Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
Jesus Christ
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
The Apostle Paul
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God."
Isaiah 40:1
This is a difficult time for everyone in America and people around the world who love our country. We are in a war with evil. That evil manifests itself in many ways, but the way it showed itself September 11, 2001 was most horrible and despicable.
I've spent every waking moment thinking about the attack on America this past week. My job as a television news director and web manager has meant my constant and focused attention on every detail of the tragedy, locally as well as nationally. I've prayed often through the days and nights for the victims and their families and friends. Friends who are in television and web businesses in New York City have lost people close and dear to them. I admire their ability and tenacity to keep working even though their hearts are breaking. Many people we know in our area have lost close friends at the Pentagon. The loss is almost too much to bear.
We've also rejoiced with many who received word that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, and close friends were alive and doing well. It's been a tremendous opportunity to express the love and comfort of Jesus Christ to our friends when they feared the worst, and share the Grace and Mercy of God when they learned the best.
I've also thought and prayed for our Christian brothers and sisters who live in New York and Washington. Some of them died in the attack. Others are recuperating in hospitals. Thousands of God's children are praying for their torn communities and reaching out to help heal the gaping wounds in hearts and lives.
Paul told the Ephesian Christians, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Paul was telling them to buy up for themselves every opportunity. One Dictionary of New Testament words stated it meant"making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed."
Millions of Christians in America have an unprecedented opportunity during the coming days, weeks and months to share the most important, life-saving message in the universe. That is the Gospel of God's Eternal Love and Grace through Jesus Christ. Jesus is well-acquainted with sorrow. He understands pain and suffering. Jesus knows what it's like to be an innocent victim of brutal and evil attacks of wicked people. We have the opportunity to share the Gospel with a country in deep need of comfort and hope.
How do we do that? How can we possibly be up to such a task? Paul wrote the Corinthians, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. " Our ability to comfort others during "any trouble" comes directly from God.
Jesus comforts people through us! He first comforts us "in all our tribulation." That first-hand experience of receiving the comfort of God makes us "able to comfort them which are in any trouble." We comfort others "by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Ask God to help you understand His Comfort in your life during difficult times so you can comfort others in theirs.
The days are evil. We live in an evil world filled with evil people who design evil schemes and carry them out in evil ways. Our message is that God Loves people deeply and has shown them mercy by supplying the Gift of Life through Jesus Christ. He is the Answer to all their questions and the Comfort for all their needs.
Our prayers are with you as you minister God's Comfort to those who are hurting in your community.
If you have received the Lord Jesus Christ and have His Spirit living in your heart, you have made it to "First Base" -- Salvation!
"And this is the record that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in the Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:11-13)
(Next month: Second Base )
You'll find every GMAF newsletter at http://www.gmaf.org/gmaf_newsletters.html . These newsletters are a gold mine of information about Christianity and the Martial Arts.
Many GMAF members have told us their favorite part of the monthly newsletter is Fellowship News. It's wonderful to see Christian martial artists praying for each other across the United States and around the world. No distance is too far for Christians. The instant we pray, God hears. We can impact the lives of our brothers and sisters through our prayers. God answers prayer. It is pleasing to Him. Thank you for caring so much for each other!
This note is from our dear friend Visale Filat from Moldavia.
"We are crying with you
for the disaster had come on your country. We love you so much
and our countries have been and are so blessed through you and
your country. The government of your country was all the time
thinking and taking care for the needed of this world and especially
for those of my country. The churches of your country love us
and work hard to bring the people of our country to the knowledge
of
Jesus Christ and of eternal life
May Lord bless and protect
you and all the world now. May He give power to his children to
suffer and to preach His Word in this hard days to those who don't
have HOPE.
With love in Christ,
Vasile Filat"
This note was forwarded to us from Master Richard Mieir.
"Prayer for the country
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are moved by the alarming news and crisis that our country is facing. This, the greatest nation, founded in the belief that "In God We Trust" & the "Land of the Free". Please have mercy on those suffering, hurting and in fear, and give wisdom & strength to those who are assisting. May the forces of evil be broken by your power and may we humble before thee, our strength and refuge. Give wisdom to our President & all our leaders and bring your comforting peace through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us here to reach to those that have been affected by this tragedy. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN "
This note is from Bill Pitcher.
"I have been assigned
to the New York Relief effort, leaving today about noon, told
to pack for 5-7 days. This means that my involvement in the upcoming
trip to Guatemala is probably off. I will know by Wednesday, if
I'll be going or not.
Please pray for my safety in
NYC as I have no information as to what my mission there will
be. Pray also for my family, home without me again. Pray that
the rest of the team has a fruitful time, if they decide to make
the trip, in light of the present situation in our nation.
Thanks folks."
Jeff Tam asked us to publish this in the GMAF Newsletter.
"Hong Kong Gospel Martial Arts Ministry has started since March, 2000.
God has opened many doors for
this ministry. We have brothers and sisters from all kinds of
Martial Arts that want to join the ministry and share the gospel.
We have the vision that God will use all people and does not
matter what style he/she learns. This year we have many opportunities
to teach in many high schools and
share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also we have many invitations
to hold crusades in different churches and schools. Many students
decided to follow Jesus in the crusades.
We are looking for a new place to rent and teach Gospel Martial Arts. But the rent in H.K is very expensive and we need some funding. Please pray for us.
WE have some good news from Taiwan and Malaysia that some people from these countries also want to start Martial Arts Ministry. Praise God!
We are looking for missionaries who would like to come and share in the next summer 2002. I am sure they will enjoy the ministry in Asia.
We need your prayer support in Asia Martial Arts Ministry."
God Bless
Jeff Tam President
jefftam@ykbc.org.hk
www.hkgmam.org.hk
This note is from Master Joseph Lumpkin with Karate for Christ.
"So many great things have happened in our ministry this last year. Our numbers have continued to grow and new classes are being started every month by men and women throughout the world. We now have member classes in several countries. God is calling his ministers and they are answering His call with a loud and willing voice.
Karate for Christ has established an in-house style that has been welcomed by several Grand Masters as a new Jujitsu style. This new style we have called "Shinsei Jujitsu". Shinsei means "sacred, new, a new face, a new system, a nova." Although we have been teaching this style in our home dojo for the last three years, we have now begun giving seminars and classes to other instructors who wish to learn this new style. We have been invited to teach Shinsei Jujitsu at the United States Jujitsu Federation's winter camp in Boloxi, MS on Friday Jan, 18, 2001. The USJJF is the ruling body of Jujitsu in the USA and for the USA in the World games. To my knowledge, this is the first time that a purely Christian org, or a Christian style has been invited to teach at a national body at this level. We wish to invite all Christian Martial artists to attend. You do not have to be a Jujitsu person to come and train with us. We need you there to establish a Christian voice in the World games and in US Jujitsu. With a strong showing we can make a real difference in Martial Arts in the U.S.A.
Other news includes our upcoming promotions of six students to Black Belt in Shinsei Jujitsu. These men and women began training 3 years ago. Many of them have prior martial arts training. We are very excited about this new generation of leaders.
We now have 3 domains on line
in order to reach more people for Christ.
www.karateforchrist.com
www.martialartsforchrist.com
www.mysticself.com
For more information please visit our websites.
See you in Mississippi on 1/18/01
Joseph Lumpkin
President and CEO of Karate for Christ"
This note is from Kevin Schaller.
"Please put on your calendar Oct 27-28 the American Teachers Association of Martial Arts National Training Conference.
This event will be held in the San Francisco area, at the Redwood City Police Athletic League Gymnasium.
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 10am-3pm
There will also be meetings and elections for national officers around the 2 day training event. Instructors from a wide variety of martial arts styles are slated to teach during this event.
Fees: One day $50, Two Days $75
Advanced registration discounts are being calculated.
There are several very important issues that will be addressed at this event, pertaining to the martial arts and it is imperative that you attend if at all possible.
Hotel accommodations will be announced shortly.
Should you have any questions, please contact Alexander Archie 887-3255-wk or 843-1225 cell or contact me at 775-782-0800
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Respectfully
Kevin Schaller"
(I know you will join us in praying for each of these Christian martial artists and their ministries.)
We welcome Paul E. Blouin to Grace Martial Arts Fellowship! Paul is a 1st Degree Black Belt. He is Director of Engineering for Cummins Alabama. Paul lives in Mobile, Alabama with his wife and two children. Here is a portion of a recent note he sent us. Please let Paul know about any Christian martial arts opportunities in the Mobile area.
"The reason I am writing is it concerns your GMAF ministries. I have been practicing Judo, Jujitsu, and Karate for about twenty-five years in New Orleans, La. We moved to Mobile about two years ago. I can't seem to find any Christ centered judoka's or MA club's in Mobile. Do you know of any? I would even be interested in opening a local club if the Lord leads me to open one. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated."
We welcome J. Parke and Ann Allen to GMAF! They operate a small TaeKwon-Do school in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. They are both 3rd Dan instructors with Unified TaeKwon-Do International. They have known Christ since their childhood and have studied TaeKwon-Do since the early 80's. I know you'll join us in welcoming Parke and Ann to GMAF!
We welcome John Kipta to GMAF! John is a 3rd Dan in Kenpo Karate. He lives in Corydon, Indiana and teaches martial arts there. I know you'll join me in welcoming John to GMAF!
Please let us know if you have moved, changed jobs, received a belt promotion, started studying a new martial art, started a Christian martial arts ministry, etc. We want to be sure your listing in the GMAF Internet Directory is all you want it to be.
We appreciate your Fellowship in the Gospel of the Grace of God. We are praying for you and your opportunities to serve Christ. Please let us know about ways GMAF can help you in your service. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, please ask them to e-mail Mark McGee. We'll be glad to put them on our monthly mailing list.
You are invited to read previous GMAF Newsletters.
If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.
Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is a service of GraceLife Ministries.
Taking God's Grace to the World!