Generational

THE VERY CENTRE OF KINGDOM LIFE – SEEING KIDS’ POTENTIAL

Maureen McQuillanMaureen McQuillan reflects that it’s that time when we recall the events of the first two chapters of both Matthew and Luke regarding the incarnation.

Many came looking for the one destined to be the Saviour of the world. Doubtlessly those who discovered the babe of Bethlehem were overwhelmed and wondered in their heart how his future would develop as he grew up and what would happen to the child. (more…)

FOUNDATION STUDIES FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

2013-11-09 Tait Berge - 120Tait Berge, living with disabilities himself but active in ministry, challenges…

When perusing resources in any Christian bookstore, prepare to be overwhelmed with the vast choice of Bible studies.

Whether looking for a study on one book of the Bible or something on a specific topic, people from every denomination, ethnicity, gender, or country are hungry for what the Lord has to say to them through the scriptures.

But what if you have an intellectual disability?
How do you learn about Jesus? Are there studies for this population? (more…)

GOD PRESENT IN ROSEBURG SHOOTING AFTERMATH

Dan Wooding - Jeanette ChaffeeJeanette Chaffee, Special to ASSIST, herself a terrorist survivor, writes:

On October first I was driving around Tualatin, Oregon, and nonchalantly turned on the radio. I heard the horrific news that a gunman had gone on a shooting rampage in a writing class at Umpqua Community College, killing nine and shooting nine others.

Immediately I remembered my own experience surviving a terrorist bombing on TWA Flight 840 back in 1986, how helpless I felt, and how grateful I was that God allowed me to live though other people died. I felt the Lord instructed me to go to Roseburg and help in whatever way I could. I have to admit that it was with some nervousness that I headed 180 miles (290 km) south. (more…)

A TRIBUTE TO MY CHILDHOOD SPIRITUAL MENTOR

Becky FischerBecky Fisher, Kids in Ministry International, shares about influence:

I want you to meet my very first godly, spiritual mentor (outside of my parents), someone special that I believe God put in my life. Her name was Violet Nichols. We called her ‘Sister Vi.’

She worked for JC Penney’s as a sales clerk. Divorced three times, Violet really needed Jesus in her life. One of the faithful members of our church who worked with her timidly invited her to church one day, and much to everyone’s surprise she got saved! (more…)

JEWISH BOY’S NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE NAZIS

Charles Gardner

Charles Gardner, Special to ASSIST, shares this inspirational testimony…

Snatched from the jaws of the Nazis in the nick of time, a young boy, Heini Fiege, escaped to England to begin a new life.

It was a traumatic parting for Heini and his brother Arthur, aged seven and ten at the time, but their parents, Curt and Trude Fiege could see the writing on the wall and willingly gave up their boys for adoption to save them from the horrors of Auschwitz, where they would have perished within a few short years. (more…)

BIBLE HIDDEN UNDER FLOOR FOUND BY CHILDREN IN COMMUNIST ROMANIA

Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis brings an inspirational story of how God answered prayer in unexpected way:

Izabella grew up in communist Romania at a time when no one was allowed to go to church, have Bibles in their possession, or openly talk about God.

‘When I was seven and my brother was 10, we found a Bible hidden in the floor of our house. We didn’t know what it was,’ she said in a report by Samaritan’s Purse. (more…)

GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES NEED ADDRESSING

Becky Fischer
Becky Fischer urges pastoral and parental awareness …

The first time eight-year-old ‘Diana’ (name has been changed) walked into my children’s ministry she was literally wearing a boy’s brown three-piece suit. I was later told by friends, who knew the family, it was boy’s clothing down to the underwear. Her parents had recently been born again and immediately became faithful church attenders.

Week after week Diana consistently dressed much the same. I would overhear her telling the other kids she wanted to be a boy, and was going to get a sex change operation when she got older. I had no idea what to do with this child. She got saved, and seemed to be engaged in our services. (more…)

CONNUBIAL DISCOMBOBULATION

Andrew Corbett

Andrew Corbett shares important unknown facts about marriage and love:

As connubial means ‘of or relating to the married state’ and discombobulation ‘a fun, fancy word for confuse’ this is a good title for this article!

Personally I never thought that I would ever marry. But to my pleasant surprise, I did. And in what would otherwise have been quite an unremarkable life, I have since married dozens of women! But not just women – I have also married dozens of men. (more…)

UNPACKING THE KINGDOM JOURNEY – FROM AMBITION TO ACHIEVEMENT

James Alvinia

Youth leader James Alviani shares his heart…

Becoming a Christian at age 15 my pastors gave me all the support and encouragement I needed to grow in my relationship with God – and to figure out his calling on my life.

A youth leader at 18, I attended a large youth conference resulting in my ambition to replicate that conference in our church so we could also do something great. I didn’t realise that God wants us to get his vision and dream for our place, rather than copy other ministries. (more…)