Working with Him

(This post was unfortunately overlooked in getting published back in April. I'm posting now to get it up.)
Volume 8, Issue 2

Working with Him

 
A few weeks ago, awake in the middle of the night there I sat, attempting to do everything possible to get the medicine in my son’s (22mo.) mouth and drain down the back of his throat.  In the near pitch dark it came to me!  The fallen world we live in- this very moment- is exuding with pain.  We can all count on our hand people who are hurting-emotionally, physically, spiritually.  What stands in the way of healing?  Pride/ truth/ sin/faithlessness….  My toddler son’s strong will resisted the necessary medicine to make him physically better/healthy.   It twisted me up emotionally inside as I wanted so badly for him to get better but he refused/spit out/ cried/screamed at every attempt to administer his doctor prescribed antibiotic- the very thing he needed.  Like my son, how often the very thing people/others need they resist.  Take for example sharing the Gospel.  First let me be honest though, I may be equipped and trained in how to share the message about Jesus but it doesn’t mean I thoroughly jump up for every opportunity to do so.  I have no problem and actually get enthused at sitting down with someone over a can of pop (my choice-Diet Coke) to dig deeper into the Bible and it’s truths.-  One on one- Discipleship.

Just like God, he presented an opportunity for me to teach my assigned chapter on “Fear of Sharing the Gospel”.  Let’s just say I got more passionate as I began to prepare for teaching on the chapter.  The Great Commission as we read about in Matt 28:16-20, Jesus who has all authority is speaking to the disciples commanding them to make disciples, teach others.  This scriptures states the God given responsibility to EVERY believer/follower of Jesus are called to seek after men with Truth (Biblical).  It was the Lord’s idea to make us fishers of men (Matt 4:19).   In Howard Hendrick’s book Disciples are Made not Born he states,  “We ignore it, but we cannot escape from it.”  The true condition of man is that we are ALL sinful in need of a Savior.  In other words, we may avoid/side step those who don’t know Him personally but their souls are dying.   “People all around you are starving.  Some people here don’t know they are starving.  But they are and deep inside they want to hear goodness.” Writes the authors of How to talk about Jesus without Freaking Out, Jim & Karen Covell & Victorya Michaels Rodgers.  I’m not immune from the fear of sharing the Gospel, yet, God is the one who enables us to be affective!  I love Bill Bright’s (co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ/CRU) definition of successful evangelism, “Taking the initiative, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to present the Gospel and leaving the results to God.”  It’s NOT about me but God’s work in me- am I being attentive and obedient to the Holy Spirit?  Simply put, it’s every believer’s responsibility to do everything within his power to take the truth of God’s Word and make it known!“

A quote from an article in Christian Standard (May 23, 2004) “Evangelism isn’t about working for God, but about working with Him?”  So I close with asking you, Will you work with God to share/tell of the TRUE medicine people in this broken world people desperately need?

What a privilege and TALL order to help with the Greatest Challenge ever given to man- the help fulfill the Great Commission!

Tools for sharing the Gospel Message:

*Godtools- (FREE) available in the iPHONE app./android phone
     (Created by Keynote)
     All of CRU’s evangelistic tools in a mobile phone app.
*http://www.youtube.com/user/morkenhorst– series of short skits by two of Keynote’s staff (Andy and Stephen).  The goal of this project is to gain a following using relatable, clean humor, which then puts us in a position to share something a bit deeper with a video like  “Isn’t it Beautiful”.


* www.gotquestions.org– user friendly site that answers MANY spiritual questions (ie: What is the Trinity?)  Tool created by Cru for explaining and answering peoples tough questions.
*Use questions to spark conversation.  They diffuse and help avoid arguments.
Who is Jesus, to you?
 If you died right now, where would you go?  (Heaven or Hell)
 If you were to stand before God and He were to ask you’ Why should Iet you into Heaven?’  What would you tell Him?

On a recent trip to the 

Keynote office with Mom,

 Benjamin took the

 initiative to answer the 

phone and take over the desk.

None of us has a long time here on planet Earth.  It’s kind of a staging ground.  It’s our split second in eternity when we have an opportunity to invest our lives, our time, our talent, and our treasure to fulfill what our Lord came into this world to do and commissioned us to do.

