Four Disciples Mission Ministry Opportunities!!

Hey All,

Thanks so much for your prayers, e-mails and phone calls in support of Four Disciples Mission and clear direction for us. Often when in ministry we have to stop, pray, and wait on God's wisdom. Psalm 46:10: He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' He will be exalted, and not because we came up with some great idea or worked our fingers to the bone towards the cause, although God will require that we work ferverently for His kingdom. It's important to 'know,' as the verse says, that 'He is God.' When we are still and seek His wisdom, and His strength, and give Him the glory, then and only then will He be truly exalted! We are just a vessel, an instument of God, and often we lose sight of that. I thank God that when I start to lose sight of this He brings our work to a halt and puts it back into perspective for us. Thanks be to God.
This week I have training at the Belle Glade Correctional Institute (one of the local prisons) and next weekend some more training as a TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) facilitator in Bradenton, Florida. Our great God has provided a donor who has funded a seminary program in a couple of the local prisons, and I will be helping to facilitate the curriculum on a weekly basis. This is all being organized in conjunction with Prison Fellowship Ministries, founded by Chuck Colson. It's a national organization that not only works within the prison walls to bring people to Christ, but also works to keep them focused on Christ as they re-enter our society through mentors, church involvement and family support. Research it online, and see how you and your church can get involved in changing lives forever.
I have also been encouraged by my brother Dave's calling to reach the teens in his community. The Lord has put a ministry opportunity in front of him, and he is being blessed daily by support from his church (Pinelands Community Church) and the community in implementing a program called the ARK. It is a great opportunity for teens to have a place to go hang out, and at the same time learn about Christ. They will also use it as an opportunity to educate kids about teen violence, bullying, along with other issues kids deal with today in a loving, caring Christ-filled environment. Check out his website to see how you can help at http://www.the-ark-online.org/ and let him know what you think at thearkonline@live.com. Pray for the future leaders - our teens - of our communities.
Aside from all this I have been approached by Pahokee First United Methodist Church to possibly begin a youth program here in Pahokee - a coincidence? - I don't believe in coincidences, so again thanks be to God. This week we will be meeting to discuss it in more detail. Perhaps an ARK in Pahokee???? God is all about miracles. God is infinitely greater than we can fathom, we need only to look at the vastness, and intricateness of His creation to know this. So when we are still and seek God and His plan He will be exalted in a big way; in a way that can only be accomplished by Him through us. So when the plan is truly of God it will often grow to be bigger and grander than anything we can accomplish in and of ourselves. They can become God-sized accomplishments, all for His Kingdom and His glory. So please continue to pray for Four Disciples Mission, The ARK, Prison Fellowship Ministries and The Urban Ministry Institute. Love you all, and thanks again for your loving support.

Peace through Grace,
Doug & Family