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Cornerstone Communications
Turkey
August 27, 2005

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Istanbul, Turkey. We have been having a wonderful, and simultaneously hectic time as we prepare for the production. Pastor Gucliu Erman and I have been in meeting after meeting preparing for the production. We have seen the Lord do a myriad of little miracles. It's as if to say, "Hey, I'm aware of what you're doing, and I'm helping you." Truly, the Lord is involved in every area, including the most minute details. We've been praying for favor, and God's blessing us with it!

Production Update

Again and again, in country after country, the Lord likes to prove Himself. Yet, we were being swayed to go with a theatre that's cheaper. It had no frills, no equipment, no curtains, and the location was terrible, but the price was what we could afford. The pastor's wife, Gulben, and I had a strong feeling in favor of a theatre that's located on the main street, and is near the host church, but the price was through the roof, and way out of our budget.

Pastor Leyla went to check on it's availability, and they snubbed her, and our show. Another pastor insisted we go with the first theatre. Yet, Pastor Gucliu and I decided to go humbly, and present ourselves, and "sell" them on this production. I have learned to bypass the workers, and go straight to the top. We spoke with the director, and I felt led to just talk "shop". After a while, he really warmed up, and then we told him about JS. He was open to it! However, there is remodeling going on. He said it wouldn't be ready until September 15, and our show is September 8-10.

This is the Turkish team! Pastors Leyla, Hamdi, Gucliu, myself and Mark Moore, from my home church in the U.S.

Even so, I've learned that "You have not, because you ask not", so the pastor and I asked him to please speak to the remodeling foreman. The foreman said, "We can be finished by September 5!" Praise the Lord! Now, to deal with the price. I have negotiated in the past, and started low, and we continued to counter, and even though the director said that 10% discount was the most he could give us, we got him down to 20%! Favor! God is good!

Here's where all the miracles have occurred: To build the set would cost upwards of $2,000, and light rental would cost over $1,000, sound over $800, curtains over $500, smoke machines over $200. It turns out that this theatre has let us borrow the lights, the smoke machines, the sound system and mics, the curtains, and any sets we might need… all for FREE! So, even though we're paying more for the theatre, we're saving thousands of dollars! Favor! Isn't God good?

In the meantime, the actors and I are busy rehearsing every night, and working and recruiting crew people, and promoting the show. Mark Moore, a missionary here who is also from my home church, has been busy getting all the churches posters and invitations. So, we're in "work mode"! Please pray for everyone as we prepare for this important outreach. And pray for continued FAVOR.

Financial Assistance, Please

I need your help! In whatever church I work with in developing countries, we agree to partner together to present this important evangelical outreach in the form of a theatrical presentation. Even though the pastor and I had reached this agreement, when I got here, I found out his church was the only one who was willing to help support the production financially. Even though there are 10 other churches involved, not one volunteered to help. They're participating "in name" only. Poor Gucliu… poor me! It's up to the two of us to raise ALL the funds for this costly production! We're in need of finances for the Turkish production of "Judgment Seat". You know that there will be many souls come into the Kingdom. Do you want to make a difference and reach Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Then please help us with a financial gift. Thank you for your help!

Some Muslim moms and their kids. They shun the camera, so this one was taken, "by mistake". I got a tongue lashing afterwards!

Evangelism 101

I was speaking at a meeting, and asked the congregation, "How many of you have witnessed?" Many of the hands went up. I then asked, "How many of you have succeeded?" Many of the hands went down. I then said, "Actually, you've all succeeded." Sharing Jesus Christ with a world that is almost hostile to His message can be a scary thing, but when you do, you've succeeded to at least make them aware of a loving Savior.

Sometimes, as we look at the life that goes on around us, we can feel like aliens in enemy territory. We want to just pass through it, and get to the other side, without getting involved in "any of that icky stuff" we see around us. I mean, piercings from here to there, hair painted in neon colors, and tattoos sporting everything from demons to naked girls.

Yet, if I'm serious about my relationship with Jesus Christ, then I must make evangelism an important part of my Christian life. Some Christians are scared to talk to anyone who looks, acts, or talks different from their church friends, and the only contact they have they can't avoid, like coworkers, or laborers, like painters, repairmen or anyone else who comes to work on their home.

Did you know that the majority of Christians never share the gospel with anyone in their lifetime? Not even once? Of those remaining, the only time someone has attempted to share their testimony is when the pastor asked if they were a Christian, or when sharing with a Christian friend how they became a Christian.

Do you know what's worse? Maybe it's because I look so "holy", but no one has ever stopped me and told me about Jesus! I think it's a tragedy of modern Christianity. Christians enjoy sitting around nodding their heads about the fact that the world is so lost, but wouldn't dream of coming out of their little Christian bubble to make a difference.

Has it been over 2 weeks already? From my Ordination ceremony at Covenant Church, Pastors Ralph & Donna Holland, and Pastors Gordon & Derozette Banks lay hands on me ordaining me into the ministry full time.

The fact is evangelism is for every Christian! It's a part of the joy we have in knowing Jesus Christ, to share our testimony with others who don't yet know Him, and it's also very important to expanding the Kingdom of God in the world around us.

I shared my testimony with a stranger here, and a Christian asked me, "Wow, you were so good." Was I? Not really, I just opened up. However, this comment stayed with me for a few days, and I realized that I need to share "how to share" with others wanting to do the same, but are afraid to. There are TWO kinds of evangelism: Street and Home Evangelism. This week, we'll look at Street Evangelism

Street Evangelism

First of all, let me tell you what it's NOT. This type of "introductory evangelism" is NOT standing on the street corner, preaching at everyone who goes by. It's NOT standing in a crowded mall or street passing out tracts to hundreds. (For the record, these two ways of evangelism are for the advanced. I'm talking to "beginners" here!) It's actually quiet easy. However, you first must make a decision to open yourself up to tell others about Christ. It's people you come in contact with "on the street". Maybe they're at the grocery store, or the bank, or another place were you would come in contact with people you are spending a few minutes with. Whatever reason that you are in the same place at the same time only God knows, but I like to see it as God's moment for me to share with them. After all, I'm the salt of the earth, right? "If that salt has lost it's flavor, it's useless".

II Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the Word, be instant IN season and OUT of season." Street evangelism is the OUT of season. It occurs in times when you're not necessarily ready to preach. Are you "preaching"? No. You're sharing your testimony!

The fact is, you're probably scared, and your heart is beating rapidly, after all, you have TWO voices yelling at you: The first voice: "You're not really used to sharing with someone you don't know, they're going to reject you, or yell at you. Don't do it!" The second voice is more calm: "Don't worry, just say something, and I'll lead" Listen to the second voice.

In Hagai Sofia, a basilican church erected by Constantius II in 360 A.D., father Constantinople took the ruins of the Temple of Artemis in nearby Ephesus (one of the 7 Wonders of the World), and brought the pillars to be used for the building Hagia Sofia.

Here are some suggestions:

• DON'T Tell them how to be saved. "Do you want to become a Christian?"
• DO SHARE your testimony. "God has been good to me. The other day…"

• DON'T Shove the Bible down their throat: "Accept Jesus now, or burn in hell"
• DO SHARE God as a friend, not a judge: "Without Jesus in my life, I don't know what I'd do."

• DON'T Ask pointed questions: "If you died today, do you know where you'd go?"
• DO SHARE your experience: "I've never heard that before. It reminds me of the time when I became a Christian."

I remember reading an interesting article about "Feel, Felt, Found", written years ago by a pastor in a Christian magazine. He said we should use all three when sharing with the lost. "Oh, I know how you FEEL, I have FELT the same way. What I have FOUND is that…." This has helped to open many doors to sharing the Gospel, and each time I have shared my life, I have never been sorry.

The last thing is probably the most important thing. I save it for last. Pray. Yes, pray how the Lord will use to share, and what you'll say. Take a few minutes, and write down your testimony. Next, edit it down to 2 minutes, and get used to sharing it. This will come in so handy when sharing the Gospel with others.

The biggest joy you'll ever experience is simply telling others about your relationship with Jesus Christ. It will definitely deepen your relationship with the Lord, and a new burst of spiritual zeal will revitalize you as you share your Christian life with others. Go ahead, and don't wait. There's a world without hope waiting for you to share yours with them! Next week, we'll talk about "Home Evangelism".

Haftaya Gorusmek Uzere!

That's Turkish for "Until next week!" The Lord is making some changes in my calendar for the next few weeks, so I'd appreciate your prayers that I'd walk in godly wisdom. I'd also appreciate your prayers regarding the production here, as we prepare for the performances in 2 weeks. I'd appreciate any financial gift you could make on behalf of the show here in Istanbul. Lastly, please pray for the actors, and for the audiences, and for me, too! Pray for continued Favor.God bless you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez