God So Loved The World
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
NIU UBF July 2008 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8/1/08
John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." We all know this verse. Billions have memorized it. But do the truths of this famous verse move our hearts as it should? God sent Jesus to this world to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. He was raised to set us free from the power of death and give us a living hope in the kingdom of God. Are our hearts moved, or do we say, "Oh yah. I knew that already"? The month of July was a month where Jesus challenged our cold hearts to be moved once again by the love of God. Through the preparation for the Purdue '08 conference, and the conference itself, God has opened our eyes to see the fruit of his precious gospel, world wide. Through the conference we were reconciled to God by his great and unconditional love. Our hearts were enlivened and made responsive to the fact that Jesus died for us. Now we must live for him. Let's see…
Part l: God's Work Among Our People
I thank God for Tim's spiritual growth. God has been helping Tim S. in his studies. In the June, we rejoiced that he received the official letter that he could continue with his studies in electrical engineering without probation. This month, the fruit of Tim's repentance was shown. He took two classes during the summer. In his midterm exams, he received two A's. He has been more focused on God's mission, which includes school studies and shepherd life. He has been weaning himself off of fruitless things and God has been blessing him. Tim faithfully served Josh W. with 1:1 Bible study until Josh reached Genesis 15. Now Josh left to go to Florida in order to complete his studies. Tim went for lunch with Josh and his fiancé. We pray for Josh to teach the Bible to one person on his campus in Florida.
This month was a month of personal revelation for Andy. He has been faithful in keeping up with Sunday Service and 1:1 Bible study. But a dark shadow continually loomed over his head. Through Bible study, this month, he is accepting, for the first time, that all of his troubles stem from a spiritual problem in his heart, that can only be solved in Jesus. His prayers to Jesus have been becoming more and more sincere, even asking Jesus to save him from his sins. Jesus is very happy to hear and answer such prayers. I pray that he may tackle a new semester of studies with a changed attitude and focused life style. May God bring true joy and spiritual strength to Andy's life. May Andy make a spiritual breakthrough in his life.
In this month, Trish and Camilo were married. Trish is a nurse and has been Julie's Bible student over the last couple years. She was dating Camilo. They got married and invited our family to come and to bless their wedding. It is blending of two cultures, Trish is a white, middle class small town girl. Camillo is from Guatemala. At the reception I decided to practice what I learned from Jesus by crossing cultural and language barriers and mingling with the Guatemalans. We could make friends and bless Trish and Camilo and Julie even found one Bible student, a teacher from Sycamore, Amanda Z. Amanda has been taking steps to find a mentor and God sent Julie at just the right time.
I am proud of my son Augustine (Age 11.5). He went on his paper route and discovered an elderly woman fallen on her porch. He got help for her. He was interviewed by the local newspaper. I thank God that he was a blessing to the community. He is preparing to go to Washington DC, August 2, with the CYLC, "Congressional Youth Leadership Council" programs. We pray that he may learn leadership, US history and have a glimpse of his role in this nation's history. God has been training him through his involvement in singspiration, leading daily bread meetings and keeping a prayer meeting at his middle school with his sister Jennifer. May Augustine be a shepherd for his generation.
Kathleen H continued to prayer for HHH, "Health, heart, home". She prays for health to do what she must do. She prays to keep her heart devoted to Jesus. She prays to move into a new apartment, clearing out her present home due to the mortgage crisis. We thank God for Kathleen, especially for her faithful attendance to our family's daily bread meetings to come and pray. She also invites her neighbors to study the Bible with her. One neighbor said to her, "Bible study? Why do I need Bible study?" Despite rejection she still tries to reach out. May God grant her strength to move into her new apartment and wisdom to lead her children to Jesus.
This month the three older kids went to the Baptist day camp at Walker's Farm. It was a week long event with an emphasis on missions. They raised money to feed imprisoned women in Lebanon. Jennifer also started volunteering at Kishwaukee Hospital. May she learn the servantship of Jesus. Through this.
