SUMMER 2004

Dear Friends,

Many of you know that we had planned a mission’s trip to Utah this summer but, because of various obstacles, our trip was cancelled. Initially, I was disappointed with the turn of events; however, the Lord had other plans! As it turned out, Paul Carden (who used to co-host CRI’s “Bible Answer Man” broadcast and is the founder of the Centers for Apologetics Research headquartered in California) came to Colorado Springs for a mini counter-cult conference the same weekend that we would have been in Utah. Since that trip had been cancelled, I had the opportunity to co-teach with Paul in the counter-cult conference, and we were able to discuss ways our ministries can work together to reach people in other countries. What a “God incident” – He turned my disappointment to joy!

Days before our April support group meeting for former Jehovah’s Witnesses, we received a call concerning Dave and his wife Diane who have been associated with the Watchtower organization for 27 years. Disillusioned by the hypocritical behavior they encountered in the religion, Dave started studying the Bible apart from Watchtower literature and began to investigate its history. The results of his findings proved conclusively that the Watchtower could not be God’s organization.

Dave is now ready to leave this religion, but Diane and their adopted Russian daughter Katia remain involved to some extent. This has caused tremendous tension in their household. While Dave has come to accept the person and work of Jesus Christ and has stood against pressure to return to the organization, Diane remains on the sidelines, observing the changes in Dave, watching his reception into Christian circles and studying Dave’s research notes along with frequent (sometimes heated) discussions. The stakes are high as they have friends and family involved in the Watchtower. Even though Daniel (their grown son) left this religion in his teenage years, he has rejected God and spiritual things altogether. Much prayer is needed not only for them, and their family, but for the friends they are trying to reach on their way out.

Several seminars are taking place this summer to equip Christians to reach out to their friends in the cults, but the most exciting training event occurred when five LDS (Mormon) missionaries attended a couple of the Mormonism sessions. They were attempting to persuade a teenage youth (Amber) to join the Mormon Church. Amber is still struggling in her decision to follow Christ rather than Mormonism. Prayer is needed not only for her salvation but for the five LDS missionaries who came—especially one elder who I sense the Lord is drawing. He is a recent convert to the LDS Church and none of his family is involved. He was on the last week of his two-year mission when I met him again, a month later, through a completely different set of circumstances. We didn’t have time to talk then, but he admitted that he still has our information. May the Holy Spirit continue to work in his heart!

MINISTRY NEEDS:

Many of you know that in March we received our non-profit status from the IRS. As a result, I have been fundraising in order to cover expenses and to go full-time in this work. Because the demands of the ministry have increased greatly, I am only able to work 10 hours per week at my other job. Currently, we have 48% of the monthly budget raised, so we would greatly appreciate your prayers and financial support. Many thanks!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Dave’s Christian growth and fellowship.
2. Salvation for Diane, Katia and Daniel.
3. Christian growth for ex-JW Bob and salvation for his teenage boys Bobby and Danny.
4. Ex-JW Kevin’s growth in the Lord and direction for his son Mark.
5. Salvation for the Mormon elders who attended our seminar and for Amber.
6. Wisdom, guidance, discernment, provision and protection for me (Christy) in ministry and that I would trust the Lord completely in all things.
   

In His Grace,

Christy Harvey
Director of Witnesses for Jesus Inc.

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