Letter From the Underground Church

“Imagine being a church leader and having no resources other than a Bible.”

(www.TurnBacktoGod.com)

  
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:14-15 NKJV).



Greetings in Jesus Name,
Let me introduce you to our network, a ministry committed to reach and disciple millions of lost souls in our region. We want to plant and strengthen a pioneer church in every community which does not have a Gospel witness. Our network works in evangelism, church planting, leadership training, literature production, compassion, and welfare projects.
We are committed to train and equip pastors, evangelists, and Christian leaders through leadership seminars, mission conferences, and teaching materials such as faith based books. Most of our native church leaders are not much educated and have not any formal ministry training. Imagine being a church leader and having no resources other than a Bible.
Our region has a desperate need for assistance in evangelism, church planting, leadership training, literature production, compassion, welfare projects, and strengthening the local Church. A shortage of Bibles, faith-based literature, and pastors makes it difficult for Christians and new believers to grow in their faith and sustain relationship with Christ.
Millions are still waiting for their first Gospel witness and more than a half our national population has never heard about Jesus.
Our current outreach projects include crusades, seminars, church plantings, publication of faith based books, translation of English materials, Bible distribution, skill training, adult education, education to the working children. Also, providing support to students (shoes, books, stationary), relief assistance, and feeding the hungry.
Our vision for future projects includes these.
Outreach Project: In this project, we would like a team of evangelists who will go out with equipment for crusades and showing movies to the villages, slums, and far areas to witness to the people about Jesus Christ.
Bible distribution: We need workers to distribute Bibles and to pray for both Outreach and Bible distribution. As our Lord provides, we will expand these projects.
I request brothers and sisters to take part in this greatest harvest. If anyone would like to visit our region for church visits, crusades, conferences, we welcome him or her and will host him or her here. If you have questions, please feel free to ask.
I will be waiting for your reply and praying that we may be able to work together for the Lord's Glory.
Your Brother in the Lord’s Glory,

Apostle Michael (alias)

What is your Mission? Are you a pastor, church, mission agency, woman, or man? Is God calling you to help or support? Is God calling you to “Go!” as a long term or short term missionary? I will place you in touch with Apostle Michael. Email me.

Moses led a million men and the women and children through the Wilderness Journey with no visible means of support. Is this God's Mission in Faith for you?

Bill Hunt

World in Christ

Indonesia Under Attack Again

Harsh Era Looms in Aceh, Indonesia. Yet, prayer is the most powerful force on earth.

   

This village on Sumatra lays in ruin after the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that struck South East Asia on 12-26-2004. Some 230,000 people were killed in 14 countries with waves 30 meters high. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Philip A. McDaniel.

Election of hard-line Islamic governor followed by closure of 17 churches.

By Victor Ambarita

JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 16 (Compass Direct News) – The election of a hard-line Islamic governor in Indonesia’s Aceh Province last month appears to have opened the way for a crack-down on the minority Christian community, which saw 17 churches sealed shut in early May.

Emboldened by the April 9 election of Zaini Abdullah of the militant Aceh Party (Partai Aceh, or PA), hundreds of Islamists demonstrated in front of the office of Aceh Singkil regency on April 30, demanding area church buildings be not only sealed but demolished.

Christian leaders told Compass that, besides the usual pretext of lack of church permits – applications for which local authorities routinely deny or delay – the demands were based on a controversial agreement that Christians were reportedly forced to sign in 2001 stipulating that there be only one church and four chapels in the regency.

The number of churches in the regency had grown to 22, and the Diakonia Secretary of the Indonesian Fellowship of Churches, Jeirry Simampow, said that the demonstrators were upset with the Interfaith Harmony Forum for allowing the growth of churches in the area. Of the 17 churches closed, 11 belong to the Protestant Christian Church of Pakpak Dairi, or GKPPD.

The Rev. Elson Lingga, GKPPD district superintendent, told Compass that the mob clamored for the demolition of the church buildings, and that on May 2 a new acting regent had agreed to the demand.

“This position was supported by the police chief, who said that the time for dialog was past – all he wanted was a schedule of the church demolitions,” Lingga said. “It’s not that Christians do not want to apply for permits, but it is extremely difficult to secure permission even though we have put forth our maximal efforts.”

See article at www.compassdirect.org

Sleeping Christians

Indonesian Christians are under attack again. The world is at war there, in our nation, and on every continent. Evil threatens to overrun Good. See it in the daily news. Too many Christians worldwide are comfortably asleep who do not stand against evil or pray, while others sacrifice their lives.

Danger seems to draw ever closer. Indeed, the enemy is at the door, within the walls, wrecking havoc. Yet, prayer is the most powerful force on earth. How can we so underestimate the power of God?

