Missions to Military
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Spread the word - July 2007
Dear Friends,

Abe has been coming out to the Center on a regular basis after receiving one of our invitations from his chaplain.  He is serving on board the same ship on which Jason, who used to live in the bunk room, was assigned.  Because of an injury Abe was not able to deploy with his ship, so he has been faithfully attending the Center and church.  Though he was already a believer, Abe still had a need for growth in his Christian walk.  He was reading the book of Revelation and not understanding much when we met him.  John encouraged him to read the gospel of John and get a grasp of that first.  He then went on to read Romans and Ephesians.  In the past three months he has completed reading the entire New Testament. 

One of the best ways to get new people to the Center is by word of mouth invitation.  Abe has been a real stalwart in this aspect.  Because of him we have had the opportunity to minister to four new people.  Chris, Collin and Chad were in the same Navy school with Abe.  Chris is not saved but has attended one of the Bible studies.  He is now out to sea.   Collin is deploying for six months in August and is having marriage problems.  Chad is stationed on board a ship homeported in Florida.  We have encouraged him to find the Mayport MTM Center.  Erica was sitting at the front desk of one of the barracks and saw that Abe had a Bible in his hand.  Being new to the area and to the Navy she asked where she could find some fellowship.  She was part of our Fourth of July celebration.  Pray that Sandy will be able to minister to her.

Just last week Abe was cleared to fly out to meet his ship, so he will be deployed until the end of September.   Pray with us that he will be a strong testimony and witness on board his ship and that he will continue to grow in Christ.   Please pray also for Chris, Collin, Chad and Erica.  (And Ben, also on the same ship, who has come to several of the Center activities.)

We are thankful that you regularly offer your support, prayers and encouragement for us and this ministry.  You are a blessing.

Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,
John & Sandy Seaton
 
Associates -- important team members - June 2007
Dear Friends,

Missions To Military (MTM) ministers to the military and their families.  Our Centers serve as a home-away-from-home for service members who are lonely and separated from their loved ones.  We offer a haven to get away from a sin-infested world and a place to be trained in applying Biblical truth to life.  There are great needs for workers so that we may accomplish our goal.

The MTM Associate Program is intended to develop a Ministry Team, which assists the MTM Staff Missionary in the many responsibilities and opportunities involved in winning and training the military for our Lord Jesus Christ.  Each Associate volunteers their time and talents working in a particular area of need.  We look for Soldier Servants of the Lord who are Faithful, Available, Teachable and Willing to Sweat.

We have been blessed over the years to have four men and their wives take part in this aspect of the ministry:

Joe & Amy Southam - Joe was the first Associate.  The Navy transferred him to Whidbey Island, WA and he requested permission to start a Bible study and work the guys through the discipleship program.  New orders once again brought them back to the Norfolk area where they played a vital role in the work of the Center.  After retirement from the Navy Joe took a job near Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.  He once again is seeking to start a Bible study and disciple men.

Steve & Melody Andrews - Steve helped a great deal with teaching, and Melody was often in the kitchen (she even used a chain saw outside once!)  We enjoyed their assistance for many years, but then they stepped down to take a more active role in their local church ministry.

Carl & Alyson Miller - Carl was here for seminary and helped teach one of the base Bible studies.  Alyson was part of the ladies Bible study and kitchen crew.  Since graduation Carl has left the area and is currently an assistant pastor in Pennsylvania.

Craig & Lisa Kirsteatter - Craig also came to the area for school.  He and Lisa have been part of many of the activities at the Center.  Though Craig has graduated and they have been accepted to go to the mission field of Kenya, they are still helping us.  Craig co-teaches on Tuesday nights and Lisa has stepped in for some of the meals while we have been away.  They hope to be in Africa by next year.  If you are looking for a new missionary couple to invest in we highly recommend them!

As you can see it takes a lot of team work to make this ministry work.  We are thankful for those who have helped, but WE NEED MORE HELPERS.  Are you willing?  Please thank God with us for these faithful associates.  Pray that the Lord will continue to bring forth fruit out of their ministry.  Most of all, beseech the Lord of the harvest that He would send us more like them to assist in His work.

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement of us and this ministry. 

 

Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,

John & Sandy Seaton
 
The need for discipleship - May 2007

Dear Friends,

A recent online article stated,

In his recent book Religious Literacy, Steven Prothero, Chair of Boston University's Department of Religion, writes that only 10 percent of American teens can name all five major religions of the world, and 15 percent can't name any. Almost two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bible answers all or some of life's questions, but only half can name one of the four Gospels of the Bible.

Unfortunately this is very true!  John decided to create a Fun Questionnaire to quiz those who came to the Bible studies we teach to see where they were spiritually.  It was also given to a Sunday school class we were invited to speak to a few weeks ago.

1.    What are the names of the four Gospels? (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

2.    If Jehovah's Witnesses came to your door, would you feel confident witnessing to them or would you avoid it? (You should be strong enough in your faith to witness to them - they are lost!)

