thrilled if demand provided the funds and the office help to make it a monthly publication, but that has never been possible. Instead, with the support of a few subscribers, and through the World Evangelism team members, we have paid for the printing and distribution of nine issues on a twice-yearly basis 84 pages, full color. We have been told repeatedly that it is one of the best magazines in the brotherhood. With volume 10, we have been forced to cut back to 64 pages and to print Global Harvest only once a year, at least for now. I do the collecting of articles, editing where necessary, and the total lay-out, which is a very big undertaking. Because of other responsibilities in the work, and the necessity to double-down on time-investment in developing the proposed Bible class materials, Into Gods World, I dont have time to do two 84-page issues, and we dont have the funds to print twice a year. I apologize for having to make such a decision. We had hoped that more of the congregations that sponsor and support missionaries would subscribe in bulk for their members, so that they would have a better picture of what their congregation was helping to do, but so far there hasnt been much of that kind of involvement. Perhaps it will come in time. Muscle and a Shovel, written by Michael Shank. This is an excellent coverage of the message of salvation. The website for checking further about the book and ordering it is: michaelshankministries.com According to reports, more than 7000 souls have been converted through the circulation of this book, since 2011! I have bought copies and shared with people here in the States as well as with the ones with whom we work overseas. This is what Harold Thomas in Colombo, Sri Lanka wrote after he had read it:

Global Harvest

Recommendations...

courage you to order a copy for yourself and, before you finish reading it, youll probably be ordering to share with others!

Dearest Betty, It was some time last week, Lilani called me in a hurry to my work place Betty has sent you Muscle & shovel please come & check it out. Frankly I didnt know what she was saying, but replied Ok, let me have look at it. When I went home I saw the postal cover that you had sent & told Lala Do you know the postage cost? Its $18! I took the book to my hands but truly it had a lot of muscle but I didnt have the shovel to dig in at that time! Last Sunday was going to be hectic as Bro. Chandras wife & daughter were getting baptised before the service there after I was to take the lesson & complete with Bible study- the whole process took about 4 hours. Anyway Lala prepared a good milk coffee before Service & thank God all went on well but I was tired. As Bro. Nimal was in hospital Bro. Chandra took the Lords Supper for him & Jayanthi. Came home past 1 PM, had a quick wash & sat with the book on our easy chair. As I read the opening chapter, without my knowledge I had tears in my eyes as virtually Lilani & I had just brought 2 precious souls to Top of the Steps. Got Lilani also to read the 1st chapter. Betty said this book is really for us! Ive completed the book just now at my work place, stealing a lot of time! No doubt a book of a life time. So much Ive learnt & much more for teaching others. Many many thanks for the book. Ive decided to purchase a few books through ordering information & distribute to some worthy souls. Lilani is always in and out of hospital caring for people. Tomorrow we have a Bible study. Many Thanks once again. May God guide us in all His work, in His Sons Kingdom. Love, Harold & Lilani Id have trouble finding words to make a more enthusiastic recommendation than that! If you havent seen it, I en-

Yes, some literary license was taken on a few details (such as, the tomb is shown in a mountainous area rather than in a garden). but the essence of the Gospel message is passionately and emotionally portrayed in Son of God. I cried for joy and thankfulness and sorrow during much of the movie. Your love for God as our Father and for Jesus as our Savior and Brother will surely be deepened by seeing this film. The baptism is portrayed as a burial -- and Peter and the disciples are shown as partaking of the Lords Supper on that first Sunday, when they realized Jesus had been resurrected. Granted, the Scriptures dont say that they had that remembrance that first Lords Day, but we know historically that it became the practice of the church -- and I was surprised that the makers of the film made that emphasis. The message of love and compassion is strongly portrayed, as well as Gods endurance in staying with His commitment to make a way for our salvation, in spite of the horrors inflicted on His Son. How can anyone doubt His love, after all He has done? Last week I was thinking about the darkness for three hours before Jesus death, and then when He said, It is finished and He died, there was a strong earthquake, the rocks were rent, the curtain of the Temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom, and many of the saints were resurrected and appeared to people in the city after His resurrection (Matthew 27:51-53) -- That must have been Gods statement of affirmation of His Son, on the one hand, and of condemnation of those who had crucified Him on the other. We read the words and know, intellectually, what happened. But if we had been there, what a frightening, traumatic upheaval it would have been! Its like, momentarily, God could stand no more! Thank God He loved [loves] us that much. And, sinners that we are, I thank God that, ...If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:31-35) Who? Only ourselves...

