Dear Ones,
As I was finishing the November Family News compilation, my heart was once again filled with gratitude to our God. As each of you shared your journeys of faith with us and then we are enabled to share them with the rest of the Follow Me Family, I know all of us are encouraged. It’s so easy to see His Perfection, Presence and Provision woven throughout each of our lives in so many marvelous ways. I see His faithfulness proved over and over again in your testimonies.
Shortly before publishing the October Family News, we of the Adat HaTikvat Tzion Congregation, bid farewell to one of my closest friends who was called home to glory after a lengthy illness. Sandy Stork was an amazing woman – filled with the Spirit and Wisdom, and had been used by the Lord for many years to mentor and encourage countless people in their love for Truth and their commitment to walk in it at all times. Sandy prayed regularly for FMM and for John and me and we miss her dearly.
Since Sandy’s passing, we have also farewelled two more of our precious Adat family members – Clark Olmstead whose love for his Messiah and the beautiful revelation of His Covenant Love as seen through studying the Hebrew language through which He chose to reveal Himself. Clark was always willing to teach and tutor anyone who wanted to learn Hebrew and I was one of those blessed to have been one of his pupils for several years.
And the other was one of our treasured FMM family members – our beloved brother, Denny Brechbill. You will recall the Rebuilding Our Hearts series that we launched under the Letters From Home, Questions and Answers section? That was birthed and written by Denny. He had the opportunity in recent years to get deeply in touch with the Heart of our Father. He was so moved and blessed by what the Holy Spirit revealed that he wanted to share it with us so that we could have the privilege of learning alongside him. Denny and his precious wife, Laurie, hosted a small Bible Study that my husband, Dan, and I were blessed to have been a part of for many years. He was an exemplary Bible scholar and teacher and touched many lives for the Kingdom during his years here on earth.
Sandy, Clark and Denny left huge ‘footprints’ in the Adat congregation and in all of their vast circles of influence. They are sorely missed! And yet, I find that the grief I feel is not for them, but for their families and friends whose lives they impacted so deeply and faithfully. I remember both Sandy and Denny remarking that their hearts’ desire was to finish well, and I can attest that they surely did. In fact, I think 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 describes all three of these precious ones and the influence of their lives:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
So we remember them fondly and thank the Lord for the opportunity to ‘do life’ together with them, as we pray for His calming, healing touch to be upon their families and loved ones while the grief process unfolds day by day. While these last few paragraphs describe loss, it’s important that we don’t lose sight that there is also great reward within the content. And so I’ll close out this month’s Family News introduction with the whole chapter of 2 Corinthians 5, because there’s no substitute for the Truth of the Word and its revelation of our Father’s ‘behind the scenes’ work in the lives and death of His beloved people. And then I’m republishing some of what I shared last month because I believe it’s crucial for us to continue to rehearse in our heart of hearts the rock solid Truth of our God’s airtight faithfulness, especially in light of hardships, difficulties and losses.
“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by]sight– we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
As we close out this month’s newsletter, may I encourage each of us to be steadfast, keeping our eyes on Yeshua, the Author and Finisher of our faith – and to be unmovable in the assurance that He has prevailed on our behalf no matter what hardships and challenges we may encounter. We must keep our focus on His perfection even while juggling situations, relationships, emotions. We are on a journey and it’s a lifelong journey. Our bull’s eye is to finish well in order to bring to our King the glory He deserves.
Press on, beloved – He’s worthy!
Nancy
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FROM AFRICA: Dad, Your teachings amazes many who likes false doctrines. Its is all about God and his son Jesus Christ. I thank Him for the gift of Holy Spirit. Thank you for what God told you to do. Amen. Yours in faith,
FROM ASIA: John: “For You have armed me with strength for the battle…” Psalm 18:39
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Thank you, Pastor John. You have more than answered my questions about life and about death. One ministry that I could always count on since I became a believer in Yeshua is Follow Me ministries. I appreciate the work.
