September 2023
- Details
- Published: Monday, 09 October 2023 13:00
Dear Precious Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Through my daily devotions, I have begun again to read through the New Testament. Looking again at the teachings of the Lord in the many parables is always eye opening. It always amazes me how relevant God's word is to my life. When I reached chapter 13 on the parable of the mustard seed, it brought me such joy.
Although this tiny parable has great meaning relating to the Kingdom of God and faith in His work, I could not help but think how this relates to each of us. Please permit me to share a small portion of my joy from this great truth. Luke 13:18, Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."
As I read those words, I was reminded of something Ray Jones alluded to many years ago (Ray is the man who first took Ed, a new believer, under his wings to disciple him at First Baptist Kenner, LA). Describing how the Lord has worked in this Ministry, he said he had discipled many people through his Christian life, just as someone had invested the word of God in him. All of which grow in different ways and different measures. But how thankful he was to see that the Lord had taken Ed and the gospel seed planted in him and was raising it into a large tree where others could nest in its branches. Thinking of how God has chosen to build His Kingdom is an indescribable blessing. Our Lord desires to take one insignificant grain of a tiny mustard seed (an individual saved by His unsurpassed power of the Gospel, and use it to extend His Kingdom. It is always astounding when God grants His mercy and grace to anyone! Notwithstanding, He will then utilize that one seed in His kingdom-building.
Notice how the gift of faith is employed in this work. This one, by faith, takes the seed (the Gospel seed) and plants it in his garden. By faith, we are to sow the right seed and nurture it to produce fruit. Believers are to live and plant the truth of God's word, having the promise that fruit will come from His word and work and that fruit will remain.
As I pondered this truth, I was filled with praise and thanksgiving for all the work the Lord has done and continues to do through a seed planted so many years ago. That seed has grown into a beautiful tree where others can find the truth of the Gospel. Then, others can come alongside and receive hope and shelter in times of distress and help to plant their gardens with the seed of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Moreover, this caused me to think of each of you who have come alongside us as co-laborers in the field. You have been with us, watering and helping others to sow the Gospel seed in other gardens. As Paul said in I Corinthians, he who plants and the ones who water are one. It seemed improbable when Jesus spoke of the tremendous harvest produced from the mustard seed, the tiniest seed in man's eyes. Yet, the confidence in our planting and watering comes because the seed of the Gospel is in the hands of our Savior and Lord, who alone gives the increase.
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Last month, we held the yearly board meeting for Ed Lacy Ministries, Inc. We are incredibly blessed to have such devoted servants of the Lord to serve on our board. A few members could not attend due to health reasons or a scheduling conflict with a mission trip. These members have come alongside me over these past 18 months, giving great counsel and insight for the Ministry. All of them have busy lives with their businesses or ministries; however, they freely and graciously serve on the board for the glory of the Lord.
Our board meetings are always a blessing, but this one was particularly timely. The members had already arrived in Mobile on the day of our first gathering when I received the news of the death of my older brother. My brother, Rick Johnson, had heart surgery a few weeks prior but was doing exceptionally well from that procedure. He had gone through the surgery without any problems, progressed quickly through the rehab portion, and was sent home for recuperation. Two days later, he was rushed back to the hospital and passed away quickly. All of his family was in disbelief. Although heartbroken, I knew it would be days before I would travel to North Alabama for the funeral, I decided to proceed with the meeting. Even though the board members offered to postpone our meeting, I knew they had scheduled and traveled so far that we kept our plans. I cannot begin to express what a blessing those two days were to me. Being surrounded by godly men and women at another grief-stricken time was a source of strength and encouragement. We laughed, cried, shared precious memories, prayed for one another, and encouraged one another in the faith.
As we diligently discussed all the activities of the past 12 months, all present sensed a great urgency to continue distributing Ed's study materials and devotional studies, along with the support the pastors, church planters, and missionaries at home and in the foreign fields. For this reason, they wanted to share a few words with you. Therefore, the following is a letter from the Board Members.
LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Ministry Board met recently in Mobile and left with so much gratitude to the Lord and for all of you who faithfully support this Ministry, causing us to want to write this brief report. It has been 18 months since our beloved brother and evangelist was called home, yet the support given to this Ministry through your prayers and offerings has not decreased.
Thank you to each of you who is making it possible for this Ministry to continue to thrive with the distribution of tracts and materials going out, and monthly support of missionaries, church planters, seminary students, and pastors around the world is still being given without delay or reduction. Mrs. Dianne is being used in her home church and other churches to disciple women through small groups and conferences. And we are glad to report that the Ministry can still supply Mrs. Dianne with her living expenses, which we know Bro. Ed would want us to do that, and the donors want her taken care of, also.
We gladly serve our Lord through this assignment and seek to provide guidance and oversight, which we say without hesitation, that God is continuing to be glorified through Ed Lacy Ministries. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask. Again, thank you for your prayers, love, and financial support.
BOARD MEMBERS: David Cofield, Craig James, Garry Morrison, Walter Prescott and Louis Charrier. Dianne Lacy and Benita Bussell, Administrative Assistant – August 2003
Spotlight on Missions 1st – A Seminary student
2nd – Zimbabwe Pastor
First, one of the seminary students this ministry supports is Spencer St. Cyr. I will share a portion of the thank you letter recently sent to the ministry.
