Letter LIVING WELL

Evangelism.

What do you think of when you read that word? Our church is emphasizing evangelism this year - a worthy emphasis. Easter is approaching, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ is on our minds. Why do we evangelize, what does it mean, and how do we go about it?

We evangelize because Jesus told us to (the why). If you have experienced the good news of having your sins forgiven because of Jesus Christ (the what), wouldn't you be excited to share the peace and joy that you have in your life now?

I (Donna) started doing yoga a few months ago, really enjoy it, and know that it has done wonders for my balance and flexibility. I discovered an app that is very good and that I could use at home in the mornings. I tell all my friends about my yoga experience and the difference it has made. Most of us are willing to talk at length about something we love and enjoy. Why wouldn't we talk about Jesus with that same excitement? 

The how of evangelism is a broad topic with lots of different opinions. Our belief is that God uses your passions and every day life encounters for you to share the good news. 

We have found two major ways that God has given us into peoples’ lives and hearts. Because of your support for us, we are able to pursue these passions and callings.

• First - through our marriage and financial counseling and classes. We are humbled that the Lord would use us to share about who He is week after week.
• Second - through the ministry of Wisdom Community School. We learned last year that, even though they sing about Jesus, they really know very little about Him. 

This year, the theme of Camp Wisdom is the person of Jesus Christ. We will teach about Jesus as a Man, God, a Servant, Savior, and our Friend. 

Because of your support for our ministry, we can continue to share the gospel daily in our office. Because of your support, we can take the gospel to the children of Wisdom in a slum in Zambia.

We have our team for Mission Zambia 2014. We have 11 team members from four churches and a wide-range of ages and talents. Those joining us on the team are: Alan and Donna Borkenhagen, Shelby Dunkle, Jacquelyn Edwards, John and Darla Holinsworth, Amanda Hyden, Mary Kay McCormick, and Anita Powers. Please visit our website page for pictures/info on the team.

See more info on our mission needs and details of the mission at this link. We count on your prayers and support to accomplish God’s mission through Living Well.

More exciting news! The concrete foundation for Classroom building #2 is complete! The walls of the building are going up now. We can hardly wait to see the building that the Lord provided through you. Our construction team paint the building on our mission trip. [see picture]

Thank you for your continued support! We could not continue this ministry without you! We love and appreciate you and your support of what God is doing!
Our love in Christ,

Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will raise up the $14,000 that we need to finance this mission.

Lesson from Life, 4

The Christian life is simple. Not easy.

I grew up in church. I always believed. I asked Christ for forgiveness of my sins when I was a child. Our family attended church during the days when most people good people went to church.

I didn't really understand the Bible. I understood the gospel. I loved Jesus. I tried to be good. I thought the Bible was about history, the end times, and salvation. Period.

Many years passed. I went to college, got married, and went to church occassionally. I prayed and I loved Jesus. God gave us a lot of commands about what we had to do to measure up to His standards. Some days I did better than others. I would try hard or hardly try. If it was to be, it was up to me.

Finally, I came face to face with my inability to do life on my own. We went back to church. I began to really study the Bible. I studied several hours a day, for several years. I read commentaries, read books, listened to preachers/teachers, and asked lots of questions. I studied the nuances of the Greek words for love. I learned the names of God.

But I still struggled in living the Christian life. If I could just learn more, I could live better. WRONG!

I knew a lot, but I didn't live the Christian life any better. As I learned more about God, my Father, I found His heart .... His heart for me. I realized that He loved me, period. He doesn't love me more if I am more obedient or less if I mess up. He just loves me. He gave me His Presence, the Spirit, so I would never be alone. I can know Him. I can love Him. I can spend time with Him. He lives in me and can live through me.

I am made to love Him and be loved by Him. I can be so full of His love that it spills out on everyone around me .... without asking, expecting, or needing anything in return. That's it, the whole ball of wax.

No need for knowing all of the nuances of the original language. No need for keeping lists of all I should be doing or how I have failed. I am loved. I am forgiven. I am accepted.

Do I always remember that? No.
Do I always live like that? No.
Sometimes I fall back into my old habits. It is not always easy to keep my mind fixed on Him. It is not always easy to get my focus off my circumstances.
But the love that He has for me doesn't change.

I can still love God with all my heart and be loved by Him. Because of and with that love, I can freely love others, no strings attached. A lesson I have learned in this life.

The Christian life is simple. But it's not always easy.