Why does TITUS focus on national Christian workers?
#22-Focusing on national ministry protects against the "colonial mentality" sometimes prevalent in foreign missions. .Read More
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A Mission trip to Moldova - at the age of 99! By missionary Loreen Ittermann
Hello Family and Friends,
Passover would never go by this quickly, if like our Jewish friends, we were only permitted to eat matza for 8 days in a row! Ha,ha. But without that restriction, it flew by! In the last month, I've done three Seders, all of them unique in their setting and purpose. Two more seders will occur in May and June.
Seder #1 was held Sat. March 31st here in Chattanooga, at a Baptist children's home that cares for the sons and daughters of inmates. It was a great experience, as I was asked to teach a workshop on Biblical parenting to 25 parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of the kids. Deuteronomy 6, the Jewish Shma, was my text for the teaching time. To follow that up, the Seder, complete with lamb that I roasted, illustrated what my teaching had emphasized-- the family eating together; the father leading the family in observing the Feast; and the teaching of Biblical truth in the context of the family. The Gospel was given to 80 who attended, many lost.
Seder #2 was in Marlboro, OH, my third time to speak at The Chapel's evangelistic dinner [2008, 2010, 2012-picture attached]. Most encouraging was the fact that Hal and Linda, unsaved Jewish friends from Cleveland, came back again! They had attended for the first time in 2010. Since then, I had mailed Jewish holiday cards, tracts, and notes to them for Hanukkah, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah. Both listened intently as I ended the night talking about the resurrection, as pictured in the Feast of First Fruits. They even allowed me to pray with them before they departed ! Both put an arm around my shoulder as I prayed. Just yesterday, I mailed them a note, gifts, and Gospels of John with tracts. Please pray for Hal and Linda [picture attached], who seem to be open and searching.
For The Chapel's two Sunday AM services the next day, I spoke on the Feast of Weeks [Joel 2 and Acts 2], challenging them about our part in the ongoing fulfillment of Joel's prophecy in these last days.
Seder #3 was in Charleston, WV, and centered around the events of Holy Week. After teaching the prophecy of Dan. 9, with its fulfillment in MT 21 [Palm Sunday], I covered the fulfillment of the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Then, we celebrated a full Passover dinner and I finished with the symbolism of the talis, plus our responsibility to use all these events to share Messiah with His people. The best part? Beth was able to travel with me to this weekend meeting!
Seder #'s 4 and 5 will occur in Romania. My trip is scheduled for May 23rd-June 6. May 25th and 26th, I'll be teaching all the Feasts during a pastors' retreat in W. Romania, demonstrating a Seder [#4], and equipping 50+ pastors with the knowledge and study resources to teach their churches. The 30th and 31st, I'll be doing the same for 10-15 BI students in E. Romania, with Seder #5 included. They cannot get matza there, so I'll be taking recipes, so that they can make their own.
The grandkids and kids are fine. Beth and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary in August. We are enjoying our marriage and what God is doing during this time of our lives. Please pray concerning Beth's occasional migraines. If you've ever had one, you understand--and will pray!
Other prayer requests: 1. Travel safety for my trip to Romania, and for Beth while I'm gone.
2. This Summer: two weeks of camp-speaking, and 4 Chosen People Sundays
Deepest thanks for all you do to make these travels and ministry possible! Your partnership with us makes us co-workers in the harvest!
Shalom and all God's best,
Fred and Beth Bennett
Passover would never go by this quickly, if like our Jewish friends, we were only permitted to eat matza for 8 days in a row! Ha,ha. But without that restriction, it flew by! In the last month, I've done three Seders, all of them unique in their setting and purpose. Two more seders will occur in May and June.
Seder #1 was held Sat. March 31st here in Chattanooga, at a Baptist children's home that cares for the sons and daughters of inmates. It was a great experience, as I was asked to teach a workshop on Biblical parenting to 25 parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of the kids. Deuteronomy 6, the Jewish Shma, was my text for the teaching time. To follow that up, the Seder, complete with lamb that I roasted, illustrated what my teaching had emphasized-- the family eating together; the father leading the family in observing the Feast; and the teaching of Biblical truth in the context of the family. The Gospel was given to 80 who attended, many lost.
Seder #2 was in Marlboro, OH, my third time to speak at The Chapel's evangelistic dinner [2008, 2010, 2012-picture attached]. Most encouraging was the fact that Hal and Linda, unsaved Jewish friends from Cleveland, came back again! They had attended for the first time in 2010. Since then, I had mailed Jewish holiday cards, tracts, and notes to them for Hanukkah, Passover, and Rosh Hashanah. Both listened intently as I ended the night talking about the resurrection, as pictured in the Feast of First Fruits. They even allowed me to pray with them before they departed ! Both put an arm around my shoulder as I prayed. Just yesterday, I mailed them a note, gifts, and Gospels of John with tracts. Please pray for Hal and Linda [picture attached], who seem to be open and searching.For The Chapel's two Sunday AM services the next day, I spoke on the Feast of Weeks [Joel 2 and Acts 2], challenging them about our part in the ongoing fulfillment of Joel's prophecy in these last days.
Seder #3 was in Charleston, WV, and centered around the events of Holy Week. After teaching the prophecy of Dan. 9, with its fulfillment in MT 21 [Palm Sunday], I covered the fulfillment of the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Then, we celebrated a full Passover dinner and I finished with the symbolism of the talis, plus our responsibility to use all these events to share Messiah with His people. The best part? Beth was able to travel with me to this weekend meeting!
Seder #'s 4 and 5 will occur in Romania. My trip is scheduled for May 23rd-June 6. May 25th and 26th, I'll be teaching all the Feasts during a pastors' retreat in W. Romania, demonstrating a Seder [#4], and equipping 50+ pastors with the knowledge and study resources to teach their churches. The 30th and 31st, I'll be doing the same for 10-15 BI students in E. Romania, with Seder #5 included. They cannot get matza there, so I'll be taking recipes, so that they can make their own.
