God at Work: March 2019 Newsletter

Dear Friends

God is at Work!!!  When we think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for us, our heart cries out, “Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!!”

Jamaica Social Stock Exchange (JSSE)

There are some activities that only God opened the door for, I believe this is one of them.  Choose Life International was one of five (5) organizations that was part of the inaugural launch of the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange, and we were listed on the new website on February 18 and were part of the Bell Ringing Ceremony where our Board Chairman Mr. Keith Ellis and Vice President, Faith Thomas were present. Our project: The Shalom Project for Personal and Community Transformation has been approved and we want to encourage you to support the funding of the project. You can do this personally and also through your organizations/foundations. Kindly go to http://jsse.jamstockex.com/ and please pass on this information as we partner to help people live.

Comforting Those Who Mourn: Grief Presentations

Seminar: From Pain to Purpose at Pentecostal Tabernacle – Miami, Florida

God doesn’t make a mistake.  In January we were in Florida for two days, wondering why God had us there, but God had a plan.  We met Pastor Robert Stewart, founding pastor of Pentecostal Tabernacle in Miami and Sis. Lataya Dennis-Hall, who is in charge of their Center for Advancement, Restoration and Empowerment (CARE) programme, and we were invited to present at their Grief Seminar on March 2-3.  What a time it was!!! God showed up and it was a precious time of honesty and authenticity as participants spoke honestly about their grief, and we had a powerful time of ministry. On Sunday evening we had a delightful time of A Taste of Happiness, which many enjoyed and wished it was longer. Many expressed thanks for the seminar and expressed how blessed they were.

Grief Counselling Retreat

Faith presented on Feb 21at the Immaculate High School’s Grief Counselling Retreat held at New Generation Campsite and the participants went from expressing deep emotions of grief to learning to celebrate their loved ones in poetry and art. It was a precious time and many experienced a lightening of the load of grief which they carried.

Grief Counselling in Montego Bay

Donovan met with the Hawkeye family in Montego Bay after one of their officers died in the line of duty and one was injured. Please pray for them.

Suicide Prevention 

• Donovan had the opportunity to meet with staff who were traumatized when a customer threatened to kill himself.
• Faith did a suicide prevention presentation in February to some members of the Abigail Foundation, a group of ladies who support and mentor girls and young ladies.

Donovan was a presenter at the Waltham Park New Testament Church’s Health Fair on March 9 and Choose Life Intervention had a booth and also assisted in providing counselling.

Other Ministry Opportunities

We praise God for our time of sharing at Harbour View Gospel Chapel on February 17.  Donovan spoke powerfully at their Family Bible Hour and Faith and Donovan shared with the men and women respectively on the topic, Men are From Mars and Women are From Venus. It was a great time of learning and sharing for all of us. God be praised.

Donovan also spoke powerfully at the Deeper Life Crusade at Mount Salem Open Bible Church in Montego Bay.  What a time it was as people came spontaneously to the altar seeking God’s anointing and empowerment for service on Sunday and Monday.  Hallelujah! God be praised!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Launch of CLI USA – March 31

If you are able, you got to be there.  All roads lead to New Testament Temple Church of God on March 31 for the historic launch of Choose Life International in New York at 6pm.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing on the service and all who attend and pray for His guidance and favour as we launch. May the name of Jesus be glorified in everything.  We will be doing a suicide prevention seminar on March 23 at the Missions Conference of the New Testament Temple Church of God in New York.  He will also be preaching at Bronxwood International Church of God on March 24. Please be in prayer and if you’re nearby, we would love to see you.

International Day of Happiness – March 20

All roads lead to Gregory Park Baptist Church on March 17 at 10:00am as we celebrate Happiness Week and International Day of Happiness on March 20. Look out for flyer for the Happiness Week  Focus with the emphases for each day.

Prayer and Praise Report

Thanks for your Support

Thanks again for your many prayers for the Thomas family as we continue to celebrate Mattheu’s life. His parents Derrick and Sadra Thomas although fresh from their own grief were able to come alongside and minister to a friend’s family during her last days and after her passing, also in February.

We continue to look to Jesus to bring comfort and continue to turn their pain into purpose.

Exponential Conference 2019

God gave Donovan and I the opportunity to attend the Exponential Conference for church growth and discipleship in Orlando as we were already in Florida.  It was an amazing time of being focused on how we can have greater impact for God and networking, although we are a faith-based organization and not a church. We look to see what God will do.

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Continue to pray as we work out the details of the Suicide Prevention Helpline with the Ministry of Health.  Again, we believe that God is bringing this to pass at this time.  We trust God to use this helpline as a powerful vehicle for helping people live.

Shalom

Faith and Donovan