I dont often recommend movies, but ....

India is about 1/3 the size of the US, with three times the population. Pakistan borders her on the West, Nepal on the North, Myanmar lies to the East, and Sri Lanka is the large teardrop just below the southern tip. I have circled in red the cities/areas where the men live with whom we have had a very long working relationship, dating from 1962! We also help with radio programs in the Philippines and with literature in parts of Africa; some of our team also teach in Bible colleges in several countries.

Now for a word from some of the brethren with whom we work overseas (and Ive included a little map!):

From Asghar Alis daughter, Dilnawaz: Dear All, First of all I am humbly thankful to all of you for sending me the recordings that I requested. It was such a big surprise for not only my parents, but also for my family and congregation. While I was displaying the recordings on the projector I was looking at my fathers face who was only astonished and was deeply involved in what was going on. The AsgharAli delivering the first sermon for worship messages from you were in the new building. Seventy-eight gathered for the followed by a presentation service. Those who gave to make this possible have displaying the history of the done a wonderful thing. present Church building starting from 25th March, 2007 when we received an e-mail from Pinellas Park to vacate the 59 Abu Bakar Block property. Once again I am thankful to all of you from the core of my heart.

Asghar Ali in Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan (Asghar Ali) Chandigarh, India (Earnest Gill) New Delhi, India (The Davids) Kakinada, India Telangana state, India (Joshua Gootam) Bangalore, India (P.R. Swamy) Kangayam, India (S. Rajanayagam) Batlagundu, India (B. Arjunan) Madurai, India (Philemon Rajah) Trivandrum, India (P.K. Varghese) Colombo, Sri Lanka (Harold Thomas) Myanmar

Earnest Gill, India

Earnest Gill has written: Let me start with thanking that many of you are concerned and are still praying for Benu [She had surgery for cancer. BBC]. We praise God that the brethren were so quick in helping that we felt Gods providential help at each moment. The complete year long treatment will go till June last. 10 sittings out of 17 have already completed. We appreciate the love that brothers and sisters have shown in this time of need. All her tests are shown as normal, except that the glucose level has gone higher than the normal level. Financial Help for the College [In north India, where few foreigners have done short-term work, the church is small and Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam are dominant. Earnest operates the only Hindi-speaking Bible school, and it badly needs to be continued.] We are short of funds. To continue the college we are in a dire need of $2,000 a month. This covers the building rent, electricity, water, tax, students maintenance, staff salary, evangelistic efforts (We provide food, lodging and free tuition to the students and send them to preach the word in Chandigarh and nearby towns). We have not received this months help. Without you, we could not, and we will not be able to do this great work. As in the past, though, I have taken the risk to continue the college without any promise from anywhere, yet I depend on God and trust Him fully and he has brought us safe thus far. I believe that this is the greatest job on earth and the greatest work to prepare people to serve the Lord. [If any who are reading this would be in position to help, please contact us at World Evangelism, P.O. Box 72, Winona, MS 38967, or call 661-283-1192. When students graduate we need to help them because in a completely non-Christian area, where the Church of Christ is new and denominations see it as their enemy, there is no other way except to help the new preacher to stand on his own. I am glad to share with you that the local congregation has been giving some funds for this so that we may help at least 5 people with a meager amount of Rs. 1,000 a month for a year. In addition to translating brother Eddie Cloers Truth for Today (Hindi and Punjabi), and distributing it all over India and abroad, The Voice of Truth International and other literature have been printed and given free. VOTI-5 (Hindi) is almost ready to print. 5,000 copies will be distributed throughout India. I am told that we have done a great thing by starting the VOTI in Hindi language. It makes me humble to think that the Lord is using us mightily for His service. We are happy to announce that the year 2014 also started in a positive note. We had 5 baptisms in January. One on 10th, a young lady from Konganapuram, and on 15th two ladies from Nagapattinam and on 19th two ladies from Kangayam obeyed the gospel. We determined to win as many souls for Christ in this year 2014. Please pray for our efforts. We already had one gospel meeting in a city called Tirupur on 26th January 2014, and we want to hold at least 12 gospel meetings in different locations of the state. Holding gospel meetings helps to reach and teach many at a time. Although we have monthly and quarterly magazines, we are in need of Tracts on various topics to reach the mass. We made a request with Sister Betty for this and hope and pray that she will consider this genuine need according to her financial situation. I humbly request the Global Harvest readers to support this great and dedicated sister in all that she does for the spread of the gospel across the globe. Greetings and love from brothers Kingsly and Philemon Rajah. Just now, I and Brother Philemon returned from nearby district Dindigul after finishing the 3 day/ month J.C.School The very modern printing press in Madurai where we are having the Indian copies of of Evangelism program. This is the 2nd month after its beginning The Voice of Truth International printed. in Dindigul and some 30 students are eagerly attending the class. Within these 2 months, the local congregation there witnessed some unexpected changes and the students who are members of the congregation have been motivated to give to the Lord more and also to share the love of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for this much promising program (J.C.School of Evangelism). We need to let you know that the brother one who is supporting our Bible camps for the blind people every month is constantly

Benu Gills Progress

Ex-Students Help

Literature Service

S. Rajanayagam in Tamil Nadu, India

Philemon and Kingsly Rajah in Tamil Nadu, India

reducing the funds for the camps and now finally has given us notice that they will be completely stopped at the end of this year because of the loss of support to him and also because of his retirement. So the only hope with us for the much needed work among the blind people is the Braille literature and the materials we send them with your help. Also, you asked us to cut down one television program and we are willing to stop the Pondicherry telecast. Regarding the television program also, last year we were having 3 telecasts/ week and last year when you asked us to cut down one program, we dropped one and now we have only 2 programs (one, half an hour and one 15 minutes only). Since the response for both the programs is very good, we need to keep them if possible. This week also Brother Philemon is going to travel to Vellore district, where one 62 year lady who is watching our TV program for some years is convinced by the truth and asking us to come and give baptism. Please pray.

From Reuben Emperado in Cebu: We just want to share what has been done since we started in RELIEF & EVANGELISM EFFORTS in Medellin, Cebu; Borongan, Samar; Cabayog, Samar; Mahalit, Leyte and other places participated by PIBS students with local brethren in the calamity stricken areas. Reuben Emperado with a newly COURSE OF ACTIONS: established congregation. Medical Missions Evangelism Baptisms Relief & Rehabilitation RESULTS & IMPACTS: l BAPTISMS: Calbayog - 13 Borongan - 15 Daan Bantayan - 13 Medellin - 232 l NEW CHURCHES Medellin - 3 Daan Bantayan - 1 Work is on-going. Please pray for the continuing follow up. Thanks for all help and prayers. For the second time, students of PIBS will visit the newly baptized Christians in Medellin to encourage and sing for them. The last count of baptisms in Medellin is more than 225 and three congregations established, coming from at least five barangays. Several brethren from Cebu congregations are committed to do the follow-up of encouragement and evangelism. We will continue to do this monthly visitation as long as God permits. For those who do not like to read long reports, let me give you the results of these past few days. I only hope I can remember all that has taken place unbelievable to say the least, but true. The area we are concentrating on is located on the northern island of Cebu that was hit hard by the Super Typhoon just a few weeks ago. The area is circled on the map and is approximately 4.5 hours from our location. It is a remote area, hard to get to, bad roads, that in reality has gotten little help since the typhoon has hit some food and a little clothing is about all. Still no water or electricity. Weve adopted them and they have adopted us! 1. Two hundred and seventy-four (274) souls (that we know of) have been baptized since the typhoon. 2. One church was started with a ground breaking ceremony on top of a mountain that was given to us to use in the Maharuhay, Medellin, Cebu area, a historical spot where the American soldiers planted a flag when they liberated the Philippines from the Japanese during World War II. It has great meaning to the Philippine people in the area and now even more so. 3. Four (4) Group Bible Studies conducted. a. Over 1,000 had gathered to greet us, at least 500 families, for our first Bible study in the Kawit, Medellin, Cebu area. One of the leaders of the local area has promised us land on the beach and a building to use if we will put the Lords church there. Of course we accepted and the plans are already in the making. Bro. Reuben said it is very likely that this will be the largest Church of Christ in Cebu and quite possibly in the Philippines. b. The second Bible study was conducted on the mountain where we had the ground breaking ceremony mentioned above. c. The third study was conducted in an area in-between the mountain and where the 1,000+ had gathered called Mohon, Kawit, Medellin, Cebu. They asked us to return for more study and also indicated that land would be provided if we wish to start a church in that location. The owner of the land was one among the many that were baptized. d. The forth was a return trip to the mountain to conduct worship service with the new brethren now established where the ceremony had taken place.

Yolanda Typhoon Disaster Philippines

From Allon Brumley who has moved to the Philippines to work full-time:

The latter part of January, about a dozen volunteers spent three days in Winona assessing the proposed topics for the quarters for Into Gods World, and making outlines to guide the writers of the lessons for the fifth grade level. We feel we need to concentrate there, first, since that is the age when young people begin to seriously consider the Gospel. Our plan for moving forward is to fully develop one pilot quarter and let it be used in classes in five or six congregations, for critiquing and feed-back. Since the take-home class book is designed also to be used for family Bible study time we are asking several families to evaluate the effectiveness of the lessons in their studies. If you would like to volunteer, as a class or as a family, please call me at 662-283-1192. To the right is one page of lesson 5 for the fifth grade. Our goal is to make the books attractive, informative, and doctrinally sound, so that the 70% to 80% loss of our young people can be eliminated. Please help us to do this. If you have volunteered to help with writing, graphics or some other part of this work, please re-confirm your interest. If you would like to help in any way, please contact us. This is a great work of the church!

Into Gods World

Into Gods World.....

Lesson Five

Gods Circle of Salvation

Daddy began the family Bible time: Were studying some really important things, kiddos! Ive made a picture of what weve learned. Lets start at the bottom of the page with HEARING THE GOSPEL: Well have a little quiz. Mother, what is the Gospel? Its the death, burial, and resurrection of Gods Son, to pay the price for our sins. And when we HEAR THE GOSPEL, what happens then, Anthony? We belieVe what the Bible says.. Youre right! Then, because we want to obey God, what do we do, Laura? I remember from your picture We have to walk away from sinning [Repent] and do the right things. Now look at the picture again and tell me what we do next.

We say that we belieVe [confess] that Jesus is Gods Son. Great! Now were ready for that BIG step that takes away our sins! What is that one? Were buried in water [baptiZed] like Jesus was buried in the grave, and then we come out of the water. But, Daddy, what real difference does that make? Were still living in this world where Satans doing so much thats wrong! 25

God bless us all in the year of 2014. Betty

We now have 106 titles, full-color, pocket-sized tri-fold tracts that will be extremely useful to you in your outreach ministry. In packets of 25, they are only 10 cents each. BBC Do you receive The Voice of Truth International, our 116-page teaching magazine that is published quarterly? Many have proclaimed these two magazines to be the best in the brotherhood! Four issues of TVOTI are $15, 8 issues are $25; or the congregation can enlist for a box of 35 copies of each issue for $30 a month.

Dont miss out on these treasures!

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18). [Angels are] ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation... (Hebrews 1:14).

The Gospel is our mission. The world is our home.

The new issue of Global Harvest has arrived. Many will receive a free copy because we are trying to make more brethren aware of its existence. We do need you to order the magazine ($10 for 2 issues), so that its future publication can be secured. The church needs this.

Change Service Requested

Mrs. J.C. Choate World Evangelism P.O. Box 72 Winona, MS 38967

Place Label Here Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Permit No. 12