Words from the Woodwards
March - May 2010
"...and you are complete in Him,
who is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10)
This has been an active season in our ministry with Grace Fellowship International. We have seen God bless the counseling locally and through phone and email. A counselee wrote: "Thank you so much for your help, and I am very much looking forward to getting the books. I am so thrilled with the 'exchanged life' teaching -- it has been such a tremendous help to me."
I co-taught the training events here last March--the Conference, Workshop, and Solomon School. We had a wonderful group participate. March Workshop:
A Korean missionary who attended, wrote: "I'd like to express how I've benefited from the Exchanged Life Conference. To me I understand clearly the meaning of cross, not only that Jesus died for me but also I died with Jesus on His cross; that produced the new life in Christ, also called the resurrected life of Jesus in me....And also I learned that when I presented the wheel diagrams, the counselee understood the dynamics of the cross in a sure way without any arguments; that amazed me because when I had tried to persuade people of the meaning of the two sides of the cross, some arguments arose. But the wheel diagrams have made people calm."
Later in March I presented a pastoral counseling seminar in Huntington, WV. (Also, audio CDs of The Supremacy of Christ series from First Baptist Church of Proctorville, OH are available.)
In April we had our 41st anniversary luncheon for GFI. (The program is available on 2 DVDs, featuring a solo by Linda, reports from Charles and I, and testimonies.) Some GFI board couples:
Following that, I hosted a book table at the Southern District Conference of the Christian Missionary Alliance in Birmingham, AL. Some good networking opportunities emerged there as well as visits to Wales Goebel Ministries and Southeastern Bible College.
This month Rock Springs Baptist Church hosted an Exchanged Life conference. It was a joy to minister there and see God's Spirit bring light and freedom to attendees. (Three testimonies are online atwww.GFImultimedia.com / Audio Podcast.)
I am preparing the syllabus for a course on Christ-Centered Counseling to be taught next year at the Bible Institute of America's Keswick in Whiting, NJ. Charles and I have been invited to speak there for a pastors' conference in the Fall.
With Internet ministry, Grace Notes now has 2000 subscribers. Here is a recent response from a missionary in Taiwan: "This is really good!--an encouragement to me today ... Thank you for sending your Grace Notes. Today's was a cool drink in the ‘desert' of Taiwan. This week has had an unusual amount of superstitious, spiritual rituals and bai-bai's in our neighborhood. You are right, the responsibility of being light would be too overwhelming in this darkness if left to my own sufficiency (ZERO)." Please pray for God's blessing and guidance on the weekly articles and the use of www.GraceNotebook.com.
www.RevitalizingPastors.org has been launched by GFI. This site is dedicated to helping struggling pastors across the nation by providing a virtual clinical discipleship process online. The site features testimonies and resources for leaders. Much more needs to be created and added to the site. May the Lord anoint it as a tool to pastor pastors.
Family
Stephen is engaged to his high school girlfriend, Zoey. The wedding date is set for September 4th. Meanwhile, Brad has been out of work for several weeks due to health problems. My dad, John Sr., continues to recover from his car accident injuries. He is back driving and working; he's walking without a cane. PTL. (below: our grandson, Luke, wonders, Where's Ethan? Taking another nap?)
Coming Events
June 11,12, Conference in Homer, Alaska
September? America's Keswick
Oct. 1,2 Conference in Eden Prairie, MN
Oct. 19-31 Mission trip to Cameroon, Africa
Nov. 5-13 Training events in Pigeon Forge, TN
Other conferences pending...
Support
We are thankful for God's provision through those who are led to contribute occasionally or monthly. Our current level is 73% of designated support and insurance. Any church or person who would like to partner with us through monthly giving can download an automatic funds transfer form at GraceNotebook.com / Welcome / Financial Support. Thank you to each one who invests in us this way. Most of all, we value your prayers for God's guidance, protection, and blessing on this ministry, that more and more would come to believe and use Christ-centered discipleship and counseling in these trying times.
For further information on the Solomons and Grace Fellowship International, see our newsletters and Cathy's blog: gfipraiseandprayer.blogspot.com. Other recent photos are at the GFI Kodak Gallery site.
God bless and keep each of you.
Love in Christ,
John and Linda
The Woodwards are supported by designated contributions to Grace Fellowship International. In Canada, they are supported by designated giving through Crossways to Life, 79 Weber St. E. Kitchener, ON. N2H 1C6 Phone: 519-696-2500 http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact john@gracenotebook.com.
Grace Fellowship International
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA.