Part ll: Purdue '08 International Summer Conference
The Purdue '08 International Summer Conference was held at the beautiful Purdue University from July 24-27, 2008. God blessed us so much! He sent 3,200 people, of which 1,100 were from 88 other countries. This conference was a rare historical event, showcasing the work of God on college campus' around the world. We all could find some way to participate in this amazing work of God.
God sent 12 members through our NIU ministry. Our three oldest children came, Jennifer (14), Augustine (12) and Sarah (11). They were so happy to come. This is their first international conference. God was preparing their hearts through our weekly "World Mission Night", where they read about the mission work in other lands. They were happy to sing their special song at the one early morning devotional meeting. They sang "Amazing love." Jennifer was even a good shepherd to Emily D., a 16 year old daughter of Kathleen. They were room mates. I pray for my kids to be second generation shepherds who can lead their generation to Jesus.
Julie gave her whole heart to conference registration ministry. The whole year had been in preparation for the conference. But things became intense during the month of July. Serving conference registration is her joy of life. She came to the university early on Monday morning to help set up the offices and to meet early arrivals. She spent much of her time in the armory building overseeing the office and solving one problem after another. I thank God that she could be a blessing to all of our co-workers. May God continue to build her capacity to serve the work of God throughout her lifetime.
Andy came to conference, not knowing what to expect. I knew it was not going to be easy for Andy. He is a loner. He also has a habit of watching movies until 4 am. I thought that he could never be able to keep up with the hectic schedule. But the spirit of God animated his spirit. He got up for daily bread meetings. He attended every program. He even went to his small group meetings by himself and participated. Through the conference, God helped him to see himself and to experience to love of God personally. God is helping him to not blame people that have wronged him in the past. He knows that he needs to forgive others. I pray that Andy may continue to grow in the word of God and be healed in his inner person.
Tim was blessed so much through conference. He gave his heart to preparing for Purdue '08. He was chosen to lead a small group. He also was the presider for my message on Sunday morning. He gave his heart in everything he did. In past conferences he used to lead 50 people in group games, like "Mafia" until 5 am. But this conference he went to bed at a time that he could be fully awake to serve. Andy S. was also his room mate. Tim made special effort to care for Andy and also his friend Jason. Tim was so happy and eager to serve every task that Jesus brought before him. Tim experienced a special blessing by seeing Chris and Maria Sagel and his nephew John Sagel. It was a family reunion. He prays for some missionary direction after his graduation from NIU.
Kathleen H. was tempted to not come to Purdue '08 because the date to move out of her house was July 27. But she kept her eyes focused on Jesus and not on her problems and she came to Purdue '08. She came and brought her daughter Emily with her. Kathleen also has a hard time walking long distances but she walked to the various meetings joyfully. She felt at home with younger students and gave her heart to participating in the program.
Emily D. is Kathleen's youngest child. Emily is a quiet girl of 16 years, with a gentle spirit. She needs a lot of healing in her heart and God has been working patiently with her to bring about that healing. Emily overcame a lot to come to the conference. She does not like crowds. But she came knowing that there would be over 3,200 people. She was able to leave the side of her boyfriend, Nick, to come. She also was happy to be the room mate of my daughter Jennifer. Emily studies on and off with my wife Julie. We pray that she may be completely healed in her heart and that she may give her life to Jesus. May she be a source of blessing to her generation of young Americans.
Janice T. came. It has been over a year since she moved out of our house. Many things have happened in her life. But God has been working faithfully in her heart and she was moved to come to Purdue '08, even by herself. She spent some quality time with Julie, served in the registration office and even as an usher at times. I pray that she may restore her 1:1 Bible study and grow as a shepherdess and lead others to Jesus.
