~GATS - Planting People; Growing Giants

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Planting People; Growing Giants


          by James G. Poitras, Coordinator

Global Association of Theological Studies


I’m often asked, “What business are you in?” I sometimes ponder what reaction I’d get if I said, “I’m in the people-growing business.” Ministers are grown. Students don’t arrive in our Bible school classrooms as spiritual giants. They come with willing hearts and pass through a spiritual formation and maturation process. Effective Bible school programs enable students to reach their maximum potential. We’re equipping others for works of service in God’s kingdom (Ephesians 4:12) and in apostolic ministry. Like Robert Dale once said, we’re “sowing seeds of ministry and growing believers toward leadership.” That is the sole purpose behind the Global Association of Theological Studies. Like a sign I saw, “We build Pentecostal leaders to grow Pentecostal churches.” Spiritual growth is one of our four core values. We value helping people grow!


GATS is made up of six academic programs, in multiple languages, with a growing edge: certificate, diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, distance education, and faculty development. It’s a gigantic project encompassing nearly one hundred subjects that need to be revised, written, and translated into major world languages. Our program is specifically created for over 200 foreign Bible schools in more than 190 nations. I used to think of it as a mountain to chip away at; an obstacle. Now, I’m changing my attitude. It’s an opportunity; a mighty tree that we are growing. Its encircling shade provides a global education covering. GATS causes us to stretch heavenward to our supplying God; outward to a waiting, wanting world. It calls us to continuously improve.


In classes and among staff we must create a 'culture of growth.' It’s the way we do things around here. Involvement with the Advance Educators Series (GATS) provides eighteen to twenty-four opportunities to grow. A new lesson is available most every month. Other faculty education courses are planned for the future. Instructors only truly help others reach maximum potential when they have attempted to reach it ourselves.


I sometimes lament when I see other churches with more developed educational programs than ours. We can make a difference. John Maxwell in 'Go for Gold' mentions a nursery in Canada that displays a sign on its wall: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty-five years ago…The second best time is today.” We hope you will avidly support GATS and its programs. Come, grow with us!


Our work will affect long after we’re gone. A Greek proverb says, "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." Be deliberate at leaving a mark on this planet, to do something that imparts seeds of truth to the next generation, and impacts eternity for our world. Someone once said, “If your vision is for a year, plant wheat; if your vision is for a decade, plant trees; but if your vision is for a lifetime, plant men.” Because of your help with GATS, when a friend asks, 'What have you done today?' thankfully respond, “I saw someone grow today and I helped. I’ve been planting people; growing giants!”

~Suriname News Flash - December 2010

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Suriname News Flash                                                                                     December 2010

December 5

Children's Day service in Paramaribo, with approximately 100 children in attendance.

December 10

Youth Christmas fellowship.

December 14-16

Three nights of Basic Bible School classes in western Suriname, with 17 students in attendance at least one night. Two children dedicated and one person baptized.

December 19

Appreciation Sunday, with recognition of church leaders and helpers.

December 22

Christmas fellowship for Open Door Groups.

December 26

Christmas services in Paramaribo and at the central prison.

Thank you for blessing our family with your prayers and support during 2010.

The Rhoads Family
Missionaries to Suriname

Republic of Suriname

Key Facts

Country: Suriname
Continent: South America
Full Name: Republic of Suriname
Primary Language: Dutch
Currency: Surinamese dollar
Motto: Justice - Duty - Loyalty

Capital City: Paramaribo
Largest City: Paramaribo
National Anthem: God be with our Suriname
Time Zone: UTC-03
Drinking Age: 0
Drives on: the Left side of the road
Internet TLD: .sr
Calling Code: +597

Land Facts

Total Area in Square Kilometers: 163,821 sq. km.
Area Rank (out of 194 countries): 91
Total Area in Square Miles: 63,251 sq. mi.

