Dear Ones,

I’m wrapping up this newsletter on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2014.  And for those of us who are familiar with the Hebraic calendar, it’s also Tevet 29, 5774. 

We have lots of good and encouraging news this month as our God continues to pour out His blessing and grace on our ever growing FMM family.  One of the these blessings is that teachings and updates from our home congregation here in Omaha, Adat HaTikvat Tzion (Hope of Zion), are now also having impact as our brothers and sisters around the world share these along with the FMM materials.  So as you read this month’s updates you will see “AHTZ” references alongside the more familiar Follow Me references.

This month also brought our first website challenge; for a couple of weeks, it wasn’t accessible (as noted in some of the following emails).  Our faithful web genius, Mac, was immediately working on it and doing everything in his power to get the server folks to fix it, but to no avail.  The issue was that we’d been on a shared server and as word has spread and our FMM family has grown, it was crashing due to the magnitude of hits and downloads.  The solution Mac was able to implement was to move our site, Adat’s site and the other ministry sites that he oversees to a dedicated server with enough space to support all the activity that they each draw.  This will prevent any further outages for which we’re grateful.  It also brings with it an additional cost factor for all ministries involved so please join us as we thank God for Mac and all he does behind the scenes and as we wait alongside him for our Father’s financial provision for the new cost factor.  May He abundantly provide for this need just as He does for the many other needs we all encounter day to day.  He is amazing and faithful, and will never let us down!  We serve a Mighty God!

This time of year is often used by people to reflect on the past and make plans for the future.  So as we launch into this fresh new year, it seemed a fitting time for us to review once again the original disciple training Marching Orders we are all learning to follow.  [This next section is copied from the The Original Marching Orders section on the website.]

1. Take My people further in their understanding of what it is to be a temple of My Presence.
2.  Teach them to think along with Me, in all things.
3.  Teach them to listen to Me at all times, even as they are thinking!
4.  Develop a great tenderness and sensitivity for My Presence within them. Teach them to worship Me in the depths of their spirits and innermost minds, in all things.
5.  Teach them to understand clearly and thoroughly, what it means to be faithful to seek, in all things, My viewpoint and the purpose of My Kingdom, Kingship and Righteousness. If they do that, I, for My part, will add all other things for them.
6.  Take them further in their understanding of the depths of the New Covenant relationship they have with Me. Teach them what their part is to be.
7.  Teach them how to respond to Me in even the tiniest matters.
8.  I am with them in all things and in all ways. I want them to be with Me in the same manner!

The spirit and attitude required to follow the above orders is beautifully expressed by God’s written Word in Deuteronomy. This is the interaction we will strive to develop with our indwelling Lord and Master:

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

This text can be regarded as the ‘job description’ of the true, New Covenant disciples of God’s resurrected living Word. This is how our Master requires us to interact with Him as He abides and works from within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer to allow ourselves to ignore or forget about Him for long periods of time. He is our very Life and our Source for everything that is real, true and good. We must view Him accordingly and depend on and interact with Him…continuously…moment by moment. He is to our spirits what oxygen is to our lungs…and much, much more!

As we have time, I’d encourage us to read (and/or re-read) some of the older teachings on the website.  They present the kind of life changing truths that we need in order to soak and marinate our souls so that we are actively cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He works within us to mold and shape us into the image of the Living Lord of Glory – Yeshua Himself.

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… How are you today? My travel was successful to _____ today. Thank you for your prayers. Despite the physical space between us, you have really encouraged me to feel grateful for what I have learnt from you. Once again, we thank God for using you touching the world with the message right from your heart. God is so good for giving me the chance to partner with your life call and both fulfill our purpose to help others know God. You are the reason I live. Thank you. Son

FROM EUROPE: Dear Pastor John, Wow!! this is excellent Bible study teachings, I am so excited by the value that this Follow me ministries has and my profound gratitude goes to all who are working with you. I will recommend other people to learn deep about the truth of God. God keep you with all blessings! In Him,

