IBPFM

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions

One of the most important activities of our ministry is to help Christians, young and old, discover God’s will for their lives. This is our concern, because as Christians we feel that God has a plan for each one of our lives in the context of His sovereign will. Also, being committed to the commands of Christ, such as "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15), our concern is to help interested Christians, in this context, to discover God’s will for their lives. We encourage and support those in every way possible, who feel led to take the Gospel to those in other cultures.

The apostle James wrote, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we shall live, and do this, or that.”(Ja. 4:14b-15). The apostle Paul also wrote; “.....be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is....redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:17-16). Again, Paul wrote, “...be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2b).

As already stated, our sincere desire is to help Christians discover God’s will for their lives, who will accept the challenge, and who desire, Lord willing, to “make a difference” in this sin-sick world of misery, suffering and death. As someone has said, "Life is short, death is sure, sin the curse, Christ the cure!"

Life is truly short, and what we do for Jesus must be done in this present life. "Only one life, t’will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ, will last." The fact is, a person with a 70 year life span only has a total of 18,000 days of potentially useful service for the Lord, assuming his first 20 years, or more, must be spent in education and training.

If you feel God’s will for your life is to serve Him full time, with your gifts and talents, somewhere in this vast world of some six billion souls and spiritual needs, we invite you to please contact us for free literature, and more information, whether you are interested in short- term, or long-term service. We, also have a summer program of just a few weeks for college age young people, who would like to serve the Lord, share His love with others, get a good "taste" of "Biblical Missions" today, and use this experience to help them discover God’s will for their lives. We have a fully qualified staff to help answer your every question. If you want true spiritual excitement, deep spiritual satisfaction, and the joy of self-fulfillment, knowing that you "made a difference" in this world, for the glory of God, having shared the love of Christ with others, with souls coming to Christ, and having walked in His known will for your life, then please contact us for further information and guidance. Thank you for your attention, and for "clicking" on our Website.

Yours for "Biblical Missions",

Rev. William R. Le Roy, D.D.
President of IBPFM

July 1-14
1. Brazil – The Olsons are thankful to be somewhat settled in on the field. Ken reports that language school is going well; continue to pray for him. Pray also for Luke as he makes preparation for school in August, and for Ira as she get re-acclimated to life in Brazil. Pray that the remainder of the Olsons’ monthly support will come in.

2. Kenya – Rev. and Mrs. Mark Kim thank the Lord for the recent graduates at BCEA, and for the six new students at BCEA Nairobi. Continue to pray for this second term. Pray for the various outreaches conducted by the students, that souls will be saved and believers will be built up in the faith. Pray for Kenya’s economy, and for a stable government. Rev. and Mrs. Kim will travel to Korea this month also.

3. Guatemala – The Rickers report that Delmi is now walking, eating, and talking; praise God for His victory. Continue in prayer for Evelyn’s health, for good blood pressure.

4. Prayer Partners – “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ...” Colossians 4:3. Thank you for your ministry in prayer. May you never tire of interceding on behalf of our missionaries. May God raise up a new generation of those who love to pray.

5. Holy Land – Pray for the Baraka Bible Presbyterian Church. Praise God for His blessing and the increased attendance at Beit Sahour. Pray for all the services: Sunday, Wednesday’s prayer meeting, Saturday’s youth meetings, and the Ladies Bible Study on Tuesday. Remember also the pastors and elders of the church.

6. Australia – Rev. and Mrs. Ki are very thankful for journey mercies during the past months, to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, and for Rev. Ki’s ministry at Evangel B-P Church in Malaysia. Pray for Daniel and Samuel and their university studies.

7. Andes Mission – The Bjurs are thankful for the work recently done on the second floor of the Sunday School building, and for the Bible study books that were brought back; the ladies treasure these books. Pray for a mini-CIEF conference in July, and also a possible youth conference in July as well. Pray for God’s provision as a number of families are going through some financial problems, and some have left the church.

8. Andes Mission – The Jaras inform us that today (June) is the reception of new members at their church. Pray for the special Father’s Day service, and for the CIEF Conference in Arica July 26, 27. Pray for the funds needed to construct a new sanctuary. Praise God for the special anniversary celebration at the Berea church, for the visitors who attended, and for Daniel Sabatierra, who gave the message.

9. Cambodia – Rev. and Mrs. Stephen Choi are thankful for the construction progress on Glory BP Church; pray for the remaining funds to come in to complete the project. Pray for health and strength to see the various projects through to completion.

10. Kenya – Judith Collins asks us to pray that she will have the funds to build a decent house in Baalah, so she can stay in Baalah for longer periods to evangelize the mamas. This request is a bit urgent as she wants to use her present good health and stamina to remain active in Kenya. Pray also for Peter’s health; the past three years have been physically difficult for him. Pray he may be able to continue to evangelize his people.

11. Brazil – Rev. and Mrs. Woo Sun Kim rejoice with the addition of two new students at the Limeira Seminary. They request prayer for the construction of the Sertão Seminary, the Piracicaba church, and the Cambirimba nursery school buildings. Pray with the Kims as they plan to return to Brazil on September 10.

12. Faithful Donors – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20. Praise God for each individual, family, Sunday school class, missionary society, and congregation that sacrificially contributes to the ministry of The Independent Board. Because of their kindness, may God supply their needs out of His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.

13. Andes Mission – On July 16 Rev. Paul Durand will be speaking at a men’s conference on “Serving the Lord with Your Family.” Pray also for the families of Anita and Patricio in Chillán, and Patricia in San Pedro. Pray for the Sunday School room project at the mission. The Durands are thankful to be moved into their new location, for the safe arrival of Paul’s father, and for opportunities to proclaim the Gospel.

14. India – Mr. Eapen writes that his body is weak but that he is ready to continue ministry in June. Many villages are without a proper witness. He has purchased two bicycles for reaching these villages, and has given them to two evangelists. Pray for Mr. Eapen’s physical needs to match his spirit’s desire.

"Let Me Not Hear"

“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Exodus 20:19

Amy Carmichael has written in the little book called IF: “If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret 'but’ in my prayer, 'anything but that, Lord,’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

The people in the time of Moses, as they experienced God’s power on the mountain, feared to have God speak to them directly, feeling the outcome would be disastrous. They were willing to hear Moses speak to them, but not God Himself. Was it simply the fear for their lives, or did they perhaps feel that if God spoke directly it would require either full obedience or telling God they would not obey His Word?

True believers do not want to disobey the definite commands of the Word of God consciously, but if they do not hear them, it takes away the sting of disobedience. The Word of God gives specific commands, but believers are so prone not to follow them, though they are happy to see others being obedient. The attitude then takes on the form of “let the servant of God speak to us, but not God.”

How wonderful to hear the ringing testimony of the servant of Christ, the way in which God has taken a consecrated life and marvelously used it, the way in which He has been able to reveal His power and grace even in the strongholds of Satan. How we love to hear a man of God stir our hearts by dramatic sermons, but let not God speak to us. If only His servants speak, it is less difficult to say, “Yes, God used this one”; “This is marvelous for you”; “That is your interpretation of God’s call and his will for you, but God has not spoken to me in that way.”

So it is in this way that we are able to put into our prayers, “Let Your will be done in me and through my life, but do not speak to me.” Or will we rather be willing to say as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”

Rev. George S. Clark
Former missionary to the Holy Land
Biblical Missions, June/July 1961