Contact ABCOM at:

Phone: 207-622-6291 or

e-mail: abcom@abcom.org

 

“…so that you may know Him better.”  Ephesians 1:17

 

The ever shrinking world in which we live boggles the mind.  Distances that were once barriers to our knowledge no longer separate us.  What happens in one corner of the globe is talked about with interest here at home. 

 

I appreciate living in an information age.  As significant life changing events are taking place, a report is given and commentary follows.  It is hard to remain ignorant of the world and its events.

 

While the world is at my fingertips, the knowledge that seems at times most elusive is the work of the Spirit.  Recently, at a pastor’s prayer gathering, I was once again reminded of the great chasm that rests between knowing about Christ, having good information, and knowing Christ, discipleship.  The distance between the two is small, a matter of inches.  However, the movement from knowing about to knowing is tremendous.  How does one move from a head knowing to a heart knowing.

 

Discipleship is the process of making Christ known in the life of the believer.  It is the work of the Spirit, the transformative process of adaptive change, “becoming like Christ”.  As with all great craftsmen, the Spirit masterfully creates.  Careful attention to detail, insight into the material present, knowledge of tools and their proper function, combine in the hands of the Holy Spirit to make disciples.  Discipleship is life-long work of renewal and recreation in which we are invited to actively participate.  We observe the Master Craftsman at work, listen to the promptings, serve as assistant and provide commentary as to what we see unfolding before our eyes.   Though not necessary to the work, the Spirit makes our role integral to the process and, ultimately, to the art.

 

The Spirit uses whosoever is willing.  This is a high calling for the servant of Christ.  To be in service, to know Christ and to make Him known is a resolution of the heart.  It is to answer a call to obedience, to be willing to follow the Spirit.  Not to change another or even oneself according to our image, but to follow, to be instructed, to observe, and to be shaped in the process of shaping is where the knowledge of Christ resides.

 

Pray more, speak less, carefully and thoughtfully apply under the promptings of the Spirit and always to the glory of God in Christ Jesus; and so, “work out your faith with fear and trembling, for God is at work in you.”

 

 

Rev. Dr. Alfred Fletcher

 

 

 

 

            

American Baptist International Ministries announced that Christian Community Credit Union has pledged $232,500 to support the work of global consultant Mike Mann and missionary Becky Mann, who work with Integrated Tribal Development Program in Northern Thailand.

Called the "Launch a Village" project, the Credit Union donation will fund water    and sanitation, construction of a school and health clinic, and provide a source for micro enterprise loans, for three hilltribe villages. The money will also help those three villages provide agricultural and business training, purchase a 4-wheel drive truck, and enable the producing and marketing of Arabica coffee.

“The ‘Launch a Village’ project is a powerful example of how Christian Community Credit Union members are making a difference to improve the lives of people in desperate need,” said Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries.

 “Working together with ITDP allowed us to apply the credit union movement’s philosophy of ‘people helping people,’” stated John Walling, Christian Community Credit Union president and chief executive.

 “Partnering with Christian Community Credit Union members is a great opportunity to put Christ's love into action by helping resource-poor villagers in Thailand be alleviated from poverty and at the same time plant the seeds of Christ,” said Mike. "The ‘Launch a Village’ project is an answer to prayer," said Becky. "Not only do we help bring water and life skills to the poor and remote villages in Thailand, we’re also sharing about the Living Water that will flow into each of the villager’s heart and soul!”

To date, Christian Community Credit Union’s “Cards that Give to Missions & Ministries” program, which will fund this donation, has given $750,000 of support to International Ministries.  With assets over $450 million, the San Dimas, CA-based Christian Community Credit Union serves over 29,000 members nationwide and around the world and has served the financial needs of Christian ministries, churches and their members for over 50 years.

American Baptist International Ministries, organized in 1814, is the oldest Baptist mission agency formed in North America.  We serve more than 2,500 short-term and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in 76 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

God is at Work in You