JBC Magazine 2 - 2016

No. 2 January - July 2016 

THEME: 

1 Number 2 January - July 2016

COLOFON 

This edition is distributed amongst members 

and visitors of the Jerusalem Baptist House. 

Please, do not use articles without prior permission 

from the Editor or Staff. Do not use this 

Newsletter for evangelistic purposes. 

If you'd like to receive an B/W printed version 

of this newsletter, please write to email: 

jerbapch@gmail.com 

Editorial staff: 

Billie Nucciarone 

Petra van der 

Zande 

SENIOR PASTOR 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR 

DEACON 

DEACON 

Phone: 02- 672 3250 

Mobile: 050 8193060 (Pastor Al) 

Email: jerbapch@netvision.net.il or 

jerbapch@gmail.com 

Dr. Al Nucciarone 

Rev. Joel McElreath 

Coach Terry Hill 

Bruce Mills 

Website: www.jerusalembaptistchurch.org 

One kind word 

can warm up three 

winter months. 

Japanese proverb 

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God 

and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting 

consolation and good hope by grace, comfort 

your hearts and establish you in every good word 

and work. 2 Thess. 2:16,17 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

From the Pastor’s desk 3 

What a Friend we have in Jesus 4 

Greek-Hebrew Word study 5 

Article by Pastor Joel McElreath 6 

Article by Prof. Eugene Merrill 8 

January/February 2016 News 9 

Friendship Tree 10 

March News 11 

Iraq trip Pastor Al and Billie 13 

Unforgettable Classroom exercise 14 

JBC Baptism Service 15 

April News 16 

John & Suzie Briggs - Togo 16 

Medical missionaries history - Togo 18 

The Power of Encouragement 19 

Dr. William Leslie 19 

May News 22 

June News 23 

Paid in Full with a glass of milk 24 

Tidbits 25 

Holiday Calendar 26 

JBC Family News 26 

Women’s Column 27 

Books and DVD’s 28 

Kids Corner 29 

“The Bible – our 66 book volume spiritual 

survival kit. It supplies us with God’s 

strength and consolation, make us messengers 

of that encouragement to others.” 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

“He who sees a need and waits to be 

ASKED for help is as unkind as if he 

refused it.” Dante 

2 Number 2 January- July 2016

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP 

I 

will never forget my speech teacher in high 

school. His name was Eugene Kopacz, a former 

Roman Catholic priest, turned high school teacher. 

He taught Latin and Speech Communication. 

There are two things that stand out in my mind about 

him. 

First, he was always abreast of current events and 

would share them daily. He was the first one who 

told us about the 1967 Six-Day war. 

The second thing was that he would always mention 

Dale Carnegie. 

Dale Carnegie was a former salesman from Missouri 

who gave lectures and wrote books on communication 

(The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking) 

and human relations (How to Win Friends and 

Influence People). I never got 

around to reading them until I 

finished my university studies. 

When I arrived at Seminary, I 

discovered that two of the 

professors were also teachers 

at the Dale Carnegie Institutes. 

It made sense. 

In life, business, and ministry 

you, of course, must know 

how to communicate and get 

along with people. As I read 

How to Win Friends and Influence 

People, I was anxious to 

put into practice the principles I learned. Actually the 

principles are quite Biblical. 

Ephesians 4 tells us to speak the truth with love. 

Here are just a few of the principles. 

♦ Be interested in the other people and their life 

situation 

♦ Remember and use their names in conversation 

♦ Be an active listener (this is actually in the 

chapter, “How to be a good conversationalist”) 

♦ Admit your faults 

♦ Avoid arguing with people 

♦ Appeal to a person’s best interest. 

Bill Hybels often refers to the ‘three C’s’ regarding 

success in the ministry: 

♦ Character 

♦ Competence 

♦ Chemistry. 

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 

The Bible has much to say about 

friendships and human relationships. 

The Book of Proverbs gives many practical 

insights into effective human interaction. 

In Proverbs 17:17 we read that a friend loves at all 

times. He is loyal and faithful. Proverbs 18:24 says 

that a man with too many friends comes to ruin, but 

there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

A few loyal and trustworthy friends can really help 

you in life. Proverbs 13:20 shares with us that he 

who walks with wise men will be wise and the companion 

of fools will suffer harm. 

We had better be careful with the friends that we 

chose. They can influence our lives positively or 

negatively. 

One of my favorite verses is 

Proverbs 27:17. It states ”As 

iron sharpens Iron so one man 

sharpens another.” 

We do need friends who will not 

only comfort us when we are 

down but also rebuke us when 

we are going down the wrong 

path. (Proverbs 27:5-6) 

We love to sing the song, “What 

a Friend We have in Jesus.” 

[See the story behind the 

hymn next page.) It is true that 

Jesus is our best Friend if we know Him. He told his 

disciples in John 15 that they were his friends. He 

said a friend will lay down his life for others. They 

were qualified to be his friends by their obedience to 

Him. 

True friendships are necessary for our wellbeing in 

this world. 

“Two are better than one, 

Because they have a good 

reward for their labor. For 

if they fall, one will lift up 

his companion. But woe to 

him who is alone when he 

falls, For he has no one to 

help him up.” 

The first two are self-explanatory. Chemistry has to 

do with how we get along with people. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 


The Lord created us for companionship. 

♦ God has provided marriage for intimate relationships. 

♦ The local church is a wonderful provision for 

fellowship and friendships which encourage 

and stimulate us to service (Hebrew 10:34,35). 

♦ Even our witness to the world can be enhanced 

as we seek to befriend those with 

whom we share the Gospel. 

People need to see how much we care for them. 

They need to experience our love and see Jesus in 

us. Our friendship along with our message can 

touch their lives and be used of God to bring them to 

a saving knowledge of Jesus. 

Let us ask the Lord to make us channels of his 

love for others and true friends to those who 

God brings our way. 

“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS” – THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMN 

he day before 25- 

T year-old Joseph M. 

Scriven’s (1819-1896) 

wedding day his fiancé 

died in a tragic drowning 

accident. Heartbroken, 

Joseph sailed from his 

Irish homeland to start a 

new life in Canada. 

But again, Joseph's 

hopes and dreams were 

shattered when his second fiancé became ill and 

died before the wedding could take place. 

Sustained by his faith in God, Joseph joined the 

Plymouth Brethren and began preaching for a Baptist 

church. He never married, but spent his life giving 

all his time, money and even the clothes off his own 

back to help the less fortunate and to spread the love 

and compassion of Jesus wherever he went. 

Around the time that Joseph lost his second fiance, 

he learned that his mother in Ireland was ill. Unable 

to leave Canada, he wrote a letter of comfort and 

enclosed one of his poems entitled “What a Friend 

We Have in Jesus”. 

Almost 30 years later, a friend sitting with the very ill 

Joseph ran across his poems, including the one he 

sent to his mother. These poems were published in a 

book and musician Charles C. Converse (1834- 

1918) put music to “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. 

Ira Sankey, a musician who worked with Dwight L. 

Moody, published it in a book of hymns, and Moody 

had it sung in his evangelistic meetings. Soon "What 

a Friend We Have in Jesus" was one of the bestknown 

hymns in America. Missionaries took it 

abroad, where people sang it in many languages. 

What a Friend We Have in Jesus 

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and 

griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain 

we bear, 

All because we do not carry everything to God in 

prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord 

in prayer. 

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows 

share? 

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord 

in prayer. 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load 

of care? 

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in 

prayer. 

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the 

Lord in prayer! 

In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a 

solace there. 

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our 

burdens bear 

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest 

prayer. 

Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need 

for prayer 

Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our 

sweet portion there. 

“Greater love has no one than this, 

that he lay down his life for his 

friends.” (John 15:13) 

“Someone who has been through the fires of sorrow, God will 

make a nourishment for other people.” Oswald Chambers. 


Greek and Hebrew Word Study 

# 3870 – parakaleo: to call to one’s side, to one’s aid; to comfort, exhort, desire, call for 

# 3874 – paraklesis: a calling to one’s side. Kaleo= to call; para = beside 

# 3875 – paráklētos (from # 3844 pará, "from close-beside" and # 2564 kaléō, "make a 

call") – properly, a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because close 

enough to the situation. A regular term in NT times of an attorney (lawyer) – i.e. 

someone giving evidence that stands up in court. 

