On one occasion in the Philippines, Franklin Graham visited our ministry for several days. He is the son of Billy Graham and the President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.
While taking him to the airport after his very successful visit, he said “You know Doug, I have been all over the world and visited many countries and have ridden in every kind of vehicle imaginable, however, I must say, this car of yours is the worst vehicle I have ever been in! Where did you get this thing?” We laughed together as I told him of occasions when the steering wheel came off, the gear shift slipped out, tires fell off, and other horror stories.
As I was getting Mr. Graham’s bags out of the car at the airport, he said, “Doug, joking aside, I would like to mention something; I feel you are working your people too hard.” At that time, we had about 160 dedicated Filipino team members working alongside 30 ACTION missionaries. I responded, “Yes, they do work hard and are a very dedicated group.”
He then asked, “When was the last time you took your team on a break?” I answered, “A what?” He replied, “A break, a retreat, a time of fellowship and refreshment.” I answered, “We have never had one of those.” He then reached into his pocket and pulled out 20 - 100 dollar bills ($2000). (The purchasing power of that gift was five to seven times more than it is now.).
As he handed me the $2000 he said, “Take your team for a break as a gift from Samaritan’s Purse,” and we did. We took the whole team, including their families, for a three-day retreat. We had a wonderful time studying the Word of God, enjoying fellowship, praying, resting, and playing, to the glory of God!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
NOW IS THE TIME TO GIVE! PLEASE.
On my radio show today we discussed President Bush's recent statement that he did not believe the Bible to be literally true. He would not be considered a literalist he said, though he did believe God sent His Son. I asked my listening audience if they believed a person must believe the Bible to be the Word of God to be a true believer. While it caused an hour of fast paced lively discussion, I was impressed by all of the good questions that were brought up. Questions of original languages, of genre, of the process of the Bible being put together by men. Questions about how it is that God would have sinful men be the vessels He used to write His Word.
It occurs to me how difficult some of these questions are to deal with for me and others, and we have all of the helps we need as far as commentaries and resources. Yet with all of the resources at our disposal, this is still deep water and tough going for many. And I thought, if it is difficult for me and others, in a country that is blessed with so much, how much more difficult must it be for the brothers who are pastors in less fortunate countries. Consider the heartache of a man of God who receives the hard questions and does not have the resources we have to draw upon. These needy pastors who we are seeking to help at ACTION. This is why Pastoral Leadership Development exists. For us to be able to come along side these dear brothers who have much less than we do, but are no less godly, and no less passionate about the Lord and His flock.
This is why we feel it imperative when a publisher like Crossway allows us to print great commentaries at a fraction of the cost, that we ask you to help. This is why we need your money, yes money. Of course we covet your prayers, but quite frankly we need you to give to this great project. We are able to give unbelievable commentaries to needy pastors for only a few dollars per commentary. We can get it all done for thousands of pastors for only $189,000.00!
I am asking you to give to this worthwhile project that will bless and effect hundreds of thousands of believers around the world, as their pastors are exposed to good theology and can impart that to their churches. Would you give to this project? Some of you may be able to give it all in one check. That would be a great use of your money. Or maybe 189 of you can give 1000.00 and we can carry on with the project. Whatever you can do, please do.
Please mail your checks to
ACTION
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace Wa. 98043-0398
please note Crossway Publishers BookShare Project
Or you can go online to www.actionintl.org and donate there. Tough questions and situations are not limited to this country. They come to pastors in every country, and you can have a part in helping them point others to the cross for the Glory of God, with your gift!
For His Glory,
Tom Crouse
It occurs to me how difficult some of these questions are to deal with for me and others, and we have all of the helps we need as far as commentaries and resources. Yet with all of the resources at our disposal, this is still deep water and tough going for many. And I thought, if it is difficult for me and others, in a country that is blessed with so much, how much more difficult must it be for the brothers who are pastors in less fortunate countries. Consider the heartache of a man of God who receives the hard questions and does not have the resources we have to draw upon. These needy pastors who we are seeking to help at ACTION. This is why Pastoral Leadership Development exists. For us to be able to come along side these dear brothers who have much less than we do, but are no less godly, and no less passionate about the Lord and His flock.
This is why we feel it imperative when a publisher like Crossway allows us to print great commentaries at a fraction of the cost, that we ask you to help. This is why we need your money, yes money. Of course we covet your prayers, but quite frankly we need you to give to this great project. We are able to give unbelievable commentaries to needy pastors for only a few dollars per commentary. We can get it all done for thousands of pastors for only $189,000.00!
I am asking you to give to this worthwhile project that will bless and effect hundreds of thousands of believers around the world, as their pastors are exposed to good theology and can impart that to their churches. Would you give to this project? Some of you may be able to give it all in one check. That would be a great use of your money. Or maybe 189 of you can give 1000.00 and we can carry on with the project. Whatever you can do, please do.
Please mail your checks to
ACTION
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace Wa. 98043-0398
please note Crossway Publishers BookShare Project
Or you can go online to www.actionintl.org and donate there. Tough questions and situations are not limited to this country. They come to pastors in every country, and you can have a part in helping them point others to the cross for the Glory of God, with your gift!
For His Glory,
Tom Crouse
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
ACTION Bible Institute
ACTION Bible Institute (ABI) in Zambia will commence on January 19, 2009, with ACTION missionaries Tracy Singleton and Steve Allen as the teachers. Tracy (former pastor from Illinois) will be teaching Module 2 of Veritas which is a Biblical Training Study Program covering Old Testament narratives. Steve will be teaching a class on the book of Ephesians.