I remain in awe of the Lord and His mercies toward me – that He has saved me from His wrath and the bondage of sin, counted me as a son through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, continues to sanctify me day by day, called me to be a herald of the Gospel for His glory and the salvation of the lost, has placed me under the influence of faithful men, and continues to provide for my every need according to the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus.
In the Lord’s perfect timing, I met Ed Lacy almost three years ago. Apart from my salvation, I count this as God’s greatest act of kindness toward me. As a new believer, Ed became my spiritual father, and he was the tool that the Lord used to propel my Christian life in a way that was God-centered and God-directed. Through his evidential intimate relationship with our Lord, his example of practical holiness in life and ministry, our times of prayer and fellowship together, his teaching of The Key to Supreme Happiness and Spiritual Prosperity, his stories of his missionary journeys, his gracious giving – and the list goes on – my life has been forever impacted. In our short time together, Ed gave me more than he ever knew because he firmly held to what the apostle Paul wrote, “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). It is my ambition to do the same – to entrust the Gospel to faithful men who will teach others also.
I will never be able to fully express my gratitude to the Lord for Ed’s impact on my life and ministry, and I am brought to tears at the fact that even after he has entered glory, the Lord continues to provide through our relationship. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mrs. Dianne and all the members of the board for choosing to be vessels of the Lord’s mercy toward me, just as Ed was. Your generosity will allow me both to prepare for and to do God’s work, God’s way, for God’s glory in a spiritually impoverished city. I have already begun to do weekly street evangelism through Grace Community Church and will soon be added to the team of street preachers who proclaim the Gospel on a weekly basis in the North Hollywood area. I will also soon be a part of the prison ministry and, Lord willing, a Bible study that ministers to recovering addicts and alcoholics. Your giving frees me up to do much while I continue my studies here. I am greatly indebted to you and so thankful for your generous decision to give – and even more so for your prayers. May the Lord continue to bless this ministry and make His name great through His servants.
ZIMBABWE PASTOR
Andisive B Hadebe, known as ‘The Pastor of the City Dump’. He goes by, Andie. He and his wife Ntombi are a young, vibrant couple serving the Lord in Zimbabwe. They desire to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, wherever they are. When their church issued the need for someone to reach out in a very impoverished area, they answered that call.
The area is in Ngozi Mine, approximately 17 kilometers outside Bulawayo, which is the city dump. A large population of roughly 200 underprivileged families has settled in this location. They find their income by recycling waste material from the dumping area. The challenges they incur include high illiteracy, especially among adults, alcoholism, drugs, teen pregnancy, and extreme poverty. Yet, Andie and others have been willing to go with the Good News of the Gospel, whereas others may not be willing to serve under these conditions. Their motto is:
“BUILDING A PEOPLE OF POWER - MAKING A PEOPLE OF PRAISE.”
One of our board members continues to work with this group when he travels to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has a bleak economic outlook, with an inflation rate of over 132%. Therefore, our prayers and financial help in this mission work are a great aid and resource to these workers in the garden.
Since our last newsletter, the Lord has kept me extremely busy, for which I am thankful. Already, I have
shared about the ministry board meeting. Next, was the ladies’ conference at First Baptist Demopolis, AL. I
had such an enjoyable and receptive time with this precious group of women. This was the first time this
church has held a ladies’ conference, and I count it a privilege to share in what will hopefully begin a fruitful
women’s ministry. Our theme for the weekend was ‘Radiant’ taken from Psalm 34. We delved into the
background of this Psalm, which makes the meaning of the word radiant something valuable and encouraging.
The next morning, we looked at 2 Corinthians 3:18, ‘Beholding our God’.
Additionally, in the ladies’ class at my home church, we have taught through the book of Jude. Those 25
verses are packed with weighty and needed truths for our day. Also, I am blessed to work with our ladies’
ministry at church. Moreover, I am diligently working on the finishing touches for the evangelism book. I
await the outcome from the precious couple reviewing and critiquing the book. Preliminary updates from
them have been very positive and encouraging. I will contact an editor and publisher upon their completion,
after considering their suggestions. Please continue to pray for this endeavor. The need is great, and the
truths of this study will be able to help many. Even now, one of the board members is utilizing Christ-centered
Evangelism in the training of 40-50 pastors. We are praying that the Lord will saturate their hearts with the
Gospel.
Thank You
My prayer is that this newsletter encourages you in your walk with the Lord. Friends, this planted tree continues to grow and is being used by the Lord. You are part of everything the Lord does in this garden. Hopefully, this small reminder of the Parable of the Mustard Seed produces joy in your heart, as it has mine. Please know that your love, your prayers, and your financial support
of this ministry continue to provide shade, shelter, and an essential source of life-giving help to many who nest in the branches of this tree. Thank you for willingly planting and watering in this garden, continuing to bless so many. Your heart for this ministry and the mission work continues to produce fruit that remains for the Lord’s glory.
I know that many of you are facing challenging situations. Notwithstanding the upheavals, we witness in so many areas of our world that cause uneasiness. But in everything, we who know the Lord Jesus in a personal, intimate relationship can be thankful. We are the ones who can run to the rock of our salvation, the well- springs of our soul, for comfort, strength, and help in times of trouble. What a blessing to know that nothing, absolutely nothing, can deter or hinder our God; for He will build His church. Precious friends, we are people of hope because our God reigns and is victorious. There is nothing too difficult for Him. He continues to be our Provider and our Shepherd. Let us be filled with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips for our Lord God and each other.
Your Servant for Jesus sake, Dianne Lacy