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December 2010
Greetings in the name of Jesus,
Praise the Lord for your response to our request for Christmas blessings for the poor children of the world. This response has opened doors for us to not only provide gifts to Mexican children, but also Jamaican and inner city children of our own country. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye do it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40)
Pastor Henry Miller will be leaving December 2nd to deliver gifts to Mexico. He will return on December 6th. Brother Art Shoemaker will be departing for Mexico during or close to these same dates. The Reverend Isaiah Waddy of the St. James AME church of Jonesboro, Georgia will be picking gifts up here at our Lifeline office on December 10th through December 13th. These gifts will be distributed in the inner city of Atlanta and to the Island of Jamaica.
I met Isaiah in 1969 during basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. We were reunited on June 2004 only to the surprise of both of us that we had each ended up as full time servants of our Lord. Brother Waddy has been nominated for Bishop in the AME church in each of the last conference meetings. I am blessed to call him friend and thankful for his support of Lifeline. If you think about it, it is somewhat sad that a black man and a white man from the same town had to meet each other for the first time because of the Vietnam conflict. We became friends the second we met and we both realize now that it was through the design of God. Again, he has been a blessing to Lifeline and I thank him for assisting us in sending Christmas blessings to Jamaica.
For any of you last minute people, you have until December 10th to bring your gifts to our office in Thomasville.
This is the season of giving and we ask you to remember Lifeline. As you can imagine, delivering these gifts is an added expense and any financial assistance will be appreciated. I remain gratefully in His service.
Griff
November 2010
Greetings in the name of Jesus,
This is the season of the year that we want to remind you about Lifeline’s commitment to the poorest of poor children in Mexico and the inner cities of this country. We provide the only Christmas gifts that most of these children will receive for the entire year. This year is particularly difficult for Lifeline because the people who have been spear heading this part of our ministry are no longer available due to serious health issues. We need your help in communicating our reception positions. We will be accepting all gifts that are delivered to our office by November 19th. If you need assistance in getting your gifts to our location, you need to notify us no later than November 12th. Our physical location is 330 N. Broad St. D-2 (Village Square by the Post Office), Thomasville, Georgia. Any questions that you have concerning these Christmas gifts you may reach us at 229-228-5051 or www.lifelineministries.com.
We have travel room, lodging and meals available for eight more people. Our prayers are that these vacancies will be filled.
Satan does not want these gifts delivered and each year he creates a different set of difficulties for Lifeline. Please keep us in your prayers for travel mercies, protection and success. If you are not able to prepare a gift box or bag, you can help us with travel expenses. Lifeline needs monies for fuel, insurance on our trailers, and other costs related to this part of our ministry. We ask you to please share our needs with others. Other ministries actually charge upward to seven dollars per box. Lifeline depends on support from our friends. There is a lot of expense associated with this part of our mission work. Again we had much rather you come with us and take this opportunity to receive a blessing from God that I cannot explain, but if this is not possible, I am simply asking you to pray about supporting us financially. Three dollars will buy a gallon of gas!
Thank you for your present support and may God continue to pour out His blessing upon you. I remain in His service.
Griff
October 2010
Greetings in the name of Jesus
I mentioned in last months newsletter and also in the mid-month correspondence that Gene Trulock and I had just returned from the Mexican state of Sonora. Gene and I will be attending a South Georgia Conference UMM planning meeting October 1-2. Gene will be presenting Lifeline’s mission opportunities in Sonora. These projects range from repair of a floor (less than $500) to building a small church ($5000). There is also opportunity for youths and young adults to participate in some of these projects.
We recommend going by air to El Paso, Texas where we will arrange to meet up with the team in a van. Southwest Airlines is now flying out of Panama City Beach and Jacksonville, Florida (no luggage fee). We would cross the border at Nogales, Arizona. There are several projects near Douglas, Arizona which has another crossing. Nogales has a four lane toll road extending all the way down the Pacific coast of Mexico. We had absolutely no problems with either border crossing nor with the rest of our trip.
The following is a list of the locations of each of these projects: Aqua Prieta (two projects), Cananea, Santa Clara, Guaymas (urgent), Empalme (near Guaymas) Agiabampo (a little south of Obregon), and Obregon. We also have other projects available and generally speaking any of these mission trips cost less than $600 per person including airfare.
