No Greater Love Ministries

Praying for Mardi Gras

2012-01-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

Hi NGL Partners,

The New Year has arrived and it is time to put the “push” on for our Annual Mardi Gras Outreach, February 17-21!!!!!

It is distressing that many people make a “decision” for the Lord and that is as far as it goes. Salvation is just the entrance into the exciting life God has prepared for His children. The Great Commission is really The Great Adventure for all of us as Christians. In this New Year, we all need to take stock of how we are moving along in our relationship with the Lord helping His Kingdom come.

Preparation is essential for a great Mardi Gras experience. The old saying goes: “Fighters don’t become great in the ring; they just get recognized in the ring.” This is true for with us for each Mardi Gras experience. This will be my 37th Mardi Gras and it is just as important to prepare for this one as it was for my first one. So let’s get on board together in preparing our hearts for His service.

Prayer is the key to life, ministry and Mardi Gras!!!!! The difference it will make in this coming Mardi Gras and in our lives will be amazing. The book we will be using together is “Praying Hyde.” This is the most basic book on a life of prayer that I have ever read. When I started the ministry years ago, I encouraged men to read “Praying Hyde” to learn how to meet with God for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This book is profitable for us not just to read, but to meditate on and incorporate the principles in our lives. You can find the book on-line at Amazon or your book store can order it.

Get the book and let me know how it affects you and your life and I will share the findings with others.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Prayer List:
1. Pray for the Lord to call forth men for this harvest at Mardi Gras:
2. Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to fall on all of us;
3. Pray for the men going with us to have a meaningful encounter with the Lord;
4. Pray for the lost to have a meaningful encounter with the Lord;
5. Pray for those who receive Christ to continue their pilgrimage with the Lord;
6. Pray for protection and safety

Weekly Prayer Request, Dec 27, 2011

2011-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

We are spending a few days here in South Dakota seeing my daughter, her family and getting to spend time in reflection before going back home and getting on the ball for Mardi Gras. I am spending more time in prayer for all the things that go into our Mardi Gras experience. This will be my 37th Mardi Gras. Each year the experience is more precious as I get to visit each of our 5 camps and hear the testimonies of how the Lord is dealing with and through each man. Moses wasn’t called in the Mall or sitting on the couch. I have seen God use the Mardi Gras to touch and change men like no other place or event. I feel so privileged to get to work with those the Lord calls out to the event and especially for those the Lord call "out" from the event.

Thanks for your love and joining me in praying the Lord of the Harvest to call men forth for His Kingdom enterprises throughout the world. The men being called out will meet many obstacles and will need our prayers and support to help them through the hurdles. Each man "needs" these hurdles to help him draw on the Lord like never before. Each year, I find the need to spend more time with the Lord in preparation.

In His service,

Fred
Joshua 1:9
New Living Translation (NLT)
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Weekly Prayer Request, Dec 15, 2011

2011-12-15T14:22:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers. Here are the areas we are needing prayer for now:

1. Some things are beginning to work out about places to stay for Mardi Gras. We still need prayer for the rest of them.
2. This Friday is our next Administrative meeting. We are needing favor concerning the ones we are calling to lead our camps. We would like to have our camp leaders assigned before Christmas so we can begin enlisting men during January.
3. I pray all of you are having a great Christmas season. It is such a great time of the year to show our love for our Lord and show our love for each other.

Love ya’s

Fred
John 3:30

Weekly Prayer Requests, November 22, 2011

2011-11-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. We all have so much to be thankful for at this time. I am looking forward to having Thanksgiving breakfast with our son Shane and his family. Then in the afternoon when the grand kids are with their in-laws, we will have our afternoon lunch at Cracker Barrel with Shane and Melissa.

Friday I am going out to Lincoln, Nebraska. It will be good to be with our Husker friends and encourage them toward Mardi Gras in February. I will meet with the guys at Valentino’s Pizza place on Friday night and then with everyone at Elevation church on Saturday night at 5:30 pm for a potluck meal. It has been a long time since I have visited Nebraska and I am excited about the trip. Please pray for a good time of reunion with the Huskers.

We still need prayer for places to open up for us to stay at Mardi Gras. One special place will have a Board meeting to decide if we can stay at that place. Pray for the Lord’s will to be done in that call. Next week we will be meeting as an administrative board for the Mardi Gras to get things moving in selecting leadership of our camps.

Love ya’s and so appreciate your participation and prayers,

Fred

Prayer Requests, Week of Nov 14, 2011

2011-11-14T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer friends,

We are in full swing trying to arrange places to stay at Mardi Gras. Last year, we were right down to the wire getting our last place and I thought it would be easier this year. HOWEVER, our best place will not be available due to another group going to be at the site. We have lost two places that we have had in the past. Another place that we stayed in last year has doubled the price for staying there. Last year they let us stay there for $1700.00 and this year they want $3400.00. That would be very tough to cover. I know the Lord is able to do “above all we ask or think.” I am asking all of you to pray for the Lord to guide in this endeavor. I felt very heavy this morning and was looking forward to a great time of worship. Yes, I enjoyed laying aside the “hosting” project and just go give it all in worship. While on my way to church, I realized that it is the Lord’s business and the “heavy” part is on His end.

The clown suit project is going great. I talked to someone today at church and she said her team is making 15 suits and enjoying it a lot. That was encouraging and I needed encouragement this morning.

I will be working on the “housing” project this coming week and looking to the Lord daily for His direction. Here is what I see as the object of prayer:

1. To know Jesus: II Peter 1:2 (I have memorized this verse and recite it many times a day.)

2. To learn His will for the day. Prov 3:5-7

3. To get myself in line with it!!!!!

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I have been praying each Sunday for each of the places that have hosted us before and I really thought the housing situation would be a slam dunk!!! Ok, I took it for granted. Now it is back to the WORK of prayer. I don’t think the Lord appreciates being taken for granted.

I plan to go to Nebraska soon. I am excited about this as it has been a long time since I have been there to see everyone. I hope to have a reunion time with everyone and see a Husker’s game play against Iowa.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Prayer Requests, Week of Nov 7, 2011

2011-11-10T05:34:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers. Sometimes I feel I am the weakest Christian on the planet. I need one hour every morning in devotion to get my day started off right. When I don’t get that for whatever reason, I don’t seem to have solid footing to take on the obstacles along the way. Yesterday, I had an errand to run before church. So I put off my devotion time. I was on my way out to the new “campus” that Christ Church has started and I almost backed out of going. I had all my devotion books and Bible with me. So I stopped in a quiet place and did my devotion and then the desire and strength returned.

Now for the prayer needs for the week.

1) I need to get the places arranged for the men to stay at Mardi Gras February 17-21. We need 7 places to host us for the trip. I put in calls to 8 places today, but only got answering machines. All of these places are the ones we have stayed in before. So I told each of them what we needed and gave the dates. Now, I need for you to pray for the Lord’s favor to open up the places He would have us stay and for the price to be manageable.

2) Pray for Dan Vawser as he is preparing an updated Promo Video for the coming Mardi Gras.

3) One of the alumni from the school Dave Munson and I taught in the Philippines is working with an orphanage in Cambodia. They have had huge flooding and some have died. Abby finally got through tonight in sending financial help to them. Pray for the orphanage and for the missionary, Alice Asong.

4) Pray for NGL men to get excited about Mardi Gras for the coming year and for the anointing of the Lord to be upon all of us as we hear the Lord say “Whom Shall I Send and Who Will Go for Me?”

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Love ya’s

Fred
Jeremiah 33:2-3
The Message (MSG)
"This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own."

Prayer Requests, November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your love and prayers. It has been tough having our daughter and her family move away out to Rapid City, SD. We went out there and had a great visit with them. PTL!!

I. Here are our prayer concerns:

1. I am ready to start calling places to line up our places to stay for Mardi Gras. We plan to have five camps, but we will need seven sites as two camps move on the Sunday from other States to New Orleans. I know we have lost one place we stayed last year. Today I need that project “bathed” in prayer. Tomorrow, I plan to start calling the places.

2. Pray for our new Promo Video that Dan Vawser is working on as we have people needing it already for recruitment.

3. Pray for our Administrative team as we get together next week to select men to lead the 5 camps. The load feels very heavy right now. I use Psalm 133 for my model. As we get the leaders of each camp in place, the anointing will transfer more to them and lift off of me. Pray for the process to be used by the Lord.

4. Pray for the Area Leaders as they begin their recruitment for Mardi Gras. Max Vick is getting ready to have a big pancake breakfast to enlist men for Mardi Gras.

5. Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to call forth men for His harvest.

II. Praise Updates:

a. Sue McDonald, in Vietnam, is doing much better.

b. Howard Madden’s wife, Carol, is doing much better also.

c. Thanks for your prayers for the family of Ron Kuhnert after the death of his wife and my cousin.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Proverbs 1:33 (NLT), "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."

Prayer Requests for October 20th

2011-10-20T04:49:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Jan and I are in Rapid City, SD. Our daughter’s husband, Craig, was transferred by the Air Force for his last two years of military service. This was difficult as Jan was so close to Jill and our granddaughter, Josie.

We are enjoying the countryside here as it is so different from Illinois. We have seen the presidents on Mt. Rushmore, the carving of Crazy Horse, the Indian, on a large rock, Spearfish Canyon and the Badlands. I was most impressed with the Badlands. It is indescribable.

Jan hadn’t traveled outside our local area for over a year since her open heart surgery. Yet, she wanted to see Jill and Josie enough to brave the trip. The change I see in her here is unbelievable. It is so good to hear her laugh again. She looks ten years younger. PTL! What a blessing!

Due to our modern technology, I am able to keep up with most everything. I have my computer and the internet. I have a lot of time alone to study, pray and plan.

Thanks for your prayers for us. God has answered in a marvelous way I couldn’t have imagined.

PRAYER NEEDS:

1. Sarge’s wife, Sue, had a bad spell in Viet Nam, but was to come home from the hospital today.

2. Howard Madden’s wife, Carol, had a bad spell, but is doing better.

3. Ron Kuhnert’s wife and my cousin, Joan, are still hanging in there with Joan battling cancer. Roger Lipe sends her Bible verses each day and she looks forward to receiving those from him. Please remember her and Ron.

4. One of the Alumni from the school where I taught in the Philippines, Alice Asong, is in Cambodia working with an orphanage. They are having flooding and the water is rising. Some have already died. Please remember her and the work there.

5. Jan is so good here and it is good for Jill and Josie during this transition period. I feel like the three disciples on the mountain with Jesus just wanting to stay here. It is like a dream to see Jan, Jill and Josie together. Pray we will know when to leave for home.

I am so thankful for all of you who pray for us and the ministry. It means so much to me.

Love ya’s,

Fred

2011 Men's Retreat Recap

2011-10-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

We had a great Men’s Retreat. Thanks for your prayers.

The content shared by Roger Lipe on Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs was great and the small groups help apply the things to our lives. Troy Benitone share on how to evaluate our lives and the lives of others. We had three sessions with Troy and the material was not only good but practical. All of us were challenged after assessing where we are and where we want to be, then explaining how to get out of where we are and get to where we ought to be with the Lord. Troy’s was also helpful with simple ways of determining where others are by the questions they ask. We have the messages on CD and will have a printed material which will be a help for us who attended and for those who couldn’t be with us.

Jan and I are out in Rapid City, SD visiting our daughter, Jill, Craig and Josie. This is the first vacation we have had in years and this country is so different from Southern Illinois. Thanks for your prayers as we spend time with our family here and get renewed for the upcoming preparation for Mardi Gras. I was overwhelmed with the Badlands. There is no way to imagine it looking at pictures.

I didn’t realize how much tension I have in my joints and muscles. Being around such sights and feeling so small, allows me to relax and it is slowly feeling very good! Jan is excited being with our daughter and family. It is helping her a lot with her health.

Be praying for Abby, our NGL Office Administrator, as she works on processing the Men’s Retreat, manages the clown project and collects information to help us for the upcoming Mardi Gras.

Thanks for your love and prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred
Psalm 27:14, "(NLT) Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."

Memorial for Paul Johnson

2011-09-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

Paul Johnson, 56, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Du Quoin, Ill., passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at Southeast Hospital. He was born on Jan. 23, 1955, to David Ivan and Maxine Daily Johnson in Du Quoin. He was married Jan. 16, 1982, to Nancy Beatty of Mannington, W.Va. Paul Johnson was a Cape Girardeau police and fire 911 dispatcher for 24 years. He was also employed at Gospel-and Bookstore in Carbondale and Cape Girardeau. He served one year on the Mission Service Corps through Southern Baptist Missions. Paul also worked at the Du Quoin Evening Call for seven years.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Joy Lynn Johnson of Cape Girardeau; son, Josiah David Johnson of Cape Girardeau; three grandsons, Nathaniel, Zachary and Joshua; father, David Johnson of Du Quoin; mother-in-law, Polly Beatty of Mannington; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Rebekkah Lynn-Anne Johnson; mother; and father-in-law, James Beatty of Mannington. Visitation will be from 10 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at LaCroix United Methodist Church. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Fred Bishop officiating. Memorials may be made to the family to offset the cost of the funeral and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Praying for the Retreat!

2011-09-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team!!

Our Men's retreat is this Friday and Saturday. We need your prayer for the Lord to call forth men for His service and that the Lord will work in each of our hearts and unite us together to hear, see and experience Him in each other. Please pray for Roger Lipe and Troy Benitone as our featured speakers and for others who will be sharing their testimonies and for the music as we worship the Lord together.

Thanks,
Love ya's,

Fred
Luke 4:18-19

Weekly Prayer Requests; Sep 6, 2011

2011-09-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Hi partners,

Thanks for your prayers.

1. We have had good responses from our Clown Suit project. PTL! Pray for those who have committed to making suits and are in the process of making them.

2. We are using E-mail to promote our Men’s Retreat
a. Pray for the corrections to the E-mail addresses as many are being returned as no longer valid. This is a real hurdle right now.

3. This week we will concentrate more on the Area Leaders in our promotion. Pray for the Lord to quicken and anoint them as they get on board and enlist the men in their areas of influence.

a. With our model of Psalm 133, the anointing needs to reach out to these leaders this week.

4. We have problems getting our “flyers” for the event in a form that all can use to make copies for their church bulletin boards. Pray for the corrections needed for that to happen.

5. We have a great agenda that will be a benefit to every man who comes with us. I am thankful for that.

a. Pray for Roger Lipe as he will be sharing Friday night on “Proverbial” Leadership.

b. Pray for Troy Benitone as he will be sharing Saturday on how to see where we are and how to “read” where others are as we witness to them.

c. I am excited about both of these men and what they will be sharing.

On a personal note, my three sisters and I celebrate our birthdays together each year at the Du Quoin State Fair. Our parents always took us to the Fair and mom always make “peanut rolls.” I had Mark’s Bakery in Du Quoin to make fresh, night before, peanut rolls for the party. It is one of my highlight times of the year. This year, my son, Shane went with me and that was special. What a wonderful gift it is to have family and to get along together so well. As each of us siblings each have our own “clans” now, that one day at the Fair is the closest thing to Christmas with them as I can imagine. I have three sisters. My oldest sister, Halene, has a birthday on September 4th and my youngest sister, Sue, has a birthday on September 6th. So I moved my middle sister, Dona’s birthday from July 17th to September 5th as she is my middle sister and my birthday is September 12th. So we get to do it all together. I love it!!!!!