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Beloved Achi John, I Have been a _____ for over __ years, and recently my wife who is working as a _____ in _____ gave me your booklet and found so helpful. I am not the same again. You are welcome to visit us!
FROM NORTH AMERICA: I was told about you and your website by a friend from _____. I can see how much you love God by the way you express Him through your posted teachings. You are a great preacher in this end time.
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Dear servant of God John, I am forever thankful that we have you, and I am touched by your booklets every time. You are always included in our prayers, and we love you.
FROM EUROPE: Brother John, Thank you for this great message printed through your books. This is a sermon that people need in a time like this. I thank God that you allow Him to use you in a mighty way. I pray that God will continue to bless your Follow me ministries.
FROM AFRICA: This is amazing teaching. Just want to tell you please continue your sharing with the world. It is more powerful! Thank u.
FROM AFRICA: I thank God He led me to this Follow Me Ministries teaching!
FROM AFRICA: We received thousands of copies and distributed to those who were waiting… Yeshua bless!
FROM AFRICA: Achi John.. Please thank you for this information. How is this family doing today? The Lord is good to them. They are in my prayer. Kindly share our love to them.
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad…Your words have encouraged me so many times. You are special to us in so many ways. But you must been gone through constant challenges in your earlier ministry. At this time there are tens of thousands hearing your preaching through Follow me ministries Site and booklets per week. I learnt that the secret to your success was that you kept preaching good news until you found the people who wanted it! Love you so much. With respect, Son
FROM EUROPE: Dad, This is an excellent teaching! It is like the summary of what you have been sharing since Genesis to Exodus. Blessings from Father to you and your family! Your son
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Very important booklet than all ever published (The Ongoing Wilderness Construction Project)
FROM AFRICA: Dad and Mum, God bless you with health as you continue serving Him. There are millions out HERE who wants your services. I arrived here at _____ hours ago, with large Bags of – The Ongoing Wilderness Construction Project teaching materials printed in _____, _____ and _____ translation which was highly received and made high request for more materials to be mailed to this hungry souls…Receive greetings from people that I was able to talk with…from _____. Amen!
FROM AFRICA: Truly, God is working through you for me. I will make the site part of my daily activities. God bless!
FROM AFRICA: Dad, I am very grateful that God’s Holy Spirit gave you a good Idea of being very careful to try to protect the specific locations and names of our Family members in Africa and in other parts of the world. Yes! there are predators that serve false gods and follow false religions a round us that hate and fear the truth of the Gospel and those that proclaim it. They often assign people to scan the internet…looking for those that proclaim the true Gospel and do damage to their causes. Then they hunt those people down and try to do whatever they can to harm or even kill them.
We as the follow me ministries and Adat Hatikvat Tzion families in Africa recommend for sister Nancy’s diligent to remove the names of people and their specific locations from anything we share on the website or in email correspondence. Once again, we thank you Dad, sister Nancy, Pilot group and our Rav Nate for taking care of us to protect our lives as much as you can. Shabbat Shalom, Son
FROM AFRICA: My Dad…I am happy that my email is back. This is to send you greetings from my family and the orphans that my husband left under my care when he moved to work at _____. When recently sent to him from you $____. He gave me and _____ $____ each. He paid the printing cost $___ and then the electric bill at $____. Please Dad, I have never ceased to pray and appreciate you for everything …. Praise God! Give my love to mum. With my heart,
FROM AFRICA: Dear brother…Hope you and sister Mary are doing fine in the Lord. We are working to prepare brother _____’s trip. We both pray for everything to go well. Shalom
FROM ASIA: Dear John, Thank you so much for the lovely booklets, which were mailed to my husband in _____! I have it out and everyone stops to read It. It’s fascinating, and would you believe the cover design is ever beautiful. You are handsome man of God. Thank you again for thinking of us in _____! Much love,
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad & Rav Nate… I took some notes from your teaching materials and I`m using It on teaching my congregation at _____. The people love It very much. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you. Continue to be vessels for His precious kingdom. Your son,
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: John, Thank you for Follow me ministry. It is very inspiring to me and family. We look forward to growing more. Shalom
FROM AFRICA: Hello, I am thanking God for you Rav Nate and Elder Achi John and your obedience to the Lord for your work in teaching the living word of God. Some people wake up each morning here to your studies in _____. May you and your efforts richly be blessed.