I am asking you to share these possibilities with your friends, pastors, and churches. In order to continue sharing the gospel, any financial contribution is appreciated and needed. I again want to thank our faithful supporters. Do you have any idea of how you have participated in reaching the lost? Bishop Raul Garcia is only one example. Lifeline paid for his education at Asbury Theological College. As he progressed to Bishop, he served as pastor of the largest Methodist Church in Mexico. How many lives do you believe he has touched? Again, thank you.
In His service,
Griff
P.S. Children’s Christmas Blessings (shoeboxes) need to be finished before November 15. There will be scheduled drop off points posted on the website. Call the office for further information. Thank you for giving a child a Christmas Blessing.
September 11 2010
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
The intentions of this letter are to challenge you to seek the Lord, confirm what the Lord is presently speaking to some of you, and to ask you to diligently and honestly inventory your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I know for a fact some of you are in turmoil and I pray this letter gives you peace.
April 2, 2004 in a supernatural, miraculous event that I will not share in detail at this moment. I feel it to be too lengthy to convey in writing. It was on this date God spoke to me through II Corinthians 5:14-15 “ For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again”.
Several weeks ago I sat up straight in my bed at about 3:00 AM. and I spoke these words. “A few brave men of God?” And I assure you I knew exactly what God meant. This was prior to our August newsletter and at a time I was trying to decide on whether on not to accept the invitation of a meeting with the newly appointed Methodist Bishop of what is considered to be one of the most dangerous states (Sonora) in Mexico. Additionally, the date of this invitation was approximately three weeks after my recent Abdominal Aortic Aneurism surgery and I did not know what my physical state would be. I did know I had to accept the Bishop’s invitation. Please read carefully the following:
(1) Acts 20:22-24 And now compelled by the Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
(2) Matthew 10:28-34 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
(3) James 2:16-17 If one of you say to him, “Go, I wish you will keep warm and well fed”, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
(4) I John 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our own brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
(5) Matthew 25:34-46 When the son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right “Come, you are blessed by my father, take your inheritance the King has prepared for you since the creation of all the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me. Then He will say to those on the left, Depart from me, you are cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink…
Gene Trulock and I just returned from our trip to the state of Sonora and other areas of northwest Mexico that was without incident! “His grace was sufficient.” We have seven new projects. Praise God for the fourteen plus decisions for Christ during the service preached (David and Goliath) by Brother Trulock. Visit our website for pictures of this trip.
The King is coming soon and very soon. I need a “few brave men”. Seventeen of you are receiving a “Wanted Poster”. If for some reason you cannot join us, please support us financially.
May God touch your heart and richly bless you. Thank all of you who are already sacrificially supporting us. I remain
In His service,
Griff
September 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your prayers during my recent surgery. Revelations 5:8 “ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” (These are the prayers of Christ’s people)
Every prayer ever offered God keeps, because they are like incense to Him. Again, thank you.
There is a lot going on at Lifeline. Gene Trulock and I are traveling (September 9th) to Mexico to meet with the new Methodist Bishop of the Northwest area of Mexico. I am so excited. Please be prepared for some forth-coming information that we believe is going to be the most exciting news coming from Lifeline in the past twenty years. Our Lord is moving like never before and I assure you that you want to be a part of the movement.
Remember we are approaching the time for Christmas Blessing Gifts for the needy children of the Philippines, inner cities of this country, and Mexico. Please contact this office or go to our website for more information.
We are asking you to join Lifeline in our prayers for Brother Gene Miller. Gene is facing a battle with liver cancer and we ask you to join us as we pray for his healing. We have seen God perform three healing miracles this year. Two of them have dealt with liver cancer. Pray continuously for Gene to be the third to be healed from liver cancer. Psalm 41 is so applicable to Gene’s life. We are praying and expecting a miracle.
Congratulations to brother Art Shoemaker. We understand that there are “wedding bells” a ringing!
As we mentioned in our As I See It article this month, there is some exciting news coming in about two weeks. (mid month publication).
Again as always, we appreciate your support. If you are looking for a ministry to sow additional seeds of faith, we desperately need it. I remind you it is the sower who reaps the benefit. There has never been a better time than now. God has provided us with such fertile soil, so join us and experience the harvest. You cannot imagine what God will do with an extra $5.00. For those of you who have and are so faithful, again I thank you and assure you that the “Fall Harvest” is on the way. Souls, as never before, and we give all the praise and thanks to our King, Lord and Savior.
We love you and remain,
iHs,
Griff
July 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
For the last couple of months I have been trying to give you some information about the different ministries that we partner with and support. Over the years, I know you have heard me mention Adamina and Daniel Guerra. This woman and man of God reside in Reynosa, Mexico. Lifeline’s relationship with this couple was initiated almost thirty years ago by our founder and past President, the late Jimmy Keyton. Daniel, at that time, was a Methodist pastor in Reynosa, Mexico. Lifeline built a small wooden church to accommodate the congregation of this upstart ministry. Over the years God has poured out His blessings upon them. They have grown to a large four story concrete structure. Their mission outreach provides the largest Christian service to the population of the poorest of poor Mexicans. It includes a radio ministry, feeding ministry, medical transportation, prison ministry and almost daily services in their sanctuary.
Many of you have been praying for Adamina since her return from Thomasville to Reynosa back in September 2009. She suffered a severe facial stroke and has spent much of her time in Monterey, Mexico receiving medical attention. God answers prayer. I received a telephone call late one evening last week. It was Adamina informing me that God had completely healed her. There were not any residual effects from the stroke; her speech is back and perfect without slur. Praise God her high blood pressure is also gone. This is the second time God has intervened to heal Adamina. When she was eighteen years old she was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the throat with multiple cancerous tumors. She was given thirty days to live. If you have had the privilege of hearing her sing, you know the rest of the story. We look forward to visiting her and Daniel with a “mission team” this summer.
I will be facing a serious operation to correct an aortic aneurysm in the next few weeks. I would ask you to keep me, my family and Lifeline in your prayers. I know that our God has much more for me to do and this will be the final step to my complete medical healing. I would like to personally thank those of you who are presently in prayer for my healing. A special thanks to brother Harrell Hemingway for reminding me of Psalm 41. I challenge you to read the entire passage, but I will share the first three verses:
1. Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.
2. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desires of his foes.
3. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.
We have added some new supporters and we thank God for them. It is your generous financial support that allows us to continue our efforts in sharing the Good News. May our God richly bless you.
iHs,
Griff
June 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
Over the last several years many of you have had the opportunity to meet and develop a relationship with Jehu Sanchez. Jehu lives in Delicias, Mexico and has been a Lifeline partner in all of the churches we have built in the northwestern part of Mexico. Lifeline built Jehu a house in Delicias. This is where he conducts the work of his ministry. His ministry is called Familia de Rey (Family of the King). Jehu has been the Mexican backbone of the Christmas shoebox ministry for the last several years. He has been able to get the gifts across the border when everyone else has failed.
Jehu is presently on a fifteen-day visit in the United States. The First Methodist Church of Bainbridge has gifted him with a multi passenger van, which he intends to drive back to Mexico. At this writing, he is with Doug Doster in Covington, Georgia. He will go to meet with Billy Mills in Michigan and then return to Thomasville to visit with Lifeline. Please keep brother Jehu in your prayers while he travels in our country.
I have shared many times about the churches we have built in Mexico’s poorest areas. We had a warm response to last month’s letter concerning investing in the Kingdom’s work. I ask you to do the math. What kind of impact do you believe one church will make in a village or slum area that does not have any worship facilities? You cannot help but come to the conclusion that Lifeline is making a difference. Please join us and experience what God is doing. A big Thank You to our current supporters.
iHs,
Griff
May 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
Lifeline supports several missionaries. Over the next several months, I am going to provide you with information on each of these. I feel that you should know exactly how your financial support is being distributed. Over the past several years you have heard me mention our efforts in the Philippine Islands. For those of you who are not aware the Philippines are made up of over seven thousand islands. It should go without saying that this area is ripe for harvest. It is also receptive to the Gospel.
