Calling generations of all nations to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ!

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Marriage and Family Revival
Returning to FBC Oxford, AL   

February 24 th -27 th , I had the opportunity to return to FBC Oxford for another church-wide revival.  (I was there Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2018.)  This time, at the request of the pastor and leaders of the church, the focus of the revival was on marriage and the family.   
 
The feedback from those who attended has been great to hear.  Some realized for the first time that the greatest impact they will have on their children will not be as a mom or dad, but as a husband and wife.  Others commented about the teaching on marriage as patterned after the relationship of Christ with the church and the church with Christ.  Many of them understood for the first time that their marriage is intended to image forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as a husband takes his cue from Christ to lead and love and the wife takes her cue from the church to submit and respect.   
 
On the last night of the revival, I preached on forgiveness.  More than a dozen people responded during the altar call to confess their sins and ask the church to pray for them that God would bring healing to the wounds of their life.  We are praising God for all He has accomplished.
Response to Revival 
"Marriage is an evangelistic tool and should reflect the gospel to the world.  Living in light of this truth has had an impact on me."
  
"My biggest take away from revival was phileo love. . . .  In our marriage we can easily get away from our fondness, affection, and liking each other. . . .  I don't want to stay married just because I know I'm in a covenant but because we actually want to be around each other."
  
"I saw how much I have to back off from the role of 'being in charge' to allow him to lead." 
  
"I am supposed to take my cue from Christ and she is supposed to take her cue from the Church.  The questions at the end [of the listening guide] are things we plan on asking each other every year."   
  
"My pursuit of God (and my wife's as well . . .) creates oneness when we are both striving in relationship with Christ." 
Marriage Investment = Dividends in Parenting 
Here's what a few participants in the Marriage and Family Revival had to say about this principle. 
 
"The most significant takeaway was 'the greatest impact we have on our children is our relationship with each other.'   This really spoke to us!  It made us realize that all the time and effort given to our children is not doing them good if we don't first allow them to see us loving each other well."  
  
"The thing that hit me the hardest was . . . how we're going to most affect our children's walk with Christ.  It's . . . the way I reflect God's love in how I treat my wife.  My hope is that I treat [her] in a way that glorifies God and lays a foundation for what they eventually look for in a spouse."
 
"One thing that really stuck out for me was the part about how a couple's marriage is so important for the children to see."   
Annual MOS Race Day


Men of Simplicity (MOS) is a three-year journey of weekly discipleship groups from September through June.  MOS started in 2009 with one group.  Mike now leads three groups locally, one on Sunday and two on Monday nights, with three additional churches joining on Monday nights via Zoom video conference (a live, fully interactive video conference call).  Together, these six groups have a total of 70 men actively involved in the first quarter of this year. 
 
In January, a few of our local MOS guys in Gresham and Troutdale participated in our Annual MOS Race Day: head to head go-cart racing followed by Texas style barbecue and fellowship at Buster's BBQ!  During the meal time, guys had an opportunity to share about the impact MOS has had on their lives and their family.  The men opened up for a very powerful time of sharing. All glory to God! 
IEBA Winter Camp - 5 Saved!
Celebrate!!!  We are so thankful for how God worked at the Inland Empire Baptist Association Winter Camp!  99 teens and 25 adults attended the weekend retreat on January 25-27, 2019.   
 
Our theme was Metamorphosis . Mike preached from Romans 6 on the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were 5 public professions of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and 21 followers of Jesus who made a decision of repentance and recommitment during the weekend.   
 
Join with us and the celebration of heaven: "I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).  Thank you for your prayers and support!  
Celebrating 20 Years of Ministry
2019 is a special year for Simplicity Ministries ®.
August 19th will mark 20 years of full time evangelism and discipleship ministry for Mike and Debbie Thibodeaux.  18 of those 20 years, they have lived and served based out of the Portland, OR area. 
 
To start the celebration, we are launching 20/20.  If you are not a financial partner, would you join our team by giving $20 a month to celebrate our 20th anniversary?  If you are a partner, would your share our ministry with a friend and invite them to invest in Christ's Kingdom through Simplicity Ministries ® by giving $20 a month? 
 
See our online giving options at https://simplicityministries.org/donate/.  Thank you for your prayers and support!  Your partnership makes a difference.
Upcoming Ministry Events
Our Prayer List
Back row: Michaela, Debbie, Jordan
Front row: Zach and Mike
Schedule
  • Mar 15 & 22 Open Door Christian Academy-Chapel
  • Apr 11-13 Faith Community Church, Ocean Shores, WA - Men's Retreat
  • Apr 17 Mike & Debbie Thibodeaux's 20th Wedding Anniversary 
     
  • May 3-5 First Baptist Church Estacada, OR-Men's Retreat
Visit our website for full schedule!
  Simplicity Ministries® | Mike Thibodeaux | 971-219-6964 | P.O. Box 388 Fairview, OR 97024 | www.simplicityministries.org
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