General

General: Hope for Moldova
May 1st, 2012 7:25 AM

Moldova is officially the poorest country in Europe. The average monthly salary is $70-$100. At the same time, the cost of living is the same as in the Western World. In many areas of the country, people live on just $1 per day.

The country of Moldova is notorious for its abandoned children and homeless elderly, who are left to survive on their own. 

Hope for Moldova serves the needs of destitute street children and the elderly. While providing the hungry with physical bread, they offer them the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. 

As an expansion of the ministry in Greece, AMG is searching for land that will be used as a shelter and soup kitchen for needy children. In addition, this center will be used to train local pastors. Please continue to pray and help us minister to the precious people of Moldova.

If you would like to partner with Hope for Moldova please contact AMG International.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Moldova, Missionary   |  0 Comment(s)

General: The Tabernacle
April 30th, 2012 7:30 AM

Have you ever imagined what it would be like inside the Tabernacle? 

Known for his stunning biblical 3-D images and videos, Eric J. Bouchoc has begun work on what he is calling The Restoration Project (TRP). TRP is an all-encompassing effort to bring the Holy Scriptures alive in a new way. Through cutting edge digital art and imagery, he seeks to convey the moods and emotions of passages in the Word of God.

Tabernacle Video

The first book in this project is entitled The Tabernacle. Allow God to present you with the experience…hear the sounds, smell the smells, feel the warmth on your face and see what may have been. Mentally walk where they walked. In the end, present yourself as a living sacrifice to your maker who simply wants to spend time with you. The tabernacle was made so that God could dwell among his people. Today, we no longer need the physical tabernacle. He has promised to live inside us as His holy dwelling place to those who live for His son Jesus. Won’t you allow this book to be a vessel for a deeper relationship with your maker?

AMG Publishers Website

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in AMG Publishers   |  0 Comment(s)

General: An Unknown Journey
April 16th, 2012 7:30 AM

Don Foster first fell in love with the people of India on a cultural exchange trip with his oldest daughter.  On the trip, they traveled to a small village in West Bengal. Children came to meet them and responded with unusual openness. Don felt the Lord leading him to minister to children and families in Northern India.

Don went to India last year with the vision of building a school in Orissa for children coming from leprosy families. In India, these children are not permitted to go to public school. Don is seeking to provide these needy children with a much deserved education.

However, the path to seeing this vision fulfilled has taken many twists and turns. Don put it this way, “I feel like Abraham, going out and not knowing exactly where I am going.” 

Last year, God opened a door for Don to teach at the Karunya University in southern India. The university wanted him to help them with curriculum design and spiritual environment on the campus. Even though this was not the direct path Don intended, he became excited about ministering to college students. He agreed to help the university. 

Karunya University has about 7000 students with 20% being Hindu and 10% Muslim. Don has already had many opportunities to share his faith through his connection with this university. What an opportunity!

Don’s involvement at the university has opened more doors for the school in Orissa. Also, he has learned to seek God’s leadership as he ministers at Karunya University.  

Pray for Don as he ministers in India. Pray for strength, guidance, direction, wisdom, and grace as he serves. 

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in India, Missionary   |  0 Comment(s)

General: "The Just Shall Live by Faith"
March 7th, 2012 7:30 AM

 AMG Missionary in Italy, Larry Lowery had the privilege of working as a missions counselor during the second Mission-net Congress in Erfurt, Germany from December 27-January 3, 2012. He shares more about this exciting event:

“The Mission-net Congress is a special event to unify the multi-national body of Christ in Europe to bring revival to this continent. Nearly 3000 attended this event. Its focus is on the new generation of European youth, but through the insight of the organizers they also assemble a host of wise and experienced evangelical pastors, missionaries, and lay workers to disciple and mentor.

The Congress was hosted by the city of Erfurt, Germany which was also an unique choice in that the great reformer, Martin Luther, was assigned to the Erfurt monastery in his early years as a monk. It was there that for nine years he poured himself into the study of the sacred scriptures. Erfurt was the place where God, through His Spirit, revealed to Luther many great truths, particularly that “the just shall live by faith”. The city of Erfurt proved to be an excellent setting for the heartbeat of the church to rekindle the fires of revival.