Phone: 865-429-0450 Fax: 865-429-0144
Words from the Woodwards
Jan.-Feb. 2010
From John Woodward, Editor of Grace Notes ( GraceNotebook.com)
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,
and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake." 2 Cor. 4:5
Ministry Update
We continue to see God's faithfulness in bringing transformational change to struggling people through one-to-one Christ-centered counseling. We believe it is vital to orient personal ministry around "the Cross" since it represents the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor. 1:18,23,24).
One of the projects I've been working on is GFI's strategic outreach to pastors. 1,500 pastors leave their current ministries each month due to conflict, exhaustion, moral failure, burnout, and other such problems (according to Ken Sande of Peacemaker Ministries). Although there are various Leader Care ministries in operation, we are called to help leaders through a clarified message of Christ's sufficiency as our Savior, Lord, Life, Liberator, and Leader. One of our initiatives is the publishing of the book Pastors to Pastors: Testimonies of Revitalized Ministries. It is compiled by my associate, Charles Solomon; I also contributed a chapter. This book is now at the publisher's and would be an ideal gift to encourage your pastor.
Another project I am working on is taking our pastor-focused ministry to the internet. Look for a new site being prepared that will be dedicated to this vision: www.revitalizingpastors.org.
I am leading a weekly small group using a discipleship tool that I'd like to recommend: CrossWalk 220: Cultivatiing the Christ-Life Within You. This 13 lesson study guide by Pat Dye is published by Source of Light Ministries International.
Recently a GFI Counseling Institute student in Ontario, Ana Vincent, interviewed me for a local radio program that she hosts--Grace for Today. The programs are later re-broadcast on the GraceWalk internet radio station. Our two discussions are online at http://blog.gracefortoday.ca/
I have been expanding the Grace Notes Audio page with the radio segments that we prepared for TransWorld radio about 9 years ago. These messages are edited versions of Grace Note articles and were recorded by Canadian missionary Bryan Seeley. They are in MP3 format and can be downloaded for convenient listening
Grace Notes are being emailed to about 1950 subscribers, and the site is being accessed from a variety of countries. Here is a response from "Naomi" to the GN Breaking Free from the Past: "You have no idea how much I needed to read this message today and I thank you and the Lord for making sure I got the truth about my past. I have allowed the devil to haunt me with my unbiblical divorce for thirteen years, and it has even hurt my health. Please ask the Lord to allow me the grace to finally, truly let go and to be healed body and soul from this awful guilt and sadness. Thank you." Thank you for praying for these articles and sending them on as the Lord leads.
I now have an events calendar at the web site. In March we have our training week that runs from Friday the 5th to Saturday the 13th. I'll be co-teaching at these events and count it a privilege to help equip the precious ones that the Lord sends here. (As I write this, a pastor from North Carolina phoned in. Linda and I gave a GFI conference at the church he served in another state. God is blessing a church that he has planted; now there is more than one campus and an expanding Biblical counseling ministry. He called to order materials and plans to come for some further training. PTL!) March 21-24 I am scheduled to minister in Proctorville, Ohio. I will preach a series on The Supremacy of Christ at one of our supporting churches--First Baptist. Meanwhile, Huntington City Mission (WV) is planning another workshop for local pastors that same Monday-Wednesday in the mornings. I will be teaching at this event on Christ-Centered Pastoral Counseling. Your prayers for me to be a healthy, yielded vessel are much appreciated.
Support
Since 4/09 we have been on designated support to GFI ("for the Woodwards"). Currently we are receiving about 60% of budgeted support and health insurance. (General income from counselees, publications, conferences and contributions go toward our office and ministry expenses and administrative manager's salary.) We stand amazed at how the Lord has been providing. As the apostle affirmed, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19). If the Lord leads you to partner with us, consider using automated monthly bank transfer (see below). More regular supporters would greatly help in stabilizing our finances. Thanks to each of you who are already doing so.
Family Matters
Linda has a new HR position at Dollywood Theme Park. As she trains new employees, pray that her light will shine for the Lord there. On January 14th, our grandson, Ethan Parsonson was born in Toronto.
Linda was able to go north and spend 10 days with Laura, Matt, Luke and baby. Our daughter Sarah has experienced improved health in recent months and just started a new job. Our son, Stephen announced his engagement to Zoe; they have set a date for September 4th in Pigeon Forge. My (step) sister, Debbie, was married to Claude Thorn in South Carolina on February 6th. Our niece, Hannah, has a new dad!
Thankfully, my father, who is still recovering from his November 10th car accident, was able to walk the bride down the aisle. Feel free to call or write.