The grandkids and kids are fine. Beth and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary in August. We are enjoying our marriage and what God is doing during this time of our lives. Please pray concerning Beth's occasional migraines. If you've ever had one, you understand--and will pray!
Other prayer requests: 1. Travel safety for my trip to Romania, and for Beth while I'm gone.
2. This Summer: two weeks of camp-speaking, and 4 Chosen People Sundays
Deepest thanks for all you do to make these travels and ministry possible! Your partnership with us makes us co-workers in the harvest!
Shalom and all God's best,
Fred and Beth Bennett
Hello Dear Partners in Ministry,
Well, as usual, you've been doing alot by your involvement in our lives and ministry. Beth and I just want to say thanks so much. Whether you realize it or not, you're there when we witness, speak @ men's evangelistic dinners, teach Jewish workshops, teach our SS classes in our home church, mentor younger men and women in our church, put tires on the truck, buy groceries, tell Bible stories to our grandkids, whatever we're doing. Paul says, We are labourers together, with God. One sows, another waters, but God gives the increase. And so it is, as we all work together in God's harvest fields. Our Aunt Suzie usually introduces me as my nephew Fred, our family preacher--he marries us, and he buries us. Well, it's been an unusual year that way. In October, I assisted in a wedding (my second this year), and spoke in 4 funerals in the last 5 weeks. One more wedding to go (never had 3 in one year)! It will be my privilege to officiate my cousin Preston's wedding on December 10th. His fiance, Gabriella, has been a believer for 2+ years, but her family members are not believer. They are High Church Roman Catholic, most attending mass multiple times/week (they're not Easter and Christmas Catholics!). Press and Gabby have asked me to preach the Gospel, from Ephesians 2, at the beginning of the wedding. Gabby is translating my message outline (sentences) and the Scripture passages, so that each Spanish-speaker will also be able to read my message in their heart language. Please pray for this evangelistic outreach to Gabby's family and friends, about 50 people.
Our Iowa Men's Wild Game Dinner and Chosen People Sunday went very well in early October. Two lost men came, including one Roman Catholic. Many Christian men who attended, commited themselves to stand as God's men in their home, church and on their job. We're already scheduled for next October!
It's been great to re-visit many supporting churches this Fall. Most of them have been partnering with us for over 20 years! They got excited again, hearing the Jewish customs, Feasts, prophetic pictures. Demonstration of the Passover Seder is always a thrill for everyone! I've done over 500 Seders, short Seders, and demonstrations/demonstration messages, and it never gets old to me either.
Travel has ended for the year, except for the wedding in DC Dec. 10th. Locally, my Bible discussion lunches with Scott Jacobsen are continuing. Please pray for him and his wife to come to Messiah. Also, for Barry in MS; Linda, Hal and Ashley in OH; Gene in Chattanooga; and Dan in NYC. All of these Jewish friends were sent Rosh Hashanah cards and tracts, and are on my list for Hanukkah, which is Dec. 21-28. Please remember to send Hanukkah cards by the 20th.
Shalom and God's best to all of you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Fred and Beth Bennett
Dear Mishpocah Meschiach (Family of Messiah),
How blest we are to be in two families--one Earthly and one Heavenly. Y'shua is our Brother, Adonai is our Father, Shekinah is our Comforter. And we are brothers and sisters. What a comfort, strength and blessing to be in this family. Our lives are interconnected, and our work for God. When I labor in the Jewish field, or elsewhere, you labor with us and the harvest is yours together with the Lord of the harvest. Thanks to each of you for your prayers, love, concern, and support.
Jewish Evangelism Training continues to be an exciting ongoing part of my work! Just this summer, I was able to get my DVD course, plus syllabus and pastor's guide into the hands of an awesome Liberian missionary, returning to Liberia, to teach in a BI that he started years ago. Then, a few weeks later, I mailed the course to a prof in a Bible college in Louisiana, to use in his pastoral class. Earlier this summer, a brother in Ghana took the course to teach in his BI, plus last Spring another missionary friend in Ghana did the same.
Jewish holy days upcoming--here's the info you need:
For Church Bulletin Sun. Sept. 25th--Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, begins next Thurs. the 29th. Jewish people gather at sundown to blow the shofar (ram's horn), and eat apples dipped in honey. A delicious meal follows that evening. This is the beginning of "Ten Awesome Days" of mourning, repentance, and squaring accounts with those whom you owe or have offended. The greeting is "L'shana Tovah", "may you be inscribed." Please send your Jewish friends and acquaintances a Jewish New Year card ASAP, and ask them about their celebration of this Jewish holy day.
For church bulletin Sun. Oct. 2nd--Jewish people are in the middle of the "Ten Awesome Days" that began last week on Rosh Hashanah, and will end next Fri night through Saturday, with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. If you have not done so already, please send a Jewish New Year's card to your Jewish friends, immediately. On Yom, all will fast and most attend synagogue. The service contains a large # of prayers and repentance. The greeting for Yom is "L'shana Tovah Tikatevu", "may you be inscribed and sealed in the book" (Book of the Righteous). Most Jewish people know little or nothing about the Azazel (scapegoat) of Lev. 16. Use the first line of the Musaf, a Yom prayer written by Moses Maimonides, to talk to Jewish people about Messiah: "Messiah our Righteousness, is sacrificed for us."
Prayers needed now:
1. Travel to WV/VA this week for a family wedding and to report to a supporting church
2. Travel next week to Iowa for a men's evangelistic wild game dinner Oct. 1 and Chosen People Sunday on the 2nd
3. Travel later in October to VA and WV to visit supporters, supporting churches, family.
Shalom and all God's best to you all! Todah (thanks) for your partnership with us!
Fred and Beth Bennett
PS--Picture below:Jewish evangelism course and class taught in Romania in June. Most students were pastors and have already begun teaching the info to their churches!
Hey Family and Friends,
Each day, your prayers are an awesome investment-- in the souls of men, women, and children; in the work that we do where God opens the door; and in our family. I can't say "Thanks" enough times to adequately express our deep gratitude to all of you for partnering with us in every way. As Paul said, "I desire fruit that may abound to your account. And it does.