I attended the congress with Don Grant, a friend and mission counsel member from my home church. We were given the assignment of counseling at the Oasis Counseling Center. This was an area where many young people would come to talk about serving the Lord in world evangelism, deepen their understanding of spiritual gifting, and seeking the Lord's will through intercessory prayer.

Don Grant and Larry Lowery (Right)

During the Congress, the Oasis Center dealt with some 1300 young people. We put in 12 hour days and left the congress center each day exhausted, but it was worth every minute of it. Don and I were both amazed at the sincerity and desire of the young people to glorify the Lord with their lives of service. The Lord moved in hearts in various ways and it was clear that He changed many lives during the seven days in Erfurt."

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Missionary, Larry Lowery   |  0 Comment(s)

General: A New Season in Cyprus
March 5th, 2012 8:55 AM

Stathis and Carolynn Argyrides in Cyprus faithfully serve the Lord.  Pray for Cyprus and the Argyrides’ family.

In the News:  Even though Cyprus looks like a dot on a map at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, there are many concerning issues happening on the island.  Since the massive explosion last July that left the main power station completely destroyed, and took the lives of 13 naval officers and soldiers, the country of Cyprus has not been the same.  The economic situation is becoming like Greece, with thousands of Cypriots unemployed, and hundreds of businesses closing down.  On a more positive thought, oil has been discovered under the sea between Israel and Cyprus, and a drilling rig is already in place to start bringing it to the surface. Turkey, however, wants “a piece of the pie” and is making disturbing advances with its military power.

Women’s ministry: This is a new ‘season’ in the women’s ministry as the Lord is bringing women in Carolynn’s path who are victims of Human Trafficking and other abuses, who need to experience God’s love in practical ways. Carolynn is presently working with Marlyse, who is a victim of Human Trafficking from the French speaking part of Camaroon.  She is being treated in Cyprus for positive HIV/AIDS and is being allowed to stay for several months on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment. Some churches and individuals donated funds so Marlyse could have warm clothes and shoes.

Marlyse receiving much needed shoes.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Cyprus, Missionary   |  0 Comment(s)

General: Well Done!
January 19th, 2012 7:34 AM

We are privileged that many of AMG sponsors consider us family. When one sponsor, Mrs. Crawford passed away in 2011, her daughter felt compelled to share her testimony with us. Here is Mrs. Julie Crawford’s uplifting testimony.

Julie’s childhood was not easy as the daughter of immigrants living during the great depression. Her parents worked long, hard hours to support the family. Resolved to support herself, Julie finished college and began a career as an elementary school teacher. Her life was full of activity -teaching during the week and enjoying many athletic activities in her free time. Yet somehow in the midst of all that activity, she felt a profound sense of emptiness.

Her life completely changed when she met Joseph Crawford (her future husband). A recent immigrant from Scotland, Joseph and Julie started dating. However, Julie soon became upset with him because she was "tired of being preached at." She was especially offended by the comments that her own goodness and morality were not sufficient to earn eternal life.

Disgusted, Julie decided to read the Bible and listen to more Bible teaching without Joseph's input. After about three years of listening, questioning, and real internal turmoil, she became convinced that salvation is indeed a free gift of GOD. "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…" (Titus 3:5). GOD worked in her heart to open her eyes to the Gospel and give her the gift of salvation.

Soon after that, Joseph and Julie got married. They had two daughter, Irene and Elizabeth. Tragically, on June 28, 1986, Joseph passed away suddenly with a massive heart attack.

It is impossible to put into words the impact that her husband’s passing had upon Julie. She lost her sister and her mother soon after this. While these circumstances were extremely difficult, it is a testimony to the grace of GOD in the midst of personal struggle. She persisted to faithfully raise her two teenage daughters.

Julie’s life was characterized by giving to others. Only in eternity will we find out about her many acts of kindness. The people she prayed for nearly every single day or the students she helped after school. Even in her final days on earth, struggling to just breathe decently and endure the pain, I would hear her whispering voice cry out to GOD for the needs of others.

One of the aspects of heaven that Julie most deeply longed for is the promised freedom from the daily battle against sin. She longed to be able to enjoy sweet, unhindered fellowship with the SAVIOR for all eternity. As long as we are in these bodies, we face the reality of how far short the way we live our daily lives falls from the holiness to which GOD has called us.