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Praise God! I really enjoy your teachings on your books. I have learnt a lot and still continue. You have helped me to look more for God. May the Lord’s blessings shine upon you and your family.
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Rev John, There is a crusade going on here in my town and the speaker is from USA by name John. I saw people yesterday evening going back home with your little booklets. Are you the one? You remember, I promised to host you at any time you visit our country. Just curious! [NOTE FROM NANCY – the person referenced here was not Dad John.]
FROM SOUTH AMERICA: Hi, I just found your teachings to be amazing. No doubt the Lord had a plan for your life. Sister
FROM EUROPE: Pastor John, I really appreciated for Follow Me Ministries teaching materials that was shipped to me from _____. I believe it will be God’s message to the people of _____. Thanks.
FROM AFRICA: My dad…I wake this morning with you and mum in prayer and thoughts. Some 30 orphans are sick with a real bad case of _____. I called home today and they are under treatment. Thank you and I appreciate your prayers. Also, I am praying for Josh. He is a child of God! May everything go well tomorrow with him in Yeshua’s Name. Hug mom for me. Your daughter, [NOTE FROM NANCY – Josh is my son who has a kidney disease that has progressed to the point that he had to begin dialysis this month. Our family so appreciates the prayer support we are receiving from the FMM family.]
FROM AFRICA: Hey Dad, I love you all so much, And I do not know how to express how much I appreciate everything you do to this orphans under my care. Once again thank you for purchasing medicines and food for them today. I have nothing to give you in return but may the name of Yeshua bless you! Your daughter,
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad…. I am thankful in the LORD for He has done great things for us in _____ through Follow me ministries/Adat and today I am filled with joy. I traveled today to be with the orphans who were not feeling well due to infection. Pray! Please extend greetings of our love to mum and friends in the Lord. In Yeshua, Son
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad and mom, Thank you for your very kind support which I received today. Your generosity will make an immediate difference in the lives of the people. Your commitment surely is always helpful and allowed us to reach our goal. Your assistance means so much to Follow me ministries – Africa for teaching materials and distribution but even more to the orphans. Thank you from all of us. Son
FROM EUROPE: God bless you brother J. I and my church in my messianic congregation in _____ are honored to receive your teaching materials given us now as a free gift. Be blessed dear Rabbi.
FROM SOUTH AMERICA: This is God’s awesome sacrificial teaching booklets received. Surely, you cannot know all fruits of your work on the world but you will be fully filled with joy in the day of the Lord. Shalom,
FROM AFRICA: Dear Beloved in Messiah, Greetings in the Pure Love of our Lord the Messiah Jesus Christ!! I am Blessed very much by the power of the Holy Spirit is working in you. Our Abba Father is using you for His Glory!! I Have pleased to tell you that your teachings on your website are a great blessing to me, my family and the young congregation that I founded when i got the call of the lord to do so. So, I, my wife, children and some devoted brethren from the community we are serving the lord under this Church under the shade made. We are blessed with the total Orphans in our congregation. As well it is my kind request that you also remember these needy orphans in your daily prayers that God can open them ways for their needs both in spiritual and physical growth. I kindly invite you to come here in my country and bless our people with the gospel of our lord Messiah. My country needs mighty people of God to lead them unto salvation and know the Living God. Please have a kind consideration to extend the Kingdom of God and cooperation of the true faith. Bless us with your reply. Yours Brotherly in Messiah,
FROM AFRICA: Hello our spiritual mentor, Greetings from _____. We enjoy receiving from you the word of God. It is alive message.