Trish and Camilo just came back from their honeymoon and came to Purdue '08. They wanted to start their married life off with the word of God. Trish and Camilo just came back from their honeymoon and came to Purdue '08. They wanted to start their married life off with the word of God. They were very happy. Trish even answered the altar call to be a missionary in the future. May God help them to grow as a Jesus centered house church.
I thank God for the blessings that he has bestowed upon me at this conference. At first I did not know the role that I would play, but God gave me three missions. I could serve as an usher and greeter at many of the meetings. I was a group leader, leading about 9 people in Bible study and testimony writing. I could also co-work with Dr. Allen Wolff in delivering the devotional message on Mark 16:1-11 on Sunday morning. My conference was filled with mission and preaching the word of God. I can not but thank God for his grace on this sinner.
I thank God for my small group. We had 9 people in our group; Analucia G. (El Camino UBF USA), Missionary Daniel Choi (Toledo UBF USA), General Kim (Youljun UBF S. Korea), Kathleen H. (NIU UBF USA), Maria Tang (Hong Kong UBF), Marianne P. (El Camino UBF USA), and Missionary Ruth Kim (Washington UBF USA). All the members were so sincere towards Jesus and the gospel. I thank God for the privilege to lead this diverse group of Christians.
Part lll: Post Conference Blessings
We had a post conference blessing. The Team from Hong Kong was visiting our Triton UBF center. Pastor Teddy invited us to come and help in hosting them. What a blessing this was. My four youngest kids and myself could meet with over 40 people from Hong Kong, (led by Msn Mark Kim), Moses and Iris Margi from Sudan, Msn Peter Park from Lagos Nigeria, and Msn Chris and Maria Sagel ( and son John) from South Korea, as well as several other people. I could MC the event. We could hear all of their personal testimonies about Purdue '08. The Jesmer kids could sing two songs. We could watch a power point on NIU ministry. We could share prayer topics for Triton, NIU and Hong Kong UBF. We ate watermelon, Klondike ice cream bars and drank water and exchanged gifts. It was small taste of heaven.
Part lV: The Facts
Now is the time to respond to the love of Jesus. We need to reach out to others with the gospel. Our fellowship needs to grow in quantity and quality. Currently we need knew Bible students. Julie leads the pack in 1:1 Bible studies. I pray that God may lead me to 12 students to study wit this semester. Tim prays for two concurrent Bible students. I pray for my kids to make a break through and teach the Bible to their non-Christian friends. Continue to pray for our Acts study and for God to send 20 regular Sunday worshippers and to establish 30 1:1 Bible studies per week. Pray for all of our co-workers to go our fishing students for Jesus at least three times a week.
One word: Tell others about the love of Jesus!
God Has Been Preparing Our Hearts For Purdue '08
June 2008 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
Deuteronomy 16:16-17, "Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you."
God commanded his people to meet at the Temple in Jerusalem, at least three times a year, in order to remember his grace. They were to prepare their hearts to go to these week long festivals. They had to set aside money's or other items of value as offerings to God. They also had to take time off of work and reschedule their lives in order to attend these celebrations. It took much preparation for a family to go. But they did. They prepared the necessary material things, but more importantly they prepared their hearts. In the month of June, God has been preparing our hearts for the upcoming Purdue '08 International Summer Conference. It is one month away and much work has to be done. God helped us to register, 13 people thus far, to the conference. With the conference fast approaching, God is forming among us a core group of members that are co-working with my family to preach the Gospel at NIU.
Part 1: God Is Maturing Our Members
God helped us to have a fishing spirit. It is becoming clearly evident, that we will not be able to raise up 12 disciples…then we will have to go fishing. There is no other way. I thank God for Tim's and my children's willingness to go fishing. Our prayer topic to go fishing three times a week, faithfully. I envision Tim leading a fishing team and myself leading a team. I also pray that Tim may be able to boldly go fishing by himself.