Camp Victory in June--As usual, an amazing week of ministry as camp missionary was enjoyed by Mr. Fred, missionary to Jewish people. Those kids were so excited to learn about the Jewish Feasts, sample Passover matza, fold their prayer requests and insert them into our miniature Wailing Wall, and to cast bread crumbs on the lake waters, in observance of the Yom Kippur custom of Tashlikh. The were moved by the missionary stories from our lives, illustrating the names of God, like Yahweh Raphe--"God who heals", when he healed Beth from E Coli in '04, Somewhere between 15 and 20 5th-8th graders professed faith in Christ and many other made life-changing decisions.
Chosen People Sunday in June, Mobile, AL--God allowed me to teach the Feasts, preach about Messianic fulfillments of prophecy, and to demonstrate the Passover during a PM "short-seder". Those precious folks devoured the information, learned the customs, and many are using what they know in an effort to reach local Jewish people with their Messiah. Others ordered my Jewish Workshop DVD and are taking the complete course themselves. The pastor's son is helping me put together a new DVD course and setting up a website and some other online helps for my Jewish ministry and men's outdoor evangelism too.
New grandson in July--Elijah Killian Bonebright was born on July 12th!!! Grandbaby #3! Beth and I went to VA a few days before and had a wonderful time taking care of Ellie (4) and Jesse (2), plus taking them to the hospital to meet their new brother. (Pictures attached). Papa (that's me!) taught the kids a bed-time Bible story 6 nights in a row, telling them from Genesis what God made on each day. Then, Nana (Beth) taught them the next night about Noah's boat and the flood. Then, I taught them 3 nights of Jesus boat stories. It was lots of fun watching their amazement as we taught.One more trip this summer, to NE Ohio, Lord willing the third week of August. However, all depends on how extensive my knee surgery is. Tomorrow (Monday August 1) I will have surgery on my left knee. Will have to let you know later what the doc found, removed, fixed, etc.
Thanks for you prayers.
Shalom and God's best to you and your family.
Respectfully,
Fred and Beth Bennett
New grandson Hey Friends,
Well, just a little report on the results of your prayers and support:
1. National Weather Service has now stated that "April 27th goes down as the worst weather day in the history of the US, TN, and AL." And so it did. There were 14 tornadoes, rated from EF0 to EF4, within 25 miles of us. The one that ravaged Ringgold GA (just 6 miles SE of us), started up our valley, then cut a 45 SE over a ridge, and killed 8 folks just 2 miles S of our house. We thank the Lord for His protection from tornadoes that went south and north of us, but not over us. 1,000's of opportunities have come to us and our church to reach out for Christ because of this. Thanks for your prayers.
2. The NE OH wild game dinner on April 30 was amazing! 500 men and their sons came! The Gospel tracts that I put out on the tables, and the Christian Bowhunters of America magazines (all of which contain the Gospel) were snatched up by the men, either to read themselves, or to share with their lost friends!
Four adult men professed faith in Christ at the end of the program. I believe that many more trusted Christ also, but we need to fine-tune the decision cards and followup after this dinner. A large # of men and boys committed to a men's Bible study and others to be strong soldiers of Christ.
3. Our Chosen People Sunday the next day was an exciting time of willing listeners learning Jewish customs, gaining a better understanding of their Jewish Messiah, and finding witnessing points to share Messiah with their Jewish friends.
4. Thurs. May 26 thru Wed. June 8 missions trip to WCentral Romania, my first time to go there to minister. The schedule will be roughly like this:
a. Arrive in Romania May 27
b. Sat. May 28 meeting with village pastors, scouting our sites for medical clinics in Spring 2012, and traveling into the country to 1 of the village churches where I'm preaching Sun. AM.
c. Sun. May 29--lots of preaching and travel (3 different village churches from AM till PM).
d. Mon. May 30 thru Fri June 3 teaching my modular course (OT/Jewish Studies) for Frontline's graduate students. Along with the information, we will celebrate the Feasts of Israel. All students will be equipped to teach the materials and will be given all the information/resource materials translated into Romanian.
e. Tues. AM May 31 I will "squeeze in" a 3-hour workshop, teaching the same information in a Regional Pastor's Meeting, equipping 50 pastors to train their churches as they were trained. Again, all resource materials will also be given to them in their language.
f. Saturday June 4 visiting the remaining villages where we'll host medical clinics next Spring, gathering info and taking pic's, so we can be better prepared to minister there.
g. Sun. AM preaching in village churches, Sunday PM as commencement speaker for the regular BI graduating class.
h. Mon. June 6, a day off, plus de-briefing with the BI staff, all of whom are nationals.
i. Tues. June 7, travel to Germany for meeting with missionaries that my SS class supports near Munich.
j. Wed. June 8 travel back to US.
5. Speaking @ Camp Victory in Samson, AL June 20-24, with my twin brother Frank. You remember when I did this a few years ago in another camp? Fred and his "twin brother Frank" shared the missionary speaking times. Well,we're doing it again, this time in Alabama. The staff is excited about this fun and creative way to challenge the kids for missions in two different areas--overseas missions (Frank's background in E. Europe and speaking in wild game dinners in US--he wears camo all the time; and Fred's work as a missionary to Jewish people-he never wears camo). It should be fun!
Thanks for your awesome partnership with us by prayer. The gathered fruit "abounds to your account."
Shalom and God's best,
Fred
PS--Beth is doing great, eagerly anticipating our time to take care of Jesse and Ellie in July, while Amy is having Baby B #3, a boy, by C-section on July 11. David graduates from AZ State this weekend, MAEd, certified to teach Math 1-8th grade, staying in Phoenix to teach/pay off his school loans.
Hey Friends,
Well, the blessings just keep popping up all over the place, like the flowers of Spring! You and I are working a spiritual garden--preparing soil, planting seeds, watering and cultivating, and God is giving the crop! Aren't we blessed to be working his garden?!
