Ministry Update – As of September 2024

This summer has been an unusual summer, both for me and RGM. I have been dealing with some health issues this year, since the later part of the 1^st quarter: a couple of infections that have caused me some discomfort and then a surgery in May and a couple of more infections afterward. In July I learned that my chronic pain in my lower back was due to arthritis developing there (it was the reason for my chronic fatigue). There have been other matters of God’s Providence, including the major flooding event that occurred during a rainstorm on June 21^st. That meant we were not able to hold our evangelism training seminar the following weekend, since everyone was still trying to recover from the flooding had affected many people including yours truly (our basement flooded with the sewer lines back flowing into our house). Though we experienced some setbacks, we were able to do some community activities and events to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ as much as we were able to and God gave us opportunity. Below is a brief summary what we were able to accomplish and what we are doing and what hope to be doing as close out the year:

Past and Current Activities:

On July 27^th we held a Gospel in the Park (“GiP”) at the City Park in Sheldon, IA – Though we had a light turnout for the GiP in July, we received positive feedback with good gospel singing by those in attendance and the gospel message from Isaiah 53, titled “Who is Your Savior.” The message was preached by Rev. Richard Stetler.

Then on August 24^th we held a Gospel in the Park (GiP) in Sheldon – For this one we did something very different this year. It was to be held in Spanish led by Rev. Elijah Anderson, associate pastor of Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn, IA. Elijah was to lead the singing and deliver a gospel message; however, when only one person showed up he sat with the gentleman (a new believer in Christ) one-on-one to encourage him with the word and answer questions of concerns. It was a blessing and an encouragement not only to the gentleman, but also RGM to be able to reach out with the gospel to the Spanish speaking people of this area. Since there was no program or preaching done, no video was taken.

Though we had few people present at our GiP events this year, the Lord has blessed us nonetheless. Perhaps, next year the Lord will be please to bring more people to these park events to hear a gospel message, where hearts are convicted of sin bringing them to repentance, and with hearts converted draw near to Christ by faith, resting their salvation in His one atoning work on cross for their salvation and eternal hope of heaven.

Hartley Vendor Fair & Parade – August 3^rd we participated in the Hartley Summer Celebration Parade distributing tracts along the parade route. We also had a table at the vendor fair, which was after the parade from noon to 5 p.m. – we gave away Bible and books and other gospel materials to people. There were many opportunities to talk to people about Jesus Christ and some of the upcoming events, including our fall conference. At this event, I met Jay and Virginia and have been meeting with them every Lord Day evening for Bible study, going through the Epistle to the Romans.

Sheldon Vendor Fair – This year it was decided to not participate in the Taste of Sioux Center at Dordt University the last Wednesday of August. Instead, we had a table at the Sheldon Vendor Fair for their summer celebration event on September 2^nd. We gave away all of our Bible and ran out of many of our books – people were eager to deepen their faith in Christ and learn how to proclaim the gospel message.

Planned Events/Activities in Future for 2024:

Tri-State Bible Conference – Sept. 23 & 24 – We will have a table at the conference making available Bibles, books and other gospel material – free of charge.

Worship Service Sunday Mornings at 10:30 in Hartley, IA (to begin this week at the American Legion meeting room as a temporary place to hold services) – Plan to preach a series of message from the Gospel of John – Pray that the Lord will cause it to grow)

Revelation Bible Study beginning first week of October – Still looking for a location to hold it at – the city is not being very cooperative with library banning all “religious” meetings – definitely in the last days.

Fall Reformation Conference – November 8 & 9

RGM 2025

Work has begun to schedule a creation conference April 26^th with a speaker from the Institute for Creation Research – the conference will be held in Hartley, IA at the Community Center, Lord willing – hope to pay the deposit in October.

The Evangelism training seminar that was to be held at the end of June has been tentatively rescheduled for May 30, 2025 – More information will be coming soon.

Please keep these events in prayer as we plan for these and other evangelism events and activities in 2025.

RGM International:

• We continue to support the outreach efforts of Sanjay in NW India – He continues to diligently pass out the Bibles and tracts we have sent.  He is also continuing his evangelism efforts in the neighboring jungle area and the Himalayans.
  • In July and August we sent money to Sanjay to purchase Hindi Bibles, and to help with expenses for his trip to the Himalayans and to the local jungles for his evangelism efforts there. We also sent him English Bibles and some books. We sent him The Reformation Heritage Study Bible by Joel Beeke – I believe it will help him gain a better grasp of the Reformed faith (his son is also reading it).
  • In addition to the money we send Sanjay we also pass along donations from my aunt and uncle to Sanjay to help with living expenses and the purchase of Hindi Bibles

Will continue to help as much as possible: needs 150 more Hindi Bibles and 50 English Bibles plus help with the expenses for a prayer conference he is planning in October. He has other needs such as a motor bike and plastic chairs and tables for the Mountain and Jungle ministries. Please keep in prayer.

Himalayan Mountain Ministry