In This Month's Report:
* Editorial - Tested, Tried and Strengthened by Water and Fire
* Promotions - Jon-Kely Cassara, Andrew Surace, Mickey Fuentes, Ruth Lucas 
* July Events - American History in Black and White
* July Ministry - Featuring Harvest Training Center, Cranford, NJ
* Tips and Resources - Guideposts for Kids
* Products - Two New Resources (see link below)
* Partnership - Invest in God's Program for the Northeast of America

We would love to hear from you; please send us your feedback today. Don’t forget the ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy! JB

JEFF BEACHAM'S EDITORIAL – Tested, Tried and Strengthened by Water and Fire

 

"...Joseph remained a slave until his own words had come true, and the LORD had finished testing him. Then the king of Egypt set Joseph free and put him in charge of everything he owned." Psalm 105:17-22

 

INTRODUCTION

As you will see in the 'Promotions' section below, there has been much loss of life this past month, affecting some of my close associates, particularly in the northeast of America. Of special note is the number of pastors who have lost children in recent times. We are aware of at least five other cases in this region.

 

Late on August 3rd, I received the news that Jon-Kely, the 7 year old son of Pastors Rob and Elayne Cassara, had lost his life. Pastor Rob is a member of our City Covenant Coalition leadership team. Several other CCC leaders and myself, spent the following week in Connecticut supporting the Cassaras and their church, New Life Christian Fellowship. This proved to be one of the most challenging and testing times of my life! 

 

DEATH GLORIFYING GOD?

The loss of a child is every parent's worst nightmare! Nothing could test the resolve of a Christian leader more than this. Many questions arise, such as, 'How could a loving God allow such a terrible thing to happen?' We could also ask why God allowed all but one of the original apostles to die as martyrs, often suffering horrible tortures in the process. In John 21:18, we read Jesus' prophecy about Peter's future martyrdom, "This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God."

 

Perhaps the answer is that we view death very differently from how God does. For us, we are confronted with loss to a level that we are almost unable to bear. To Him, He receives back what He has given in the first place. However, there is a wonderful consolation for those who have lost loved ones who were in Christ; their loss is Heaven's gain! This is assured to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope...."

 

ETERNAL EXISTENCE

At the recent 'Celebration Service' for his son, Pastor Rob spoke about eternity, declaring that we are eternal beings, moving from a place of temporal existence to a place of eternal existence. This is affirmed in 2 Corinthians 4:18, "...For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is the hope that helps us endure the trials of this life.

 

THE ECONOMY OF THE KINGDOM

The unique hope of Christianity is the resurrection, which distinguishes it from all other religions. However, let us be reminded that Jesus had to go through Gethsemane and the crucifixion first to get to Sunday morning! In the economy of the Kingdom of God, everyone who is destined for greatness in God will have to go through a 'Gethsemane' experience first. This is the time where we are tested and tried in the fire. There is a parallel from medieval technology. Like a sword being fashioned in the swordsmith's hand. First it is heated, then beaten, and then plunged into water. These extremes temper the steel of the sword to become a hardened and sharp fighting instrument, ready to do battle.

 

ACCORDING TO OUR CHOICES

Anyone who will be used by the Lord to accomplish His will and great things in His name here on the earth, will be tested by Him first! This is where God's purpose, pre-destination, and free will all collide. God, who knows us before we are in our mother's womb, also knows what our choices will be before we make them. However, He still allows us to fail or be victorious according to our choices.

 

Pastor Rob said the death of his son had brought "incredible grief" to a part of his soul that he didn't know existed. "In the past seven days, we have tasted death, but we have had a glimpse of heaven." There was tragedy and triumph! We were all tested!

 

" ...Those who mourn are lifted to safety." Job 5:11 #

 

Jon-Kely Cassara - The seven-year-old son of Pastors Rob and Elayne Cassara of New Life Christian Fellowship lost his life on Wednesday, August 3rd when he was on a boat ride at an amusement park in Rye, NY. "Jon-Kely was a really nice person and a very good friend. He was always forgiving, and he always accepted your apology if you did something wrong," 7-year-old Eric Straza told about 1,200 people gathered at New Life Christian Fellowship for a Celebration Service on Tuesday night, August 9th. "You were my best friend and you always will be. Thanks for sharing your life with me, and I'm going to miss you," Eric said.

Elayne Cassara said that when she received the news that her 7-year-old son had died, her faith in God was shaken. She said her struggle with grief led her to believe that she did not want to return to the church. "How could I tell you about this God that I believe in when I was going through what I was going through?" As the days wore on, Elayne said she realized that as much as she loved her son, she loved God more and his death could not spell the end of her ministry. Please pray for the Cassaras and their church.

 

Andrew Surace - The 22-year-old son of Pastor Andy Surace of Covenant Life Christian Fellowship, Seaville. NJ, passed away on July 17th. I have ministered for Pastor Andy several times over the past few years. He is associated with NJ FAITH Alliance. Several NJFA leaders attended the funeral service. Pastor Andy gave one of the best messages and appeals that I have ever heard. Over 50 of Andrew's friends had given their lives to the Lord a few nights earlier and Pastor Andy told around 200 of Andrew's other friends at the service that he would have the church cafe open every Thursday night from now on for their benefit. Let's believe that many souls will come into the Kingdom as a result.

 

Pastor Mickey Fuentes - Pastor Mickey was widely known, respected and loved by many, particularly in the Northeast. He, along with his wife Tania, pastored of Love of Jesus Family Church of Union City, NJ. This church was planted out of Love of Jesus Family Church in Orange, NJ, which is pastored by Jason and Gail Alvarez.

