Forum: Post your Projects ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3242377 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:02:48 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3173303
Beginning in January, we will be renting various apartment club houses in the Pittsburg area with the purpose of sharing practical issues, such as financial freedom, healthy living, addiction recovery, etc..., and eventually the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We already have a long list of names that we have been working with.  By God's grace, as we sow the seed of the gospel, God will give us a wonderful harvest. 

Forum: Post your Projects ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3173303 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:15:02 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3173298 I just wanted to praise God for the harvest that He has provided the Pittsburg Church through our latest evangelistic series.  So far, seven people have been baptized, and four more are scheduled to be baptized at the end of this month.  Further, so many more have started Bible studies.  I can't wait to see what God does next!

Forum: Testify! ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3173298 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:10:01 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156676
Current groups I lead out in
Young people group - active attendees approx. 20
Co-workers small group - 5
Baptismal class - 2 ( will be ready for baptism in Jan '09
Individual Bible studies - 2

Groups started
Mid-week group(all ages) - active attendees approx. 13-15 - I'm the assistant leader. Training my partner who leads out

Youth small group - approx 6-8 - I'm not involved in this one.  Attendees were part of my former small groups

potential small groups trying to start - 2 - these are possible branch offs from current small groups. 

Forum: Post your Projects ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156676 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:19:56 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156667 Thought I'd share this with everyone.  1 person grew up Mormon, 1 person grew up Baptist, 1 Presbyterian elder, a Bible Instructor Training System graduate(me of course) and possibly 1 person who grew up Jehovah's Witness.  Please pray for me tomorrow night.  I'm excited to see how the Holy Spirit will move in this group.  My first topic will be on how to study the Bible.

Forum: Prayer Requests ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156667 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:12:27 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156664

Forum: Testify! ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156664 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:08:47 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2950736 Hello everyone!  I am so glad to be here, let's chat!

Forum: Introduce Yourself ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2950736 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:06:15 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2937892
Can't wait to see what God does next,
Brent

Forum: Testify! ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2937892 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:10:22 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2935573
Thanks,
Brent

Forum: Prayer Requests ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2935573 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:55:20 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2934477
Our small group has dinner after we meet every Friday night.  We rotate bringing/providing food.  We have Adventists, and non-Adventists attending.  Some of the seekers were not there when we did the Bible study on Food.  One of the guests was put on the rotation and had cooked dumplings with crab meat.  The members who had gone through the Bible Food study, politely refused and didn't make a big deal about it.  Of course the seeker was somewhat embarrassed (felt bad) but those others who didn't go the study on food ate her food.  There were other foods prepared so everyone was taken care of.  -  Our mistake, we'll prepare/inform better next time.

Issue/Question/Discussion

I was talking to a fellow Adventist that I had gone to school with on the phone and was sharing the experience.  She said in that case it was okay to eat the crab.  She quoted Mark 7:19-23

19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

I know she had/does interpret that wrong.  It isn't talking about food, but about the washing of hands before eating.I began to quote Isa 66:3-4, 15-18 and Rev 21:27

Before I could continue she cut me off(politely), and said that we have to follow the spirit of the law in this situation since eating unclean meet has nothing to do with salvation and this would be an exception.  An exception because we are being sensitive to a seeker and don't want to turn her away/offend her.  She said I could quote all I like( I wasn't going to quote to the seeker but to my friend we were discussing the Bible after all) but it doesn't matter to a non-believer who isn't convicted of truth yet.

This bothered me because 1)the question remains "is it a sin to disobey God?" for the sake of gaining souls or being sensitive

I answer yes.  As of the mini study of verses 1 Cor 14:33, Mal 3:6, Gen 7:2, Gen 9:3, Isaiah 65:2-7, Isaiah 66:3-4 & 15-18.

Qustion:  1) How would you discuss/share with my fellow Adventist about the situation.  She would be okay with eating the crab for the sake of being sensitive to the seekers feelings because she is following the spirit of the law. 

Question: 2) How would you handle that situation in the home we had with the seeker if you were there?

Forum: Bible or Theological Discussion ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2934477 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:53:31 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2928053 I just wanted to give God praise for the harvest He provided at the Pittsburg SDA church.  Three people where baptized on Sabbath, and two others where rebaptized!  We are looking for many more joining the family of God.

Forum: Testify! ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2928053 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:32:08 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921657
Please share.  In Stockton and Elk Grove our church members are having many interactions with them.  I would like to know

1.  The process/method you used
2.  verses and/or Bible studies you used
3.  anything else of usefulness in reaching them

Forum: Ask the Experts ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921657 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:25:04 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921651 What the Bible Says About... by E.Lonnie Melashenko

Study Helps by H.M.S. Richards found in KJV Mid-size Bible

Both of the above 2 can be purchased  at http://www.adventistbookcenter.com

Finding Peace Within ( Steps to Christ with Bible study in 2nd half of book)

http://inbookseast.org

Bible Instructor's Training System

Will begin using the Fast program for discipleship found at http://www.fast.st (will let you know how that goes)

Forum: Resource List ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921651 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:10:02 GMT http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921639
Last Sabbath 8/16/2008 was Stockton Fil-Am SDA church's 21st anniversary.  At the beginning of this year our church started a small group in Elk Grove.  I was assigned to be the facilitator there.  We started with approximately 8-10 people.  As the year progressed we averaged 16 people and at the max were getting 22 people to attend in our small group.  The age range of this group is 17 to 33 years old.  I'm excited to say that God has led 7 people to get baptized! 

This is an interesting group. 
2 generational baptisms(already in the church)
2 re-baptisms
1 converted from Sikhism (Indian religion?)
1 converted from Hmong tradition (Eastern religion I don' know the name)
1 converted Catholic

We actually have 2 more about to be baptized that are in our group.
God has blessed us and we are truly thankful.  Our small group is still inviting more people to join(all non-Adventists) and they are becoming regulars now in our group.  We can't wait to see what God does next!

-Brent

Forum: Testify! ]]> http://gbrian1.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2921639 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:54:32 GMT