Important information for Light to the Nations partners
Light House LTTN
Important Information for Light to the Nations Partners
New Non-Profit Organization
September 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 1
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Dear Philip,
Family

Last week at our Church Planting Seminar I had lunch with a pastor who planted his church 7 years ago and now has 13,000 members in his local church. He also has churches in each capital city in Brazil. When I asked him about “PRESSURE” his members feel, he told me that nothing in the universe moves without pressure. He stated that the key was what kind of pressure they feel. He told me the famous story of three masons working. They were each asked, “What are you doing?” The first answered, “Laying a brick.” The second answered, “Building a wall.” The third said, “Building a great cathedral!” This pastor told me that the first mason must have felt pressure from his boss because he himself had no vision. However, the last mason felt motivated by his personal vision. The kind of pressure that we need comes from a God-Given vision for the kingdom.

Over the last week, we have also been challenged to make some changes in our ministry. Our sending church, Bethany World Prayer Center, and our pastor Larry Stockstilll, has strongly encouraged us to open a new Non-Profit (501 (c) (3)) organization. The new non-profit organization, Light to the Nations, has a five-member board comprised of Philip Murdoch, Larry Stockstill, Joey Dupont, Robert Woodall and Renee Murdoch. This all has occurred over the last 30 days and we are now ready to begin receiving your contributions directly to Light to the Nations at our new address in New York. We have opened a new office organized by my two sisters who live in upstate New York. Both of them are very committed Christians who have been looking for an opportunity to bless our ministry here in Brazil. They will be handling our newsletters, finances and all communications within the USA. We will continue to minister just as we have been. As I said, we strongly believe that this is the appropriate step to bring us to the next level and we are excited about these changes. Our monthly administrative costs will remain just as low as they were, but we have had to invest into significant legal fees and office equipment to set up this new organization and office. If you feel compelled to assist us in this new set-up, the cost amounts to about $2,000 in legal fees and $2,000 in initial office costs and equipment.

Make tax-deductible gifts out to:

“Light to the Nations”

And Mail to NEW ADDRESS:

Light to the Nations, PO Box 508, Endicott, NY 13761

We have just finished up our most successful Church Planting Seminar ever in the geographical center of Brazil, Goiania. Pr. John Ettore from San Diego, CA flew in and together we ministered to over 100 pastors representing several thousand members in each of their churches at this three-day seminar. As a consequence, 15 new churches were immediately planted in high priority and neglected areas of Brazil. Additionally, contacts were developed in 5 other states which we expect will result in dozens more churches.

 
Once again this month (25th-29th of September) we will be traveling to the Northeast of Brazil to hold four crusades in different unreached cities of Brazil. Jonathan Stockstill and his worship team from Bethany World Prayer Center will be ministering with us to eternally impact these cities. We are praying for a total attendance of 16,000 with 7,000 salvations. The state we will be in is one of the most un-evangelized states in Brazil, with only 4% Christians in the rural areas. Many of the cities we minister in have populations of 8,000 to 25,000 and either have no church or may have one or two churches with a combined church attendance of under 100 people. Please cover us in prayer.
Recently on a Monday night our family did something way out of the ordinary. We watched Monday Night Football! Philip and I decided it was time to teach our kids about American football. It was quite amusing, I didn’t realize how much I knew and the kids really enjoyed our time together. Growing up in Brazil our kids really have no idea about football (American that is). They have never seen a game before and have no way of discovering except that Philip and I take time to explain the game to them. The following day I was asked to coach a girls’ soccer team at school. I was very quick to explain that soccer is about the only sport I have no idea of how to play much less how to coach. Although, it is still a challenge I find difficult to decline, I thought it best to leave that task for someone a little more qualified.

Believe it or not that same day, Caroline asked me on the way to school, “Why aren’t some people Christians?” It made me think. It is the same reason my kids don’t know about American football. They live in a culture where people don’t play football, they’ve never really seen a football player, nor a football stadium, nor a football fan. No one has taken the time to explain to them about the “game” and because it is not part of their everyday life they have no way of relating. So why aren’t some people Christians? Could it be because some of us haven’t taken the time to explain to them? They’ve never heard about Jesus’ plan for their life, they’ve never seen Jesus, and maybe they’ve never even seen a Christian. Romans 10:14, “How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” Don’t forget. Some people really don’t know about God’s plan for their life. Take some time to explain the “game.” Keep your vision, Renee Murdoch

Please send this email to your friends who might be interested in Missions and Church Planting.
Philip Murdoch
Light to the Nations

phone: 55 21 2490-2551