Global Outreach Foundation
PO Box 2190 Abbotsford BC V2T 3X8
Web Page. globalcanada.org
“He is not here for He is risen …”
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”… Matt.28: 6, 9.
“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive
for-evermore…” Rev.1:18.
Dear Missions Partner,
We can only imagine, as believers the ignominy Christ suffered at the hands of His detractors. Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, and the the disciples couldn’t watch for one hour as He agonized in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Then came the insults and abuse of Pilate’s judgement hall; derision from those He came to save.
Barabbas the murderer became the people’s choice. Away with Him, we will not have this man to rule over us, roared the deluded crowd. The crown, with about four inch thorns, (like construction nails), was rammed unto his head to mock His Kingly form. The massive cross bent Him low as The Son of God trailed it with help to Golgotha.
There the nails to His limbs and a sword to His side did their work. Roman soldiers raised His cross vertically and plunged it viciously into place. He died placing His spirit in his Father’s hands; praying forgiveness for His accusers and to offer it to the penitent thief. His forgiveness still flows to all who respond to the offer of His gift of salvation; which is the result of His perfect and finished work.
Then came resurrection morning! Up from the grave He arose! On that first Easter morning the two Marys came to his borrowed tomb. They experienced a great earthquake and the Lord’s angel appearing, and rolling back the stone. His face was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. The guards shook with fear and fell as dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said, come see the place where the Lord lay”. The tomb was empty. As they went to tell the disciples that the Lord was raised. He, the risen Christ met them saying, “Rejoice!”
Everything that Christ endured in bearing our sin on His body on the tree and at the hands of wicked men did not deter Him. His first word to the women after the rigors of the past days, on resurrection morning was in the positive; “Rejoice”!
Whatever our burden, however heavy our load today, His word to us is still, “Rejoice”! In Paul’s letter to the Philippians (4:4) he encourages them, by writing, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice”!
The message to the believer at this Easter season is un-changed from the first Easter morning. Rejoice! Rejoice in who we are and what we have in Christ.
Have a blessed Easter!
In His Love
John & Shirley Abraham
2013 Asian ministry
Mid-January Shirley and I left for several weeks of ministry in Asia. About half of our time was spent in Sri Lanka and the balance in Indonesia. The presence of the Lord was so real as we enjoyed ministry and fellowship working with national leaders, many of whom we have known for over a quarter of a century. On this trip we thrilled to the blessing of watching the Bible students of that bygone time now mature in ministry, capably leading their substantial assemblies. We visited so many churches this time where students we had taught then, now have developed their strong teaching, preaching and musical ministries.
It would be difficult for us to convey in words the blessing that flowed in anointing as musical groups led in worship. Somehow their leading culminated in the congregation taking the lead in vocal worship while music became the background to the rising tide of praise and worship to God.
The honor that is ours to witness the preached Word being applied by the Holy Spirit to open hearts, never ceases to bless us. When the altar call is given so many people respond for His touch to meet their need. Often the anointing of the Spirit on believers is so strong they rest in the Spirit. Given opportunity to testify they report a real presence of the Spirit, sometimes sharing about answers to personal issues, revelation or healing. Sometimes the pastor would call for testimonies following a deliverance service and people would line up to share their miracle.
When the ‘salvation call’ was made, those standing and coming forward to receive Christ as Saviour always melted our hearts. One never seems to become accustomed to the joy of watching the miracle of the New Birth. There are strong children’s and youth groups but they seem to be a vital part of the Sunday worship service. In this way they learn from the adults who feed into them as mentors. These young people have learned to worship as part of the total body; how refreshing that was to this Westerner.
The saddest thing for me in ministry is to be limited in what we can undertake while on the field. We pay our bill but always operate on a shoe-string. It seems like I am always saying “no, not this time” or “sorry, we just don’t have the funds. We could always have larger meeting, more pastors come to seminars, (for me the hardest thing to do is refuse twenty or fifty pastors because of lack of funding) plant more assemblies and help more people, but, not so.
This time a young pastor came and said, “Pastor, over seventeen years ago when I was beginning my ministry you purchased a motorbike to help me travel and increase my effectiveness. (He was referring to a motorbike purchased with funds donated by a lady in Canada at that time). Pastor, he said, that motorbike has been repaired endless times over these seventeen years and now my mechanic has told me it cannot be repaired any more. Now I am going to have to walk as I did before when I was nineteen”. We had to say we would pray about it and trust the Lord with him for his miracle. How I would have loved to take him and put a new bike under him for the next twenty years. One day, we believe that God will provide sufficiently to make the best use of our time in ministry and not be curtailed by insufficient funding. Pray with us that this impediment will be overcome once and for all, and then we can function as we did before this present six year Western financial recession. The ‘world’ recession as it has become, need not impede the believers progress in following God’s instruction to win the lost and make disciples. God is able, He always provides.
Finally, I am sensing a strong leading to begin ‘writing’ again. Your prayers for His wisdom and direction and your comments would be deeply appreciated at this time. The book, Living in the Supernatural Dimension that I published last year is taking on a ‘life of its own’ and is still surprising me with the results. It may be ordered from
me locally, from the publisher Westbow Press, Barnes & Nobel, or Amazon.
Shirley and I appreciate your love and prayers, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a vital part of this tiny but effective ministry team.
We love you in the Lord Jesus.
John & Shirley Abraham
For GLOBAL OUTREACH FOUNDATION – PO Box 2190 Abbotsford BC V2T 3X8