 

Pastor Mickey went to be with the Lord on July 7th after complications with his liver. On Monday, July 11th, I attended a wake at the Love of Jesus Family Church in Orange, NJ, which turned out to be a revival service with about 500 in attendance. The funeral was the following day. His wife Tania will continue to pastor the church in Union City.

 

Ruth Lucas - I worked with Brian and Ruth Lucas for many years at the church that is known today as the Hillsong Church, City Campus. They were responsible for a lot of the pastoral care. Several years ago, Brian and Ruth had retired to the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, where they stayed in active ministry at Coastlife Church, pastored by Ian and Yvonne Zerna. Ruth was promoted late last month after a struggle with cancer.

 

City Action Coalition Hosts Renowned Christian Historian David Barton - Rated by Time Magazine as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America, David Barton joined us for a one day conference on Thursday, July 14th at the Empire State Building, NYC and spoke on: “American History in Black and White: The Civil Rights History of the Democratic and Republican Parties”

 

Michel Faulkner, Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church commented, “David Barton’s presentation is a must for every American. The historical significance of the Bible in the founding of our nation cannot be overstated. As an African-American, I was amazed at how much of my history I did not know until I heard David speak and saw some of his historical documents highlighting the important contributions of African-Americans in the founding of our nation.”

David Barton is considered the foremost authority alive today regarding America’s Christian history. Historical revisionists cannot refute him because he owns many of the original documents. He has appeared before the Supreme Court numerous times and is a personal advisor to many of the highest political leaders in America.

 

JULY MINISTRY…

Last month, we were at the following churches and events:

 

Sun, 10th – Gospel Fellowship, Plainsboro NJ, Pastor Margaret Clarke
Mon, 11th - NJ Faith Alliance “Pray-Torian Guard,” Toms River, NJ
Thurs, 14th – CAC Summit with Christian historian, David Barton, Manhattan, NY
Sun, 17th – Harvest Training Center, Cranford NJ, Pastor Clem Salerno
Sun, 17th -Grace Outreach Fellowship 15th Anniversary, Norwalk, CT
Sun, 24th - The Church of Grace And Peace, Toms River NJ, Pastor Walt Healy
Mon, 25 – CAC Northeast Prayer Co-Ordination, at Radio WMCA
Fri, 29th – Leadership Roundtable, Westfield, PA
Sun, 31st - Valley Christian Center, Westfield, PA, Pastor Kurt Heisey
Sun, 31st - Lawrenceville Baptist Church, PA, Pastor Bob Burkett

 

 

 

 

NEWS AND RESOURCES…

 

GospelCom - Sponsored by Gospel Communications International, Gospelcom.net is an alliance of more than 300 Christian organizations, consistently rated as the most-visited Christian website in America. Devotionals, movie reviews, Christian products, evangelism resources.

Guidepost for Kids - Guideposts for Kids is a fun, colorful, fantastic, faith-filled magazine. You'll find a safe spot where kids can go and find sound advice, inspiration and fun. Features include: cool fiction stories with humor, adventure and friendship; challenging puzzles, jokes and crafts; profiles of athletes, entertainers and celebrities that show how faith in God has made a difference for them; and true stories of God at work in kid's lives.

Heartlight - HEARTLIGHT Magazine is a daily Christian electronic publication dedicated to providing resources for living victoriously for Jesus in today's world.

WRBS Christian Radio - Live online broadcast of one of America's leading Christian stations, as well as a wealth of articles, links, resources, etc. to aid you in your walk with Christ.

 

TWO NEW MESSAGES AVAILABLE THROUGH FMI...

 

"A Cause to Live By and to Die For!"

Western culture has become soft and mushy, and the Western Church has become the same. But when we read about Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, Paul or even Jesus challenging authorities such as wayward kings, idolaters or pompous Pharisees, we don't see any of them doling out soft and mushy entreaties, but rather issuing challenging, often scathing indictments of their audience's willful blindness. In an age when everyone has come 'out of the closet,' it's time for the Church to do so too!

"Healing the Hemorrhage of Hell"

Why has soul-winning slowed down so in the West? We all hope to go to Heaven, but an unwritten rule for western preaching has become, ‘don’t mention the ‘H’ word! We don’t want to make potential believers uncomfortable by telling them that if they reject the gospel they will be headed to eternal punishment.’ We leave that in the fine print. The subject of Hell and eternal punishment was very important to Jesus. He taught more about it than He did about Heaven. Heaven has a road, but few travel it; Hell has no gate, but men will dig to get there.
 

Available on DVD, audio CD, and audio cassette. To order, click here

 

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Check Jeff Beacham's schedule at: http://www.firepowerint.com/jeffsitinery.htm 

 

I hope you will seriously consider joining us in this great adventure for Christ!

 

JEFF BEACHAM  
  Pastor / Evangelist
  Firepower Ministries International 
  2 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08753 
  Ph.(732) 349-1550, ext. 205 Fax (732) 286-6311 
  Email: info@firepowerint.com Website: http://www.firepowerint.com 

 

GOD THOUGHTS - "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people." - G. K. Chesterton

REPRINT AGREEMENT: Duplication and re-transmission of original material in this report is permitted provided that complete source and website information is included. 

 

©2005 - THE FMI REPORT IS THE MONTHLY COMMUNICATION OF NEWS FROM FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, THE MINISTRY OF JEFF BEACHAM    top