-  Bill Bright

Deep down people do have questions rumbling in their soul.

Everyone has beliefs …(theology) but not all are   Biblical.

 

Praise & Prayer:

· Praise: 3 Internship Applicants have been accepted to Keynote for the upcoming year.

· Preparation and planning for the summer months. 

Seeking...Interest...Called

Volume 8 Issue 1

Seeking...Interest...Called

Benjamin makes a good recruiter while 

attracting students at conferences.

“What is Keynote?”  Mike has answered this question MANY times over the past couple of months. He’s been traveling around recruiting at conferences and campuses sharing with college students about our needs at Keynote and how they can be involved.  His first trip was to Providence, RI in Nov. for Cru’s Northeast Region Preview Weekend.   In Jan. he went to Albany, NY for the Epicenter Winter Conference. It was great to gather with students and have an opportunity to dialogue with them about how they could be used by God in full-time ministry.

Early February Mike attended a ministry fair at Anderson University.  He was able to meet with a few students and connect with a professor about involving students with our digital tools at Keynote.  This past weekend we as a family attended an Every Student Sent Conference for Cru’s Great Lakes Region. (see photo on rt.)  This particular conference is geared to challenging college Juniors and Seniors to pursue ministry opportunities after college.  When I (Leslie) was a college student over a decade ago I too attended this conference.  It brought back memories!  As I stood there in the room with 300+ college students, I was overwhelmed at the thought of how these students over 10 years ago were grade school age. It’s so encouraging to see young men and women choosing to follow after the Lord and raised up to serve Him and bring Him Glory.

This past week I had the opportunity to interview a young married couple applying for Cru staff.  As we sat in the interview room I was enamored by their passion for those that haven’t heard the gospel overseas.

March is also the deadline for intern applications.  As I evaluate them, please pray for discernment and wisdom in my recommendations.

Please pray that God will continue to raise up laborers that can serve here at Keynote and fill our great needs!

With a new year comes new resolutions, planning, goal setting…One thing that I (Leslie) have been doing is reflecting a lot.  That includes the good and bad, seasons/stages of life, ministry happenings and opportunities.  This year (May/June 2013) students I had as third graders-9 years ago/ in the fall of 2003- spring of 2004 -will graduate from high school.  Now in my mid 30’s -married to a wonderful Godly man and a toddling toddler hanging onto my leg- life is brimming full of reminders, memories, and a journey of following Jesus.

Benjamin looks through the binder of 

previous ministry newsletters written 

by his mommy and daddy.  NOTE: He 

can’t read yet ,but SURE DOES enjoy 

looking at books and pictures!

Recently I was looking back through the binder of previous ministry (L&M Monthly) newsletters.  (Benjamin decided to look at them too.  See photo to right) I’m in awe of not only how God has transformed my life but how He continues to grow me in my daily walk with Him!

Reflecting...God’s plan... World

In the department of Leadership Development and Human Resources (LD/HR):  we see new staff raising their initial support, assign staff with their official ministry assignment, present opportunities for spiritual growth and training of our staff….

I honestly believe Mike and I are privileged in our current ministry roles.  As you can imagine, as in any organization, Human Resources has many facets- unseen details that employees may not be privy to or aware of.    I’m in awe of my various ministry experiences I’ve been blessed with over the years -teaching at a Christian school, internship with one-on-one discipleship ministry of Cru, joining staff, to now serving in the a great fitting role!    Even as a mom I get the privilege of serving other women in our church through various ministries (Tues. am Bible study, MOPs, AWANA).  I see firsthand other’s needs for eternal hope, a need for hearing and speaking truth, as well as where one’s true identity comes from, God.  In Human Resources we interact with people…What an honor to build into our staff and equip them to be more effective in ministry.

Praises & Prayer:

· A hectic month ahead– traveling for the ministry and personal.  Praise: opportunities to travel as a family.

· The 5 potential interns applying for this coming year.  Wisdom and discernment in evaluating their applications.

· Preparation and planning for the summer months. 

· Praise: the awesome team we have the privilege of serving with.