# 3877 - parakolouthéō (from # 3844 pará, "from close-beside" and akolouthéō, "follow") 

– to follow closely, to attend, side by side. 

“As you know how we exhorted, [parakalountes # 3870] and comforted, [paramythoume-noi # 

3888] and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk 

worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thess. 2:11,12 

# 5381 – philoneksía (from # 5384 phílos, "friend" and # 3581 xenos, "a stranger") – 

properly warmth (friendliness) shown to strangers; (figuratively) the readiness to share 

hospitality (generosity) by entertaining in one's home. 

# 5360 – Philadelphia – from # 5384 phílos, "loving friend" and # 80 adelphós, "a 

brother")- properly, affection for the brethren (fellow-believers), brotherly love. 

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love [ # 5360- Philadelphia], in honor 

giving preference to one another.” Romans 11:10 

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained [# 

5381] angels.” Hebrews 13:2 

# 157 – ahav – to love. 

# 251 – ach/me’ach[me’akh] - brother 

# 2321 – Theophilos - from theos and philos -"friend of God," Theophilus, the addressee 

of Luke and Acts 

# 7453 – rea (from ra'ah) - brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbor, 

another, an associate (more or less close) 

# 7463 - rê·‘eh – friend. 

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend [# 157 ohev] who sticks 

closer [# 1695 dā·êq] than a brother.” [# 251 mê·’ācḥ]. Proverbs 18:24 

“A friend loves [# 157] at all times, And a brother [# 251 – ach] is born for adversity.” 

Proverbs 17:17 

“Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king’s 

friend.” [ # 7463] 1 Kings 4:5 

“Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion.” 

[ # 7453 rê·a‘] 1 Chron. 27: 33 

“So Hushai, David’s friend, [# 7463 rê·‘eh] went into the city. And Absalom came into 

Jerusalem.” 2 Sam. 15:37 


“But the Helper, [# 3775 - parakletos], the Holy 

Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, 

He will teach you all things, and bring to your 

remembrance all things that I said to you.” 

John 14:26 

ohn uses the word parakletos, a term borrowed 

J 

from the legal realm, meaning a defense lawyer. 

He did not necessarily choose this word because he 

sees salvation as a courtroom drama, but because 

this word captures a shared sense of responsibility. 

When we break the word parakletos into two we get: 

“side” (para) “caller” (kletos). 

Rather than simply “advocating” and taking center 

stage, the Holy Spirit is “off to the side”, urging us 

on, holding our hand through difficult times. But we 

need to be present as well. 

Looking at the original Greek, we now understand 

why some newer English translations prefer the 

more accessible “helper” over the legalistic 

“advocate”. But for those who prefer the traditional 

term “advocate”, rest assured that this word means 

basically the same thing as paraklete in Latin: “one 

to whom we call” (ad + vocatus). 

http://holylandstudies.eteacherbiblical.com/the-paraclete/ 

Encouragement & Comfort By Pastor Joel McElreath 

e want to make a brief study of the biblical 

W basis for encouragement. 

In the New Testament the basic Greek word which 

is translated, “comforter" or also “encouragement" 

comes from “parakletos.” It is seen in our English 

word “paraclete" which literally means "one who is 

called alongside to help or to assist." The term 

comforter relates mainly to the Holy Spirit and it is 

the title given to Him by our Lord Jesus. 

As such, He is the Successor to the Lord Jesus as 

"another comforter" (one of the same kind, John 

14:16) and it's important to notice that the coming of 

the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as another comforter did 

not herald the end of the Lord Jesus' work as they 

are not mutually exclusive in ministry. 

So the Holy Spirit's work stands in close Trinitarian 

connection with the Father and the Son as He is 

sent by both the Father and the Son into the world 

and bears constant witness to the Lord Jesus. 

Christ too, is called the Paraclete, and the most 

outstanding reference to Christ as the Paraclete is 

to be found in the writings of the 

Apostle John. 

The term Paraclete is also applied to 

people. 

In the Septuagint, the Greek Old 

Testament, Job mourned that his 

friends were "poor comforters" (Job 

16:2). 

When David was living as a fugitive in 

the wilderness for years running from 

King Saul, his son, Jonathan, found 

him. In 1 Samuel 23:16, it is recorded, “And 

Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at 

Horesh, and encouraged him in God.” 

Moreover, in Daniel 11:1, it is written of Daniel, “In 

the first year of Darius the Mede, I Daniel arose to 

be an encouragement and a protection for him.” 

The Hebrew word 

for encouraged 

means to put 

strength into 

someone’s hand 

so they can resist 

pressure 

or an attack. 

6 Number 2 January- July 2016 

In the New Testament we find there were many true 

comforters in the early church. 

One of the early Jerusalem Church leaders was 

named Barnabas, meaning "the son of encouragement” 

(Acts 4: 36). Barnabas is the one that took 

Paul before the apostles and convinced them that 

Paul was a genuine believer. 

We will always be indebted to Barnabas for his 

great act of loving kindness to help launch Paul into 

his effective ministry. 

The apostle Paul often referred to believers as a 

source of encouragement or comfort. Because 

believers had found comfort from the Lord, they 

were in a position to encourage persecuted brothers 

and sisters (2 Cor.1:5-7). 

When Paul wrote to the church at the home of 

Philemon, he thanked God for the comfort those 

believers had been to him. We read in Philemon 7, 

“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in 

your love, because the hearts of the saints have 

been refreshed through you, brother.” 

Paul instructs us that the Scriptures 

themselves can be a source of comfort. 

In Romans 15:4,5 it says, “For 

whatever was written in earlier times 

was written for our instruction, so that 

through perseverance and the 

encouragement of the scriptures we 

might have hope. Now may the God 

who gives perseverance and 

encouragement grant you to be of the 

same mind with one another according 

to Christ Jesus.” 

Our wonderful Lord Jesus Himself is the model that 

Paul lifts up in Philippians 2:1-11, to demonstrate 

humility and sacrificial love that unifies us to be one 

with Him. 

The Holy Spirit’s work in every believer makes it 

possible to be unified and partners in encouraging 

one another.

Note the opening two verses, “Therefore if there is 

any encouragement in Christ, if there is any 

consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the 

Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy 

complete by being of the same mind, maintaining 

the same love, united in spirit, intent on one 

purpose..” 

The writer to the Hebrews pointed to God’s promise 

to Abraham along with His oath as being a solid 

hope for the heirs of promise and added in Hebrews 

6:18, “so that by two unchangeable things in which it 

is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken 

refuge would have strong encouragement to take 

hold of the hope set before us.” 

Again over in chapter 10, the author exhorts 

believers to draw near to the throne of grace with 

boldness, first of all for cleansing and then, “Let us 

hold fast the confession of our hope without 

wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us 

consider how to stimulate one another to love and 

good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling 

together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging 

one another; and all the more as you see the day 

drawing near.” 

Encouragement is not just for the gifted leaders but 

is the responsibility of each member in the body. 

As I have often said, there are no lone believers in 

the New Testament apart from the family of God 

unless they are in prison. Lone sheep become 

lunch for the wolves. We need each other. 

Charles Swindoll has a good closing remark, 

“Like early American pioneers who braved the new 

frontiers, when we walk out of the loving fellowship 

of God’s family, we move into ‘savage territory.’ 

In that realm we are threatened and we can be 

easily intimidated. In light of that fact, God’s people 

need to turn on the encouragement! The family of 

God is not a place for verbal put-downs, sarcastic 

jabs, critical comments, and harsh judgment. We 

get enough of that from the world. This is a place we 

need to assemble for the purpose of being 

encouraged… a place we are free to be ourselves.” 1 

Good advice! 

May each of us take these thoughts and scriptures 

to heart and prayerfully consider how we can be 

more sensitive and led of the Spirit to lift up and 

encourage other believers, especially those with 

whom we have a close relationship. 

1 

GROWING DEEP IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, by Charles 

R. Swindoll, page 375. 

You are a MASTERPIECE 

You are HANDPICKED BY GOD 

YOU ARE LOVED 

You are a person of 

EXTREME VALUE 

AND SIGNIFICANCE 

APPRECIATION VS. AFFIRMATION 

By Ch. Swindoll 

We appreciate what a person does, but we affirm 

who a person is. 