In June Sarah (grade 5) gave her heart to a school drama (Monster in the Closet) She was so excited. Her excitement gave me a vision that NIU may be able to produce a Christian drama. I have a script called, "Friend of God" by Kathy Covert. It is about Hudson Taylor in China. It has been a 20 year dream of mine to reproduce it. I pray that we may produce this drama and offer it to the Christian community. Sarah also had an accident on a trampoline. She cracked two ribs in the 6/19. But she is such a strong spirited girl that she continued to serve God. (She is just like her mother.) Nothing seems to stop her. She reached out to her school friends, by inviting them to a grad party at our home. We pray that she may continually take the lead in bringing her friends to Jesus.
Some outreach activities we did was a trip to Morton Arboretum in Lisle, a trip to Midway Village in Rockford, a middle school graduation ceremony at Triton UBF, a fifth grade graduation party at our house and the community "Movie In The Park" .
Kathleen H. decided to stay in DeKalb in order to participate in God's ministry. She was thinking of moving to a southern state because of family matters. But she decided to stay in DeKalb. This is great news because she has become a constant encouragement at our family daily bread meetings. She can also bring her 16 year old daughter, Emily to church and Bible study. We also pray for Nick, 18 years old, that he may begin 1:1 Bible study. She prays that she may clear her home of personal belongings to move into an apartment by the end of July. This is big cross for her. We pray that this may not stop her from coming to Purdue '08 with her daughter.
Tim S. made several decisions of faith this month. He could have went back to Chicago to walk dogs for a few weeks and made some money for Fall expenses. But he stayed in DeKalb to attend summer school and to serve the summer ministry. He also received a letter from NIU saying that he can continue in his electrical engineering studies. He registered for his classes and has committed himself to studying hard. We pray for him to get A marks. He also accepted the challenge to be a group leader at the upcoming Purdue '08 conference. He is giving his heart to studying with Josh W. They are making progress in Genesis Bible study. Tim prays to have two concurrent Bible students.
The kids are continually offering up their music for glory of God. Jen and Augustine have been practicing bass and electric guitar. This month they have started to incorporate it in the singspiration time. Sarah, Hope and Mark are growing in piano. Tim, Augustine, Sarah and Jennifer are growing in as a singspiration team. God is blessing their efforts.
We attended a middle school graduation ceremony at Triton UBF in 6/14/08. There Christa Pitts and Jennifer Jesmer were honored as graduates. Christ invited many of her school friends. She is reaching out to others. They both shared inspiring testimonies. Jennifer prays to be a blessing at the Christian Club, "God's Athlete's" in highschool, to be a good influence to others, to be diligent in Bible study and teaching, to serve God's plan in her life.
Much of this month was dedicated to preparation for Purdue '08. Most of the preparation was on Julie's part, but the children have also agreed to offer their mother to the work of God. Julie's joy is to give her heart to registration and office work. She has always known that her gift is the gift of administration. But she is learning, more specifically, that she is being called to religious conference organization. She prays to get her certification in this area. This month was filled with conference calls, e-mail responses, and meetings. She went to meeting at Purdue campus. We pray that she may develop her talents for the glory of God and bear much fruit for his glory. God has helped Julie to work at home once a week. Because of the increased gas prices, her boss agreed. This can open up more time to serve God's ministry, especially the Purdue '08 preparation due to reduced travel time. We thank God for her job at MKS.
Part ll: Practical Matters
This month we decided newly to pray for our daily bread times to grow in quality and quantity. We began to have a goal for two sharers every morning. We also have become more earnest in our prayers to build up the fishing ministry. Our prayer is to go fishing three times a week and for the kids to join us on fishing trips. We have not got to this point. Please pray for is. The stats for this month have remained fairly static. We averaged about 10-12 Sunday attendants each week with about 11-14 - 1:1 Bible studies per week. Many of these are attributed to Julie sharing the Gospel wherever she can, be it work or home or on the internet. We thank God for her faith. We also thank God for your prayers for this ministry.
Prophesy, Dream Dreams And See Visions
May 2008 Mission Report by Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
Key Verse 2:28-29, May 2008
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
In the book of Joel we learned that even though we may be going through incredibly hard times and suffering greatly, the way to restoration is in Jesus. In response to any difficult time we must respond with repentance and faith. We need to rend our hearts and cry out to Jesus. Then he will restore our lives and especially our spiritual lives. He will fill our hearts with his Spirit. Then we can see visions and dreams of the kingdom of heaven and for God's work to be done on earth. We can be used to give God's word the young people of our generation…in ways that will communicate to their hearts. God has planted vision in our hearts that the young people of our ministry will grow as spiritual leaders for this nation. He has planted vision that we can live as shepherds and Bible teachers for NIU. He has planted vision in our hearts that we can be used by God for his world redemptive purpose.
First; Some Growing Disciples of Jesus.
Tim S. had a challenging month. In order to overcome his school studies, he died to himself. In order to overcome his school, he needed extra effort to focus, but he tried his best, by faith and, along the way, entrusted everything to God. In the midst of his efforts to study, he kept his own 1:1 Bible study and his part time job and his 1:1 Bible student with Josh W. He served the Joel Bible School with all of his heart, preparing singspiration, hymns and presiding notes. Through all of this he saw the hand of God helping him. Several of his professors opened opportunities for Tim to build up his grades. We pray that he may be able to continue with his studies at NIU and graduate from the Electrical Engineering program.
Josh W. has been faithful to study Genesis with Tim throughout May. They are on Genesis chapter 7. He is out of school, but commutes 45 minutes to come to Bible study and Sunday service. He remains faithful, even though he is moving to Florida in July. He even started to bring his mother to Sunday service. We pray that Josh may continue his Bible study over the internet with Tim. We pray that he may even teach the Bible in Florida. We also pray that he may continue his post graduate studies at NIU.
We celebrated Tim's and Emily D.'s birthdays Emily is a junior in highschool. Her mother is Kathleen, who attends our daily bread meetings and studies with Julie. Emily really needs to meet Jesus personally. And come out of the darkness to experience Jesus' healing grace. She needs God's hope in the midst of her despair. She studies the Bible sporadically with Julie. Please pray for her to be born again, attend Purdue '08 and for her friend, Nick, to study the Bible with Tim. Kathleen, due to the mortgage crisis, is facing a choice whether to stay in DeKalb or move out of state. She prays for clear direction. Tim's parent's, George & Mary Sagel joined our Sunday service and birthday celebration. They are happy about their son's spiritual growth. To see pic's go to http://picasaweb.google.com/NIU.UBF
In this month God helped Andy to get a new job as a caddy at a Naperville golf club. Despite of many personal challenges and trials, he remained faithful to 1:1 Bible study. He was experiencing God's faithfulness to him. Previously he had fractured his clavicle without having health insurance. But, by God's grace he could have most of his medical fees waved. Currently, Andy is wavering between school and work. He lacks clear life direction. May Jesus, the light of the world, light Andy's path. Andy has a basic faith in Jesus and he thanks God for all God is doing in his life, but he doubts the word of God. May God help him to trust God's word and obey God's word. I pray that he may not completely fall down before dedicating his life to Christ. He did attempt to reach out to one of his friends and invited him to the Bible house and things got a little out of hand. He tried in his own way. May he help his friends to come to God, in Jesus' way.
Julie could be encouragement to our Canadian co-workers once again. Through her job she went to Toronto. She could attend the Sunday Service of John and Lydia Lee of York UBF. They have three families with nine kids. Julie could also have supper with Msn Joshua and Sarah Lee of U of T UBF. She could encourage several of her workmates spiritually, even having some worship time at the hotel. Julie has also been giving her heart to conference registration. May God continue to use her for world mission.
