As St. Paul was preaching to the pagans, he came to appreciate and cherish the new Christians that formed churches. Probably none was more dear to him than the Philippian church. He wrote in Philippians 1: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel…….all of you share in God’s grace with me and again in vs. 25 …….and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith".I was called to witness in the world of Islam, and I value all of you who are standing with me “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.” (vs.11)
Because of this grace we share, you came to listen to what the Holy Spirit is doing with His Word. It has not returned to Him empty, but has accomplished what He intended in Johnny, Hicham, David Crane and myself - and you were touched by the awe of these miracles of conversion.
We thank you all for attending the banquet and program so that you could see what POBLO wants to do for our Savior. My Monday evening Bible class at the Lutheran Student Center at UTA is beginning to bear fruit. Many students attend and ask questions. I have made many Muslim contacts through my visits to your churches, as some of you have led me to them. Men have come to me and want to be a part of POBLO. We urgently need men who can speak other languages, especially Arabic. We need a woman who could witness to women.
To train these people in our doctrines and to offer them a position on the POBLO staff takes money. Your pledges to be in partnership with us in these endeavors are so very helpful and encouraging to me. You are now in partnership with me in the Gospel. This is what I came away with from the banquet: I am not alone; God will use our partnership as we progress in the faith with those lost souls he brings to us. Just as the Philippians were always ready to support St. Paul, I feel like you fellow Christians will support me in prayer and monetary gifts as you can. To God be the glory!
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