“A great door and effectual is opened unto us, and there are many adversaries.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:9.
Opened Doors
God has opened a door for us that we were rewarded a grant. The money was for specified projects, including funds to purchase a 2009 Ford van for our missionary team. It is a nice change to one that was 22 years old. Secondly, with the money we were also able to assist 60 young people to attend two winter retreats at Camp Streamside where they were exposed to fun, friends and sound Bible teaching.
Another door remains open that several groups have used the Bible Club House for various functions, including overnights, youth retreats, hosting a Christian high school, a ladies’ retreat, a church fellowship and a pastors retreat. It poses quite a challenge to maintain this property and to keep it operating, but we are always rewarded in knowing how God has blessed the efforts with a warm, hospitable atmosphere where those that attend sense His presence. The ministry of the Word also constitutes an open door. Our Tuesday Night Bible Study at the Bible Club House continues to grow in both numbers and excitement. We had a banner year with the number of pupils at the Grace Settlement House Preschool where many immigrant children and their families were exposed to the gospel.
Bible clubs in both West and North Philadelphia continue to confirm God’s open doors in reaching young people and adults.. Mailbox Bible Club has also been effective in reaching children in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Two have professed faith in Christ this season so far. What an open door!
Dozens of young people have professed Christ as Savior this year through the ministries of PAM, and we want to be more effective in reaching the 300,000 children of Philadelphia in the coming days . However, there are several things or adversaries that work against our effectiveness.
Many Adversaries
Among the many adversaries is apathy among the Christian Community to get involved in outreach. Is it fear? Is it complacency? Is it an unbalanced focus on internal church work? God knows! We need your involvement!
Another adversary is finances. Most of PAM’s 13 full-time missionaries are under-supported, and some have had to pass by some ministry opportunities because of limited finances. The Bible Club House account remains in a deficit while many repairs are needed, and we struggle to maintain the quality setting of the facility. We need your finances!
A third adversary is the health of our missionary team. Experienced missionaries bring an advantage to our team, but experience means we are getting older, and our bodies are not what they used to be. We need your prayers!
Pray that God will undertake for us against these adversaries and keep the doors of opportunity open. |