This month Augustine enrolled in the National Young Leaders Conference. He is planning to go to Washington DC for one week in August. Jennifer got the American Legion Award. Only two grade eight students get it, per school. It is to awarded to students who show leadership qualities and good citizenship. I believe that God has been working in Jennifer's and Augustine's life, to raise them up as a spiritual leaders for university and college students.
During May, Sarah Jesmer (Grade 5) gave her whole heart to drama practice for her school. She loved it. Her passion for it has rekindled in my own heart a vision to produce a quality Christian drama. I have been holding script about the life of Hudson Taylor called, "Friend Of God". One day I pray that we may produce it and perform it many times over.
During a visit to Brett and Sohee Procek's home, we made a field trip to a Hindu temple. The kids were a little apprehensive about going in because of idols, incense, loud horns and drums. But I felt it was good for all of us to how people of other religions worship. Through Bible study we have learned that idols are money, pleasure, other people etc. But we could also see that there really is idol worship that goes on even in the suburbs of Chicago. There were about 50 idols being worshipped there. We could see that people have a strong desire to worship something. We need to understand others in order to minister to them. May people across our land turn from idols in every form and worship the one true God, Jesus Christ.
Second; Special Events
We could celebrate Memorial day with our Triton UBF family. 33 people participated in our Memorial Day, 27 of which were guests. Kathlene invited four people and provided decorations. In the morning we attended the community memorial, to keep always remember the meaning of the day. Jennifer received her award. The rest of Memorial day involved basic grilling, fishing, "500 up" baseball, and a bonfire. I gave a talk, thanking the many who laid down their lives to make freedom in our country possible. I reminded all, that ultimately, though brave people were involved, it was God who was making our country safe and secure. It was also stated that being a courageous soldier was not enough to get us to heaven. No matter who we are, we need Jesus to enter the Kingdom of God. (John 14:6) To see pic's go to http://picasaweb.google.com/NIU.UBF
On May 27-29, NIU UBF held a Joel Bible School on three successive evenings with a symposium on Sunday. We wanted to hold this Bible school in order to inspire each of us for the upcoming summer ministry. We also wanted to unify our members in a mission that can inspire us to invite people to Purdue '08 before the registration deadline. God sent 11 people through our NIU ministry and we received the gracious support of 16 of our Triton UBF co-workers. We also received clear prayer topics for the summer ministry. Everyone got involved. Each night, I led group Bible study. Tim Sagel and the three older Jesmer kids, (Augustine, Jennifer and Sarah) led singspiration. Tim Sagel, Julie Jesmer and Jennifer Jesmer were all main speakers. We had one testimony speaker each night, Josh W., Augustine Jesmer and Sarah Jesmer. I thank God for granting us clear prayer topics, right at the beginning of the summer ministry, for each of our members. I thank God for Tim Sagel, who gave his whole heart to prepare the environment for the Bible School, making sure that everything was covered. I thank God for Triton UBF, who sent 16 people over the three days. I thank God for my family who all worked together as one body to make this possible. May all of our members share the word of God to the young people of this generation through 1:1 Bible study. I pray that our hearts my be filled with dreams of the Kingdom of Heaven and visions of NIU, Triton and all of America to be Kingdom of Priests and A Holy Nation. To see pic's go to http://picasaweb.google.com/NIU.UBF
Part 3, The Hard Facts
This month we have been consistent with 10 to 12 Sunday service attendants. There was one weekend where 14 people gathered to worship Jesus. Our 1:1 Bible studies have been about 10-13 per week. This month we eagerly anticipated the upcoming summer ministry. We are thankful for Tim's decision to stay in DeKalb. We are thankful for Andy's "hanging in there". We are thankful for Kathleen's faithfulness to our family daily bread. We are thankful for our kids building foundations as upcoming spiritual leaders. We are thankful for Triton UBF's co-working and encouragement. May God fill our hearts with his Spirit to serve as campus shepherds. May God fill our hearts with his Spirit to serve as campus shepherds.
One word: God is filling us with his Spirit and his vision.
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