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 Needs

Hi NGL Brothers and Friends,

A quick note on what is going on at the moment with NGL:

Dave Munson and I have taught in a Bible School in the Philippines. I have continued to keep up and encourage many of the Alumni. As you know the huge Typhoon there is one of the largest in history. One city, Tacloban, was hit first and utterly wiped out. The winds were 195 mph sustained winds and
gusts of 225 mph. It is a wonder anyone lived. Small children were ripped from their mother's arms.

One of our Alumni, Richmond Sevillano, is a pastor and is on his way with a large caravan taking supplies to Tacloban. We are going to send relief soon through Pastor Richmond. We do know this will get to the people as he is delivering this part himself.

I know many of you have seen the pictures of the aftermath on TV. I would like to encourage you to give to help these people at this time before more die without water, food and medical supplies. You can send checks to NGL marked "Typhoon Relief" or do it on Pay Pal which would help us get funds to them quicker. This past Thursday, we sent the first financial help of $500.00 to Pastor Richmond. This will help him replenish what he is on the way with right now.

Pray also for Pastor Richmond as he personally is involved in taking supplies to these places as there is much looting going on. He said that many have been ransacking the stores that have anything left in them knowing they might be shot by the owners, but seeing that as their only chance to survive.

No Greater Love is no longer a United States alone ministry. We have invested strongly for the past 33 years in Honduras. We have people now in the Czech Republic and Viet Nam and others in the military oversees. We have been investing in some of these Alumni in the Philippines for over ten years. Shane Bishop is mentoring Pastor Richmond through Facebook. This is an opportunity to lift up the hands of our friends there during this time of their desperate need and opportunity.

My Secretary Abby and her husband Adam are also collecting the following items to be shipped to the Philippines in the near future... toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, band-aids, first aid kits, triple antibiotic ointment, deodorant, soap, shampoo, wash cloths and towels, flash lights and batteries. These items are being collected at the NGL Office and the First United Methodist Church of DuQuoin. For more information on donating items contact Abby at nglabby@yahoo.com or leave a message at the NGL Office 618-542-4503 and she will call you back as soon as possible.

Love ya's,
Fred
II Timothy 2:2

Prayer Needs for May 16, 2013

Hi prayer friends,

We are preparing for the Indy 500.  I have never seen a time that so many of our “leaders” have other legitimate commitments.  So this will give more men who have been with us before opportunities to move up in leadership.  We will have two camps which will mean having two of everything.  I am excited about having a camp at each end of the track.

• Right now, we need prayer for the Lord to bring forth more men for this mission opportunity. 
• On man, from Georgia, just contacted me about his desire to be baptized at Indy.  So I called Pastor Eugene at the Baptist church and he will have the baptistery up and running.  I believe we will see several men desiring to be baptized.  Oh happy day!!!
• Our Administration staff will meet tomorrow and we need your prayers as we work on staffing our two camps.

Thanks for your love, prayers and support.

Love ya’s

Fred
Philippians 4:19

Prayer Needs for April 29, 2013

Good morning!

We have had computer problems at the office and couldn't send out promos for the Indy.  So, I haven’t been able to get “feedback” from the different areas.  Indy is tough at it’s best as many kids and more grand kids graduate about that time, but more this year due to “’SNOW DAYS.”  My computer got a virus and hasn't worked for a few days with e-mail.  It cost about $500.00 to get it fixed yesterday.  I have been frustrated and tired and old.  So I have limited my time with people that I know as I didn't have the energy to spare.

Our Administration, Dave Munson, Roger Lipe, and I will meet this Friday deciding on how to put the event together using one church to host us or putting one group at a church at the other end of the track.  If we have a lot of people, two locations would work well.  Decisions need to be made on who will run the camps and so on.

Pray for the Lord to call forth His laborers for this mission.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred
James 5:16

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

Prayers Needed for Travel

Hi prayer friends,

I would appreciate your prayers for the Memorial Service for Brenda Stutzman this Friday in Beaver Crossing; Carl Johnson will be going with me.   Then we will go to Carterville, Illinois on Saturday evening for Troy Benitone’s Gala for the African Mission Dinner.

Please also remember John Verrill’s wife, Jerri, as she is very ill at this time. 

Love ya’s

Fred

John 3:30

Weekly Prayer Requests; Nov 26, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

Thanks for your prayers.  I had about one month with Bronchitis, but am better now.  PTL!  It sure feels good to feel better.  Ha!

Prayer Concerns:

• Pray for Mike Stutzman as Brenda went to be with the Lord last night.
• Pray for Pastor Charlie Houston as he goes back to the Doctor today about his heart.
• Pray for Sarge and Sue as they continue to go around the USA raising support  hoping to return to the country they love so much.
• Pray for our leaders of camps for Mardi Gras to get on board with our theme as there is tremendous power in UNITY.
• Pray for all of us to enjoy and share with our friends the tremendous gift of Jesus coming to earth to save us.  Let’s take the WHOLE month of December as Christmas and share time with loved ones, friends and those who feel alone and heartbroken due to problems in their lives. 

Love ya’s,
Fred

HAVE A MERRY MONTH OF CHRISTMAS!!!!

Isaiah 9:6, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders, and he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Prayer Needs; Oct 25, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

September is what I think of as the first month of the New Year for the No Greater Love Season.  Our Men’s Retreat was one of our best ever.  However, I was sick for about a week before the Retreat and I am still having problems with Bronchitis.  I would appreciate your prayers.

UPCOMING: 

1.  I am working with the churches that host us for Mardi Gras as some are no longer available.  Pray for the Lord to open up the ones He would have for us.  So this is that time that is exciting and yet stressful.  I would like to continue to have at least five camps.  Due to the last Hurricane that hit New Orleans, some of the churches in those areas are still in a cleanup mode.  

2.  Pray for wisdom as our Administrative team chooses  leaders for each of the camps.  Pray for the Lord to call forth those He would have to lead the camps.

3.  As the price for everything has escalated, pray for the finances to meet these needs.  Due to the state of our economy, I can’t see increasing the donation for each man.  Some men have lost their jobs, gone through divorces and others have health problems and yet these are some of the men that really can benefit by coming to Mardi Gras and receive from the Lord.  We all experience the Lord in tremendous ways as we get out in the “stream” of the Lord.  (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)

Thanks for your prayers,

Love ya’s

Fred
John 3:30

Prayer Requests, October 11, 2012

Hello prayer friends,

Our Annual Men’s Retreat went off great.  We had reports that it was the best we have had in 20 years.  PTL!!!  When we see many things coming against us when we are preparing for an event, it helps us realize we are on track.  I was sick with the flu for one week prior to the event.  I don’t have a “governor”  on my motor.  I  can do things shorter, but I only have one “gear.”  I went down near the event one day early to get a good night’s sleep.  That helped.  All the parts of the event went off great.

After the event, I came home sick and then the flu went into Bronchitis and I have trouble breathing.   I am still not well.  So I am taking antibiotics and a steroid.  I do go to breakfast with Shane, but I don’t do our daily 2 mile walk or lift weights.  So I am staying home and resting.

I am wanting to get more into getting our places to stay for Mardi Gras, but that will have to wait.  In the Lord’s timing, that will work out.  As I look back to the Men’s Retreat and the way the Lord blessed through each phase, my sickness was a very small price to pay.

Thanks for your love, prayers and support!

Love ya’s

Fred
Isaiah 64:4

CHECK THIS OUT BELOW.  (It was sent to me by Bob Coombs and I loved it!)

Subject: This is Awesome

Those of you who are into music, this is really great.  A one man quartet singing a beautiful song.

Subject: HOW GREAT THOU ART ---- LOT OF TECHNOLOGY WENT INTO THIS ---
How Great Thou Art

I've seen a lot of things in my years on the internet, and I'd have to say, this clip is one of the most amazing and imaginative talents on the web!  For those who are not so geeky, let me explain that this singer had to record each of the tracks one at a time, and had to get the timing just perfect in order for it to work. LOTS of technology went into this. And the song ain't bad, either. (that's an understatement!)  So, turn up your volume, maximize your screen, click on the link below, then sit back and enjoy!

