October 2016 Ministry Update (2)

Dear Friends, 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

Ephesians 3:16, 17 

This is what I’ve been praying for the guys in the King’s ministry since the start of the term. I love the “flexibility” of the verse- I can pray this for yet-to-be-believers, for those who I am helping develop their personal ministry, and those who I’m helping work through personal issues. 

And this is what God is doing! So exciting! 

“J-1” prayed to receive Christ at age 7 at a camp, and has been waiting for God to “show His presence” in his life, living in disappointment and frustration. He is trying to figure out what it means to have “more faith” and to “live the Christian life better.” Our conversations have been rich; we are going through Eric Idleman’s “Not A Fan”, and he’s starting to read his Bible (hopefully daily.) 

“J-2” has a rich church family heritage but walked away from faith when he ran into “judgemental Christians” at his Christian high school. He said he’d like to return to faith and like J-1, will also be going through “Not A Fan” with me. 

“S” and “J-3” are both learning that present day life issues/challenges are based in past wounds and need/want to journey to uncover these and let Jesus intercede for healing. I am reading more about psychological diagnoses and how faith can intersect with these hurts through reflection and healing prayer. “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazerro is one resource I use. 

Even with disruptions of midterms and scheduling issues, my group of disciplemakers is moving forward in their understanding of a philosophy of ministry and engaging others into their own discipleship ministry. The book “Jesus Christ DiscipleMaker” by Bill Hull is the unifying book for our individual discussions. 

The Sunday Bible study group is hungry and passionate for disciplines in their lives and come each week with a best Quiet time to share; two more memory verses added to their heart; good sharing and questions in the Bible study discussion.

None of this me. It’s all the goodness of the Lord! What a house he is building! (Psalm 127:1) What wonderful living stones he’s entrusted to me (1 Peter 2:5). 

Please pray that I be sensitive to His Spirit’s leading in all aspects of the ministry. It’s too easy to insert me instead of Jesus. 

Thanks for your support! And if you are interested in joining my financial support team, please feel free to check my blog, or email me for further information. 

Bob

http://remfoo.blogspot.ca/

Spiritual Mentor and Life Coach

King's University in partnership with Calvary Baptist Church

October 2016

Time flies when you’re having fun!

It’s the start of Year 5 at King’s! Hard to believe. Well, what’s really hard for me to believe is that it’s been eight years since I had my last September start in a public school classroom setting. Miss it? Sometimes. But this is more a much better match for this season of life and oh, so much more fun!

This summer I did a lot of reading and podcasts/YouTube and concluded that I (well, God), have been doing a good job at making disciples- men who have a good, consistent walk with God and are experiencing transformation, but I need to do a much better job of making them into disciplemakers- a 2 Timothy 2:2 heart to equip others for a lifetime of ministry. 

So my focus has shifted somewhat, and with some returning students, I am challenging them to be intentional in finding someone to invest in- not only as a mentor, but also a disciplemaker because they too are called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19,20). The link below helps define the difference.

And I’m no less excited about the other returning students or the first years that have decided to engage with me! Whether studying the Bible or a book with me, whether a yet-to-be-believer or a more mature one, I look forward to seeing God move them forward in their spiritual journey. 

Prayer requests

1. That I pray as much as I participate in the ministry work and let the Lord build the house with the “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5)  he gives me. 

1. That I live what I say: “Programs don’t make disciples, men make disciples” (with the understanding that really, God makes disciples.)

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” 

Bob

The Delight of Discipleship http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-delight-of-disciple-making-being-the-smile-of-god-in-your-home-and-your-church