God bless and keep each of you.
Love in Christ,
John and Linda
Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward
from Grace Fellowship International
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA.
Phone: 865-429-0450 Fax: 865-429-0144
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
Home study: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
Online audio: http://www.GFImultimedia.com
Online video channel: http://www.YouTube.com/gracefellowshipintl
john@gracenotebook.com
Here is the link for the form for automatic monthly bank withdrawal. Also, donations can be made online by credit/debit card through PayPal.com.
Canadian supporters use Crossways to Life in Kitchener, Ontario for tax-deductible receipts. They exchange the funds and forward it to our support account here. CTL: 79 Weber St. E., Kitchener, ON Canada N2H 1C6. Phone: (519) 742-1900. Email: ross@crosswaystolife.org
Thank you for receiving this bimonthly e-letter. :-)
November-December 2009
From John Woodward, Editor of Grace Notes (Gracenotebook.com) and staff member of Grace Fellowship International
"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens'" (Revelation 3:7, NKJV).
Dear friends,
It is with grateful hearts that we look back on the doors that God has opened for international Christ-centered counseling and discipleship this year. I had the privilege of presenting the Exchanged Life conference in Maryville, TN (January), Pigeon Forge, TN (March), Kimberly, BC., Calgary, AB. (June), and Plant City, FL (July). Leading the counseling Workshop and teaching in the Solomon School in March and November were precious opportunities to "equip the saints for the work of ministry" in these difficult days. See endorsements below.
The Lord also opened doors for ministry to leaders in distant lands. Co-teaching at two pastoral couples' spiritual clinic "Fermatas" in Brazil with Edmund Spieker allowed me to see again the urgency of Christ-centered pastoral counseling internationally. Leaders testified of spiritual breakthroughs and three wives (who were unsatisfied with offering psychologically-based counseling) were excited to receive a ministry and model of effective biblical personal ministry. In October/November the door opened for me to join Will Womble and Levi Skipper to teach a pastoral counseling seminar to 400 students at Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary in west central Africa. (The Cameroon visas arrived the morning of the day we left!) Here is a photo of our team and some leaders of the seminary there:
Doors have remained open for me to counsel individuals and couples at our office as well as by telephone/email. See counseling testimony below. The opportunities for international discipling and equipping via internet still boggle my mind. About 2000-6000 pages of GraceNotebook.com are read daily from people around the world. May God use His word through this technology.
My second book, Blessed Reassurance: Finding Security in Christ, was published early in the year. May God use it to encourage many. (It can be ordered through book stores/Spring Arbor distributors, from the GFI online store, or by contacting our office directly.)
2010 has doors that are about to open for ministry in various states and countries. Please pray with us for God's leading, provision, and blessing for these potential conferences. (If you or your church would like to know more about hosting one, please contact me!) We continue to develop and offer resources to minister to pastors, helping them lead churches to use the message of victorious living (Gal. 2:20) in every-member discipleship and pastoral care.
With the trials facing us of economic hardships, declining religious freedom, and increasing risk of escalating war overseas, God has called us to maximize our opportunities to encourage and equip Christian leaders to live and communicate the open secret of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). The secret is realized only as we reckon true our identification with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:4-14).
If you share this vision and burden, we would ask you to intercede for us to walk through the right doors of strategic ministry. If you or your church would like to join our support team by contributing a monthly donation, this will help ensure our continued full time work with the mission of Grace Fellowship International. Last April we were put on designated donations through GFI for our income (contributions marked for "Woodwards"). We still need 237 monthly gifts of $10.00 to reach our full budgeted support and health insurance. For further info on donating options, please see the conclusion of this letter. We rejoice in the miracle giving of the past nine months that has provided 60% of our assigned income and insurance!
We are also thankful for God's shepherding of our extended family. (For news and photos, see below...) We expect the arrival of another grandchild in Toronto mid January!
As we reflect on God's faithfulness this year and celebrate the miracle of Jesus' birth, may we, like Mary, "keep all these things in our hearts" and also declare the Good News of God's wonderful salvation. Let's give glory to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We wish each of you a meaningful, encouraging, and Christ-centered Christmas and new year.
Love,
John and Linda
Here is a recent letter from a couple I have counseled:
(From the wife regarding painful adjustment in their cross-cultural, blended family; edited and used with permission)
Dear brother John,
Now after two years..., I look back to my life and is hard to believe what the Lord is doing in our lives.
