COME UP AND HELP US!

For eleven years Chris and Lisa Skowronek, homegrown leaders of the work in Hartford, Connecticut, have been laboring in their hometown harvest field. God has been faithful, granting conversions, growing disciples and establishing the church. Although not weary of the work, and also knowing their labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), our dear brother and sister are weary in laboring alone.

Rachel and I, along with the director of the Northern Atlantic Fellowship's camp, Mike Gehlert, and his wife, Yara, invested this past weekend with the Skowronek family and CenterPoint Community Church. We did come away concerned for our brother and sister. However, we also came away refreshed from their grateful, trusting obedience of Jesus Christ, and the church's joyful worship and fellowship.

Meeting in the auditorium of a local school, Chris and Lisa are leading the establishment of an indigenous church in Wethersfield, a suburb of Hartford in which they have lived for years. The singing was energetic and Christ-focused, the message from Chris evangelistic, simple and engaging. There were 60-70 in attendance, up from the twentys one year ago.

Christ is building His church in Hartford. Perhaps He is calling you to join the work there. Pray for CenterPoint Community Church in Wethersfield, Connecticut, led by Chris Skowronek.

All of the pastors of our New England churches really appreciated the visit and the personal words of encouragement to their people. A personal visit meant much more than any memo or email or telephone call ever could mean. Pray for Jack, Jake and Chris in New England, and consider what God would have you do now.

"THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING US!"

One of the dear saints in our sister church in the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont shared this with me after joining them for prayer meeting last Wednesday evening.

Earlier that day I had traveled to Montpelier, capital of Vermont, enroute to Island Pond. We have no church in Monteplier, or Burlington, Vermont's largest and most vibrant city.

The day before I had traveled to Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. We have no church in Concord, or Manchester, New Hampshire's largest and most vibrant city. Or anywhere else in the state.
When I called a classmate from seminary, born and raised in New Hampshire, his wife (also of New Hampshire) told me how to pray for New Hampshire: "Pray for good churches!"

Last Monday I traveled to Augusta, the capital of Maine. We have no church in Augusta, or Portand, Maine's largest and most vibrant city. Or anywhere else in the state.
When I called a fellow elder in ministry, who was born and raised in Maine, he told me how to pray for Maine: "Pray for good churches!"

During the well attended Wednesday evening meeting, I challenged the church at Island Pond to have courage to trust and obey God and His word to do again what He has done before. In the first centuries after Christ the gospel triumphed throughout the Roman Empire. Early in our nation's history and in New England, the gospel triumphed.

God has not changed; the gospel has lost none of its power; people are still people. Let's trust God to do it again, through us, for His glory.

Are we listening to our brothers and sisters? As we make disciples of all the nations in and from the northern Atlantic region, Christ will build His church. Pray for the Island Pond, Vermont Grace Brethren Church, led by Jake Kocis.

PROVIDENCE, AND BOSTON IN THE FALL

In the middle of three weekends invested with my wife visiting churches in the northern part of the Northern Atlantic Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Rachel and I joined Jack and Christine Brown in Essex, Massachusetts. Our son, Samuel, was also along. They responded well to my challenge to "preach the gospel," bearing the good news they have to people they know who need it!

In Providence, Rhode Island, one can stand at the riverside in the downtown, and see all the structures of authority and influence. In the smallest of our United States, one can pray with eyes wide open for "all who are in authority" to the One "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2, 4).
We have no church in Providence, or any other community in Rhode Island.

On a drive through Massachusetts, I visited three towns briefly. One was Northampton, where Jonathan Edwards led a church during the first Great Awakening. Another was Enfield, where he preached the famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

Apparenty the lampstand had been removed (Revelation 2:5)from many of the churches long ago. Now they are used for shops, museums and city halls. Northampton is now a center of radical feminism and the occult, and in Enfield only the tranisent literary works of men and women are memorialized near the church building where Edwards preached.

But thank God for the lampstand burning bright on the North Shore of Boston! Pray for the North Shore Bible Church, led by Jack Brown.

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

Twelve years ago, it was not certain that the Grace Brethren Church of Sherman's Valley would continue to gather for worship. Numbers had dwindled to less than a dozen, and God was being sought in prayer for a shepherd. Would Christ remove His lampstand from that place (Revelation 2:5)?

The answer of our Lord appears to be no, the lampstand will remain in Blain, PA. This smaller church in the hills of central Pennsylvania, west of Harrisburg, is growing. Attendance has been in the 70s for Sunday morning worship, and there was a typical third of that number for Wednesday evening prayer meeting earlier this week.