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… We have assurance that He takes care of us all. I thank God who provided for us a way to have our main office here in _____. It is my believe that this office Is going to do leadership to whoever God will bring under us. I was telling someone today that had I disobeyed the call of God and continued to live on the profession that I trained for I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to give God glory for He is worthy. It’s because of Him that I am who I am today. The teachings No.43 is great. Know that I have enough time now for praying, preparing and learning. I have never ceased also to pray for Mum and the scheduled date for her. Love you always, son

FROM AFRICA:  Thank you brother John… We received Ex.43 in _____, _____ and _____ translation. We will continue to pray for our dear sister. Congratulations! ! You are right, _____ is the heart of Africa and it was good for moving there. The materials are prepared from your first lessons of Genesis and we ask _____ to come and collect.

FROM AFRICA: Dear sweet Dad, We are so much excited for all what the Lord is doing in Africa. It is automatic that without you this would have not happened. God bless FMM & AHTZ headquarters in _____.

FROM AFRICA:  Greetings Dad! Follow me ministries in _____ speaks today much blessings to the new headquarters established in _____. We bless you, Rabbi Nate and _____. Amen!

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad, First of all, How is Mom doing today? I have been very busy in traveling. Let me take this chance to thank and appreciate you for supporting our dear brother’s vision and finances in order to raise the main office there in _____. This is good. I will be in _____ on this weekend and the Lord willing, we will see each other with _____. This is a secret to serve all… You wait.. Messianic congregations (FMM & Adat Hatikvat Tzion) are going to be birth under the leadership of _____. Then this congregations will Tithe to the headquarters in future. Actually, this is the Holy spirit leading our brother and as you know we are behind you supporting the work God laid in your heart. Your daughter,

FROM AFRICA:  Dear brother John, We received on _____ $____ for printing cost and this time the work started from your personal testimony through some teachings in both Genesis & Exodus. _____ went with all this books to _____ today for distribution. God bless.

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… Our Lord knows the desperation in Mum’s heart. And He understand the longings she feels and her need for intimacy with Him. I, _____, and your friends in Africa, pray God to intervene her life today. He is faithful; and His Word is powerful. We pray also for those who need God. May their eyes be opened. May He open hearts of those who are seeking wholeness, freedom, healing, forgiveness, and love today. Thanks that He loves to do the impossible in ways that will always bring Him glory. Draw us close to You Lord! We purpose to give You praise in every situation. Thank You for the miracles You bring daily. Amen! Son

 FROM ASIA:  Hello brother John, I tried to contact you through your website server and It said that It has internal server error. I wanted to thank you for the two books printed in our language that I received here through a friend. It is awesome message direct from God! Thank you for allowing God to use your life. Your commitment is great. I would love to work and support your ministry in the near future. Thanks once again John. Have a great day!

FROM AFRICA:  Brother John, How is your family doing today? My family is doing fine in _____ too. This morning, I checked Follow – me – ministry website to show a friend who visited my office today and found that It is not working…. What happened Sir?

FROM AFRICA (to Rav Nate and copied to John):  Greetings from _____! Do you realize that African people are more responding to the word of God and with their congregations growing than we _____ people? This people are so hungry for God’s word. They are in need of Bibles and teachings. Please continue to help them learn more about God. Again, thank you for bringing the Light of God in the Dark Continent – Africa.

FROM AFRICA:  Dear our mentor John, We enjoy the blessings from the word of God on your website. I cannot move every day without reading some testimonies and how the Lord has touched people around the world. It is true that something good Its coming from Omaha, USA. Now about __ days ago, your site, can’t be connected, Please notify us If It Is construction going on? In Jesus name,

FROM EUROPE:  Dear my Dad, I can not forget to ask you about our beloved Mom Mary. Our God is a God of miracles. We believe all promises of God upon the life of Mom. There are many people here at _____ and other places who loves Mom and praying for her. It seems like you want to change F – M – M website? Please check the errors as soon as you can. Our people are serious and they want to see It working. Thanks for all you are doing to help a human soul. It is awesome work! Hallelujah! Blessings

FROM AFRICA:  Thank you. I understand that there are billions around the world who are using your website. I pray that this problem be solved by the technical support as still there is a great need for sending out FMM teachings. Still you have time to check before moving to another. Thanks.

