GOD EXPECTS RESULTS

Dr. Elias Malki is the founder of the Middle East Gospel Outreach and one of God's ambassadors, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Arabic language via satellite on eight channels throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Europe — over 180 nations — daily to over 20,000,000 people.

Dr. Malki became the host of the first Arabic evangelistic TV program, The Good News, ever to air on television in the Middle East. Thousands of Middle Eastern people, from the seed of Abraham — Jews and Arabs — have been healed and received Jesus as their Savior.

Through satellite television, the program is becoming more available to viewers in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa since the Middle East and the Arab world use, per capita, more satellite receivers and dishes than any region of the world.

Dr. Malki was a surprise visitor at our Church Conference in Nazareth, on the second night that I preached. I spoke on the "Core Values of the Christian Faith." Because he is so well-known in the Middle East, it was appropriate for our host Pastor Philip Saa'd to ask him to speak to our group as well, and I agreed. I'll never forget what this 78-year old said after I preached.

He got up and first spoke in English, with a translator, just as I did, although he speaks fluent Arabic. He told the group that they had just heard the full gospel in simple terms that anyone could understand. Now he expected to see "results." He told the group that when a preacher speaks to you through the clear word of the Bible about the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, God and he expect results. When he admonishes you through the text of Scripture about living a holy life in obedience before God, results are expected. When he shows you from the word of God that Jesus heals today, you must respond. If you don't, then there is no reason for you to be here because God expects results!

That's a boldness that I have rarely seen in a minister of the Gospel and the results were dramatic as people streamed to the altar and we prayed with them for over an hour. I believe many of us are reluctant to hurt someone's feelings by laying it on the line, so we often hesitate to challenge our hearers. What if they get mad and don't come back? Or go join another church to hear "feel good" sermons? But if salvation and the healing power of God, and a changed victorious life are at stake, why would we hesitate and let someone walk out of our churches, no better than when they came through the doors.

Perhaps these words from the apostle Paul will help us here:

"As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:1-2).

Thank you, Dr. Malki, for your example. It changed me. I hope this account will change you. God expects results—and so will I from this day forward, every time I preach!

Pastor Don

A Show Of Force

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. —Matthew 11:12

The evening we arrived in Bethlehem, in the area known as the West Bank, it was also the beginning day of the first conference in 20 years of the Palestinian political organization, Fatah, which had been given permission by Israel to meet in Bethlehem. Over 2000 Fatah delegates from all over the Middle East were meeting at the Jerusalem Peace Center on Manger Square. According to The Jerusalem Post, several infamous terrorists were in attendance.

Security was extremely high and so was the tension. There was constant movement of troops in vans, pickup trucks, motorcycles, and other military vehicles from one point in the city to another. With the blaring of sirens, flashing red and blue lights and the ever-present exposure of automatic weapons, and snipers on the rooftops, and even ambulances, we were sure that war or a terrorist attack could happen at any moment. All we were looking for was a nice place to eat.

Later we learned that this show of strength was orchestrated by Fatah to send a message to one of their chief rivals in the Middle East, the terrorist organization Hamas, controllers of Gaza in the south. The message was clear, "Keep your hands off of the West Bank." It was a Fatah show of force.

The next day about noon in Bethlehem, as the Fatah conference was breaking for lunch, Israeli military jets suddenly made several passes over the city, low enough to be clearly recognized and heard. There was no mistaking their message to the Fatah delegates, "We're in control of this land and don't you forget it." It was an Israeli show of force.

That same afternoon, our valiant warrior, Pastor Philip Saa'd, who we have grown to love and admire, decided we should all go to the Fatah conference center and pray for God to bless their meeting, to show His presence and exercise His will. We did. Now I don't want to overdo it, but the scene there was like a Jack Bauer 24 episode. Black Mercedes would drive up to the security gate, guys in dark suits and sun glasses would jump out, look around, and then a high level delegate would pass through the checkpoint manned by well armed security forces, some in military dress, others in plain clothes—all looking pretty serious. He wanted us to go through that?

We first prayed outside at an upper level where we could see the delegates mingling below. But to Pastor Philip that wasn't enough. He wanted to be right in the middle of the meeting and pray where they could see us. Gulp. Why could I suddenly not swallow?

We were told by the press near by that this was a closed meeting. Not even they were allowed in. I said, "Philip, are you sure they will let us in?" He replied, "If that is God's will, yes." A few minutes later, while refusing to take "No" for an answer, Phillip had negotiated our way miraculously onto the floor of the conference for five minutes of prayer. So Dorothy, myself, Pastor Philip and his wife Violet all walked down to the lower level where all the delegates were gathered, and speeches were being made and we raised our hands, closed our eyes and prayed to our heavenly Father that He would bless this meeting, that His will would be done in the Middle East among these people and that all would come to the saving knowledge of His Son
Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. The message we delivered I believe was clear, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1) It was God's show of force.