How Great Thou Art - HD - Barbershop Multitrack - YouTube

Weekly Prayers; August 6, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

This week ...

1.  I am writing to the people and churches that support our ministry financially.  Please pray a blessing on these churches and individuals.
2.  Pray for wisdom on picking a shirt design for the coming year for NGL
3.  Pray for us to have wisdom on a theme and books to support it for the coming year.

The weather is HOT and the ground is DRY!  This is the worst drought we have had as a nation I can ever remember.  Let’s pray for us to use II Chronicles 7:14 as we repent as a nation from turning away from God; thereby God promises to heal our land!

Thanks for your love, prayers and concern.  God is good!!!!

Love ya’s,
Fred

Weekly Prayer Requests; July 23, 2012

Hi prayer friends,


We had a good Advisory Board Meeting last Friday night at Christian Life Center Church in Herrin, Illinois.  We are working on our Annual Men’s Retreat in September.  We spent a lot of time evaluating ourselves and each other from material in the book “De-Railed” by Tim Irwin.  This will be one of the books we will be using for our ministry this coming year and sharing more on it at our Men’s Retreat.  The other book we will be using is “Beautiful Outlaw” by John Etheredge.  We will be discussing this book at our next Board meeting.  It has been very enlightening about the many facets of Jesus’ personality.  I loved it!             


Prayers needed:
• Pastor Charlie Houston from Gateway Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX needs our prayers concerning his lack of proper heart function.
• Pray for my Office Manager, Abby Emling, as she is leading a youth group witnessing at the “Ark” in Panama City Beach, FL.
• Pray for our continuing preparation for our Men’s Retreat.
• I will be preaching this Sunday at Trinity UMC in West Frankfort, Illinois.

Thanks for your love, concern and prayers.

In His service,
Fred
Isaiah 26:3

Weekly Prayer Requests; June 24, 2012

Hi prayer friends, 

Please pray for Abby, our secretary/administrator, as she and her family are on a cruise to the Bahamas with bad weather in the area.  I got involved in a situation without realizing all the evil spirits involved. I have been having a real problem shaking the "evil cloud" which has drained me. I need your prayers for this to be removed. I know the Bible says to lay hands on no man "suddenly." Well, I didn't realize the "size" of the problem going in and then it was too late to back out. I still am believing the Lord for deliverance and salvation in the encounter, but the "fight" isn't over yet.

Shane and I are leaving in the morning to Rapid City, South Dakota to visit Jill, Craig and Josie. We are excited about the trip. This will be a great time for Shane to get away and distress for awhile. He will love the historical things in the Rapid City area. Tomorrow we will visit the "Badlands" which to me is worth the whole trip. We will visit the museum at Crazy Horse, go to Custer Park and see the Presidents. What a few action packed days we will have!  Our son in law, Craig, has taken a group of men through the book "Disciplines of a Godly Man." So I will meet with the men this Wednesday night to pray over each man as Craig always does a special service at the end of such groups. Craig will present each man with a "Medallion" and a "Cross." No one does an "anointing" service like Craiger. Remember that service! 

Have a good week! 

In His service, 

Fred 

PS: Sometimes we just need to come apart BEFORE we come apart!!!

Weekly Prayer Request; April 16, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

- This Friday is our monthly Board meeting. We will be working on the Indy 500 evaluations from last year to see what needs changing and what needs to continue. Pray for us to see what the Lord is showing through those who were on the field.
- I have a possible place to stay for the second camp at the Indy. I hope the pastor of that church will contact me and then if he does, Carl Johnson and I will go over to look It over. Pray for the Lord’s will to be done in that.
- Dan Vawser updated our Indy promo video and it is up on our website and on U-tube. You can get it by going to our website at www.nogreaterlove.org or going to “fred bishop” on facebook. Pray the Lord will use this video to speak to men’s hearts.

Thanks for your prayer and concern. I can always tell the difference as I see the Lord open and close “doors.”

Love ya’s,

Fred

Prayer Requests for April 12, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

What a great Easter!!!!! I pray it went well for you and your churches. Easter is always a great time to invite people to hear the good news!!!

Prayer needs:

- Pray for our promotion for the Indy 500

- Dan Vawser is getting our “promo” video ready. It should on the website in the next few days at www.nogreaterlove.org

- Pray for the Lord to call forth “laborers for His harvest” and to speak to all our hearts as we get closer to Him in his Kingdom ventures.

- We still have favor at Covenant Baptist Church in Indianapolis for one camp. We have been staying there over 15 years.

- We need to have one more location to keep another group. Pray for this to come about as the Lord would have it.

Thanks for love and prayers,

In His service,

Fred

Mathew 9:38
"What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"

Prayer Update on Jeff Pursley

Sent to NGL on April 2, 2012:

Dear Friends,

Good morning! I have been hearing from many of you, so I thought I would send an update to all of you.

Jeff has been home two weeks now, and is improving daily. He is able to walk across the house, with the walker, and is able to go outside with the wheel chair. He has gone on a few outings, one to the Missouri Botanical Garden last Saturday. We invited his brother and sister-in law, and his sister to join us. It was a wonderful trip, the weather was beautiful, and we all had a great time.

He still has a way to go, but with the Lord's grace, everyday is a blessing!

Love you all!
Jeannie & Jeff Pursley

Weekly Prayer Request; April 1, 2012

Good morning prayer friends! What a great season of the year. Actually we have had spring weather throughout most of the past winter. Here are our greatest prayer needs for this week:

- We are needing prayer for the Lord to call forth men for the Indy 500 Outreach May 25-27.

- We are needing one more place to host one of our camps.

As this is Holy week, pray for the Lord to quicken in many people their need for Jesus and bring them out to Easter services to worship the risen Savior! As we see all the new life around us and the beauty of the flowers and trees, let’s all renew our relationships with the Lord for new life in and through us.

Thanks for your love and prayers.

Love ya’s,
Fred

2 Peter 1:3 The Message (MSG), "Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God."

Prayer Requests for Week of March 28, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

Thanks for your prayers for our board meeting last Friday night as we had some important decisions to make. The meeting was one of our best meetings with good discussion and input on some issues.

- Jeff Pursley got to go home from the hospital after being in the hospital in Hattiesburg, MS for 26 days. Ron Kuhnert brought Jeff and Jeannie home in his motor home. Jeff is still not able to walk on his infected leg. Let’s believe the Lord to restore that leg to full use.

- We had reports from board members who had just returned from Honduras and Africa and the Lord blessed both mission trips.

- We reviewed the camp sites from the Mardi Gras trip. One church will not be available for next year, but another came in to take its place. PTL!!

- We had a good discussion on how to conduct our Indy 500 mission trip. We plan to have two camps. One will be for those who can come early and work the streets on Friday night and the other will be for those who have to come later because of work.

- Pray for us to find the second camp location as I work on that this week.

- Pray for the Lord to call forth men for the Indy 500 Outreach in May.

I want to thank all of you who pray, support and participate in No Greater Love.


Love ya’s lots!

In His service,
Fred

3 John 1:2, New American Standard Bible (NASB), "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

Prayer Requests for March 23, 2012

Hi prayer friends,

Tonight is our March Advisory Board Meeting at the Methodist Church in Du Quoin, Illinois. This will be an exciting meeting. We will be going through the evaluation forms of each man from our Mardi Gras Mission trip last month. We need prayer to see what God blessed and what we need to change for God to bless in the future. Pray that we will see who the Lord is moving along and who needs to move to a different position for the Lord to move them along as well. I have been through the evaluations and now the Board will do the same tonight.

Tonight we will hear from Jerry Johnson who has just returned from a mission trip to Liberia, Africa and from Marvin Steinke who has just returned from Honduras. I know we will all benefit from the “afterglow” of their experiences. That is always exciting.

We will be working on how to go about our Indianapolis 500 mission trip in May. Pray for us to have wisdom as to what the Lord would have us do concerning this trip.

Thanks for your prayers,

Love ya’s,
Fred

Psalm 2:7-8
New Living Translation (NLT), "The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession."