Birth Announcement

Sept/Oct Update Letter

September/October 2009

Dear Praying Friends and Ministry Partners,

I’ve been encouraged recently by meditating on the fact that God “thrusts” workers into the harvest (Matt. 9:38). Getting us to France is God’s business. Yet, in some way, God’s calling and commissioning of evangelists is a response to his people’s begging. Even though it’s difficult to comprehend this divine/human cooperation, please continue to ask God to thrust us across the Atlantic with the hope of the gospel. Because God is the one sending, no economy or government can stop us.

Staying Busy
In his goodness, the Lord has given us several weeks at home in Spartanburg to rest, settle into a new home (the church parsonage), make contacts for 2010, and prepare for an extended trip this Fall. We’ve stayed busy. We helped with our church’s VBS at the end of July (our third for the summer!). Michael had the opportunity to teach and preach multiple times at our home church. The Lord also gave us two opportunities to present our mission to churches in the upstate of SC: one in Spartanburg and the other in Anderson. We are grateful for these and many other opportunities to serve the Lord at home.

A Full Fall Schedule
We are also grateful for a full schedule for the Fall with an unbroken string of meetings between September 13 and November 15. We look forward to meeting these brothers and sisters and seeing how God will lead with regard to partners for the ministry. Presently, the Lord has given us 23% of our needed support. We trust that he will burden churches and individuals to partner with us in order to help send us out into the harvest.

Answered Prayer
God has been answering your prayers for us. First, we are thankful for the addition of a family to our support team. It is an encouragement to see God burden people to partner with the mission. Second, God has given us several meetings for this Fall and next year. Third, God has provided a van for our use. He caused several mechanical issues to be resolved the night before we left for our current trip in the Midwest, and we trust he will keep it running as long as he sees fit! Thank the Lord for his mercy and provision.
Please Pray for Us
“The Bible clearly reveals that believing prayer is essential for the advancement of the cause of Christ” (Hiebert, Working with God through Intercessory Prayer, 9). So please pray for us that…
1. God will mature us through the deputation process.
2. God will fill our meeting schedule for 2010.
3. God will use us to awaken Christians to the spiritual needs of the French and to Christ’s redemptive purposes for the world.
4. God will give us the skills we need for ministry in France.
5. God will materially bless his people and give them a heart to use their funds for missions.


Itinerary
September 13-Wichita, KS
September 16-Wichita, KS
September 20-Waverly, KS
September 23-Ottawa, KS
September 27-Clay Center, KS
October 4, am-Abilene, KS
October 4, pm-Wichita, KS
October 11-Houston, TX
October 18-Rockford, IL
October 25-Dekalb, IL
November 1-Sterling, IL
November 8-Naperville, IL
September 15-Shannon, IL

Exciting News
In the last letter, we announced that God has blessed us with our second child, and we now know that it’s another girl! She’s due around December 19. Please ask God to protect Liz and the baby as we travel.

Thank you for encouraging us through your prayers and giving. We thank God for you!

In Christ,
Michael, Liz, and Viviane
MLCole@HopeForFrance.org

July/August 2009 Update

July/August 2009

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

“This is a tough time to be on deputation.” I have heard this statement more than once from sympathetic pastors. And although it is true that scheduling meetings seems slow due to the economic slump, God has shown himself faithful by opening doors into churches and even enabling churches and individuals to partner with us in proclaiming the hope of the gospel in France.

Meeting Report
We recently returned from another two weeks in Western PA. We had a great time participating in two different weeks of VBS as the visiting missionaries, and we are thankful for the opportunity to share the gospel with several unsaved children. We concluded our stay in PA by presenting our work to another church whose hospitality made our final day in that area an enjoyable one. After returning to SC, we spent a Sunday with the dear people of one of our supporting churches. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to report to them and to fellowship with them again.

Support
The Lord has answered your prayers concerning support for our mission! We are grateful that another church is partnering with us as their missionaries. Also, we were encouraged by an email we received from a couple expressing their interest in partnering with our mission. Thank you for praying about our support! Initially, our team set our monthly support need at $5,000 (US), but currently we are reevaluating that figure based on first-hand observations Tim and Ruth (our coworkers) are making in France. Due to the weak dollar and a better understanding of the cost of living in France, our monthly support level will need to be increased. We are grateful that God has provided more than 20% of what we need. Please continue to ask God to quickly bring in the remaining 80%. We trust that God will answer our prayers and provide support for this mission according to his will.

Please Pray for Us
Thank you for taking an interest in us and our mission. We are more convinced than ever that God will have to work for this mission to be successful. So please intercede on our behalf for these requests:
1. God will accomplish sanctification in us through the deputation process.
2. God will fill our meeting schedule for 2009 and 2010.
3. God will lead us to churches of a like mind who will partner with us by supporting us financially. We would like to be at the 30% level by the end of the summer.
4. God will use us to awaken Christians to the spiritual needs of the French and to Christ’s redemptive purposes for the world.
5. We will continue to grow and develop so that we will be useful tools for the Lord in France.
6. God will give us wisdom concerning a van for deputation travel.

Itinerary
August 23-Spartanburg, SC
August 30-Anderson, SC
September 13-Wichita, KS
September 16-Wichita, KS
September 20-Waverly, KS
September 27-Clay Center, KS
October 11-Houston, TX
October 18-Rockford, IL
October 25-Dekalb, IL
November 1-Sterling, IL
November 8-Naperville, IL

Exciting News
We’re excited to announce that God has blessed us with our second child! The baby is due sometime around December 19. Please ask God to protect Liz and the baby as we travel.


Thank you for encouraging us through your prayers and giving. We thank God for you!

