2014 Annual Kick-Off Meeting

Our ANNUAL NO GREATER LOVE MINISTRY KICK-OFF will be held at Community of Faith Church in Marion, Illinois on October 3rd and 4th.

This event will be a blast.  We will worship, have fellowship, have great barbecue, and demonstrate what the Lord is doing in and through each of us. Make plans NOW to not only attend, but bring other men who are on your heart for the Lord to touch them as well.  

Men who have started their own ministries will have tables to share their “wares” and ideas.  These men will be able to see what others are doing as well.  All of us will enjoy and see opportunities for us to join others for ministries that touch our hearts.  

All of you men are very special to me.  I have given my life through NGL for 40 years investing in your lives.  Now, I am excited about doing this Ministry Kick-Off to be with all of you and see how the Lord is honoring His Word in Acts 6:7.

NGL has been sowing seeds into your lives and NOW I want to see you “Disciples” multiplied and growing in your walks with our Lord.  We look forward to working with each of you throughout the year, in a mentoring role, as we continue to Obey the Great Commission  all the way from Sarge in Asia to David Maragni in Marion, Illinois to the down and out.  

Love ya’s and hope to see ALL of you at the NGL KICK-OFF!!!

In His service,
Fred

PS:  This will give us a chance to have a “yearly” checkup to “see, hear, and experience God in each other.”

The Indy 500

Just like the cars that participate, the Indy 500 ministry outreach time is fast approaching!!  For your planning and information purposes, this year's Indy 500 ministry trip is being organized and led by Wayne Sanders of Common Ground Ministries.  For more information including where to register and pay for the event, please visit their website: http://cgmok.com/

God bless you!

MG Early Bird Price Ends ... Soon!

Let’s Go Get'tum Guys!

NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE ANOINTING TO BE UPON EACH ONE OF US TO GET EXCITED AND ENLIST MEN FOR THIS 40TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS EXPERIENCE.  

This is the last weekend before the FEBRUARY 17TH DEADLINE for the “Early Bird $50.00 Discount.” After NEXT MONDAY, the donation will go up to $250.00. I am praying for the Lord to use each of you as His spokesmen to get men on board for this life changing experience.

I know of no place on earth that the Lord will use more, from February 28-March 4th to have the opportunity to share the Love of Jesus than at the Mardi Gras. God ALWAYS meets us there!  Don’t miss it and don’t let those you know miss it either. We all will come home leaving more of ourselves behind and holding tightly to the “Rod of God.” I believe the Lord will call forth many men to the harvest fields of the world through this mission. Many ministries have come forth as a result of this Mardi Gras Adventure.

Sarge, who has spent the last five years in Vietnam, is coming all the way from Vietnam for this last total Mardi Gras Mission to be with all the guys. He will be singing his famous “Amazing Grace medley” and “Mighty Warrior.” He will be manning his treasured “Manhole” cover over by Jack’s Brewery.

"When we are willing to overcome our fear of people, openly identify with Jesus, and be bold in our confession of Him, we become OVERCOMERS!!"  - Ed Cole Revelation 12:11

The Lord is calling men for His work and You and I are invited to join Him in the enlistment.  See you soon at Williams Blvd Baptist Church in New Orleans on Friday, February 28th!!!!

Love ya’s and so honored to serve with you,

Fred

Mardi Gras, 2014

Calling all Men of God for Mardi Gras!!!

Let God touch you and come with us!!!!

He touched my lips with it and said, “Now you are pronounced ‘not guilty’ because this coal has touched your lips. Your sins are all forgiven.”  Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go?” Isaiah 6:7-8

Song for invitation: "Shackled by a heavy burden neath a load of guilt and shame, then the Hand of Jesus touched me and NOW I AM NO LONGER THE SAME......."

And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”  

- Fred  

Rise up, Men of God!!

RISE UP NGL MEN OF GOD AND SIGN UP NOW

FOR THE “EARLY BIRD SPECIAL”!

Sign up NOW at www.nogreaterlove.org and save $50.00 for the Mardi Gras trip of a life time!!!

Over the last 39 years, we have taken thousands of men to Mardi Gras. Some have been up standing in their lives and communities while others have rough battle scars. Some have a call on their lives and others just want to move forward in their spiritual lives. I have seen God minister to all kinds.  

