IBPFM

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions

One of the most important activities of our ministry is to help Christians, young and old, discover God’s will for their lives. This is our concern, because as Christians we feel that God has a plan for each one of our lives in the context of His sovereign will. Also, being committed to the commands of Christ, such as "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15), our concern is to help interested Christians, in this context, to discover God’s will for their lives. We encourage and support those in every way possible, who feel led to take the Gospel to those in other cultures.

The apostle James wrote, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we shall live, and do this, or that.”(Ja. 4:14b-15). The apostle Paul also wrote; “.....be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is....redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:17-16). Again, Paul wrote, “...be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2b).

As already stated, our sincere desire is to help Christians discover God’s will for their lives, who will accept the challenge, and who desire, Lord willing, to “make a difference” in this sin-sick world of misery, suffering and death. As someone has said, "Life is short, death is sure, sin the curse, Christ the cure!"

Life is truly short, and what we do for Jesus must be done in this present life. "Only one life, t’will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ, will last." The fact is, a person with a 70 year life span only has a total of 18,000 days of potentially useful service for the Lord, assuming his first 20 years, or more, must be spent in education and training.

If you feel God’s will for your life is to serve Him full time, with your gifts and talents, somewhere in this vast world of some six billion souls and spiritual needs, we invite you to please contact us for free literature, and more information, whether you are interested in short- term, or long-term service. We, also have a summer program of just a few weeks for college age young people, who would like to serve the Lord, share His love with others, get a good "taste" of "Biblical Missions" today, and use this experience to help them discover God’s will for their lives. We have a fully qualified staff to help answer your every question. If you want true spiritual excitement, deep spiritual satisfaction, and the joy of self-fulfillment, knowing that you "made a difference" in this world, for the glory of God, having shared the love of Christ with others, with souls coming to Christ, and having walked in His known will for your life, then please contact us for further information and guidance. Thank you for your attention, and for "clicking" on our Website.

Yours for "Biblical Missions",

Rev. William R. Le Roy, D.D.
President of IBPFM

April 29 - May 12
29. New Missionaries – Pray with the Board for those who have submitted applications to the IBPFM for missionary service, and others who are still considering the challenge of missions. Pray for hearts that are willing to be dedicated to such a service.

30. Our Mission Goals for the Year 2008; urgent requests to pray for:
1) the sale of Beit El Baraka
2) the opening of a seminary in northern Chile
3) the completion of the Baalah Primary School and Baalah B-P Church buildings.

1. Brazil – Rev. and Mrs. Ken Olson are thankful for the progress they have made in getting settled in Brazil. Ken is already in language school; pray that his studies will go well. Luke has finished his 10th grade home-school work and will begin Christian school near their home in August.

2. India – Mr. Eapen reports that he is improving greatly following his heart attack; he continues to rest, slowly returning to some of his responsibilities. In time he will have to undergo bypass surgery. Pray for the Christian Academy, and for the literature that has been distributed over the past months. Please pray for all those who are in “spiritual infancy”.

3. On Furlough – The Kangs are thankful for new supporters. They request prayer for the funds needed to move to Guatemala, and for a vehicle there. Pray also for the right people to help in transporting their books from Kenya to Guatemala. Pray for Joshua as he finishes 4th grade, and for more opportunities to meet potential supporters for the ministry.

4. Australia – Praise God for the time of spiritual and physical refreshment for Rev. and Mrs. Ki as they spent some weeks in Thailand. Pray for Rev. Ki as he continues on preaching in Singapore and Malaysia, and for Mrs. Ki as she returns to Australia. Pray for Daniel and Samuel and their studies.

5. Holy Land – Joan Davenport requests prayer for the poor rainfall this time of the year; there is already talk of rationing. Pray for the completion of the sale of Beit El Baraka in God’s time. Praise Him for the Baraka B-P Church moving the Sunday evening service to the Beit Sahour building, and for their good attendance recently. Pray for Ismael as he studies for his government exams.

6.Brazil – Rev. and Mrs. Woo Sun Kim remain on furlough in Calgary, Alberta, awaiting their Canadian residency papers. They are thankful for the recent graduation ceremonies at the Limeira Seminary where 6 graduates received their diplomas; the school also received 5 new students. The Kims are also thankful for the construction of the Juazeiro Presbyterian Church building, and that both Rev. and Mrs. Kim were able to be at the inauguration.

7. Andes Mission – The Jaras thank God for the start of the Young People’s and Ladies Societies. Praise God for the evangelistic service held on April 27; pray for God’s Word to bring much fruit. Praise God for the spiritual growth of the Pontoka family. Pray for the Bible Club to be held at the Children’s Home, the Wednesday membership classes, and Jonathan’s monthly trip to help the Iquique church.

8. Internationals – Judy Creamer is thankful for her 3 ESL classes and 2 private students; pray for oppor-tunities to witness to them. Praise God for a young lady in a mentoring session at the pregnancy center, who received Christ as Saviour. Praise God for the opportunities to share Christ with Gulbahar.

9. Missionary Children – Today let us pray for the children of our missionaries: Rebekah, Jeremy, Joshua and Deborah Bjur; Ruth Meylí, Jonathan Edward and Melissa Noemí Jara; Daniel and Samuel Ki; Deborah and Esther Kim; Joshua and Joy Kim; Joshua Kang; Matthew, Mark, Luke, Priscilla and Christina Olson; Ha- Eun and Ha-Jin Yoon; Geneva, Isaiah, Josiah, Anna, and Sarah Grace Durand.

10. Andes Mission – The Bjur family is thankful that their shipment was just received, and all 16 boxes in good condition. Pray for a special Mothers’ Day service next Sunday, that it will reach some new ladies for the Lord. Praise God for the start-up of the Bible Club, with 18 children the first week. Pray for a trip to Iquitos for a missions conference and a youth conference in July; these are in the planning stages.

11. New Missionaries – In this 75th Anniversary year, let us pray for the hearts of young and old alike, to be challenged afresh for missionary service. Every field has need of additional workers, and new fields are always available. Pray for those finishing up their studies, and are looking for ways to serve the Lord.

12. Kenya – Second term begins today at BCEA Kenya. Pray for Dr. Jeffrey Khoo from Singapore as he teaches the BMin. program (May 12-23). Rev. and Mrs. Kim continue to request prayer for the security of the nation. Pray for God to physically and spiritually strengthen these servants of His.

"Let Me Not Hear"

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Exodus 20:19

Amy Carmichael has written in the little book called IF: “If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret 'but’ in my prayer, 'anything but that, Lord,’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

The people in the time of Moses, as they experienced God’s power on the mountain, feared to have God speak to them directly, feeling the outcome would be disastrous. They were willing to hear Moses speak to them, but not God Himself. Was it simply the fear for their lives, or did they perhaps feel that if God spoke directly it would require either full obedience or telling God they would not obey His Word?

True believers do not want to disobey the definite commands of the Word of God consciously, but if they do not hear them, it takes away the sting of disobedience. The Word of God gives specific commands, but believers are so prone not to follow them, though they are happy to see others being obedient. The attitude then takes on the form of “let the servant of God speak to us, but not God.”

How wonderful to hear the ringing testimony of the servant of Christ, the way in which God has taken a consecrated life and marvelously used it, the way in which He has been able to reveal His power and grace even in the strongholds of Satan. How we love to hear a man of God stir our hearts by dramatic sermons, but let not God speak to us. If only His servants speak, it is less difficult to say, “Yes, God used this one”; “This is marvelous for you”; “That is your interpretation of God’s call and his will for you, but God has not spoken to me in that way.”

So it is in this way that we are able to put into our prayers, “Let Your will be done in me and through my life, but do not speak to me.” Or will we rather be willing to say as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”

Rev. George S. Clark
Former missionary to the Holy Land
Biblical Missions, June/July 1961