Missions focus has always been a significant portion of my life. I grew up where every last Sunday of the month was Missions Sunday. One of the hymns that always stirred deep emotions of tenderness within me was the hymn, “Make me a Blessing” which reads,
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Some years ago, someone shared with me an incredible and remarkable missions work conducted in Haiti and some countries on the African continent by the Apostle Norma Fontaine Philbert, and a small band of members of the Garden of Grace Ministries. As I listened to the individual, I was firmly convinced that the mission work was supported by a mega church or churches. Sometime later when I encountered Apostle Norma, I asked which group of churches were bankrolling the mission projects with which the church was involved. She responded, “None.” I asked a second time because I was doubting Thomas the Second. She repeated none and that all the mission projects were undertaken by faith with a handful of supporters. Apostle Norma gave up her job as a Manager in the Finance Industry to trust and believe God to fulfill the missions mandate to which she has been called.
As I celebrate my 55th anniversary in ministry, I think of the many who are hungry, who are dying of starvation, have no medical care, no outlet to primary educational opportunities, who are hungry for a word from God, who have no trained pastors, who have no physical building to meet for church services, and thus meet under trees or in the open. I
In honor of God’s faithfulness over the past 55 years, I choose to support the work of global missions through Garden of Grace Ministries. Please watch the video below and then prayerfully decide how you can join me.
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Some years ago, someone shared with me an incredible and remarkable missions work conducted in Haiti and some countries on the African continent by the Apostle Norma Fontaine Philbert, and a small band of members of the Garden of Grace Ministries. As I listened to the individual, I was firmly convinced that the mission work was supported by a mega church or churches. Sometime later when I encountered Apostle Norma, I asked which group of churches were bankrolling the mission projects with which the church was involved. She responded, “None.” I asked a second time because I was doubting Thomas the Second. She repeated none and that all the mission projects were undertaken by faith with a handful of supporters. Apostle Norma gave up her job as a Manager in the Finance Industry to trust and believe God to fulfill the missions mandate to which she has been called.
As I celebrate my 55th anniversary in ministry, I think of the many who are hungry, who are dying of starvation, have no medical care, no outlet to primary educational opportunities, who are hungry for a word from God, who have no trained pastors, who have no physical building to meet for church services, and thus meet under trees or in the open. I
In honor of God’s faithfulness over the past 55 years, I choose to support the work of global missions through Garden of Grace Ministries. Please watch the video below and then prayerfully decide how you can join me.