They Are Not Forgotten

Heroin Epidemic in Rural America

jcross — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:35:18 +0000

Oprah Winfrey recently discussed the plight of families in rural America with journalist Lisa Ling. She also talked to a family, and young pregnant mother, both addicted to heroin.

From Oprah.com

Journalist Lisa Ling has reported on critical issues across the globe, but she found this shocking story right in the middle of America. Richland County, Ohio, seems like a typical Midwestern community. An hour and a half north of Columbus, it’s a mostly rural area with more than 1,000 farms and nearly 130,000 residents. But the people who live here are facing a big-city problem.

Central Ohio, which includes Richland County, is in the grip of what the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) calls a heroin epidemic. Anthony Marotta, the DEA special agent in charge of Ohio, says the drug is coming out of Mexico and being transported to Ohio through the southwest border states.

“Heroin here in Richland County is completely out of control,” says Sergeant Don Zehner of the Richland County Sheriff Department. “It’s affecting everybody.” The situation has gotten so bad, local law enforcement officers say they’re in over their heads.Lisa says the most surprising thing about this devastating phenomenon is that it doesn’t discriminate. “I could not believe that people of different ages, different socioeconomic backgrounds, were literally dying this slow death in the middle of America,” she says. “The reason why it affected me so much is that I interviewed so many people, and every single one of them was begging for help. Nobody liked that they were addicted to heroin.”

Click here to read the entire story

Expectant Mother Is One of Many Addicts in Rural Heartland

jcross — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:05:28 +0000

ABC News Nightline reports on the heroin epidemic in Rural America. As a sheriff quoted in the story said: “Everywhere you go, it’s like it’s snowing heroin.”

By LISA LING and KATIE HINMAN
RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2008

Merry Doerr has spent her whole life in the American farmbelt, a rural pocket of green tucked into the middle of Ohio. She’s close to her family, living with her mother and 4-year-old daughter.

Merry Doerr, a heroin addict, is currently pregnant with her second child. She plans to give her baby up for adoption. (ABC News)

With her blond hair and blue eyes, Doerr embodies the classic American look — and says she grew up with classic American values.

“When I grew up, my mom had raised me in Christian beliefs,” she said, “and I knew … right from wrong based on the Bible. I was a cheerleader. I had a lot of friends.”

But life is different now. Doerr, who is five months pregnant and preparing for her second child, is not like other young mothers. She’s a heroin addict.

Click here to read the entire story

Why America Needs More Missionaries

jcross — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:08:30 +0000

Dollie Harvey of Missionary Gospel Fellowship writes about some of the obstacles that missionaries face in this article:

Missionaries who ask pastors for opportunities to teach their congregations how to witness to people of other religions are often met with a negative response: “Some of our people are married to Mormons (or Muslims, or Buddhists) and we don’t want to rock the boat. We’ll just present the Gospel and leave the other religions be . . .”

When one pastor made a similar statement to Jack Harvey, Jack exclaimed, “Pastor, I don’t want to ROCK the boat, I want to SINK it!”

According to a recent Barna Research Group study, it’s time American Christians got serious about reaching the world for Jesus Christ, beginning with teaching people in the pews that truth is not relative. For instance, the study reports that 46% of born again Christians think that Satan is “not a living being but is merely a symbol of evil.” Shockingly, 37% of those born again believe that if a person is good enough they can earn a place in Heaven. Is it any wonder America has lost her missionary zeal?

To read the entire article, go to: http://www.anamissions.org/Why-America-Needs-More-Missionaries.html

Truly Born Again

jcross — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:36:45 +0000

It is always the highlight of the month when someone gets saved! This month it happened to be a 12-year-old boy. I had once asked him if knew he was going to go to heaven and he said no. I then asked him if he would like me to show him sometime what the Bible says about being saved, and he again said yes. On a Sunday afternoon he came to the house and I shared Scripture with him. I was a bit amazed at his ability to grasp the Good News. He confessed Jesus as his Lord and was saved. After he prayed I made the comment, “It just got serious, didn’t it?” He said yes. You could tell by his facial expressions that he was not joking around, and I truly believe he is now a born-again Christian. His dad told me later that he wants to be baptized.