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… Shabbat shalom! I have been busy in the ministry work since I moved to Headquarter. I will write today. Hey to Mum. Son

 ~~~~~~~~~

 FROM AFRICA (update on FMM and Adat ministries in Africa): Dear Dad, Shabbat shalom. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for knowing you and Rav Nate. It has been a 3 years relationship and leadership that is not afraid to believe God. I am ever grateful since God joined me with your dream, a vision and a goal with It the work of God has a great success story in Africa and out to the world. I was leaded by the holy spirit to believe It as God’s vision. Yes, my _____ who was a _____ and went to be with the Lord __ years ago, was telling me that there is nothing started happening until somebody starts dreaming. Every accomplishment everyone sees right now through FMM and AHTZ was due to the life commitment of this men of God.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:27 (Good News translation) “If your goals are good you will be respected.” Myself I was trained as a _____ and when God saved me, My testimony touched my people whereby the holy spirit, then, leaded me to start a bible study in my home. Now through much prayer and fastings, God brought us under the founder of Follow me ministries John Marquez and since then he has been unique source of strength for me and my congregation in _____.

Actually, I have seen dramatic changes in Follow me ministry Africa since we were connected “God is able to do far more than anything we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.” (Ephesians 3:20, Living Bible).

Dad…Have you ever taken a Polaroid picture? You take it and the longer you look at it the clearer it gets. That’s true in my life. When I first joined Follow me ministries I didn’t know what it was going to end up like. All I knew was that God had called me to this good ministry. As I have been receiving a training from you and as we have walked with the Lord together with you about __ years now, the vision has gotten clearer and clearer. This vision continues to expand more and more as I continue saying “What do You want me to do Lord with FMM and AHTZ of Africa? How do You want me to do it? And When do You want me to do it?” I am daily praying, “God, help me to do what You want to bless.” I get up in the morning and I pray a very similar prayer every day. “God, I know You’re going to do some very exciting things in the world today. Would You give me the privilege of just being in on some of them? I just want to be in on what You’re doing. I want to do what You’re blessing.” Really, God uses the person who has a humble spirit. He is good who saw me faithful then called me to be the servant of His son Yeshua so to carry what His men are teaching from His word and spread it over the world.

Please, may I again honor and appreciate FMM and AHTZ of Omaha, Nebraska for anointing me to be the director of FMM and AHTZ here in Africa and everything they have done to advance His kingdom. I have enjoyed and been blessed indeed receiving teachings that always fills me with spiritual strength in praying, serving people and teaches me to have a servant heart. By the wisdom I received from the teachings, I was moved to translate It, first to _____ from English, and to print the booklets and distribute them free through _____, _____, _____, _____ with their offices in _____ and many other places. In return, the response was great… that has turned souls from darkness to the light of the word of God.

I thank and appreciate you, FMM Pilot team, Rav Nate and the brethren in AHTZ for your time and labor for encouraging your brothers and sisters in Africa and your always financial support for the cost. It is my believe that our Future is going to be far Greater than our beginning. Currently, Father has spoken with me to move the ministry to the center of Africa at _____. Already we have rented rooms that can serve as the headquarters of Follow me ministry and Adat Hatikvant Tzion congregation. Please read below several reasons why I moved to this city which has about ______ people with __ ethnic tribes in _____.

•  I enjoy working with people.
• There I will communicate effectively with people so that they may know what we are doing.
• Visiting different people and sharing with them the good news of our dear Yeshua.
• Where people can invite me to go and speak at their conferences on behalf of FMM and AHTZ Congregation
• To encourage brothers and sisters in the vineyard
• To encourage the establishing of teaching booklet distribution centers
• Where we can help others be a part of our vision
• To teach people and motivate them to follow the true teachings
• To find people who can reach the future goals of FMM and AHTZ
• To help them grow spiritually through planting congregations all over Africa
• To help the poor windows and orphans and HIV/AIDS
