General Ministries: Greek Friday
February 3rd, 2012

There are at least three challenges we all face in Greece this week:  

First the dramatic negotiations with the loan givers of Greece primarily from the private sector in order to save our bank system.

Second the severe weather, very strong cold, which made the lives of 20,000 homeless very tragic and the millions of people who cannot afford to buy heating oil more dramatic.

Third the attempt of the government to pass a special amendment in order to release from prison thousands of criminals –thank the Lord did not pass- in order to make space to “accommodate” people who own big amounts of money from taxes!

The atmosphere in the market place is rather depressing as firing of employees is a daily routine and the cutoff of salaries is drastic in all levels. There are millions of people who really face challenges without being unemployed. On the other hand we do not see any decrease on prices either on grocery stores or in the gas stations. There is a huge wave against politicians from every party.

Especially I would like to ask you to pray this week:

• For God’s peace on the hearts of the people so we may not have social uprisings.
• For all those among our churches who care for the homeless and the unemployed offering daily meals and other services.
• For the Greek government as they face the most difficult and severe moments in our history since the Modern Greek independence in 1821.
• For the pastors and teachers of Greek churches who have the responsibility to share the truth in love encouraging people from the Word of God.
• For our first full semester at the International Center of New Testament Studies, Spiros Zodhiates. A wonderful class has started our first full semester journey coming from Spring Arbor University in MI.
• Pray for traveling mercies for my coming up trip to the USA this coming week.

We are very grateful for God’s presence in our midst. He may allow us to go through this tragic crisis in order to increase our faith and dependence on Him.

Till next time.

Fotis Romeos

"Rejoice in the Lord always…" Phil 4:4

Posted by Karen Farney in Greece   |  0 Comment(s)

Mission Trips: Join Us on an Adventure!
February 2nd, 2012

What are you going to do this year?  Join an AMG Mission Adventure team and be used by God and forever changed.  A Mission Adventure will provide you with incredible experiences and give you opportunities for personal and spiritual growth as you partner in ministry with AMG missionaries and national workers around the world. 

Here are this year’s opportunities for you to go deeper in your relationship with Christ by serving overseas:

Peru – Children’s Ministry – May 25-June 4

Join what God is doing through AMG in Peru by spending a week sharing the love of Christ with sponsored children at the two AMG Childcare Centers located in the slums of Lima, Peru.  The team will also provide much needed maintenance at the centers and minister to the children’s families through home visitation, etc.  Team members will also have the privilege of encouraging the Apon family, who oversee AMG’s childcare ministry in Lima.

Approximate Cost: $1850 – Only 9 Spots Left!

Greece – Evangelism and Camping Ministry – July 8-21

Spend two weeks ministering in Greece alongside our national workers.  During the first week the team will be working with the youth at Above the Street Evangelical Church in Larisa, Greece.  There the team will be involved in outdoor evangelistic skits, songs, testimonies, and engaging people in conversations concerning the gospel.  The second week the team will conduct a three day children’s camp at the AMG Cosmovision Center in Athens for Polish refugee children.  Also, the team will tour ancient Corinth and Athens to learn more about how these two cities influenced the writing of the New Testament.  

Approximate Cost: $3400

 Uganda –Medical & Children’s Ministry – August

Visit Uganda where you will encourage our national workers, love on our sponsored children, and share Christ with Ugandans.  This team will be involved in medical ministry at AMG Medical Clinics, visiting AMG Childcare Centers, home visits of AMG sponsored children, working at Upendo Christian Academy (AMG orphanage and school),  and serving our brothers and sisters in any way possible in the name of Christ.

Approximate Cost: $3200

Argentina – Construction & Evangelism – October 20-30

Serve alongside AMG National Worker, Pastor Jorge Ovando.  This team will help with the construction of second floor classrooms over Pastor Ovando’s church, paint the school building, be involved in street evangelism, participate in local church services, home visitation, and encourage Pastor Ovando and his ministry.

Approximate Cost: $2900

Peru – Bundles of Love – December 1-10

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $2000

Guatemala – Bundles of Love – December 1-8

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $1500

Interested? Here are a few things to know:

1.) Team size is limited for most trips.  This means that teams are established on a “first come, first served” basis. 

2.) Trip costs shown are the responsibility of each team member.  These costs are approximated and are subject to change based on actual purchase date of airline tickets, etc.  These are, however, a good working estimate based on past experience and current airfares.

3.) Your $100 deposit, completed application, and airfare payment are due 60 days prior to date of departure.  Your deposit is non-refundable.  Final payment in full is due 30 days prior to date of departure, unless other arrangements have been made.

4.) Accommodations for trips will be comfortable and clean.  Team members will be staying in hotels or AMG housing during their trip.

Email Pete LaFakis or Ken Ivins if you would like more information about any of these trips or the ministry of AMG Mission Adventures.  Or give us a call toll free at 1.800.251.7206 and ask for Mission Adventures.  We hope to see you on the mission field!

Posted by Karen Farney in Mission Adventures   |  0 Comment(s)

General Ministries: Disciple Magazine
February 1st, 2012

Did you know that AMG now offers the Disciple Magazine free?  Disciple Magazine is an e-magazine with the goal of making disciples of Jesus.  Twice a month Disciple Magazine puts out new relevant articles to help anyone deepen their faith in Christ. Here are the most recent articles:

The Gospel in an Abortion Culture by Russell Moore

Engage in Culture if You Dare, Pastor by Joe McKeever

Increasing or Decreasing? By Justin Lonas

Exegetically Speaking Matthew 25:1-7 by Spiros Zodhiates

Living out the Living Word 1 Timothy 2:1-7 by Justin Lonas

Points to Ponder by David Olford

Counselor’s Corner by James Rudy Gray

Church Builders H.G. Underwood: Pioneer Missionary in Korea by Bernard DeRemer

The Story behind the Song: This is the Day By Lindsay Terry

Posted by Karen Farney in Disciple Magazine   |  0 Comment(s)

Child Sponsorship: Family
January 31st, 2012

Hope of Hope Orphanage in the Philippines provides a loving family environment for orphaned, abandoned, neglected and abused children.  There are 44 sponsored children at the orphanage. 

Children who are living at the orphanage grow both physically and spiritually. Many of them come to Home of Hope extremely thin and malnourished, but soon they look healthy. Best of all, they are receiving the love and acceptance which they never had before coming to the orphanage.

One young man, Vincent, came to the orphanage when he was three years old.  After his mother passed away there were no other family members who could care for him. Vincent found a loving family at Home of Hope. “The staff of Home of Hope has lovingly cared for me and disciplined me. I am very thankful to God for giving me new life... a life that will never end.” 

Please pray for Home of Hope.  Pray for God’s daily provision, protection, and good health for the children and staff.  Pray for the dedication and wisdom for the staff and the need of one additional social worker.  We are grateful for the Lord’s provision for this orphanage.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Home of Hope, Child Sponsorships   |  0 Comment(s)

Mission Trips: The Word, Not the World
January 30th, 2012

On January 7, a team of 8 Americans arrived in Uganda ready to begin two weeks of ministry with AMG. The first full week was spent putting on a camp for AMG sponsored youth ranging in age from 15-20. This camp was unlike any other in the past as it was planned, organized, and executed by AMG Uganda alumni. These are adults, some of whom are studying at the University, that have graduated from the AMG program and have decided to step up and help children just like they were once helped.

The US and alumni teams met together Monday afternoon at Upendo Christian School, and from then on they formed one team with one focus – that the students would leave knowing Christ more than when they came. The camp, which ran for 4 days, included time for preaching the Word, small group Bible Studies, games, and time for the team to interact with the students. 

The theme for the week was The Word, Not the World, and focused on passages from the book of Romans. Each small group discussed how it might look to live a life grounded in the Word of God and set apart from the world. 
On Wednesday evening, they held a Dedication Night which included a camp fire and praise music. After hearing the preachers during the day and testimonies from the team members, the students were given an opportunity to dedicate their lives to Christ. There were 12 students who gave their lives to Christ for the first time, and 8 who rededicated their lives to Him.

One afternoon, a girl named Leilah shared how much the camp meant to her. She said, “I praise God for the youth camp because I come from a Muslim family and when I am here I can worship and pray freely.” It was a week filled with both joy and tears. By the last night, no one was ready to leave. But eventually it came to an end, and it was time to send the students back to their respective homes. Our prayer is that they will not only remember what they learned, but also live it out every day.

Written by: Alyson Houser

Posted by Karen Farney in Uganda, Child Sponsorships, Mission Adventures, Camping Ministry   |  0 Comment(s)