Jim Link, the shepherd which answered the call to Sherman's Valley GBC, explained to me of God's faithfulness exhibited through the faithfulness of the folks meeting in Blain. Attentive listening to God's Word and fervent prayer did as well. A Berean spirit (Acts 17:11) came to mind as a young adult listener carefully asked insightful questions afterwards.

God is doing a work in the Grace Brethren Church of Sherman's Valley; Christ is builing His church. Pray for the Grace Brethren Church in Blain, PA, led by Jim Link.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK!

There is more to New York than New York City, but I'll get back to that in a moment.
My wife, Rachel, and I had the thrill to be with Steve and Melanie Galegor last weekend in "the big apple." Saturday evening we joined them in Brooklyn with one of their several works with Albanians. Steve's ministry involved both evangelism and discipleship as he taught from Isaiah, challenging them to believe God for a great ministry impact in their borough.
As the center of the "Megalopolis" of the northeast, I praise God that we have a great work going on here. But there is much more to be done in New York City!
Once again, there is more to New York than New York City. I think the rest of the state of New York is often refered to as "upstate." Well, the city of Syracuse is defintely upstate. Josh Shearer, with Paul and Abigail Roark,are in the initial stage of beginning a work in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
This is a mission team sent out by New Beginnings GBC in Myerstown, PA. God is beginning to supply them with both employment and good contacts. One is a young family, also from our Fellowship of churches, who is proving to be an encouragement to the new team in town.
As one of the most populous and influential states in the United States, I praise God that we have a work beginning in the very center of the state. But there is much more to be done throughout the state of New York!
Pray for the Syracuse Grace Brethren Church, led by Josh Shearer.
Pray as well for the evangelism and discipleship leading to churches, going on among Albanians and others in New York City, led by Steve Galegor, Jr.

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE BODY OF CHRIST!

Last Friday evening I had the joy of seeing members of the body of Christ doing ministry together, and it was beautiful. Community Cornerstone Church, originally meeting in Loganville, PA, now gathers and serves in the Early Learning Center in York. Not only do they gather on Sunday mornings for worship, but also once a month on a Friday evening for outreach!
Comfortable music was playing as the young people entered, with food and drink being served by leaders and their families from Community Cornerstone. A young adult soon welcomed everyone to the event. Usually local bands play, which explains the 75 and more people in attendance-this night it is a film.
The members of Community Cornerstone Church are everywhere, serving food and drink, welcoming people, and engaging young people in evangelistic conversations in the hallway and in the meeting room. I joined them with the three young people at my table, using "The Intelligence Test" to move us from the natural to the spiritual. I hope they will welcome me some day into the "eternal dwellings"(Luke 17:9).
This, too, is certainly the heart and mindset of this church.
Pray for Community Cornerstone Church in York, PA, led by Ross Dunk.

DO WE HAVE A STAKE IN PHILLY?

Last Friday and this past Monday evenings, I was able to join two of our Philadelphia churches. One was for a cool coffee house and the other for a message and prayer. Thirty to fifty from children to grandparents attended the one and tweleve dear, committed disciples the other.
One was composed of more fringe and new people and the other by a faithful, fervent core. Both are located - from the persective of an outsider - in the fourth of perhaps five rings of residence in Philadelphia: still urban, yet somewhere in the middle class. Both are located in one of the major cities in the northern Atlantic - "our neck of the woods."
I have an answer to my question in the title. It is yes. One reason the answer is yes relates to what was once said in one of our more rural churches, "God loves people - Cities have lots of people - God loves cities a lot!"
Another reason is that we have five works in Philadelphia, led by and composed of people like the rest of us, believing and teaching what we believe and teach. We have high stakes in Philadelphia.
Please join me in praying how we and you can step up our and your involvement in Philadelphia, and in other major cities in the northern Atlantic, too. God has called them to do the work, but we should bear our part of the burden (consider Galatians 6:2). Please pray, too, for the Crossroads Community Church-Northeast, led by Jim Brown with Dan Browning, and for First Grace Brethren Church, led by Shawn Kidder, both meeting in Philadelphia, PA.

WHITE UNTO HARVEST

Since blogging last time, I've been priviledged to visit two more of our NAF churches. Last week, Tuesday evening was invested with the Lehigh Valley Grace Brethren Church in Bethelehem, PA, near Allentown. One of the church leaders, Dale Weaver, led the discussion of the Revelation.
Several were in attendance, including Pastor Larry Humberd and an elder, which began with a fellowship meal together. The church there is placed by the Lord in the midst of a great mission field, and they are taking steps to move out into it. Pray for the Lehigh Valley Grace Brethren Church, led by Larry Humberd!

