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