Jewish seeds and workers in the field:
1. Along with my Passover cards, a Gospel of John and some really great Jewish tracts were enclosed for all of my Jewish friends in OH, TN, and MA. Please pray for Scott, Russ and Linda, Marty, Ashley, Dan, and Gene.
2. Speaking the words of Jesus and dressed accordingly, I led an "old Seder" at our home church. Roasted lamb, raw horseradish root, Israeli matza, and grape juice were prayed over in Hebrew, explained in their fulfillments, along with dialog with my disciples, just before all of them betrayed or deserted me.
3. Blessings in Jewish training ministry: Chosen People lessons taught in SC; mailing my training DVD+materials to a young lady in MA (she's committed to Jewish ministry); sending my resource materials and Passover props to GA to a friend who led a Seder there, and is leading his church through the teaching and celebration of the Feasts of Israel, in real time as they occur from this Sept. on! God is spreading my burden into many churches and individuals. What a blessing to be able to "expand the team" that presents Messiah to His People.
4. Men's wild game evangelistic dinner in Charleston, SC on April 8: 70 men and boys attended! As a result of Charleston Harbor Bible Church's prayers and witness, a man in his 50's (alcoholic/drug background) and a young boy about 10, both professed faith in Christ. As well, 35 of the 70 made a commitment to be men of God, honorable servants of their King! All are being followed up.
5. Men's wild game evangelistic dinner this Sat. April 30 in NE Ohio. 400-500 expected. Many lost. Praying for a mighty harvest of souls, and soldiers for the King. Sunday I'll be teaching Chosen People lessons in a local church there.
Urgent: Prayers needed for my dear friend and hunting partner, Paul Wright and his wife Kathy (+son Bradley), as they minister to their precious 27 year-old daughter, Amy, who is near to meeting Jesus. She has colon cancer.
Shalom and thanks for all your awesome partnership with us in ministry.
Respectfully,
Fred and Beth Bennett
WINTER REPORT
Hey Friends,
Well, supported by your prayers, we have gotten through what we hope is the worst part of the winter, and maybe of the year.
"THEY COME IN THREES"
Yes, how many of us have said that of bad things, sicknesses, mechanical breakdowns, etc.? It sure seems that when you're having a bad day, it's not just one thing that happens, but three! ha,ha. Well, that's sorta the way I've felt since Dec.
1. Injured my knee Dec. 4 while bear hunting. Still having some problems, at certain times. Limped around all of Dec.
2. Dec. 26 started coughing, bad sinus problems, couldn't stop for about 3 weeks. Lost most of my voice for about two weeks. Many @ our church had this too.
3. Dec. 27 started the chemo cancer cream treatment on my face. Within a week, it was severely burning, cracking, bleeding, itching and horrible to look at (OK, no wise cracks from my "friends"!). All of this woke me up every hour @ night, and the wounds eventually got infected.
GOD-SIGHTING
At my Dr's appointment Jan. 25, they gave me an antibiotic and cleansers for my face. Just 4 days later, all the wounds, pain, itching and cracks were gone, just in time for speaking at the missions retreat @Camp Victory in S AL! All of us (medical people included) were amazed at how fast I healed, and all agreed that God had done it. Had some great opp's @ camp to teach Jewish customs to over 60 HS and college kids, and to do some mentoring. One of my Timothy's there is graduating Bible College in May and heading for seminary! Another is becoming a father in April!
JEWISH HEART DVD'S
I've already shipped out 8 sets of my DVD series that explains Jewish Feasts, customs, how to present Messiah to His people. A syllabus/study guide is included. Plus, for those who request it, I also have a DVD for kids, in which I explain many of the Jewish customs to elementary and middle school kids.
For those who can, a donation of $9.95 would cover all my costs. If that's not possible, no problem. We'll be glad to send it to you. Just let me know, please.
WILD GAME DINNERS
1.Our Christian Bow hunters Group is helping with a large (1500 men and boys) evangelistic wild game dinner here in Chattanooga this Saturday. We'll be helping over 400 boys and men to learn to shoot a bow, plus sharing the Gospel with them in many ways. This is our 3rd evangelistic outreach using archery.
2. Massachusetts Feb. 24-26--speaking for a men's wild game dinner that draws men from 6 states. Sharing Christ with them on Friday evening, then conducting a Chosen People Sunday in the church the 26th. Please pray for a good harvest of men, and for many in the church to become equipped to reach many Jewish people in their area.
Well, God's best to you all. Thanks so much for your support, prayers, and love. More in next month's letter about the MA dinner, and our upcoming trip to Romania in May.
Shalom in our Messiah Yeshua,
Fred Bennett
Hanukah Info, Ministry Report, End of Year Wrap-up
Dear Mishpocah Meschiach [Family of Messiah],
Well, the Jewish Feast of Lights [Hanukkah] begins @ sundown on Wed. Dec. 1 and ends at sundown the 9th. [All Jewish days begin and end at sundown.] Numerous similarities [date, customs, lights, miracles concerning light, etc] between Hanukkah and Christmas show that God gave His people this Feast day to show them a clear interpretation of Isaiah's prophetic picture of their Messiah, the Light of the world. I have prepared the following write up to be printed in your bulletin on the Sunday indicated:
For Sun. Dec. 5
We are in the midst of the eight days of Hanukkah. The Jewish Feast of Lights began with the lighting of one candle the evening of Wed. Dec. 1. Jewish people all over the world are lighting candles every night to commemorate God's miracle to His people during the rebellion of the Jewish Maccabees in 165 BCE, against the oppression of the Assyrian army. Their Hanukiah [Hanukkah menorah or tree of lights] is lit @ sundown with the # of candles to correspond to the # of day that it is during the 8 days of the Feast. Gifts are exchanged and sweets eaten, while listening to the story of the miracle of light.
During what they call the 400 Dark Years when God was not speaking through the prophets, He showed them that He was Light and still wanted to bless them. His revelation of Himself came as the Temple Menorah stayed lit for 8 days, though only holding a one-day supply of oil.
