Outreach Africa began in 1996. Since that time God has done amazing things through the Darlene Matthews Ministry for the people of Malawi. Orphan
October 3, 2019
Dear Friends,
Our faithful God is doing some mighty big things around here! It’s difficult to put His faithfulness of 50 years in one area and 10 years in another area into a short letter, but that’s exactly what I’m going to try to do.
September 14, 2019 was the 50th anniversary of God’s call on Jerry’s and my life. Quite frankly, thinking about the last 50 years was so overwhelming to me that I didn’t allow the Church to commemorate it. I didn’t want any attention drawn to me that day, only to God’s faithfulness. The Lord blessed that Sunday morning with a simple message of what He has done. There was laughter and tears as I remembered starting out at McCary’s Chapel Methodist Church in Liberty City on November 16, 1969, Jerry’s and my wedding anniversary, which was the only one we ever forgot. I remembered my precious mother and dad and a host of others who have gone on to be with the Lord. I’d like to say, “Thank You” here to all of you who had any small part in helping during those years.
September 27, 2009, (on the Jewish Feast Day of Tabernacles), we moved into our present church building at 1600 Crestview, Longview, TX 75601. On October 13, 2019, we will celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary (again on the Jewish Feast Day of Tabernacles), of God giving us our land here. Thanks to Him, we’ve been able to, not only keep it, but possess it. As God told the Israelites to possess their promised land, He instructed us to do the same. God made it possible for a little band of faithful servants to Jesus, to not only go into their very own church, but to also completely renovate it. I signed the papers to purchase the church on the day of Jerry’s call, (September 14) forty years later. Who could have planned that! The Lord provided miracle after miracle which resulted in our getting our very own church, renovated and completely debt-free.
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Most of you reading this letter were raised in Christian churches without much mention of the Jews. In the summer of 1983, I was doing some Christian concerts. The Lord spoke to me and said, “You don’t have anything on your calendar this fall. Why don’t you host a group to Israel?” I replied, “Lord, I don’t care about going to Israel. I can love and serve You right here. Also, God, I don’t have any money to go to Israel.” I continued, “Also, I don’t know anyone who wants to go to Israel, and I don’t know anyone who has the money to go even if they wanted to.”
God said, “Are you finished?” I replied ashamedly, “Yes.” God said, “Would you just try?” I said, “Yes.” (With absolutely no faith, I could easily say, “Yes,” believing no one was going to Israel with me!) Those of you who know me, know the end of this story. In the fall of 1983, I hosted the first of 20 tours to Israel. God is faithful!
I could fill the earth with books I could write, of what I have learned about God on these 20 tours of Israel. I learned that the Bible is a book of prophecy. Some of it has been fulfilled. Most of it is still to be fulfilled. Many people think of Bible prophecy as superstitions, mythology, or fantasy, and they certainly don’t expect it to come true. But history has shown that many Old Testament prophecies have indeed been fulfilled by actual historical events. When God begins to work in your life, like He worked in the lives of the people of the Bible, your life will read like the pages of the Bible too. That’s what happened to me.
I learned about the eternal plan of God for planet Earth and the people who have lived on it. I learned that the Bible was a book, taking us from Adam and Eve to the vision that He gave John on the island of Patmos in the Book of Revelation. I learned that God chose the Jews as a people for Himself. Every promise that He gave to them will come to pass. I learned that as a Christian I am a part of the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus was Jewish, and, I believe, the Jewish Messiah. I learned how important knowing and understanding the promises God gave to the Jews is.
If you noticed at the top of the page, the Jewish Feast Day of Tabernacles was mentioned. I want you to understand that I’m taking nothing away from our Christian beliefs. I am not trying to practice Judaism. I am simply trying to show you your Christian roots. As a part of the church of Jesus, I will always be one of the redeemed by His blood. God will fulfill every promise He made to the Jew. He will fulfill every promise He made to the church.
In the Old Testament we learn that God selected seven feast days that He commanded Moses to have the Jewish nation to observe. These are called God’s appointed days, God’s feast days or festivals, that the Jew was to commemorate every year. As a Jew Jesus observed these days annually by bringing a sacrificial offering. Today Jews around the world commemorate some of these festivals, depending on whether they are Orthodox or Traditional or all in between.
God has made these seven festivals very special in my life and in the lives of those who follow me since He called me to go to Israel in 1983.
The seven festivals on God’s calendar are:
(1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) Jesus died for the world as the Lamb of God.
(2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) Jesus was buried on this feast day.
(3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10-11) The power of God raised Jesus from the dead. We call this day Easter, but the proper name is First Fruits. Jesus is the first fruit of the dead.
(4) Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-16) The Holy Spirit came, and the church was birthed with a harvest of 3000.
Jesus fulfilled these first four feasts (the spring feasts) during His first coming.
(5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) It could be that the Rapture of the Church will occur on Trumpets.
(6) Atonement (Leviticus 23:27) It could be that the Lord returns to earth for His second coming on Atonement.
(7) Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:42-43). It could be the Lord will establish His Tabernacle in Jerusalem on this feast day.
Jesus will fulfill these last three feasts (the fall feasts) at His second coming.
We are commemorating our 10 years in this building, October 13th, by bringing a special, Tabernacles offering of thanks to God for all He has done for us. Tabernacles means “God dwelling with His people.” He certainly has dwelt with us. Many of you have been supporters through these 50 years. Thank you so much!
Personally, I have learned to use my faith by sowing a seed in God’s work during an important time on God’s calendar. For many years the Ministry Church has done this on First Fruits (Easter,) Pentecost and Tabernacles. God has always responded to my faith in a miraculous way. I never knew what His response would be, but it always came at the perfect time. Perhaps you have a special need in your life. I believe when the Holy Spirit prompts you to give into a Christian ministry, God’s power will come into your life. I am asking you to sow a seed to be a part of this commemorative offering.
Your gift of any amount will be appreciated. For your gift of $ 50.00 – $ 100.00, I will send you the beautiful, new reprinting of my book, “It’s In Your Hands,” as a thank-you gift. In it I share experiences that forged my enduring faith and trust in God’s miraculous power, working in my life. I hope you will join us and take advantage of this offer. It will bless your life.
I continue to have opportunities around the world to tell the story of Jesus. Your continued support is vital. Fifty years may have passed, but I still feel like we are just getting started and the best is yet to come. Thank you for being a part!
Love in Christ,
Darlene
Darlene, I want to be a part of this Special Tabernacles Offering, Sunday, October 13th, of thanksgiving to God for all He has done in my life. Here is my gift of $___________. Please send me a copy of your book, “It’s In Your Hands.” You can count on me!
Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
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Email: ______________________________________
Phone: _____________________
Please return this form to The Ministry Church, P.O. Box 9880, Longview, TX 75608.