No Greater Love Ministries reminds me of the Statue of Liberty for Christian men.  "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

God has never given up on me and that is the same commitment I make to EVERY man who is willing to come and fit in with our program. This will be the 40th Mardi Gras Outreach and it will be my last leading this event. I would love to see men present and everyone from the past that you can bring with you.

There will be plenty of room for everyone!!!! I would like to see 300 mighty men going forth for our Lord!!!

Love ya’s,
Fred

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." - Isaiah 1:19

PHILIPPINE RELIEF DONATIONS

If you want to donate to the NGL Philippine Relief fund you may do so by clicking on the PayPal link located on our homepage (http://nogreaterlove.org).  Please be sure you enter "Philippine Relief" in the message box so that funds can be sent directly. For your convenience, checks may also be made out to No Greater Love Ministries and sent to our office.

Thank you for your consideration and God bless you!

Rise up Men of God!

CALLING ALL MEN OF GOD!!!!

This is the time to recruit for the Annual Men's Retreat. We will be preparing for our LAST MARDI GRAS trip in February. The Mardi Gras trip will be the 40th for NGL and our final one. (The Mardi Gras trip is scheduled for Feb. 28 - March 4, 2014).

The Men's Retreat (scheduled for September 27-28, 2013) will be a time of great fellowship and getting to see guys from different places that we have built relationships with through the years. Even our cars get running sluggish and need a "tune-up," this is our chance to get a "shot in the arm" to get us on track for our lives, families, churches, communities and the world.

In 1973, I heard a prophecy in Kansas City, MO that has become a key ingredient in the dynamic of NGL. "SEE ME, HEAR ME AND EXPERIENCE ME IN EACH OTHER." That has become a watchword for NGL ever since and continues to be the most important point for me to this day.

Bring every man you can muster as there will be enough of God to go around.  It is always good to be in fellowship with men from different backgrounds, denominations, cultures and worship styles. It allows us to experience "fresh wind" by expanding our ideas of God by seeing the Lord work in ways beyond our little work a day worlds. We can all use a fresh touch from the Lord. I know that I do and am looking forward to being with all of you at the Men's Retreat! Come and bring a friend. Awe shucks, bring an enemy or two also!!!!!!

Love ya's and look forward to seeing you at the Annual NGL Reunion!!!!

Fred,
Isaiah 6:8

WARNING!

Promoting and Attending the NGL Kick-Off could be excellent for your Spiritual Health!

Prayer Needs / Update, June 3, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

Leading up to events, the load seems heavy as I contact people and then hear of some of the trials they are going through.  These are men that I have worked with for years and they have been so faithful to the Lord with me in NGL.  I am thankful for the opportunity to hear their concerns and share mine with them.  We are able to use James 5:16 as we share our concerns with each other and then pray for each other.  Hey, that’s what friends do!!!

So by the time each event rolls around, I feel somewhat overwhelmed and too weak to continue.  Then I get to the event and see what great men the Lord has raised up through the ministry and I feel the pleasure of the Lord in such a special way.  I have never left an event without realizing what a wonderful God we serve together and how happy it makes Him seeing the faithfulness of such men of God.

I am still having respiratory problems and will have a ct scan tomorrow and an x-ray on my thyroid.  I would appreciate your prayers in that regard.  My wife has caught it also and needs your prayers.

Exodus 17:12 says, "But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." 

Moses could not have done what was needed without help! I are so grateful for all that has been done to hold up the hands of the ministry.  It is God's work, and He has brought you along as a necessary partner to get the work completed! I may not say it enough, but I am truly so grateful for your partnership!

Thank you for giving up so much to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Love ya’s,
Fred

Prayer Needs; May 22, 2013

Hi Prayer friends,

 

                We have about all the men placed in camps.  This has been the most strenuous Indy I have had for enlisting men due to problems, weddings and graduations.  I need prayer now for my health as I have a sore throat and chest congestion.

 

Thanks for your prayers.

 

Love ya’s

 

Fred

James 5:16

 

PS:  Next week some of us will be meeting looking at the future of NGL as this will be my 40^th Mardi Gras coming up and I will be 75 years old next year.  I would appreciate your prayers for that meeting.

Hi Prayer Friends,

The Indy 500 is coming up May 24-26 in Indianapolis.  We have had many obstacles and need your prayers.  Due, in part, to mechanical failures, we are behind on enlistment and need for the Lord to stir men’s hearts for this important mission.