Appreciation comes and goes because it is usually 

related to something someone accomplishes. 

Affirmation goes deeper. It is directed to the person 

himself or herself. 

While encouragement would encompass both, 

the rarer of the two is affirmation. 

All of us need encouragement-somebody to believe 

in us. To reassure and reinforce us. 

To help us pick up the pieces and go on. 

To provide us with increased determination in 

spite of the odds. 

Even when we don't earn the right to be appreciated 

we can still be encouraged and affirmed. 

Encourage someone today! 

Faith+hope+love= encouragement. 


The Beauty and Blessing of Brotherly Friendship by Eugene H. Merrill 

Professor Eugene H. Merrill was 

Former Interim Pastor of Jerusalem 

Baptist Church in 2004 

hen requested to do a short 

W piece on biblical friendship, I 

immediately turned to the narratives 

that describe the relationship between 

Jonathan, Saul’s choice to be the next king of Israel, 

and David, God’s choice. The one was of royal 

stock, the other of the peasantry of Bethlehem; the 

one commanded men, the other sheep; the one had 

much to lose if not chosen to be king, the other had 

much to gain by pursuing the will of God. 

The sacred text first introduces us to Jonathan as a 

warrior engaged in battle against Israel’s perennial 

enemies, the Philistines, at Geba (1 Sam 13:1-4). 

He clearly was heroic and seemed a fit successor to 

Saul who, by that time, was likely past middle age. 

However, that was not to be for Saul had disobeyed 

the Lord by offering illicit sacrifice, an infraction that 

brought any dynastic hopes entertained by Saul to 

an abrupt end (1 Sam 13:9, 13-14). 

Instead, the Lord said he had sought and found a 

man “after my own heart.” It is important to note that 

it is not the heart of this person that is in view, but 

the heart of God himself. That is, God had already 

selected another ruler, one elected according to his 

sovereign plan, the ruler long before named by 

Jacob as Shiloh, a descendant of Judah, “to whom 

[the rulership] belonged” (Gen 49:10). 

“… the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of 

David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, 

because he loved him as his own soul.” 

1 Sam 18: 1,3 NKJV 

The unselfishness which is a hallmark of true 

friendship is seen next in the covenant Jonathan 

made with David (1 Sam 18:3; 20:16), Jonathan’s 

removal of his own royal garb as a gift to David 

along with his sword and bow (v. 4), and his 

willingness to lose his place as heir to the throne 

rather than to betray his friend (20:31). This turned 

out to be the last time the friends were to be 

together. Sensing this to be so, they displayed their 

undying affection the one for the other by mutual 

submission, a brotherly kiss, and solemn 

benedictions (20:41-42). Shortly thereafter Jonathan 

was slain by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa along 

with his brothers and father (1 Sam 31:2, 6). 

This prompted one of the grandest elegies ever 

composed by mortal man as David expressed his 

heart-rending grief over the loss of his dearest friend 

(2 Sam 1:19-27). The last two verses encapsulate it 

well: 

“I have become shrunken [in spirit] because of 

you, my brother Jonathan; 

You have become such a friend to me. 

Your love for me has been wonderful; 

More so than the love of women. 

How the heroes have fallen, 

And the implements of warfare destroyed.” 

That one turned out to be David, a most unlikely 

choice since he came from an unimportant village, 

was the youngest of eight sons of an 

undistinguished commoner, and had no experience 

in the world of men. In short, he was the diametric 

opposite of Jonathan with whom he had little in 

common. How could friendship come of that? 

Nevertheless, it did as the plan of God unfolded. 

The first recorded meeting of David with Jonathan 

took place after David had proved his worth by 

slaying Goliath and then becoming part of Saul’s 

court. The narrator says that “the soul of Jonathan 

was committed (Heb. niq·šə·rāh “tied together”) to 

the soul of David,” bound as it were by unbreakable 

ties of mutual friendship and love. 

As sublime as this human love and friendship might 

appear to be, it has been far surpassed by the One 

who calls us who know Him as brother and sister 

(Mark 3:35) and even ‘friends’ (John 15:15). 

“For whoever does the will of God is My brother and 

My sister and mother.” Mark 3:35 NKJV 

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does 

not know what his master is doing; but I have called 

you friends, for all things that I heard from My 

Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 

“Theology at its most basic level was when Jonathan 

stood in defense of his friend David against 

his own father. This is putting shoe leather to your 

belief, to your faith. He defended him because he 

was his friend.” Ch. Swindoll 


JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 News 

1 2 

3 4 

5 

JANUARY 

3: (pict. 1) We said goodbye to Dee and Larry 

Smith. We were very grateful for Dee’s 

willingness to be our pianist during these 

past months. 

10: (pict. 4) Milad Khoury shares about his 

trip to Iraq 

24: (pict. 3 & 5)January birthdays with special 

thanks to Aunee for all he does. 

Evening: War Room DVD showing at 

JBC 

31: (pict. Right) Pastor Marian Pawlas 

preached at JBC. His wife Hannah and another 

couple from their church in Palowice, Poland joined him. 

FEBRUARY - 28: (pict. 2) Our sister Alemla shared about her visit to Nagaland 

Philadelphia means “human affection, brotherly love”. 

It means being an affectionate friend. Samuel Coleridge wrote a 

poem titled, “Youth and Age” with the line, “Friendship is a sheltering 

tree” – a beautiful word picture. Friends are those whose 

lives are like branches. They provide shade, refuge from the demanding, 

irritating and searing rays of the hot sun. You can find 

comfort by them and strength near them. They are tree-like in that 

they bear fruit that provides nourishment and encouragement. 


THE FRIENDSHIP TREE 

The Friendship Tree, (left picture) a unique citrus 

tree, grows in Sochi, on the east coast of the Black 

Sea in southern Russia. It grew from citrus sprigs 

grafted to it by people of 167 countries from around 

the world, as symbols of international friendship and 

living in harmony with nature. The experimental citrus 

tree was named the Friendship Tree in 1957. 

he Friendship Oak (right picture) is a 500-yearold 

southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) on 

T 

the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi 

in Long Beach, Mississippi. The oak, dating from 

the year 1487, was a sapling at the time that Christopher 

Columbus first discovered the New World. 

According to legend, those who enter the shade of 

its branches will remain friends for all their lives. 

The Friendship Tree 

Poem by Mable Jo Baker 

I love to go to the friendship tree 

And look at the blossoms there 

Each blossom represents a friend 

For whom I love and care! 

No two blooms are just alike. 

And God has deemed it so- 

That there's a vast variety 

Whom we can love and know! 

I went out to find a friend. 

But could not find one there 

I went out to be a friend 

And friends were everywhere! 


MARCH 2016 news 

1 

2 3 

1 

4 

5 6 

7 

8 

11 Number 2 January - July 2016 

MARCH: 

6: (# 4)Pastor Al & Billie shared about their February trip to Iraq 

- see next page 

13: (# 6) Time to say goodbye to Ron and Cindy Youde. Ron 

blessed JBC by playing the piano; together, they often sang 

beautifully during the Sunday Services. 

17: ( # 7)The yearly Men In Ministry Breakfast and meeting at 

JBC 

20: ( # 1,2,3 & 5) Canon Andrew White speaks at JBC; our sister 

Ruth Khoury received Andrew’s ‘special’ cross; 

27: Resurrection Sunday service. ( # 8 ) Irene Levy received a 

rose with poem at Garden Tomb Sunrise Service.

1 2 

3 

4 

5 6 


Pastor Al and Billie’s IRAQ TRIP February 11-22, 2016 

illie and I met our daughter Emily in Istanbul 

B where she was attending a conference. 

Together we flew to Erbil in Northern Iraq. Emily 

lives and works in the city of Dohuk, helping the 

Yazidi people who have been forced out of their 

homes by ISIS. She has a team of 8 Iraqi’s, many 

of whom are internally displaced people themselves. 

They are not refugees but have been pushed out of 

their own homes to other cities in Iraq, leaving their 

homes and possessions as they escape. Because 

they were also forced to leave their jobs, they are 

without means to set up a household in another city. 

Emily is in charge of the project’s monitoring and 

evaluation ( and )to help the Yazidi’s with housing 

and food needs. 

In Erbil, we visited Walid and his family, whose 

daughter Myriam was featured in the You Tube 

video clip. Walid ministers to his fellow refugees 

from Karakosh, near Mosul. 

A group of Emily’s Christian friends work in refugee 

camps together with groups like Samaritan’s Purse, 

World Vision, etc. We were able to visit a camp and 

saw thousands of Yazidi’s living in tents. Some of 

Emily’s friends have set up a school there, and the 

principal invited me to do outreach and sport camps 

in the future. Workers from Samaritans Purse look 

after the medical needs of the Yazidi’s. One of the 

girls with Samaritan’s Purse who worked with the 

Fellowship of Christian Ahtletes in Kansas City 

before going to Iraq, was excited about the 

possibility of having a sport camp in Dohuk. 

Emily’s pastor, with whom we had dinner, is also a 

Dallas Seminary graduate. The church meets in the 

living room of an apartment the church rents. 

Explanation pictures previous page: 

Yazidi refugee children: # 1, 3 & 5 

Christian School staff in the refugee camp: # 2 

Emily’s team : # 4 

Walid and his family: # 6 

On Tuesday night we attended the Bible study that 

meets in Emily’s home. Billie offered to cook dinner 

for the group and enjoyed the challenge of grocery 

shopping there. One of Emily’s Muslim co-workers 

who escaped from Mosel with her family, leaving 

everything behind because of ISIS, invited us to her 

family’s home for dinner where we met the whole 

family. During the wonderful Iraqi meal (feast), we 

were able to give a testimony for the Lord. This 

family considers Emily to be part of them. Even 

though she has never studied the Arabic language 

officially, Emily speaks it well. 

Billie and I left Iraq rejoicing at what God has done 

and is doing. Please pray for Emily and pray for 

True Spiritual revival in Iraq. Remember that ancient 

Nineveh is in Iraq and next to Mosul. The Ninevites 

turned to God from sin after the preaching of Jonah 

and God sent a great revival. 

WHO ARE THE YAZIDIS? 

The Yazidis are an ethnically Kurdish religious 

community indigenous to northern Mesopotamia. 

Yazidism, an ancient endogamous religion 

is linked to ancient Mesopotamian religions. 

Even though they are ethnically Kurdish, 

Yazidis are a distinct and independent 

religious community with their own unique culture, 

who primarily lived in the Nineveh 

Province of Iraq. Many Yazidis migrated to 

Germany in the 1990s. The monotheistic 

Yazidis believe in God as creator of the world 

but have mixed influences of the Sufi religion. 

Often they have been persecuted by fundamentalist 

Sunni Muslim revolutionaries, until in 

2014, ISIS began their campaign to "purify" 

Iraq and neighboring countries of non-Islamic 

influences. 

Encouragement is horizontal and vertical. 

Horizontal: Reach out to those who hurt and 

need encouragement by using verbal and 

nonverbal communication skills. Be faithful and 

give without expecting a return. 

Vertical: encouragement requires victory over 

discouragement. God pushed Elijah out of his 

cave of self-pity and sent him off on a new 

ministry. (1 Kings 19) 

“Christians need to learn how to manifest 

‘active helpfulness’ or ‘simple assistance’ in 

trifling, external matters.” Bonhoeffer 

Remember: Jesus excluded no one from the 

ministry of helping. (Matthew 25) 


An Unforgeable Classroom Exercise 

Adapted from the original story by Sister Helen 

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/ 

AllGoodThings 

ne day, a teacher asked her students to list the 

O names of the other students in the class on two 

sheets of paper, leaving a space between each 

name. “I would like you to think about the nicest 

thing you can say about your classmates and write 

that down.” 

Later, after each student had handed their papers to 

the teacher, she wrote the name of each student on 

a separate sheet of paper. Under it she listed what 

everyone else had said about that individual. 

The next week each student received their personal 

page. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 

"Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I 

meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know 

others liked me so much." 

No one mentioned those papers anymore and the 

teacher never found out if they discussed them after 

class or with their parents. She didn’t mind, for the 

exercise had accomplished its purpose: The 

students were happy with themselves and each 

another. 

Several years later, the teacher attended the funeral 

of a former student who had been killed in Vietnam. 

The church was packed, and the teacher was the 

last person to walk by the coffin. One of the 

pallbearers approached her. "Were you Mark's math 

teacher?" She nodded. 

"Mark talked about you a lot," the soldier told her. 

After the funeral, many classmates went to the 

luncheon. Mark's parents approached the teacher. 

"We want to show you something. " Mark’s father 

took his wallet. "They found this on Mark when he 

was killed. We thought you might recognize it." 

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn 

pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been 

taped, folded and refolded many times. 

Without looking at the paper the teacher knew it was 

the list with good things Mark's classmates had said 

about him. 

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother 

said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." 

Mark's former classmates gathered around. Smiling 

sheepishly, Charlie said, "I still have my list. It's in 

the top drawer of my desk at home." A woman said, 

"Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." 

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary" 

Holding up a worn, frazzled piece of paper, Vicky 

said, "I carry this with me at all times.” She looked at 

her classmates. "I think we all saved our lists." 

The teacher’s eyes filled with tears of joy and 

gratitude. She could have never imagined how that 

simple classroom exercise would have such a 

profound effect on the lives of her students. 

We need to encourage one another because the 

world delights in DIScouragement. Negative people 

can pollute our outlook and negative circumstances 

our hope. Discouragement is like a pit and miry 

clay. It makes us feel helpless, unable to rise, like 

our feet are trapped in goo, and we are unable to 

escape alone. A good word can be a rope to pull 

us up. 

People often fail as encouragers because they want 

results from good deeds and recognition for their 

labor. God’s economy does not work on a “in-goequals 

out-go“ basis. 

Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, 

just as you also are doing. 1 Thess. 5:11 


The BAPTISM SERVICE was held at the Jordan River near Jericho. “Qasr el Yahud" is believed to be site of the baptism of 

Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17) and traditionally considered to be the place where the Israelites crossed the 

Jordan River, and where Elijah the Prophet split the waters and then ascended to heaven. Qasr el-Yahud is close to the ancient 

road and river ford connecting Jerusalem, via Jericho, to several Transjordanian biblical sites and the King's Highway. It is 

located in the West Bank of the Jordan River, a little southeast from Jericho. 


APRIL 2016 News 

1 

2 

3 

APRIL 

# 1: What a blessing that we now have a great team of media helpers: Pastor Donghni Sr. (Spanish translation) and Donghni Jr. 

and Ashley Alcantara who take care of the sound and powerpoints. 

3: (# 3) We had a group from East Germany in the service, Lydia translated for them. During the era of Communism, East Germans 

had to learn Russian at school, that’s why they hardly speak English. 

John and Susie Briggs (on their way to the USA for a furlough) gave a testimony and shared about their work in Togo. Sue and 

John’s daughter was Libby Nucciarone’s roommate at Wheaton College. 

10: In the evening, the DVD Woodlawn was shown at JBC (see DVD and book review page) 

17: (# 2) we said goodbye to Pastor Moises and Jaqueline Amaya who returned to Colombia. The pastor blessed the congregation 

with Deuteronomy 1:11: 

“May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, 

and bless you as He has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11 

John and Susie Briggs serve as medical 

missionaries at the Hôpital Baptiste Biblique 

in Togo. John, a surgeon, tries to heal the 

sick and share the gospel. Susie hosts a children’s 

Bible club at their home each week. 

The 40 bed full service hospital opened in 

1985. Annually it provides care to over 

2,200 inpatients, including around 1,500 surgical 

cases. The hospital averages 600 deliveries 

per year and also runs a Nurse 

Training Program. Through the Mobile 

Health Clinic, teams are involved in Community Health Evangelism. 

The hospital is staffed by missionary medical personnel and trained Togolese 

employees. The sole purpose of HBB is to use medicine to 

reach into people’s lives with the Good News of the saving power of 

Jesus Christ. You can contact John and Susie via website: https:// 

abwetogosouth.org/about-2/current-missionaries/ 

The Togo South Team is a partnership of ABWE* , FIM, and Samaritan’s Purse missionaries, all working towards the goal of 

multiplying healthy churches in Togo, West Africa. ABWE* = Association of Baptists for World Evangelism 


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If you really want to know who your friends are, 

just make a mistake. 

Friends are God’s life preservers. 

A real friend is one who will tell you of your faults 

and follies in prosperity and assist with his hand 

and heart in adversity. 

Real friends are those who, when you’ve made a 

fool of yourself, don’t feel that you’ve done a permanent 

job. 

Real friends don’t care if your socks don’t match. 


MEDICAL MISSIONARIES HISTORY 

here were about a dozen medical missionaries 

T worldwide in 1850. Even the earliest missionaries 

found that having the capability to meet the 

medical needs of indigenous populations opened up 

new towns and villages “to the messengers of the 

gospel”. 

By 1910, there were more than 10,000 religious 

missionaries in the field in Africa—6,000 Protestant 

and 4,000 Catholic; about 10 percent of these were 

truly medical missionaries. 

By 1925, the World Missionary Atlas notes more 

than 1,000 missionary-physicians from America and 

Europe, 139 of whom worked in Africa. Mission hospitals 

were often staffed by one doctor and his assistants—a 

practice that regularly led to burn-out. 

Some well-known names are Livingstone and Albert 

Schweitzer. 

Today, there are many contemporary heroes of the 

faith, e.g. Helen Roseveare and Paul Brand. 

Roseveare, born in the U.K., arrived in the Congo in 

1953 with Worldwide Evangelistic Crusade and 

spent much of her working life caring for the sick, 

administering a hospital, and training Africans to be 

doctors and health care personnel. Paul Brand's 

clinical work was mostly in India, but his impact 

reaches into Africa and around the world because 

of his important research on leprosy. 

Billie Nucciarone’s parents were medical missionaries 

to Ecuador beginning in 1961. Dr. White, her 

father, was a dentist who worked in Quito and the 

surrounding towns holding dental clinics and then 

giving the gospel. He also made trips into the jungles 

of Ecuador to help missionaries working there. 

When he died in 2001 he was still praying for people 

in Ecuador. In our NEXT JBC magazine, 

themed “Missions and Missionaries”, Billie will write 

about her youth in Ecuador. 

TOGO PRAYER INFORMATION 

Area: 56,785 sq km. The Atlantic coastline is only 

56 km long, but the land stretches 540 km northward 

to the Sahel; wedged between Ghana and 

Benin. 

Population: appr. 7.5 million. Capital: Lomé 

Urbanites: 43.4% Peoples: 56 (11% unreached) 

Official language: French. All languages: 43 

45% Christians; 11 % Evangelicals 

The republic is under transition to multiparty democratic 

rule. 

Togo, the smallest country in Africa, is situated on 

West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea. The tropical, sub- 

Saharan nation, is highly dependent on agriculture. 

Despite the influences of Christianity and Islam, 

over half of the people of Togo follow native animistic 

practices and beliefs. 

Since being granted independence from France in 

1960, Togo has struggled to build a stable country 

and economy. Despite being one of the world's top 

five producers of phosphates (used in fertilizers) 

Togo remains poor and dependent on foreign aid. 

Prayer needs: 

Ministries to young people and children developed 

rapidly in the greater freedoms post-1992. 

a) Schools and the university are fertile ground for 

secularism and Islam, but also for Christian witness. 

b) Churches are generally ill equipped to address 

the needs of children and young people. Over half 

of the population are under age 19. 

c) Illegal trade in child labourers who are 

“exported” to urban areas or to other lands, often 

for the sex industry, is flourishing . More than 

300,000 orphaned children, often from rural areas 

are unprotected. 

The largest missions presently working in Togo are 

GGWO, ABWE, CAPRO, CC, CMF. 

Pray for more workers in this rare harvest opportunity. 

“We are called to reflect the Lord’s beauty 

through our lives as much as 

through our words, and God will use this 

in His own perfect me.” 

Helen Roseveare 


“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, 

sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” 


ncouragement entails: speaking, listening, writing, 

touching, giving, showing hospitality, help- 

E 

ing and praying for one another. 

Verbal encouragement should be done with the right 

motives (no flattery!). A grumbler or negative person 

can never be a verbal encourager. 

Written encouragement can become a sweet, lingering 

fragrance. Writing what’s in your heart tells the 

other person you care. A written encouragement is 

even more powerful because it can encourage over 

and over again. Children can be taught early to 

bless others when their drawings become personalized 

greetings cards. 

THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT 

“Cast your bread upon the waters, 

for you will find it after many days.” 

Eccl. 11:1 

“As cold water to a weary soul, 

so is good news from a far country.” 


issionaries need words of encouragement too. 

M It shows them someone took time to write 

them, thought about them and is interested in their 

lives. Humorous stories are their relief valve. 

Cast your bread upon the waters 

The story of Dr. William H. Leslie, M.D. 

illiam H. Leslie, a pharmacist 

W from Ontario, Canada, came to 

know the Lord in 1888. Upon his conversion, 

he moved to the Chicago area 

where God called him into medical 

missions and he joined the American 

Baptist Missionary Union founded in 

1814 by Adoniram Judson. 

Dr. Leslie initiated his Congo service 

in 1893 at Banza-Manteke but two years later he 

became seriously ill. Clara Hill, a young missionary, 

cared for him until he recovered. They married in 

1896. 

One of the greatest tragedies of encouragement is 

the note or letter not sent; on the other hand, when 

a letter comes at exactly the right time, it can 

change a life. 

We never know what MIGHT have happened if the 

missionaries in the following story had received encouragement 

at the time they so desperately needed 

it. 

A hurricane struck the night before one of their children 

was born, and they experienced other mundane 

obstacles like charging buffaloes and armies 

of ants. 

Clara’s mother and her sisters raised the children 

while their parents were in Africa. Later they moved 

to a home for Missionaries’ children in Ohio. In 

1912, William and Sara went to live and minister to 

tribal people in a remote corner of the Democratic 

Republic of the Congo. 

Seven years later they cleared enough of the leopard-infested 

jungle along the Kwilu River at Vanga 

for a new mission station perched on a small plateau. 

In 1905 William and Clara pioneered a work in 

Cuilo, Angola. 


Some of the villages surrounding Vanga were still 

practicing cannibalism at that time. 

Dr. Leslie had a relational falling out with some of 

the tribal leaders and was asked not to come back. 

They reconciled later, there were apologies and forgiveness, 

but it didn’t end like he hoped. His goal 

was to spread Christianity. After having been at 

Vanga for 17 years he felt they never really made a 

big impact. Discouraged and believing he failed to 

make an impact for Christ, they returned to the U.S. 

where he died nine years later. 

But in 2010, a team led by Eric Ramsey (Tom Cox 

World Ministries) made a shocking and sensational 

discovery. 

A Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot flew Ramsey 

and his team east from Kinshasa to Vanga, a twoand-a-half-hour 

flight in a Cessna Caravan. After 

hiking a mile to the Kwilu River, they crossed the 

half-mile wide expanse by dugout canoes. After another 

10 mile jungle hike with backpacks they 

reached the first village of the Yansi people. 

Based on his previous research, Ramsey thought 

the Yansi in this remote area might have some exposure 

to the name of Jesus, but no real understanding 

of who He is. They were unprepared for 

their remarkable find. 

“When we got in there, we found a network of reproducing 

churches hidden like glittering diamonds in 

the dense jungle across the Kwilu River from 

Vanga, where Dr. Leslie had been stationed,” Ramsey 

reported. “Each village had its own gospel choir, 

although they wouldn’t call it that,” he notes. “They 

wrote their own songs and would have sing-offs 

from village to village.” 

Scattered across 34 miles they found a church in 

each of the eight villages they visited. Ramsey and 

his team even found a 1000-seat stone “cathedral” 

in one of the villages. 

“There is no Bible in the Yansi language,” Ramsey 

says. “They used a French Bible, so those who 

taught had to be fluent in French.” 

Apparently, Dr. Leslie crossed the Kwilu River once 

a year from Vanga and spent a month traveling 

through the jungle, carried by servants in a sedan 

chair. “He would teach the Bible, taught the tribal 

children how to read and write, talked about the importance 

of education, and told Bible stories,” Ramsey 

notes. 

