Ministry Update – Uplook Ministries (Dec 24, 2014)
Dear praying friends,
Just a brief update as we send you all greetings at this blessed time of the year. I wanted to send notice of some tornadoes that swept quickly through Mississippi yesterday, killing 4 and injuring 20, according to the latest reports. The main storms were west of Hattiesburg, especially in the town of Columbia. Damage seems to be very localized. We probably won’t be allowed into the area for a week or so (to protect from looting and to search for other victims), but we may get in just after New Year’s.
I have been occupied some over the last week with dear friends from North Carolina, Barry and Joyce Snyder. Two of their children were struck by a drunk driver as they traveled towards home from Texas. Their daughter, Lydia (age 32) was immediately transported to heaven, while their son, Gabriel, was airlifted to Jackson MS to the University Hospital. Although extensive damage was done to his right side, he is making progress, having endured several surgeries to help repair multiple broken bones. Please pray for the Snyder family.
Recently, we had the opportunity to place gospel books ( “What are Christmas and Easter all About?”, by John Cross) in 500 Christmas gift bags for the poorest children in a nearby city, Columbus, Mississippi (we also bought many of the toys). These were distributed by the city’s police department this past weekend. As a result, I had a very good meeting with the police chief, who has asked for our help in getting the gospel into the poor neighborhoods of his city. He has learned the “crime-fighting” benefits of the gospel! I’ve been invited to go out in the squad car with police patrols to see the conditions first-hand. Much intercession is needed for this.
Part of the group working with the police to assemble and distribute 100 bikes and other toys to 500 poor children in Columbus, MS.
I have been invited to officiate at a wedding of a young black couple in January. This young man, who lived with us for his last semester at university, has a great heart for the gospel. At his wedding will be, to my knowledge, some of the best young African-Americans I know. They are eager to learn and are thrilled to hear of our burden for the gospel being spread among the black population here (the highest per capita of any state, 38%). I hope to have an hour or two at that time to discuss how we can encourage the comprehensive spreading of gospel seed across the state. Pray for Willie, E.J., Justin, Drew, Devonn, “Duck”, Brian, Will, Marco, and Pierre. If God would light a fire here, it could spread across the whole state!
I leave tomorrow, Lord willing, for a week in the Toronto area, with the hopes of starting to video a series of short (90 second) talks on the Bible. We are trusting these will be helpful and will be posted on Youtube for starters. Again, we don’t want to do anything that is not the Spirit’s idea so please pray for discernment and help in this.
I’m keeping this brief as I’m sure you are busy at this holiday season. But your prayer investment is appreciated more than you can know. We don’t need what men can do; we need what only God can do. Now just a thought for you:
“…they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
“…you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
These verses from Matthew 1 tell us the two-fold mission of our Savior: as Immanuel, He brought God to us; as Jesus, He brought us to God. Blessed be His name!
Warmest regards
Jabe,
for the Mississippi team