In Christ,
Michael, Liz, and Viviane
MLCole@HopeForFrance.org

Evening with the Kirchners

We had a great time this past Saturday evening with the Kirchner family. We met Charles, Julie, Zach, Brock, Grant, and Cali the first time we visited Church of the Open Door in Connellsville, PA, but we were able to get to know them better this past week while working with them in the VBS. They hosted us for an enjoyable dinner and relaxing evening in their yard. The Lord gave us excellent weather so were were able to really enjoy the outdoors.

As you can see in the collage, there was plenty to do. Everything from baseball to frogs! Charles and Julie were very hospitable. We grew to appreciate their servant hearts as we watched them work in VBS. Their labor is indicative of their faithfulness to the Lord in that local assembly. Liz and I also really enjoyed their children. After dinner, Julie's parents (Merl and Beverly Harbaugh) joined us. We had been staying with the Harbaugh's all week and had grown quite attached to them.

This is the best thing about deputation. We have met many different people, but I think the people of Church of the Open Door will stick out as very special to us for their sweet spirits. Thank you Kirchners for your kindness to us. We appreciate the fact that you extended friendship our way. God bless.

VBS at Church of the Open Door

It was our privilege to help with a VBS last week. We really enjoyed the time we were able to spend with the families of this church. They were exceedingly kind to us. (They fed us so well that I might have to roll home!)

I had a good class (teens) ranging from 3 to 8 participants. I think God gave us a good time together and I trust that he will bless the sowing of the seed in their lives.

The Lord gave us several opportunities to get to know the people of the church. We are humbled by their generous hospitality and kindness toward us. Not only did we enjoy excellent food and fellowship, at one house Viviane was able to sit on a horse! Although she was initially timid, Viviane really enjoyed the horses and Liz and I enjoyed watching her.

We finished the week with a program during the Sunday PM service. That just happened to be the night that Mt. Carmel had its organizational meeting (for the VBS we are now helping with). So, after preaching at Mt. Carmel's service, I drove over to Church of the Open Door to take part in their program. The Lord brought several visitors, some of whom were not Christians. I had the privilege of presenting the gospel to them and pray that God will give the increase.

Liz, Viviane, and I are grateful for the time we had to meet the Christians at Church of the Open Door. Thank you for your kindness to us. God bless you till we meet again.

On Commissioning the Bixbys

We said goodbye to our coworkers, Tim and Ruth, on June 21. Several strands of thoughts ran through my mind as I meditated on the fact that I would not see them again before they left for France. I attempted to channel those thoughts into this poem. I trust that it communicates biblical truths about love for coworkers and love for the gospel despite its shortcomings.

The service sneaked up on me

like a long-assigned project's due date

startles a procrastinating student: Already!

So soon! Its coming and won't wait!

For months and years we've prayed, planned,

prepared-for a mission in the distant future

that now extends its grasping hand

to claim you for its treasure.

Upon bowed shoulders elder hands descend,

deigning to set apart and send away

brother, sister, cherished friends

for sake of a coming glorious day.

Can we rejoice concerning this commission?

How can we feel happiness and joy

at this severing, this removal, this amputation

of those whose vital gifts we enjoy?

Delightful songs about sending out our own

clash dissonantly with the silent, constricting

dirges that grip the throat, turning to stone

joyful thoughts once upward spiraling.

Can it really be that we, the body, are gathering

to celebrate such a separation, the undoing of a union,

which is no less traumatic or agonizing

than the loss of arm or leg by amputation?

A sudden thought impedes dark despair's progress:

"Are you the first to suffer thus?"

The pain remains, but we can't claim this duress

is unique to us.

Long ago a greater severance took place-

when the God man walked this world.

The Father and the Son, eternally face to face,

fellowship cruelly crushed, salvation unfurled.

Far from glory this cherished Son righteously

lived doing good and preaching

good news to crowds persistently

refusing to see in him the Father abiding.

Until one morning the Son was dragged

up a hill to bear full force the anger

of his own dear Father, all communication gagged,

eternal fellowship could not endure.

Why must grief sprout from separation

for both deity and humanity?

This suffering is the price of reconciliation;

temporary sundering brings union for eternity.

Again, can this commissioning lead to joy?

Yes, if despite heartache and sorrow

the body rends itself to send a gospel envoy,

dividing itself so others can know.

And so within the assembly smile and frown mingle

as tears of sorrow and joy freely blend.

Mourning and grief are embraced in full.

Sweet proximity temporarily relinquished.

Go with the blessing of the church,

over every obstacle and resistance advance

until you return triumphantly from the search

for souls to swell Christ's inheritance.

Foolishness to the Greeks-Part 2

Chapter 2 of Foolishness to the Greeks is entitled "Profile of a Culture." Building on the truism that a missionary must know his culture, Newbigin wonders how a missionary from Western culture can reach the nations characterized by Western culture. He suggests that listening to other cultures is a beginning point, but acknowledges that language barriers make this an unlikely place to start. So he suggests analysis of Western culture's genesis: the Enlightenment.

Newbigin describes the Enlightenment as the collective sigh of Europeans (at least the thinking ones) as they were liberated from the darkness of superstition and ignorance that characterized much of the Medieval period of European history. There were many contributing factors to the Enlightenment such as the translation of Aristotle into Latin, the rise of universities, renaissance learning, reformation tumult, advances in science (particularly by Newton), and Descartes' philosophy. In the author's opinion, Newtonian science is the most important. His discoveries in science based on cause and effect forever changed the way humans looked at their surroundings. According to Newbigin, the result of Newton's work was the rejection of "purpose" as a category for understanding physics and astronomy. The new means of explanation came from cause and effect, so much so that identifying the cause became synonymous with explanation. There was neither need for or ability to identify the purpose behind natural occurrences that operated according to mathematical laws. Scientists could discover these laws by the use of reason: analysis and mathematical reconstruction.