 

As Tim Keller explains it, the gospel isn’t simply the ABC’s of Christianity, but the A-though-Z.  In other words, once God rescues sinners, his plan isn’t to steer them beyond the gospel, but to move them more deeply into it…the gospel doesn’t just ignite the Christian life but it’s also the fuel that keeps Christians going and growing every day.

 -Tullian Tchividjan, pastor and a grandson of Billy Graham.

Thank you and Merry Christmas from Mike & Leslie Rebholz and Keynote.

December 2012 Greetings

Christ’s Birth
  History
    Resurrection
      Inheritance from Immanuel
        Saint Nicholas
          Traditions
            Music and lights
              Advent
                Salvation

GOD’S GIFT

Little baby on the hay,

Soon there’ll be another day

When nails shall pierce Your hands and feet

As You provide our sin’s defeat.

Risen Jesus on the throne,

We lift our praise to You alone-

For You’re the gift that we receive

The moment that our hearts believe.

-Roy Lessin

As we count the days in December till Christmas, we are reminded this month is a time of renewal-preparing our hearts for truly the greatest gift ever given –  Jesus Christ.  Amidst this season of being bombarded by technology, consumerism, busyness, and presents it is so EASY to forget or lose perspective of the gospel.  We can honestly relate as we’ve been through a roller coaster this fall; moving, living in temporary housing, problems with and fixes to be made on our home, busyness, and ministry obligations that have stretched our family.  While we have praised God (but not enough) during that time we were overwhelmed at times with angst, stress, strife, relational struggles.  

In this season, there is a lot of glitz and glitter that is eye catching for our son.  As adults we are no different at becoming distracted.  We must ask ourselves, what am I celebrating? (Is it gifts, holiday festivities, family time, Jesus- my Savior and Lord?) Without the message of the gospel there wouldn’t be a need for a Savior, the two go hand in hand.  So by fixing our eyes, mind, and thoughts on the gospel we reap infinitely more in the spiritual realm than in material wealth. 

To name a few:

Awareness of my sin and forgiveness
My need for Jesus, His sacrificial gift
The Power of God
Transformation for His Glory
I am God’s workmanship, created to do good works
Choosing His Ways/thoughts are right despite my feelings and flesh nature (Isaiah 55)
He is the giver of all I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
He has gifted EACH person
Awareness and keeping God’s amazing love before my eyes
Perspective in trials/hardships- conforming me to His image

May you ponder this Christmas the gospel message each day, priming your heart for His Birthday!

Below is a family photo card.  It is print quality so if you wish to have a print, feel free to download.

Spring Highlights

Volume 7 Issue 3
Spring Highlights


April– Mike coordinated a theology class –God, Bible & Holy Spirit-for Keynote staff as a part of required Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS) for CRU staff (see photo to rt.). Leslie took this class and enjoyed being a student (even with the Home work)!

One of Mike’s roles as the Associate Director of HR is to oversee the hiring of new staff and processing all the needed requirements (i.e.: paperwork, even VISA applications, coaching them as they raise their initial support). Harro (Michael Harrison.) is an Australian CRU staff person whose giftedness and training is in computer programming. Having him come and serve at Keynote has enabled our New Media labs to update outreach material and to bring our significant programming needs back in house. Mike worked many hours on building the training requirements needed for Harro’s visa. Since Harro’s arrival, he has been able to work on a new release of our God Tools mobile app just in time for a major outreach in Tallinn, Estonia. A special version of the evangelistic tools were created that allowed users to flip back and forth from the Estonia translation to the English version.

May- Leslie began to prepare summer project materials for the students upon their arrival. This included all the notes for the communications classes they would take. Personally, she completed her 5th mini marathon– Geist 1/2. 

June- Summer project students arrived! Leslie had the AWESOME privilege to teach one of the communication classes to the summer project students.

As an application evaluator, Leslie has the opportunity to talk one on one with those who apply for an internship or staff with Keynote. Erica, was a Keynote summer project student in the summer of 2009. This past Christmas during Christmas Conference, Mike and Leslie met with her to discuss doing an internship with Keynote. This month Erica has reported to Keynote as an intern! Here is a note she wrote personally to Leslie.

