Glimpses of Grace
Volume 8 | Issue 12 | December, 2022
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Wow! As we look back to what God has done this year, all we can say is, "Praise the Lord!" This year God has done so many great things! One of the significant changes at GFI this year was hiring a new Executive Director, Mark McKeehan. Mark had previously served as a GFI board member since 2019 while pastoring Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church since 2009. With this hire, GFI will continue Dr. Solomon’s legacy to help members of the body of Christ to experience, mature in, and effectively communicate the message of identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Our deepest desire is for all to know Christ as Savior, Lord, and Life. This desire drives us to fulfill our vision to "Guide people into complete and victorious identity in Christ."
People from all over the world contact us for discipleship counseling. Because this number has grown, we have hired six Guides to help us handle the influx of people seeking Exchanged Life counseling. Technology allows us to use “Zoom” to counsel people all over the country. We give glory to God for Dr. John Woodward and our Guides. You may wonder why do we use that word Guide? A guide helps you to go where you would not go on your own. A guide also helps show you things along the way that you might otherwise miss.
To help expand our reach, we have updated our logo, our website, and started a new social media marketing campaign. We are also continuing putting up new media on YouTube and Vimeo. Our ministry associate, Aaron Kim, has been a huge blessing to GFI. Aaron continues to make videos to help people all over the world. His YouTube videos are seen by thousands of people. Many of these people contact GFI for further information and counseling.
This year we have seen an increase in bookstore sales as well as increased numbers to our seminars and workshops! This year, along with our three local seminars, Dr. Woodward has taught in Rhode Island, Utah, New Jersey, and Arizona. Mark was grateful to be able to teach in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as having the opportunity to train the pastoral staff of three local churches. These teachings have allowed us to take pastors and their staff through rejection, identity, the wheel and line diagrams, and total surrender. We are excited that 2023 will bring some new opportunities with these churches. God has opened the door for Mark to meet with many other pastors and ministry leaders this year. Please pray these pastors will continue to be open to Exchanged Life teachings. Some of these pastors are being counseled through our ministry.
This year we have published some new books through the ministry of Dr. John Best and Dr. Lee Turner. We also streamlined our certification process allowing people who have been trained through GFI to use our materials in their own churches.
You may be thinking, “How can I help?” That’s a great question! Below, you can read how you can give to GFI's general fund this year. Your year-end gift will be matched and every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact on what we are doing here at GFI. Next month we will give an update about our plans for the new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff of Grace Fellowship International.
-Mark McKeehan, John Woodward, Cathy Solomon, & John Norman
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Video: "Jesus Before Baby Jesus"
eyewitnessbible.org
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The birthplace of Jesus Christ is very significant. Like every other aspect of the Son of God’s incarnation, the birthplace of Bethlehem has special significance for believers. Consider some ways in which this town, located about 6 miles south of Jerusalem, still echoes her testimonies.
1. Bethlehem is a testimony of PROPHECY.
The prophet Micah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give a prediction concerning the Messiah’s birth. About 700 B.C. he declared, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
2. Bethlehem is a testimony of PROVIDENCE.
Since Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, how would Micah 5:2 be fulfilled? God used the edict of the Roman emperor to bring this about! As Luke recorded, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered” (Luke 2:1-6).
3. Bethlehem is a testimony of PRINCELY HONOR.
Although the circumstances of His birth were not “fit for a king,” (there was no room for them in the inn, and Christ was laid in a lowly manger), His was indeed the birth of the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). Bethlehem was known as the town of David (that is why Joseph and Mary–descendants of King David–were required to register there).
4. Bethlehem is also a testimony of PROVISION.
In Hebrew, “Bethlehem” is literally “House of Bread.” How appropriate that Christ, the Bread of Life, should be born there. After feeding the 5000 Christ proclaimed, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world … I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:32-33,35).
If you yield and depend upon Him completely, you will discover fulfillment. Christ promised, “… I have come that they [believers] may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).
The significance of Bethlehem was impressed upon pastor Phillips Brooks in 1865 when he visited Israel. He reflected on his visit to Bethlehem and the nativity texts of the New Testament. He then penned the beloved poem, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” which was put to music by his organist, Lewis Redner.
-John Woodward
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Matching Gifts Opportunity |
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As 2022 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for all your kindness and support. Your donations helped us guide people to freedom, victory, and true identification in Christ. Daily, we minister to people across the country with needed truth and hope.
A pastor who attended Exchanged Life Counseling training this year stated that his time in the Workshop was like a “Damascus Road” experience (as in Acts ch. 9). Since returning to his community, not only has his life changed, but so has his preaching!
We could introduce you to the person struggling in addiction who, after going through the wheel diagram, said “If I do this, I will never have to go back to a treatment program again!” There are many other stories of victory that we could share with you. To God be the glory!
A friend of Grace Fellowship has generously donated a large financial gift, and will match all incoming donations through the end of the year, up to $50,000. We hope that this gift will be doubled.
These donations will:
- Help fund Guides who minister to people who cannot afford to pay.
- Update foundational videos and create new content.
- Help to train pastors and church staff.
- And much more (coming in next month’s Glimpses of Grace email).
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The inventory of Grace Fellowship's store will be on sale throughout December. All books, audio, and video media will be 10% off in celebration of Christ's birth.
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"Living with New Significance"
by John Woodward
This is textual study of Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
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Exchanged Life Counseling Certification
Most of GFI's equipping process can be done where you live, at your own pace.
Additional specialization is available for Recovery Coaching and Children's Ministry.
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Social Media Update
Grace Fellowship has revamped our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
We invite you to visit, like, follow and share Grace Fellowship International.
Thank you!
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Newest course: How to Control Your Emotions. These courses can be used for personal growth and mentoring. Just sign up for a free account and begin!
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Grace Fellowship welcomes support for our ministry of Christ-centered Counseling, training, and equipping. See our online donate page and special planned giving section, or call our office at 865-429-0450.
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Grace Fellowship International Team
Founder
Charles Solomon (1930-2020)
Staff
Mark McKeehan - Executive Director
John Woodward - Director of Counseling & Training
Cathy Solomon - Administrative Manager
John Norman - Administrative Assistant
Blog sites
Associate Ministries
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Glimpses of Grace | Grace Fellowship Fellowship Int'l | 1-865-429-0450 | www.gracefellowshipinternational.com
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