This method of analysis soon spread to all levels of society and all aspects of life. No longer was it only applied to science; soon every area of life was subjected to the scientific method. Newbigin thinks this is the key for understanding contemporary (as of 1986) Western culture. The basis for all that we see is the dismissal of "purpose" as a valid category for interpreting reality. All that humans are left with is cause and effect. And yet, Newbigin points out, purpose remains a vital aspect of human existence. So, modern Western culture is forced to make a division between public and private, fact and value. The cause and effect process of science leads to hard, "value-free" facts as opposed to the intensely private values of individuals. The one (fact) holds absolute sway and authority in the public arena while values are relegated to the private sphere and wield no universal authority.

This absolute dichotomy robs modern Western culture of any basis for making value statements about how citizens "ought" to behave. The right to pursue happiness takes as many different forms as there are people--and no one has the right or ability to distinguish what is good or not. Scientific "fact" must be submitted to by all, but values must be restricted to personal preference.

This, Newbigin, argues is the modern Western mindset that has grown out of the Enlightenment. Reason reigns and everything else must submit. But, Newbigin asks, "what if this is not reality?" What if there is a God who has made all things and is calling every person to loving devotion? Could it be that modern Western culture for the past 250 years has been living in an illusion? Is the present decay of society a sign of that illusory dream?

That is as far as the author takes us in this 20 page chapter. Next, Newbigin explores the Bible and its authority.

Foolishness to the Greeks Day 1

This morning I began reading Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture by Lesslie Newbigin. Although this book is dated (published in 1986) I thought I'd give it a read since it deals directly with one of my main concerns: the evangelization of France. Newbigin served as a missionary in India as well as in England and was considered to be a leader in the world of Ecumenical missiology. The fact that he functioned within a more liberal sphere does not negate necessarily his insights into missions in Western Europe. Let's see what he has to say.


Chapter 1: Post-Enlightenment Culture as a Missionary Problem

Newbigin sets out to answer a very specific question: "what would be involved in a genuinely missionary encounter between the gospel and this modern Western culture" (3). He defines culture as the "sum total of ways of living developed by a group of human beings and handed on from generation to generation" (3). This includes religion. That definition is pretty normal. A little less clear is his definition of gospel: "the announcement that in the series of events that have their center in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ something has happened that alters the total human situation and therefore must call into question every human culture" (3-4).

He offers Paul's speech before Agrippa as a paradigm for what is involved in the cross-cultural communication of the gospel: 1) must take place in receptor language, including the intellectual framework of the culture, 2) must be confrontational in nature, calling for "radical metanoia," and 3) must rely upon supernatural working for results (5-6). Concerning this work of communicating the gospel cross-culturally, he includes a caveat that remains true today: "In the attempt to be 'relevant' one may fall into syncretism, and in the effort to avoid syncretism one may become irrelevant" (7). He also warns missionaries that the Jesus received by their converts is the Jesus they present. By this he intends to call attention to the fact that far too often the Jesus and his gospel preached is in fact a very culturally influenced Jesus and gospel (8).

He pinpoints the Enlightenment as the beginning of a self-conscious Western thought that disallows identifying the Bible as the Word of God (10) and then takes up the analysis of Western culture set out in The Heretical Imperative. Basically, Berger (author of The Heretical Imperative) argues that since there is no viable "plausibility structure" (read absolute by which to judge) in Western culture, this culture demands that every individual be a heretic; i.e., each must determine for himself what he will believe (11). Newbigin agrees with this aspect of Berger's analysis, writing that it is natural "in a culture controlled by this kind of experience, for religion also to be a matter of personal choice, unconditioned by any superhuman or supernatural authority" (13). But he disagrees with Berger's insistence that there is no "plausibility structure." Instead he asserts that Western culture's insistence on "facts" in the public venue (as opposed to the private realm) is the new plausibility structure. This dichotomy between private and public is integral to understanding Western culture. On the private level, pluralism and an absence of any plausibility structure is accepted and required. But on the public level of "fact," Western culture does not allow for the same level of choosing for oneself. Newbigin correctly (and colorfully) identifies "facts" as the "center of the temple" for modern Western culture [an interesting word picture in light of the French revolution's idolization of reason]. Based on this dichotomy, Newbigin decries attempts to offer Christianity as a legitimate topic for study within the existing structure of thought because doing so "leaves that world-view unchallenged. The autonomous human being is still the center--with total freedom of choice" (15).

He believes that Protestant churches have accepted Western culture's relegation of religion to the private sphere. In his opinion, accepting a place in the private sphere may have gained churches ongoing existence in the modern world at the expense of "surrendering the crucial field" (19). He then ends the chapter with a sobering quotation of W. E. Gladstone, part of which reads: "Should the Christian faith ever become but one among many co-equal pensioners of a government . . . this will prove that we are once more in a transition-state--that we are travelling back again from the region to which the Gospel brought us, towards that in which it found us" (20). Newbigin concludes that this is exactly what has happened, but that the result is not a secular state that was once predicted. Rather, "It is a pagan society, and its paganism, having been born out of the rejection of Christianity, is far more resistant to the gospel than the pre-Christian paganism with which cross-cultural missions have been familiar. Here, surely, is the most challenging missionary frontier of our time" (20).

Catching Up

It is hard to believe that just about a month has passed since we last posted a comment. This will be a quick update to let you all know what has transpired over the last several weeks.

