If you missed today’s Chapter Friday, you may not want to read any further, because when you learn what happened you will be “kicking yourself” for months. We heard two amazing stories of faith, courage and God’s miraculous protection. We also heard an angel sing (more about that below).
Our guest speaker, Gerard Placide (Gerard’s talk is already available under Resources thanks to the amazing Rocky–click HERE), shared one of those stories that defines the category “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”. God gave Gerard the gift of an angelic (tenor) voice, and Gerard’s story is a story of how God has miraculously protected the vessel of this gift (over and over) while using the numerous hardships Gerard has encountered to draw that vessel closer to Him. It is after one of the times God saved Gerard’s life that he understood “purpose”–God had a plan for his life and He would not allow even Gerard to derail it. Do not miss Gerard singing “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” in the middle of his talk (I cried when he sang it and I cried when I listened to the recording).
If you want to learn more about what Gerard is doing, click HERE for his Facebook page.
Our extended “Keepin’ It Real” speaker was Mohammad Yamout (Mohammad’s talk and slides are also available under Resources–click HERE). Mohammad is a former Sunni Muslim who is now a Christian pastor ministering to Shiite Muslims in Tyre, Lebanon, a 95% Muslim city. Pastor Mohammad believes God presents us with “Open Doors”–opportunities to serve and give and share the name and love of Jesus. We either choose to go through those doors or we pass by. Mohammad shares about the miracles that God is doing in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria when the name of Jesus is shared and lifted up and when people are cared for in His name. Mohammad also urges us to go through the open doors–and witness God’s glory.
If you want to learn more about Pastor Mohammad’s church, click HERE for their Facebook page. If you are interested in supporting their ministry, you may contact Mohammad by clicking HERE or just do the following:
Issue a check in the name of the following church & mail it to them, noting that it is intended to support Mohammad Yamout’s church in Lebanon (then email Mohammad so that he can track it–E-MAIL)
Friendly Arabic Church
1292 Whicker Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284
Thanks to Greg Porteus for introducing Gerard to us, and thanks to our brudders at NCS Winston-Salem (particularly Jay Helvey and Kalim Andraos) for urging Pastor Mohammad to visit Connecticut.
In friendship
Paul Michalski
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