Dr. Leslie started the first organized educational 

system in these villages. It took some digging to uncover 

Leslie’s identity because the tribal people only 

knew him by one name. Ramsey didn’t know if that 

was a first or last name. All the local people could 

tell him was that the Doctor was a Baptist, that he 

was based in that city and during which years. 

Eventually Ramsey learned the identity of the missionary 

who died thinking he was a failure. 

Dr. Leslie’s goal was to spread Christianity. He felt 

that, after working in Vanga for 17 years, he never 

really made a big impact. 86 years later we know 

that the legacy he left is huge. 

Adapted from this article: 

http://blog.godreports.com/2014/05/missionary-died-thinking-he-was-a 

-failure-84-years-later-thriving-churches-found-hidden-in-the-jungle/ 

Many years ago, a young man felt prompted by 

God to sell his meagre belongings and send the 

money to a Christian organization who worked 

amongst the needy in Africa. Many months later, 

during an emotionally and spiritually difficult 

time, he received a report from this Christian 

organization. They wrote about the many people 

that had been fed from his small donation; 

also, how many people had heard the Gospel 

and those that had given their lives to the Lord. 

Instantly lifted out of the dark, deep pit, the 

young man went his way rejoicing. 

He learned that this church got so crowded in the 

1980s – with many people walking miles to attend 

— that a church planting movement began in the 

surrounding villages. 

“An intimate knowledge of God’s faithfulness 

prepares the encourager for ministry. Times in the 

desert, our training ground, humble and purify us. 

Because God encourages us in barren places, in 

response we are to encourage others.” 

Jean Doering 

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, 

But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 


It takes time to become an encourager. 

You have to get in the habit of thinking well of others 

and letting them know it. The Lord will supply 

the right words, will point out those who need 

encouragement. In time, it will become a life style. 

Like Barnabas, the son of encouragement, 

we must be willing to leave the result of our 

encouragement to God. 

Blessed be the God and Father of 

our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father 

of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our tribulation, 

that we may be able to comfort 

those who are in any trouble, 

with the comfort with which we 

ourselves are comforted by God. 

2 Cor. 1:3-4 NKJV 

Encouragement involves many 

‘gifts’ or special Spirit-endowed 

abilities, many techniques, but 

above all a living, growing faith 

within a living, growing body – the 

Church. 


MAY 2016 News 

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2 

3 

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4 

MAY 

1: (# 4) Several Dutch groups visited JBC independently and 

sang together at the end of the service. 

8: ( # 1) It was time to say goodbye to Edna and Al Lindholm; 

Because of Israel’s Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers, 

Ronny ( # 2) shared a story of his cousin who fell during one of 

Israel’s wars. 

Retired pastor John Gambrell, ( #3) a fellow graduate of Pastor 

Al at Dallas Seminary, visited JBC. 

19: ( # 5) Amigo Outreach of JBC Spanish group. 

29: ( #6) Visiting pastors from Latin America: a missionary from 

Costa Rico who planted 17 churches in the heart of the Hispanic 

world. His son is now a pastor of a Spanish Church in Dallas, 

Texas with 3,000 people. 

5 

6 

The Spanish outreach was spearheaded by 

Pastor Dogni Alcantara and his wife Juana. 

Pastor Dogni is from Puerto Rico and his wife from 

the Dominican Republic. They invited pastors from 

Columbia to come and help them in Jerusalem. 

Presently, Pastor Julian and Estella Garcia are 

helping the Spanish group that has attracted people 

from Argentina, Peru, Honduras, and Chile. 

Also, Jaime, a professional coach from Chile associated 

with FCA has become a regular at the 

Sunday services and Spanish prayer meetings. 

He tries to make contacts in the soccer world. 

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SPANISH LESSON 

Hola: (The h is silent!) Hello! Can be combined, e.g. 

“Hola, buenos días,” or “Hola, buenas tardes.” 

Buenos días: Good Morning (Literally “good day,”) 

¿Cómo está?: ¿Cómo estás?: How are you? (informal) 

Dios te bendiga, hermano; hermana: God bless you, 

brother/sister. 

¿Qué tal? Or ¿Cómo andas?: how are you? 

Bien, gracias, ¿y tú? Good, thanks, and you? (informal) 

Todo bien : everything's fine ; muy bien : very good 

Adiós : Goodbye or Ciao: Bye! (casual) Nos vemos: 

see you (casual); Hasta mañana : See you tomorrow 

◊ Hasta luego : See you later; Hasta la próxima semana : 

See you next week 


JUNE 2016 News 

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2 

3 

JUNE 

12: Time to say goodbye to Angie, Andy 

(#1) and their boys who move to Canada. 

Neal’s wife, Chrystal, (# 2) also had to return 

to their family in Canada after a short 

visit to her husband working for the UN 

here. 

26: Pastor Al shared about the pastor’s 

conference in Thailand he attended with 

around 3,000 pastors from all over the 

world. It was sponsored by RReach, a ministry 

founded by Dr. Ramesh Richards, 

(#3) a Dallas Seminary professor. He was 

pastor Al’s classmate and good friend from 

Seminary. Pastor Al represented the Fellowship 

of Christian Athletes, Jerusalem 

Baptist Church, the evangelical churches 

in Israel. 

# 4: With fellow Seminary Alumni Allan Gin 

and Dwayne Camp. 

# 5: Pastors from Nagaland, India. 

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5 

THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT 

I think many Christians are ‘dying on the vine’ for 

lack of encouragement from other believers. 

Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy in an apt 

answer, and how delightful is a timely word. 

“Isn’t that true? It’s a delightful thing to receive a 

timely word. 

Proverbs 15:30 says, “Bright eyes gladden the 

heart. Good news puts fat on the bones.” 

This means it will give you emotional prosperity, 

make your heart lighter and your day seem more 

bearable. 

From The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart by Charles R. 

Swindoll 

WHAT IS A FRIEND? 

An English competition for the best definition of 

friend resulted in thousands of answers, like: 

“One who multiplies joys, divides grief.” 

“one who understands our silence.” 

“A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.” 

This was the prize winner: “A friend – the one who 

comes in when the whole world has gone out.” 

*** 

“A friend gives you freedom to be yourself, no 

matter what that self looks like.” Ch. Swindoll 

“Some people make enemies instead of friends 

because it is less trouble.” E.C. McKenzie 


“Paid in full with a glass of milk.” 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a 

touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an 

honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, 

all of which have the potential to turn a life 

around.” Leo Buscaglia 

his is a true story of a boy 

T named Howard Kelly. He was 

born unprivileged hence, he sold 

goods from one house to another 

just to earn a living and pay his education. 

One day he felt so hungry 

and decided to ask for something 

to eat at the next house. However, 

when a beautiful young woman 

opened the door for him, instead of 

asking for a meal, he just asked for 

one glass of water. 

Noticing Howard looked hungry, 

she brought him a large glass of 

milk. He slowly drank the milk and 

asked “How much do I need to 

pay”? The woman replied, “You 

don’t have to pay me anything as 

mother taught us to never take any pay for kindness”. 

Thanking her warmly, Howard continued his way. 

However, that little act of kindness made him feel 

stronger and better. He had been ready to throw in 

the towel, but because someone had shown him 

kindness in an unexpected way, he regained his 

trust in God and man. Eventually, Howard Kelly became 

a successful doctor. 

A cartoon showed a little guy taking heat from 

his sister and friends for a newly found 

‘calling’ – patting little birds on the head. The 

distressed birds would approach, lower their 

little feathers pates to be patted, sigh deeply 

and walk away satisfied. It brought him no 

end of fulfillment – in spite of the teasing he 

took from others. “What’s wrong with patting 

birds on the head?” he wanted to know. “No 

one else does it!” his embarrassed friends 

exclaimed. 

If your niche is encouraging, please don’t 

stop. If it is embracing, demonstrating 

warmth, compassion and mercy to feathers 

that have been ruffled by offense and bruised 

by adversity, for goodness’ sake, keep 

stroking. Don’t quit, whatever you do. If God 

made you a ‘patter’, then keep on patting to 

the glory of God. 

From: Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Ch. Swindoll. 

Years later, the young woman became seriously ill. 

Her local doctors referred her to the hospital in the 

big city. Because they needed a specialist to study 

her rare illness they consulted Dr. Howard Kelly. By 

then he had become a renowned gynecologist who 

founded the Gynecologic Oncology 

division at Johns Hopkins University. 

Dr. Kelly, surprised to hear from 

which town his new patient came, 

immediately recognized her. He 

was determined to save the life of 

the woman who once made a difference 

in his life. 

Dr. Kelly asked the hospital’s finance 

department to forward the 

final bill to him for approval. Scribbling 

something on the bill he 

asked someone to deliver it to the 

patient. The woman hesitated to 

open the envelope. Expecting the 

medical bill to be very high, she 

was certain she’d end up paying 

for the rest of her life. Finally she unfolded the bill 

and couldn’t believe her eyes. At the bottom of the 

paper was written: “Paid in full with one glass of 

milk”. 

Rewritten from: http://www.inspiredlivingaffirmations.com/howard-kelly 

-paid-in-full-with-a-glass-of-milk/ 

Howard Atwood Kelly (1858 – 1943) was an American gynecologist, 

one of the "Big Four" founding professors at the Johns 

Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He is credited with 

establishing gynecology as a true specialty, by developing new 

surgical approaches to women only diseases and through 

pathological research. 

“The vocabulary of many Indian nations was as 

large as that of their French and English exploiters 

and often more eloquent. Compare the coldness 

of ‘friend’ with “one who carries my sorrows on his 

back.” From Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations by 

Paul Lee Tan 

“The ministry of consolation and encouragement is 

not to be regarded as inferior or of secondary 

importance… we are daily surrounded by lonely, 

aching and sometimes broken hearts.” Oswald 

Chambers. 

“An old friend is better than two new ones.” 

Russian proverb 


TIDBITS 

Did You Know? 

• There are about 7,000 languages in the world. 

• There are 50,000 characters in the Chinese 

language. You’ll need to know about 2,000 to 

read a newspaper. 

• 12.44% of the world’s population speaks Mandarin 

as their first language. 

• There are about 2,200 languages in Asia. 

• 1/4 of the world’s population speaks at least 

some English. 

• 50% of educational time in Luxembourg is devoted 

to learning English, German, and 

French. 

• There are 13 ways to spell the ‘o’ sound in 

French. 

• There is a language in Botswana that consists 

of mainly 5 types of clicks. 

• There are 2,400 languages classified as being 

‘endangered’. 

• 231 languages are now completely extinct. 

• One language dies about every 14 days. 

• Eastern Siberia, Northwest Pacific Plateau of 

North America, And Northern Australia are 

hotspots for endangered languages. 

• There are 12 imaginary languages in Lord of 

The Rings. 

• Esperanto is an artificial language, but is spoken 

by about 500,000 to 2,000,000 people, 

and 2 feature films have been done in the language. 

• There are 24 working languages of the EU. 

• There are 6 official UN languages. 

• The bible is available in 2454 languages. 

• The oldest written language was believed to 

be written in about 4500 BC. 

• South Africa has 11 official languages – the 

most for a single country. 

• The pope tweets in 9 languages. 

• The US has no official language. 

• You can us an ATM in Latin in Vatican City. 

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The Fasting & Prayer 

Conference includes 

meals. 

The sermon this morning: 

"Jesus Walks on 

the Water." The sermon 

tonight: "Searching for 

Jesus." 

Ladies, don't forget the 

rummage sale. It's a 

chance to get rid of 

those things not worth 

keeping around the 

house. Bring your husbands. 

Remember in prayer the many who are sick 

of our community. 

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church 

help. 

Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not come 

this way again," giving obvious pleasure to 

many in the congregation. 

For those of you who have children and 

don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. 

Next Thursday there will be try outs for the 

choir. They need all the help they can get. 

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married 

on October 24 in the church. So ends a 

friendship that began in their school days. 

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday 

evening in the church hall. Music will follow. 

At the evening service tonight, the sermon 

topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and 

listen to our choir practice. 

Eight new choir robes are currently needed 

due to the addition of several new members 

and to the deterioration of some older ones. 

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles 

and other items to be recycled. Proceeds 

will be used to cripple children. 

Please place your donation in the envelope 

along with the deceased person you want 

remembered. 

The church will host an evening of fine dining, 

super entertainment and gracious hostility. 


HOLIDAY CALENDAR 

August 14: Tisha Be’av. 

Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of 

mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that 

have befallen the Jewish people, many of which 

have occurred on the ninth of Av. 

Tisha B'Av primarily commemorates the destruction 

of the first and second Temples, both of which were 

destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians 

in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 

70 C.E.). Primarily meant to commemorate the destruction 

of the Temple, on this fast day many other 

tragedies of the Jewish people are remembered, 

like the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 

and from England in 1290. 

October 2-4: Rosh haShana 

Rosh Hashanah (literally "head of the year") is the 

Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday 

is Yom Teruah, also called the Feast of Trumpets. 

October 11,12: Yom Kippur 

Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of 

the year in Judaism. It is a 25 hour fast day. 

October 16-24: Sukkot 

Sukkot, also called Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles 

or Feast of the Ingathering. 

October 25: Simchat Torah 

Simchat Torah, lit. "Rejoicing of/[with the] Torah is a 

Jewish holiday celebrating and marking the conclusion 

of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, 

and the beginning of a new cycle. 

October 30: winter time begins 

November 27: first advent Sunday 

December 24: Bethlehem outreach, Christmas 

Eve 

December 24-January 1: Chanukah 

This Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication 

of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem 

at the time of the Maccabean Revolt 

against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is observed 

for eight nights and days. It is also known as the 

Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. 

December 25: Christmas Sunday 

JBC FAMILY NEWS 

UPDATE FROM SANDY WINGATE 

COACH TERRY AND DIANNE HILL UPDATE 

Sandy now works full-time at the University of South 

Alabama’s English Language Center. She missed 

two weeks of work during her first semester because 

she came down with pneumonia, flu, and 

asthma all at the same time. She wasn’t paid during 

that time but the Lord provided. 

Sandy’s students know that she is a Christian, but 

as an instructor at a public university she is not allowed 

to proselytize; however, during Easter week 

she was able to explain the significance of the holiday. 

In one of her almost all Muslim classes the Holy 

Spirit prompted her to speak boldly that there was 

not a grave in the whole world that has the body of 

Jesus because He is alive. 

Sandy feels it was a “God-thing” that the university 

would hire her full-time at almost 68 (in September). 

Two nodules on her vocal chords make it hard to 

sing for Sandy - she’s been singing since the age of 

three. Her speaking voice often sounds like a frog, 

but she still can teach. Please pray that the Lord will 

restore her singing voice, as she so much loves to 

sing to Him and for His glory. For a number of reasons 

Sandy closed her Facebook account but 

would love to keep in touch by email: 

sandywingate@mail2go.net 

Much love and shalom from Mobile, Sandy 

26 Number 2 January- July 2016 

Due to medical reasons coach Terry and Dianne 

are still in the States. Via the email prayer link and 

JBC FB page we keep you informed. 

Their email address: isd@swissmail.org 

JOSH MUTIC UPDATE 

Joshua has been accepted at 

Concordia College in Montreal, 

Canada. He will leave by the end 

of August. 

May the Lord bless him and keep 

him as he embarks on this adventure. 

Josh would like to stay in touch. 

E-mail: joshuamutic@gmail.com 

A Christian Fellowship lives and exists 

by the intercession of its members for 

one another, or it collapses. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Women’s Column - TOILET PAPER, TEARS AND FRIENDSHIPS 

Adapted from the article: “How toilet paper and tears led 

me to overcome my fears” by Sherry Surratt 

Two months previously, Sherry and her husband 

moved to a different state. Standing in a new grocery 

store, in a new neighborhood, she couldn’t find 

her usual brand of toilet paper and burst into tears. 

Everything looked different. This store had it all 

wrong. 

She knew this was certainly nothing to cry about, 

but the truth was, she was lonely. She needed a 

friend—someone to hug. It had been so painful, 

leaving their children and brand-new grandbaby, all 

those friends that knew their quirks but loved them 

anyway. 

She missed their old church even though their present 

church was full of wonderful people. When the 

pastor told the congregation to greet each other, 

Sherry decided to make her move. 