Michael participated in the Bob Jones University commencement on May 9, where he had a Ph.D. in Theology conferred. Both our sets of parents joined us for the ceremony, and then we had the opportunity that afternoon to spend time with many of our friends at a drop in reception. The Lord gave us an exciting and enjoyable day. We are so grateful for his kindness to us throughout the process.

We left two days later for a family vacation--our first true family vacation since we've been married. The Lord provided this vacation free of charge to us and we are so grateful for the generosity of our family members. We had a great time together and were able to catch up on some sleep after two very hectic weeks.

We were at home for a week before we left for Tennessee to present our mission to Life Gate Baptist Church in Hixson. Pastor Dunn and the people there were very kind to us and we enjoyed making some new friendships with brothers and sisters.

Presently, we are working on projects at home, contacting pastors, getting ready for a short trip to PA to help 2 churches with VBS, and preparing for our long deputation trip this Fall.

Finally, but definitely not lest, Liz and I are anticipating the birth of our second child this coming December! (Viviane would also be excited, but she doesn't understand yet.)

As you can see, we have had quite a bit going on. Thank the Lord for his goodness.

Mt. Carmel Community Church

Our final stop during our whirlwind trip through western PA was at Mt. Carmel Community Church. I met the pastor, Rick Fox, at BJU by "chance" one day last year. As he mentioned while we were there, my appearance was hardly impressive. I had just finished work at UPS so I was dirty and dressed in grungy clothing. But he took time to talk with me and learn about our mission to France. At that time I spent more time talking up Tim and Ruth because I knew they had contacted him. But God did not work out the scheduling for Tim and Ruth to present their work at Mt. Carmel, so we planned to present our ministry to the people while in the area.

We arrived at the Fox's house on Saturday evening and enjoyed a good time fellowshiping with them over a delicious meal. The next morning Michael was able to present our mission and give a short challenge in their morning service. The Foxes allowed us to spend the afternoon with them and then graciously housed us overnight. We enjoyed several good discussions with them about ministry as well as about historical topics. We found out that Mrs. Fox and Michael had both been pastored by Jim Phillips and taught by Robert Brinkley (though at two different places).

Overall, we had a good time with the Fox family and the people at Mt. Carmel Community Church. We thank God for the people he has allowed us to meet over the last 16 days.

Church of the Open Door

We left Shaun and Pam's on Wednesday to share our burden for France with the people of Church of the Open Door in Connellsville, PA. After a safe, event-free trip, we drove up to the beautiful home of Merl and Bevvy Harbaugh (bottom left photo). They graciously received us into their home, providing a comfortable room for us to rest in and good conversations to refresh us. We weren't in their home for more than 2 minutes before Liz discovered that she had worked at Bob Jones Jr. High at the same time their daughter worked in Bob Jones Academy. Shortly after that we found out that their son-in-law (Bert) and Michael had been on the same Australia Mission Team in 1997. The final connection we made was that their daughter, Stephanie, had married the brother of our good friends Tim and David King. We were floored by the connections.

We left the Harbaugh's house about 20 minutes after we arrived to meet a group from the church for dinner. Ron and Jean Grimm treated us all to a wonderful meal at the Country Club Restaurant. We had a good time getting to know the Harbaugh's, Grimm's, and Baugham's.

We left dinner to get ready to present our ministry to the church. The people were very kind and listened attentively to the presentation even though I had some technical difficulties with the power point. They asked good questions at the end and extended Christian kindness to us in a multitude of ways.

As you can see from the collage, Viviane hit it off with Grant. Although he is a few years her senior, he graciously played with her and kept her laughing. We appreciate the reception we received from the church and look forward to the time when God will allow us to reconnect with them.

Swissvale Baptist Church

After eating lunch with the Hills on Sunday, we drove down to Pittsburgh to present our mission to Swissvale Baptist Church. An hour later we drove up to an imposing building that had been moved to that location in 1917. Pastor Strangman greeted us, helped us unload our luggage, showed us to our lodgings, and helped us get set up in the church's fellowship hall. The church's evening services are a little more casual on Sunday evenings, but I believe the primary reason for meeting in the lower floor was to avoid the heat (we were told that it has been unseasonably warm).

Michael was able to present the mission to the church and then spend some time leading the group in a meditation on Matthew 11:28-30. The people responded well to the exposition of God's Word and all seemed to be blessed by reflecting on God's gracious invitation to us in Christ. Following the time in the Bible, Michael took questions from the group. The people showed real interest in the mission and asked good questions. We enjoyed getting to know this small group of believers and were blessed by their kindness and generosity toward us.

Pastor Strangman and his family hosted us over night. We enjoyed great food and good fellowship with these believers. The current situation at the church necessitates that both he and his wife work outside the church, but they exhibit a real love for God's people that does not complain about the extra work.

We appreciate very much this church's kindness and look forward to years of partnership in prayer.

Union Baptist Church Kittanning, PA

This past weekend we returned to Union Baptist Church in Kittanning to present our ministry during SS and in the morning worship service. Pastor Hill and his daugher Joanne graciously greeted us on Saturday evening. We appreciate the comfortable lodgings that the church provided us with. The prophets chamber is great: two bedrooms, a sitting room, access to a kitchen, and a fully equipped bath.

After a good nights' rest, we joined the congregation for SS. Michael presented a lesson based on the life of William Borden. Then, during the morning service, Michael presented our mission and then preached about God's ability to overcome human inability when it comes to salvation.

We felt very welcome and appreciate so much the kindnesses we were shown over the past week and a half. The church certainly fulfilled the call to help missionaries along (3 John). We left refreshed and encouraged.

