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News & Events Networking News Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International
- Networking News – Issued by the European Office
September/October 2008
Please use all or part of this newsletter to communicate to the members of your nation. Would you also encourage your members to take part in our outreaches both national and to other nations.
Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International European Office, Wilselse steenweg, 5 B-3020 Herent – Belgium Tel: +32 16 207944 - Fax: +32 16 207931 - e-mail: FGBMFIEur@skynet.be - Website: http://www.fgbmfi-europe.com
This Issue
Tithing in tough economic times
World Convention testimonies
Planned conventions in Belgium and Malta
World reports
This newsletter is produced in six languages (including Russian) and is sent to our members throughout Europe.
For more information about the Fellowship and coming events see our website www.fgbmfi-europe.com
Economic crisis
Jesus says: buy from Me gold tried by fire that you may become rich and white raiment that you may be clothed. And anoint your eyes with eye salve so that you can see.
Those I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous and repent.
I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and fellowship with him.
To him who overcomes I will grant that he sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame and sat down with my Father in his throne.
(Rev. 3 vs 18 – 21)
Why it’s important to keep Tithing in tough economic times
The world economy is going through some tough times and most people are feeling the impact in some way or another. Unemployment rates are rising, fuel and food prices are rising, house values are going down in many areas and the list goes on. As Christians we aren't immune to these troubles but we know that God will provide a way out and will help us overcome if we trust in Him and follow in his principles.
Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us "Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." It doesn't say he has given us the power to get wealth only when the economy is strong. God's principles work no matter what the outside circumstances are and no matter what the economy looks like.
"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field' says the LORD of hosts; 'And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land' says the LORD of hosts." Malachi 3:10-12
One of the ways God enables us to create wealth is by rebuking the devourer and keeping Satan away from destroying our finances. But there is a condition we must follow; we must bring our tithe into the storehouse. Most Christians know this and many already do so. However, when money is tight and the bills exceed the income, tithing is unfortunately usually the first to go. The thinking goes like this: if you cut back on giving your 10%, you will have more money left to pay your bills. Plus, God understands, right?
The problem is that God and His principles don't follow the logic we know. God's teachings often appear backwards from what we would naturally believe (the first will be last; if you want to be great then serve, etc.). So while it may seem logical that cutting back on tithing would help your financial situation currently, the truth is, this actually leaves you worse off.
Here are a few reasons it is important to tithe, even when money is tight:
God Tells Us To. First and foremost, God tells us in His Word to tithe. We are to obey Him, thus we are to tithe. Even if it doesn't make sense to us, God is smarter than we are and His ways are higher (Isa 55:8-9). He knows that tithing is for our own good and that is why He tells us to do it.
The Un-churched Need Our Help In the book of Malachi, God tells us to tithe so that there may be food in His house, in other words, that we have the finances and ability to do what it needs to do to reach the lost and needy.
Tithing Keeps You Focused on and Trusting in God. If you stop tithing in order to save money, you immediately stop trusting in God and start trusting in yourself and in the world. If you are truly trusting God to provide for you, then you know He can (and will) provide all your needs, even when it seems like you can't afford to tithe. There are so many different ways God can bless you and provide for you that it's impossible to even guess them all. And in my experience, He'll usually do so in a way that surprises you. Increasing your income or bringing you extra money is only one of the ways He can work. He can provide you with a free service that otherwise would have cost you a lot more, He can keep your car from breaking down and costing you a hefty bill, He can keep you and your loved ones from becoming sick or your property from being vandalized, He can provide a sale on something you need to buy -- the list goes on and on. God thinks and works ‘outside the box’ and He just wants you to trust Him to do what He said without trying to take matters into your own hands.
I've often heard the saying that 90% of your income with God's blessing is better than 100% without it. I have seen this to be true many times in my own life.
Tough Economic Times are Usually When You Need God's Blessing the Most God's financial blessings abound when you tithe so why would you want to stop the flow of blessing when you need Him the most? If unemployment rates are rising, don't you want God's blessing to provide you with steady income? If sales are down, don't you want His blessing to increase your revenue in the midst of it? If fuel prices are going up, don't you want His blessings to help you afford to fill your tank? Obviously, God can choose to bless us at any time and in any circumstance, but when we stop focusing on God as Lord of our lives, we can easily miss out on the graces He wants to give us. As Christians, why wouldn't we want to do our part to honour God and open the door wide to all the possibilities He has in store for us?
If you've been struggling with tithing on a tight budget or if you have stopped tithing altogether, I encourage you to start again as soon as you can. Even if you start with only a small percentage and work your way up, it is still something. God knows things are tough and that tithing isn't always easy, but He also knows it works and that it blesses you and leaves you better in the end. And when things get tough, find encouragement through God's Word and remind yourself of the good things to come. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."Galatians 6:9
Excerpts from the writings of Cortni Marrazzo, Washington, USA.Cortni_marrazzo@hotmail.com
Here in FGBMFI we need your continued support to see the work of the Holy Spirit being accomplished through this Fellowship. We are aware that for some members it is difficult to give because you have so little, and we are thankful for what we receive. We believe God will bless those who bless His work through their faithful giving.