• Pray for men from the different areas of the country to be stirred and bring others with them.
• Pray for the second camp to be secured as problems have arisen with that camp.  I plan to go by to talk with them when Kent and I go to Indianapolis.
• Pray for Claude Ogden’s wife, Marty, as Claude just passed away a few days ago.  Kent Lewis and I will be going over to Indianapolis for the Memorial service. 
• Our daughter Jill, her husband Craig and our granddaughter just returned from taking Josie back to China to visit her homeland.  They promised Josie that when she graduated from the eighth grade that they would take her back to visit.  It was wonderful hearing their stories last night.  Thank You Lord for being with them on their trip and bringing them home safely.

Love ya’s,

Fred
THY WILL BE DONE!

Prayer Needs for April 26, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

We are trying to prepare for the Indy 500 Outreach.  We have had computer problems that wouldn't allow the promos to go out so we are running behind.  Please pray for the Lord to intervene in this process as this seems to be an attack from the devil.

We are wrestling with whether to have the one camp like we had last year or to have a camp at each end of the track which would allow each group to witness on their end of Georgetown Street on Saturday night and meet in the middle for a combined service.

When I was a boy growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois I would listen to the Indianapolis 500 car race on the radio.  I never dreamed that I would not only get to go there, but take hundreds of men through the years to share Jesus at the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

No Greater Love Ministries had 242 men at the Mardi Gras in February and the momentum has carried over with many of the men.  Brent Alexander, from Christ church, organizes a group of clowns to go over and share Jesus at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in St. Louis. Max Vick continues to lead weekend groups sharing Jesus at events in Tennessee.  The Okies are in Honduras concentrating mainly on San Pedro Sula.  Sarge and Sue are preparing to return to Vietnam.  Marvin and Karen Steinke continue to take groups to Honduras.  Sylvia continues to take groups to Honduras.  I am so proud of all the ones who have gone out from NGL.

It continues to be my prayer for the Lord to use each NGL event to “promote” men into His purposes throughout the world, the church and in each family.  God honors faithfulness.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

Love ya’s

Fred
Philippians 4:13

Prayer Needs, April 11, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

Jan and I went out to Rapid City, SD to attend our son in law, Craig’s, retirement ceremony from the Air Force.  It was really special and we are proud of his years of service in the military and his medical mission trips to Liberia.  Now Jill, Craig and Josie will be staying with us until the 20th when they will take Josie on a trip to visit China for 19 days.  She is so excited to get to visit her homeland.

I need prayer today to get the “ball” rolling for the enlistment for the Indy 500.   I have a call in for a second place to house the men for the event.  I am waiting for a response.  I am asking for “favor” with the pastor and church IF THAT WOULD BE GOD’S WILL.  Join with me on that please.

·         Pray for the Lord to stir up laborers for His kingdom work with us at the Indy 500.

·         Pray for the Lord to call forth men from this mission for His purposes.

·         Pray for favor with the police and with the crowds.

·         Pray for the Holy Spirit to come down mightily and that we receive all that we are willing to give Him room to work in our lives.

Thanks and have a blessed day!!

Love ya’s,
Fred

Hebrews 10:25 Is my verse for the day!  I am going to especially look throughout the day for people I might be able to encourage, especially strangers.  It made me smile just thinking about it!!!!

Prayer Requests for Mar 5, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

Thanks for your friendship and prayers.  Here are our prayer needs for the week.

1.       Pray for “Hands of Hope” ministries led by Troy Benitone.  Troy and a small group are down in Liberia, Africa now preparing for the group to go down Thursday.  Jerry Johnson is one of the people to go down Thursday and today he is stuck up in Minnesota in a snow storm and needs to get back home in time to go to Liberia on Thursday.

2.       Pray for the group from Christ Church with “Feed My Sheep” ministries in Honduras right now.

3.       Pray for us as we continue to work through the evaluations from Mardi Gras.

Love ya’s,

Fred
Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer Needs for February 4, 2013

Hi prayer friends, 

The countdown is on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please consider these prayer needs this week as you pray for our ministry:

1.    Tomorrow our administrative team will meet to put men in all the groups.

2.    Pray for the Lord to guide in getting each man in the group that will be best for his spiritual pilgrimage.

3.    Many obstacles always come up the last few days.  One man’s mother died over the weekend.  He will go home and be back just in time to go.  Many other problems need our prayers.