And this is Julie’s desire for each one of you! The apostle John stated-"These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the SON of GOD, in order that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST Whom You have sent" (John 17:3).

Please -take out a Bible and start reading the Gospel of John. Ask God to reveal to you the truth of salvation that is in JESUS CHRIST alone. JESUS warned -"Not everyone who says to Me -'Lord, Lord' -will enter the kingdom of heaven..." (Matthew 7:21). He also warned -"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Our acts of religion cannot save, our most noble deeds cannot save, JESUS combined with any of the above cannot save. JESUS -and He alone -can save!

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in General   |  0 Comment(s)

General: What A Blessing
January 17th, 2012 7:35 AM

Established in 1968, by Dr. S. John David, AMG India International ministers to the poor and needy. Through AMG’s ministry, thousands of people have rebuilt their families and improved their financial status. AMG seeks to bring joy and happiness into the lives of children, the elderly, leprosy and TB patients, the blind person, children of Poliand others.

During November 2011, First Baptist Church Atlanta sent Rev. Peter Urdanick in partnership with AMG International to teach Pastors, Lay-leaders, and Seminary Students in India “the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Experiential Reality of Living Life ‘in Christ’ all to the glory of God,” explains Rev. Peter. The purpose of the trip was to “teach biblical truths and Exchanged Life Principles to over 1,000 church leaders, who will then have the responsibility to disciple their congregations and the extended community in foundational, Scriptural truths of Life in Christ,” Rev. Peter clarifies. AMG missionary, Pat Ragan, noted that the attendees had “never heard this message before. We left them with material that will be multiplied and is transferrable to their culture. It is the most effective training I have ever been a part of because of that.” Despite the differences in the cultures, Rev. Peter felt “the barriers go down. I felt so comfortable there. Even with the poverty and spiritual darkness, we had fellowship in the Lord. I have family there now, just as I have family at FBA. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Even when we said goodbye, we knew we would be together again.”

While visiting the Valley of Love, an AMG leper colony, Rev. Peter felt drawn to “touch everyone I could, to pray for them.” These people, deemed untouchable by their society, “still smiled at me, shook my hand, and embraced me.” Throughout his time in India, Rev. Peter witnessed countless unforgettable moments, such as “the colors, the children, the people, and the poor souls afflicted with leprosy.” One leper was unable to stretch out his legs, incapable of moving around. Rev. Peter watched as this man was equipped with a bicycle controlled by his arms. He watched this man, who had been stuck on the ground, transform as he regained a form of his independence and dignity, looking at people eye-to-eye. After his experience, Rev. Peter urges everyone to “go on a mission trip, and go on one that is not comfortable. You will grow in Christ and rely on Him in a way you have not before.” Rev. Peter and Pat Ragan were both struck by the humility and sacrifice of those who attended the conference. “They sat there, hour after hour, cross-legged on the hardwood floor, still engaged with me. They just wanted to hear the truth,” Rev. Peter recalled, “what a blessing.”

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in India, Leprosy, Pastors Training   |  1 Comment(s)

General: Meet the Bloggers
March 28th, 2011 6:59 AM

Karen Farney

I am the youngest worker at the AMG home office and I am currently on my 3^rd year serving at AMG.  I came to AMG to work with the Child Sponsorship team…I love being involved in children’s and sponsors’ lives being changed for Christ! 

Ever since I started at AMG the verse Colossians 1:6 has really come to light for me, ^“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”  That is what is happening all over the world through the ministry of AMG and it is very exciting to see and hear what God is doing!  I hope this blog brings you to the front lines of people’s lives being changed for eternity. 

Stephanie Pickard

I love the verse that says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us…” (Acts 17:24-28).

What a tremendous thought that God placed us in a particular place and time for a purpose!  It is no accident that I began working at AMG in the child sponsorship ministry three years ago.  I love to help young people receive an education and learn to know Christ personally. 

From national leaders… to individuals, families and entire communities who come to know Christ through their labor… we share their stories.  May these stories show how God uses ordinary people to advance His kingdom and change lives for eternity!

So, tell us…what do you want to see discussed on this Blog?

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