Church News and Fellowship

Experiencing the Church Life in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
It was so refreshing to see and experience the church life in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Everywhere I went the saints were very much alive. Old, young, school age, full time, and employed were very much involved in the daily church life. The main meeting hall was a center of activity every day, all day long. There were trainings for the young people, for the full timers, for the sisters, for the high school and junior high school saints, video trainings, etc. I never knew who I was going to meet when I left my room at the hall. There were saints from Taipei, from Taichung, from Indonesia, and from FTTT. In Kaohsiung, blending is not just a concept; it happens every day. Thus, there is joy among the saints.

I can't say enough about the matter of teaching English to the children. Over 700 children came to the English classes from the families of gospel friends. The parents of these children very much appreciate these classes. The saints have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with those parents. I see this as a very large door for the gospel. The brothers feel that thousands could be reached by this approach. I will be praying for this for years to come, as this will be a long-term labor.

The saints poured themselves out to serve the visiting saints from the USA. I felt somewhat exposed, as this type of serving was another indication that they are living a God-man living. It is one thing to know the high truths, but much more attractive to see it actually lived out. I believe this affected the young high school saints from the USA. Many of them mentioned to me that they loved these saints, and some even wanted to stay or go back again. There is no doubt that when Christ is alive in saints, it is very attractive.

Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity.
-Bill Gilbert, Columbus, Ohio.

Labor Day Weekend Conference
Thank you, brothers and sisters!

I was ready to stop reading the ministry books altogether, because I was offended by questions, but now I am in Christ and love all the saints! This weekend helped me spiritually so much, probably more than anything else in my seven years of being saved. I love you! Thank you!
-Todd Burroughs, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Gospel Odyssey
This year 90 college students from the Great Lakes area participated in the Gospel Odyssey, an outreach to two cities: Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Delaware, Ohio. We spent ten joyful days meeting people, preaching the gospel, and holding gospel gatherings. Many college students led people to the Lord for the very first time, and many others gained experience shepherding new contacts. We rejoice in the Lord that 46 people received the Lord during the Odyssey and that we still are enjoying the sweet fellowship of others who were contacted during that time.
-Rex Beck, Cleveland, Ohio.

I found the Gospel Odyssey to be enjoyable for two main reasons: One, I enjoyed the time spent with the other college-age saints, especially those I had never really talked to in the past. And two, the Odyssey opened another opportunity to go out and spread the gospel, resulting in the sowing of seeds, the encouragement of believers, and salvations.
-S.E., Cleveland, Ohio.

I really enjoyed spending time with the high school saints from Minneapolis during this year's Gospel Odyssey. It was encouraging to see so many young ones pursuing the Lord together and going out to preach the gospel. It was also a joy to pray with them for their friends, meet the friends later, and then hear of their salvation.
-L.B., Cleveland, Ohio.

Two of our prayers throughout the follow-up of the Delaware Gospel Odyssey were 1) that we could get into one or two homes, and 2) that the Lord would encourage those in the follow-up Bible study to continue to attend until we had covered the whole book of Ephesians, verse by verse. Of the initial five who began to attend the Bible study, three still come regularly. More recently, we have met another couple with some interest in a Bible study in their home, and we are in the process of more follow-up with them. Praise the Lord for His answered prayers.
-J.F., Columbus, Ohio.

Participating in the Gospel Odyssey freed me from a lot of concepts that I had about people. I used to believe that no one wanted to know the Lord, that everyone was happy in his current situation in life and satisfied in believing that you simply need to be good to be "right" with God. I see now that there are people out there who are seeking the Lord, who want to know the Lord, who want a relationship with the Lord, and many who really need the Lord.
-M.M., Chicago, Illinois.