It is nice to read what the Lord is doing around this country. We here in So. Berwick Maine have seen alot of activities with ACTS2000. On opening night we had 10 non-adventists came to our house. We have been meeting here since September 5, 1998. Each week we use 3ABN Sabbath School at Central (Sacramental) then the Worship Hour on ACN along with all the specials that they run. Ministry Professional Seminar, Flordia Campmeeting and many others specials. We have been blessed. We have had 7 baptized and have made over 100 contacts with people who have come visited us. We have a Discover Bible School where 10 people have completed the course along with maybe 20 others who have signed up but never finished. Getting back to ACTS2000. We had a drop off after the first weekend. But a family of 4 has started to come each Sabbath for the last three weeks. We have also given out over 20 video tapes of these meeting to those who didn't come. We have made over 50 phone calls to those who have viewed It Is Written program. We got a list from them and have really have a good list of people who are searching. We would like to see more but sometimes it is seed planting time in alot of cases. Our job is to act on those whom He brings into our lives.
Just yesterday April 6th we needed our piano tuned. We found out that he watches Mark Finley each week!! We shared a video tape with him and praying that will because friends. What a joy to see the Lord work in so many ways. We need only to pray Lord used us and He will bring people into our lives to help, listen, and to encourage. Many are just waiting to see us reflect His love.
I have another great experience that I would love to share with you folks. About a month ago I saw an ad in the local newspaper about a church having Bible Studies in three difference locations. So I prayed Lord do you want us to sign up to meet new friends? The answer came back and it was yes. So with the directions from the Holy Spirit we call and got directions etc. It was on Sunday night and ACTS2000 only had one Sunday night meetings. So I said why not??? This will blow your minds. When we walk into the home on the kitchen table was two Uncle Arthur's Bedtimes story books!!! Wow I didn't say anything but that was surely a confirmation that we had followed the Lord Spirit. Well it has turned out to be a wonderful blessing. The group consist of a family of 3 plus a son and daughter in law along with another lady. They are such wonderful and dedicated Christians. They are of the Assembly's of God faith but they really believe alot of what we believe. We are gaining their confidence and not trying to show them what is right or wrong. The Holy Spirit is working and we are starting to be good friends. Please pray for them. Their pastor go out each Sabbath morning and they go up and down the main street praying for all the house and people in their city for Christ. Man I just can't wait to study with them each Sunday night. Oh BTW they are studying Chritian character!!!
To date they have never asked us what faith group do we belong to. We will tell them but I can see that the Lord wants us to be friends first and not put up on barriers.
Sorry for such a long post but we can see how the Lord is really pouring out His Spirit in our lives and those we are allowed to meet. At times we do have trials but we focus on the victories!!!
John & Sheryl