Thank you so much for having listened and talked to me over the phone during the extremely difficult time in my life this summer. Some of the words and verses you re- minded me of were used in such big ways by the Lord. He used them to comfort me with his love and point me towards Him in reconciliation. I am so appreciative.
– In Christ’s love, Erica

June 29th, we celebrated Benjamin turning 1! A precious gift from the Lord.

Keynote Summer Project 2012 Update

Group: Backbeat Serenade
Genre: A cappella
Tour Location: Wisconsin

“A woman and her 2 kids accepted Christ at our concert tonight. Their family will be forever changed! Grateful.”
— Shawna Paine, Keynote Staff


Group: Young Isaac
Genre: Acoustic Rock
Tour Locations: Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania

While at a juvenile section of a Florida prison, during their last song, one of the teenagers started tearing up and he called the chaplain over and said that he felt that God was calling him to give his life to Jesus.

Group: Soul Seed
Genre: Eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Gospel, R & B and Jazz
Tour Locations: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia,

Their first concert took place in 98° weather in the parking lot. Very few people stopped and stayed for the duration of the concert. But despite that, 3 people indicated a salvation decision.

Group: Theater Team
Genre: Stage production including music, drama and dance
Production: The Point
Tour Location: Indiana

He thought he was coming to be Superman, but God used the other members of Class Six to show him areas of his life that needed attention. “I can honestly say that this mission trip changed my life.”
— TreNation, performer and musician

Group: Film Team
Genre: Stop Motion Animated Short, Comedy
Film Title: Overboard

People kept telling him "Go on a summer project; go on a summer project." He was getting sick of hearing that. But when he saw the documentary he realized there might be a summer project that was more suitable to who God created him to be.
— Steve, Director of Overboard
View the film online at: http://bit.ly/OVERBOARD

A total of 3,453 exposures to the gospel and 362 people indicated a salvation decision through all of our summer projects!


Praises & Prayer:
· Prayer for Mike as he’s taken on additional responsibilities in leadership these next few months, that he’d have the strength and wisdom.
· Prayer for our family of 3– discerning balance in our home-life and ministry.
· PRAISE God for all the salvation decisions this past summer!
· Praise Leslie’s teaching opportunity has led to application in her own speaking.

GREATER are His plans

Volume 7, Issue 2
GREATER are His plans

Sitting in a hotel ballroom with 2,000 college students from IL, OH, MI, and IN brought back many memories.  Eleven years ago (2001) Leslie sat in a ballroom at the same Christmas conference (Mike’s last visit to this conference was 15 years ago). 
 

This year, we had the privilege to attend the Indy Christmas Conference as staff members.   We recruited for Keynote at this conference. Leslie was reminded of how college students face many decisions during this time in their life (what will they do for a summer job, what will they do after graduating college).  Their future is right before eyes-hanging in the balance!

God brought to mind how He’s taken Leslie on quite a journey in these last 11 years.  As a 22 year old then, she had no idea the blessings, experiences, challenges- she’d face and the steps for faith that God would empower her to take.  Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind.  The Lord’s plans- WOW.  Leslie’s plans were to be a school teacher, get married and start a family.  God granted her childhood dream to be a teacher, find a Godly man, and give birth to our first child.  AND He did MORE!  Sandwiched in between these life events were opportunities to step out in faith to do a year internship and then join staff with Campus Crusade.  God has used Leslie to do greater things than she imagined.

At this recent Christmas conference Leslie marveled at His plans and what has already transpired.  “What He has in store for me and will do thru me for His glory.” 

The theme of this year’s conference was “God is Greater than…” (i.e.: God is greater than our future plans)  How timely to be reminded the God we serve is: limitless, unchallenged, faithful, ENOUGH.  His plans are greater than we can plan or comprehend.   Isaiah 55:8-9 even says it clearly:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Looking back at one’s life and reflecting is difficult.  Yet, the delight is IN Christ- Have you seen how God has woven your life?   Can you finish this sentence:  God is greater than…?

Prayer Requests;

• The last week in April (23-28)Leslie is taking a required Seminary course. which she’s excited about!  Pray that she would complete the required class assignments in a timely manner over the next two months, balancing time with family (hubby and Benjamin), home and other activities.
• Mike is organizing that same Seminary class. Pray for all the preparation and logistics involved as we may have as many as 100+ students