Government

Member of the United Nations: Yes
Type of Government: Constitutional Democracy
Chief Executive Type: President
Chief Executive: Ronald Venetiaan

People

Demonym: Surinamese
Total Population: 486,618
Total Male Population: 241,796
Total Female Population: 244,822
Population Density: 2 per sq. km.
Population Density: 5.18 per sq. mile
Population Density Rank (out of 194 countries): 231
Age of Consent: 16
Literacy Rate: 90 %
Literacy Rate Rank (out of 194 countries): 96
Life Expectancy: 70 years old
Life Expectancy Rank (out of 194 countries): 113
Infant Mortality (deaths/1,000 live births): 27
Infant Mortality Rank (out of 194 countries): 111

~Trust Involves Character and Competence

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Trust Involves Character and Competence

Today, I want to talk about the qualities that generate trust. I'm talking about being trustworthy, not trusting others. There's a relationship between the two concepts, but a decision to trust another is a choice, not a moral obligation.

Being trustworthy is an indispensable aspect of good character. We should always act so as to be worthy of trust – not because it's wise to do so but because it's the right way to live.

Being worthy of trust entails two qualities: character and competence.

The attribute we first associate with trustworthy behavior is integrity. This aspect of good character is demonstrated through scrupulous honesty and moral courage. If we want people to trust us or our organization, they must believe we will consistently do the right thing regardless of circumstances or pressures.

Other aspects of character include accountability and fairness. People trust those who accept responsibility for their choices and don't palm off blame to others. It's also important to be regarded as fundamentally fair.

In business, confidence in character is not enough to justify trust. In this case, trust also involves the conviction that the person or organization will successfully do what is expected. This competency dimension embraces faith in ability, knowledge, and judgment as well as the belief that the person or organization will be reliable and responsive. Reliability is established through diligence and follow-through while responsiveness involves respectful communication and demonstrated concern.

Commentary by Michael Josephenson
CharacterCounts

~Sailing the Seven C's of Character

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As you consider your goals for 2011 I want to suggest a C voyage to work on your character.

No, you’re not too old and I don’t mean to imply you’re a bad person. Surely by now many of you have heard my mantra: You don’t have to be sick to get better. Besides, we all know it's a lot easier to make a good person better than to make a bad person good.

Remember, the struggle to be a person of character takes place on the level of daily choices at home and at work. People of exceptional character stand out from the crowd because they develop the discernment and moral strength to know and do the right thing in circumstances that might overwhelm or confuse others.

Here are the Seven C’s of Character: Conscience, Caring, Consideration, Confidence, Competence, Control, and Courage.

1st: Nurture and honor your personal Conscience. This is a precious internal moral compass that helps you maintain your integrity.

2nd: Show people you Care; demonstrate a genuine unselfish concern for the well-being of others, be empathetic, charitable, and above all, kind.

3rd: Be Considerate; think about the way your actions will affect others, and know that you are responsible for the consequences of all you say and do.

4th: Be Confident that you are good enough, valuable enough, and strong enough to withstand potential consequences of principled conduct, including the loss of money, jobs, and even friends.

5th: Develop moral Competence; learn to make and implement good decisions that are ethical and effective and get the best possible result out of every choice.

6th: Control your emotions; distinguish between what you want and what you need; beware of impulses and urges that can cause you to compromise ethical principles; don't settle for pleasure, go for happiness.

7th: Have the Courage to do the right thing even if it might cost more than you want to pay.

Every one of these elements can be a challenge on any particular day. The point, and I hope your goal for 2011, is to self-consciously sail these Seven C's because CHARACTER COUNTS.

 
by Michael Josephson - http://www.charactercounts.org/

~Saying ‘Good-Bye’ To Friends

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Saying ‘Good-Bye’ To Friends

Saying Good-Bye to friends is not easy. In my experience, tears have been involved from time to time. It’s hard to say Good-Bye to those you love and those who mean so much to you.

Saying Good-Bye To Supposed Friends:

Friendships can be transient. Some people come and go in your life. They just move on without warning. Maybe they outgrow you or they focus on other things. I don’t have that answer. But it doesn’t feel good.

Some Friends have even been known to turn on their old friends. It uncomfortable to see someone who used to be a Friend and now they avoid even making eye contact with you. Or, if they do speak, it’s cool and not warm like it used to be. The emptiness in your heart is deep when you walk away. The sense of loss is almost overwhelming. New friends are a medicine and a replenishment of the soul.