Love ya’s

Fred
Psalm 133:1

2011 NGL Men's Retreat

2011-09-05T02:01:00.000-07:00

2011 NGL Men's Retreat

Friday, Sept 23 - Saturday, Sept 24
Community of Faith Church
1105 Refuge Road
Carterville, IL 62918

Registration is 5 - 7 pm at the church on the 23rd

For more information please see the flyer located here

Weekly Prayer Request - Aug 30, 2011

2011-08-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL Prayer Partners,

We need prayer for our promotion of the Men's Retreat. We will have our "flyer" and bios of the event going out this Thursday. We need prayer that the flyer will be timed just right to touch men's hearts to partner with us at the Retreat. We will start with the Flyer this week and then have follow up promos going out each week after that.

Keep praying for our Clown suit and wig project. The suits are coming in they really look good. Pray for Betty Braswell and Abby Emling as they coordinate this project and pray for the Lord to continue to call forth people to get material and sew the suits. I bought a suit at a Carnival store, but the ones people are making cost about the same. However, the home made suits are much better.

My cousin, Joan, is hanging in there like a trooper. Roger Lipe keeps a steady diet of Bible verses going her way and she uses the verses to equip her for the daily battles she is facing. Please keep her in your prayers.

September is THE month we use each year to kick off our coming year. Pray for the Lord to bring forth men for the Retreat and speak to each of our hearts preparing us for the coming Mardi Gras.

Keep the people in the North East US in your prayers. As big as the hurricane was, larger than the continent of Europe, the damage was much less that was expected. Pray for the people to look to God for the restoration needed physically and emotionally.

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Love ya's,
Fred
Jeremiah 29:11-13

NGL Prayer Update

2011-08-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL Partners,

I know and have experienced in NGL that the Gates of Hell don’t prevail against the church. That is why I am so thankful to have all of you to work with for NGL. Our country, Europe, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan and so many other places are in such a downward spiral. It would be so devastating to us if it were not that we can look up and be on the winning team. The old song was almost written for today. “On Christ the solid rock I stand. ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND.” For such a time as this, we have had our training. So let’s rise and share the “Good News!”

Thanks for the prayers:

- For our Clown suit and wig project. The funds and people to make the suits are really coming along. Pray for those who made commitments to come through, especially the makers of the suits. So far the wigs we have found are rather skimpy and small. We shall keep looking.

- Pray for Jeff Bealmear in Kenya.

- Pray for Bob Gay in Honduras and Guatemala.

- Betty Braswell is adjusting well in Springfield

- My cousin, Joan, is hanging in there and looking to the Lord

We just had our NGL Board meeting last Friday night at my childhood home church in Sunfield, IL where we hold our “kick-off” for the coming year each August. It was a great meeting. It is always such an honor to have these special men go back with me to the place of my salvation. I never want to get away from my foundation in the Lord. I was fourteen and afraid I was going to hell. I wear a cross continually to remind me to live near the Old Rugged Cross.

Now is the time to get the "ball rolling" for the 2012 Campaign. Matthew 9:3 says, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

NGL ANNUAL MEN’S RETREAT SEPTEMBER 23-24

First I look to God for the kind of CONTENT we need to move us forward for the coming year.

I was at a church men’s retreat and the messages given by Troy Benitone were life changing for many of the men. It was so good that even though I had to leave for a prior engagement, I just didn’t want to leave. I know those messages and small groups will be revealing and helpful for the first timers as well as for all of us seasoned veterans just like they were at that retreat.

Roger Lipe is the most prolific man I know today and the anointing of God is on him in a special way for men in sport. He suggested for us to get some insight for our lives in the Book of Proverbs which is the Book I have, for years, encouraged all of us to use daily as part of our devotions. His insights will help all of us to “kick it up a notch.”

The NEXT STEP is to get the promotion process started and trust Psalm 133 for the anointing to go out to the area leaders and speak to their hearts in such a way that it will move on to all those they influence for all of us to come together and get refreshed, refilled and set on fire for our Lord.

Thanks so much for all the prayers and support. God is able to do ABOVE ALL WE ASK OR THINK. So join with me in “asking” and “thinking!”

Love ya’s,

Fred

Weekly Prayer Request - Aug 18, 2011

2011-08-18T11:09:00.001-07:00

Hi NGL prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers.

I. Prayer Concerns:

1. Betty Braswell, is doing better physically after being taken by ambulance from Carbondale to Springfield. She has moved from Carbondale to Springfield and adjusting very well. I was talking with her by phone yesterday and she interrupted me and said that she had to go because her friends were there to go to lunch with her. Ya gotta love it!

2. Ron Kuhnert, our chief cook and coordinator's wife, who is also a favorite cousin of mine, is on hospice, but her attitude is good. Her sister, Peg, and her husband have come from Seattle to be a help and encouragement. Roger Lipe is being the biggest help with is daily Scriptures of wisdom and encouragement.

3. Our secretary/office manager, Abby, is having health problems and needs your prayers. This is the time of year when everything kicks into gear toward the Men's Retreat and Mardi Gras.

II. Needs

1. Pray for Bill and Sue McDonald as they are in the States but will be going back to Viet Nam soon.

2. Pray for Jeff Bealmear on a mission trip to Africa

3. Pray for Bob Gay on a mission trip to Honduras and Guatemala

4. Pray for our Board meeting this Friday night.

A. Roger Lipe will lead us through the "Small Group" questions we will be using at Mardi Gras. This gives us a chance to "fine tune" the questions.

B. We will be meeting at the Sunfield UMC where I was saved as a boy. We meet there each year in August to take us all the way back to where it all began for me. I still go there often to pray and enjoy the Lord. They gave me a key to the church. So I stop in and pray each week when I go down to work at the office. I always feel God's presence there is such a warm, gentle and assuring way. I first turn on the light behind the stained glass window of the three crosses and a sun in the background. I start out on the back row and gradually move forward worshiping until I end up at the altar, the third "clover leaf" from the left representing where I gave my life to the Lord at the age of 14. I feel His presence just writing about it to you.

C. We will look at the t-shirt design that Jeff Bealmear has designed for the coming year to get feedback on it.

D. Pray for these 20 plus men on the Board. Their faithfulness never ceases to amaze and inspire me. They are the greatest! Some of them have been with me for 40 years. Shucks, I went "eek" when I just got through counting up the years. There is nothing more precious than lasting friendships. Tom McDaniel and Rudy Rice have been with me the longest. Carl Johnson was the first man I worked with back in San Antonio back in 1974 when the ministry was getting ready to start.

Thanks so much for your love, prayers and support. It is such a blessing and honor to have you people as my friends and to see how the Lord through your prayers turns the devil's onslaughts on their ears. I have never see it fail. I owe all of you so much.

Love ya's,
Fred

Proverbs 17:17 (AMP), "A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity."

Nugget of Preparation

2011-08-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

As most of you know, I have missed very few days in the last 35 years without reading Oswald Chambers and I still do. However, sometimes something comes across the “waves” that stirs and confirms what I believe. I am sure things happen for all of you that way as well. A friend of mine and the ministry has been used of the Lord in mighty ways. However, he has been going through some tough times and had a very important meeting, encounter with someone and needed guidance. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord prepares us for such meetings. He went to a national conference that he normally has a part in the leadership. However, this year, he had no responsibilities at the conference. So he was able to go to the sessions like all the other people. The Lord had prepared this conference especially for him. Below is the “process” he learned and applied and used in his “confrontation” meeting last night.

Love ya’s and can’t imagine what it would be like without you and don’t even want to try!

Fred

Heart Preparation Before the Lord

1. Quiet yourself down. Be comfortable. “Be still and know….” Psalm 46:10 Ask for the Holy Spirit. “I will go to my guidepost” Emmanuel “God is with us”.

a. We must be child-like. Keep it simple. Picture yourself as an 8 year old child

b. Listen, listen, listen….”I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me” Habakuk 2:1-2

2. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Use vision as part of your prayer and use the “eyes of your heart” to see. A picture is worth a thousand words. Genesis 15:5-6. Do not picture fear, guilt, lust, sin, etc. Place your whole self into the vision/scene. Participate in the scene. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring the scene alive! Ephesians 1:17-11 When the scene comes alive it becomes a vision. We can step from a Godly imagination into a vision.

a. Focus on Jesus… the Author and Finisher of our faith.

b. Imagine the WORD.

c. Enter into HIS rest.

3. Tune to Flow… God’s voice can sounds like spontaneous thoughts that light upon your mind (flowing). The anointing flow takes over!

a. Tune to flow….become an extension of Jesus in flow… God’s voice sounds like spontaneous thoughts that light upon your mind (flowing). The anointing flow takes over!

b. John 7:37-39 “rivers of living water” begin to flow

c. His voice sounds like flowing thoughts, emotions, words and visions.

d. Speaking the oracles of God

e. Yield to the flow… the river of God within us.

f. Examples exercise to meditate on…
i. Lord, do You love me?
ii. Lord, how do you see me?
iii. Lord, what do you want to say to me?

4. Write out the flow of thoughts and pictures. Journal your these thoughts and visions. Share your written flow with fellow Christians. Especially if you are unsure.

Weekly Prayer Request, Aug 9, 2011

2011-08-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL Prayer Partners,

This is the month to get direction for the coming year. I always have our Board meet this month at my old Country church where I was saved as a boy. It helps me remember and make sure I am still staying true to the Jesus I met there when I was fourteen. As Oswald Chambers would say, “We never get through the “cross” we just get more into it.”

1. Roger Lipe is doing the “Small Group” questions from the book of Proverbs. I am excited about that as that is the basic book we have always stressed to use in our Daily devotions. Roger has some good insights that will be helpful for all of us. Keep Roger in prayer as he works on this project.

2. Pray for Pastor Jeff Bealmear as he designs our NGL T-shirts for the coming year. The Scripture for the coming year will be: Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile."

3. Pray for our upcoming Men’s Retreat September 23-24th. Pray for the Lord to bring forth men to prepare our hearts for the coming year.

4. Thanks for your prayers for:

A. Betty Braswell. She came through her fall and is now living up in Springfield. God is good and HE ANSWERS PRAYER!

B. My cousin, Joan Kuhnert, she is doing better and is at home. God is good and HE ANSWERS PRAYER!

C. For Bill Alexander, our Board member-----He got two stints and is home and doing well. God is good and HE ANSWERS PRAYER!

Have a good day and be blessed,

Love ya’s,
Fred

Weekly Prayer Requests, August 2, 2011

2011-08-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers this past week. I am much better this week. God is good!

1. Pray a blessing on those who are giving and the ones putting the clown suits together. This is such a much needed project for the Mardi Gras ministry. Please remember to pray for Abby and Betty Braswell as they oversee this project.

2. Pray for our upcoming NGL Retreat September 23-24th. Pray for the Lord to call forth His "troops" for this important "kick-off" for the coming year!!!!!

A. It is like a "training camp" for football teams.
B. Pray for Roger Lipe as he is putting together our Small Group Questions for Mardi Gras. He is working on Leadership principles from the book of Proverbs. We will try them out at our next Board meeting this month.
C. We are turning our attention now toward the Men's Retreat!!!!!!

3. Sick:

A. Betty Braswell took a hard fall in her bathtub, but it doing much better and she has moved to Springfield, Illinois.
B. Bill Alexander, a member of our NGL Board, had two stints put in and is doing much better.
C. Ron Kuhnert is our main cook. His wife, Joan, is my cousin and she is in the hospital in Carbondale with a viral infection and needs our prayers.

Thanks for your prayers and support,
Love ya's,

Fred

Ephesians 1:6-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
"So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding."

Prayers for Fred

2011-07-27T05:16:00.001-07:00

Hello NGL Partners,

If you would take a few moments today and please pray for Bro Fred this morning it would be most appreciated. He has come down with what seems to be the flu (or at least its symptoms) and could really use your prayers for healing. God bless you!

Weekly Prayer Request, June 26, 2011

2011-06-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL partners,

PRAYER NEEDS:

1. Pray for the "Getting New Clown Suit" project. Some have offered to give donations for clown suits and some have offered to make clown suits. We are needing a lot of suits and wigs. Thanks for those who have given and pray for more people and churches to help in this needed project.

a. Pray for Betty Braswell and Abby Emling as they head up this project.

2. Pray for Common Ground's outreach at Fair St. Louis over the July 4th weekend.

BLESSINGS:

1. Roger Lipe has returned from mission trips to Honduras and Italy. He will be sharing with our Board next month on those trips.

2. Some churches and individuals have already pledged to help on our "Getting New Clown Suit" project.

a. Some of our suits have been used for over thirty years and our wigs as well. David Deik said this project is "LONG OVERDO!"

NEWS:

1. Our son in law, Craig, is being transferred to Rapid City, SD for the last two years of his military career. That is tough for my wife, Jan, as she is very close to our daughter and granddaughter.

2. Sarge and Sue McDonald are home on furlough from Viet Nam. We are so proud of the work the Lord is doing through them. They are available for speaking engagements during the next few months. You can contact them through our office.

3. Marvin Steinke of "Feed My Sheep" ministries is heading off to Honduras on a mission trip.

4. Our Men's Retreat will be coming up September 24-25!!!!!

Love ya's and thank you for your prayers and support,

Fred
Philippians 1:3, (The Message (MSG)) "A Love That Will Grow"

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.

Clown Ministry Call for Help!

2011-06-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

Calling for HELP!!

I started witnessing in 1962 while I was in Bible School in Buffalo, New York. We witnessed at skating rinks, nursing homes and prisons. Later I witnessed in festivals here in the US and at the Communist Festival in Berlin, East Germany. We were giving it our best.

In 1976 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois, I saw something that helped changed the way I did witnessing. I was being harassed by a cult group and not having much success with regular people. Then I saw a group of "clowns" putting on a drama. I noticed that people loved the clowns and were attentive to their "message."

When I got home from the fair, I met with my friend, Fred Starkweather, to see if he could make some clown suits. In 1977, we went to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans with a "new" way of witnessing. I had a clown trainer named Rick Heneberry from Decatur, Illinois come to our Men's Retreat and teach us some basic clown skits with salvation messages. We went to parades and the people along the parade routes loved the clowns. Thus the clown ministry of No Greater Love was born.

As the years passed, many of us had clown suits made. We have continued to collect clown suits and get wigs for the clowns. Every year, during the off season, we have a group of people mend the clown suits that need mending. However, many of our suits are just too old and worn out to mend. We have about 100 suits, but most of them need to be replaced.

It costs between $40 and $60 to make a suit. Here is what we need:

1. People who will make some suits.

2. People who will buy material for the suits.

3. People who will donate money for suits and wigs.

Clowning is the best method we have ever used to help men get started being effective witnesses for the Lord. Pray about being a part of getting our clown ministry back up to par.

Let us hear from you soon (you can contact our main office at the NGL website: http://www.nogreaterlove.org) so we can use this summer to get us back on track.
Thanks for your help.

Love ya's,
Fred

1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."

Weekly Prayer Update, June 21, 2011

2011-06-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer friends,

We had a great NGL Board meeting last Friday night at Christ UMC in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Bernie Kneale and Marvin Steinke hosted us. Bernie had the meal catered. It was great. I find that meetings and food go hand in hand. If the food is good, the meeting will be also. We had 21 men with us.

It was good to have Jimmy Murphy with us again as he will be heading back home to Wyoming. Craig LeQuatte will be leaving for Rapid City. South Dakota with the Air Force for the last two years of his military career. Roger Lipe was in Italy. Marvin Steinke is heading for Honduras. Bob Gay is also on a trip.