Earlier this week I had the joy of challenging the Monday evening gathering in Philadelphia, PA called the Comly Street Chapel. The Lord burdened Mark Rowe with the continuing ministry opportunity in the Wissinoming area, so the doors have remained open.
The numbers were small, but the Lord is honoring Mark's desire and continuing the work begun there. Among others, two young boys were eager learners with open Bibles, and visiting brothers from another MetroGrace work and from Indiana assisted as we worshiped the Lord together. We are confident that Christ is building His church in this neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Pray for the Comly Street Chapel, led by Mark Rowe.

FAITHFUL

That's the word that comes to mind as I reflect back on my visit yesterday evening with Grace Church in Skippach Township, PA. My younger son, Samuel, and I joined the weekly Bible study in the home of Spencer, originally from our church in Simi Valley, CA. In the living room of his home we had house church last night.

Kenn Cosgrove, with his wife Gail, have labored in this part of the Lord's vineyard for over two decades. Much seed has been sown, and some harvest has taken place. Their trust is in the word of the Lord, Who says it "shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it forth" (Isaiah 55:11).

With leadership and vision, the increase will come. Pray for Grace Church in Skippach Township, PA, led by Kenn Cosgrove.

DEFINING "CHURCH"

It is always encouraging to find out that people are reading and paying attention. Last month I wrote in my NAF moderator's eletter that I will be working over and communicating with the readers about how we define, or decide that we have a, “church.” My observation from our regional, national and international fellowships is that there is a lot of variety in how people, both leaders and followers, in our NAF churches are defining and deciding about “church.”

There was response to this issue. Certainly the email from Jerry Young, former long-time pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA was helpful. Jerry wrote that he served as chair of the FGBC (Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches) strategy committee of 1990, which presented a report entitled, “Elements of a Grace Brethren Church” which was approved by the delegates of the national annual conference that year.

It reads as follows:
"A Grace Brethren Church is a local assembly of believers in Jesus Christ who are affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, or its counterpart Fellowship in other nations, and are committed to:
1. One another as a spiritual family;
2. The Statement of Faith as a summary of our biblical belief and practice;
3. The practice of triune-immersion baptism and three-fold communion;
4. Oversight by an elder (or elders) who fulfill(s) scriptural qualifications; and
5. The observance of regular worship services.
The purpose of a local church is the worship of God, the edification and fellowship of believers, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission."
1991 Brethren Annual, page 16

So, as we respond to the challenge of every NAF church bringing a daughter church to our regional conference next year, this statement helps us understand both the mother and daughter churches involved. Jerry added, “To the best of my knowledge, this definition has never been officially altered by later conferences.”

What are your thoughts as we press on in discipling the nations?

CHURCH AT AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME?

What a surprise it was for me to arrive last week at the Limeport, PA baseball field, where a fledgling group is meeting under the leadership of Dick Keller. The surprise was not the group, but where they meet. It really is at the baseball stadium in this beautiful neck of the woods in southern Lehigh County.

It is an easily identifiable and accessible location for the Family Life Fellowship, easy for Sini,the manager of the nearby deli to join us for the Bible discussion. Dick and his wife, Rose, have been faithfully laboring there for over a year, and have high hopes for what God will do in and through them. Recently, they have been especially encouraged by the cooperative ministry with an NAF church, Lehigh Valley Grace Brethren Church from nearby Bethelehem/Allentown.

Pray for Family Life Fellowship, led by Dick Keller.

ADOPTING CHURCHES

Recently I have had the priviledge to visit two of our NAF churches which have been adopted by other NAF churches. In both churches I have sensed a real joy in the adoption and renewed vision for what God will accomplish in these works.

I met Al Kidder at the facility of the Suburban Grace Brethren Church in Hatboro, PA. Two dear sisters in Christ were waiting with Al and his wife, Susie. The small fellowship reminisced on the faithfulness of God to this church through the years, even in the helping of a new church in nearby Telford. Now that church, Penn Valley Grace, was preparing to adopt the church in Hatboro, which had helped them originally to get their start. How wonderful and mysterious the ways of our mighty Savior and Head of the church, Jesus Christ.
Pray for the church in Hatboro, PA during this time of transition, and for Al and Sue Kidder as they tranisition to new ministry for them as well!