In 2005, I had the privilege of meeting and developing a relationship with Harrell and Lolita Hemingway. Lifeline provided a place in Thomasville for this couple of the Lord to dwell for a year while they waited on God’s direction for their continued outreach ministry. They left Thomasville in 2007 and spent a year on the island of Grenada. They left Grenada in 2008 and went to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. They continue to reside in Palawan where they are currently building a “House of Refuge”. Lifeline provided the initial funding for this project. I encourage you to go to our website www.lifelineministries.com. Here you will be able to link to I am Born Again Ministries (in our missionaries section) and view videos and photos of this project in progress.
Lifeline also provided the funding to start a feeding program on this island. During Harrell’s stateside tenure with Lifeline, I tried to instill in him the importance of “inspecting what you expect”. Well, he has successfully applied this principle to the Philippines children’s feeding program. He is providing meals for one hundred fifty children at the cost of seventeen cents per meal. He has been able to accomplish this by acquiring the support of the principal of the school. Not only is Amy managing and maintaining excellent records of expenditures, but she has also agreed to assist in managing the expansion of this program. This prohibits us from duplicating the mistakes we made in Mexico. We will continue to “inspect what we expect”.
I cannot say enough about the Hemingway’s stewardship. This wonderful couple is so dedicated to our Lord. They are actually living (camping) in a tent while the “House of Refuge” is being constructed.
I am asking that those of you who are not currently supporting Lifeline financially to join us. We desperately need your help. Any amount will be a blessing. I am praying that you will consider us as you invest in the Kingdoms work. Lifeline is striving to make a difference in peoples lives who are less fortunate than ourselves. Our primary interest is carrying the Gospel to these frontier areas. “ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15,16) Your contribution of twenty-five dollars will provide 150 meals for one day’s feeding. May God continue to bless and prosper your efforts.
iHs,
Griff
April 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
It does not seem that a year has passed since I announced (April 2009) in our monthly newsletter, that I would be attending Epworth by the Sea for the United Methodist Men’s retreat. The president of UMM is Chuck Cowart. As I have previously mentioned, Chuck is a Lifeline supporter. He is also doing a great job in his efforts to revitalize United Methodist Men. This year’s meeting will be held April 16-18 at Epworth. I encourage all of you Methodist Men to get involved with your local church’s organization.
It was the United Methodist Men of the South Georgia Conference that appointed the late Jimmy Keyton to the same office, Director of Involvement, now held by Lifeline Vice President Gene Trulock. Roy Lifsey, an emeritus member of South Georgia UMM, shared a vision of world evangelism utilizing small engine planes carrying Spirit filled men into Mexico to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was out of this vision and that of Jimmy Keyton’s that was the actual beginning of Lifeline Ministry.
As a result of Christian men of all faiths, Lifeline has achieved the following:
1. Built over 100 churches representing several different denominations.
2. Began a Christmas Shoebox ministry.
3. Established a feeding program in Mexico.
4. Established two orphanages.
5. Educated six Mexicans at Asbury Theological College in Kentucky. Two who are now Methodist Bishops in Mexico.
6. Gave the initial monies to fund a feeding program in the Philippines.
7. Conducting revivals in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Africa, and Mexico.
8. Established and maintained an Internet Ministry.
9. Publishes a monthly newsletter and a separate article of “As I See It”.
Everywhere I go people ask me, “What do you do”? I tell them I am President of Lifeline, but I spend most of my time soliciting or begging for money. All of what Lifeline has done and will continue to do is facilitated by your support and I personally thank you.
iHs,
Griff
March 2010
Dear Lifeline Supporter,
As you have probably noticed, this month’s newsletter is running about a week later than normal. This is neither by accident nor delays. I purposely wanted to have the benefit of being able to share with you the information I received at the National Conference gathering of Presidents and Prayer Advocates of United Methodist Men (UMM).
I was recently honored by being appointed as the Prayer Advocate for the South Georgia Conference of UMM. We gathered in Nashville, Tennessee for a five-day Conference Meeting. Chuck Cowart, the South Georgia Conference President and I drove to this March 3rd – 7th meeting. The fellowship I enjoyed while traveling with Chuck was as rewarding as the Conference. Lifeline Ministries is indeed fortunate to count Chuck among our supporters. Roy Lifsey, one of our Charter members recognized Lifeline at this national gathering of Christian men. Roy’s vision that he shared with our late founder, Jimmy Keyton, was instrumental in the forming of Lifeline.