1,000 New Chapters!
FGBMFI is in an unlimited partnership with God! Says Richard Shakarian, International President. Since the World Convention of July 2008 in Florida, the Holy Spirit has been dealing with my heart regarding the growth of this Fellowship. Thank God that throughout the world there are approximately 7,000 chapters, many of them are meeting every week.
Can you imagine? The impact of the thousands of testimonies given every week?
Can you imagine? The impact on the spiritual world because of the tens of thousands that are finding Christ every month?
As I have been praying, I have the distinct impression that God wants FGBMFI to stretch out our borders. Around the world, let us be of one mind.
As members and leaders, with singleness of purpose – with one objective in mind – asone! We must increase our chapters to at least 8,000, before the next World Convention at the end of July, 2009.
I’m calling on every chapter leader, local and national officer of FGBMFI and upon all the Ladies of the Fellowship to do the following:
Make the 1,000 new chapters a prayer priority with your group!
Pray in the 1,000 new chapters until it seems in the Spirit that you could almost do it by yourself!
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you His plan of growth for your city and other nearby areas! Remember that in large cities it is possible to have many chapters.
Now, around the world – “AS ONE “!
We pray and we work!
One thousand new chapters by the end of July 2009!
This is just the beginning!
Testimonies from the World Convention
John Walker, European Vice President writes:
‘What a blessed time in Orlando.
Europeans are supposed to be reserved so what a sight on the Friday evening of the World Convention in Orlando, Florida, for my wife Margaret and I, Ulrich von Schnurbein (German National President) linking arms with Richard Shakarian, and all dancing and praising the Lord on the main platform.
This was an especially wonderful evening where the sweet presence of the Lord was tangible. It was widely felt that after Joshua Hughes inspiring testimony and the overflowing praise and worship that followed that something broke in the heavenly realm that will change the Fellowship forever. This was a truly great Convention full of fun, fellowship and above all, unity in the Holy Spirit’. Jimmy Rogers, USA Director, writes
‘There was an interesting thing that happened to me personally on the Friday evening when emphasis was placed on the youth. All of the youth came forward and the leaders were asked to anoint them with oil and pray for them. Then the youth were asked to take the oil and pray for all who would come forward. I went forward and when a young man from Miami, Florida, asked me what I wanted him to pray for, I told him to pray for my grandchildren. This young man was the youngest and smallest of all. He had to reach up to anoint me with oil.
As he anointed me with oil, he began to pray a mighty prayer for the protection of my family. My cell phone that I had in my pocket began to vibrate. After the young man finished praying, I went out into the hall way and returned the call to my wife Margaret and my daughter Renee, and they told me that my youngest daughter, Lisa, had just been in a serious automobile accident and crashed the car. Lisa came out of it with only a few scratches and bruises. I thank God for the move of the Holy Spirit among the youth. I was made aware once again of the power in anointed praying anywhere and any time. The reports and testimonies by the leaders from around the globe were such a blessing and it made me know that ‘the best is yet to come’ for this Fellowship. I feel that there definitely is a change taking place as we ‘let go’ and let God minister through us.
Hannah Duggan (one of the teenagers),granddaughter of George Duggan, International Treasurer, writes:
’The best time for me was when the youth group was taught how to pray for people and then put what we learned into practice. We were able to go into the adult meeting and pray for everyone who needed a healing. It was good to see our generation involved and start taking things into our own hands. It was a powerful moment because the people actually wanted to listen and hear from us.
This Convention opened my eyes a lot and meant a lot to my friend and me. I was used by God and experienced His healing as other people were healed. I have grown up in a godly family where both of my grandparents are pastors as well as my mother. I have seen and been around a lot and have an understanding about God and faith, but this convention brought me to another level. It taught me more and showed me how to take charge and get involved’.
Conventions:
FGBMFI – Belgium National convention: 24-25-26 October 2008, in Blankenberge.
Speakers include evangelists Jill Austin and Dan & Carole Fernandez from the USA, plus testimonies from FGBMFI members.
The European Council directors of FGBMFI will also be present at this convention.
Come and join us, more information at
Rik van Neste, Natl. Vice President Belgium writes:
‘Take part in a time of revival in His presence’.
In the night of 19th April I woke up and I was conducted by the Lord to more intensive prayer in His presence. In this wonderful time with the Lord He spoke clearly concerning our walk with Him: about spending more time in prayer now and in the future and about holiness. God wants to set us apart and use the gifts He has given us. This is needed urgently because of the time in which you live.
God said to me ‘My church, my bride, sleeps and I want her to take action. Do not let your zeal weaken, but continue your commitment with double effort.
Now do the bigger works which I have done, not from your own strength, but let my Spirit lead you. Awake, awake... put on your strength, O Zion (Isaiah 52:1). Ask the Lord for more passion for His church and more compassion for the lost. Meet with me more than ever, this will change you and anoint you, so that you can be more of a blessing for others. Then those who do not know me will see an awareness of My greatness in you and through you.
Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Stand up, my people! and let your light shine, so that all peoples can see it. Because the glory of the Lord flows over you... and shall radiate from you. All peoples will be attracted to your light... but this will only happen in my presence and glory! Look for Me tirelessly. 1 Chronicle 16:10-11, let the hearts of those who seek Him rejoice. Delight in Him and look for Him, look for His strength, look for His presence!
These are some of the things of which the Lord spoke to me. Let us wake up from our comfort zone and stand up together in unity and love. Romans 12:11-12 says: never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit and serve Him with complete enthusiasm. The Lord is going to do something tremendous for you. Do not give up when things get difficult and do not stop praying.
Austria
FGBMFI Austria has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a convention in Salzburg attended by our international president Richard Shakarian.
Malta
'European Convention Malta April 24 to 26, 2009.
‘In the footsteps of St. Paul’
The island of Malta is the place where St. Paul was shipwrecked and is rich in church history. It enjoys a warm climate and the people are friendly. Convention speakers include Dr. John Bunnici-Mallia (medical doctor with a healing ministry), and the Archbishop of Malta the most reverend Paul Cremona, plus testimonies from international FGBMFI leaders. The convention will be preceded by evangelistic outreaches to various parts of the island.
Families are welcome at the convention'
Members and friends from the worldwide family of FGBMFI are invited to participate in this international convention, which we believe will spread the Holy Spirit fire throughout Europe. Come and join us, and walk in the footsteps of St. Paul.
The island of Malta where St Paul landed.
For information about the convention contact the European Office:
Eddie Zammit, Natl. Director Malta, writes ‘during the last year we have all worked very hard empowered by the Holy Spirit and as one body, that every person who visits our chapter could feel the unity and love. We managed to increase the memberships by over 50 per cent and also today we have added a new member. He is Dr. Anthony Spiteri, philosophy lecturer at the University of Malta.
Eddie has taken over from Godwin Mallia as the president of the St. Paul’s Bay chapter.
We thank Godwin Mallia and his wife Catherine for their faithful service and hard work in helping to lay down firm foundations for the Fellowship in Malta. Godwin continues on the organising committee for the convention.
Please pray for Eddie Zammit who has been undergoing medical treatment on his eyes, and for the team in Malta, as they prepare this convention.
St. Croix (Caribbean)
Neil Nelles Intl. Director writes ‘
We were assigned for our fire team evangelism to the hospital in St. Croix, and arrived with our four person team, including Hosein and Merle, a couple from Trinidad. The cries made our hearts leap! 'MIRACLE, MIRACLE"!! We came into the room, as a man was lifting his body into a sitting position, supported by his left arm. His wife was crying in the corner, praising God with her hands raised! As we asked what had happened, Hosein reported that the man had been curled up in a fetal position, and had been paralyzed for at least 5 weeks! He was a spear fisherman, who had pushed the limits and stayed deep under water to increase his catch by twice the normal maximum. He had excess nitrogen in his body as a result (a condition related to the "bends"), and this caused him to become paralyzed. But when they prayed in the Name of Jesus, the name above every Name, he was healed! He said he knew that the Lord would send someone to pray for him, and that he would drive his own car home from the hospital! The doctor and nurses heard what had just happened and asked us to pray for them next! So we prayed for 7 hospital workers, 6 nurses and a doctor, all of whom confessed Jesus as Lord! We had other successes prior to this, but the unusual nature of the paralyzed man's healing was really noticeable! Russia — Gennady Satykov
Today I'm in charge of the Russian FGBMFI team as President. We started to organize chapters in different parts of the city on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At our chapter meetings, which last for about one hour, we tell about the FGBMFI vision and we have a main speaker who shares his testimony. Usually from 2 to 10 people come to Christ during each chapter meeting. Also we gather for informal fellowship - we play football, make picnics etc. many people are attracted by this form of fellowship.
During my last business trip to China, over a period of 4 days, my Chinese friend and I organised 2 chapter meetings. We were sharing about our Lord Jesus Christ and inviting the Chinese to come to Christ and pray for their needs. There is a specific strategy and approach to China. We have to be careful about what we are doing and it would be unsafe to openly publish Christian testimonies’. There are approx. 16 working chapters in Russia and earlier this year over 100 people (mainly Russians) attended the national convention.
Hans-Petter Thue, National President Norway writes:
‘We are planning to have 3 Fire Teams from Norway going to the following places -
Uganda 9. -17 September, Philippines 26. October - 5. November, India / Nepal / Bhutan 21. November - 4.December. In Norway we will have a Fire Team to Aalesund a city at the west coast in Norway from 22-24 August. Here are national reports from Uganda, India, Bhutan and Nepal.
’We had a crusade in the suburbs of Kampala (Uganda); 20 people gave their lives to Jesus and we have baptized them; we give glory to our Lord Jesus. We are preparing another crusade next week and we are going to be in a village in the east part of Uganda. I believe God for a great harvest in this village in the coming crusade. Now I am teaching those who gave their lives to Jesus how to walk a new life with Jesus. So we give all the glory and honour to our Lord Jesus. We really need you to stand with us in prayer for his work in Uganda. We have been holding a crusade in a village and more than 200 people gave their lives to Jesus in one meeting, and many got healed.
Moses Muhoozi, FGBMFI fire team in Kampala. The wonderful Lord is harvesting the ‘riped’ fruits in Nepal, Bhutan & India in these days.
It is all the result of our anointed Evangelistic meeting in May that more than 100 people have come to Christ. The Lord has now blessed us with 4 chapters in Nepal 1 in India and 2 in Bhutan.
I am very busy these days winning people for Christ and following them up (as Paul and Timothy did in the Bible).
I gave water baptism to 13 new souls last week and have weekly meetings of discipleship training, teaching them to share to others regularly.
FGBMFI National President
John Tamang & Marha
UK
Ray Graham writes: ‘the gathering of young FGBMFI members, to pray and discuss the use of modern technology in the Fellowship, was attended by 7 young men and 8 older men.
The Lord had told me days before that this was a preliminary meeting and that future meetings would gain momentum. Peter Spreckley, FGBMFI UK chairman, also attended the meeting. Alwood Wick has agreed to head up future meetings with my support and several other young men have expressed their desire to attend the next meeting.
One young man came from Finland and I feel that if we promote these meetings others will want to come from other nations.
Also I believe that we must all make more of an effort to support this part of the ministry, particularly if we want to attract younger business men to the Fellowship.
Ray Graham can be reached at:
John Wright, EC Director, is well known for his zeal for the Lord through evangelism. He speaks daily about Jesus Christ to the people he meets and is a prolific user of Voice magazines. John has recently been nominated by the Bishop of Norwich to become a member of the College of Evangelists at Leicester Cathedral. He is the first person in his area to receive this nomination. The College was established to encourage evangelists in the Church of England. John says ‘my one desire is to help churches to train their members to witness daily to everyone they meet about the transforming love of God available to them in Jesus Christ.’
Netherlands: Nico Aarnoudse, Natl. Officer Netherlands and his wife Josta report,
‘GOD is good. We are planning to go to Germany and Poland next week and we are praying about meetings in Berlin and Munich in October.
Rad Jakob, chapter President Braunschweg Germany, will have several meetings in November with the evangelist Dr. Peter Gammons, which we plan to attend. Afterwards we want to bring Dr. Gammons to the Netherlands and start a new chapter in Barendrecht, south Netherlands. Further meetings are planned in the Netherlands with Brother Rad Jakob in December. Please pray for new chapters to be started in these areas.
Nico and Josta were recently in Egypt. There report is on our European website. Brother Ibrahim, who accompanied them, says ‘Nico and Josta told us to reach out more to businessmen so that they can help finance the spreading of the Gospel. We have had good contacts with a lawyer, two teachers of English, and a Coptic architect, please pray for these people to join with us as we reach out with the Gospel.
Ibrami adds, ‘a woman came in Ismailia to Nico and Josta for prayer for her father living in the hospital in Cairo, two hours drive away. Nico recalled the story in the Bible about the nobleman and his sick son at home (John 4:46-54), and based on the faith of this women he prayed for healing. The father was instantly healed. He came out of the intensive care room, making a telephone call to his daughter to tell her that he was well (praise the Lord). The daughter testified this the next day in the church.
Nico and Josta ministered in 19 places. 57 souls were saved during that time. Many were baptis`ed in the Holy Spirit and we had 23 water baptisms. There were over 150 physical healings and there were many psychological healings.
Nico and Josta can be reached at Nico@aarnoudse.nl
Nico and Josta in Egypt
Madagascar
Jean-Pierre Witzmann, Germany, Outreach Director, writes ‘I have been working relentlessly on our FGBMFI projects and on the social projects for Madagascar.
Lord willing I will soon be back in Madagascar with good news for all our faithful members. Please pray for Jean-Pierre and his ministry to Madagascar; for more information contact
Events:
European Council + Natl. Convention – Blankenberge, Belgium, October 24 to 26, 2008.
All European Convention – Malta, 24-26 April 2009. Members from around the world are invited.
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