Please take this opportunity to mail a Hanukkah card to your Jewish friends, wishing them Shalom and prayers, and signing your name. Also, remind them of the many links between Hanukkah and Christmas.
Other news
1. 2010 included the most Chosen People Sundays and Passover demonstrations since 2000.
2. God also gave me the most opportunities to share Messiah with Jewish and Muslim people, since my trip to Israel and Jordan in 2006!
3. My work in Ukraine concluded in September and is now totally under awesome national leadership.
4. Speaking opportunities with men [wild game dinners, archery shoots, men's retreats, etc.] were more than ever before this year!
Coming events
In January, I will be taking a topical-chemo cream treatment for 21 days, to kill some basal cell cancer and pre-cancer cells/spots on my face. As the cancer cells die, they will turn bright red and come to the skin surface.
The doc advised me to postpone all travel and most public meetings, which I did. But, thankfully, this is a very effective long-term solution to my basal cell carcinoma problem.
***3 major evangelistic/teaching events [men's wild game dinners +Chosen People Sundays]: 2/25 in MA [Chosen People Sunday 2/27]; late March in SC [CPS too]; April 30 in NE OH [CPS May 1].
***Teaching in a BI in Romania in late May–OT Jewish studies/Jewish evangelism modular course to about 45 pastors and evangelists, leaving all materials [in Romanian] for them to teach to their churches.
***My Jewish Heart DVD Training Course is still available. Preparing to mail out 4 as requested and would be glad to send it to all who will study it, show to SS class, church group, small group, etc.
Beth and I are both doing well physically. This will be our 39th happy Christmas together! The kids are doing fine, and grandkids too! We will be seeing all of them around Christmas, and can't wait!
Next May, David will finish his MA in Education w/certification in teaching math. We plan to go to his graduation from AZ State in Phoenix. Amy still does an awesome job teaching in the Communications Dept. at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Her husband Kelly finishes his counseling PHD, also in May.
Todah [thanks] for all your awesome friendship, prayers, love and support again in 2010!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Shalom for 2011,
Fred and Beth Bennett
Late Summer Ministry Report 2010
Dear Friends of Messiah and the Bennetts,
Just a few God-sightings from this Spring/Summer, a few Jewish items of interest, and a free offer (knew THIS one would catch your eye!--ha,ha!):
1. God-sightings from Spring/Summer include 569 men and boys @ our NE OH Men's Wild Game Evangelistic Dinner in May. One profession of faith (a young man who was saved and soon after died in a motorcycle accident), and over 25 men who committed to live Godly.
2. Summer camps were awesome with an opportunity to mentor/disciple 13 teens in FL, with some great commitments being noted, plus Camp Victory in south AL. There we saw 150 kids in 5th-8th grade make some definite life-changing decisions. Around 15 professions of faith and easily 30-40 public commitments to live a Godly teenage life.
3. Jewish news that is current: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) starts tonight @ sundown, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the 18th, and Feast of Tabernacles begins the 23rd and lasts 4 days. PLEASE send Jewish New Year's cards to your Jewish friends and pray for them to realize that they have no sacrifice for the Day of Atonement, except Jesus the Pesah (Passover Lamb).
4. FREE OFFER--To Pastors and SS teachers, small group leaders, etc--my DVD is complete. 2 hours of Jewish Evangelism training, with a syllabus. It's all free to anyone who will use it to teach the Feasts, Jewish customs, etc, to their church and/or other Christian friends. Please email me with your request for this course. It easily divides into 4x30 minute sessions, or shorter times, allowing for discussion times.
5. LEAVING on a jet this afternoon for Ukraine, Trip #21 and it seems, my last trip to work with my precious friends there. Pastor Glen Huguenin, retired RN Sue Wallin, and I go for 13 days to Kiev.
Most of my work will be evangelistic and mentoring, leadership training, and discipleship. I am finishing my teaching work there, having trained their leadership and seen them go on to seminary, and far exceed their teacher! That's what our goal always it--to nationalize the work. And they can do the work very well now.
God-willing, we transition both the teaching ministries (my OT Jewish Studies course) and medical evangelism/church planting assistance, next May to Romania.
Thanks for your awesome partnership by prayers and support. Beth and I deeply you standing with us for all these years. Please pray for her while I'm gone.
We go to Ukraine, or anywhere we go, to gather fruit that will be added to your account.
Shalom and God's best,
Fred Bennett
PASSOVER REPORT
Hello Friends/Family of Messiah,
Well, "getting behind" is an understatement! Please accept my apologies for being so late in sending out these two reports--this one re:Passover, and the next one about our other evangelism efforts, namely the Men's Evangelistic Wild Game Dinner in Warren, OH, in late April.
Last report, you read that 2010 had been my busiest Passover season ever, even from early in the year. Well, it was well worth the extra time and travel for sure.
BIG JEWISH PRAISES:
1. Largest total # of Passovers/Passover demonstrations (11), and believers (over 500) introduced to/trained in Jewish Feasts , customs, topics.
2. Largest total # of unsaved Jewish people (5) showing interest in the Gospel, asking for and/or gladly receiving a Hebrew/English NT, Jewish tract, etc. Please pray for Barry, Joel, Linda, Hal and Ashley. (These last 3 are in the picture below w/me @ our Canton, OH Seder, hosted by the Chapel in Marlboro and Rick Miller, longtime friend and brother who loves Jewish people. Rick and I co-led their Seder and another one the next night.)
3. Many believers who witnessed the Passover and received the Feast/Customs training this year so far--they have many Jewish people to whom they are trying to present Messiah.
OTHER BIG PRAISES:
1. Over 5,000 miles of safe travel and Beth's safety all the time I was on the road.
2. David's safe/successful move to AZ to begin an intensive 14-month MEd program @ AZ State, graduating next summer with a Master's and certified to teach math.
3. Amy, Kelly, Ellie (turning 3 on July 4) and Jesse (turned 1 on June 16) enjoying family life and God's blessings.
REQUESTS:
1. Summer evangelism and teaching opp's in 2 camps w/over 2000 miles of travel.
2. Beth's back is giving her some problems.
3. My 21st and final trip to Ukraine Sept. 8-22, wrapping up my work there.
Shalom and God's best + Todah (thanks) for all your partnership with us,
Fred and Beth Bennett
PS--The fruits of our ministry are yours also.
October 2009
FALL PRAYER/PRAISE UPDATE
Greetings to our awesome family of pray-ers,
CHANGES
OK, I've got to do something different! Ever heard/said that?! Well, "confession is good for the soul." So, I confess to overdoing it since my return from Ukraine. That's the main reason you haven't heard from me since the post-trip report in mid-September. My apologies for that long period of silence. But, changes are underway:
1. Here's my commitment to back off some on my schedule, which I've already done. Had to cancel two Bible college missions conf's and decline an invitation to a 3rd. My post-heart attack promises need to be kept, as my sweet daughter Amy recently reminded me.
2. Have increased my exercise schedule and am getting better rest, both of which are hard to do while on the road a lot. Also, blocked out a few days to hunt deer, boar and bear, plus time to work on some wood crafts (Christmas projects) in my garage.
BLESSINGS
God did His usual awesome things along the way during my travels. It was wonderful to challenge believers about presenting Messiah to His people, and to meet a few of them!
1. Spending a few days with David, Amy and Kelly, and our sweet grandkids Ellie and Jesse in VA (mid-Sept.) and again with Amy's family (mid-Oct.) were the best times parents/grandparents could have.
2. Two Chosen People Sundays (TN,LA) and a 3-hour Jewish Awareness Workshop in a WV Bible College were received with excitement. Two Jewish people saw the workshop ad and came! One was a believer from CA and the other a local man who was searching.
3. Flash-back to 2001/'02-- I just received an email from a former student who took my Jewish Evangelism college course back then. Through your class and other events since, I was able to encourage my Dad about the importance of Jewish missions. He (now) meets with a Jewish congregation...at the Jewish center in New Port Richey, FL. The rabbi also meets with them and allows the folks to ask my dad as many questions as possible. My Dad has been able to share the Gospel in depth for the last two years with them...crazy.
4. Homecoming services in the church where I grew up in OH. What a blessing it was for Beth and me to see friends from the 1960's and early 70's! On the way back through Columbus, I spent 30 min's with the 95 year-old pastor who was my mentor during teen years, under whom God called me to preach. Though weak in body, he is still strong in Spirit. I heard it when he prayed! He's one of my spiritual heroes.
THREE UPCOMING EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITIES:
1. God of Nature Retreat (Creation Classroom taught by a co-worker Luke Milam) for Birmingham, AL homeschoolers, many of whom are not believers, is Wed.-Fri. Oct. 28-30. I'm speaking 3 times on The Nature of God in His Names.
2. Mentone, AL Area Youth Groups Retreat is Fri.-Sat. Oct. 30,31 at the same camp. My messages will be First Responders--God and You, from Daniel and Jude.
3. Men's Evangelistic Wild Game Dinner in Charleston, SC, is Thurs. Nov. 5, with many lost men already invited. They are planning for 75.
Please pray for souls to come to Christ in all 3 of these, and for me to pace myself while speaking. (Getting pumped up for preaching has NEVER been one of my problems--quite the opposite!)
SHALOM AND GOD'S BEST TO YOU ALL. TODAH/THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE, PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT!
Fred and Beth Bennett
Pesah [Passover] Report
Mishpocah Meschiach Y'shua [Family of Messiah Jesus],
Wow– this was one of my most exciting Passover seasons ever! It began with a Chosen People Sunday in two supporting churches in TN and WV. Both have been supporting us 25 years! And they still get stirred about Passover, the Jewish Feasts, and our Jewish work. Thanks dear friends!
Passover activities
On Resurrection evening, I did a monologue at our home church, Grace Baptist here in Chattanooga. "Rabbi Yohanen's [John's] Memories" of the last week with Jesus covered the Triumphal Entry through His Resurrection, with emphasis on the Last Seder. Two days later, I led a full Seder for 65 sixth graders and five teachers at Grace Academy [picture below]. In their thank-you letters, many told about being amazed at the blindness of the Jewish people toward clear pictures of Jesus in the Passover. Others said they now realized that they needed to present Messiah to His people. One girl professed faith in Christ that afternoon and another student is now praying about being a missionary to Jewish people. The next day, we roasted lamb and had a short-Seder for 30 at the int'l HQ's of a local mission board.
Sunday following Resurrection Day was one of the biggest thrills of my ministry– to speak for somewhat of a homecoming Sunday in the church I grew up in. It was the place where I professed faith in Christ in 1958, and where God called me to preach in 1968. Memories of youth group, Bible conferences, SS and VBS filled my mind as I ministered there. A Passover presentation led into the Lord's/Messiah's Table.
Men's Evangelistic Wild Game Dinner
For the 11th time in the Warren, OH area, a local church hosted our county-wide men's outreach. The church has a men's ministry that has taken the task of evangelizing men through our dinners. Over 400 men and boys came, many lining up 45 minutes before the doors opened, so they could get overflow tickets. Over 200 of my hunting, fishing, football, baseball and military tracts were taken home by men. About 25 Gospels of John were given out. 10-15 men raised their hands to commit themselves to stand for God, including a young Marine who got his deployment orders through a cell call on the way to the dinner. We talked for 20 minutes afterwards. He took 10 camo Gospels of John to share with fellow-Marines, and asked me to send 25 to his unit in Iraq! We prayed together that God would use him to be a powerful Marine for God. Please pray for Gabe, deploying in August.
Staging for our trip to Ukraine
It's been a busy month for me, buying and shipping OTC med's and other med supplies to Ukraine. We depart 8/25 and return 9/8. Looks like 5-6 clinics plus teaching in Sokol's BI and lots of mentoring/discipleship opp's. God-sightings:
1.Friends in Memphis sent a box with over $100 worth of supplies, ready to ship.