Saying Good-Bye To A Former Friend:

Looking back over a lifetime, I had friends in school whose names I can’t even remember now. A couple of my friends were so important to me at the time, that I included them in my wedding. Today I don’t know their phone number, their address or how many grandchildren they have. We haven’t talked in several decades. Back then I thought we were friends.

Saying Good-Bye to some friends is gradual. With others, it’s a much quicker process.

Saying Good-Bye To Dear Friends:

The last several weeks have been horrible for a number of Pentecostal families, for several churches and for many of my ministering friends.

The recent news of the passing of beloved men of God or their family members has brought tears to many of our eyes. Some men so impact your heart that you’re never quite the same. Their death leaves a major void in your life. Their family’s tears rip your heart out.

Funerals are hard for us. We call them ‘Home Goings' and do our best to rejoice that the departed has kept the Faith and finished their course and are now are now resting in Jesus. Yet tears still flow freely because we feel the loss so deeply.

Maybe they didn’t call us on the phone everyday, but when they saw you, the fellowship picked right back up from where you left off. They treated you warmly and hugged you like they meant it. They made you feel like you were their very dear friend.

The past week and this coming week find me already missing my recently departed friends. May they rest in Peace, and may the Prince of Peace comfort the hearts of the families and friends left behind.

Some day we will all say Good-Bye to this old world. We look forward to going to a place where none of us shall ever have to say Good-bye again.

Biblical Promise: No More Separation

Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

     •The sea separates. There will be no more sea over there.

Biblical Promise: No More Tears

Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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What A Day That Will Be

          ~Words & Music by Jim Hill

There is coming a day,
     When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
     No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
     On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:

What a day that will be,
     When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
     The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
     And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there,
     No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
     No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
     With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:

What a day that will be,
     When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
     The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
     And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be

~From 'The Ballestro Blog - used by permission.

~Thai-Gram - January 2011

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Thai-Gram
                                                         January 2011

Evangelism Training & Outreach

One of our districts hosted an evangelism training conference and city outreach in Sakon Nakorn, Udon. District superintendents, pastors and leaders gathered together for three and a half days of preaching, teaching, training and outreach. Thursday and Friday was teaching/training during the day and preaching at night. Saturday afternoon there was door-to-door evangelism and an outdoor park service in the evening. On Sunday was the dedication of a new church.

Challenging District Superintendents to Reach Their Provinces



Preaching Friday night. I was wearing four shirts. One of the few times I've been cold in Thailand.

To view Past Issues of our Thai-Gram click HERE.


If you haven't already, please add:
edandmarysimmons@aol.com to your email's contacts/address book.

Have a blessed 2011! God bless each of you.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support,

Ed & Mary Simmons

Bangkok, Thailand

~The Mark Alphin family on location in Finland

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Happy New Year from Helsinki, Finland



New Year's Eve in Helsinki

 On location!

The preparation process is complete. Holidays were spent making memories with our families. Farewells were said - bittersweet moments, to be sure. And then, on December 29, the 'adventure of a lifetime' began when we boarded our first plane in Columbus, Ohio, and departed for Helsinki, Finland. We saw God's hand at work throughout the entire travel process: an incredible 'deal' on fare, the less-than-normal price charged for extra luggage, and our flights all departing and arriving mostly as scheduled (while we watched many others deal with long delays and cancellations). On December 30, we arrived in our new 'hometown' on time and safely with all luggage intact. God even supplied a taxi driver who was able to transport our family plus all luggage (11 suitcases and 8 carryons) to the hotel in one trip!

Thank you to those of you who have been supporting us through prayer and finance. We could not have gotten to this point without you, and are surely thankful that you are along with us in spirit as we begin this new phase of our journey.

If we could mention a prayer request, it would be that God would direct our steps over the next month while we work to locate permanent housing. He knows exactly what we need, and we are trusting Him to help us find it. And, as you pray for us, we will be praying for you.

May God bless you during 2011! We will be in touch soon.

Mark, Glenda, Miranda, and Candace Alphin


Webcam view of Helsinki, Finland