Dan Vawser led us in praise and worship. Then we reviewed the evaluations from the Indy 500 Outreach. The evaluations proved out that it was the best outreach we have had in years. The prayer walk on Friday night set up the entire weekend. We were all in one camp and that gave us the best leadership possible. I had more fun and feeling of accomplishment than I have had in years. Mark Jordan ran a great camp with all the leaders helping out. The food was served by Ron Kuhnert and Jeff Pursley. The biggest problem was that we didn't have "headsets" for the march.

I am spending time now with my brother in law, Mervin Hampleman, and my cousin, Joan Kuhnert in the hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. Please remember them in your prayers. Pray also for Sarge and Sue McDonald as they are back on furlough from Vietnaam.

Thanks for your friendship, prayers and support.

Love ya's,
Fred

Psalm 119:66

Weekly Prayer Request; June 13, 2011

2011-06-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

Thanks for your prayers and support. It sure means a lot to me.

This week Jill, Craig and Josie are staying with us as the military came in last Friday and moved their furniture for their move to Rapid City, SD.

We will have our monthly Board meeting this Friday at Christ UMC where we will be looking through the evaluations from the Indy 500 and we will look ahead to the Men’s Retreat in September.

Please pray for the NGL Clown Ministry. Many of our suits are very old and need replacing. Betty Braswell has agreed to head up the project to get new suits made for the coming year. We have found through the years that being a clown at our events is easiest and best way to break in new people in witnessing to others. People love clowns and that helps a lot.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

Love ya’s,

Fred
Psalms 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

NGL Indy 500 Recap

2011-06-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your participation and prayers for our Indy 500 Outreach. It was a blast. It was the most fun I have had at an event for many years. Our leadership team led by Mark Jordan did a superb job. I could really relax and just share the things that are very important to me with the men at our total group meetings.

We had 89 men registered. Covenant Baptist Church has hosted us for over 25 years. It always feels like home. The weather was good. The food was good. The worship was good. The fellowship was awesome. It was my NGL highlight of my year.

Wowsers! God is so good!

Love ya's,
Fred

Isaiah 26:2

Weekly Prayer Request, May 19, 2011

2011-05-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

I am thankful for the effort that Abby, Mark and Dave have put in for this year's Indy 500. I have never been more out of the loop than I am this year in maintaining relationships.

As you know, my wife had open heart surgery. She has done pretty well and we are thankful. However, she has had some bad episodes in the past while. Part of the stress for her is that our daughter and her family are being transferred to South Dakota. That is especially hard for Jan as she is very close to our granddaughter, Josie. Jan hasn't traveled out of the local area since her surgery. She is sure that she can't make the trip out to South Dakota. Jan is not able to take the medicines that could help her get better. So, Jan is my number one concern at this time and being a care giver is not my best suit, but is, never the less, my number one responsibility.

We only have about 55 signed up for the Indy 500. This is the last Sunday to recruit at churches. Mark will have one more promo going out tomorrow. Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers to work with us.

Thanks so much,

Love ya's,
Fred

From NGL's Indy 500 Headquarters

2011-05-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

Dear NGL Brothers,

It was the Kentucky Derby, 1988. Swinging NGL’s 35 foot long diesel coach into a 15 foot wide alley between two brick buildings. A tall order for any man.

But that year, a Honda Civic parked in the entrance.

A non-issue for NGL guys. Eight burly, bearded, broad-shouldered men exited the bus, surrounded the Civic, and lifted it out of the way. The busload of men roared in victory … and the Civic’s car alarm wailed for the next 20 minutes.

Yes, brothers, we can do anything when we put our hearts and shoulders into it.

It’s time to put our shoulders into it—recruiting and gathering men for Indy. It’s a busy month and a busy church season, but the date of our departure draws near. Time for a big, final push as we enlist men for this life-changing event.

Please see below for this week’s Hot Tips for Recruiting. And, let’s continue to put our shoulders to praying for our event.

It won’t be long now, brothers. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your broad shoulders for God’s Kingdom.

In Jesus our Lord,

Mark Jordan
NGL Advisory Board & Administration

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This week’s Hot Tips for Recruiting. Here are things some of our men and churches are doing:

1. Facebook. Make a appeal and invitation to your Facebook friends. Please copy and past NGL’s Indy 500 link (below) on your FB page. Great logo, and a link to the NGL website for more info.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113927515354677

2. Email List. Shoot an email to every man in your email address book. A personal invite is meaningful and effective. Be sure to include NGL’s website: nogreaterlove.org.

3. Sunday Saturation. Some men are photocopying stacks of the attached postcards (click here) and placing them in every seat in the sanctuary and Sunday School classes in their church this weekend.

4. Immediate Registration.

- Please register yourself! NGL Administration is busy assigning leadership roles and small groups. We need to know we can count on you.

- Please register your group! Please take the responsibility of seeing that men from your area are registered on the NGL website, nogreaterlove.org.

- Please be a regional leader! Use the materials attached in our two previous emails to “set up shop” and organize men from your community.

Thanks, men. We’re all in this together—shoulder to shoulder.

Weekly Prayer Requests, May 10, 2011

2011-05-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Prayer Partners,

We sure need your prayers for our promotion of the Indy 500 Outreach May 27-29. This has been the toughest year for us in enlisting men for the event. Mardi Gras was the latest it has ever been to my knowledge. Easter was also late and Holy Week takes up all our time in churches. Then, I thought we could get into promotion. However, last Sunday was "Mother's Day" and churches give everything in that direction. That just leaves us with this coming Sunday and one more to get men enlisted at our churches. Yes, we need prayer!!!!

Mark Jordan will be heading up the event at the Indy. He is doing a great job sending out a "Promo" each week to everyone on our mailing list. However, a lot of the addresses are not current as many of us change internet providers and e-mail addresses. Pray that the ones who are receiving our "Promo's" will enlist others for the Indy Outreach. We are encouraging each NGL man to wear his Mardi Gras T-shirt and to pass out the flyers about the mission trip this Sunday at church.

God says that we are to "pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers." Join me as we pray for the Lord to call forth men to labor for Him at the Indy 500. God is able to "do more than we "ASK" or "THINK" ... so our prayers are VERY important.

Thanks for your love, prayers and support,

God is good! All the time!

Fred

Weekly Prayer Request, April 26, 2011

2011-04-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

I pray everyone had a great Holy Week and a great Resurrection Sunday!!!!!

1. We do have another place to house the guys for the Indy 500 Outreach!! PTL!

2. Due to Easter being so late this year, it has run us late in promoting the Indy 500 Outreach. Please be in prayer as we gear up this week in promotion for the Indy.

3. My car was in a hail storm a couple weeks ago and now the insurance company is working with me on the damage. The hail was larger than a quarter and I have about 50 dings. It was our board day and we were playing golf. Someone asked why we were playing golf if it was hailing. Well, we had to go in BECAUSE we couldn't tell which "ball" was ours!!!! Humor!

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Love ya's

Fred
Isaiah 59:19

Weekly Prayer Request, April 20, 2011

2011-04-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

I would appreciate your prayers for Troy Benitone and Andy Johnson as they go to Indianapolis tomorrow on church business. They will also check out two places that could be possibilities for housing a "camp" for us at the Indy 500.

All is going well, keep praying for the leaders in each area of the country to be anointed as they enlist others to join them in coming out to the Indy with us to share Jesus with the Indy 500 crowd.

We are very much in need of clown suits. Some of our suits are very old and ragged. Betty Braswell, Lela Roberts and Theresa Ralls are taking on the project of making some suits for us. That will help some, but we will be needing many more before Mardi Gras next February. Keep that in your prayers and if you know anyone who could help in this project, let us know!

Let us pray for all our churches as we look forward to great services on EASTER as we celebrate our RISEN LORD!!!

Love ya's,
Fred

PS: May we all awaken this Sunday and proclaim: CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN, INDEED!!!!

Weekly Prayer Request, April 11, 2011

2011-04-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hi NGL partners,

The Indianapolis 500 is coming up soon and we have run into some "hurdles. One host church we stayed at during the past few years is no longer available to us. I am searching out a new place to stay. Please keep that in prayer. We will be meeting this Friday night at Community of Faith Church for our monthly Advisory Board Meeting. Pray for us to have wisdom as we plan out the Indy 500.

Please pray for the Lord to call forth men for this mission adventure. My number one goal is to train Christian leaders. We need to have men who are faithful at the Mardi Gras AND the Indy 500 so we can guide them through the "process" from being in a group and learning the basic disciplines to being a group leader and assisting the leader and then to becoming a group leader and taking charge of a group of men doing all the basic disciplines and helping each man work through the various "gifts" in his life and to eliminate the various "weaknesses" in his life. At the fastest pace, it takes three events at least to work a person through the process.

I know that each man of God has special "gifts and graces" and it is my goal in life to help each man find his and "usher" him along the journey. Sarge started out at Mardi Gras and many others got their starts at Mardi Gras or the Indy 500.

Pastor Troy Benitone just returned from taking a medical group to Liberia. Liberia is open to the gospel especially right now as they have a Christian president. What an opportunity for the body of Christ. Troy will be sharing the video of his trip at our Board meeting.

Thanks for your faithfulness,

In His service,

Fred

Psalm 32:8 (New Living Translation) The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Weekly Prayer Request, March 21, 2011

2011-03-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Prayer Partners,

I was so pleased with the reports from Mardi Gras. God always shows up at Mardi Gras and allows just enough problems to make us seek His guidance. We can never take God for granted. Each day is a new day. Continue to pray for all the men who went with us to Mardi Gras and for their families as well. We have had the most attacks against the families that I have ever seen.

I had biopsies done on my Thyroid on Monday and will be going in this afternoon for the results. I would appreciate your prayers for that.

3/23 UPDATE: Thanks for your prayers for the biopsies I had done on my thyroid. The biopsies came back good. I still have to be checked in 6 months to make sure the large one hasn’t grown. I sure feel relieved and thankful to the Lord and for your prayers and concern.

Our Administrative Board will meet this Friday night to go over the evaluations from Mardi Gras. Pray that we will see what the Lord wants us to see. This is always an exciting and meaningful time that helps us to see who does well in certain areas and who doesn't do well in certain areas. Some of the weaknesses we can reposition the people to strengthen the men and others we realize that person has different "gifts and graces" and therefore needs to be moved accordingly. I see our events operating as a "rotisserie." We just keep rotating the men allowing the Lord to do the work He desires to do for God's glory.

There is a misunderstanding with one of our "host" churches for the Indy 500. Please pray for the Lord to work this situation out.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Love ya's,

Fred
Galatians 2:20

Weekly Prayer Request, March 15, 2011

2011-03-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers for our Mardi Gras trip. Please pray for the men who went and their families as they have returned home.

Now is the time to do the follow-up on decisions that were made. Pray for Abby as she follows up on these. Pray for the Lord to work in the lives of those who made decisions for the Lord. Pray the follow-up material will be a help and the people will get in a good church and live changed lives for the Lord.

The only time we talk about support for the ministry is at Mardi Gras. We depend on these pledges to keep the ministry going during the year. Pray the Lord will bless those who have committed to support the ministry. If what happens in the Mardi Gras experience is meaningful to the men, then we ask for their help in supporting the ministry. I was so encouraged and blessed to see how many of the men with us have gone on mission trips to other countries. One third of our men were "first timers. So these rookies got to be around men who have moved on out in the Great Commission "Adventure" for the Lord. One man told me that after being with the ministry that he has been on missions to China.

Pray for us as we go through the individual evaluations. I am going through them now and later our Advisory Board will go through them at our next Board meeting. This gives us a chance to see what the Lord did through the men and what needs to change for next year.

Our evaluation forms have each man report if he did the basic things like passing tracts, did the clown skit, gave his testimony, shared the Four Spiritual Laws and carried the cross. Each man is evaluated to see where he is making progress and encourage him to move along in his pilgrimage as the Lord leads.

I would appreciate your prayers as I go in tomorrow to see a surgeon about my thyroid.

Love ya's

Fred
John 3:30

Weekly Prayer Request, March 9, 2011

2011-03-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

What an awesome year of witnessing at the Mardi Gras!!!!! We had great leadership teams in all five camps. Roger Lipe was our “Field General.” He kept the camp leaders informed and included in the process especially the last day as rain was forecast. This looked like it would cancel out our silent march which is the finale after we have used every “tool” in our witnessing box to share the Good News. The rain held off and the march went off well and powerfully.

Pray all the men get home safely and the anointing the Lord poured out in New Orleans will continue into all our homes, churches, community and world.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and support for this mission trip. We had 250 men with us. The ministry gets stronger each year as the men continue to grow and experience His presence, wisdom and anointing in “crisis” situations that would take years to develop back home. Mardi Gras is the “boot-camp” training for the Lord to move on the hearts of men and call forth men for His purposes throughout the world. I was so blessed and amazed at how many of the men have been on mission trips in other countries. God is moving and we get to be a part of the move.

God is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!

Love ya’s,
Fred
Luke 4:18

Weekly Prayer Request, Feb 28, 2011

2011-03-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

Today is the day our Administrative team meets at 1 pm to assign all the people to groups and camps for Mardi Gras. We have over 250 men registered. Pray for us to have wisdom on placing the men.

Friday is the day we begin our Mardi Gras experience in Hattiesburg, MS. We all meet there for our total group meeting and send off. Pray especially for the administration team as they get everyone signed in for the event. At 5 pm, we will all go out to the five different camps from Mobile, AL to Gulfport, MS to New Orleans and to Algiers, LA.

Pray for wisdom, anointing and protection for all our men and their families back at home. Pray for favor with the churches who are hosting our groups. Pray for favor with the police and the crowds.

Pray the Lord will touch each of our lives and help us give up things that aren't of him and come back closer to the Lord, our families, churches and communities.

Thanks for your prayer covering and support.

In His service,

Love ya's
Fred
Psalms 126:5-6

Weekly Prayer Request, Feb 15, 2011

2011-02-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I am still having some health issues. I would appreciate your prayers for that. Tests results are pending ...

Places to stay in New Orleans:
- The last place needed for us to stay in New Orleans is a possibility, but I haven’t been able to reach anyone there by phone. Pray for that to open up.
- This is the last week for men to sign up for Mardi Gras at a reduced rate. Pray the Lord will call men forth this week.

Thanks for your prayers and concern.

Love ya’s

Fred
John 3:30

One month and counting!

2011-02-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

The No Greater Love Mardi Gras outreach for 2011 is just a month away. This is the latest in a series of emails aimed at helping you to prepare well so that this may be our best year to date.

Reminder – the deadline for taking advantage of the discounted registration is February 21.

You may register on-line at: http://www.nogreaterlove.org/application.html

This week’s emphasis is on Study. For No Greater Love Ministries, Study is one of the four points of the cross and very important to all our efforts.

We always encourage men to develop a habit of daily Bible reading. Reading the chapter of Proverbs corresponding to the day of the month is a simple format and informs one’s life with godly wisdom from day to day and year to year. In addition, reading daily devotional books like My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers is also a powerful source of challenge and inspiration. Many men have also found resources like The One Year Bible an excellent way to read the Bible comprehensively.

NGL emphasizes these applications of Study of God’s Holy Word:

Read – simply reading the Scripture informs your mind and often raises questions.

Study – this is the process of searching for answers and thinking more deeply about the Bible.

Memorize – to memorize the Scripture is to internalize it and to have it most available for your use as a godly man.

Meditate – to meditate is to contemplate and to deeply apply the truth of Scripture to your heart and life.

Here are a few scriptures which you can study prior to our days in New Orleans and along the Gulf coast:

2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Galatians 2:11-20
2 Samuel 11:1-17
John 21:15-22

Weekly Prayer Request, Feb 3, 2011

2011-02-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

I have been sick with bronchitis the past two weeks. I am still not doing real well, but able to do some work. Thanks for your prayers. I worked so hard pressing on trying to find another two places to stay for Mardi Gras that it drained me. I tried to “lead” instead of being led. So I had to back off.

Now, I have a “good” contact that I am getting ready to call. The problem, humanly, is that I don’t know the pastor and have no one that knows me to fill in the gap. So I am asking all of you to pray for “favor,” if this is the place we are to stay.

We have had some men who have had to cancel because of other commitments. So Roger Lipe, Dave Munson, Dave Maragni and I will be administratively this Friday to work on putting together what we have available. It is always interesting and frustrating to see who we have available and then trust the Lord to give us the wisdom to put the right people in the right places. Please pray for the Laborers the Lord would have for this harvest at Mardi Gras.

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Mardi Gras will soon be here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya’s,

Fred

2011 Mardi Gras Rally

2011-01-20T13:44:00.000-08:00

2011 Mardi Gras Rally

No Greater Love Ministries
Saturday, February 12, 2011
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Peoria First United Methodist Church
700 Main Street / Auditorium

What’s so great about getting cursed at and spit on?

Join us Saturday night and find out!

We have a great night for everyone to come and enjoy.
All men and their families are invited to share fellowship, encouragement, prayer,
Holy Ghost stories and learn more about the 2011 NGL Mardi Gras Trip.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Jordan

Come and enjoy the fellowship and get taste of what happens at Mardi Gras.
BRING A FRIEND!!!

Questions?
Bill Allen: 309.645.7767 buldog@mtco.com
Boyd Christy: 309.669.6087 boxer1111@aol.com
Lee Clawson: 309.642.0517 melchizedek7@yahoo.com
Bruce Custer: 309.256.9125 cosmic_custer@att.net
Han Soon: 309.253.5290 jsoon@mtco.com

Weekly Prayer Request, Jan 17, 2011

2011-01-17T08:08:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

God is good! We are hearing great things about the recruiting of men for our Mardi Gras Outreach. Keep praying for the Lord to call forth Laborers for His harvest.

Of the two places we needed for men to stay at Mardi Gras, one has now worked out. Please pray about the second that I will be working on this week and prayerfully will be in place by Friday. Please pray for our NGL Advisory Board meeting this Friday night.

Thanks for your prayers,

Love ya’s,

Fred
Proverbs 17:17

Five Levels of Leadership

2011-01-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Mighty Warriors of God,

As we begin our preparations for the 2011 Mardi Gras Mission. We will be sending out a special message EACH Friday to help all of us get ready for the harvest. They asked a little girl what a “saint” was. She responded that it was those people on stained glass windows that you can see through. That is the best definition I have ever heard. The song I sang when I read this was “Let Others see Jesus in you... Keep telling the story, be faithful and true, and let others see Jesus in you.”

Love ya’s and look forward to working with you at the Mardi Gras, March 4-8.
Fred

The No Greater Love Mardi Gras outreach for 2011 is rapidly approaching. This is the first in a series of emails aimed at helping you to prepare well so that this may be our best year to date. The deadline for taking advantage of the discounted registration is February 21. You may register on-line at: http://www.nogreaterlove.org/application.html

This week’s emphasis is on Leadership.

Five Levels of Leadership

Leadership is often overstated and is mostly underdeveloped. Many times what is valued as leadership on a ministry team is actually the lowest form of leading and perpetuates an immature leadership model. Let’s consider a simple model of escalating leadership values and some sports applications of them from John Maxwell’s book, “Developing the Leader Within You.”

Level 1 – Leading by Position. This lowest level of leadership is often expressed by a group leader, squad leader or ministry director who constantly pulls rank. He bosses people around with phrases like, “I’m the leader, that’s why. Just do it, I’m the camp director.” Sadly, many group leaders lead at this same level and group members follow them simply because they have to. This level of leadership breaks down quickly as frustrations mount and inconsistencies are revealed.

Level 2 – Leading by Permission. These leaders have a tremendous advantage on the former group as people follow them because they want to. Their followers are more highly motivated to go with the leader because of the relationships that are being developed. Ministry teams which have a strong sense of camaraderie, which have a “sense of family,” are often blessed with a number of Level 2 leaders. The weakness in this level is that not everyone will like a particular leader. This can lead to a squad or camp which sorts itself in to several cliques and team unity ultimately breaks down.

Level 3 – Leading by Production. The productive leader is not dependent upon simple matters of style and personality to lead, rather his leadership emerges from his contributions to the group’s collective goals. People say things like this about these leaders. “He gets things done for us. He makes things happen. I’m glad that guy’s on our team.” This leader’s productivity has others following him because he furthers the group’s achievement. The problem arises for this leader when her productivity falls off. When the leader is tired or distracted, he is no longer productive and his leadership is diminished. When the leader’s effectiveness as a witness or street preacher drops, his leadership is compromised.

Level 4 - Leading by Developing People. This lofty level of leadership is very costly to acquire, but makes for a long lasting impact. These leaders are often characterized by comments like, “That guy makes us all better. We are a better group when he’s on the street with us. The ministry team became exponentially better when he showed up.” These leaders catalyze their teammates by energizing each one’s particular gifts and abilities toward the group’s goals. More than individual performance or production, these leaders seem to enable the others to be at their best. The best sports coaches, NGL squad leaders and camp directors I have met lead at this level. Those leaders are also looking for this kind of leadership in their group leaders, assistant leaders, worship leaders, camp chaplains, administrators and other key leadership positions in their ministry teams.

Level 5 – Leading by Personhood. This is the top rung of the ladder and few leaders ever arrive at this strata. These leaders lead by reputation. Their years of consistent production and development of others have created a platform from which they now lead. These are the people who when they enter a crowded, noisy room everyone stops, looks and listens. The others don’t want to miss a word which he might say. Fred Bishop, Charley Houston, Dave Munson, Ron Schernikau, Ken Gearhart, Dave Maragni, David Cain, Bernie Kneale, Kent Lewis, Harold Braswell, Cliff Cain, Jim Murphy, Murphrey Carlock, Laverne Kramer and others of this sort are leading this way today, some even from beyond the grave.

At what level are you leading today? How would you rank your leadership during last year’s Mardi Gras? To what level do you aspire to lead during Mardi Gras 2011? Each of these is available to us, but the costs rise along with the elevating levels of leadership. My challenge to you is to continue the development process and to pay the price to become the most effective leader you can be.

God bless,
Roger Lipe
Southern Illinois FCA
http://sportchaplainsportmentor.blogspot.com/

MARDI GRAS 2011
WITH
NO GREATER LOVE MINISTRIES

Who can Attend? Men and young men ages, 17 and older.

When: March 4th-8th, 2011

Where: Arrive between 12:00-3:00PM
Friday, March 4th
Heritage United Methodist Church
3 Barracuda Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39482

Registration Donation:
$175.00 if received by February 21st, 2011
$225.00 if received after February 21st, 2011

Questions?
Contact N. G. L. at 618-542-4503
Fred Bishop (nglfred@nogreaterlove.org)
Abby Emling (nglabby@yahoo.com)
http://www.nogreaterlove.org

The earlier you register the better.
For your convenience you may register on line at http://www.nogreaterlove.org

Weekly Prayer Request, Jan 3, 2011

2011-01-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I was doing my devotions this morning and realized one of my readings was to be the book of Jude for the week. I was reminded of verse 20 praying in the Spirit. I have been praying with my mind and have called places and contacts to no avail. I also thought of the Apostle Paul saying that he prayed with his mind and he prayed with his Spirit also. So I am at the end of myself and now I am concentrating on Praying in the Spirit about the places to stay. Please join me in this endeavor.

Our administrative team is meeting this Wednesday to select more leaders for the various camps. Please pray for us to have wisdom on who to choose and for the Lord to speak to us and to the ones called as well.

I know the Lord has the direction I need and I believe He will reveal what that direction is to be. Every time we have had to leave places in the past, the Lord has opened up better places for us to stay and I know the Lord is faithful. (Phil 1:6)

As I am praying about Mardi Gras, here is the Scripture that is also on my heart:

Luke 10:1-2, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Fred

Weekly Prayer Request, Dec 30, 2010

2010-12-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

I pray your Christmas season was a blessed one. Last year our Christmas season was a tough one due to health issues as some of yours or those close to you have had this year. Ours was so much better than the last one. Yet I find that whether it was a tough one or and easy one, God is just as real in both instances. Actually the tough one makes us “dig” a little deeper.

Prayer needs: This week I am catching up on end of the year things and ready to spring into the New Year to see what the Lord will bring to pass. I always like Oswald Chamber’s end of the year theme of leaving the irreparable past in the Lord’s Hands and step out into the irresistible future with the Lord. I don’t know what the New Year will hold for all of us, but I know we will be one year closer to His return and my prayer for all of us is that we find ourselves about the Master’s business and enjoying the ride.

Love ya’s and feel so honored to “walk the path” together.

Fred

P.S. I wanted to share this video with you, as it pretty much boils it down for us.

Weekly Prayer Request - Dec 21, 2010

2010-12-21T06:31:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Merry Christmas! I pray your Christmas season is going well. What a great time of the year with another opportunity to remember how much God loves us in sending Jesus.

Prayer needs:

1. Pray for all the churches as this and Easter are the best opportunities we have to attract people to Jesus.

2. We still don't have two of the places we need to house people for Mardi Gras. So far, our contacts haven't produced any help. Since this is December, I feel I should wait until January to start back calling contacts. Keep that in prayer.

3. Pray for marriages as that is another area where the devil is attacking right now.

Thanks,

Love ya's,
Fred

Isaiah 9:6 (Amplified Bible) "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace."

Weekly Prayer Request - Dec 15, 2010

2010-12-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Our administrative team is meeting this morning to work on preparations for Mardi Gras. Thanks for the prayers thus far. Things are going well with the enlistment of men.

We need prayer for two more places to stay. I have a contact in New Orleans who is working on that. Pray for the Lord to anoint him for this task. The Lord knows what we need.

We are having MANY attacks on families right now with regard to husband and wife relations and parents for their children. Please intercede in that direction.

Thanks,

Love ya's,
Fred

James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Weekly Prayer Request - Dec 8, 2010

2010-12-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for hanging in there with us. This is a great time of the year to celebrate, in special ways, the birth of our Lord! It is difficult not to get caught up in the “trappings” and lose the joy of the season. This season gives us the opportunity to share with those we love and to invite those we have on our hearts to church with us. It is said the times of the year that people are most likely to go to church is during Christmas and Easter. So let’s reach out in special ways to those about us. After all, the birth of Jesus is GOOD NEWS and people are so in need of the very GOOD NEWS that we have inside of us.

I. Our special thanks:

1. Our Administrative meetings on Mardi Gras are going well. The people we have contacted so far, are responding positively, with very few exceptions. PTL! Thanks for your prayers on that. “Except the Lord builds the house, we labor (call) in vain.

II. Our special needs

1. This week, one of my special readings, is the book of James. It is sure speaking to my heart as it lays out a very practical Christian walk. Yes, I feel the pressures of Mardi Gras and need to hear the Lord.

2. We need for two places to open up for housing for Mardi Gras to replace the two places we lost. Problem is that we need to have a “contact” that knows us and that knows the people in charge at the places we need. Pray for us to have favor as we contact those people we think will have such contacts. Pray for favor and “open doors (places to stay.) We will be contacting those people we think will have such contacts.

Give thanks with us for all those who have already committed to working with us at Mardi Gras and for the Lord to lay on the hearts of many men to take the gospel with us and bring other men with them. My favorite passage for promoting Mardi Gras is Psalm 133 for the Lord to anoint us in leadership and for the Lord to pass that anointing on to the last man going with us.

Thanks for your prayers and have a blessed Christmas.

Love ya’s

Fred
Isaiah 52:7

Weekly Prayers for November 29, 2010

2010-11-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. As I was sitting here at my "McDonald's Office," I was talking to a homeless man and he let me know that if you just have a shack to live in, you are still well off.

This is a big week for us in our preparation for Mardi Gras.

Good things:

1. Most of the people we have contacted to help at Mardi Gras have responded favorably. Thanks for your prayers.

Things needing prayer:

1. This Wednesday is our next Administration meeting. On that agenda will be going over our camp leaders and selecting Squad Leaders and Cooks. Pray for that and if you know anyone that want to help with cooking, let me know.

2. Our biggest "hurdle" right now is still with the housing issue. I will be meeting at noon Wednesday with Troy Benitone to work on the contacts we have at this time. We need for the Lord to show us the "open" doors and give us favor with those in charge. It is much easier when we have a "mutual" friend with the places we contact. We are a little weak in that area. Please pray on that front.

3. We have a few situations that have caused trouble in the past that need to be addressed. That is not my best "suit." I tend to check the evaluations on such persons and try to move the "problem' person to a different position in hopes of those issues getting attention in the small group settings. Pray for wisdom in those areas.

4. My wife is recovering very well, but is still not comfortable with me being on the road. So I spend more time praying for the men of No Greater Love to step up and help out. I have been amazed at the help from the men and realize this is, sometimes, the way the Lord uses to move men on ahead in leadership responsibilities. After all, that is the goal of the ministry---------"putting the gospel in the hands of Faithful (NGL) men who will then be able to pass it on to others. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the reasons that Christmas is so special to our family is that we celebrate the MONTH of December as Christmas. So we don't put things off until the last minute and then get overwhelmed. We look, all month, for things to attend that makes every Christmas more special than the last. Last year was tough as my wife's health was very poor. So we are already enjoying this Christmas and I pray you are as well.

Love ya's,
Fred

Isaiah 9:6, "For a child has been born-for us! The gift of a son-for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings."

Weekly Prayers - Nov 24, 2010

2010-11-24T05:48:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!! We have so much to be thankful for so let’s give the Lord the thanks that He so richly deserves!!!!!

As you know, we are in a “battle” concerning places to stay at Mardi Gras. We do have some leads and we are pursuing them. Please pray the Lord will open the ones He would have for us and close the ones He would have closed.

As our administrative board was meeting last Friday, Dave Munson reminded us that every time we have had to change places to house our guys at Mardi Gras the Lord has opened better places. I remember years ago when we were staying in a small church in the French Quarter and had to leave there. It was a shock to me, but we moved on and found a larger place that allowed us to grow. Had I been able to keep that place, we would still be running about 20 instead of over 200. God is good!!!!

PRAYER NEEDS:

1. We have some “leads” on places to stay. The main problem is finding a place to stay all through Mardi Gras that won’t be in the way of that church’s Sunday morning service. I am checking things out this week. Keep that in prayer.

2. Our administrative team has selected men to be over our 5 camps. Please pray the Lord will confirm those choices as we call these men about the selections. Pray the Lord will either confirm the selections or eliminate them according to His purposes.

3. Next week we will be selecting Squad Leaders and Group Leaders. Pray for us to have His direction and favor in that process.

Love all of you and pray the Lord will bless each one of you in special ways!!!!!

In His service,
Fred

PS: I am staying off of “FACEBOOK” so I can concentrate on Mardi Gras. If you have something to write to me about, please use my e-mail account at nglfred@frontier.com

(Philippians 1:6)

Weekly Prayer Request, November 16, 2010

2010-11-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers:

1. The group that went to Mobile sure did a good job and they have us back in good standing with that camp. PTL!!
2. We need prayer for our camp at Gentilly. This is our biggest camp. There are some conflicts that need to be worked out for us to be able to stay there. Pray for this to work out.
3. We are still needing a place to stay in New Orleans. I have a contact to call. However, that pastor doesn’t know me, we just have a mutual friend. I am not calling today as I remember that Monday is not a good day to approach a preacher after he has given it his all on Sunday. So pray and I will call later in the week.
4. We have our Board meeting this Friday night to work on Mardi Gras leadership of the camps. Pray for us to have wisdom on who to have in the top leadership of each camp. Some of the “top” people will not be able to make Mardi Gras and that allows others to step up that have been “apprenticed” in other years.
5. Jerry and Kim Johnson are in Honduras and have been working with the Nebraskan’s doing clinics and then at “feeding projects” and churches. Keep them in prayer.
6. Pray for the Okies as they are ministering in Honduras.
7. Pray for Roger Lipe as he has befriended the baseball coach at SIU during the time of his failing health. The coach just died so pray for Roger to be anointed during this time ahead with the family, team and friends.
8. Pray for Betty Braswell as she has sent Jerry and Kim to Honduras to experience the country. The devil has come against her here at home and needs our prayers.
9. My wife is continuing to improve. Thanks for praying for her.

Thanks for being there,

Love ya’s

Fred
James 5:16

NGL Trip to Mobile Alabama

2010-11-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

Men of NGL,

I would ask for all of you to be praying for the Lord to work out places for us to stay during the Mardi Gras. Two of the facilities we have used before will close their doors December 31st. We are working with the other facilities and checking into new facilities to take the place of those we are losing.

It is not easy to get and maintain the places we use at Mardi Gras. For instance, the camp we use in Mobile was needing work done on the camp. So, Troy Benitone and Dave Maragni led a group of 10 men down to work on the camp. Troy Benitone, Dave Maragni, Robbie Jent, Mike Laird, Russ Allen, Jack Howard, Ron Wheeler, Lynn Metz, Lee Mueller and Bernie Kneale made up the team of ten that made the trip.

Love ya's,
Fred

To read the report from Bernie Kneale and see pictures, please CLICK HERE

Weekly Prayer Request, October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Prayer needs:

1. Our NGL board meeting is this Friday night. Keep that in your prayers as we review the Men’s Retreat we had last month.
2. Pray for the group of NGL guys who will be going down to Mobile to work on the camp where we stay at Mardi Gras. They will be leaving October 31 and returning about the next Friday.
3. We have the messages that were given at the Men’s Retreat on line now at our Website. Pray that NGL men will look them up and be moved by them. Those messages were given by Shane Bishop, Troy Benitone, Mark Jordan and myself.
4. My wife, Jan is still improving and I thank you for your continued prayers for her.
5. My back went out and it is improving slowly. I just have trouble getting to my feet after sitting.
6. Betty Braswell, who has a ministry in Honduras, will be going to the Doctor this Wednesday to see if the Doctor will OK her to go to Honduras next month. Please pray for the Lord’s will to be done in that.
7. Pray for Jerry and Kim Johnson as they prepare to go to Honduras with Betty to see about the possibility of them accepting more leadership in her ministry.
8. Pray for Roger Lipe as he left for Cuba today. Pray for the Lord to open the doors needed to do the work there.

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Love ya’s,

Fred
Jeremiah 33:3 (Amplified Bible) "Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)."

Weekly Prayer Request, October 13, 2010

2010-10-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Things are moving along and here are our prayer needs:

1. Troy Benitone is arranging a team to go down to Mobile, AL on October 31st to do some work on the camp where our Mobile group stays at Mardi Gras. Pray that the workers sign up, the work gets done and the camp director is satisfied

2. Our NGL Retreat went great. We had speakers cover in detail the basic elements of our ministry using "Prayer, Study, Fellowship and Witness." Those messages were taped and now we have them on our Website. We will send out an e-mail about that so everyone can get up to speed on where we are as a ministry. Pray for this project.

3. The Bible class I am doing is going well. Thanks for your prayers for that. I am teaching the basic things I think are important so a person can get things out of the Bible for himself.

4. I had my back go out this past Friday and I have trouble getting up from sitting or laying down. I would appreciate your prayers.

Thanks for all your prayers and concerns!!

Love ya's,
Fred

Psalm 87:7 (King James Version) "As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee."

Weekly Prayer Request - September 13, 2010

2010-09-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

I want to especially thank you for praying for our selling the old farm where my sisters and I were raised. We don’t have the papers signed yet, but we have made a verbal commitment and the lawyer is drawing up the paperwork. It is difficult emotionally to sell the farm. My father bought the ground for back taxes years ago and cleared the land, built the house and barn. We raised cows, sheep, hogs, chickens and farmed the ground. We worked during the summers farming and tending live stock and the winters clearing land and fence rows. So it is still hard emotionally to let it go. However, it was taking all my energy, at my age, to keep everything going on the farm and I need to have what energy I do have to use with the ministry. Please continue to pray for the sale to go through.

Our Men’s Retreat is getting closer. Shane, Troy and Mark have written up special promos that we have used and sent out on e-mail. We are praying the Lord will stir men’s hearts to join us in preparing our hearts for the Lord’s service. Please keep this in your prayers.

My wife, is doing pretty well, but the last two days she has had some pain that has concerned her. So I appreciate your continued prayers for her health.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred
Jeremiah 33:3

Weekly Prayer Request - Sept 7, 2010

2010-09-07T07:27:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer team,

We are working on getting ready for our Annual Men's Retreat and our promos are continuing to go out. Please pray for the Lord to touch hearts to come out and join us in getting our hearts right before the Lord. I always use Psalm 133 as my model for the anointing to go forth. Please pray for the leaders in each area to take up the anointing to share with and bring men out to the Retreat. This is the time we spend getting back with each other and allowing the Lord to touch our hearts with His heart for the lost.

My sisters and I are in the process of trying to sell the old farm. We have some interested parties, but we have met with some obstacles. I would appreciate your prayers for the Lord to give us wisdom and help us work through the situation.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred

PS: This Sunday will be my 71st birthday!

Special Message from Rev Troy Benitone

2010-09-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Men of No Greater Love,

I am in the midst of a special 66 hour prayer vigil in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer (IHOP). It is amazing to hear from the 66 ministries joining the prayer house seeking God for a global transformation of hearts, minds and souls for Jesus Christ. One of those hours early this morning was dedicated to the work of Dr. William Bright, Co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, the man who developed the model for the NGL Tract we use today.

His elderly wife and surviving Co-founder, Vonette Bright after being helped to the platform, small in stature, began to lead the prayer meeting and you could feel the heavens rended, amazing! She declared, with satellite, transportation, cell and computer technology it is a fact that the Gospel can now go literally everywhere around this planet, the fulfillment of the responsibility of taking the Gospel to the uttermost ends was within reach of this generation. She then prayed for LABORS FOR THE HARVEST.

Men of God it is time to come, bringing our sons, brothers and fathers for a time of preparation. Harvest is coming. The Season is ripe. It is the time for us to go back to training camp and prepare ourselves in those basics that have driven the heart of NGL for years: Prayer, Study, Fellowship & Witness. It is time for us to prepare ourselves to be those LABORS SHE CRIED OUT TO GOD FOR. Why do we need to come together, it was so clear as I was mediating on my Proverb in this time of prayer: “As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Prov 27:17)

Friends we have a duty, a Great Commission, to come together and like mighty warriors of God prepare ourselves for the great work ahead. My brothers, my friends in Christ I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through us in these days ahead. I look forward to welcoming you to Community of Faith Church for the No Greater Love Men’s Retreat, September 24 & 25.

In the grip of the Carpenter,

Troy Benitone

2010 Men's Retreat

2010-08-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

CALLING ALL NGL LEADERS!!

Our NGL Men’s Retreat will be September 24-25. I am excited about the direction for the Retreat. Our emphasis will be on "BASIC TRAINING" like football teams do to get ready for their seasons. Right now is the time I am calling on you as a leader in your area to join with me in getting men on board for the Retreat.

I am attaching a flyer and an agenda so you can see what will be happening. Shane Bishop, Mark Jordan, Troy Benitone and I will each address a basic area on which the ministry is based. This has the potential of being the most important camp we have had in years. The success of the ministry works as the anointing goes forth and the Lord ignites each man not only to come, but to be used to influence others to come along side to serve our Lord. (see Psalm 133)

Each of us, as leaders, have areas that could use some "upgrading" in order for us to be fresh and useful for what the Lord wants to do in and through us for the coming year. The verse that is special to me at this time is Acts 3:19, "Now is the time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you." My prayer is that we will ALL come away from this Retreat "holding tightly" to the rod of God as we allow the Lord to show us foundational areas that can be strengthened and improved.

I hope to see you at the Retreat WITH men and young men like a fisherman with a string of fish. We are to be "fishers of men!" ... SO, LET’S GO FISHING!!!!

Love you and consider it an honor to work with you for our Lord,
Fred

No Greater Love Men’s Retreat

When: Fri., Sept. 24th – Sat., Sept. 25th, 2010

Where: Community of Faith Church 1105 Refuge Road, Carterville, IL

Who: Fathers and Sons, NGL Veterans and New Comers! ALL Men and Young Men!!

Time: Registration on Friday, Sept. 24, 5:00-7:00PM
Retreat concludes Sat., Sept. 25 @ 4:00PM

Cost: There is no cost for the retreat. A love offering will be collected to help cover the expenses.

Come join the fun!! There will be Music, Games/Recreation, and GREAT FOOD!

Lodging for the Retreat: At Community of Faith there is a camping area or you may stay in the gym. We will send out hotel information next week.

No Greater Love Ministries Golf Scramble

Friday, Sept. 24th, 2010
Pine Lakes Golf Course
2705 South Park Ave.
Herrin, IL

Donation: $60.00 per man

4 man teams
9:00AM Registration
10:00AM Tee Off

Register Ahead: 618-542-4503 or nglfred@nogreaterlove.org or nglabby@yahoo.com

Weekly Prayer Request - August 16, 2010

2010-08-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

I pray all of you had a great day of worship yesterday. Ours was great. Troy Benitone spoke last night on prayer at Shane’s church and it went great.

Prayer Needs:

1. This Friday is our Board meeting. Pray for us as we look at the upcoming Men’s Retreat September 24-5

2. We will be meeting at my childhood home church for the board meeting and praying over the church and the new pastor.

3. Pray for the promo man who is making up our promo logo for the retreat and for the new year.

4. Pray for Bob Gay in Honduras.

5. Pray for Betty Braswell’s health especially as she is making plans to turn her ministry, in the future, over to Jerry Johnson and his wife.

6. My Knee is doing some better after getting some shots in the knee.

7. Pray for my wife, Jan, as she recuperates and with some problems associated with all of that.

8. Pray for the recruitment for the Men’s Retreat.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Psalm 32:7 "God's my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck."

Weekly Prayer Request - August 9, 2010

2010-08-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

I appreciate your prayers. Here are our prayer concerns.

1. Jan has had a setback with her change of medicines and has been down for the past two days. Please pray the Doctor will have the wisdom he needs to make the needed corrections.

2. I am still having kneed problems and the rehab exercises have caused me to have back problems which causes me pain especially when I try to cough.

3. I am to be fitted for a knee brace to keep the knee in the correct alignment. I am able to walk with Shane and that was my main concern before the Lord.

4. It is tough not having internet at home and I have been weighing out the options. So far the options have been too expensive.

5. I am through with my two year contract on my cell phone. So I got a new phone, but I am finding that it is not capable of doing what I will need to be doing with it for the next two years. Pray for wisdom there.

6. I have the direction for the coming year and we are working on the agenda for the Men’s Retreat. Pray for wisdom for that process as I would like to have it in place to present to the Advisory Board on August 20th.

7. I am going down to Du Quoin this week to make some moves toward showing the farm to some potential buyers. There are many “hoops” that must be gone through in that process. Pray for us to know God’s will in that process.

8. Betty Braswell is still waiting clearance from her Doctor as to her being able to go to Honduras in November. That is the place where she “feels” God’s pleasure and gives her energy. She needs to make a trip partly to take Jerry Johnson and his wife with the possibility of transferring her ministry over to them. Pray for god’s will and timing in that process.

9. Bob Gay, a member of our Board, will be going to Honduras doing his ministry. Pray for him.

10. The Men’s Retreat will be here next month. Please pray for the Lord to call forth men to come out and train with us.

Thanks for your love and prayers,
Love ya’s,

Fred

Prayers and Praise for July 15, 2010

2010-07-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Last Sunday was one of the best days of my life. To get to preach in my home country church with family and childhood friends was a dream come true. I have loved my many travels and have seen the Lord work in a lot of places, BUT there is no place like seeing Him work in your own home community. In the afternoon, we had a baptismal service at the boat dock at the lake. We had about 25 baptisms and 90 people showed up for the event. I loved hearing the testimonies of how the people had come to the Lord. I always want to hear people give their testimony of “When, Where and Why” they invited Jesus into their lives. Then some came out to be baptized and said, “I don’t have a story” so I invited them to repent of their sins and ask Jesus into their hearts and THEN Carl Johnson and I baptized them too. I got to share that baptism doesn’t save anyone, BUT is a great picture of what goes on in salvation of our “death, burial and resurrection” to walk in a newness of life. Ok, I am still excited!!!!! God is SO good. Thanks for your prayers!

This Friday is our NGL board meeting at John Dixon’s house in Makanda. Please remember our meeting as we share about our theme for the coming year and plan for our Annual Men’s Retreat. That will be a great meeting as Jim Murphy will be at the meeting and will share how the Lord has brought him through his bout with cancer.

Thanks for your prayers for my wife, Janie. She is in rehab and is progressing slowly, but surely. We are thankful.

I will be preaching at Shane’s church this Sunday night at 6 pm on “PRAYER” from my point of view in light of the places I have gone and how prayer has worked in those situations. It is good to be in the Methodist Church on this as I can share it from a point of view as “Sanctification” as I believe the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit are the main tools for connecting with God to get to the end of the earth. I would really appreciate your prayers.

Thanks for your love, concern and prayers,

Love ya's,
Fred

Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

Thinking Ahead to 2011

2010-07-13T06:07:00.001-07:00

Hello Great Men of God!

I hope you are all having a GREAT summer! It was great to celebrate the Fourth of July and just be thankful for our country even with all the problems facing us or maybe because of all the problems facing us today. Summers are filled with vacations and ball games, so enjoy yourselves and then let’s get ready for the coming year together.

The last weekend in September is always our “Training Camp” for the next year. We hold it at the Community of Faith Campground in Carterville, Illinois. This gives us a chance to come together, worship, have fellowship and get direction for the coming year. I always appreciate input on which book to use for our theme. Some people like books more on prayer, others like books on leadership and so on. I love it when people have a book that means something to them and they send me a copy. I really like it when they send me one that is underlined as that helps me to see where the “rubber hits the road” for them.

These three books have been suggested in consideration for our book for 2011:

1. “Man in the Mirror” by Patrick Morley

2. “Season of Life” by Jeffrey Marx

3. “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” by John Maxwell

I know some of you are interested in what we are going to use for the coming year. So, I am appealing to you to look over these books and let me know what you think we should use and why. Our purpose in NGL is to build leaders and believe the Lord to call men forth as better men, husbands, and fathers and for the Lord to lead men forth to the ends of the earth to share the gospel in these last days.

My nephew’s wife Jill Hampleman just sent me the messages her church has been doing and they sure have some good points for all of us to consider and work on this summer:

“We just finished a series of sermons at our church entitled "The Warrior" the sermon spoke directly to men on how to reach younger men. There were 3 main points that dealt with your earthly father and your heavenly father: 1. Forgive your father Colossians 3:13. Stop replaying your parents or your father's shortcomings. 2. Accept your father for who he is. Romans 15:7 Accept his weaknesses. 3. Replace your earthly father with heavenly father. The Lord wants to be the one to believe in you. Find a young boy or man to encourage. Let him know: 1. I believe in you. 2. I am proud of you. 3. No matter what, I'll always love you. Matthew 3:17.”

Love ya’s,

Fred

Isaiah 12:4 (The Message) “Joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you'll say, “Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he's done, spread the news of his great reputation!”

Weekly Prayer Message, July 5, 2010

2010-07-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

I was glad to see this past weekend come around to give us a chance to reflect on how privileged we are to live in America. In spite of all the problems, we are still very blessed.

I am not a detailed person and yet I have had to do a lot of those kind of things and it has been a tough process and I have made a lot of mistakes. It is beginning to smooth out and I am learning to go slow and check the details.

This week we will be sending out a mass mailing to get people on board to start looking ahead for a theme and a book for the coming year for the ministry. Pray for the mailing to touch men’s hearts and for us to choose the path for the coming year that would be pleasing to the Lord and benefit the men.

Bernie Kneale will be taking about ten prayer warriors to pray over Mark Jordan, Brad Watkins and Grant Armstrong at their new appointments on Thursday. Pray for them and for these new appointments.

I will be speaking again at my childhood country church again this Sunday and I would appreciate your prayers for that. I really enjoyed getting to speak there two weeks ago. I have gone to many countries, but my home is the place where I most want to share the Lord.

Thanks for your prayers,

Love ya’s,
Fred

PS: This will come out in our mass mailing, but it really struck me today. My nephew’s wife, Jill Hampleman sent me this:

We just finished a series of sermons at our church entitled "The Warrior" the sermon spoke directly to men on how to reach younger men. There were 3 main points that dealt with your earthly father and your heavenly father: 1. Forgive your father Collosians 3:13. Stop replaying your parents or your father's shortcomings. 2. Accept your father for who he is. Romans 15:7.accept his weaknesses. 3. Replace your earthly father with heavenly father.

The Lord wants to be the one to believe in you. Find a young boy or man to encourage. Let him know: 1. I believe in you. 2. I am proud of you. 3. No matter what, I'll always love you. Matthew 3:17.

Weekly Prayer Message, June 15, 2010

2010-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Things are moving along well here with us.

1. Jan is doing well at her rehab
2. My rehab on the knees is beginning to do better. I am able now to walk with Shane each morning at 6:30 for two miles. I love it!
3. I am enjoying watching our son and grandson in law play softball. Life is good on the diamond! I love seeing sports draw men to the Lord.
4. The evaluations from the Indy 500 Outreach look good and shows some ways we can improve. It was obvious the Lord touched some of the men’s lives.

Prayer needs:

1. Our Board meeting is Friday night at Christ UMC in Fairview Heights, Illinois.
a. Pray for us to pick up on what the Lord was pleased with and for us to pick up on what needs to be changed.
2. I have put the farm house where we lived before in the paper to rent and my sister, Halene, is showing the house. Pray for us to have good renters that will be a blessing for them and for us.
3. Pray for Roy Pigg, from Tennessee, as he is in Peru on a mission trip for the next two years.
4. Pray for Betty Braswell’s health to continue to improve so she can take Jerry and Boo Johnson to Honduras in view of turning her ministry down there over to them. Her Doctor says she needs to wait another 6 months before considering such a trip.
5. Pray for Wayne and Connie Sanders about the death of Connie’s father.

We are enjoying the summer and the Lord is so good!

Love ya’s,
Fred

Psalm 133 HOW SWEET IT IS!

Weekly Prayer Message - June 7, 2010

2010-06-07T07:18:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayer covering for us and for No Greater Love Ministries!!

1. Pray for the men who went to the Indy 500 to witness with NGL that the Lord will help them "ponder" what happened there and may it give them a desire to go farther with the Lord, personally, with family and with the direction in life the Lord gives them the desire to set out doing. Psalm 37:4 (New Living Translation) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.

2. Pray for my secretary, Abby's, mother. She is doing better, but still needs much prayer.

3. Pray for us as we go through the "evaluations" of the men from the Indy trip to have wisdom to see what the Lord reveals to help each man move on in the direction the Lord has gifted each man.

4. With the loss of our checkbook from the farm, personal and the ministry, it has made quite a mess trying to straighten out the records. Since Jan has been sick, that has to be done by me AND this is not my best area and I always want to put it off. Pray for wisdom and insight.

5. I am no longer living on the old farm where I grew up. However, I have been getting some upkeep done on it and now we need wisdom on what to do with the farm. I have three sisters and we must all agree on whether to rent it or sell the farm. That hasn't happened so far and yet it needs attention.

I pray you will all have a good summer and enjoy the Lord in all you do.

Thanks!
Love ya's,

Fred

My special verse for the day: Psalm 70:4 (The Message) Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate. Let all who love your saving way say over and over, "God is mighty!"

Special Prayer Need - June 02, 2010

2010-06-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

We have a special need this afternoon. First, thanks so much for stepping
up praying for the Indy mission trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was harder for me
staying than it was going. However, I knew we were in good hands with the
guys and with the Lord! God is good!

TODAY WE HAVE A PRAYER NEED:

My secretary Abby's mother, Sally, was taken to the hospital last weekend
with her lungs filling up with fluid and her heart only beating few times
per minute. She had pulmonary edema and pulmonary embolism. She had blood
clots and they are giving her cumin to thin her blood. She was improving
and Abby took her home yesterday as they were trying to regulate the cumin.
However, early this morning Sally had to go back to the hospital and was
taken to ER and then to CCU.

Please keep Sally, the family and the hospital staff in your prayers
especially today!

Thanks!

In Jesus,
Fred

Jeremiah 33:3 (New International Version)
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know.'

Indy 500 ... DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND!!

2010-05-25T08:34:00.001-07:00

“… Heroes waiting in the shadows …” That is my favorite line in one of the Okie’s songs as it is the picture of the men of NGL. Do you realize how many men have gone with us and later gone on to further work for our Lord? Don’t be left out! (“For such a time as this.”)

I grew up in the 50’s with “Leave it to Beaver.” One could have to stay after school for chewing gum in class. Then we had the 60’s with the Hippie movement and the bitterness over the Vietnam War. It was a time of rebellion with the status quo. After I got out seminary in the late sixties, I was ready to be a pastor. However, the drug culture was going strong and our seminary training was more in line with the “Leave it to Beaver” era. I was frustrated and turned to the “Jesus Movement” to give me a way to overcome the sterility that was in the church at the time. Actually NGL came about as a result of being a part of the Jesus movement as I saw the Lord do great things and we loved worshiping the Lord. We worshiped, did Jesus marches and believed the Lord was taking us with Him to the ends of the earth for His harvest. 40 countries later here we are in 2010!!!!

You and I are living in the greatest time in history to be a Christian. People feel hopeless with nowhere to turn. The economy is bad, the oil spill has gone on over a month, North Korea just shot down a South Korean war ship killing a lot of people, etc, etc. In such a time as this, God is calling for men to go forth as John the Baptist calling for repentance and turning to the Lord.

BOTTOM LINE: There is still time for you to recognize the call and come to the Indy 500 this weekend with No Greater Love Ministries. Sign up on line today at www.nogreaterlove.org

Love ya’s,

Fred

Proverbs 25:4 (Amplified Bible) “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up].”

(Posted remotely from a Blackberry device.)

Weekly Prayer, 24 May 2010

2010-05-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer partners,

Thanks for your prayers for my wife. She is improving slowly and is to start rehab this Friday.

Pray for more laborers for the Indy 500 Outreach this weekend for the Lord to move on men’s hearts to come take part and to call forth the men the Lord would for further service throughout the world for our Lord.

Pray for our administrative team as meet this Thursday and arrange the people in groups for the Indy 500.

Physical prayer needs:
- Bob Mayo’s wife for breast cancer
- Dan O’connor’s wife for breast cancer
- Ivan Lusicic’s wife in hospital
- Jerry Johnson’s mother just died. Pray for the family.

I am in rehab for a knee problem that is worse now than when I started. Appreciate your prayers I am trying to move the last of our “stuff” from the farm this week to our home in Swansea.

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Fred

PS: My verse for today that I love: Psalm 143:8, "Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you."

1 Week until the Indy 500

2010-05-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Calling all Men of God,

This is the last weekend to enlist men from your church and area for the Indy 500 Outreach. So get on-line at http://www.nogreaterlove.org and sign’em up!!! It always amazes me to watch to see where the Lord is calling forth His Mighty Men for the mission trips. Pastor Mark Jordan says that his music man in his church is "going after it"!!!! I love it!

Some people say they would get on the ball if they felt "Led." They don’t realize that you first need to step into the "water" and then the Lord sees our intention and joins us.

FEEL DOWN AND DRY? Well, Mark Jordan is having the O’kies for a "pregame warm up" for the Indy. That's right! The O’kies will be at New Bethel UMC (131 N. Main St.) in Glen Carbon, Illinois this Friday through Sunday. If you are wanting to get in the flow of God, Mark is inviting all of us to COME ON OVER AND GET SOAKED IN THE LORD.

Also, he had 20 men at his Indy Training Session the other night. Smokin'! He has registrations in hand and will enter them on the website. The Time is near -- Let’s not wait. Bring every man you can!

Love Ya,
Fred

NGL 2010 Indy 500 Ministry Information

Who can Attend? Men and young men ages, 16 and older.

When? May 28th-30th, 2010

Kick-off meeting location:
Speedway United Methodist Church
5065 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224
Friday, May 28th between 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Registration Donation:
$75.00 per man
$30.00 per dependent child
$25.00 per person only if you're riding the NGL bus
(The bus leaves Christian Life Center in Herrin, IL at 9am on May 28th. Please contact Dave Munson to reserve your seat.)

To register go to: http://www.nogreaterlove.org

Weekly Prayer Message, May 17, 2010

2010-05-18T14:59:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer team,

We need your prayers for the Lord to call forth men for His mission at the Indy 500, May 28-30.

Jan is doing better - thank you so much for your prayers!

Love ya's,
Fred

Weekly Prayer Message, May 12, 2010

2010-05-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers for my wife, Jan. I took her to the heart doctor today and he said that she was doing fine. We are thankful for that!! Of course she is still sore and tires easily and has numbness on her tongue.

We are still promoting the Indy 500 ... Please pray for the Lord to call forth men for this mission.

I am going to rehab for a knee problem. However, I feel worse than when I started. However, I am trusting the therapy is going the right direction. I would appreciate your prayers for that.

Love ya's,
Fred

PS: I am still working hard at taking care of my wife. It is new "ground" for me and I am missing being out on the road.

The Speed of Indy!

2010-05-03T14:47:00.001-07:00

No Greater Love Ministries Outreach to the Indy 500
May 28th-30th, 2010

Marching with the Cross

Gentlemen,

Every year we have the unique opportunity to meet together several times and share the Gospel. Yet, more importantly, we have the privilege of getting outside of our comfort zone with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to speak, to change, and to minister into our lives so that we can go home better husbands, fathers, and servants of Jesus Christ. The Indianapolis 500 ministry outreach has often been referred to as a “mini-Mardi Gras” event for evangelism, but if you take a deeper look you will soon realize it is so much more than that. The Indy 500 is not only a chance to evangelize on the streets, but it is a time to gather together as men and take a stand for Jesus Christ. It has often been said that if we do not stand for something we will fall for anything. Men – it is time that we stand for the Gospel and for the mission that He has given each of us … to make disciples who will continue to spread the message of the Cross to a world that so desperately needs it!!

Praying to Receive Christ

It has always been the mission and central prayer at the core of NGL to put the Gospel into the hands of faithful men; and I’d like to ask you if you are willing to be that man who says, “Here am I Lord … send me!”? Are you willing to hear from God and be forever changed by how He speaks to you on the streets and how He moves your heart? Are you willing to spend a weekend investing in yourself, those around you, and more importantly God’s Kingdom?

Street Church

If so, then I encourage you to sign up at our website (http://www.nogreaterlove.org) and come with us to the Indy 500 for a weekend that will forever change your life. All the registration details you may need are listed on the website and for a small donation of $75 - the investment you make in Christ far outweighs anything on this Earth we consider “valuable”. Many will be there, Jesus most importantly will be there, and the real question is – do you care?

Worship

God bless you,

Rev T.J. Conwell
Montgomery, AL

Weekly Prayer - April 26, 2010

2010-04-27T07:53:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. Jan is gaining ground slowly from her triple by-pass surgery. Today the Surgeon released her saying her heart was doing well and that her lungs were clear. PTL Now we will go back to her heart Doctor for further instructions.

Today the second promo will go out for the Indy 500. Pray the Lord of the Harvest will stir men's hearts to step out for the Lord for the sake of lost souls and for the Lord to touch each man who goes forth in the Name of the Lord!

News:

1. Mark Jordan is getting moved from Glen Carbon to New Horizons Church in Springfield. PTL

2. Troy Benitone is on the field at Community of Faith Church in Carterville, Illinois. PTL

3. Mike Rucker is being moved to the UMC at Trenton, Illinois. PTL

4. Carl Johnson is off the "endangered" species list from his health problems and is coming along well. PTL

5. Jim Murphy is coming along slowly, but surely after his last operation. Please pray this will wrap things up operation wise and that Jimmy gets on the mend! PTL

6. Jim Skaggs is on the mend after his operation and setbacks. PTL

7. Betty Braswell is improving slowly but surely and had a great meeting with her board about the future work in Honduras. PTL

8. Marvin and Karen Steinke's ministry just returned from a good trip to Honduras. Weather was very hot, but God was good! PTL

9. Sylvia Reinmiller's ministry is in Honduras doing medical missions. They said it was the hottest they had ever seen, but ministry was going well. PTL

10. The Okies had a great trip to Honduras and will hold a tent revival with Mark Jordan in Glen Carbon right before our Indy Outreach. PTL

11. Jim and Mindy Bates' daughter is home from the mission field!!! Way to go!!!!!

I am staying near the house as much as I can as Jan gets nervous when I am away too long; especially not to be gone at night. That is tough for someone that loves to be out, but it is a very remedial learning lesson. I am trying to smile, but it is hard with my teeth clenched!!!!

We still have a lot of "stuff" down home on the old farm that needs to be taken care of and the yard is about two acres and that takes some time away also. I do enjoy cutting all that grass. You can really tell you are making a difference when the grass is tall.

Love ya's and am so thankful for all of you.
Fred

James 5:16-18 (The Message) Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

Sent from a Blackberry® device

Prayer Message - April 21

2010-04-21T02:51:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. We had a good meeting today with Roger Lipe, Mark Jordan, Dave Munson and I. We met in Pinckneyville, Illinois. We made plans for leaders for the Indy 500 Outreach. Our NGL Advisory Board will meet Friday night at Community of Faith Church in Carterville, Illinois. Bernie Kneale will lead the group as they pray over the church buildings and over Troy Benitone as the new pastor. They will also work on recruitment for the Indy 500.

PRAYER NEEDED:

- Sylvia Reinmiller will be taking her team to Honduras tomorrow to do her clinic projects.

- The Okies have just returned from Honduras.

- Marvin and Karen Steinke’s ministry is going to Honduras.

- Pray for Betty Braswell as she returns to health for her to return to Honduras for her feeding projects.

HEALING NEEDED:

- Jim Murphy just finished with another operation on his mouth. Pray this will be the last operation and that he will return to health.

- Jim Skaags had heart problems, then pneumonia and then blood clots in his lungs. He is improving.

- Loyed Walker had a motorcycle accident and broke his shoulder and some ribs.

- Emmett, a singer that works with Loyed Walker, needs prayer for healing.

- Brenda Stutzman is in need of our prayers for her health.

- Carl Johnson is doing well and returning to health.

- My wife, Janie, is improving each day from her triple by-pass surgery. She did a better job caring for me when I was operated on than I am taking care of her. I plan to scramble eggs tomorrow for my first time. I am so glad when some nice lady brings food over because I know it will be better than my cooking.

Thanks for your love and prayers.
Love ya’s,
Fred

The Indianapolis 500!

2010-04-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Brothers in Christ,

Hear the thunder in the distance? Smell the adventure in the air? Sense the stirring in your soul? It’s the beckoning of the Indianapolis 500—the Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports.

But more than speed and spectacle, it’s the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that beckons the men of No Greater Love Ministries. The heart-cry of the warrior. The passion of the Savior for the souls of men.

Brothers, it’s time to ride once again. It’s time to gather fathers, sons, and salty men for the harvest. Our day is at hand.

It’s the 94th running of the Indy 500. Men of NGL, we’ll see you there.

- Mark Jordan

-------------------------------------------------------

Friday-Sunday, May 28-30, 2010.

Where: Speedway United Methodist Church (note the change)
5065 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224-6598
Arrive and Register:
Between 3-4PM EST

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Who: Men and young men(14 and older)

What is required: A completed application form and a donation to No Greater Love Ministries

Register now at www.nogreaterlove.org

Donation Information

Individual Donation: $75.00
Each Dependent Child: $30.00

Bus Donation: $25.00 per person
The bus will be leaving from Christian Life Center in Herrin, IL at 9:00 a.m. sharp on Friday, May 28th. Contact Dave Munson to reserve your seat. 618-967-4966 or davengl@hughes.net

Weekly Prayer Message, April 19, 2010

2010-04-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. Jan is coming along well after her triple by-pass surgery. She wants me here close and I am learning to cook some things. I must say that being a “caregiver” is not in my natural line, but I am so glad to see Janie having a chance at a normal life which she hasn’t had for years.

Prayers:

1. Jim Murphy just had surgery on a lump in his throat.

2. Emmett, a brother who sings with Loyed Walker’s ministry needs prayer.

3. Brenda Stutzman is having a lot of physical problems.

4. Carl Johnson in on the improvement list. PTL!

This is an important week in preparation for the Indy 500:

1. Tuesday morning will be a meeting of the administration team for Indy

a. Pray for wisdom on how to deal with some changes.

2. Friday night will be our Advisory Board meeting at Community of Faith church in Carterville.

a. We will be working on the Indy 500.

Remember Dave and Peg Maragni as they are off site for three weeks to get some needed refreshing from their church position. Pray the Lord will restore them to the level they need to be.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Indy is fast approaching - May 28th, 29th & 30th!

2010-04-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Gentlemen, Great Men of God,

It is time to START YOUR ENGINES for the Indy 500!!!!!!!!! May 28th, 29th & 30TH! What a great place to witness! They have an awesome parade for our clowns and Georgetown Street works great for the night crowd. Then on Sunday, we can reach out to all the fans going into the race. It is also a great place for fathers to take their sons and then take the boys to the infield to see the historic car museum. As a boy, I remember listening to the Indy 500 on the radio. I never would have dreamed the day would come that we would be going there to witness for our Lord.

Just before Easter, my wife had triple by-pass heart surgery. I have always shared that our priorities should be God first, family second and the ministry third. Well, at this time my wife needs me here with her. We have also recently moved to Swansea, Illinois to be near our kids, grandkids and great grandkids. With Jan in the healing process and as well as trying to get settled in our new home and life here, I am having to spend much time out of the office. Therefore I feel that I must turn over the planning and promotion for the Indy 500 Outreach to our administration team.

Our administrative team consists of Roger Lipe, Dave Munson, Mark Jordan and David Maragni. These men have agreed to step up and take charge of the planning and promotion of the event. I am calling on you men to step up with them and make sure we have a strong witness at the Indy. These are tough times for our country and that makes it a great time to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The old song says “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” How true that is today here in the United States and the world. Please, don’t let this opportunity pass without a witness for our Lord.

I am praying for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Bring every man you can as there will be enough heathen to go around. More information will be coming out next week on the particulars for the event.

I would sure appreciate your prayers for my wife. I have found that I know nothing about cooking or anything domestic. I am doing my best.

Thanks for stepping up!!

Love ya’s,
Fred
Isaiah 6:8

Weekly Prayer, Feb 12, 2010

2010-04-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. Jan is recuperating and doing well day by day. She likes for me to stay close as this gives her more security and can have me help her with what she needs.

We need prayer for the upcoming Indy 500. We have some issues about some of the accommodation aspects. Please pray the Lord opens the "doors" He would have open and show us the way. Please pray the men of NGL will step up and take on the Indy 500 for our Lord.

Since we are going through the problems regarding Jan's health and our moving into our "new" home, I ask that you please please pray for our administrative team as they continue to work on the details for the Indy 500. I am also having to go down home to take care of problems on the farm when I have someone to stay with Janie.

Thanks,

Love ya's,
Fred

Prayer Message - March 26

2010-03-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. We had a good Board meeting going over the evaluations from Mardi Gras and gleaning some things that will help in placing men in the future for their growth. We have some health issues that make it hard to do at this time, but our kids are cleaning up the place and painting.

PRAYER NEEDS:

1. Carl Johnson is in the hospital again with Pancreatitis. He needs special prayer.

2. Jim Murphy is improving, but has to go back to Denver to have a lump drained in his throat. Jim is having cabin fever, but can’t get out in the cold weather.

3. Betty Braswell is in the hospital in Carbondale and is doing some better.

4. Rick Saterfield had congestive heart failure, but has lost 50 pounds and is back to work

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya's,

Fred

Prayer Message - March 18, 2010

2010-03-19T05:46:00.001-07:00

Hi prayer team,

We are processing the evaluations from the men at our Mardi Gras Outreach. This is a very important week as we look at the evaluations to learn what things the Lord blessed and what things we need to change. We also look to see how people were evaluated to see which people need to move forward in leadership and which ones need to change to other venues. My secretary is putting the evaluations together and we will go over these at our Board meeting this Friday night. Please pray we will gain wisdom from the Lord through these and grow accordingly.

Jan and I are moving to Swansea, Illinois. We will be closer to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are excited about the move, but our health is not in the best shape for moving Please keep that in prayer.

Thanks for your love and prayers,

Fred

Proverbs 17:17 (The Message) “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”

Prayer Message - March 1, 2010

2010-03-01T10:41:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I am pleased with our Mardi Gras experience this year … It is way beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

· By reading the evaluation of our men, I could see that people on the street were more open than ever before.

· Our Senior Advisors in each camp did an excellent job evaluating “strengths and weaknesses” of all the top camp leaders which was a big help for the leaders journey.

· I am overwhelmed at the pictures and videos on Facebook and other places on the web. We have never had such coverage!!

· I am so pleased to see how the leadership of each camp rallied together and were open to the Lord’s direction. I was not in very good health, yet everything worked together better than ever as the men who we have invested in for years stepped up and did much better than we did back in the day anyway. It just reveals that II Timothy 2:2 is being lived out as the men we have invested in are now investing in other and so the ministry at Mardi Gras and at home continues to grow. God is so faithful!!!

I am slowly getting better physically. I have good parts of days and then I tire out and feel more like I have the flu.

Jan and I are in the process of moving to Swansea, Illinois which is close to our kids, grandkids and great grandkids. We would be living about six houses from Zec, our grandson. We had sold our house in Du Quoin and have signed papers for the house there. We are waiting on the bank to “OK” the deal. Pray for that as a move at our age is tougher than it would have been years ago, but we are excited.

Love ya’s,

Fred

John 3:30

Prayer Message - February 22

2010-02-23T02:32:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

This is such a special time for the ministry with all the evaluation to go through to see where the Lord showed up and where we missed the Lord. Evaluations is what keeps our ministry on track. We have all kinds of information coming in and it all needs to be processed. So keep that in your prayers. This is a very busy time for Abby as she sends out follow up material for those who made decisions and many other things.

Jim Murphy is home from his treatments and Linda says he is improving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick Satterfield was sick the whole time at Mardi Gras and they thought he had kidney stones, but it is looking more like congestive heart failure. Please keep himin your prayers as he is in Memorial Hospital in Belleville in room 402.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,

Fred

Prayer Message - February 19

2010-02-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

I believe this was the best Mardi Gras Outreach of the past 36 years. We had 230 men registered from 19 States in 99 different church with 24 Pastors/Ministers with us in 5 separate camps from Mobile, Al to Gulfport, MS to New Orleans, LA to Marrero, LA to Algiers, LA.

Thanks for your prayers for this outreach. Please thank the Lord for all He did in and through our lives there and pray the Lord will cause what happened there to also impact the lives of all of us as we have returned home. Pray for those who were prayed with to receive the Lord in whatever way the Lord worked.

I sure appreciate all of you.

God bless,

Fred
Phil 1:6

Thank You - Feb 16

2010-02-16T22:00:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Well, that is one more Mardi Gras finished for the year. It was our best one ever. The men who were leading the camps and groups were well trained and did a great job. The cooks did a wonderful job as well. I was very weak from my surgeries. I was still able to do the opening meeting in Hattiesburg and then visit each camp during the Mardi Gras.

Please pray that all the men get home safely and return home better husbands and fathers.

Thanks for all your prayers.

In His service,
Fred

Sent from Blackberry® wireless device.

Prayers for Feb 16

2010-02-16T06:04:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for hanging in there with and for us. This is the big day. Many believe they can do all the bad they want today and then tomorrow on Ash Wednesday they will all get right. Pray for our men as they witness for the Lord today in the French Quarter.

I am so proud of our leaders in each camp. These are men who have been with us for years and have learned their positions well. I am amazed at how well everything is coming together. This is the best year I have ever seen for the men working together. It is like the "icing" on the cake. It is like all the years of working down are maturing and doing the best ever.

The men have preached, clowned, passed tracts, witnessed one on one and marched through the streets in street marches. We have had street bands sharing the gospel and used two floats over in Mississippi. Tonight the men will meet together for a final rally in Jackson Square and each camp with give a battle cry to be followed by a "silent" march through the French Quarter. We will be basically saying---- "We have said all we know to say and now it is up to the people in the crowds to decide either for or against the Lord. This "silent" march has a great effect on the crowd, but more so has an effect on our guys.

Roger Lipe has done the greatest job I have ever seen in leading and coordinating all the camps for this last day. He has always been special to me, but to see him operate this year has been my highlight of the year. I have not been able to do anything except make token appearances at the camps and yet this is the best year ever for how smoothly the ministry has run. It has shown me that John 3:30 is so true of the Lord:

John 3:30 (New International Version)He must become greater; I must become less.

I feel so honored for the privilege of serving with these mighty men of God. It is my desire and goal in life to train these men to go forth to the ends of the earth to carry out THE GREAT (ADVENTURE) COMMISSION for our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. I only pray that when all of us get to Heaven that we will hear those most precious words from our Lord and Master--------------"Well, done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the reward prepared for you."

I pray that every man with us here will be able to sing the song and mean it that "It will be WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE JESUS!" Thank you for the prayers and friendship.

God is good!
Fred

Sent from Blackberry® wireless device.

Prayer Message - Feb 15

2010-02-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

My task this year is to go by each camp and share with the men and then drop back and rest. Yesterday, we went into the French Quarter and shared with the men at Vieux Carre Baptist. That was great getting to be with those seasoned veterans working in the toughest place we have.

This morning we went to Algiers UMC camp and shared with the guys there and that went well. They are doing fine. This afternoon we will go to Gentilly Baptist camp and share with them. It is so hard to go and stay less than an hour and then drop back and rest, but it is helping me to maintain.

I am so impressed and proud of the leadership we have in all the camps. They are doing a great job. The cooking teams are doing an awesome job and the guys are thrilled with the food,. Men must have good food!!!

Thanks for your prayers!

Love ya's
Fred

Prayer Request - Feb 14

2010-02-14T04:47:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Well, we are starting out our third day here at the Mardi Gras.

1. Today is Valentine's Day. I want to wish all the wives a wonderful Valentine's day!

2. This has the potential of being an important day for the men here as we use our group time before the Lord about our wives.

a. Pray for the marriages of the men and for the Lord to reveal areas that need to be repented of and for forgiveness and restoration in marriages and for all of us men to go home more appreciative of our wives and families. It was several years ago when Valentine's day happened during Mardi Gras and the Lord really showed up and changed a lot of men's hearts. One revelation was "Your wife is My daughter and in a sense that makes Me your father in law and I don't like the way you have treated my little girl." That changed Dave Munson's life years ago and saved his marriage. Dave's testimony touched all of our lives that year. I don't know how the Lord will show up today, but I don't believe it is a coincidence that Valentine's day is happening this year during Mardi Gras!!!!!

3. Today is the first day that I go around to a camp and share my vision for NGL and invite men to decide to "buy in" and support the ministry. This is the only time of the year I talk to them about finances. I will go to one camp today, two camps tomorrow and then the last two camps on Tuesday. The outcome of these meetings will help determine how the ministry operates for the rest of the year. Pray the Lord will do in the lives of the men what His will and desire is for the ministry.

4. Pray for me as I go to the different camps and share the vision I have for the future of the ministry. I hear the Lord saying that it is time for NGL to be working more in support of those men who are going forth in ministry to other countries and for NGL to be a place where they can get the word out on what they are doing and for those who want to start out in missions to find a ministry to go out with for the Lord.

5. At our opening meeting last Friday, we ask how many men have gone on mission trips to other countries. I would say there were at least 100. There were many countries names. That is the desire of my heart to help men learn how to lift up the Lord here at Mardi Gras and then for the Lord to lead these men out to carry out the Great Commission Adventure to the ends of the earth!!!!!!!!!!!!

6. Mardi Gras has been and continues to be the place where God touches, cleanses, heals and restores men and them steadies, empowers and leads them out to the fields of the world to bring in the harvest! As you can see, this is my heart's desire before the Lord. Each year the load gets heavier and yet each year the Lord raises up men to take on the responsibilities of carrying on the work much better than I have done in the past.

My verse is :John 3:30 (American Standard Version) 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

I see this verse so much differently now as time goes on. Each year the load seems heavier. More men are stepping up and taking up the load for the events and I am thankful for the way the ministry is growing in numbers and commitment, but it still seems like a heavy load. I love these men like they are my own flesh and blood. It has been my goal in life to "weep when they weep and rejoice when they rejoice." I want to judge no man, but instead to see each fallen man as a "wounded soldier" that needs forgiveness, healing and encouragement to rise back up and get back in the fight for his Lord.

Well, it is almost daylight. I like to be devoting each day and then see the sun come up and then I feel like Jacob wrestling with the angel and tell the Lord each morning that I will not let Him go except He bless me as He did Jacob. Ok, so I am not in the best of health today and yet that even makes it more meaningful as Jacob left that meeting with the Angel "limping."

My wonderful prayer partners that I just couldn't do without and I am in tears as I write, thanks for letting me share my morning with you. Thanks for taking part of my load.

Love ya,

Fred

Sent from Blackberry® wireless device.

Ministry Update - 13 Feb

2010-02-13T11:56:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team!

I felt poorly yesterday and a little "testy." However, when the opening meeting started and we started worshipping together, the anointing came and I had a ball. All went well and I just wanted to thank you for the prayers. Now I will visit each camp as I feel able.

Love ya's,
Fred

Sent from Blackberry® wireless device.

Prayers for Feb 12

2010-02-12T11:12:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

We are in Hattiesburg, MS for our opening meeting at 4 pm. They have several inches of snow which is unusual for them. It is a good snow. Since the ground is not frozen, the snow is on the cars and the grass, but not on the roads.

Some of the groups have had car trouble. Gateway from San Antonio was delayed waiting on a place to get them back on the road. Nebraska had vehicle trouble at the start which will delay them about 4 hours.

I am a little weak and tire easily. I will just go to the necessary meetings. Today is the most important meeting for me to do. It will be at 4 pm and I would appreciate your prayers for that.

All is going well and I sure appreciate your prayer for our 5 camps located at:

1.       Mobile/ Carver House
2.       McHenry/ Marrero
3.       Gentilly Baptist in New Orleans
4.       Vieux Carre Baptist in the French Quarter in New Orleans
5.       Algiers Camp at Algiers United Methodist Church

Thanks for your prayers. I will keep you up on how it is going.

Love ya's
Fred

Sent from Blackberry® wireless device.

Mardi Gras is HERE!

2010-02-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

Hello God fearing men!! It won't be long now!!

Here is the scripture I believe God has for us right now:

Exodus 19:10-11 (NIV), "And the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.""

See you Hattiesburg, MS!!

Proud to serve with you,
Fred

LAST CALL!

2010-02-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

There are only a few days left before we head down to the Mardi Gras.

This message is for two groups of people:

FIRST: I believe there are some of you men out there who the Lord has prompted to come with us to share Jesus, BUT you don't have the money to make the trip. Well, we have some scholarships available that you can apply for by asking for them.

SECOND: I believe there are some of you men out there who can't go this year because of other obligations, but you are willing to sponsor someone to go in your place. I want you to write ASAP so we can make your sponsorship available.

*********************************

Gentlemen,

Consider the following verse of scripture:

"Whom shall I send and who WILL go for Me...." Isaiah 6:8

Then ask yourself, are there not others who could be doing what you are doing now; so that you could respond to the Lord to go forth for the soul and life of our nation for His kingdom's sake?

For more info go to: http://www.nogreaterlove.org

Love ya,
Fred

Thank you for praying!

2010-02-05T04:23:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for the prayers. We have just finished our Administration meeting and have all our leaders in place with the Lord’s direction. We have over 225 registered. We will meet again Wednesday morning to put all the guys in their camps and groups. I would appreciate your prayers for that. I love the way the ministry works using Psalm 133 as our guide.

· At first I feel the anointing and pressure and share my heart and vision.

· Then the leaders of the areas get the anointing and share the pressure

· Then the ADMINISTRATION feels the anointing and the pressure

o These guys include Roger Lipe, Dave Munson, Mark Jordan and Dave Maragni. What great guys they are with “gifts” so necessary for making the ministry work.

· Then the Leaders of the camps and the squad leaders and then the leaders and so on.

· The anointing of Psalm 133 with the anointing flowing just explains the ministry and no one has to have the pressure on him for any given length of time.

I made it to the meeting, but my energy is low and my aching is getting worse. So I am headed for home!!!!

Love ya’s

Fred

Tonight is the DEADLINE!!

2010-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Mighty Men of God!

Just a reminder that TONIGHT is the deadline in order to take advantage of the $50.00 discount for the Mardi Gras Ministry Trip with No Greater Love Ministries! If your payment is received by MIDNIGHT tonight you will not have to pay the full cost! For more information on this trip feel free to click here.

For your convenience you may not only register at the NGL website but you can register through PayPal located on the ministry application page.

Monday is the deadline!!

2010-01-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Hello MIGHTY men of God!!

If you have not yet registered for the Mardi Gras outreach with No Greater Love Ministries, there is STILL time!! The early bird registration deadline is MONDAY, February 1, 2010. All paid registrations received on or before February 1st will receive a $50.00 discount. Any registration payments made after that will not be able to take advantage of the discount ... so sign up today!!

Register NOW at http://www.nogreaterlove.org.

For your convenience, a link to pay electronically (via PayPal) can be found on the Ministry Application page.

Mardi Gras Deadline is FAST Approaching!

2010-01-25T17:59:00.001-08:00

Hello Mighty Men of God!!

This is just a reminder that the early bird deadline for Mardi Gras will soon be here. All PAID registrations received on or before February 1^st will receive a $50.00 discount. Below you will find the Mardi Gras informational flyer. For your convenience you can register online at www.nogreaterlove.org . Once on our website you will need to click on the event information tab and then the application tab. From the application page you can submit an application and select payment through pay pal.

2010 Mardi Gras Outreach

Who can Attend? Men and young men ages, 17 and older.

When: February 12th-16th, 2010

Where: Arrive between 12:00-3:00PM,

Friday, February 12th

Meeting Location

Heritage United Methodist Church

3 Barracuda Dr.

Hattiesburg, MS 39482

Registration Donation:

$175.00 if paid by February 1st, 2010

$225.00 if paid after February 1st, 2010

Questions?

Contact the N. G. L. office at (618) 542-4503

Fred Bishop: nglfred@nogreaterlove.org

Abby Emling: nglabby@yahoo.com

The COUNTDOWN is ON! 24 Days to go!!

2010-01-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

God wants YOU!!!!

Calling all men of God to go forth to New Orleans in the battle for souls!

The COUNTDOWN IS ON: 24 DAYS UNTIL WE MEET IN HATTIESBURG, MS FOR BLAST OFF!

God has met us at the Mardi Gras every time for the past 35 years. Yes, we witness to a lost and dying world, but God gives us a time of fellowship, renewal and commissions us to go forth into all the world.

This week, Sarge and Sue are in Vietnam, Mark Krupa is in the Czech Republic, Troy Benitone is leading a group of 13 people in Africa, Marvin and Bernie just returned from Honduras. Roy Pigg recently went to Africa.

Kevin Martin just wrote this to us this morning encouraging all of us to the Mardi Gras:

Praying God's order on our preparation for MG 10! All is well here in MI! My son appears to be doing well in Iraq..and he got promoted! Pray for everyone's work and time off situation! I'm all squared away in that area and hope everyone else is experiencing the same! Let's clap the Armor on each other in prayer! You know the enemy does not want us at the Vieux (Mardi Gras!) Praying for health and order in each man's life, home, family and body! Blessings, Kevin

God will be there. Jesus will be there. The Holy Spirit will be there. I will be there. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a meeting like that!!! See you there!!!!

Love ya’s,

Fred

Who can Attend? Men and young men ages, 17 and older.

When: February 12th-16th, 2010

Where: Arrive between 12:00-3:00PM,

Friday, February 12th

Heritage United Methodist Church

3 Barracuda Dr.

Hattiesburg, MS 39482

Registration Donation:

$175.00 if received by February 1st, 2010

$225.00 if received after February 1st, 2010

Questions?

Contact N. G. L. at 618-542-4503

Fred Bishop
nglfred@nogreaterlove.org

Abby Emling
nglabby@yahoo.com
www.nogreaterlove.org

**The earlier you register the better. For your convenience you may register on line at www.nogreaterlove.org

Weekly Prayer Message, January 18, 2010

2010-01-18T15:13:00.001-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Thanks for your prayers. My wife, Jan, is some better. It was a relief to know it was not her heart so that took some of the anxiety and fear away when she has the chest pain.

We have our NGL Administrative Board meeting this Friday at 5 pm and then our Advisory Board meeting at 7 pm. Please remember this in prayer and for a lot of people to get their registrations in so we can work on assignments for Mardi Gras. We will also be going over our “Small Group Questions” that we will use at Mardi Gras as this is a very important part of our agenda there.

Please continue to pray for the NGL brothers who are going through sicknesses. There is such a “rash” of them this year. Gary Wood’s father will be buried this week. Remember Gary.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Proverbs 19:24 (The Message), "Friends come and go, but a true friend sticks by you like family" Praise the Lord!! God is good!

Countdown to Mardi Gras -- 31 Days!

2010-01-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

Don't be left behind!!

Sign up today at www.nogreaterlove.org

This year will be our 36th annual Mardi Gras outreach. In all those years, I have never seen our country in the shape it is in today. What an opportunity to go and share the hope that we have in Jesus!

Can you here the Lord saying ......... "WHOM SHALL I SEND AND WHO WILL GO FOR ME???" Join Isaiah and me with the response saying ......... "HERE AM I, LORD, SEND ME!"

We have heard good reports on recruitment from Texas, Tennessee, Peoria, Illlinois, Fairview Heights, Illinois. Let us hear how things are moving where you are. Let's challenge each other to step out for the Lord at the Mardi Gras!!!!

I have always been moved by this story: "Are there not others who could be doing what you are right now, so you could go forth for the Lord to do what they either will not or can not do for the Master."

SEE YOU AT THE MARDI GRAS!!!!!!!!

- Fred Bishop

Weekly Prayer Message, January 12, 2010

2010-01-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer team,

Things are moving along well for Mardi Gras. Thanks for your prayers in that regard.

This Friday is the day Dave Munson, Roger Lipe, and Dave Maragni meet for an administrative meeting to work on putting together our teams of squad leaders and leaders and other specialists. Please pray we will have the men registered that need to be considered for these positions. We will also be looking back over men who have served in these capacities in the past. This meeting is very important for our Mardi Gras event.

We still need prayer for those who are having physical problems as it seems like we get more names each week. This is an attack of the devil. Please pray and stand against this onslaught.

We have been getting good reports from Texas, Tennessee and Peoria, Illinois on their recruitment PTL!!!!

Love ya’s

- Fred

Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest!

Saddle Up Your Horses!

2010-01-04T15:19:00.001-08:00

Saddle up your horses! Pack your bags! The countdown is on for the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. You can find more information on our Website at www.nogreaterlove.org or by going to Facebook and typing in “No Greater Love Ministries” or “Fred Bishop” up in the top right corner for our weekly updates.

Below are two testimonies of men who see the value of this mission trip. Send us your testimony and we will put it in later. Let us realize the value of “Seeing, hearing and experiencing the Lord in and through each other.”

See you at the Mardi Gras ... February 12-16!!!! Love working with you for our Lord!

- Fred

------------------------------------

"I have been going to Mardi Gras now for 20 years and I can say that it is the main catalyst that caused me to be a 24/7 Christian versus' a Sunday morning one. Mardi Gras has stretched me beyond what I thought was possible so that God could grow me in ways that would be useful for His Kingdom. As a pastor, I bring other men to Mardi Gras and it is the number one thing I use to help groom future leaders in my church. It has changed my life and the lives of my men in positive ways that really are indescribable."

Jimmy Dillon

Pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

Wichita Falls, Texas

------------------------------------

“About 12 years ago I was in a trustee meeting with my Pastor, Shane Bishop. Shane said, "If you want to grow in Christ, I mean really grow, go on an NGL trip." I told him I work in a factory and get all kinds of opportunities to witness. He said, "Not like this!" I took him up on his challenge and have been going to NGL trips every since. Some have been a real challenge and others have seemed to go flawless, but each one is full of unforgettable memories of extraordinary power. The worship is powerful and the questions asked by the people on the street require consideration not previously pondered. It takes all kinds and we see most of them. It causes my faith to grow and prepares me even more for the next opportunity. NGL has truly been a blessing to my faith walk with the Lord.”

Jim Oppedal

Christ United Methodist Church

Fairview Heights, Illinois

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Hi prayer partners,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every year I love to end the old and begin the new with Oswald Chambers. “Leave the broken, irreparable past in His Hands, and step out into the irresistible future with Him.” That is Oswald’s bidding farewell to the old year and then his January 1^st encourages us to start out the new by “Giving our Utmost for His Highest!” What a challenge.

We are moving along well with our Mardi Gras promotion.

· Our administration team includes Roger Lipe, Dave Munson, Dave Maragni, Mark Jordan and me. I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom for this group. We have chosen our leaders of the camps and are in the process of calling them. We will meet next week to choose squad leaders and leaders. It is so important to get men in the right places.

· Pray that men would be willing to do whatever needs doing as we each go forth to experience the Lord in and through each other as we share Jesus with the lost at the Mardi Gras.

· Pray for our Mardi Gras promo that will go out this week. Pray for the Lord to call forth men from all the States and denominations.

· As we have over $2,000.00 in expenses more than last year, please pray the Lord will provide as we are not going to raise the donation as it is already tough for some to make it with the state of the economy.

· Continue to pray for Jim Murphy as he is getting radiation treatments on his throat in Denver. He has about 5 weeks of treatment left.

· Pray for Carl Johnson as he will confer with the Doctors tomorrow about how far the cancer has spread and what options are available. Please pray the cancer is contained in the prostate and can be treated.

· My wife, Jan, is still not doing well. She did have an ekg last week to check out her heart. She had a scan to see if her problem is her gall bladder. Today, I am taking her for more tests. I am getting experience at being the “care-provider.” I find this is a new experience for me and is really stretching me as it gets me out of my regular “rhythm.” I am amazed at how much I “need” my regular schedule to keep on top of things daily. We need to find out how to get help for Janie.

Thanks for your concern and prayers.

Love ya’s

- Fred

James 5:16

A special note of thanks

2009-12-31T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hi to all the prayer team,

Life if full of “New” SEASONS. I usually get settled and comfortable about the time that “SEASON” passes. So far, I don’t like this SEASON! It is like an unknown season with me not knowing the game plan and the rules. I did have a bout with it in 2003 with my appendicitis episodes. I didn’t deal well with it either. I didn’t want to have visitors and yet I wanted their prayers. I knew that only God could bring me through.

Every Mardi Gras preparation time brings new challenges and attacks. This year, it has been health issues on the guys and then for the past month with my wife. I pray for these every time I awaken in the night and stay in contact with them. Yet, it has been so exhausting and draining. Yesterday was the first day of relief that I have had with Jan. The Doctor is running some tests to find some solutions. Up to now, they have just been prescribing medicine and nothing changes. Jan had an EKG and today is having a sonogram on her gall bladder. Also they took her off some of the meds she has been taking and gave her a different pain pill. Just the change so far, is giving us some signs of hope!

Mardi Gras is coming soon! I recall some years when I have come home so sick that it took a month to recuperate. I wrestled with that and decided that this was my calling and I was not to question the “cost.” I also have to realize that I am older and therefore must adjust myself accordingly by turning over more of the ministry to others and this has brought new energy to the ministry. I do miss doing a lot of the things I once did, but I love seeing how others have taken over and are not only doing a better job, but also I am seeing the Lord call forth many of these men into service for Him throughout the world.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,

Fred

PS: Jim Murphy’s phone number is: 618-318-3687 He appreciates call of encouragement!

This is always my “kick out the Old Year and welcome the New Year quote from Oswald “Leave the irreparable Past in His Hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him!"

Happy New Year!