PARBC meeting

We had the privilege of attending a Bible conference of the PARBC at Union Baptist Church in Kittanning, PA. To our surprise (and delight) we found out that the preacher was Dr. Les Ollila. The Lord used him and others to encourage us with the great privilege we have to bring glory to God. I enjoyed meeting several pastors as well as some other missionaries who are seeking partners for their missions.

The church provided very comfortable lodgings for us, and they fed us extremely well over those two days. We are grateful for the Lord's providential leading to a conference where our souls were fed.

Clymer Report

After a few weeks of no traveling, we have begun a 16 day tour of Western Pennsylvania. During this trip we are presenting our work in 5 churches and at a two day Bible conference for the PARBC.

We made our first stop in Clymer, PA, where we presented the mission to France in Calvary Baptist Church. The pastor, Dr. Daryl Jeffers, is a friend of my dad's from their teenage and college years. He and the church people welcomed us very graciously and showed us every possible hosptitality.

I began the day by presenting a lesson on William Borden to an adult SS. I had created a basic power point to go along with the lesson that morning, so I had risen quite early. But I think the visual presentation enhanced the effectiveness of the lesson, so the extra labor was worth it. That morning we participated in the morning worship service and then ate lunch with two families of the pastoral staff. That night I presented our mission to France to the church and then preached on the fact that Divine ability overcomes human inability from Matthew 19.

That night we ate dinner with another member of the church staff and had a great time. We found out that we had several connections to the church besides the fact that my dad and pastor Jeffers were good friends. One such connection is with the music pastor's wife. As children, Liz and Brendy Dolly actually attended the same church in Muncie, Indiana. They had a great time reconnecting.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to present our burden for France to the people of Calvary Baptist. We also thank God for all of their kindnesses to us.

Seek God's Kingdom First

For several months now, Liz and I have desired to know God's mind concerning my employment at UPS. We know that many of you have prayed for God to make his will plain for us, so we want you to know that Friday, April 10, was my last day at UPS. We thank God for giving us guidance and for promising to meet our needs.

The decision was not easy to make because of the way the current economic downturn has affected scheduling meetings. But in the end, we were convinced that now was the time for us to seek God's kingdom first and trust him to provide for all of our daily needs. We are confident that he will!

So, thank you for interceding for us. We believe that God has answered prayers and has made his will known. We trust that the extra time gained will prove to be useful for finding partners so that we can do God's work in France.

Book Review

I will attempt from time to time to report on a book that I've read. Mostly, these reviews will reflect a sense of what I felt was important about a book or that reflect was caught my interest. I hope you enjoy them as well.

Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain H. Murray
Reviewed by A. Michael Cole

The Banner of Truth Trust and Iain Murray have collaborated to produce an excellent biography to supplement, and at times correct, the plethora of works dealing with one of the most acclaimed theologians of US history. Murray writes in an engaging style that is neither entirely popular nor wholly academic, ensuring that this biography will not disappoint the more scholarly inclined nor bore the casual reader. (Thankfully Murray uses footnotes so noting his references does not involve flipping pages.) The main body of the work is 472 pages. As to be expected from a biography, the chapters follow a chronological sequence. Murray does include several interesting chapters aimed at correcting common misperceptions: “Thirteen Hours, Every Day” (8), “Personal Portraits” (10), “Behind the Controversy” (17), and “Through Esther’s Eyes” (21). He also includes 4 appendices; the last two were especially interesting (“A Letter of Sarah Edwards, 1750” and “An Anecdote on Whitefield and ‘the Witness of the Holy Spirit’”).

While the whole of the biography is interesting, several aspects of the book stand out as especially helpful in understanding Edwards in a manner that benefits present understandings of the theological landscape. First, Murray provides helpful analysis of how Edwards’ view of Calvinism affected his ministry. Although Edwards objected to the doctrine of election in his boyhood (103), after conversion he came to see it and the other points of Calvinism as necessary for defending monergistic salvation (102–03). In Edwards’ view, his contemporaries needed to turn away from Arminianism because its tendency was to argue on the basis of human reason alone. This reliance on finite logic threatened the sovereignty of God in salvation.

Correction of misconception is another interesting aspect of this biography. One common criticism of Edwards that Murray addresses is the charge that he was a cold, distant person, especially in his ministerial role. One aspect of his ministry that often receives censure has to do with his sermon preparation and delivery. Concerning Edwards’ sermon style, Murray concedes that there is some validity to the charge that Edwards was not terribly concerned with style, but Murray contends that Edwards was not wholly indifferent to delivery. Citing extant manuscripts, Murray calls to attention the fact that Edwards did spend time choosing the best words to use and that he often revised his sermons to better them for use a second or third time when preaching at other churches (137-38). Nor was Edwards, as is commonly asserted, slavishly tied to his notes when delivering sermons. The usual misrepresentation is that Edwards read his sermons in a dry, monotone voice. Murray disagrees for several reasons: 1) His grandfather, Jonathan Stoddard, forcefully criticized reading sermons only three years before he took Edwards as an associate. Murray thinks it very unlikely that Edwards would have gotten the position if he read his sermons. 2) Early in his career Edwards himself said that reading was not preaching since preaching required a “particular and lively application” of the Bible to men’s hearts. 3) Edwards chose a small size paper for his sermon notes (3 7/8 x 4 1/8) so that he could “palm” his notes. This would not be necessary if the charge that he simply read his notes was true since he would not try to hide his reliance upon notes. 4) Edwards gave up manuscripting his sermons in 1741, preferring to simply write down his leading thoughts. This change prompts Murray to wonder why none of Edwards’ contemporaries commented on this change if Edwards had previously read his sermons word for word. 5) Murray notes that the charge that Edwards read his sermons does not come from an eyewitness, but from later writers about Edwards. He concludes that for 20 years Edwards probably took the manuscript to the pulpit, but that he never simply read it. Over time he grew less and less dependent upon notes, eventually using only an outline for help in the pulpit (188–91).