2.A friend from Nashville sent us $650 for med supplies last week. After 3 days of shopping and packing, I sat down to total up the bills–$ 649.68! Can you believe it?!
3.Another friend sent us $1000 for ministry, med's and travel. So, God is providing, and He used human hands and hearts to answer our prayers, didn't He?!
Shalom [peace] and Todah [thanks] for you and all your prayers and support for all these years!!!
Fred and Beth Bennett
PS- We're on baby watch now. Baby B #2 actual due date is June 17. Packing bags soon! Will let you know.
Passover Information and Late-Winter Report
Hi Friends,
Greetings again, after some winter travel and great meetings in supporting churches in TN and WV! Sharing our burden for Jewish people + simple ways to present Messiah was exciting and fruitful. Here at home, my SS class finished our study of Esther and celebrated Purim for the first time.
Now Passover is upon us. Here are your church bulletin announcements, plus ad-copy for your local newspaper. You never know who will be impacted by reading Jewish info in your bulletin. One year, an unsaved Jewish man stopped to visit some of my friends at Grace, and came to church with them! He was blown away by our Hanukkah information in the bulletin that week. That opened the door for lots of evangelistic discussion at lunch! Every year, people write to tell me that after reading the information in their bulletin, they have sent cards and discussed the information with Jewish friends. Please make sure that this info gets into your church bulletin and the ad in your newspaper.
To appear Sunday April 5th
Passover begins at sundown Wed. Night the 8th. Jewish people all over the world will celebrate the Exodus, especially God's miraculous deliverance of His People from Pharoah. The OT says that these holy days of Unleavened Bread and Passover are to be observed as an everlasting memorial. Mail your Passover cards Wednesday, signed Shalom and Prayers, _______.
To appear Sunday April 12th
We are in the middle of the Jewish Feast of Passover, which started last Wed. the 8th and ends Wed. the 16th. Jewish people have no idea of the real symbolism of the Passover Lamb or Passover Matza, both beautiful pictures of Messiah. For 8 days they can only eat Passover Matza, with its stripes, holes, flatness, and bland taste. They never realize that it's all a reminder of Messiah. If you haven't sent a Passover card yet, please buy one and mail it to your Jewish friends, with your wish of Shalom and Prayers,______________. Please let me know their reaction.
Shalom and thanks for partnering with us
Jewish Ministry Report
Dear Friends of Messiah and the Bennetts,
Somehow I get the idea that the Lord will have me preaching The Jewish Wedding of Jesus often this year! Using customs of the Jewish wedding in Messiah's day, I show how they describe His coming for the Bride. Many NT verses refer to those customs and help us to feel the Bridegroom's excitement over His trip to kidnap us. With world events falling in place, we need to prepare for the wedding, don't we?!
The first two months of 2009 have been filled with great opportunities and wonderful times of blessing:
1. Reporting to supporters at 3 churches in OH/ WV and preaching The Jewish Wedding of Jesus.
2. Teaching Jewish workshops at two Christian universities in OH and WV.
3. Sharing the Gospel with 40+ college students in VA and with 25+ immigrants (including 8 Iraqi Muslims!) in our church's ESL (English as a Second Language) class one Monday evening.
4. Speaking in our church's career-singles retreat in TN–Finding God's Plan and Doing It.
5. Speaking in a men's evangelistic wild-game dinner in WV–the Gospel and Made in God's Image.
6. Speaking in a missions retreat in AL (Expanding Your Horizons) to 50+ HS and college-aged kids who were pumped for serving the Lord.
7. Speaking in a men's retreat in AL (Being the Man God Made Me to Be) to 60+ men and boys.
8. Teaching our church's Wed. Night Jr. High Bible Study–Jesus' Love for His Friends (JN. 11).
9. Speaking in a local Christian Middle/HS chapel– Is Jesus Messing Up Your Plans? (MT. 16).
10. Conducting a Chosen People Sunday at an awesome church in AL. Those friends got SO excited and burdened over the Jewish customs, Feast-teaching, and current news from Israel/Middle East!
11. Teaching Esther in my SS class @ Grace– We've just about finished, and are also watching the awesome DVD of Esther called, One Night With The King. It is one of the most Biblical movies ever made, with most of the dialogue coming straight out of Scripture! Purim (Feast of Esther) occurs March 10 and 11 this year. After part of my SS class returns from Israel (March 5-17), we will have a Jewish Purim nosh (snack) the next two Sundays, as we finish watching the DVD in class. Many of our Jewish friends are amazed that we're celebrating THEIR holiday! Why not?!
Praises during these winter months:
1. Having our family all home for Christmas! Amy and Ellie were here for 10 days. On Christmas eve.,Kelly drove in from VA, and David flew in from Chicago.
2. Numerous evangelism opportunities, much seed sown, and more watering to do.
2. Great discussion of spiritual things with one unsaved Jewish man and a new believer.
3. Opportunities to challenge over 200 men to commit themselves to be men of God.
4. Safe travel of over 4000 miles to OH, WV, AL, VA, though there was much snow and ice.
5. Continued growth/health of Baby B #2, our grandson who will be born, Lord willing, mid-June.
6. Getting to see Amy, Kelly and Ellie for 4 days in February.
7. Ellie (19+months old now) said, Nana and Papa to us in mid-February! (OK, she said Pop to me, and was begging me for grapes to eat! But she said, Pop, please!)
8. Beth was able to travel with me some, and more in the Spring! Sure makes travel more pleasant.
Todah [thanks] and Shalom in Messiah
Prayer-needs for your intercession:
1.Scott Jacobsen and our long-term Bible study and discussion of Messiah's identity, etc.
2.Some other men I'm sharing Christ with, and some I'm mentoring.
