News
Hurricane Relief Update. The following is a report from Frank Smith, director of church planting and Gulf Coast ministry for the Southern District of the C&MA. He notes that these figures are an estimate – precise figures are impossible to compile. The data are from four ministry centers: Baton Rouge and New Orleans (Gretna), Louisiana, and Waveland and Gulfport, Mississippi.

We have no clear picture of the numbers who committed their lives to Christ as a result of these ministries; reaping continues as much seed has been and is being planted. We know that 7-15 volunteers made first time professions and hundreds more deeply recommitted their lives to the Lord. We can only estimate that several hundred to several thousand of those we have assisted have made life-changing commitments to Christ.

There were at least 200 times when VBS/Bible Clubs were held and hundreds of Bible studies for volunteers and relief recipients. Four churches are established through these efforts.

[These figures do not include thousands of meals served by the Woerner Foundation [led by George and Eddie Woerner, Alliance laymen] right after Katrina hit – starting with the police and then including military personnel, volunteers, and others in downtown New Orleans and the greater New Orleans area.]

Interested in helping? Contact Frank (frankdsmith@southerncma.org).

Stand in the Gap 2007 Update. It's now official!  Men from all over America are making plans to once again journey to the Nation's Capital for an unforgettable day of being face-to-face before God and shoulder-to-shoulder with their brothers in Jesus Christ from every living generation.

Here are the five things you need to know with five months to go before the Day:

1. The date is October 6, 2007. The place is the grounds of the Washington Monument. This piece of America's "front lawn" holds about a quarter million people. The purpose is to honor God by returning, remembering, renewing, and rebuilding. If you are a man who loves God and wants to change things, plan now to be a part of this historic event.

2. The website www.standinthegap2007.org is now up and running.  It has all the information and resources you need to get started with your plans to attend.  It is a work-in-progress and will be updated as new information becomes available - so check back often. For answers to the most frequently asked questions about Stand in the Gap 2007, click here.

3. Because this event is being held on federal property there is no registration fee, but help is needed from men and women all over America  to cover the cost.  All you have to do to show your support is click here. Whether you order SITG2007 official "unity" gear or donate online, you hold the power to make the day a reality. Be part of the "Get in Gear" Campaign. Help us meet our goal of 25,000 t-shirts

 on the backs of America's men in the next 30 days. Click here to get started.

4. We have streamlined the process which allows you to have the tools you need to publicize and invite men to join you for this incredible gathering. Just click here to download the Stand in the Gap 2007 logo, artwork, powerpoint slides, posters, bookmarks, banners, print ads, etc. It's as easy as click & print.

5. Stand in the Gap 2007 is a generational/legacy event, so men from 12 to 112 (actually younger or older are welcome) are invited to attend. We guarantee you have never been to anything like this. . . . in the next edition of this E-Update there will more information about the program.

Kids whose parents regularly attended religious services -- especially when both parents did so frequently -- and talked with their kids about religion were rated by both parents and teachers as having better self-control, social skills and approaches to learning than kids with non-religious parents. Click here to read more about this study.

A Man's Guide to Father's Day. Fath · er's Day (fätherz day) n. A day to beat up men for not doing a better job!

Guess what? Not this year. This year let's bless our fathers! “What?” you say. “You obviously don't know my father!” Don't have to. Heard it before. Been through it myself.

In 1926, when my dad was two years old, the youngest of four children, his father abandoned him. It is something from which our family lineage has still not fully recovered. The impact of a father, for better or for worse, is felt forward for many generations.

My grandfather, whom I have never met nor ever even seen his picture, contacted my dad when I was in high school. My dad didn't want anything to do with him. I asked my dad, “Why didn't you let him come see you?” (Read More) Article of the Month.

Ray Hilbert started Truth@Work to help business owners and executives integrate biblical principles and practices into all the key decisions and challenges they face in the marketplace today. Find out what he says are the key traits to effective leadership in the May/June issue of The Fourth Seed. Click here to order.

Reboot (with Joshua) Two Promises And A Command (Joshua 1:1-11)

The first chapter of Joshua deals with the Lord and Joshua preparing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. It begins with two promises and a command.

The Lord's First Promise: ³I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses (v2-4). The Lord laid out a grand vision for the Israelites. From a geographical perspective, it must have been beyond their comprehension. They were to seize the land from those who occupied it. As leaders of men, we have received the peace of salvation and enjoy the contentment of understanding and pursuing God's call on our lives. Have we grasped the vision of reaching every man in our sphere of influence? From the vision that God has given us we get a clear picture that the task ahead is monumental. It is God-sized. Ministry to men is tough. Do we understand that the battle involves snatching men from the grasp of Satan? Are we appropriately overwhelmed? Do we have a clear picture of where the Lord is leading us and the scope of the battle ahead?

The Lord's Second Promise: As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you (v5). After casting the vision for the Israelites, God promises that he will be there for them. Do we fully understand that the Lord will be with us or do we feel we are fighting the battle alone? The Lord says, ”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (v9) If that is not enough, Jesus told his disciples, “... I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20b) Bottom line: You shall overcome (Rom 8:37)! Someone has said that the task ahead of us is never greater than the power behind us.

The Lord's Command: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go” (v7). The Lord lays out the secret to success in entering the Promised Land – obedience. God's instructions focus on the heart (spiritual preparation) and not on swords and shields. So it is with us. Obedience is more important than strategies and tactics as we lead men. Disobedience is a distraction that undermines the spiritual foundation of those who follow us. Note the impact of Achan's disobedience. Thirty-six men were killed and the army was routed (Joshua 7:1, 4-5). At the end of the Lord's instruction to Joshua, he repeats the promise he made in verse five: “ ... the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (v9)