BRAUNINGS' BY-LINES
Stephen & Sandra Brauning & family serving with Christian
Reformed World Missions
Overseas Mailing Address: In the
Dominican Republic
DMG 13923
E-Mail: stevebrauning@yahoo.com
7990 15th St. East Home
Phone: 809-530-9008
Sarasota, FL 34243 Office
Phone: 809-565-9601
Sept. 20, 2005, www.oocities.org/stephen.mark/index.html
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not
prevail against it” \
These
words of Jesus Christ, recorded in Matthew 16:18, crystallize the whole scope
of the flow of world history since they were spoken. Christ himself is at work establishing his church. He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom
(Matt. 4:23 and 9:25), and continues actively establishing that Kingdom (John
5:17). It is the greatest movement in
the history of the world, encompassing members from every tribe and tongue and
people and nation (Rev. 5:9, 14:6).
Perhaps
the most amazing part is that we are part of it! Jesus gave his Great Commission at least five times, in Matt.
28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-48, John 20:21-23, and Acts 1:8, thereby mobilizing all of his disciples to carry out the work. We know, of course, that it is he working in and through
us. And he gave us this promise: “This
gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) As missionaries, this is what gives us hope and assurance of
success.
Every
true Christian and true church in the world is part of this worldwide mission,
not just as a member or result of it, but also as an active participant! Christ has called us, in fact has commanded
us to go into the harvest field. Each
one has a different part to play. As
field missionaries, we are privileged to be “on the front lines” as it
were. But no matter where we are, there
is Kingdom work to do.
We
appreciate our partnership in this Kingdom work, with all our supporting
churches and individuals that are praying and supplying materially for us here
on the mission field.
We invite you to join us in praise
and thanksgiving for what the Lord is doing though the ministry of the
Christian Reformed World Missions team here in the Dominican Republic.
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We have five new teams starting Evangelism Explosion this
fall so far. Four are in churches that
are continuing and expanding, and one is in a church that is starting for the
first time.
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The new “Gospel of John” evangelism and discipleship project
is beginning with over 100 pastors receiving the first training session.
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The Reformed Bible Institute here keeps expanding, now with
17 classes around the country. Each
class has at least 10 students, and a trained teacher from the Christian
Reformed Church.
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The Christian Reformed Church here has just opened
university level classes with 25 students attending.
These are
just some of the many signs of the building of the Church and the preaching of
the Gospel of the Kingdom. We ask you to
pray as well for each of these ministries, the missionaries and national
leaders involved, the participants and churches, and that through these,
Christ’s promise would come a little closer to being fulfilled.
FAMILY
REPORT:
The
Brauning family here in the DR is experiencing the first departure from the
nest as Jesse is now at Dordt College in Iowa.
So far he seems to love it. We
sure do miss him around here, though.
We have found that it is hard to reach him by phone in his dorm room
since he’s hardly ever there. The rest
of the family is well, and busy with school, music lessons, and other activities.
Thanks to you all for your love, your prayers and
your support. May the peace of Christ
dwell richly in your hearts.
Steve & Sandra Brauning
Christian Reformed World Ministries
Dominican Republic