Future Ministry Opportunities in 2010

This past year has been exciting for The Jeramy Anderson Evangelisic Association, Inc. I had originally intended on focusing attention on speaking engagements, essays, papers, research, book writing, and blog entries, but the ESL ministry took off far more than expected, so, for the past 8 months, all of my time went there instead.

Nonetheless, I still have a great desire to speak to local congregations, which was an original priority for this 501c3 para-church ministry to begin with. Therefore, though the ESL ministry is still a high priority, I hope to line up 5-10 speaking engagements during 2010 teaching on creation, apologetics, theology, and worldview.

However, as the Lord opens up unexpected doors, we will walk through them in His time. May He guide this ministry as we continue to pray, rest, and prepare for next year.

To Him be the glory alone! Amen!

Northchase ESL 9-28

Last week, everything went well. May God continue to bless His work there.

My Wife: My First Ministry

In the current era, 'ministry' has taken on a definition that it was never meant to take. Ministry as defined today has ushered in a theology that separates the pastor from his family. The rise of the 'professional' clergy has fueled this notion. After all, any other 'profession' does not take work home for the most part. However, when it comes to pastors, this is not Biblical. In reality, according to Titus, a primary qualification of an elder/pastor is related to home life. If a man is not leading his family Biblically, then he certainly ought not lead the local congregation. If he is not loving his wife and raising his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, then why would anyone expect him to do the same for the local flock?

For this reason, I am called to shepherd my family first and foremost, with my first ministry being towards my wife. In God's Providence, He has designed the husband-wife relationship to display the relationship between Christ and the Church. God will use our testimony together much more powerfully than He will through any sermon I preach or lecture I give. This does not negate preparation for sermons, but it does remind me that home life must never be neglected. If I'm not loving my wife as Christ loved the Church, then I am denying the greatest God-ordained testimony God has given to us (Ephesians 5).

Therefore, when times get tight, it is critical that I never put my wife on the back burner behind everyone else, for that does not glorify God but rather weakens our family unit and discredits the Church. When the local congregation or the Church at large sees its leaders having strong family relationships, they, in turn, recognize the power of the gospel to change lives. A pastor can preach about family all day, but if he neglects his own, then his message becomes impotent and lacks credibility. The Lord can still use any message, for His Word never returns void, yet, in the Providence of God He has ordained both the means and the ends.

To Him be the glory in all things! Amen!

ESL Northchase Apartment Update

Tonight was our third ESL at Northchase Apartments, and it was awesome.  We had about 30 adults show up, and they were all excited to be there! Amen!  Several of them wanted a more advanced class, and so we are working to develop that.  We hope to have an intermediate class beginning in May and maybe an advanced class by June or July.  It's a lot of work, but the blessing is worth every ounce of effort.  

All of it is definitely a team effort; this is not a one-man show.  We are very thankful for how Paul has made so many inroads thus far into the complex; this would be near impossible without all that he has done.   I also want to thank Lutfi, Roberto, and Sally as they were there to assist tonight.  I especially want to thank Chris and Lutfi who have been involved and very supportive from the very beginning several months ago, and that first night for Lutfi and I with the seven police cars was a real eye-opener for both of us to say the least!  I am most appreciate for  my wife, Meggan, in this start-up ESL ministry, for she has been very supportive with both new ideas and helpful suggestions, not to mention hearing about it all the time :) 

We are still praying for more participation in the Spanish Bible Study.  We fervently pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the people.  May the Lord draw men and women to Himself in this area and may He guide us into how we are to best minister to these people. To Him be the glory forever! Amen!