The Upper Room (24/7) prayer ministry is primarily supported by UMM. We were able to actually take a two-hour shift and pray with the incoming callers. What a hands on blessing.
One of our seminar sessions dealt with the Society of St. Andrews. Many of you are familiar with this as Meals for Millions. Our local representative for this wonderful ministry is Art Shoemaker of Albany, Georgia. Again, Lifeline is fortunate to have Art as one of our diligent supporters. I was able to meet with Wade Mays who now heads up this ecumenical ministry (primarily UMM).
During one of our seminar sessions, it was pointed out to us that when we get men involved in our faith that 93% of the time, the family follows.
There is much more I would like to share, but at this point, I would like to advise you of Lifeline’s interest in becoming directly involved with the Upper Room and St. Andrews ministry. You will hear more of this at a later date.
It is through your generous support that we are capable of expanding into these domestic ministries. For those of you looking for an American Ministry vs. Mexican Ministry, this gives you an opportunity to get involved. What are you leaving as a legacy? Mission work, foreign or domestic, gives you an opportunity to do something that will actually make a difference in this world.
Again, we covet your prayers and appreciate your financial support.
iHs,
Griff
February 2010
Dear Lifeline Supporter,
If you remember, last month’s newsletter was prepared as I was packing for a mission trip with the United Methodist Men to Mexico! Wow… what a wonderful experience. I was accompanied by Reverend Lynn Hurley, Gene Trulock and Carl Childs. These are truly three spirit-filled Christians. The only negative experience we encountered was the time we had to spend traveling. After driving from Georgia to Presidio, Texas, (approximately 1400 miles) we next had to travel four hours on an unpaved and rocky road. There was literally not one store, house, nor service station as we ventured into this deserted and uninhabited land. In fact, there were no signs of habitation or life of any kind. The tiresome journey ended as we reached the bottom of a mountain where the village of Alicante, Coahuila set nestled there with its population of approximately 250 people. This was like a scene from an old western movie. The only thing missing was Clint Eastwood.
About half way into this wilderness adventure we encountered a blow out. Now, there we were in the middle of nowhere with a spare but no jack! Pastor Martinez had become concerned about us and had set out to look for us. As we stood there scratching our heads, he appeared. Our God is truly greater than any problem we have.
After arriving, we began work immediately and in two days the team completed building and stabilizing the trusses for the church’s roof. In the evenings, after dinner, we worshipped our Lord with songs and prayer. The first night we were asked to pray for the pastor’s sister. Her name is Maria and she was in critical condition following a stroke. We discovered a few days later that Maria was completely healed and was doing well. Praise God. We experienced other miracles but then again, this is not unusual for Mexico. Mexicans possess such a strong faith and pray with expectation. We have been informed that the congregation conducted their first worship service the following Sunday.
Thanks to all of you who made this trip possible and your overall support for Lifeline Ministries.
iHs,
Griff
January 2010
Dear Lifeline Supporter,
This month’s newsletter is a little short but full of good news. I am literally packing for Mexico as I prepare this letter. I am about as excited as I have been in many years. I think it is because I am going to the area of Mexico that was the location of my first ever mission trip. I remember Jimmy Keyton telling me that I would see and experience miraculous events unlike anything I had ever witnessed in America. He was right. That in itself is enough to excite me. Remember I told you last month about our renewed relations with South Georgia Conference United Methodist Men. They have funded and will actually participate in the construction of this House of God.
Please pray for our team and for salvation for those who will hear us preach in the churches, homes, streets, and the market places. I cannot over emphasize the importance of your prayers. Believe me, God hears them and answers them, so please pray for us continuously. Those going with me are Gene Trulock, Carl Childs, and the Reverend Lynn Hurley. We will be in Hercules, Mexico, which is in the state of Coahuila. You can literally be part of this group by praying and supporting us financially.
Thanks for those of you who already support us. If every recipient of this newsletter sent just $10, we would have enough ($4,450) to pay for the materials for another Church.
iHs
Griff
P.S. On our last three missions trips we had a foot washing service for the entire church. What a humbling experience. Please see As I See It: John 13:14-17.
Phone 229.228.5051 Fax 229.246.8007