3.    Are Mormons Christians? (NO!)

4.    What OT book comes after Hezekiah? (No such book)

5.    Have you read the entire Bible? (Should be yes)

6.    Have you personally led anyone to a saving faith in Christ? (Should be yes)

7.    What does it mean that God is Immutable? (Unchangeable)

8.    How many of each type of animal did Moses take on the ark? (Noah not Moses)

9.    Have you given anyone a Gospel tract this past month? (Should be yes)

10.    How many chapters are there in the NT book of Philemon? (One)


The answers were troublesome.  Approximately half of those surveyed had not read the entire Bible; more than 90% did not pass out a gospel tract last month; about 75% did not know Hezekiah was not a book in the OT; and in the Sunday school class more than half the class got five or more questions wrong.

John also engaged in conversations with sailors he knew were not saved.  One who took the questionnaire got nine wrong but said she had led someone to Christ.  She said she grew up going to a Baptist church and her daughter goes weekly.  Another man spoken with was a Navy Officer.  This college educated man, who has great responsibility on a multi-million dollar ship with guided missiles, could not name any of the four Gospels.

Why are these statistics important?  They reinforce the fact that we need to make disciples, especially of our military.  That is exactly what we are doing with our structured discipleship program consisting of: Bible reading, memorization, weekly Bible studies, and reading good Christian books in an accountability relationship. 

Your prayers and support make our evangelism and discipleship efforts possible.  Thank you for standing with us to "Win and Train the Military for Jesus Christ."

Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,

John & Sandy Seaton
 
More Ways to Be Part of the Team - April 2007

Dear Friends,

Each month we share with you how God is working through the ministry of the Military Christian Center.  We have seen lives changed for eternity, steps of Christian growth taken, and challenges faced and overcome.  You have also heard about some of the struggles and burdens of the ministry.  It has been a blessing to know that you stand behind us with your support, prayers and encouragement.  We could not be here if it were not for you and your help.

Sometimes people have asked about more specific ways of helping, or about new projects that we might be trying to undertake.  The following is a list that we presented during a recent conference when requested to share some needs.

Join the support team and volunteer to help in some area of need:

    a.     Help serve a meal at the Center once a month   

    b.      Help clean the Center once a month   

    c.      Help with yard work or gardening   

    d.      Help with electrical, painting, computers, carpentry, etc.

Give toward a special project:

    e.      John MacArthur NT Commentary Set for the Center Library - $440.74   

    f.       John Phillips NT Commentary Set for the Center Library - $199.99
    g.      New (Dell) computer and printer for the Center Library - $1,200.00   

    h.      Video Series - A Workman Approved by God is a 34 hour course on hermeneutics (how to study the Bible) - $249.95   

    i.        Video Series Apologetics: Defending the Faith a 6 part video course on apologetics - $89.95   

    j.       Video Series A True Christians Love for the Unseen Christ is a 22 hour series on what it means to love Christ - $99.95   

    k.      New or used in good condition sofa, loveseat, chair/recliner (2).
If you are willing or able to assist with any of these projects we would certainly appreciate the help.  If you are unable we would appreciate your prayers that the Lord would provide through someone else.

Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,

John & Sandy Seaton

 
Hospitality Honored by Lives Changed - February/March 2007

Dear Friends,

It seems amazing that losing only a few days in the month of February can be such a schedule changer.  The month ended before we got to thank you for your participation in this ministry.  Please know that despite not hearing from us your support, prayers and encouragement continue to be a great blessing.

Several events filled the shorter month of February.  We were incredibly blessed to attend another biblical counseling conference in Lafayette, Indiana.  This year the Lord allowed us to head up a group of nine.  Several of them were from the Center ministry, and several from our church.  What a tremendous encouragement to see others trained in using the sufficient Word of God to face life's struggles.

Another major event that took some time was planning a birthday celebration for Hazel Britton.  This dear saint donated her house and land so that a Military Christian Center might be built on Shell Road.  God has graced her with 90 years of life.  We had a special luncheon to honor her and glorify God for the far reaching effects of her testimony, witness and generosity.

Part of the program at the luncheon was having six men share what the ministry of the Center has had in their lives.  Two of these men are no longer in the area, they planned a visit "home" to the Center and it happened to be this weekend.  Three of these men are no longer active duty.  Ken said the Center had a great impact on his spiritual life and also learning about the body of Christ and how it functions.  Mat shared how being at the Center had facilitated his journey in coming to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Mark let everyone know how important it was to have a place to come to that was like home.  Jason told how he came to the Center and felt the freedom to share his struggles on his first visit and how he was challenged to grow in Christ.  Scott expressed his appreciation for the hospitality shown now and the generosity displayed by the Brittons.  Steve declared his extreme gratefulness for having family close by since he has been away from his for four of the past seven years.

If we could have a special luncheon to honor all of those who have given, prayed and encouraged you would be hearing a lot from us about how your investment has changed the lives of many.  Thank you for standing with us.  Like these six men, we are so thankful for you.

Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,

John & Sandy Seaton
 
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