We are challenged with the finances of the ACTION Bible Institute ministry. The vision for training these pastors embraces the need to help them financially. The commitment for training takes them away from necessary employment for few are fully supported by their churches. ACTION’s desire is to defray some of their costs to free them for training, including transportation to ABI, food for their families, and books. The total cost of ACTION’s support goal for each ABI student for a year is $658. If you would like to help one or more of these pastors go to www.actionzambia.org/give on the web and follow the directions to give to ACTION Zambia Pastoral Leadership Develop.
Let me encourage you with the following, They went out for the sake of His name . . . therefore, we ought to help such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth (3 John 7-8, nasb).
We are challenged with the finances of the ACTION Bible Institute ministry. The vision for training these pastors embraces the need to help them financially. The commitment for training takes them away from necessary employment for few are fully supported by their churches. ACTION’s desire is to defray some of their costs to free them for training, including transportation to ABI, food for their families, and books. The total cost of ACTION’s support goal for each ABI student for a year is $658. If you would like to help one or more of these pastors go to www.actionzambia.org/give on the web and follow the directions to give to ACTION Zambia Pastoral Leadership Develop.
Let me encourage you with the following, They went out for the sake of His name . . . therefore, we ought to help such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth (3 John 7-8, nasb).
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Zambia Pastor's Graduation
A report from Tracy Singleton's blog - http://www.thesingletonstory.blogspot.com/
This past Friday fifteen pastors received their certificate of completion for Module 1 of the Veritas class. After a short time of fellowship, refreshments, and singing, Tracy spoke to the men about keeping their souls happy in God. Amid all the duties pastors have, this one thing is the most crucial.
Afterwards Tracy awarded certificates to each of the pastors.
Especially gratifying was that fifteen pastors began the class and fifteen pastors completed the course. He also gave each of the pastors a book, Breaking The Bread of Life. In addition, Peter Zulu received the perfect attendance award, with Alfred Mwanza only missing one class. They each received reference books as awards. Mr. Joseph Zulu then spoke to commend Action Zambia for its good work with pastors and challenged it to continue its ministry.
Following the graduation, pastors were given the opportunity to sign up for the Action Bible Institute (ABI) which will begin in January. Thirteen of the graduates signed up to enroll in ABI. Please pray for Tracy and Steve Allen as they prepare to instruct the pastors. Please also pray for the pastors. By enrolling in ABI the pastors are making an investment and sacrifice. Rather than spending their time working a second job (and most of them need to do so), they resolve to faithfully attend classes instead. We look forward to what God is going to do in and through the lives of these shepherds.
Afterwards Tracy awarded certificates to each of the pastors.
Especially gratifying was that fifteen pastors began the class and fifteen pastors completed the course. He also gave each of the pastors a book, Breaking The Bread of Life. In addition, Peter Zulu received the perfect attendance award, with Alfred Mwanza only missing one class. They each received reference books as awards. Mr. Joseph Zulu then spoke to commend Action Zambia for its good work with pastors and challenged it to continue its ministry.
Following the graduation, pastors were given the opportunity to sign up for the Action Bible Institute (ABI) which will begin in January. Thirteen of the graduates signed up to enroll in ABI. Please pray for Tracy and Steve Allen as they prepare to instruct the pastors. Please also pray for the pastors. By enrolling in ABI the pastors are making an investment and sacrifice. Rather than spending their time working a second job (and most of them need to do so), they resolve to faithfully attend classes instead. We look forward to what God is going to do in and through the lives of these shepherds.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
DO YOU PRAY?
“Praying will make thee leave sinning or sinning will make leave praying.” This well-known saying may well have originated with Thomas Wilcox (1622-1687) and speaks into the life of every pastor. I rarely read a biography of any minister of the gospel where they do not look back on their lives and wish they had prayed more. Prayer is essential for the man of God, and yet it is most often neglected. Prayer is what keeps us mindful of our dependence upon God, and yet it is so often not on our mind. Prayer is worship, and yet for those charged to lead others in such worship, it is often lacking. Lets us not come to the end and wish we prayed more. Why not commit now to praying more? Why not use this gift and privilege we have been given to the utmost?
Brothers let me encourage you to become men of prayer. Your flock believes it to be true of you, that you are a man of prayer. Your people believe that you pray for them, this is why they call you first with prayer requests. The question is, are you the man of prayer that the people you lead and shepherd believe you to be? If you are praise God, press on brother. If you are not, I would call you to repent now, not later, but right now, and get on your knees and beg God to give you those desires and affections for Him, that will make prayer a delight to your soul. The people that God has entrusted to your care, are counting on your prayers for them and the lives of their family. Pray pastor, pray!
For His Glory,
Tom Crouse
Brothers let me encourage you to become men of prayer. Your flock believes it to be true of you, that you are a man of prayer. Your people believe that you pray for them, this is why they call you first with prayer requests. The question is, are you the man of prayer that the people you lead and shepherd believe you to be? If you are praise God, press on brother. If you are not, I would call you to repent now, not later, but right now, and get on your knees and beg God to give you those desires and affections for Him, that will make prayer a delight to your soul. The people that God has entrusted to your care, are counting on your prayers for them and the lives of their family. Pray pastor, pray!
For His Glory,
Tom Crouse
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