Putting her hand on the shoulder of a woman in 

front of her, in her best southern smile Sherry said, 

"Good Morning!" The woman gave me a blank look 

and continued her conversation with the lady next to 

her. Sherry felt like she had been slapped. She 

wasn’t trying to be mean, she told herself but sat 

down with a hurt heart. Feeling sorry for herself, she 

then realized she had a choice. Throwing a pityparty 

would not get her out of her loneliness. She 

decided to keep trying. 

Moving forced her out of her friendship comfort 

zone. Being used to the comfortable rhythm of feeling 

included and having a circle of friends, Sherry 

found it hard to build a brand new circle from people 

she didn't know. 

When she realized she was not the only person in 

that church feeling lonely, she began to reach out, 

to smile at a lady sitting alone or strike up a conversation 

with the woman behind her waiting for the 

toilet. They were everywhere: women who were 

alone, who had just gone through a divorce, or had 

a child leave home. Women who had moved far 

away from family and friends, just like her. Women 

who were going through painful life situations that 

made them feel completely alone in their pain, even 

when they were surrounded by hundreds of people. 

Women who needed a friend, someone to simply 

wrap their arms around them and say, "I see you." 

Sherry decided to concentrate on being a friend, 

instead of finding one for herself. She learned the 

"power of the ask." Just the words, “would you like 

to go get coffee with me?” usually brought a smile 

and a light in the woman’s eyes. Even when they 

didn't result in having a coffee together or lasting 

friendship, the idea that somebody cared was 

enough. 

27 Number 2 January - July 2016 

Sherry learned to convey the invitation, but not take 

responsibility for the sometimes suspicious reaction 

or flat refusal. Despite giving that person the benefit 

of the doubt, it sometimes made her feel insecure. 

What's wrong with me? Why don't they like me? 

She wondered. 

Other times, pride and arrogance overruled. What is 

wrong with them? Who in the world wouldn't want to 

have lunch with me? 

Sometimes she suffered from friendship fatigue. 

Tired of reaching out with a smile or invitation, she 

had to ask God forgiveness when the hard edges of 

cynicism and bitterness crept in. 

God showed her that in the past she had used her 

friends for her comfort and security, and even her 

self-worth. God wanted her to understand that she 

was a daughter of the King! He called her to focus 

on giving friendship freely, without worrying about 

having her needs met. He would provide. 

And the Lord surely did. About a year later, Sherry 

found herself surrounded by a sea of sisters that 

brought joy to her heart. They knew each other's 

names and quirky habits. They laughed easily, 

loved deeply, but were also ready to scoot over and 

make room for that lady on the outside. 

http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2013/october/ 

secret-to-making-friends Sherry Surratt is the Director of Parenting 

Strategy for Orange Family Ministry. 

Do you have a closeness with your brother or a kindred 

spirit in your sister? Do you have a friend with 

whom you can face the realities of your life? You may 

have lots of friendships in your life, but you'll probably 

never have more than a couple of friends on that deeper, 

spiritual, soul-to-soul level. You can tell such a 

friend anything that God is doing in your life, and 

you'll find a warm reception and deep affirmation. If 

you don't have such a friendship, tell God about your 

longing. He's the same God who moved Aaron's heart 

down in Egypt while Moses was walking alone on the 

desert road. And remember, the best way to find such 

a friend is to be such a friend. Ch. Swindoll.

BOOKS AND DVD’S REVIEW 

Harry and Eddie: The Friendship that Changed the World by Beverly Joan Boulware 

. The crucial decisions that were made by both men affected the landscape of the 

world as we know it today. This book is all about encouraging people through the examples 

of Harry and Eddie to step up to the plate in situations where they can make a difference. 

Friendship is key because most things are not done alone but involve cooperation 

and trust. Also available as e-Book. 

The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin. Intense, intimate, powerful, painful--- 

join Brestin as she probes the depths of female friendship, including why it's hard to 

maintain that bond, and three biblical role models. You'll laugh and cry as you discover 

how to strengthen your relationships with this 20th anniversary edition, updated for today's 

women who face new challenges in an increasingly impersonal world! 224 pages, 

softcover from Cook. Available through Christianbook.com. Also as e-Book. 

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. First published in 1964, it has become one of 

Silverstein's best known titles and has been translated into numerous languages. 

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." Every day the boy would come to the 

tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree 

was happy. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel 

Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting 

interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in 

return. Also available as e-Book. 

The Power of Encouragement by Jeanne Doering. “Encouragement means being 

caretakers of one another and being watchful of our Christian walk. It means being concerned 

with others’ spiritual welfare. This must be done within the context of a worshipping 

community. When we come together, we find out who is hurting, who is straying. We 

can comfort. We can exhort.” As a college student, Jeanne Doering helped form a 

“Barnabas Committee” - an anonymous group of Christian students dedicated to encouraging 

faculty and staff. Moody Press Chicago. ISBN 0-8024-0146-5. Only 2nd hand. 

Encourage me by Charles R. Swindoll. Encourage Me offers tender insight into the 

needs of the human heart and how God wants to meet those needs through the gift of 

encouragement. Swindoll says, "Encouragement is awesome. Think about it: It has the 

capacity to lift a man's or a woman's shoulders. To breathe fresh air into the fading embers 

of a smoldering dream. To actually change the course of another human being's 

day . . . or week . . . or life." This classic devotional is a treasury of thoughts on finding 

the encouragement you need -- and learning to share that encouragement with others. 

96 pages, Paperback. Zondervan. 

WOODLAWN DVD - Based on a True Story 

In 1973, a spiritual awakening captured the heart of nearly every player of the Woodlawn High School 

Football team. The gifted high school football players must learn to boldly embrace their talent and 

faith as they battle racial tensions on and off the field in WOODLAWN. A moving and inspirational film 

based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, 

Ala. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the 

city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds is at a loss to solve these 

unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways. Outsider Hank is allowed to speak to the 

team. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better 

way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it 

affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined. 

http://woodlawnmovie.com/about 


KID’S CORNER 

Bible Scramble 

Unscramble the letters in each word to discover the passage. Solution below. 

EH TTHA TSSPIHEED SIH RONIHGEB TSNNIHE: UTB EH TTHA THHA YRMEC NO EHT 

RPOO, YPPHA SI EH. OD YTHE TON RRE TTHA VSIEED VLIE? UTB YRMEC NDA UTTRH 

SLLHA EB OT TMHE TTHA VSIEED OOGD. 

Scryptogram: 

Each letter in the passage is replaced with another. Solve the code and discover the verse(s). 

Solution below. 

Knczc cghv zsbe lnd, H gf bln dnczddnobhes, gsv bln ahjn: ln blgb pnahnwnbl hs fn, 

blezml ln yndn vngv, xnb clgaa ln ahwn: 

Soluon to Bible Scramble: 

He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? But 

mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Proverbs 14:21-22 

Soluon to Scryptogram: 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrecon, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 

11:25 


Established in 1925, the Bapst House in Jerusalem is one of Jerusalem's oldest Protestant 

Instuons. Jerusalem Bapst Church (JBC) is a member of the Bapst Convenon of Israel and is 

affiliated with the Southern Bapst Convenon of the United States. We operate under the amuta of 

the Bapst Convenon of Israel. 

Over the years, faithful congregants have joyfully served in many posions throughout Israel and 

partnered with many denominaons and organizaons to serve the Savior here. Each Sunday, 

the worship service is filled with people from many naons, and visitors from around the globe. 

You may be surprised to find someone from your hometown worshiping with us when you visit! 

The purpose of JBC is to serve the interest of Jesus Christ in this city unl He returns. 

Sunday morning Prayer Meeng at 9.30 A.M. Spanish prayer meeng in basement 

Sunday Worship at 10:45 A.M. 

Adult Sunday School at 9:30 A.M. 

Children's Sunday School ages K-6. Older children are invited to aend the main service. 

Communion: every first Sunday of the month. 

Wednesday Prayer Meeng at 1:30 p.m. 

Thursday: Spanish Bible study at 7 p.m. 

Friday Ladies' Bible Study at 9.30 a.m. (not during the summer months) 

4 Narkis Street, Jerusalem 

P.O. Box 154, Jerusalem, Israel. 

Website: www.jerusalembaptistchurch.org 

Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jerusalem, Israel

JBC Magazine 2 - 2016

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