FROM ASIA: Hey Pastor, we are thankful that you put us on your mailing list. I received this week once again follow me ministries free books from _____ that already I have distributed among my community in _____. May G-d bless!
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad and Rav…. Shalom! How are you today? School holiday in _____. Therefore, I dedicated this time to go out of the office for days each week in order to study, train, work and serve the body of messiah with youths in some various places. But I have proved today that we are raising a nation of youth that have never been to church/Congregation and never heard the Good news. I want to make sure that true Biblical wisdom is imparted to them from the Holy scriptures. I am here helping them to discover their God given gifts, serving others and become mature in Messiah. Thank you again for your help. Shalom! Son
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Dear brother Marquez John, I only thank God the day He made the way for me to find your booklets when I was in prison. Sister
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Man of God John, Kindly, thank you for allowing God to use you and have you pen the words in booklets that would so deeply change my life.. Thank u. Your co-worker,
FROM AFRICA: Dear dad, _____, _____, children and the church sends greetings to you and all who are working with you. I pray very often for follow me ministries to continues to flourish. Love and prayers from _____,
FROM EUROPE: Rabbi John, I have shared this site with my people and friends in the last few months. It is really a spiritual site. It blessed my family and allowed light to shine on. Thank you so much for your commitment. Help also in answering, where is the Timothy letter?
FROM AFRICA: Dear dad, Since God leaded me to this site, my understanding of the scriptures have changed and improved. God bless you, your son in faith,
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Brother, I thank God for using you to touch souls in _____. A great work is going on through this follow me ministries site. Shalom, shalom!
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. Psalms 113:2. And your words are strong in me as I continue reading from your books.
FROM AFRICA: Hey prophet John, I am more interested with the whole truth that follow me ministries website is teaching.. Also, I am missing to read Timothy letter. May God’s mercy and grace be upon your ministry and life. Have a great blessed day, Brother
FROM EUROPE: Blessings! Thank you. Somebody is totally helping me to translate and distribute. It is fantastic! Pray for my poor health.
FROM AFRICA: On behalf of my team I express once again my sincere thanks to you and your Follow me ministries in being with us in throughout this printing always with your efforts. We value you and appreciate very much.
FROM AFRICA: Dear founder and director FMM Dad, we had placed a new order for printing Follow Me Ministries teaching materials in many translations. Thanking you! Your daughter,
FROM AFRICA: Sweet Dad, My family and congregation is fine in the Lord. I am thankful for you and both of your team in USA and _____ for mailing us your booklets.
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Thank you. I am happy for this book God’s awesome sacrificial system.
FROM AUSTRALIA: Pastor John, Your books have been my friends for months. It has made tremendous impact on my soul. To God be the glory!
FROM AFRICA: Hello servant of God John, I have not forgotten you and Nate. I will see If this coming month there will be free time. Anyway, I will let Nate know. I am glad that God leaded me into your divine work. And more than _____ copies of Follow Me Ministry teachings are mailed to my postal address in _____, monthly for distribution. With regards,
FROM AFRICA: Dear Rav Nate, It is with my deepest sympathies that I send my condolences on the death of our beloved brother. I was so sorry to hear through Adat news that he died, but I know now that he is with Messiah whom he loved and served on Earth. Please pass on our sympathies to his family. I know this is a sorrowful time for you all. With all my love,
FROM NORTH AMERICA: Pastor John, Thank you for the way you continue to mold me by your teachings! May God bless!
FROM AFRICA: Thank You Dad for giving a sinner like me a new hope for life through your teachings and an assurance that someday I will be with you in paradise.
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad… Likewise, we have much, much to give thanks in the Lord! It’s all our time to complete the work successfully that God has sent us. Because of the dedication and hard work of you, pilot team and friends, now we have been able for the last __ years to spread the Good news of Yeshua Messiah. We are proud of the congratulations that our site has received from around the world. Sincerely, we here acknowledge the hard work shown by you and wish that you would keep up the good work in future too. We are delighted to learn that your outstanding efforts have been recognized by us in Africa. We are all fortunate to benefit from your teachings.
We have you and your team in our continued prayers. Thank you for inspiring this great work to such a successful outcome, and thanks to all of you. I know how hard you have been working to ensure that there is a next lesson. And I hope you know how much your friends in Africa appreciate your great work. I feel proud that I have such a wonderful Dad and team and you have led us in the right path of eternal life through your doctrines. We sincerely appreciate your BIG role in the success.
FROM AFRICA: Dear Pastor John Marquez, I highly recommend follow me ministries teachings to anyone looking for a spiritual help. Your teachings covers all spiritual needs. I will keep in touch. Thank you John.
FROM AFRICA: Dear Dad, thank you so much for your always fresh teachings. I am writing this short email being arrived here at _____. I was given from the office in _____ larger bags of Follow me ministries materials and MP3 Adat. Praise God that workers have shown a great respect towards this beautiful booklets and Its teachings are much appreciated. Pray for me. I was happy to read on your last email that your parents comes from Mexico. I was blessed to visit your former land. I pray I will visit you at Omaha God willing.
FROM AFRICA: Hello beloved brother John, God’s Reality Emerges in the Wilderness is the teaching we receiving today at our office. It is going to be included on the November – December 2014 Follow Me Ministries order (_____). We were paid $_____. Half of this order will be ready by next week. Please thank you. Your friends,
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We’ll close out this month’s Family News with an encouragement from Dad John, written on the day before Thanksgiving:
Beloved…
When America was first beginning to be settled by refugees of religious persecution in England, those brave souls that left their homes, risked the dangers of a long sea voyage, and had to begin making a new life for themselves in a distant wilderness. Those settlers brought with them, the practice of celebrating the Biblical feasts God had ordained.
In the fall of their first year here, they celebrated Succoth, the Feast of booths or tabernacles, that God had commanded Israel to observe. And in gratitude to God for enabling them to make a start in their new land, our tradition tells us that the first settlers invited the Native Americans that had become their friends, helpers and neighbors, to celebrate this feast with them, in thanksgiving to God.
So now, in America, it has become a tradition to celebrate an annual day of Thanksgiving. Almost everyone has forgotten about Succoth, but nevertheless, they celebrate Thanksgiving, religiously. And so at least people remain aware that we have much to be thankful for, despite all their complaints. And that naturally leads to the question: “To whom should we be thankful?” And perhaps some will think of Almighty God and, in some way, acknowledge Him and give Him their thanks.
Our Omaha Follow Me Family has much for which to be thankful to God. We are grateful to Him for bringing you and the precious FMM Africa Family alongside of us as we continue to try to fulfill the task He has entrusted to us. All those that have stepped forward to join us and who have done so much to make the FMM/Adat Family name known and have brought so many into our Family from around the world, are some of the greatest treasures from God we have ever received.
And so, as America prepares to celebrate this annual holiday tomorrow…I write to let you know how much we love and appreciate you and all you continue to do in joining us in proclaiming our precious Lord and Redeemer and expending yourselves in His service.
I pray God’s Blessing upon you…and in the Name of His Living Word, Yeshua, I ask Him to cover you always and keep you safe under the shadow of His wings…so that you may always remain in position to receive His omnipotent protection and endless provision and infallible guidance all the days of your life on Earth. May He prosper you and your families and fill all of your children with His Spirit and World-changing Love and Grace. And may He multiply back to you a thousand-fold, the blessings and love you have showered upon us!
Thank you beloved ones…for all that you are and all that you mean to us.
With undying gratitude to Him…for you,
Dad