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Reflecting on Ministry in 2019
2019 marked the 20 year anniversary of Simplicity Ministries®
. For the past 18 of those 20 years, my family and I have served in full-time evangelism and discipleship in the Northwest based out of Portland, OR. It has been a great journey! Hundreds of lives have been impacted year after year through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the Thibodeauxs.
As I reflect upon the ministry of 2019, I praise God for the opportunity He gave me to
preach at 15 ministry events, a total of 55 worship services, to more than 1,189 people in total
. These included: 4 revivals, 6 youth events, 3 men's retreats, and 2 pulpit supplies.
There were 29 salvations and over 71 recommitments to the Lord
. In addition, I had the opportunity to
disciple 73-83 men
(from six local churches and three who connected live via Zoom) in our weekly
Men of Simplicity
meetings.
There were 94 MOS meetings this year.
In June, Jonathan Taylor, joined our team for a
12 month internship
. It has been a blessing to mentor and disciple this young man. We look forward to what God will do through him and other interns in the coming years.
In July of this year, we
provided 219 Bibles
to students of the Hope Vocational Training Centering of Rebuilding Rwanda and via Zoom (an online video conferencing) we joined them live for the distribution of the Bibles. That was an amazing experience.
Our ministry is not possible without partners who give, pray, and encourage us.
We are thankful for each one. We are praying for and in need of new financial partners who will invest in the Kingdom of Christ through
Simplicity Ministries
®
. The need is $1200 more a month in 2020. If you are not yet a ministry partner, please visit our website to learn more about becoming a
5 minute prayer partner or a financial partner. If you are considering a year-end gift,
all donations submitted online or postmarked by
December 31st
are eligible for 2019 tax deduction.
Giving at www.simplicityministries.org is easy! Click on "Donate" at the top of the page to give a one time gift or set up a recurring gift.
Thank you!
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B.R.I.G.H.T. Lights
(by Debbie Thibodeaux)
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B.R.I.G.H.T.:
B
eing
R
adiant
i
n
G
odliness,
H
oliness, and
T
estimony. Is this something I desire for my teenaged daughters? A thousand times yes!
Every week, since before my girls were even born, I have led a women's Bible study and discipleship group. Watching the relationships, accountability, and fellowship formed by this, my daughters (when in middle school) began to ask me to lead a discipleship group for girls their age. They so desired to have a peer group who also wanted to seek the Lord so that they could truly experience the "iron sharpening iron" of Proverbs 27:17.
I began to search for curriculum to lead such a group: a study that would set a high bar for teen girls, realizing the amazing potential for young women to be used in the Kingdom of God. I found just what I was searching for in Sarah Malley's BRIGHT Lights curriculum (tomorrowsforefathers.com)! In the very first lesson, entitled "Be Strong for the Lord in Your Youth," Miss Malley writes,
"The more you grow in the Lord, the more you have the opportunity to teach others what the Lord has taught you. Your bright light will influence many people. Those people you reach will also influence others who will reach others.... There is no limit to what the Lord can do."
Early in 2017, we started with a group of ten BRIGHT Lights. Eight of those graduated in 2018. That fall, we started a second "class," and this year we added more for a total of ten new BRIGHT Lights and eight returning members (six of those serving as LITs). Leading this group is a highlight of my week and gives me such joy and hope for the next generation. How beautiful to see 18 young women each week who are learning to walk in the Lord and serve Him with their whole hearts! My younger daughter, Michaela (15 yrs. old) has this to say about her own experience as a BRIGHT Light and an LIT: "I have really appreciated the strong accountability and refreshing sisterhood we have as a group. I have seen God do some pretty amazing things both in my own life and in the lives of others as we encourage each other to love and good works and help each other to grow, as iron sharpening iron. I am so blessed to be a part of BRIGHT Lights!"
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BRIGHT Lights: How We Foster Disciple-Making
(by Jordan Thibodeaux)
Our BRIGHT Lights group has a goal of both discipling its members AND training them to disciple others. BRIGHT Lights is a two-year program. Once a girl has completed the program and "graduates" from BRIGHT Lights, she has the opportunity to apply to come back as a Leader in Training (LIT). Each LIT is assigned one or two girls from the group to meet with on a monthly basis. This has been an amazing way for girls to grow in leadership, disciple-making, and everyday Christian living.
For me personally, it has given me the chance to learn what it means to get intentionally involved in someone else's life, to walk alongside them, and teach them what God has taught me. It has also helped me to grow spiritually. It has changed the way I think about my choices, because I know that there are younger girls who are watching me. Being an LIT has shown me what Jesus meant when He said, "Go and make disciples."
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Intern Perspective
(by Jonathan Taylor)
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Being an intern with Simplicity Ministries
®
has allowed me a hands on perspective. Prior to the internship, all I knew was the speaking aspect of an evangelist. Now I am learning about the countless hours that go into making preaching the Gospel possible. I never thought about updating software on the office computer, paying bills, keeping up with supporters, creating budgets or connecting with pastors at conventions. These are only a few specific examples out of a large number of responsibilities that add up to a lot of time.
Experiencing what the day to day work takes, I have a greater appreciation for those who are serving, and I have come to know that I am to give my all for the glory of God regardless if I am preaching or entering receipts into the system.
Mike has shown me what a humble servant with a willing heart can accomplish in the Kingdom of God. I am growing and learning more than I ever thought and enjoying being exposed to the reality of life as an evangelist.
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If you are considering a year-end gift,
all donations submitted online or postmarked by
December 31st
are eligible for 2019 tax deduction.
See our
online giving options at
by clicking here!. Thank you for your prayers and support! Your partnership makes a difference.
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Upcoming Ministry Events
Our Prayer List
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Back row: Michaela, Debbie, Jordan
Front row: Zach and Mike
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Schedule
- Sundays (PM) - MOS Open Door Baptist Church, Troutdale, OR (19 Men Participating)
- Mondays (PM) - MOS & MOS Connect - Gresham, OR (64 Men Participating)
- Jan 17 & 31 Open Door Christian Academy - Chapel, Troutdale, OR
- Jan 18 - MOS Sykart Race Day
- Jan 24-26 - Inland Empire Baptist Association, WA - Youth Winter Camp
- Feb 5-7 - Legacy Christian Academy, Dallas, TX - Spiritual Emphasis Week
Dates available! Booking now for 2020. Let's talk. Visit our website for complete schedule!
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