If we believed, we'd pray.

Bill Hunt

World in Christ

Iran Betrays Farsi Citizens

Iranian Officials Heighten Control on Farsi-Speaking Christians.

Persecution of Citizens Prevails in Iran.

(Neda, Young Woman Shot to Death in Past by Security.)

    

AOG church in Tehran faces pressure to identify members to authorities.

By Damaris Kremida

ISTANBUL, May 11 (Compass Direct News) – Leaders of the Assemblies of God’s (AOG) Central Church of Tehran told their congregation on Sunday (May 6) that authorities have demanded a list of names and identification numbers of church members, a major risk to converts from Islam.

Church leaders then asked members in attendance to volunteer their information. The AOG church holds two Sunday services, both of which are conducted in Farsi. It is the only church remaining in Tehran that offers Farsi-language worship on Sundays.

“This [government move] is basically to make sure the church is not taking in new members and to make it difficult and risky for non-Christians to attend,” Monsour Borji, an Iranian Christian and advocacy officer for rights initiative Article 18, told Compass. “It is an effort to limit the church, basically.”

The result of the most recent demand, according to Borji, is that as members of the Central AOG church consider whether they are willing to turn over their names and identification numbers. Some are faced with the ethical dilemma of whether they would be denying Christ by declining to reveal themselves in this way.

“It has created an ethical dilemma for some church members who are not sure what to do, because giving their information feels suicidal,” Borji said.

www.compassdirect.org

“Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured; And all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; Those who plunder you shall become plunder, And all who prey upon you I will make a prey (Jer 30:16 NKJV).”

Will you Pray for the People of Iran?

Bill Hunt

What George Washington Said

The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger.

 

George Washington

JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY”

You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.¹²²

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.¹²³

The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.¹²⁴

I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.¹²⁵

wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=8755

Socialism dictates that man is subservient to the tyranny of the state. Socialism devalues God and the moral code, commerce, finances, the economy, our international security, the family, property rights, education, civil liberties, the justice system, and our whole way of life.

On the other hand, Freedom declares the state protects man's individual rights and initiatives and society as a whole, under God. American culture is seriously threatened by the Communist-Socialism of the current administration. This is a time for intelligent awareness, serious prayer, and political action in America. What can you do?

“In God We Trust.”

– Bill Hunt

God Forgives, God Forgets

“Never let the sin in others or the sin in yourself defeat you.”

Woman on Beach by Jirl Hodan

(PublicDomainPictures.Net)

God does not cause evil. Man chooses evil.

When man chooses sin, it forces God to withdraw his hand of Protection and Blessing.

God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Ancient of Days, is all Holy. He abhors sin and cannot allow it in his presence. Darkness exists not in Light.

The creature man by his failures never needs to despair his relationship with God. God forgives because God loves.

No man whatever his earthly position can claim to be sinless before God or mankind.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8 NKJV).

“Never let the sin in others or the sin in yourself defeat you,” said Ruth Carter Stapleton, inner healing evangelist. All my life, in many situations, her advice has echoed through the chambers of my soul.

In depravity, man's sin is an invitation for Satan and his demons to enter, reign, and cause havoc.

"The thief does not come except to steal,

and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 NKJV).

Therefore, out of his Great Love, God sent his Son to save Mankind, to give him the choice of heavenly life.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV).

Thru Jesus, we are bought, paid for, ransomed and redeemed by his Blood shed on the Cross. As the all Holy Son of God, Jesus is the perfect absolute sacrifice. Otherwise, there is no purpose for his crucifixion.

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1Jo 3:8 NKJV).

The Savior calls us to earnestly repent of our sins throughout the gospels and writings of the New Testament.

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lu 13:3 NKJV).

How quickly and how many times a day does God forgive us?

Jesus said to him (Peter), "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Mt 18:21 NKJV).

When we repent, Jesus forgives our sins and blesses us.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103: 2-4 NKJV).

When we repent, the Lord, out of his Perfect Love and Mercy, removes our sins completely away.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:10-14 NKJV).

God forgives perfectly, so it follows he forgets perfectly.

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins” (Isa 43:25 NKJV).

What do we owe this all Holy, all Loving, all Just, all Merciful God?

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.

"And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV).

No one who repents and turns to Jesus, the Son of God, can doubt forgiveness. The Savior paid a very expensive price on the cross to redeem all our sins. Repent.

– Bill Hunt

World in Christ

Has God called YOU to World missions, to Go! or to support the work of Jesus? Individual Pastors are calling for help for visiting evangelists, ministers, missionaries, Bible teachers, or even support. I will place you in touch with them. “You will take power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses throughout the World” (Acts 1:8). Email me.