Printer friendly version

Cornerstone Communications
USA
June 21, 2005

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Big D! Life has been wonderful, albeit HOT! I forgot how hot Texas can get! Whew! Praise the Lord that there is air-conditioning everywhere here. I find myself spending a lot of time in my car driving from meeting to meeting, rehearsal to rehearsal. Life is exciting!

Production Update

"The Promise" has now been officially launched, and is now going into the 4th weekend of a 20 week run. We started a little "bumpy" with our sound on opening weekend, but things have gotten better, and the show is looking beautiful. We've seen and heard of many salvations, and the comments are great! So, praise the Lord, things are going well!

A scene from "The Promise", Jesus is being nailed to the cross. What a powerful and moving scene.

July 4th Patriotic Musical

My third and final show in the U.S. for 2005 is going to be a July 4th musical called "Our Flag Was Still There", a stirring musical about all the difficulties that our country has been through, and through it all, she stands. In 1814, after the bombardment on Fort McHenry, a lone American flag still stood. In 1945, the Pacific island of Iwo Jima lay silent and battered, but Marines were determined to raise a lone American flag. In 2001, after the destruction of the World Trade Center, firefighters raised the brilliant red, white, and blue against the smoke and debris. Our flag, like our people, remains unbowed and steadfast.

I will share what the opinion of the different countries is out there, and how America leads the way in aid, in hope and in missions. If anyone is interested in attending this inspirational musical, the place is Celebration Covenant Church, at Teel and Main Street in Frisco, Texas on Saturday, July 2 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 3 at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. Attendance is free!

The City Council, the Board of the Promise, and myself, the director, are introduced to the audience.

Putting Feet To Your Faith

I get letters and questions from time to time, asking me questions about how to be more effective right here at home. We all pray, "Lord, give me an opportunity to tell someone about You." But then that begs the question, "HOW?" I'm glad you asked! You can have your own ministry! I want to share with you MY E.C. for 2005. What is an E. C.?

You know, we all keep different calendars: holiday and birthday calendars, physical calendars, fiscal calendars, etc. I also keep an Evangelism Calendar, which is my own PERSONAL calendar of how I can be fruitful for God's Kingdom, apart from Cornerstone's Itinerary. Here's how my E.C. looks for the new year:

• January — Make your E.C. for the new year. Such as: I will tell at least one person a month about how Jesus has changed my life. I will lead one person to the Lord in 2005. I will invite six people to church in 2005.
  
  A scene from "The Promise". Jesus is falsely accused before the Sanhedrin. The power of this production is that the Gospels LEAP out of the pages, and suddenly become very real.

• February- Plan a party with a Christian movie, and have church friends bring unchurched friends to the party. The snack table will have invitations to the church with service times, directions and a map.

• March- Read a book on Missions or evangelism to prepare you to be more effective.

• April- Announce a 4 week bible course for skeptics and seekers. Invite co-workers, neighbors, etc. Begin by inviting everyone to jot down questions about Christianity on 3x5 cards, with no names, to preserve anonymity. Then, each week, you'll answer all questions.

• May- Help with feeding the homeless, and telling them about Jesus.

• June-Plan a short term missions trip. Help with a church Vacation Bible School, or organize a VBS of your own, for your own neighborhood.

• July-Write and thank local heroes (firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel) . Invite them to your church with service times, directions and a map.

• August-Men: Help a neighbor with yard work or car repair. Take an unchurced friend to a ball game. Women: Relieve a busy mom. Help an elderly lady. Take flowers or baked goods to a neighbor.
  
  Good ol' Dallas! It's so good to be "home" right now. I'm only here for 2 more weeks, then I'm gone another 11 months.

• September-For those who work: Organize a noontime Bible study, with a mix of Christian and non-Christians attending. For people at home: Organize a morning Bible study. Announce that it's only for one month.

• October- Host a crafts and food fair, indoors or outdoors. Invite members of your church who come from different cultures to bring food and wares from their countries. Host a Halloween party for kids and families including unchurched families.

• November- Invite someone to your home for dinner: a single, a student, a homeless person, an elderly person, and tell them why you're thankful for God and His saving gift of grace. Organize or help feed those less fortunate than you for Thanksgiving.

• December- Send out a "Reason for the Season" testimonial letter in your Christmas card. Deliver a plate of goodies to a neighbor, and invite to church. Make sure to give out fliers to neighbors about any upcoming Christmas programs.

Ya'll Come Back Now, Ya Hear!

That's "Texanese" for "See you soon". I'm wrapping up my U.S. Tour, as it ends in 2 weeks. I will then be coming to Romania and Moldova in July, Mexico in August, and Turkey in September. God bless you, and thank you for being such a blessing to me and to my ministry through your prayers and your giving. Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing, okay?

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez