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"His Kingdom First" Ministries

Our Current Missions Project

Trinity Presbyterian Congregation

We are currently raising funds to roof this church in Akim-Oda , Ghana , West Africa through Christ For The Nations, Native Church Program.

This picture shows the progress made after we had sent half of the funds pledged for the roof.

It is our belief that no matter how large or small, involvement in world missions is one of the signs of a healthy, local church. As a result, just two years after we started Tri-State Christian Center we began sponsoring roofing projects for indigenous churches through CFN's Native Church Program. We have provided funds for roofs on churches in Taretan, Michoacan, Mexico

and Wahlyngdoh, Meghalaya , India.

In 1998 we hosted "Catchfire! Ministries" of Tulsa , Oklahoma (www.catchfire.org) for our first Missions Conference. From 2002 to 2005 we partnered with "The Spirit & The Word Ministries" of Blairsville, Georgia to send short term mission teams to nations in Africa. The following articles are reports from those visits.

Go Into All The World!

AFRICAN UPDATE

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

May 2002

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in You, Lord; the humble shall hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me! Let us exalt His name together! He that is mighty has done great things; holy is His name! (Psalm 34: 1- 3, Luke 1:49)

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS

Our hearts overflow with awe and thanksgiving to the Lord for His goodness, mercy, and grace. As we went into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo , He went before us and prepared the way for our coming. Though we moved about in a rebel-controlled area, we passed over the border and went through several military checkpoints every day with ease and great peace. Even though we heard stories about senseless, brutal, and inhumane treatment by the soldiers, we never felt threatened or afraid. In fact, our host, Pastor John Paul Munganga, told us of a time when rebels came to the house where he was staying to rob his family. When he had nothing to give them, one of the soldiers shot his six-month old baby in the head. By God's grace, he was able to forgive.

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people cried, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” and they threw their garments and tree branches on the road before Him (Mark 11:7 – 9). When we arrived at the church in Rumangabo for the first time, the people received us as if they were receiving Jesus. I have had many exuberant and humbling welcomes in Africa , but this one was by far the most moving. When we got out of the vehicle and started up the hill to the church, one woman after another took her cloak and put it on the ground for us to walk upon. It was only after persistent urging by the natives that we could place our muddy, soiled shoes on their garments. They made a path for us all the way from the vehicle to the platform. We felt so unworthy of the honor they afforded us, but the Lord continued to humble us throughout our time with these precious people.

IMPACTING A NATION

I cannot express to you the depth of the sense of destiny and purpose I have felt with regard to this ministry in the Congo . The ministry of the Word, both prophetically and otherwise, was so deep and penetrating. I could see it like a sharp plow blade going deep into the hearts of the people. I could sense spiritual conception taking place in which the people were being impregnated with vision, destiny, purpose, and hope. God was preparing them for a significant work that He wants them to do. He wanted to set their houses in order --- their individuals houses and the house of the Lord. He wanted them to get clean and free so that His glory could come.

Following the first evening message, which was on holiness, a call for salvation was given. People began standing all over the place. I said to the interpreter, “Surely all of these people are not unsaved!” He said, “No, they are saved, but they were moved by the message and wanted to respond to it.” PTL! Overall, we had over 200 people receive the Lord, 50+ receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues, many delivered, and many healed. The people were hungry for and responsive to the Word. I strongly believe that the Lord is going to use these people in a marked way to impact the history of their nation and the surrounding areas.

ANOINTED FOR HEALING

A few weeks before our departure, a precious friend of mine gave me a handkerchief that had been anointed during a recent revival service in nearby Canton , Georgia . She told me that, for reasons unknown, the Lord told her to give me the cloth. I kept it in my Bible at Acts 19:11 – 12, feeling that this would be part of God's plan for Africa .

Our first week of evening meetings culminated in a healing service. For two days prior to this, a native nurse sat under a nearby avocado tree, from morning until dark, dispensing the 50 pounds of medicines given us by A.E.G.A.'s Compassion World Outreach. Although all were tremendously thankful and blessed by that which they received, these over-the-counter medicines were not able to touch the needs of many.

As we looked to the Lord to do a healing work in the midst of the people, I knew that I was to take this anointed cloth with me to the service. As those who needed healing reached out to the Lord en masse for a sovereign touch, the Lord prompted me to walk in front of the people and down the aisle, waving the cloth as I went. I believe that He used that as a point for them to release their faith. All in all, nearly three-fourths of the body indicated that they had been touched by God, and at least 25 came forward to testify to that fact. Because of the spontaneity of the moment and the number of participants, their testimonies were not translated for us into English, but I do know that many were healed of digestive problems and one woman with a lame leg was healed.

ANOINTED FOR RESURRECTION

In the midst of the healing service, the Lord said that we were to take that anointed cloth to the sight of the church in Goma, that had been destroyed by the volcanic eruption, and that we were to pray for the resurrection of the church, spiritually and physically. Several days later, we did just that. We found a deep fold in the lava and placed the cloth inside where it would not be seen. Following strong prayer and declarations of the Word, we left that place believing that God will surely raise up the body of Christ in Goma to new levels in Him and that they will have an even better church building than before the eruption!

BABY BETTY AND MORE

There is more I would like to share --- about the ordination of Pastor John Paul, the anointing service, the blessedness of working with a godly and anointed team, the coming of a precious pastor from Kenya, our ground-breaking marriage seminar, our move from Rumangabo to Goma, the testimony of last year's ministry in Ruhengeri, the successful meetings we had for Aglow, the honor of having a baby named after me and being the first woman to preach in a church in Goma, and so much more --- but time and space will not permit.

HEARTFELT GRATITUDE AND PRAISE

In closing, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the Lord, not only for all He did in the Congo, but also for the precious people He used to make this ministry possible --- our called and anointed team members, those who covered us and prayed so fervently for us, those who gave finances and other resources, and many others. All in all, we were able to give over $1,700 to bless the people and the ministry in the Congo . None of this would have been possible without you. We praise God for you and for your love for and obedience to Him in the giving of yourselves and your resources to reach the nations. May the reward for your sacrifices be realized in this life, as well as in the life to come. May your every need be met through the fullness of Christ in your life. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with you. Multiplied blessings in Jesus!

With love in Christ,

Betty & Terry Goldman

The Spirit & The Word Ministries

THE HEART OF GOD FOR A PEOPLE

2003

Please do continue to pray for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for our brethren there. Although great strides have been made toward peace, the culmination of the process is yet to come. The country is basically being run by three different factions: two rebel groups and the central government. While two of these groups have come to an agreement regarding national rulership, the rebel group that is based in Goma is not willing to accept its terms. As believers, however, we know that only God can bring any substantial, lasting peace. So, it is to Him we look.

While we were in the Congo , the Lord spoke very pointedly to His people regarding His mandate and commission to them with regard to their role in the peace making process. He has given unto them the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18), and He wants to use them to reconcile the people unto Himself, the tribes and factions unto one another, and the nation unto His plans and purposes. He is anointing them to be carriers of revival and reconciliation. He is going to use them in a significant way to impact their nation and to change history. Like Esther, He has called them forth for such a time as this. Let us uphold them as they boldly accept the mandate and challenge at hand.

Though we often fret about our situations and circumstances, which may seem to be monumental to us at the time, few of us have actually faced the horror and deprivation of many of our brothers and sisters in the Congo . Many families have suffered brutal death and mutilation at the hands of the rebels. We met many who have lost absolutely everything in the volcanic eruption. Tiny bamboo and banana leaf huts have been erected everywhere to “house” the refugees. Many are depending upon the daily rations given by world relief agencies for their sustenance. For most, the very basic means of their livelihood was consumed by the lava.

Pastor John Paul told us that the rebel government will probably take control and possession of all land for which the people have no deeds or proof of ownership. Since the great majority did not have the foresight to store such important papers in a “safe” place, they will most likely even lose the only remaining material possession that they owned.

As we traveled daily between Goma and Rumangabo, we rode along the path of the lava flow and past the volcano that wreaked the devastation. We prayed fervently and spoke peace and healing to the land and to the people. We spoke life and resurrection to the death affected by the volcano and the war. Even as Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones and life sprang forth, we believe that life will spring forth in that area from the seeds sown while we were there.

Please join with us as we continue to watch over and guard those seeds in prayer. May none be lost, and may the harvest come quickly and abundantly in Jesus' name. May God be exalted and glorified in it all. May He prove Himself mighty on behalf of His precious people there.

AFRICAN MINISTRY

THE SPIRIT & THE WORD MINISTRIES

2003 & 2004