Graduation at Logos Chrisitan School of Cyprus

Tonight we had a great time at the Logos School graduation. There were young men and women from at least five countries graduating tonight. But, I was struck by the impact of one person for the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this island. That person would be my Father-in Law, Brother Levon Yergatian. It was amazing to see the faithfulness that the school has been to reaching the lost these 35 years later. Sarah graduated in the 2nd graduating class in 1978-so this was the 30th graduating class. The outreach and impact that Logos school has had on the Gospel of Christ in the Middle East is probably really immeasurable. There have been many ministries that have grown out of the ministry of Logos School and the Gospel church that has supported it all of these years.

As I got to know the student body and staff of Logos School I've seen that the impact today is probably even greater than before. Russians, and citizens from the former Soviet Republics love to come to Cyprus-and Logos School has helped to encourage these souls to be saved and serve Christ. Countless men and women have been won to Christ over these 35 years of Logos School ministry.

This week I heard the testimony of a Brother in Christ from Belarus (one of the former republics) that was very exciting. Because of the lack of jobs and opportunity soon after the wall of communism fell in Belarus-this man and his family got on their boat and sailed the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus. They arrived on the Turkish North side and were accused of being Soviet Spies-until they were allowed to get back on their boat and sail to Limassol . Because of the arrest and their ship having mechanical difficulties they ended up in Limassol with no money. So. here is this man from Belarus living in Cyprus with his three children. They had no immigration papers and the kids would not be allowed to attend the Greek schools. This Brother heard from another person that the Logos School could help them out. So, he took his eldest daughter to be enrolled-the school accepted her for free. Then began the spread of Salvations in each of the lives of this family until all of the family professed faith in Christ. Later the other two kids were accepted into Logos School. In the meantime this man and his wife were able to offer many skills in the operation of the school. Both are now helping in many ways in the operation of the School in teaching and maintenance etc. As I spoke with this man I was touched how the vision of Logos School is truly being realized in many ways. Lives are being changed and men and women are not only hearing the most important message of the Gospel but are being trained to serve Christ all over the world. It has been a blessing being a part of the vision that my Father-in-Law had so many years ago in the creatino of Logos School.

How can we as individuals make a difference in this world for Christ? One person can make a difference. Levon Yergatian was one man. But, he was one man who had faith in a great God. There were never any obstacles too great to get around or climb. He has shared many stories of how God did something great when all the odds were against him. Being at the Logos graduation reminded me of our great God. In a month or so I'll be going to Ironwood with our kids. Again, the hand of God is everywhere there. How could Walt Brock build the greatest youth camp on the West Coast in the middle of the desert? Well, it really wasn't Walt Brock-it was the wonderful hand of God using a willing servant. Let us be challenged to trust God to do His will. Let us not let anything drag us down or get in the way. One willing, sold out, servant of Christ can make all of the difference.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Update from Guest Preacher Ken Gross from Iowa

Here is an update from Brother Ken Gross from Iowa who shared the Word last week and will this Sunday, too.

Last Sunday's message was on the power of a father. We looked at how obedience, not rebellion to our Fathers (heaven and earth) produce power in our lives. We also looked at how God is a father to the fatherless and is perfect where our earthly fathers are not. Finally we discussed how we must forgive our earthly fathers and try to understand however imperfect they were, a lack of forgiveness stands between us and our God who has forgiven everything in a Christian's life. One point that I may not have made clearly was the results of obedience. Jesus was rewarded by God putting everything under His hand. We too will be rewarded greatly in this life and in Heaven for our obedience as we rule and reign with Christ forever.

Next Sunday my topic will be "Reinventing Church, or Church - Version 2.0" This message will explore how churches must adapt to the context that they operate in. This is a two fold concept as we seek to be effective to the people in general that live under the "church's shadow" of influence and also how to reach the specific group/s of people in our community that God has called this group of believers to reach. This 2nd step involves looking at what talents are in the church as God uniquely equips each church to reach a different set of people. Ultimately, we must bring "church" to the people who do not have a person relationship with God. Church outreach is an organic process from the church members, not necessarily from the Church pastors. The regular attendee's have a greater reach and influence than the pastors.

I will be showing a photo slide show set to music. This clip is a collection of photos I have taken over the last few years. This clip will emphasis that we, the church attendees, are the body of Christ. We are His hands and feet reaching out to bring good news to our neighbors. I pray that the message will be filled with power from the Holy Spirit and also pray that the Holy Spirit moves on people to see the need through mercy's eyes.

Ken Gross

The Limassol Castle

Father's Day

It was Father's Day and I missed being with dad this year. I want to give a tribute to him today. This picture was taken just before the cancer appeared. He has always been a great example to me over the years. I've never met a more hard-working person in my entire life. At one time my dad was a part-time pastor and held down two other part-time jobs. He never complained but continued faithfully to take care of his family as well as helped meet the needs of the church family. He hasn't changed even amidst all of the struggles he's had with the treatments for cancer. Dad was there at the last church work day-doing all he could physically to help out getting many jobs done around the church. My dad has always been a faithful father-loving my mother first of all as well as his children and grand children. I know many of you have father's who were faithful and loved you uconditionally-I hope you give them the thanks they deserve. And for those of you who might look back and seem to only remember the negatives-maybe its time to forgive and give up the bitterness that so easily can creep in. Father's Day is a time to remember the good things and the positive impact that our father's have given us.

24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Hold On: We're Driving in Cyprus

Wow! This week I finally bit the bullet and drove on the streets of Limassol. Praise the Lord a van has been supplied for us to get around when we need to. I've been hesitant to drive because of several factors: One, they drive on the Left in Cyprus; two, the van we have is an old-fashioned column shift-which I have never driven regularly-if at all in my life; three, the roads around here are narrow and the corners are tight. Because of number three, people drive pretty aggressively and I've never been one who does-which makes things even more nervous for me. God took care of us-but I never felt comfortable yesterday(when I drove all over the town). Hopefully it will get easier. They have these funny things called roundabouts instead of lights in Cyprus-I still don't have those down yet. I was thinking about the Spiritual application that we could make for this. There are numerous things in our lives that we don't feel comfortable with. In serving the Lord, witnessing sometimes can be an uncomfortable experience. Maybe the Lord is challenging you to take on more Spiritual responsibility in your life-this can often be uncomfortable. Well, take a lesson from "driving in Cyprus". You just have to step out on faith and trust the Lord for His blessing. Be encouraged from Timothy this Lord's Day: I Timothy 4: 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Making a difference wherever or whoever you are

Be a Witness brothers and sisters. I encourage you to pick up a few of those tracts at church and share the Gospel. Here is a great testimony of someone who did just that. All he did was share gospel tracts and people were saved and their lives transformed. Watch this video!!!
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Sunday from Bullhead to Limassol, Cyprus

You might be wondering how I've had time to make so many posts since we've arrived in Cyprus. Well, I'm sure there are many jobs and tasks that I could be doing-but since this is not my home I don't have the ability to do much around here. So, I've had time to think, figure out how to do some pretty cool posts and write. God willing I'll be able to do "some work" around the school and church. There are always things to do in the Lord's work.

Well, we had a good Sunday worshiping with the believers in Cyprus. In the morning we broke bread, had a very stimulating adult Sunday School class and then in the evening we heard some good Gospel preaching. I was blessed and encouraged from the Word of God. This morning I got up and preached for the chapel session at the Logos School (the Christian school that Sarah's father started). I took my message from Acts 17 and challenged the jr. and sr. high schoolers to "search the scriptures so that they might have a personal relationship with the Lord. Tomorrow I speak to the younger kids (k-6th) for chapel.

Praise the Lord we heard great things from Brother Howie and Dency at Trinity. From my mom's report everyone was blessed and encouraged in the Lord. Thank you all that came for being there and in turn encouraging these young people who are seeking to serve the Lord with their lives. We are all looking forward to seeing the Lord work through my brother-in-law coming up June 22 and 29. Also we will be hearing from Tony De la Riva(another IBC Bible College student) in July. Please pray for that meeting as Tony's grandparents live in Bullhead City. We are praying that they will come and here from their grandson God's Word.

Athens at night

the Mars Hilll Video again

I wanted to repost this within the blogger. This is Acts 17-Paul's words to the Athenians.

Today, we'll attend the Gospel Hall of Limassol. The worship here is a bit different than what we are used to at Trinity Baptist. But, I wish all of you could experience the "Breaking of Bread" or communion meeting here. Today we'll meet together and many of the Spiritual men will share in various ways-the reading of the Word, a short testimonial, a prayer etc. All of the things that will be shared will be centered around Christ's saving work on the cross. A few songs will be song and then we'll share the bread and the grape juice. It is definitely different than what we are used to. But, I appreciate these brothers in Christ as they seek to create a time to Worship Christ in a personal but collective way at the same time. Every Sunday the brothers and sisters break bread together. It is a blessing. Tonight we will meet back again for the Gospel meeting. Here the Gospel is emphasized. I must go we will start very soon. Have a great Lord's Day!

Liberty

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.



These are powerful words from the Apostle Paul. While we were in New York earlier on our trip we took the tour around the Statue of Liberty from one of the rangers there. Being a Government teacher I was overwhelmed with the awesome passion that the guide explained the story of the "Statue". He was an ex-marine who had served in combat I believe in Korea and an African-American-so I would assume that his background gave him an interesting perspective. As he told the story of all the symbolism within the building of the statue, you could see his passion for the liberty that he can now claim. He seemed to understand fully the cost of liberty that Americans now posses.

Greece1

Where the Bible Comes Alive

Yes, that is how I've felt walking the streets of Athens and wandering around the ancient city of Corinth. The highlight of my time in Greece was reading Acts 17 at Mars Hill and I Corinthians 13 at ancient Corinth. Walking around up here it feels like you might see around the next corner the Apostle Paul speaking to a gathering. Athens, although a modern city today-still gives the ancient feel. We enjoyed our time immensely there. I was thinking today about how God prepared even the city of Athens and all of the Roman empire of Paul's day to help us in our walk with Christ. The problems they had in Corinth or Ephesus, etc. were not unique. In fact they were quite typical. God prepared those cities so we could learn-and so the world could learn about how to walk the life with Christ. May we learn and grow-and be like the Bereans(Central Greece) -who searched the scriptures and lived Holy Separated lives unlike some of the Corinthians who were trying to live their lives apart from the principles of the Word of God. We are now in Cyprus and I hope we can encourage the believers here-like Barnabas-who was from Cyprus and is known as the great encourager. We are praying for brother Howie and his ministry with all of you on Sunday. Please don't be shy with comments!!! The first picture is me at Mars Hill and the second is a pic from Corinth at the great canal built from the Ionian to the Aegean Sea at the Pelopennisius (sorry for the spelling).
22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.