So our trip to Israel has come to an end but not the memories and new friendships. Our hearts are knit together with fellow believers there and we have become their intercessors, encouragers and zealous supporters. Please join with us as often as possible to pray for the Haifa Baptist Arab Christian Church, Pastor Philip Saa'd and his wife Violet, for their children Nardine, Nasrine, Sharon, Peter, John Mark and Paul, along with the many members of their church
and the evangelical churches in Israel and the Middle East. Once again, thank you for your prayers. They made a difference. "Let God be magnified!" (Psalm 70:4).

Love in Christ,
Pastor Don and Dorothy

We're Home

Hello everyone,
We arrived home last night after a long, long flight and layover in Atlanta. But God is good and brings comfort to the weary. Thank you all for your many prayers while we were in Israel. We believe the Lord may have saved the best for our last day in the land. I will share it with you on my final posting. But right now, we have to let our bodies catch up with Albuquerque time once again. Give me a day or so and you will be amazed at what happened in Bethlehem on Wednesday. Your prayers kept us going, helped opened doors, and were instrumental in leading a Muslim to Christ and encouraging the body of believers. Thank you friends and family.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Don and Dorothy

Onward and Upward

Hello everyone,
We're getting ready to leave for Bethlehem today with the Saa'ds. Last night we said "see you later" to so many new friends. There are no goodbyes in the body of Christ, so we received and gave lots of hugs and holy kisses! We had a wonderful going away meal after service which lasted to almost 1 AM. It was a five-course meal followed by strong, strong coffee (which I had to decline for sleeping purposes). It was a wonderful occasion. The people here are very gracious hosts and have made us feel very welcome. Time is no barrier and no one seems to be in a hurry to move on to the next event in their lives. They will savor as much time with you as you desire and church services go for several hours and no one looks at their watch while you preach!. I like that. We will leave for Atlanta tomorrow night at 11:30 Israel time. We have a long layover in Atlanta and have a room reserved for the day to rest and shower before an evening flight to Albq. Then we will go the rough the process of overcoming jet lag again. Ugh! "May God be magnified" (Psm. 70:4).

One special prayer request to add a little intrigue to our trip. About 2000 members of the political organization, Fatah, are meeting in Bethlehem today and tomorrow. They have come from all over the Middle East. They are somewhat moderate compared to Hezbollan and Hamas, but are still hostile to Israel. Bethlehem is located in the West Bank, under the control of the Palestinian Authority. We do not expect any problems but sometimes they are unpredictable. They are moderate "crazies." Is that an oxymoron? Please pray for our safety. We love you more than words can express. See you soon.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Don and Dorothy

Let God Be Magnified

Hello everyone,
Last night was a wonderful night of worship, testimonies, preaching (of course), mighty prayers and communion. We were joined by an evangelistic team from the U.S. directed by Tom Doyle, author of "Two Nations Under God," a book that well defines the struggle in this land for peace. Tom has roots in Albuquerque. What a small world! He will speak at a special service tonight, as he was in Gaza yesterday, preaching at the only evangelical Christian church there (a church that has been burned down once and their pastor killed).

Last night, as we left the meeting which lasted past midnight, we experienced what Paul must have felt when he left Ephesus for the last time. The people, most of whom we will never see again, "began to weep aloud and embraced him (us), and repeatedly kissed him (us)" (Acts 30:37). What an expression of God's love. Tonight I'm sure we will experience more of the same from others. Isn't it amazing that the love of Christ transcends all cultural, ethnic and even religious barriers? "Let those who love God's salvation, be continually saying, 'Let God be magnified.'" (Psm.70:4).

Today we will enjoy a picnic on the beautiful white beaches of Haifa with our hosts. Tomorrow we drive to Bethlehem (which will be filled by members of Fatah for their political conference). We will stay at the Bethlehem Bible College guesthouse then an afternoon trip to Jerusalem before we depart for home on Wednesday from Tel Aviv. We can't express to you how much your prayers mean to us. "Let God be magnified," over and over again!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Don and Dorothy

O Valiant Warrior

Hello everyone,
In 2006, our hosts Pastor Philip and Violet Saa'd, stood on their patio with their children reciting Scriptures as they watched rockets from S. Lebanon rain down on Haifa. First they hit the sea, then the seaport two miles away, and then flew over their heads toward the city, belching their lethal flames. They came from the demonic military of the Hezbollah. Such is the daily potential in the lives of those who live in Israel.

Today the Saa'ds are hosting a group of twenty-two from the States with E3 Partners. They are here to evangelize in the German Colony right below their home and where their church is located. The group will also be at our meeting tonight. Most of the Saa'd children are involved in the ministry with their parents. The three girls head up the worship team and Paul, the youngest, is out with the group today as a translator. Two of the girls, Nardene and Sharon are also in Medical School approaching internship.

They are tireless, full of faith, and have learned how to depend on God for everything. We have much to learn. Nothing is easy here in this hostile land and ministry is difficult trying to reach the Jews, Muslims and nominal Arabs with the saving grace of Jesus. And yet they are persistent and compassionate and trust that the Holy Spirit will do what man cannot. Please join with us as we encourage our brethren here with our love and prayers. They need our intercession. Judges 6:12 says, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Surely he wrote this for the Saad's and the Haifa Baptist Arab Christian Church as well. We're so glad to be here for this season. See you soon.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Don and Dorothy