Running a close second to salvation is being able to baptize people. What a blessing to see 7 people be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ by being baptized. Many were baptized before, some as children, but also some as adults. Five of these people I had the pleasure of leading to the Lord Jesus. They all thought they were saved before, most through being baptized, but through Scripture they found the truth and responded to it.

More Salvations

jcross — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:32:11 +0000

Praise the Lord, we had two people accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior! A 15-year-old boy came to visit his grandparents. They asked if I could go through the salvation message with him. I found out that he had never shot a high power rifle, so we went shooting. After we shot, I asked him if he would like to see some Bible verses that explain salvation, and he said yes. He prayed and confessed Jesus as his Lord. His grandmother came up to me after service; she had tears in her eyes and said, “I don’t think I am saved.” That evening, Susie and I went to her house and she accepted Jesus as her Lord. It’s really fun when they come to you and say they want to hear the salvation message

About 90% of those who attend come down for fellowship and snacks. Some have told me it is amazing to see so many every Sunday enjoy this time. Some are getting used to inviting others to church – this month a single man began coming. In general things are going well.

Earning the Right to be Heard

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:32:59 +0000

A husband and wife, volunteer firefighters with me, made it abundantly clear that they do not agree with what I believe, nor do they care for “religion,” but because God is working on them, they asked if they could attend a service just so they can hear me preach. It is great to see that as we “love the people,” God opens the door for us to “preach the Word.” I can hardly wait for next Sunday!

~ Chris & Tammy Immer

God Answers Prayer

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:16:41 +0000

God answered a specific request that I had made two weeks before. It had been awhile since I had the privilege, joy, and excitement of leading someone to the Lord. God allowed me to cross paths with some roofers I had encounterd earlier in the week.

Mark approached me and we started talking. He wanted to apologize for using “contractor language” on the top of a roof that we worked on together (I had just showed up at Shawn’s house to haul off the debris but stayed and worked for about 5 hours). He did not know that I was a “man of God.” He felt he had been set up by the other guys because they both knew but did not tell him (Not that their native tongue changed). Mark wanted me to know he meant no disrespect. Next thing I know, after affirming that I was not “disrespected,” Mark made it clear that he wanted to be a “man of God.” So, I was happy to tell him! If it could only be this easy every time!!

Oh wait…maybe it is. On Sunday a guy name Rick that I have been praying for showed up to the service with his 3^rd-grade daughter. Rick and I later that day did a snow run (In a 4×4) up a local mountain. The hour drive home provided another answer to my prayers! Both Mark and Rick now know the way. May God by His great mercy and grace continue to work in these guys, conforming them to the image of His wonderful Son. Praise be to our awesome God!

~ Chris & Tammy Immer

Blessed by Serving

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:05:17 +0000

An adult Sunday school class from Grand Rapids came and painted the entire basement, purchased and hung new curtains, and installed a fence & handicap parking signs. What an unusual thing to have several of the workers tell us, “THANK YOU!” It was a little awkward to say, “You are welcome.”

We thank God for these faithful friends who were blessed by being a blessing.

~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm

True Seekers

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:01:00 +0000

The Lord is so good in sending those who need to “connect” with Him. One Sunday morning we noticed two men I’d met in jail and another 29-year-old father who was just released from prison. It is so good to see a congregation welcome those who come, no matter the circumstances!

Attendance continues to amaze us. We are seeing new people every Sunday. One week nearly 70 filled our little sanctuary, with ½ of them 30 years old and younger. While we are not “Seeker-Friendly” as some church growth experts might suggest, we are people-friendly. One of the strengths of this fellowship is an ability to welcome any and all. When the Lord chooses to work in the hearts and lives of young people, we are learning, it does not require the newest music or the latest method. We are earnestly praying that those coming are true seekers and will be saved!

~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm

Choosing to Serve in the Country

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:52:47 +0000

A group of campers attended a morning worship service. As they left, one commented on how we seem to have chosen to serve a small rural church. They wanted to compliment us on our willingness to serve here.

Their questions were about why we would choose to serve the Lord in Jennings, so we had the opportunity to tell them about Village Missions and our purpose of serving the rural church. These folks were from a small church in a nearby community; we gave them some information about VM and are praying for them.

~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm