November 27, 2013 Steps to Life Newsletter

David and Becky Gates - Prepare Now for the Final Battle

In the last few weeks we have been busy hosting a series of seminars with David and Becky Gates around the theme of Prepare Now for the Final Battle. Many of you attended the seminars either getting to know the Gates' for the first time or re uniting with them. The meetings were an inspiration to all who attended. If you missed the meetings the series was filmed in Melbourne and it's available through the STL web site right now. Their personal modelling of living by faith and stepping forward with God's leadership to 'go ye into all the world' touched the minds and emotions of all who attended.

In all locations the seminars were exceptionally well attended. Our special thanks to everyone who helped with advertising the programs by a range of methods! It was a delight to see the spread of age groups attending. When God's gospel is sincerely preached and the challenge of the gospel commission is clearly given, age groups become irrelevant. We are all children of God wanting to hear his call.

One of the challenges that David put to us was that all healthy growing churches have a high percentage of membership who are active in intentional mission - both in their local communities and in developing countries - we should not be relying on others or the organised church to do what we should be doing. History has demonstrated that local mission focus is the best method for local church growth. Will you encourage your church to take up David's challenge? What will you do in 2014. Its time to start planning now. We love to hear of your plans for 2014.

We pray that many souls will be brought to the Lord through the broadcasting equipment (3x Ikegami cameras and a switcher) donated to Gospel Ministries International by Steps to Life.

I asked David for a farewell message as he and Becky were boarding the plane for Bolivia from the USA (November 21). Here it is.

Dear Fellow Australian Believers,

We live in solemn and fascinating times. It is a great privilege to be alive in this generation as the world accelerates into its final collapse.

It is not just the world but the church that is on the edge ofit's final crisis. If you don't know what you believe and why you believe it; if you would not be willing to die for what you believe,

then you are among the majority of those that will soon leave the church when the winds of persecution begin to blow.

God is mercifully giving his people trials and difficulties at this time in order to strengthen and prepare them for the great work ahead. Let us not complain, but be thankful that the door is yet open for us to get the divine training we need. Surrender moment by moment as God detaches you from all worldly entertainment and the love of material possessions.

There is great joy in knowing that you are totally in God's care and surrounded by his protection. The sealing process has begun and NOW is the time to prepare. Don't let anything or anyone distract you from following the Lamb.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, become involved in outreach to others and study God's word in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.

Finally, please keep the national television network for Australia in your prayers. We serve a great Saviour and He will not deny our prayers to reach every household in Australia.

May God bless each of you with his peace and joy. This the enemy cannot give.

Your brother in Christ,

David Gates

Children of the East. Ron Pahl, Saturday, December 14, 3.30 pm

If you live in Melbourne you are invited to attend Ron's afternoon presentation. He will be telling his story about how he became a father in law to a sincere Islamic believer. In the interest of family unity this event has encouraged Ron to investigate the Islamic religion and discover the common ground it has with his faith as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian as well as the differences. As the Islamic community rapidly grows in Australia there is much we can learn from Ron's story. The presentation will be filmed for those who are not able to attend.

Christian greetings from Cherryl and the STL Team

Brian Way/ Program Coordinator