Dear Friends of the Ministry, In our spare time, Liz and I enjoy putting

Dear Friends of the Ministry,
In our spare time, Liz and I enjoy putting puzzles together. She is
more gifted at it than I, but I always manage to get a few pieces
put in place to at least say, “I helped.” We particularly like
puzzles by Charles Wysocki and those of his brother, that goes by
the name of Heronim put out by Hometown. I think we like these
the best, because we can pick up a piece of the puzzle and by
looking at the box cover, know where the piece goes. The solution
is on the top of the puzzle box!
Ron Hutchcraft says, “Life is often described as being like a puzzle with so many pieces—family,
friends, associates, and society. Yes, there are even pieces of success and failure. Many often
wonder where they are going, where do they fit in as far as life is concerned, and what is the
puzzle of their life all about. This is especially true with young people. The solution is not on the
top of any puzzle box, but in the very Word of God and the secret is found in Colossians 1:16.
There are six key words in that verse that will help solve the puzzle of life. They are: “created by
Him, and for Him.” These six words can finally put the pieces of your life together.”
As one writer has so aptly put it: “God has created a God-shaped hole in everyone’s life that
only He can fill.” In the youth ministry we see so many lives disconnected and often still part of
the unsorted pile. Since sin has separated us from God and has become a wall between man and
God, we need to readily admit our need and seek His forgiveness, so the wall gets taken down.
The unsaved, whether young or old, aren’t going to find their lives making sense until they come
to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. That’s why we write curriculum, conduct
evangelistic activities such as REVERB, train youth through ENGAGE where they learn how to
use their skills and talents for the Lord, and conduct LEADERSHIP TRAINING so they can in
turn teach someone else.
The sooner we learn that we were created by Him, and for Him, the sooner we’ll have purpose in
our lives and begin to see the BIG picture. The pieces of your life finally start to fit together
when you come to the cross. Since our Creator knows the WHOLE picture, Jesus Himself, is the
piece we are searching for!
PRAISE:
1. Just finished updating the Writer’s Style Guide for 2016. This was originally done by Bill
Hough, who did a masterful job and has been my mentor for years. Due to his poor eyesight,
WOL has turned it over to me for upgrades. This Style Guide is the procedure that our writers
use when writing their lessons.
2. Favorable response to our weekly Preacher Mentor—a tool designed to assist pastors and
youth pastors. We love serving God’s servants.
3. The latest report of the results of the WOL musical drama: MAGI put on by the students at
the Bible Institute and the Redemption Team as it toured through the Mid-Atlantic is now in and
we are rejoicing over the results: 14,172 were in attendance with 363 recorded first-time
salvation decisions. Here’s an interesting testimony from Don Lough: * One of our students,
Caleb, led a young man to Christ (Dalton) after the production in Newark, DE. Dalton’s
grandmother, who had been caring for him and his sister due to some family difficulties, had
been praying for his salvation for many years. His sister has desired to come to a Word of Life
camp for some time, but it has been out of reach for them financially. As God would have it, her
name was drawn for the FREE WEEK of camp. The pastor of the local church hosting us could
not believe how God orchestrated things for this family! They also had 127 students make
application to attend the Bible Institute. What a fruitful tour!
4.
God continues to amaze us with things that encourage and bless us. For instance, the other
day while visiting my dentist. As I checked in, the new receptionist thought she recognized me
and wanted to know if I’d preached at Beulah Baptist Church in Oxford, PA. I indicated that I
had and then she said, “The Sunday you preached, my daughter, Jessica, went forward and
accepted the Lord as her Savior, I can even remember the dress she was wearing. She is now
married to your dentist!” God brings refreshing encouragement at the most unusual times. Thank
you for your faithfulness in giving and praying. It enables us to continue sharing the Word and
seeing His grace.
PERSPECTIVE:A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up.
PRAYER:
1.
The Student Writing Team just completed their work project… I’ve seen a sample of
their work and believe our leaders and teens will greatly enjoy what awaits them.
2.
For continued health and safety.
3.
Pray for these new converts from the MAGI Tour. They need to grow and learn to be
strong in the Lord in order to face the many temptations that will now come their way. Satan
never wants to see growth!
4.
Snow Camp Weekends begin in Pottersville, NY beginning January 22nd and going
through March 6th. Over 1000 teenagers and leaders will be part of these great winter weekend
retreats with many of them getting saved and loads of them dedicating their lives to the Lord.
The first weekend they have 258 registered… with over 50% of them coming from the MidAtlantic… PLUS – LOTS of snow coming!
When the pieces of the puzzle are in place, we see the Picture or the Plan. Thanks for helping us
with this great task!
InHIM,
Dale Flynn
Curriculum
23RoseCourt,Elkton,MD21921
o:410.398.3126|c:443.350.4999