I went through so many painful situations that I have to confess that I almost gave up on this relationship. I remember how, at the beginning, I called you with my "complaints" and you just said: "do not focus in his problems, focus on Jesus," and I started doing that.. And then another situation after another...(conflicts, trials), and in the meantime learning what was the meaning of exchanging my life for Jesus' life...
After the last situation (major conflict) ... the world and its logic would say "divorce," but the Lord gave me the strength to stay and to believe one more time in what could be done. I remember one of the conversations with my kids where they told me: "Mom, are you waiting for a miracle?" and I said "yes"...
It is like if I have been navigating in the storm "feeling" that I could fall into the sea. On the one hand, I was seeing the imperfections of the world (including my husband's) around me, plus learning about my own flesh, recognizing it (as bad as his), and on the other hand learning through my husband the Word, and by revelation my real identity-- who I am in Christ and who my husband is in Christ. I started looking at him not in his flesh but as a holy man, loved by Jesus; when something (negative) happens I just change the topic, leave the room, give it to the Lord, and then forgive and forget. I love him as if nothing happened, like Jesus loves us without memory of sin, with endurance, with faith and not (out of) feelings... It was like a pre-planned situation to push me to the Lord, and I am thankful that the Lord has triumphed over the darkness.
I am thankful that the Lord has been always there and now we are living the most amazing moment of our walking as a couple. I am understanding every day more and more through an excellent teacher (my husband and the Holy Spirit) what is this new understanding of being Christian. Now more people are coming to discuss with us these truths, and I have had to tell about the Cross because I have been going through it... I love my husband more and more and knowing that if something happens again, I definitely won't run away; I will just give thanks to the Lord for His life and see if a door had been opened to the devil to attack me. The miracle is happening day by day. He (my husband) is changing in an amazing way, and I also see my process of understanding my death in Christ...
Well, I have to keep studying but just to let you know (my husband) has been faithful, and I can see and feel his deep love for me and for the Lord first. He is getting better with my kids with no more awful situations. I love him more every day and am learning to walk with the Lord. I need to dig more into the Word and into the tons of books that we have in our library. But despite that, Jesus has showed me His love and compassion, and I can see the ministry for us growing.
Thanks for your support and prayers, I have to confess that I dream the day when we can support in every way your ministry ... and be able to share not only in time but financially...
Your sister in Christ,
C. B.
Endorsements from the March/November GFI training weeks
"This was and is one of the best trainings I have attended." - R.B. (pastors wife/biblical coounselor)
"Thank you for helping me to fully 'die' in order that I may be fully alive in Christ." - J.G. (missionary/counselor)
"This course was life-changing and excellent! Lord willing, we'll be back." - D.W. (missionary)
Family News
Many of you heard about my father's car accident Nov. 11th. He experienced a spinal chord injury that left him unable to move. After surgery that repositioned and repaired 2 vertebrae in his neck, he was mostly out of pain; this allowed the slow healing process to begin. After a week in the hospital, he was transferred to Atlanta's excellent Shepherd Clinic where he has made daily progress. We thank all the intercessors who have lifted him up. God's grace has been so evident in his spiritual peace, gradual recovery, and the confident strength that has been supporting the family. He is due to complete the in-patient phase of therapy Jan. 5th, then months of out-patient work will continue the healing process. My parents (John and Gerry) can be contacted by email: gerrywoodward@gmail.com.
Our immediate family was all together for this Thanksgiving:
Sarah has made significant health advances since June, but still needs prayer for full health and guidance. Aunt & nephew:
We especially appreciated Laura, Matt, and little Luke being with us from Toronto. Laura is due to give birth to their second child mid January! Parsonsons @ the Christmas tree in Dollywood:
Linda has been appointed as the new employee trainer for our local theme park, Dollywood. Pray for her light to shine as she orients new workers (beginning in February). We hope to limit her weekly hours to this part time role and trust the Lord to develop counseling and music ministry opportunities for her.
Here is the link for the form for automatic monthly bank withdrawal and information on making donations online by credit/debit card through PayPal.
Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward
from Grace Fellowship International
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA.
Phone: 865-429-0450 Fax: 865-429-0144
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
Home study: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
Online audio: http://www.GFImultimedia.com
Online video channel: http://www.YouTube.com/gracefellowshipintl
john@gracenotebook.com
Canadian supporters use Crosways to Life in Kitchener, Ontario for tax-deductible receipts. They exchange the funds and forward it to our support account here. (Note CTL's new address: 79 Weber St. E., Kitchener, ON Canada N2H 1C6. Phone: (519) 742-1900. Email: ross@crosswaystolife.org
Thank you for receiving this bimonthly e-letter. :-)