4.    Friday will be our Kick-Off meeting in Hattiesburg, MS  Pray for the anointing of the Lord to go forth according to Psalm 133.

5.    For the past few days, I have felt “heavy.”  Today I got a Word that the Lord was with me and for me to rejoice and face each task as it comes and not rehearse over and over as I have been doing.  That has brought some relief.

6.    Pray for the Lord to continue to call forth men for this Mardi Gras Adventure.

7.    Pray the Lord will speak to each of our hearts for repentance and for anointing and direction for our lives, families and for His Kingdom.

Thanks for your love, concern and prayers,

Love ya’s

   Fred

John 3:30

Prayer Requests; Week of January 15, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

We will be meeting this Friday night at the Trinity UMC in West Frankfort with the Advisory Board to review the evaluations of Mardi Gras from last year to see what we can learn that needs to be continued and what could use to be changed.  Pray for the Lord to reveal to us any changes that He would like for us to do for this Mardi Gras.

I have a promo letter going out to a lot of men for Mardi Gras.  I believe in Psalm 133 for the ANOINTING  for NGL.  I believe each year for our Men’s Retreat the last week in September for the ANOINTING to come down on us as we seek the Lord for the coming year.  We have been working on Mardi Gras with the Administration Staff as we sought direction from the Lord for the enlistment of Camp Leaders.  These have been enlisted and we are believing for the ANOINTING to be now on these men as they prepare and enlist others for the Mardi Gras Mission February 8-12.

Another promo letter has gone out to the men who have been with us before and we are believing for the ANOINTING to go forth to these men to get prepared for Mardi Gras and to enlist others to join them for the mission.

Please be in pray for the Lord to move mightily throughout the ministry with a call from the Lord for a mighty work in and through each one of us for this venture.  This will be our 34th Annual Mardi Gras Outreach and I am believing the Lord will again come down on our ministry and call men forth for His Kingdom throughout the world.

Thanks for you love, prayers, and concern,

Love ya’s,

Fred
Isaiah 6:8

Mardi Gras 2013 Recruitment

Let’s go get’um guys!

As you know, we hold to Psalm 133 for the anointing to come down and go through the ministry.  The anointing was strong at our Men’s Retreat in September.  The anointing has been strong on the Administration and cooking team.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE ANOINTING TO BE UPON EACH ONE OF YOU to get excited and enlist men for this 34th Annual Mardi Gras Experience.  We have TWO Sundays left to enlist men at church before the JANUARY 28 DEADLINE for the “Early Bird $50.00 Discount.  I am praying tonight and will be especially tomorrow morning for the Lord to use each of you as His spokesmen to get men on board for His Harvest.

I know of no place on earth that the Lord will use more from February 8-12 to have the opportunity to share the Love of Jesus more than at the Mardi Gras.  God ALWAYS MEETS US THERE.  Don’t miss it and don’t let those you know miss it either.  We all will come home leaving more of ourselves behind and  holding tightly to the “Rod of God.”  I believe the Lord will call forth many men to the harvest fields of the world through this mission.

Sarge, who has spent the last four years in Vietnam, is home on furlough and will be with us manning his treasured “Manhole” cover over by Jack’s Brewery.  Max Vick has been working hard enlisting men in Tennessee.  Max has made some special “crosses” for every man to wear.  Hans Soon and the guys in Peoria, Illinois had a great Promo meeting with the Steve Miller Band and David Cain from Georgia leading the charge.

Brenda Stutzman, who went to be with the Lord recently, had an influence on our ministry like no other with the Clown Ministry, will be honored at our opening meeting in Hattiesburg, MS.

The Lord is calling for men for His work and you and I are invited to join Him in the enlistment.

See you soon in Hattiesburg on Friday, February 8th.

Love ya’s and so honored to serve with you,

Fred
Isaiah 6:8

2012 Indy 500: Thank you for Praying!

Hi prayer friends,

Thanks for your prayers and support for our Indy 500 Outreach over the weekend. God is ALWAYS so good to us. He is more willing to meet with us than we are to meet with Him and I know He waits each morning to see and meet with us.

We had 112 registered. They came from 10 states, 29 different churches and 7 pastors. I love the variety of people God sends our with us on His mission. We had 8 people under 20 years old and 8 people over 70. The weather was great. The witnessing was awesome and the crowds were receptive. It is always a pleasure to stay at Covenant Baptist Church where we have stayed for over 20 years. This year it is called New Covenant with Pastor Eugene Simmons as the pastor and everything worked out great.

Pray for us this week as we process the individual evaluations. Pray that each man will treasure what the Lord did in and through him on this trip. Pray the Lord will thrust forth many of these men into His service throughout the world.

Thanks again,

Love you,
Fred
Isaiah 48:17-18

Mardi Gras Follow-Up Prayer Needs

Hello prayer friends,

I want to thank all of you for the prayers, support and participation for our 37th Mardi Gras Mission. Every year gets better. Hopefully we learn from our past mistakes by reading and digesting all of the evaluations each year. We will be going through the evaluations from this Mardi Gras to learn how to do a better job next year. I got through them personally, the NGL Board will go through them at our next Board meeting and them Abby will go through them and tabulate the highlights, the weaknesses and give a numerical rating for each group leader and assistant group leader to evaluate how they rated.

One of the new ministries started this year was the “Intercessor” group from back home. Bernie Kneale headed up this project and the needs of each camp were sent daily to Bernie and he got the word out to the ones on his list. We saw such value in this especially with the NEED for prayer for Jeff Pursley as he came down with a virus that couldn’t be determined for several days. Jeff is still in the hospital in Hattiesburg, MS, but he is improving. His kidneys have started back functioning. They are back up to 15%. He is still Jaundiced, but it is some better. Please keep Jeff in your prayers for a FULL recovery. The devil sure tried to take his life. Special thanks to Ivan Lusicic and Ron Turnbull for taking Jeff to the hospital and staying with him. Thanks also to Ron Kuhnert who will stay in Hattiesburg with Jeff and Jeannie until Jeff is able to return home.

The word was that big signs would not be allowed on Bourbon Street. Roger Lipe went to the police station in New Orleans and identified our group as he does every year. We had great favor again with the police and our marches were allowed to march the whole length of Bourbon Street. That was a real answer to prayer.

PRAYER NEEDS THIS WEEK:

1. Pray especially for Abby at the office as she gets things in order and sends out the “follow up” letters to those who made decisions and for those who made decisions to get into local churches and continue their pilgrimage with the Lord.

2. Pray for all the men who went with us to incorporate the things the Lord did in their lives as they are back home personally, with family, church and community. We are already having requests to use our clown suits and Jesus stickers for local parades like the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis.

3. Pray for the men who pledged to help support the ministry through this year. Luke 6:38

I came back from this Mardi Gras is better shape physically than I have in several years. Yet, I got to do more than normal at the event. Shane and Troy were great to help keep me doing what needed to be done and drop back to rest when it was necessary. One great highlight to me was the last meeting under the I-10/610 interstate. Mark Jordan did his “induction” service with ALL the first timers. I had been in camps where he had done it and saw how God used it, but this time we were able to do it at one time with the total group. The first timers came forward and we prayed for them to be as Mark calls it “inducted into the “fraternal order of Godly men.” It is an awesome ceremony. Then to have over 200 men end the trip all wearing red hats and shirts marching down Bourbon Street looking like the blood of Jesus flowing right through the center of the crowds. I believe it is pleasing to God. I came home feeling the “pleasure of God” for the best trip yet. I can hardly wait to see what more the Lord will do at the Indy 500 as we march on together for our Lord.

Thanks for being such a vital part of the ministry,

Love ya’s

Fred
Psalm 133

Mardi Gras 2012 Prayers

Hi prayer friends,

Our Mardi Gras Outreach starts this Friday afternoon in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This Tuesday is the time our Administrative team takes the ones we have registered and arranges the men into camps and groups. Pray for the Lord to give wisdom at that time.

1. We have about 250 men registered.
2. Many things are coming against the men and their families.
3. Pray for the protection of the Lord on those He would have with us for this event.
4. Pray for anointing, favor, salvation, deliverance and healing for our men and the ones we witness to at the Mardi Gras.
5. Pray for favor with the host places where we will be housed and with the police.
6. It takes three things for missions to work:
a. Ones to send and pray
b. Ones to go forth
c. Ones to hear and receive the message of salvation

We all have a part to play in carrying out the Great Commission to the Mardi Gras. Thanks for being a part.

Love being in the service of our Lord together with you,

Fred
Jeremiah 33:3

Weekly Prayer Request, June 26, 2011

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.