• To seek MORE people to work with us as a team
• I wanted to be surrounded by other people who will challenge me, who think about and do things different than I do. These in return will be my problem solvers and the individuals who can work to grow the ministry and help it to prosper in Africa and beyond.
• I want to be where my talent for optimism can be used and bear fruit. I rally people to believe for and work toward their better future.
• Where I can allow myself to inspire people to come alive.

It is a true treasure to know that our Father He never changes through the good times and the bad times. He is not here today and gone tomorrow. He is God. He is the One “who was and is and is to come.” As a minister, called by God to proclaim the gospel and gifted by the Spirit to serve and lead FMM and AHTZ in Africa, I dedicate myself to conduct this ministry according to the articles of faith statement as It is written in the word of God, in order that my ministry may be acceptable to God, my service beneficial to the Christian community, and my life a witness to the world.

Experiencing the love of God, not just thinking about it, is something I always desire with my heart. This is an experience of great joy because in it I taste the very reality of God and his love. It is the ground of deep and wonderful assurance I find that will not disappoint me; and it will help everyone to “exult in the hope of the glory of God” and carry us through terrible trials of faith.

Is this experience of the love of God the same for all believers? No, it is not the same in degree. If all believers had the same experience of the love of God, Paul would not have prayed for the Ephesians that they “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. He prayed this because some were deficient in their experience of this love of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:18-19).

How then do we pursue the fullness of the experience of the love of God poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit? One key is to realize that the experience is not like hypnosis or electric shock or drug-induced hallucinations or shivers at a good tune. Rather it is mediated through knowledge. It is not the same as knowledge. But it comes through knowledge. Or to say it another way, this experience of the love of God is the work of the Spirit giving unspeakable joy in response to the mind’s perception of the demonstration of the love that is in Jesus Christ. In this way Christ gets the glory for the joy that we have. It is a joy in what we see in him. Where can you see this in the Scriptures? Consider “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” Here is an experience of great and inexpressible joy. Joy beyond words. It is not based on a physical seeing of Christ. But it is based on believing in Christ. Christ is the focus and content of the mind in this inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8

This is why I and others from Africa have chosen to follow and obey God’s Word and the teachings of John and Rabbi Nate…If we fail to exercise our spirit in reading the Word; we will fail to “strike the match” in our spirit. We shall therefore strike the match in the right place and experience the fire in the Word. We can testify that by taking the Word in the proper way, exercising our spirit, we experience the burning in our spirit. There is the matchstick; it is made of wood, but in essence the match is really phosphorus…Now suppose I want to use the match: what shall I do? Of course, I must strike it. But how shall I strike it? If I strike it, using the end without the phosphorus, though I strike till eternity I will get no light. I am using the wrong end. The Bible is the match, and the Lord Jesus, the Spirit, is the phosphorus. The wooden stick may be likened to the black and white letters, the words in the Bible, which hold Christ as the phosphorus, the heavenly daystar. How can we make the phosphorus take fire and shine? We must use the right end of the match, and we must strike it on the right spot. The right end is the Holy Spirit, and the right spot is our human spirit.

Currently, I am working to see to the establishing of the teaching word, to see that it is growing and multiplying. And there is the need for people to be full of the Word. The following are our ministries values:

Reaching for the Poor – Generosity of spirit…. building relationships

Integrity – Inspiring trust through personal leadership

Wisdom – Integrating excellence and stewardship

Dedication – Affirming the hope and joy of our FMM and AHTZ Families in Africa

Reverence – Respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life.

Once again, thank you Dad and Rav Nate and the AHTZ Congregation for being blessings to the souls in Africa. We need you and brothers and sisters in Omaha to help reach our perishing millions of souls in the darkness in Africa. Your son in the gospel of Yeshua,

