letter from the editor
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.“...Bad, getting worse ,,, a possible meltdown … rapid deterioration ... the worst since the Depression ...”. Strong, scary words are being expressed by politicians and newscasters in describing our present global economic crisis, justifying the government’s nearly one trillion dollars spending packet that might avoid “an economic Armageddon catastrophe”. XXXIt is good to take stock of our own lives and readjust our sails for the storm that might lie ahead, However, we have to guard our hearts that fear does not overcome our faith. There is good reason why there are 365 verses in the Bible that tell us not to fear — one for each day! God is with us!! |
XXXXXXWe thank you for the positive responses we received from so many of you to last month’s Bridge Report — for each of you who are reaching beyond your own needs and continue to pray and give! Thanks for your many encouraging notes!
XXXXXXAs the doors to traditional mission work are closing, the opportunities to share the love of Jesus are still there! Hanny Feurer, and Ted and Dawn Sandquist, represent individuals who, each in their own unique way, defy fear and travel into dangerous regions where they intercede, encourage, equip, and fund the workers in the field. Please pray for them!
being a blessing to the nations
XXXXXXIn the first few years after communism fell, The Bridge facilitated the travels of hundreds of short term mission teams from the States and Europe into the then Soviet Union.
XXXXXXFirstly, they did pioneer evangelism, then they came alongside the emerging indigenous churches and helped them grow in spiritual knowledge and maturity, primarily through teaching at the various Bibleschools we sponsored, and by conducting leadership seminars.
XXXXXXAs the national churches matured, we moved more away from using Western teams, and have focused on direct support of pioneer outreaches and projects done by the indigenous believers. This has turned out to be very fruitful, whereas Westerners travelling into the third world and emerging nations has greatly diminished as the world has become a more dangerous place (especially for those travelling on American passports) and the open sharing of the Gospel is increasingly forbidden.
XXXXXXHere, we want to honor our many Western friends and ministry partners who continue to travel into the mission field via short term mission trips. They are most often self–financed and often go into tough, inhospitable regions where they spread the love of Jesus to the unsaved while encouraging and ministering to the local believers. They are global bridge-builders between members of the Body of Christ. Ted and Dawn Sandquist and Hanny Feurer are good examples of this group of ministers.
XXXXXXTed and Dawn Sandquist and I have been friends since 1974 when I moved to Upstate New York to established a Christian grade school for Love Inn, a Christian community of young people from the hippie-era where Ted was a pastor. Presently, the Sandquists live in Louisville, KY, where Ted is the senior pastor of a local church. Ted is also a song-writer. His worship music is well known in the States and in other nations. Their outreach, Global Worship Initiatives, is also located in Louisville. They minister mainly in Costa Rica, Portugal, and North Africa.
XXXXXXHanny Feurer is also a friend and co-worker in the mission field. She and her ministry is introduced under this month's Articles (click on February 2009's button). Wed are honored and blessed to be partners in God's harvesting field!