Murray also takes on the common assumption that Edwards was abstract, removed from the realities of this world. For one thing, according to this biography, Edwards’ 13 hours per day in the study must be understood in context. First, Edwards viewed preaching on Sundays as his primary work, so time spent preparing is only logical. Second, Murray notes that Edwards rarely spent all 13 hours in the study alone. He counseled members of his congregation, entertained friends, and spent time talking with his wife and children in his study. Edwards’ ability to run his household during his wife’s absence also contradicts claims that Edwards was disconnected from everyday life. Murray also objects to claims that Edwards was remote based on contemporary reports of Edwards’ hospitality. Also, Murray notes, Edwards desired for his friends to visit and spend time with him—hardly the attitude of a reclusive academic! Finally, the author offers reports of Edwards’ family life as evidence that he was far from remote. Edwards often took one of his children with him on trips, and his children also comment on the enjoyment Edwards took from spending time with the family in the evening. Murray also offers an interesting look at Edwards through the journal of Esther Edwards. These evidences from those who knew Edwards best argue against a cold, distant pastor and father (184–86, chapter 21).
Murray addresses many other topics including the controversy during the “Great Awakening,” Edwards’ trouble at Northhampton, and Edwards’ ministry among the Indians. In each of these situations, the author offers evidence from primary sources to present a portrait of Edwards that often contradicts prevailing notions and claims. The benefit of Murray’s work goes beyond debunking historical myths and inaccuracies. For those who carefully consider his biography, Murray introduces to contemporary believers a Christian worthy of esteem and imitation and confronts unbelievers with an intellectually respected figure who was devoted to the truth of the gospel.

Murray’s contribution to the present understanding and appreciation of Jonathan Edwards attempts to address an aspect of Edwards’ life that many modern biographers have missed. The author redresses the attempts others have made to understand Edwards apart from his Christianity (xxiv). Sustained attention to Edwards’ devotion to God makes this work spiritually challenging and rewarding for those who share the subject’s faith. The devotional nature of the work should not, however, lead one to assume that the work is neither scholarly nor critical in its approach. Murray exhibits a thorough knowledge of primary sources (Edwards’ works as well as those of his contemporaries) throughout the biography, frequently refuting common misrepresentations with references to primary sources and even questioning how much of Edwards’ works have been read by those who are reputed to be Edwards scholars. The author also shows a familiarity with secondary works; both the major monographs as well as journal articles. Nor does Murray uncritically accept all that Edwards did and wrote. Although he obviously admires Edwards, the author candidly notes failures in attitudes, character traits, choices, and even doctrine. For a read that is enjoyable, informative, and spiritually edifying, I recommend Murray’s biography.

March/April 2009 Update

Dear Praying Friends and Ministry Partners,

We trust that our update finds you resting in the care of our Lord. He has blessed us over the past weeks with continual reminders of his grace in Christ toward us. We anticipate his work on our behalf over the next couple of months as we seek his will concerning ministry partners for our mission to France.

Meeting Report

The Lord allowed us to present our work at the end of January in Raleigh, NC, and at the beginning of February in Franklin, TN. We praise the Lord for the time we were able to spend with the dear believers in each of those churches. We’ve also had the privilege of presenting our mission to a couple of churches over the last few weeks. To our surprise, the Lord opened up a meeting for us at the last minute in a church located just down the road from us in Boiling Springs, SC. We had a good time of fellowship with the church and thank God for leading us to another group of believers who will intercede on our behalf. We participated in a missions conference in Asheboro, NC, the first week of March. The Lord blessed our time with that church as well.

Waiting to Hear

While we continue contacting churches for the purpose of setting up services, we are waiting to hear from other churches who are considering whether God will have them partner with our mission. We trust that the Lord will do his will in these matters. We thank God that we are very close to the 20% mark of our needed support. We know that he will increase that level as he sees fit.

Looking Ahead

We are grateful to report that the Lord has opened up some meetings for us. Many are for the latter part of the year, but in the near future, we have meetings in Pennsylvania April 19 and May 3 and a meeting in Tennessee May 24. We are also continuing our strategy of visiting churches in the Greenville-Spartanburg area in order to make personal contacts with the hope that God will open up meetings for us close to home as we wait for him to fill up our travel schedule.

Please Pray for Us

Writing this letter reminds us of the privilege it is to have fellow believers like you who are concerned for us and our mission. We thank God for the privilege of having met you and look forward to that time when we will spend eternity together in bliss. Until then, please continue to intercede for us. Please pray that . . .

1. God will accomplish sanctification in us through the deputation process.
2. We will trust God for his timing and have his wisdom concerning deputation. We need direction especially concerning how much longer Michael should work at UPS.
3. God will fill our meeting schedule for 2009 and 2010.
4. God will lead us to churches of a like mind who will partner with us by supporting us financially. We would like to be at the 25% level by the end of March.
5. God will use us to awaken Christians to the spiritual needs of the French and to Christ’s redemptive purposes for the world.
6. We will continue to grow and develop so that we will be useful tools for the Lord in France.
7. God will direct us to the right van for us to purchase in the near future.

Thank you for your encouragement and support both spiritually and financially. We thank God
for you!

