"New Life Ministries"
by Russ Pennington
"New Life Ministries"
by Russ Pennington
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RUSS & TRACY
MEET THE TEAM[Russ & Tracy Pennington]
New Life -- Thonburi, Thailand
Since the start of our church it seems that the Lord has lead us to people who have many needs, both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It isn't the healthy that need a doctor but the sick, and so we've come across many people who are ready to give their lives to Jesus, but have a lot of baggage from their past. Of course our eternal hope is to be with the Lord forever in heaven, but we believe that Jesus wants to help people where they are at here in the messed up world that we live in.
A struggle
One of our greatest challenges has been how to help those with addictions to make a break with the past and begin a new life in Christ. We struggled for three or four years trying to work with new Christians who were trying to find freedom from alcholism. Some would be able to quit for a while and yet they seemed to always fall back on alchohol when times got hard. For others the environment they lived in was so filled with old friends that would constantly invite them to drink that they couldn't seem to stop drinking for more than a day or two. It seemed that all our teaching and prayer and encouragement would only work until they got back into their home situations and then they would fall back into sin.
Some guidance
As we were struggling for answers as to how to help these new Christians the Lord answered our prayers for direction by sending Jackie Pullinger who has worked with addicts in Hong Kong for years and the Lord has used her powerfully to see hundreds of heroine addicts find freedom through Christ. Jackie did a seminar in Bangkok at a time where we were really searching for answers. The main thing that stood out to us in Jackie's ministry is how they took the people that they were working with in and ministered the life of Christ to them in an enviroment that was free from the temptations that they were surrounded by in the streets. It was also evident the love and compassion that Jackie and her staff have for the poor and the addicts. We were convicted that if we were going to help the addicts in Bangkok it would take an step of faith to begin bringing these people in that they might live in an enviroment of love where they could begin their new life in Christ.
A plan into action
Shortly after this conference we decide to take Johnny and Sombat into our homes to be the first to begin their New Life in Christ. Sombat had been a homeless person who made money collecting trash to recycle when we met him. Johnny had worked on one of the streets known for prostitution in Bangkok called Pat Pong. He would make money by meeting foreigners and taking them to the bars. The bars gave him a commission for each guest he brought in. His girlfriend was a prostitute which Johnny didn't like but it gave them plenty of money to buy drugs and party. By the time we met him Johnny had settled down some. His girlfriend had left him and so Johnny moved back home with his fammily. He had stopped using hard drugs, but to do this he had switched to using alchohol. He would usually begin drinking early in the morning and drink throughout the day. We met Johnny one night as we were out walking the street reaching out to people. As we talked with him you could tell all the neighbors were laughing at us talking with the neighborhood "drunk" I felt however the Lord saying to me that Johnny was very precious to Him and that the Lord had a plan for his life. Johnny began to come to our cell group and it wasn't long until he gave his life to Christ.
When Sombat moved in with us and Johnny moved in with the Walters we had no idea what we were getting into. It turned out to be one of the biggest blessings that we have ever experienced. It hasn't been without its hard times, but the love and encouragement that we have received from these two men is incredible. They are like the woman in Scripture who poured perfume on Jesus' feet -- those who have been forgiven much are able to love much also.
Five steps forward
For the future, Lord willing we would like to see this program expand. We know we can do nothing on our own strength but we feel that God may be leading us to help many who have drug and Alchohol addictions in Bangkok. We are trying to work through five areas in helping these men to find New Life in Christ.
Spiritually: We have time each day to worship and pray together. There will be teaching from the Bible as well as encouraging them to develope a personal time with the Lord each day.
Training: We want to give some training in evangelism, as well as help them develop job skills that will help them to manage their time and be able to provide for themselves when they finish the program.
Emotional: We want to provide opportunities to talk about their past and to pray for healing in areas of rejection and to pray against strongholds of the enemy.
Physical: We would like to provide opportunities for excercise and outings just to have fun together and enjoy the goodness of the life God has given us.
Social: We hope to provide opportunities to be a part of a church family that cares about every member. They will be involve in a home cell group and develop relationships with people in the church.
These are the STEPS that we feel God is leading us to in working with people trying to find freedom from addictions and begin a New Life in Christ. We are making plans eventually to find a home and some Thai staff to work with us. We are also open to having single young people come in and work with us. We would like a commitment of at least a year of those who come to help us. Please pray for the beginning of this ministry to those who are seeking freedom from addictions.
Russ and Tracy Pennington
P.O. Box 111
Phasicharoen Bangkok 10160
email: tracyp@loxinfo.co.th
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But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear
him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- with those who
keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17-18 |
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