Excerpted from Final Command Ministries website: https://www.finalcommand.com/viral-disciple-making
"This is the starting place and an ongoing practice, because learning to listen in prayer and gaining experience in the discipline of fasting are foundational to building a natural multiplication effect.
Praying and fasting are learned over time and allow us to align the things of life with God's ways. Praying, listening and fasting can lead you to the places God is already working and help you identify the continuing work that needs to be done."
Charlottesville Friends will hold an "Old Fashion Revival," May 2-5. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Sunday morning, 6 pm on Sunday evening, and 7 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Dr. Ron Smith, President of Francis Asbury Society, will speak. He holds several degrees and has served as youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, author, student mentor, and President of Wesley Biblical Seminary. JD Akers from Farmland Friends will lead the singing, specials by Debi Howell of Farmland Friends, and others. Janet Shutt and Rowena Holliday of Charlottesville Friends will be the instrumentalists. On Sunday, May 2 from 2-4 pm, the "Revival Road Quartet" will present gospel music. The church hopes that you can worship with them.
Danville Friends will have a "Movie Night," April 25, 6 pm with pizza and snacks at 5:30. The movie, "I Still Believe," is based on the life of Christian music singer/songwriter, Jeremy Camp, and his first wife, Melissa, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before they were married.
Fairmount Friends' Easter Egg Hunt was a big success with three churches cooperating. There were over 4,000 Easter eggs, inflatables, bicycles, Easter baskets, and other prizes for all age groups.
Maple Run Friends is seeking a Part-Time Youth Pastor. Candidates can contact Kristi Scheer (kristischeer@yahoo.com) for more information. Click HERE for a position description.
Mooreland Friends had their Easter worship service in the yard next to their meetinghouse. Approximately 75 people brought chairs or sat in their cars to worship the Lord on a beautiful Easter morning, and Easter treats were given to the children.
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From the Advancement Committee: As we head toward IYM Sunday on April 25, the Advancement Committee hopes you have the information you need to understand what the IYM fundraising efforts are about. If you have any questions regarding why we raise funds for each year's budget, please contact us -- we are available to answer your questions and receive your ideas, suggestions, and guidance. Please consider giving toward our 2022 budget fundraising efforts -- our goal is to raise $110,000.
Following is what our IYM members have given toward the 2022 Budget:
$42,132.10 Cash Already Received
$ 7,000.00 Pledges still to be paid
$49,132.10
We are grateful for the giving of our IYM community. Our yearly meeting is making great efforts for God through our ministries and services. As we continue, let's keep finding ways to draw people to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Representative Council will meet in person at Center Friends on April 17. If you require an online option, please contact the IYM office for information.
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The next Youth Invasion will take place on April 18 from 5-8 pm at Sycamore Friends. All Teens are welcome to come for three hours of Quaker Haven-type fun, music, and a great message from Matt Windham of Lynn Friends. Please contact Andrew Heald (andrew.heald13@gmail.com) with the numbers for food-ordering purposes of how many you will be bringing.
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This year, IYM Sunday, is set for April 25. This is a Sunday set aside to highlight the work God is doing within IYM. Click HERE for an electronic version of the 2021 IYM Sunday packet.
Another item that can be very useful in understanding IYM's reach is the 2021 Narrative Budget. This pamphlet gives great information on how IYM budgets funds -- endowed funds, mission funds, and how all other contributions are allocated. Click HERE to view or download it.
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You may now pre-order copies of the IYM Bicentennial History, Directory, and Scrapbook, which will be available during yearly meeting sessions this year. Please complete the order form via THIS LINK and return with payment to the Yearly Meeting office prior to May 31, 2021.
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Monthly Pastor Gatherings: On April 15, we will resume our Pastor Gatherings with discussion inspired by Tod Bolinger's Canoeing the Mountains. The topic will be - 'On The Map' Leadership: How does trust factor into pastoral leadership? Pastors, please plan to join. Click HERE for the Zoom link.
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Upcoming Events:
April 15: Pastor Gathering, 10 am, Zoom
April 17: Representative Council, 9:30 am, Center Friends (In-Person)
April 18: Youth Invasion @ Sycamore Friends, 5-8pm
April 25: IYM Sunday
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Good Morning!
The IYM Mission Statement reads as follows: Creating environments that empower churches and individuals to be disciples of Jesus Christ and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
I remember being in the room a few years back when the IYM Executive Committee was working on this statement. It just felt so right to be adopting a statement that put discipleship at the fore-front of everything we would filter our activities through. It still feels right!
I wonder now, though, how much we have thought about this word disciple. Do we really understand the weight of this term? If so, are we carrying that weight into how we are actually working to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ?
I was introduced to a ministry called Follow the Rabbi several years back. This ministry was started by Christian historian and author, Ray Vander Laan. Ray leads trips to the Holy Land and teaches from the perspective of the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day.
One thing that landed deeply with me as I studied some of Vander Laan’s materials was his definition of the word disciple. Vander Laan would say that many of us underestimate the Biblical understanding of this word. In Jesus’ day, being a disciple of the Rabbi was the highest of favored positions. And because it was so favored, young people would jump at the chance to give their lives to follow the Rabbi as a disciple. And, as that disciple, the student would endeavor not to emulate the Rabbi, but to become the Rabbi...to walk like the Rabbi, to talk like the Rabbi, to eat what the Rabbi eats, to like what the Rabbi likes, etc.
Jesus’ Disciples called Him Rabbi. (John 1:38).
When we think about being a disciple of Jesus Christ, do we think in terms of knowing Jesus so fully that we are in essence attempting to become Him? Is this the kind of weight we consider when we are developing methods to be and make disciples within our churches --Pat Byers
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