Earlier this week I traveled down into Lancaster county with our evangelist at New Beginnings, Joe Couch, to meet with the church on Rohrestown Road, Lancaster Grace (adopted by Grace Church at Willow Valley, Lancaster, PA). Galen Wiley and his wife, Elsie, were there with others to greet us. Soon others joined us for their prayer meeting time.
It was my joy to again cast the challenge and vision for an explosion of church planting throughout the northern Atlantic region. We reviewed from the book of Acts the dynamic strategy of those who received the great commission from the Lord Himself and from those who heard it from Him: worshipping, sending, evangelizing, discipling, appointing, commending and reminding (see original posting). I closed with my conference challenge to the gathered NAF churches: Bring back a daughter church to conference in 2008!

Evangelist Joe then taught and exhorted the gathered church to evangelize. The law of God functions as the sinner's "tutor," bringing him or her to conviction of sin (Galatians 3:24), then the gospel is truly good news to the humbled sinner: law to the proud, grace to the humble. Animated conversation followed, as many sought Joe's advice and to learn from his experience.
Pray for Lancaster Grace, led by Galen Wiley, as they respond to the Spirit's moving toward bold evangelism.

NAF ON THE MOVE!

Thank you for praying for us as your NAF executive team met at the Penn Valley Church April 30 for our quarterly meeting. God gave us a great time of prayer together as we considered how He would have us move forward during the year. Let me briefly update you on what we discussed and accomplished during our time:

> Heard from Willis Frank, our secretary/treasurer, that we more than covered our expenses for the annual meeting and celebration March 18 in Telford at Penn Valley Church.

> Reviewed our purpose as a regional fellowship of churches: To encourage and unite NAF churches in obeying Christ's command: Make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:16-20).

> Reviewed our individual responsibilities on the team, and gave our vision and goals for the year.

> Heard some exciting plans from Dan Travis, moderator-elect, for next year's celebration.

> Heard some a big vision for the following year from Steve Galegor, 2nd moderator.

> Discussed briefly my challenge for the year: Each NAF church bring a daughter church to conference next year. I will be working over and communicating regarding two matters: (1) the application process to become an NAF church and (2) how do we define or decide that we have a "church."

> Chris Skowronek (Centerpoint Community Church, Berlin, CT) has agreed to head a task force which will explore aggressive and visionary church planting in New England.

> We will meet next July 16 @ 10:00 a.m. in Myerstown, PA in the facilities of New Beginnings GBC.

Let’s keep praying and working.

Yours for discipling the nations from the northern Atlantic, Dan Jackson, Moderator

FAITHFUL MEN

Tuesday evening I had the honor of joining men from the Ephrata Area Grace Brethren Church in studying the Bible. Their guidebook helped us examine 1 Chronicles 28, where the writer chronicles David's preparation for building the Temple. Barry led us in the study, designed to help us learn how to be truly successful men.

But God said to me, "You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood." (v.3)

David really wanted to build the Temple, having collected and stored diligently and systematically for years all of the materials needed to build a worship center worthy of the LORD, his God. But his God said, "No."

God's reason for not allowing David to build the Temple had nothing to do with David's "big," or "little," sins. It had nothing to do with David's adultery or murder or taking a census of the fighting men. What a wonderful lesson of God's awesome forgiveness and wise sovereignty.

God's reason for not allowing David to build the Temple was simply that it was not David's role in God's great, sovereign and wise plan. David had been the warrior; his son, Solomon, would be the builder. And David had done his part:
I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his father, (Acts 13:22&36)

Each of us who are forgiven and redeemed disciples of Christ are playing our part in God's great story of redemption; forgiven and redeemed men and women, bringing and living forgiveness and redemption to all the nations of the earth. This happened in ancient Israel, and still does in present day Ephrata, PA.

Pray for Dwight, AJ and others in the NAF church in Ephrata PA, led by Kim Robertson.

WE ARE A VERY DIVERSE FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES!

A week ago I was soon to leave for Pottstown, PA. Kork and Missy Moyer were expecting me to join them for the evening as Kork led the meeting of one of the churches of Still Waters Home Churches and Worship Center. I was halfway through the home church experience before I was able to orient myself. I was on the mission field!

Doing ministry among the poor and homeless is very different than the experience which most of us have in mind when we think "church" and "ministry." It is raw and basic. I remembered that this was what ministry looked and felt like among refugees in Germany-one of the ministries we were privileged to do while in Europe years ago with GBIM (Grace Brethren International Missions).

After home church at Melvin and Nancy's, we drove some of the people to their simple homes. Then, we went "scouting" for some of the folks who would be spending the night at the homeless shelter which Kork helps oversee. Kork and Missy's son, Taylor and friend Emma were busy making supper with food supplied by Amy, who had recently been evicted from her apartment.

"I'm glad my children know these people," Kork remarked on our way to his place as the clock was nearing midnight. "I feel like Jesus, serving these people. This ministry really is 'follow me, as I follow Christ.' And tomorrow, I'll get up and do it all over again!"

Pray for our NAF church in Pottstown, PA, led by Kork Moyer.

REGION-WIDE PRAYER MEETING

During the month of April, both a women's brunch and a men's rally are taking place within the NAF. Last Saturday my wife, Rachel, went to the Women of Grace brunch in Leola, PA to bring greetings on my behalf. This Saturday, I plan to attend the men's rally at Wrightsville, PA hosted by the Susquehanna GBC.

At both of these events the following information has been made available to assist people in praying for our churches in the Northern Atlantic Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. I hope you will join in the region-wide prayer meeting!

Pray for NAF churches!
A plea from your NAF moderator

I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
(Matthew 16:18)
This is the promise of Jesus Christ to His disciples. This is also our prayer.

Make disciples of all the nations.
(Matthew 28:19)
This is the command of Jesus Christ to His disciples. This is also our prayer as the people of NAF churches.

In response to the promise and command of Jesus Christ, each of our gathered churches of the NAF last month was challenged: “Bring back a daughter church to our gathering next year!” This is my challenge to our NAF churches, and I ask that you also make it your prayer.

You will find more to help you pray at the website of our regional Fellowship of churches: gbnaf.org.

Yours for discipling the nations,
Dan Jackson

NAF -Northern Atlantic Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

Pray for NAF churches

Today I am posting an eletter which was sent out to everyone on our NAF mailing list. This monthly eletter from your moderator is intended to encourage our regional Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches to stay focused on making disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:16-20) from “our neck of the woods.” So, here it is:

I have appreciated so much hearing from many of you during and following our recent gathering of churches in Telford. Added to a general excitement and sense of purpose among us that day, several mentioned to me their appreciation of a clear focus on and passion for evangelism, and the challenge to plant a church this next year.

In light of this, let us remember our purpose as an association of churches:
Our NAF purpose
This association exists to encourage and unite member churches in obeying the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). (NAF Constitution, Article IV)

Please consider with me my responsibilities as your moderator, and action points for each one:
My NAF responsibilities and corresponding goals
1. He shall act as chairman of all meetings of the officers of the association.
Ø The officers of the NAF executive committee will meet at least quarterly to prepare our regional fellowship of churches for next year’s conference.
2. He shall prepare the agenda and preside at all sessions of the annual meeting of the association.
Ø I will continue to challenge and encourage each NAF church to bring a daughter church to conference next year which has made application to join the NAF. One of several ways to facilitate this goal would be to visit each NAF church.
3. He shall initiate the appointment of committees or the designation of persons by the officers to carry out
specific tasks with a one-year term, including a defined job description.
Ø I will initiate the appointment of committees or the designation of persons as deemed necessary to further our work of discipling the nations from the northern Atlantic.
4. He shall be responsible for the publication of the report of the annual meeting.
Ø I will publish highlights of our recent Celebration 2007 in Telford, PA at Penn Valley Church, including the report of our annual meeting. (NAF Manual of Procedure, Moderator)
Therefore, Lord willing, and together with the NAF executive committee, I will accomplish these four goals by our annual meeting in 2008.

Two days after conference a number of our NAF pastors gathered for breakfast in Lititz, PA. Upon returning home from encouraging fellowship, I wrote down three action items, the first being: Pray for the churches of the NAF.
This I am doing. Perhaps you will join me in bringing our NAF churches before the throne of grace. I know our executive committee would appreciate your prayer support as well-we meet this month on the 30th at 10:00 a.m.

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel. Pressing on in His glad service,
Dan Jackson, Moderator

P.S. Now that you have heard again from me, I would like to hear more from you.

Discipling the Nations from the Northern Atlantic
How do we get there from here?

Where we are and where we are going


How to get there

1. Worshiping Acts 13:1-2a; Matthew 28:16-17

2. Sending Acts 13:2b-3; Matthew 28:18-19a

3. Evangelizing Acts 14:21a; 1 Thessalonians 3:6

4. Discipling Acts 14:21b-22; Matthew 28:19-20

5. Appointing Acts 14:23a; 2 Corinthians 8:19

6. Commending Acts 14:23b; Acts 20:32

7. Reminding 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Peter 1:12


To change or not to change, that is the question



I’d like to hear from you…

…about today’s celebration:

Ø What did you appreciate?

Ø What was not so great?

Ø What did you miss?

Ø Anything else?

I’d also like to hear from you…

…about the evening message:


In addition to the blog,
you can also contact me in the following ways:

jackfam6@verizon.net
717-866-5704
Dan Jackson
New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church
430 E. Lincoln Ave.
Myerstown, PA 17067