Sounds like an interesting ministry.

However are denominations so far apart as they once were? I have been a born-again Christian since 1965 and what I see is that all Christian denominations and ministries are working more and more together.

Perhaps in your experience, wherever you are located this is different but here in Ontario and Western New York, I do not see the division that you speak about.

Do you believe there is something wrong with denominations? (Are they not just names of groups which have a certain
distinctive or perhaps even gift to represent in the body of Christ?)

If the denominational names do not hinder working together to reach our community, then is there a problem with that?

Just trying to fathom why you see so much division, when what I see is less denominationalism and more working together.

In love,

Charles

Hello Charles,

Thanks for taking the time to WRAP with us.

I'm aware of efforts of denominational leaders to attempt to show a unified front to their communities.  In fact, back in the 70's and 80's, denominational leaders got together and formed the National Council of Churches for that very purpose.  However, there have been no signs of this organization (or any other such organization) addressing any of the real problems of the visible churches.  Church attendance continued to dwindle off.  Church membership continued to decline until most churches consisted of mainly "white heads" and only enough of them to barely pay the light bills and maintain the churches.  The youth of the church families leaving the churches grew to epidemic proportions and is still happening today.  (I could go on, but I would just be repeating what's already in our on-line book MARK THEM.)

I will grant you that I have not visited your area, so IF the churches of the differing denominations do not have differing dogmas that leave their congregations with opposing doctrines; IF they are live, vibrant bodies of Christ that are evangelizing their area instead of fussing at little children who might come to church and make a mess; If they understand that their message of hope is:

John 3:
¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life;

if they are spending all their money on the command of Christ which is as follows:

Mark 16:
¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;

If they have these Scriptures as their basis for existence; then, you can Scripturally say that the churches in your area are unified and the people in your area will know it because the fruit of the churches will be Spirit-filled, Spirit-led believers that will be bringing the Love of God into their communities in visible ways.  But if they are not unified in the call issued by God the Father/Jesus, they are just a club.  There is nothing wrong with civic clubs because the Lions Clubs, Rotary Club... have put glasses on many a child that could not see, the clinics and hospitals that clubs sponsor around the world are terrific.  But the main call of the Church is to spread the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel to all the world, beginning with family, friends, and community.  Who knows?  Maybe if we were obedient to that call, people would have their blind eyes healed, wounds and scars removed...because the rest of Mark 16 says:

Mark 16:
¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jesus must have had some reason to  utter these sayings just before He ascended to heaven.  Maybe we need to consider the "bottom line" of what a church is supposed to do.  In love, I ask DOWEKNOW the true reason for establishing a church anywhere on earth??? 

? WROTE:

Question-Comment: Don, I doubt if you will post this, but I had to write it. Yes, I read (studied) Mary Relfe's book in 1985. I also did extensive Biblical research about the things she wrote in her book. I don't remember anything about her trying to name the antichrist. But what I do know is that the things she wrote concerning Bible prophecy about the tribulation and the mark of the beast (biochip) were right on target.

Such as, there is not one scripture in the Bible that talks about a seven year "tribulation". The tribulation period in Mt. 24 is never specified as to how long it would last. Neither is there any scripture or scriptures that say that Christians will not have to go through "tribulation". On the contrary, it says in numerous places in the Old and New Testaments that the "elect" or chosen i.e. Christians will indeed go through "tribulation". Look up the word and see how its used in the New Testament!

Jn 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation:,
Acts 14:22 that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

To the other person that quoted a scripture aplying the word "wrath" to the tribulation, I sudjest you get a Strongs Concordance. Wrath is always applied in these prophecies as "GOD's wrath". Whereas the word tribulation is almost always in the New Testament used to describe what Christians are going through. Christians will be here for 3 1/2 years (42 months)of the antichrists rule and the mark. (Rev 13, Rev 20:4-6)  According to Rev 20:4-6. There are only two resurections seperated by 1000 years. The first is at the same time as the rapture. READ THE PASSAGE AND SEE HOW THOSE "CHRISTIANS" RESURECTED IN THE "FIRST RESURRECTION" ARE KILLED!

DON  WROTE:

Yours is the second WRAP that we have received concerning Mary Relfe.  Let me quote part of our answer to Gregory in January, 2003 WRAP AROUND.

The first I’ve heard of the lady is your WRAP. I, too, went to the Internet; and from the critiques I encountered, her book had some problems, Scripturally speaking. For example, she tried to put a name to the "beast" of Revelation, even though the Bible says that he will not be revealed until after the Church goes up in the Rapture. This would suggest that she is not proficient with the Word, or that she wrote the book for reasons other than to bless the Church. However, your inquiry brings an observation to mind. There has been much written and published in the past two or three decades concerning Biblical prophecy that is questionable. This includes a multitude of web sites. Some of these works seem to want to pass on ideas while others, especially some of the more popular, seem written for entertainment, but most all of them take liberties with the Scriptures. Upon reflection, I feel that all of this as a whole is not all bad in that it is but one of the signs that could be predicted for a generation destined to live through the things prophesied for the end of our age. For the Church, it is a wake-up call to come to the Bible on an individual basis and "study to show ourselves approved unto God."

In addition to our comments to Gregory, let me say that it seems the lady made many predictions that did not come to pass.  According to the Scriptures, this is the sign of a false prophet and the mark of many strange cults that, strangely enough, seem to grow in leaps and bounds (e.g., the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormon Church, etc).--and this in spite of their failed prophecies!

B'ANN  WROTE:

Never were we told in the Scriptures to do name calling.  However, we are told to examine the beliefs of others and to hold fast to true doctrine.  The truth that we should look for in all religious writings is the message of John 3:16.  If the writer does not bring forth this Truth in their message; then, they are not doing what is commanded of Christ's followers.  Furthermore, we should check to see if they are telling their followers about Mark 16:15!  (And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.)  If these two precepts are not prominent in their teaching/preaching then they are not Scriptural.  It doesn't matter how much they prophesy, discern, exhort, have visions, stomp, roll....  These two things must be in their ministry and should be the driving force behind it.  Many people give themselves to years of Bible study and "receiving" of new messages from Christ just to keep from humbling themselves and doing soul-winning.  In fact, it often seems that they keep themselves "busy, busy" doing any type of church work just to keep from mentioning John 3:16 to those around them.  When we were new Christians, we were shy. We overcame our shyness  by handing out little pamphlets that contained John 3:16.  Christ says His Word will not return unto Him Void.  We felt that we could witness in this manner until we could grow more in the Lord. I do not want to waste my time telling people about the "mark of the beast--or what his name might be."  I could use that time to tell them about the "Hope of the World"--and HIS name is JESUS.

I think I can safely assume that this is a crank email.  I do not see anything sincere about it and I feel you are really making fun of believers.  However, I will answer.  All the things you mentioned in your list of "prayings" have the resounding tune of me! me! me!.  You will need to acknowledge Christ as you personal savior, call upon Him with a repentant heart, and then your song will change.  It will have the words, "Not my will, by thine be done."  Sounds like you are playing mind games with yourself with the promises that you might or might not keep.  Jesus is not playing the games with you.  He hears from a sincere, repentant heart. Your name means Rock-Beloved.  Sounds like a best seller if someone decides to write it as a song.

Dear pastor,

God bless you greatly for what you are doing for him .I am sure you dont know me but thank God the internet
has made the world too small

well, my names are pastor Edward khaoya married to Nancy Naliaka and God has blessed us with two
daughters. we are pastoring a church in kitale town, the western part of kenya. I am the general overseer of the
covenant of grace ministries in kenya.

I came across you on the internet and I was led to contact you and see if you could considrer coming to kenya
and doing some ministry with us

There are so many here in kenya who are dying in sin not because they dont want God but just because they
have not been reached.

I pray that the lord will lead you to this nation too that you may be a blessing to our church ,ministry and nation
at large.

I will expect to hear from you soon.

your loving brother in the lord,

Edward khaoya
 

DON WROTE:

Earlier on, B'Ann and I both sensed that we were called to "go over seas" and minister.  This was before the Internet came into being and we just assumed that we would travel overseas as missionaries in the traditional sense.  However, the door of the Internet came open to us and God brought all of the necessary ingredients together for us to develop our DOWEKNOW ministry.  We praise Him in that we are now able to travel, not to just the few places that our limited finances would dictate, but to anyone in this world who has access to the Web.

We would love to come visit you and your flock to see how the Lord is blessing, but that does not seem to be in the Lord's will at this time.  However, the same Holy Spirit that abides in us also abides in you and He is the one that you should look to and trust in as you attend to the fields He has called you to harvest.  The Apostle John wrote:

I John 2:
²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.  

Also, never forget that you and I have abiding in us the same Spirit that empowered the early disciples.  We need only to study the Bible to show ourselves approved unto God and then to walk as His Holy Spirit leads.  The Church that we are called to help build is not ours, it belongs to Jesus; and He knows best how to build it and maintain it.  We need but to be obedient and faithful! 

Remember, any work for Christ is GREAT!!! No work is small or unimportant to Him.  However, the workers who build a house must first have a plan; and if the house is to stand, they must first lay a foundation.   

Study carefully the following and hide them in your heart for they are essential to any successful work for the Lord Jesus.

John 3:
¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Mar 16:
¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature.

II Timothy 1:
¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

II Timothy 2:
² And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

If you make these verses a part of yourself and your ministry, then the work of Christ will go forth. Don't get caught up in another man/s beliefs, but rather make these Scriptures your foundation.  All the rest of God's blessings will follow.

From Mrs and Pastor Kumar
India

To Dear beloved family in
Christ

Greetings in the holy name of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are the leastest and humble servants of the Almighty god in the heathen, third world country of the 10/40 window with the worlds second largest population “INDIA”. We were located at a corner in India.  We feel glad and take this as privilege to share our work with you. We were CALLED by the Lord to serve him as full time ministers while we were on our own business. We have obeyed to the call of god and working for his glory thru spreading the gospel to the perishing souls [Mark.16:15] we have been in serving the lord for the last six years.

We have been working in a region where the gospel had never been preached. By the dunamis power of the Holy Spirit, which broke the strong holds of the Satan, resulting to start a prayer group consequently modified as a church. This is a breakthrough into the kingdom of the adversary. Our lord has been so gracious in our lives by adding some more responsibilities in to the work, which he gave. So we could go further in going to many places to share the love and grace of the lord to the gospel unreached. As a result we have came to know many pastors and ministers and having fellowship with them and also helping them in their work. Also started many prayer cells at many places.

We have analyzed that there is a vast need to proclaim the good news for this above one billion Indian people as we have a first hand experience in the ministry work. Also we have come to an understating that the gospel should be reached to the unreached in any means. To accomplish this we need to concentrate on comprehensive methods, having the insight of various and different ministerial ways. Whichever the way it could be we need to use it in spreading the gospel, in expansion of the kingdom of god for his glory. We want to reach the people of all sorts of life, and sorts of groups as well. Such as children, men, women, youth, widows, disabled, drug addicts, chronic disease victims, old aged, abused of all sorts, pastors, evangelists etc. and in the areas of gospel outreach, church planting, crusades, pastors seminars, literature distribution, orphan homes, schools, hospitals, vocational trainings etc. whatever be the method to touch the live of an unsaved, but to win them for the lord has the vital value.

We have the vision and we are just a family and have a fellowship of ministers only. The needs are very desperately high. Just to count one of an aspect of the ministry work. Let us look at this. If one minister can reach at least one
hundred lives with the truth of the gospel, how many ministers needed to the India? It is 10,000,000 ministers. This is just a rough calculation, if we look at those dying every day without hearing the good news the number is countless? Isn’t it? If we count the calculations they really made us mad. But we have the right heart with the fire and responsibility. But this is not a single man of family task, but we need the unity in joining the hands with faith, hope and love for together we can make the impossible as the POSSIBLE with the grace of ALMIGHTY GOD.


Hence we request you and your esteemed presence, to look at, and help the work for the resulting of the great joy in the heaven [Luke 15:7] in visiting us and the work we are cordially inviting you to come to India. Moreover we would like to do the ministry methods of yours as well. Please kindly, mercifully, and prayerfully consider helping the ministry work in India. For which your help could indeed bring many unsaved into the kingdom of god for we have committed and dedicated our lives to the lord’s work. For his grace is sufficient for all of us. We eagerly and expectantly are waiting to hear from you in a cool way for the fire of the ministry. Love you and god bless.

In serving at the lord’s vineyard
Mrs and Pastor Kumar.

e-mail:
emmanuel_k@sify.com

B'ANN WROTE:

I would not even presume to tell you how to do your ministry.  You are walking in deep faith and trust. Sounds like the ministry is getting done; so, I can safely conclude that Jesus is your faithful guide and friend.  Be assured that you have our prayers and our admiration. 

DON WROTE:

As to our visiting with you, our comments to Brother Edward in the above WRAP AROUND applies.  However, I would like to share an observation with you--and with Brother Edward, as well.  That is, we have noticed that a great many pastors in the U.S. are failing to encourage their members to find their place in Christ--nor do they expect Christ to use them in mighty ways.  Again, I'll use the analogy of building a house.  How foolish it would be for an overseer to have his helpers look on idly while he alone hammers the nails in place.  The Bible records the lives of the champions of faith for an ensample to every believer-- not just the preacher or the elders.  If you will, as a faithful overseer, encourage every believer to find his/her place in Christ; then your church will become vibrant and grow--and meet the needs of your community.  Our hearts and our prayers go out to you and your fellow believers.  Don't forget to pray for us.

Maranatha,

Don 

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