Fayetteville St. Baptist Church

This past week Liz and I enjoyed the privilege of participating in a mission conference at Fayetteville St. Baptist Church in Asheboro, NC. Prior to leaving for Asheboro, I learned that the city had incorporated on Christmas day in 1796! Both the city and the church have a long history in the area.

We arrived on Tuesday to take part in the services that evening and Wednesday evening. We were one of 5 or 6 missionaries brought in at different times of the week. We shared the Tuesday/Wednesday slot with the Price family, missionaries to Zambia. (Viviane loved Mrs. Price and spent all the time she could playing with her.) The first two days of the conference had been called of because of the ice, but by Tuesday the roads were clear enough to go on with the plans.

The pastor, Dr. Bruce Dickerson, showed us every consideration. He ate meals with us, housed us in the church's very comfortable mission house, spent time talking with us about the church, and went out of his way to make us feel welcome and esteemed for the Lord's sake.

We were more aware of the Lord's grace on this trip because Liz suffered from a bad sinus infection. Although she felt relatively well during the days, the pain was so severe at night that she was not able to get a good night's sleep from Sunday night through Wednesday night. Despite the sickness, the Lord enabled Liz to sing with me in both services and to exert the energy needed to visit with people before and after the services. We also thank the Lord for guiding us to a kind doctor who saw Liz as a walk-in and prescribed a course of medicine that seems to be working. Liz is feeling much better and slept through the night last night.

The services were well-attended and the people expressed love for us and interest in our mission. Michael gave a 12 minute presentation of our ministry on Tuesday night before another missionary preached. On Wednesday Michael was able to speak in the elementary school chapel (the church has a Christian school ministry) in the morning and then preach about the cause of missions from Romans 1:5 in the evening service.

The Lord seems to have given us an entrance into the hearts of the people. Pastor Dickerson encouraged us to stay in touch and to pray about what God might do in the future with regard to a partnership in our mission.

We thank God for the opportunity to meet these brothers and sisters and for the chance to communicate to them our burden for the French people.

Unexpected Presentation

Recently we adopted a new strategy for making contacts while we are in the Spartanburg/Greenville area. We decided to use Sunday evenings to make face to face contacts with churches in our area with the hope of gaining opportunities to present our mission to them. This past week, I contacted the pastor of Faith Baptist Church just down the highway in Boiling Springs. We exchanged emails and by the end of the week the Lord had arranged for us to present our mission!

We enjoyed our time with Pastor Jonathan McPeters, his family, and the people of Faith. There were not many in attendance that evening, but we had a great time informing them about the needs in France. We felt a kinship with this friendly group of brothers and sisters and believe that we have found people who will partner with us in prayer for this mission to France.

We ate with the McPeters family after the service and had a great time talking about what God has done for all of us. We have something in common with the McPeters- they are just beginning deputation for a mission to another difficult country in Europe: Wales.

We are grateful for the time the Lord provided with these sweet people and trust that He will continue providing meetings for us in the future.

Trinity Baptist Church

This past weekend we enjoyed fellowship with the people of Trinity Baptist Church in Franklin, TN. Michael first met Pastor David Schindel in Mexico when teens from their two churches participated in a week long mission trip together. Michael made contact again last year and the Lord opened up an opportunity for us to present our mission to France to this group of believers.

We arrived on Saturday evening and enjoyed dinner and dessert with a family Michael had known earlier in Charlotte, NC. The Bakers treated us to a delicious meal with good conversation. We really enjoyed meeting up with them and are grateful for their generosity.

Mrs. Nancy Baker (no relation to the afore mentioned Bakers) graciously opened up her home to us at the last minute (the people with whom we were to stay originally had sickness in the family). Mrs. Baker was a kind and generous hostess to us. We truly felt at home and were blessed through our conversations with her.

On Sunday, we were able to present aspects of our ministry during the Sunday school hour to the k4-5 class, 1-3 class, 4-6 class, and the teen class. This taxed Michael's abilities to speak for only 10 minutes or so, but God helped and we think it was profitable. We enjoyed the morning worship service and the potluck fellowship meal that followed. After the lunch, Michael presented our ministry to the church and then fielded questions from the floor concerning different aspects of our mission and France.

We are grateful for our time with the people at Trinity. Their generosity toward us (shown in many different ways) causes us to praise God for his grace. We trust that God will use us all for his glory as we reach out to those around us.

Friendship Baptist Church

We are very grateful to Pastor Vradenburgh and Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, for allowing us to share our mission to France with them. The people of the church lived up to their name, showing us kindness and hospitality that reflect well the biblical teaching on Christian love. The Lord gave us a good time with the church on Wednesday evening, allowing Michael to present the needs in France, our calling, and our plan for proclaiming the hope of the gospel to the French. Michael finished the service with encouragement from Matthew 19 concerning God's ability to overcome human inability with regard to salvation. The Lord had one surprise for us--just as the service began one of Michael's former roomates from college walked in to the sanctuary. It was a joy to reconnect with Ben and to hear a little of what God is doing in his life.

Besides allowing us to present our mission to another group of believers, our trip to Friendship allowed us to spend time with the Pahnke family. (They are the parents of Ruth Bixby, our coworker. We enjoyed seeing the home where Ruth grew up; we especially enjoyed the photos!). They welcomed us on Wednesday evening with a delicious meal and then spent time with us after the service talking over snacks. We enjoyed very much hearing how the Lord had worked in their lives and how He continues to use them. They were very warm hosts.

The Pahnkes treated us to a special activity on Thursday. Following a delicious breakfast prepared by Mr. Pahnke, Mrs. Pahnke took us out to feed their horses (Cherokee and Cowboy) and cows. Viviane really enjoyed watching them put on the feed bag. After the feeding, we went on a walk along a greenway that runs along the Pahnke's property. Viviane loved the outdoors and the exercise (she walked a long way for those little legs). By the end of the walk, however, her little legs were worn out and she needed a lift from Michael. We enjoyed very much our time with the Pahnkes and look forward to future time spent with them.

Meditations on John the Baptist

John 3 records a situation that could have turned out very badly. John the Baptist, who has enjoyed large success in his ministry, faces the challenge of responding to the fact that Jesus’ ministry is beginning to eclipse his own. One of John’s disciples points out (apparently with some consternation) that all of John’s disciples are going to Jesus. How will John respond to his diminishing influence? Will he express the natural human responses: jealousy, resentment, dejection? His response, by God’s grace, is exemplary. He acknowledges that Jesus’ success is from God, reminds his follower that he had always insisted that he is Jesus’ subordinate, and expresses that his joy is tied to Jesus’ success. Because of these things he can honestly say that he wants Jesus’ star to rise while his star fades into the horizon.

As I ponder these verses I wonder if I can honestly say “He must increase, but I must decrease.” These words are so easy to verbalize and yet so difficult to internalize. What does it look like to think this way? The key to understanding the concrete ramifications of John’s statement lie in reviewing his thoughts and actions prior to this declaration. I cannot copy John’s final, gloriously self-denying call for Jesus’ magnification unless I embrace his earlier, daily submission to Jesus’ rights.

1. John, the son of a priest (and so in line to serve as a priest with its comforts, stability, and prestige) lived in the wilderness, dressed in rough clothing, and ate a meager diet. His garb and diet were intended to communicate to the public that he was God’s prophet so that they would listen. But apparently he was rejected by the majority as being demon-possessed (Mt. 11:18). His sacrifices seemed fruitless.

2. John pointedly proclaimed a firm message that angered unrepentant sinners. He confronted people from all classes, including the religious leaders of Israel and the political leaders appointed by Rome. He did not compromise to be liked, received, or even tolerated.

3. John resisted every temptation to pronounce himself to be something more than he was. How easy it would have been to gain a little more credibility with the crowds and a little more weight for his message if he had been dishonest.

4. John humbly thought of himself as nothing more than a herald. Jesus later identifies John as the Elijah that was to come. Did John lie when he denied that he was Elijah (Jn. 3:21)? No. He simply did not think so highly of himself to imagine that he might be anything more than he was: a mouthpiece for God preparing the Lord’s way.

5. John publicly acknowledged his inferiority to Jesus (thus exalting Jesus).

6. John engaged in a ministry for the purpose of revealing Jesus to men.

7. John testified explicitly before all Jesus’ exalted status as the Son of God and his intended goal of being a substitute sacrifice for sin.

John’s entire life reflected the priorities contained in the statement “He must increase but I must decrease.” And so I find myself challenged, not so much by the statement, but by the life. My hope is that the Spirit who indwelled John lives in me. Therefore, I can live in such a way that Jesus is magnified in my life. God give me a heart that desires Jesus’ exaltation above my own! A life driven by that desire will certainly get what it wants.

Jan/Feb Update

January/February 2009

Dear Praying Friends and Ministry Partners,

As we focus on a New Year, we are reminded of how grateful to God we are for your prayers and support this past year. Please continue to pray for God to advance our mission in 2009 by adding supporters. Although assembling a partnership team in this sluggish economy seems impossible, we are confident that God will accomplish His will in the best timing possible. We are reminded that, in God’s sight, these present difficulties are no greater than the obstacles faced by mission enterprises in the past. So we confidently echo William Carey, desiring to attempt great things for God while expecting great things from God.

Ministry Partner Update

In fact, God has already been working behind the scenes on our behalf. We praise the Lord for moving on the hearts of two more families to become partners in our mission to France. The support from both of these families was unsolicited and reminds us again that this is God’s work. We have been praying for God to raise our support level to 20% for the beginning of the year. Presently we have a little over 18% of our support, and we are waiting to hear from two individuals and two churches about joining our partnership team. It is exciting to see God work, and we look forward to praising the Lord for answering our prayers.

Time with Family and at CPBC

The end of November and December were full of visiting family and serving in our local assembly, Cleveland Park Bible Church. We were able to participate in our church’s Christmas program and in various aspects of our Sunday services. Michael also had the opportunity to teach a Sunday school lesson on the meaning of the Incarnation. Although we have enjoyed the time with family and our church, we are ready to hit the road again in search of ministry partners.

Back to Calling and Writing!

With the busy Christmas and New Year seasons behind us, Michael resumes the task of contacting churches for opportunities to present our mission. We will begin traveling again at the end of January, but we have plenty of room in 2009 for more meetings. We trust that God will answer prayers and move churches to invite us to present our mission. Michael continues to work part time at UPS, but we are seeking wisdom concerning when he should resign so we can jump full time into deputation. Although we are not sure the exact date Michael will leave UPS, we look forward to devoting all of our energies to raising support so that we can begin proclaiming the hope of the gospel in France.

Please Pray for Us

The present economic realities do present challenges that test our faith. So, please pray that . . .
1. God will accomplish sanctification in us through the deputation process.
2. We will trust God for his timing and have his wisdom concerning deputation.
3. God will guide us concerning our schedule for 2009.
4. God will lead us to churches of a like mind who will partner with us by supporting us financially.
5. God will use us to awaken Christians to the spiritual needs of the French and to Christ’s redemptive purposes for the world.
6. We will continue to grow and develop so that we will be useful tools for the Lord in France.

Thank you again for your support through prayer and giving. We thank God for you!

In Christ,
Michael, Liz, and VivianeMLCole@HopeForFrance.org