Report and Passover Information
Dear Mishpocah Pesah ha Meschiach (Family of Passover Lamb, the Messiah),
This year is very unusual, with Resurrection Day and Passover so far apart (26 days!). The Jewish calendar has 30 days/month x 12 months. Some years like 2008, Jewish people have Adar 1 (March) and Adar 2 (extra "leap month"). Confusing? Yes, but that explains the difference of about 30 days.
Blest times since our last report! Surprise
I've been talking a lot! Ha,ha. What great opportunities God gave me to open His Word: speaking 9 times to Christian college students; teaching two Jewish evangelism workshops, and sharing Messiah with many during my travels; Chosen People Sunday in SC; preaching a missions conference with supporters in NC and reporting to supporters in VA filled the rest of the time. Great Bible study/lunch with Scott Jacobsen–many questions! The Lord just gives us SO many fields to sow, water, and harvest, doesn't He?! Let's be faithful to work His fields.
Blest times coming! Wow, the next 30 days will be exciting too: Findlay, OH men's evangelistic wild game dinner + a Chosen People Sunday there; a Missions conference in OH, sharing Jewish evangelism workshops in home meetings! And, for some much needed R&R–turkey hunting!
Passover Information to appear in your church's bulletin as noted–VERY IMPORTANT!
To appear Sunday April 13th
Next Sat. night April 19th is the first night of Passover. Jewish families all over the world will gather for a Seder (Passover Dinner) to remember God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt on that night milleniums ago. A lamb's shankbone will be used to remember the Pesah (Passover Lamb). But, they are forbidden to eat lamb for Passover. Matza (unleavened bread) is the only bread eaten for 8 days. Please take this opportunity to mail a Passover card to your Jewish friends by Thurs. the 17th. Write inside: "Shalom, love and prayers from...". Do not enclose any Gospel literature.
To appear Sunday April 20th
Jewish people are celebrating the 8 days of Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread, last evening through next Saturday evening. Please mail your Jewish friends a Passover card as soon as possible, signing it: "Shalom, love and prayers from...". This simple act will have a great impact on your unsaved Jewish friends. Please pray for them to realize through your relationship with Messiah Y'shua (Jesus), that He can be THEIR Pesah (Passover Lamb) and Messiah!
Report on Wild Game Evangelistic Men's Dinner in Findlay, OH
Hey Friends,
Just got home yesterday AM from Findlay, OH. Spoke at our first men's wild game dinner there, plus preached a Chosen People Sunday in a great church there.
The church had given out 250 tickets, but the actual attendance was 65 men and boys. Not to worry, God's plans were different from ours. He brought 1/4 lost men and boys who had seen the ads on TV and heard it on radio!
Two men professed faith in Christ that night, somewhere over half a dozen unchurched guys marked on their survey cards for the pastor to visit and share more with them about Christ, and about a dozen Christian men made commitments to live as Godly men/husbands/Dads!
Among those attending our services on Sunday were a Messianic Jewish man who is principal of the HS where we held the dinner (he had come to that also), plus his family. He's been a believer 28 years, attends a Bible-believing church, and was so excited to see/hear me teaching the whole church about his people and how to reach them with their Messiah. Craig has an awesome testimony in the town and in his HS. Thanks for praying in the 65, plus two into the family of Christ!
Shalom and God's best to you all for your prayers, support and partnership with us! Prayer letter with your Passover info is being mailed tomorrow. Bulletin announcements enclosed, an ad, and offer of a free evangelistic tract for Jewish people.
Love you all,
Fred Bennett
FRED & STEVE BISHOP CONDUCTING SEDER
"BAPTIST RABBI!"
Jewish Bible School Student & Fred
Early Summer 2001 Report
Dear Family of the Jewish Messiah Y'shua,
Some say that "variety is the spice of life." Guess that's what I like about summer--the variety of ministries that God gives me then. Many things blend together in summer: evangelism, church camps, ministry meetings, lesson preparations, and even rest time.
Evangelism takes various forms this summer. On the 28th I spoke in a summer school chapel to 89 teenagers, mostly from public high schools and mostly unsaved. The crowd included a Muslim, a Jew, and several Catholics! What an awesome opportunity it was to present the Gospel of the Messiah from Isaiah 53! Lunch meetings continue with Sam Jacobsen, who is still very open and searching for more truth about the Messiah. In his own words, "I just need faith." A new contact may also be made this week. My friend from our church is trying to get a lunch scheduled in Atlanta to introduce me to his former college roommate, Saul Ginsberg. Please pray for these men and the unsaved students, who will hear about Christ in 5 more chapel services this summer.
Church camps included one junior camp in mid-June on nearby Lookout Mountain. 3 kids committed to be missionaries! An upcoming camp (south Alabama, July 23) will have over 125 kids, grades 4-7. As camp missionary, I will be presenting Jewish missions & the Gospel to mostly inner-city kids. Pray for salvation & missions decisions.
Ministry planning included a meeting with one Hispanic pastor from Atlanta, Dr. Joel Zaldumbide. Because of that meeting, I will be able to meet with 25 other Latino brothers in their pastors' fellowship in late July. Only 7 of them have any formal Bible training and all need discipleship help in their churches. Another missionary and I will try to help them organize a Bible Institute in the NW GA area. Our plan is to teach courses (I will teach Jewish Studies/Evangelism) and to help them to get other much-needed Bible training for their ministries. Dr. Joel has translated my Jewish syllabus into Spanish. Through him, it is possible that other courses can be prepared for an Institute. (A copy of that Spanish translation has been sent to Caracas, Venezuela, where a missionary friend of mine will use it to train his church to reach Jewish people.)
Lesson preparations are ongoing for the Hispanic Bible Institute and for some Bible College teaching that I'll be doing periodically this fall in TN and SC. One way that God has shown me to multiply my work is to train others. Please pray that my students will pick up the burden and tools, and will then commit to Jewish ministry.
Rest came in the form of a family vacation. It was great for Beth and me to spend the week together with Amy and David. In addition, I am trying to pace myself better, get more rest, read and pray more. Thanks for all your love, prayers and help for our work and family! God bless you.