  ~~~~~~~~~

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… How are you today? FMM and ADHTZ families in Africa have separated apart the day Wednesday of this week as a day for praying for Mum. I wanted you again to know that you are not alone in the battle. There is a miracle for healing waiting Mum. Prayer warriors

FROM AFRICA:  Hello Dad, I know Mum will be in good hands but I just pray that she stays strong and continues to fight this battle that she has fought so hard for the past 1 year. I love you Dad, I love you Mum! Hope all goes well for her as she has her surgery on Thursday. We will be thinking of her. Your Daughter,

FROM AFRICA:  Dear beloved brother John, I just understand your present feelings regarding the illness of your dear wife Mary. We pray everything will go beautiful on the surgery day. Wishes you the success! Brother,

FROM AFRICA:  Hey Dad! It is our deep concern… There are so many things Mum has yet to accomplish. The Follow me ministries and Adat Hatikvant Tzion families of Africa are looking to seeing her feeling better soon. Mum have our smile !! Son

FROM NORTH AMERICA:  Dear brother John, Please be encouraged! My wife also had the same problem for __ years and I did not wanted her to go to surgery since she was old but after surgery she was new. You have a good ministry for you both and better future days. May the Lord bless.

FROM NORTH AMERICA:  Thank you John. God is transforming lives through your teachings. Myself I have a testimony from people around me. Thanks for being there to help and inspire. Remember that our prayers are with you, especially the step Mary is going through on Thursday.

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad… I really don’t know how to thank you… Please know how much I appreciate your generosity. I will be getting a new clothes, drinks and shoes for the orphans on the Christmas day. I must send the pictures to you. The other will be used on cost and traveling. Thank you for being a great friend. Son

FROM SOUTH AMERICA:  Hello John Our God is so faithful. First, I am happy to see our website on.. Praise God! We are thinking about our dear sister. We wish her quick recovery.

FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA:  Dear John, This is awesome work really. May God give you good health and His peace to continue to bless souls in the darkness.

FROM NORTH AMERICA:  John, My son _____ was encouraged by your teachings. He moved from his _____ course and joined a course in _____. Amen! We pray that things may go well with you as God has given you a favor and anointing to preach Jesus Christ.

FROM THE MIDDLE EAST:  Dear Dad, I am writing you from _____. I wanted to say a prayer as you travel with Mum to meet the Doctor today. Have a nice day! Daughter

FROM AFRICA:  Dad, Greetings from _____. We continue to stand with you and follow me ministry and Adat congregation forever. We read Adat news that beloved Mum she is doing well after surgery. May God give her strength and  healing soon.

FROM AFRICA:  My Dear Dad… Shabbat shalom! I have special greetings, love and prayers for you and Mum from your beloved sons and daughters in Africa. On this beautiful Shabbat day, we wish Mum best days and quick recovery. Son

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad, _____ left today for _____. Mum continues to be strongly in my prayers and thoughts. My heart was leaped in gladness yesterday when my beloved Mom was back home from the hospital. Nothing compares to the joy of being home especially this Christmas celebration united with the family.Finally, I never forgot the help that Follow me ministry and Adat Hatikvat Tzion congregation you have provided both physically and spiritually to the orphans, my family, and families in Africa and beyond. with gladness,

FROM THE MIDDLE EAST:  Dear Dad and Mum, How is Mum? In few minutes, I am starting my trip from _____, to _____. The _____ sister, she is also in _____ flying to _____. We all shall meet on _____ at _____. This weekend we pray to get enough books. Extend greetings to the FMM Pilot team. Daughter,

FROM AFRICA:  Dear brother John, We have never ceased to pray for our dear sister Mary. Thank you God for all you have done to your servant Mary. We believe for complete healing on her life.  The teaching no. 46 was translated into __ International languages and printed. The copies are so ready waiting _____ to pick them at anytime. Love you! Sister,

FROM AFRICA:  Dear forever Dad, First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all in Follow me ministries and Adat Hatikvat Tzion congregation, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. You have shown love for those in the house of God and those who have not yet come to Christ, not only by sharing the living word, praying for them, but by praising God for them. According to the will of God, we should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether His; and for his sake we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such services are our duty. Greet for us Mum! Have a great day!

FROM AFRICA:  Dear Dad, I was praying for the last 5 days asking God If He will open away at our _____ so that two of us, or _____, may come to see Mum in 2014? I cannot forget to thank you and appreciate you for taking good care of Mum. Tell her that many people in Africa are standing with you in prayers. May God bless her with quick recovery. Receive greetings from the children. Thanks for your love to us. Blessings, Your daughter in faith,