A Letter from Pastor John

Dear sisters & brothers in Christ,

Scripture teaches that Satan can appear as an angel of light. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing appearances can be deceiving. He can even twist the very Word of God to serve His purposes, but Jesus teaches that in time truth will out and evil exposed. "By their fruit you will recognize them". It stands to reason good trees bring forth good fruit and bad trees bad fruit. It can't be otherwise. Of course, a tree doesn't produce fruit right away. It takes time. With many trees or bushes it may not even be in the first year of planting, but sooner or later the kind of tree you planted will show itself by the harvest it produces. As often the case what is true in the material real (in this case agriculture) applies also to the spiritual. As God's people we must use caution and test the spirits that inhabit our 21st Century world where ideas and philosophies are transmitted at the speed of light. With the stroke of a key one's ideas can be transmitted to hundred, thousands and even more. More tan ever we must use care. Don't make snap judgments and test the spirits. As the Bereans who checked to determine if what Paul preached was of God, use the Scripture as the plumb line to test accuracy of what you read and hear. Then see what fruit is produced by the messenger. If both message and messenger are of God you will see the blossoming fruit and Spirit produces; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. May that fruit show forth in our lives causing others to believe the Gospel we share, and Give glory to our Father in Heaven.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor John

Summer Bridge to Success 2010

Planning is underway for this summer, and we hope that you will be able to join us! Last year we were able to reach over 50 students with the love of Christ and we are praying that God will bring even more to our doorstep this year. Summer Bridge to Success provides the students of Trinity First and the Phillips neighborhood with five weeks of academic enrichment in a Christ-centered environment. We provide all classroom materials, breakfast, lunch and field trips to each child at a minimal cost to parents.

This summer we are expanding once again! We will have four classrooms to better focus our instruction. We hope to have new curriculum and new computer learning software for the classrooms. There are also lots of exciting field trips planned.

This summer we are praying that God will raise up the funds to sponsor a VBS led at Trinity First by Camp Omega. It would be a great chance for our students to experience camp right here in the heart of the city!!

To make all of these dreams a reality we need your help! Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals, teach in the classrooms, and lead interest clubs. We also have a variety of items on our wish list that we pray God will provide through generous donors (see below). Please help us to reach even more students this summer with the grace and love of Jesus Christ!

When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning June 22nd and ending July 29th (except for July 6-8)

Upcoming Events

Dear Friends,

Peace and grace to you. In this letter I want to cover two main issues we were able to accomplish by the grace of God.

As you might recall, last year our Amharic congregation was engaged in intensive discussion prayerfully trying to discern what the will of God was regarding our ministry in the Twin Cities. In our consultation with other Mekane Yesus Congregations in the Twin Cities we came to a conclusion that it would be advantageous for us to merge and form one congregation that focuses on the ministry by skillfully using its combined resources. To that effect a time of fasting and prayer was held followed by a joint three-day conference after which the three groups committed to the merge and the forming of one congregation.

This new church plant has been meeting at Jehovah Lutheran Church on Snelling for the last four weeks. So far the average Sunday service attendance is about 35 people with positive and encouraging signs that it will grow. Those who are coming to the worship service have expressed their joy at Mekane Yesus members forming one congregation.

In the coming weeks we will decide on a permanent time for the Sunday service. Right now many members want it to be moved from 2:30pm to 12:ooo-2:00 pm.

During the next several weeks elders will be elected and several others committees will be formed. A decision has been made to seek affiliation with the LCMS after clarification with Jehovah Lutheran and the District. We want to thank all who have been prayerfully supporting us through this very difficult and challenging journey.

Another development I would like to report on is my trip to Ethiopia. If you will remember, eight former Mekane Yesus Church leaders were directly involved in the peace and reconciliation effort ending the 14-year conflict and split in the Mekane Yesus Church in Ethiopia. In January the same group was invited to be part of a nation-wide thanksgiving conference.

This conference took place on January 14-17, 2010 in Addis Ababa. Participants were invited from throughout the country with 10,000-15,000 people in attendance. This unprecedented number of participants spent three days in the tents and the sun worshiping, praising and listing to the powerful sermons delivered by special invited speakers. It was indeed a time of joy and celebration for the peace and unity the Lord has brought to His body through forgivingness and reconciliation.

It was after this unique and powerful experience that the church announces that now she is ready "to change its status from receiving church to sending church" and commissioned three missionary families to be sent to Nepal, the Middle East and Mali, West Africa. This increased the joy, dedication and commitment of the church for the great commission. Several individuals gave their names and address pledging to donate money in the support of these missionaries.

Once again, thank you very much for keeping me in your prayers and supporting my ministry.

Yours in Christ,
~ Pastor Frances Stephanos Beko

Volume 3, Issue 1: Spring 2010
Volume 2, Issue 2: Winter 2009
Volume 2, Issue 1: Summer 2009
Volume 1, Issue 3: Spring 2009
Volume 1, Issue 2: Winter 2008
Volume 1, Issue 1: Fall 2008