Update Letter (PDF)
FEBRUARY 2020
MESSIAH IN THE PASSOVER
Enclosed, you will find a flyer for our 24th annual Messiah in the Passover Model Seder. My apologies that the wrong flyer went out with my December 2019 newsletter. The enclosed flyer has all of the correct information on it. We will not serve a meal, but we will serve the customary appetizers that Jewish households eat at Passover celebrations around the world.
I hope you will join us for this meeting and make a special effort to invite your family, church friends, neighbors, and colleagues to come with you. The cost is $18 per person, and the Model Seder will be held on the first Sunday in April, on the 5th. The program begins at 4:30 p.m. on the second floor of 5885 Fleur de Lis Drive in New Orleans.
DECEMBER HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Once again, last year, we gathered to celebrate a Messianic Jewish Hanukkah. We had disciples of Jesus and those who are not yet disciples at this celebration. (See the following photo of our table decorated for the occasion.) We retold the story of Hanukkah from a Messianic Jewish perspective, lit the menorahs, sang songs, ate sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), latkes (fried potato pancakes) with applesauce and sour cream, and Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins), and played dreidel (a game played with a four-sided top).
MARDI GRAS OUTREACH 2020
Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, February 25. Generally, the three weeks before Mardi Gras, krewes march over the weekends and even during the week. We have taken people to these processions for many years. We share the love of G-d in Jesus with people as they wait for the parades to begin.
We hand out evangelistic literature and also engage people in conversations with a 6-question survey. At the end of the questionnaire, we ask each person if they know what the Good News is. Usually, the answer is no, and so we respond, “May I take five minutes to share the Good News with you?” If they reply yes, it means we have five minutes to tell them about Jesus and the Gospel.
This year evangelism training for new and returning volunteers took place the weekend of February 7. We will engage people in conversations during the weekends of February 7, 14, and 21 and on Mardi Gras day-February 25. I hope you will keep us in your prayers.
Last year, during our 2019 Mardi Gras outreach, I had the privilege of praying with a woman who appeared to be in her 40’s. She prayed a prayer of repentance and asked Jesus to come into her life. I always try to stay in touch with those with whom I pray to receive the Lord. After encouraging her to find a church to attend, I learned that she heeded my counsel and began attending a solid evangelical church in her neighborhood.
I recently received an unexpected phone call from her mother. She needed a Bible and was hoping I would send her one just like the one I sent her daughter when she received the Lord. I was more than happy to order a Bible; only this Bible was in large print since I found out that her mother was a senior citizen. The mom phoned me again the following week to find out when the Bible would be delivered. During this second conversation, I learned that she recently began attending church with her daughter. A lengthy discussion ensued, and at the end of our talk, she also gave her heart to Jesus. Now both mother and daughter have a living, loving relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through Jesus. It does not get any better than that!
FUNDRAISING FOR CJF MINISTRIES
Many of you who receive this newsletter regularly are familiar with our current fundraising drive. I hope you know how much we appreciate your partnership with us! God is faithful, and with your help, we met our fundraising goal for 2019. Words are inadequate to express how grateful we are for your support!
However, the ministry has now asked me to raise an additional $15,000 above the regular offerings you are providing. This extra money serves as a reserve fund. The funds meet any shortfalls in our missions budget. It gives us a cushion for the months during which giving decreases. If there is any chance you can help meet this need, I hope you will call me on my cell at 210-410-1034, or visit our website at www.cjfm.org/michelleb, select the purple donate tab, and give an offering towards this need.
If you support CJFM on a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual basis, please text me a photo of yourself. That will enable me to add your image to my contact list on my cell phone. I am a visual learner, so if I have a photo of you I will never forget you.
I can say, without a doubt, that it is G-d’s will for you to support ministry to the Jewish people. Many are already supporting ministries in Israel. We praise G-d for those who do. There is also a need to support Jewish ministries in the United States. The total Jewish population in the United States is 5.7 million and 6.3 million in Israel. We need your help and hope and pray you will respond to this appeal.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT
All that we do is possible because you are an integral part of our ministry. Thank you for your prayers and financial gifts. As you have blessed us, may you also be blessed. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing His love with “the Jewish people first and also the Gentiles.”
As the Lord leads, please use the enclosed envelope to send a supporting gift preferenced for Michelle Beadle. Your contribution entitles you to receive a subscription to our publication, Messianic Perspectives.
In Messiah’s love,
Michelle Beadle
If you prefer to keep in touch by text or email, please send a message to michelleb@cjfm.org.
