The Promise of Life Café
Sequim Community Church leads a group of local churches in partnering with civic organizations and businesses in Sequim to bless our community: “Our desire is to get out and make a big difference in our region at least one weekend a year each April” [http://sequimbeautifulday.org]. The True Vine Fellowship supported Beautiful Day (4/29/23) as an evangelistic outreach by serving free burgers to the workers. These workers came from a wide variety of backgrounds, not necessarily Christian. To receive a free meal and a Living Water Gospel of John always communicates the love of Jesus and the good news of eternal life.
The skater community is one of the most difficult groups to reach with the gospel, yet as a former professional skate boarder Mark Simpson has found ways to share the love of Jesus with them. Hosting the loosely organized Skate Jam 2023 (5/13/23), instead of a skating competition, allowed all levels of skating talent from young to old to participate in the fun. Everyone enjoyed a free deluxe burger with a Living Water Gospel of John. There is a special joy seeing skaters receive the Word of God designed for them to know for sure they have eternal life, all while doing something they love… skating!
On 5/30/23 the Promise of Life Café served free burgers to the students and staff of Queen of Angels School in Port Angeles, Washington. The lunch raised money for a special eighth-grade class project. Over 150 burgers were served to the students in three 30 minute shifts. Each burger came in a 9”x9” container with a 4”by 4” sticker identifying the burger and correlating it to the promises of eternal life in the Gospel of John. For example, a John 3:16 burger is a classic American cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. On the front of the sandwich prep table, a 4’ x 6’ sign reads: “Promise of Life Café: Serving the Love of Jesus”… but how do young people know Jesus loves them? Lots of bacon, jalapenos, mushrooms, and burgers correlated to His promises of life. Jesus’ love looked like a free burger and His promise of eternal life! As one second-grader said, “Wow, this is way better than Frugal’s!” Indeed on a cold windy day, all those working the café served the love of Jesus.
Thank you Lord for open doors, the opportunity to bless others and the boldness to share good news!
The Sequim Community Carwash
Most people admire those who minister to youth, address social inequities and bless those who are less fortunate, but to support these efforts more often than not requires monetary resources. This past year the Sequim Community Car Wash raised money for the Sequim High School Basketball Team (6/24/23 and 9/16/23), Mark Simpson (7/22/23), and Christmas Angels (8/12/23).
Uniforms, tournaments, travel and food expenses for players and coaches are but a few of the myriad expenses the Sequim High School Basketball Team faces each year. Mark Simpson struggled with stage four cancer and needed help financially for his family. Moms and Dads struggling to put food on the table and provide a place to live do not have the financial resources to provide Christmas gifts for their children; Christmas Angels needed money to provide gifts for parents to give their children. Each of these pressing needs the Lord graciously answered in 2023.
Every person having their car washed received a free Living Water Gospel of John and a cold bottle of water. While waiting in line, many customers enjoying the water while reading the Gospel of John. After the carwash, those blessed with a free car wash had the opportunity to give whatever they desired to the sponsored charity. Many commented that it is the best car wash in Sequim. A special thanks to Discount Tire for hosting the Sequim Community Carwash. The Lord was good to use the car wash to bless others and share the gospel in 2023!
The True Vine Fellowship Journal
Most seminaries publish a journal—other Christian organizations do as well. Imagine if those who participated in evangelism enjoyed a forum designed to publish their work. The Lord has blessed The True Vine Fellowship Journal with writers ranging from seminary professors to lay brothers and sisters gifted as evangelists. Some write on apologetics, others on difficult passages, still others on theology… all related to evangelism. If you desire to write on evangelism, please consider publishing with TTVF Journal by mailing your article (hard copy and thumb drive with digital copy) along with your name, mailing address, and phone number to:
The True Vine Fellowship
P.O. Box 682
Carlsborg, WA 98324
The Lord uses writing to grow both writers and their audiences in the grace and knowledge of Jesus; please write and share with others what the Lord has taught you regarding evangelism. For those who would like a free copy of the journal, please send your name and mailing address to the above address in Carlsborg, Washington.
The Four Secrets of Sharing Good News
Ephesians chapter four describes evangelism as an equipping ministry entrusted to evangelists to teach others within the body of Christ how to share their faith in Jesus. Outreach is only one expression of that equipping. Conceived in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Four Secrets to Sharing Good News continues to be used to teach brothers and sisters how to share their faith in the marketplaces of their lives with joy and confidence in their Savior. The latest edition should be ready in early 2024.
TTVF Home Fellowships
Beginning in 2023, The True Vine Fellowship began an evangelistic home fellowship. Elder Will Finch is teaching through the book of Ruth. Naomi evangelized Ruth and together they returned as missionaries bringing the good news of God’s loyal covenantal love to the children of Bethlehem. Our goal for 2024 is to start one more home fellowship focused upon sharing the good news of Jesus and His promise of eternal life.
The Ministry of Gratitude
Giving and prayer are ministries of gratitude and ultimately expressions of thankful hearts grounded in hope of Jesus Christ. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). We know the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10); nevertheless, Paul reminds us, Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account (Philippians 4:17). For brothers and sister desiring to give, we accept personal checks made out to The True Vine Fellowship and mailed to P.O. Box 682 Carlsborg, WA 98324.
Regarding prayer, Paul wrote to the Philippians: For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19). The True Vine Fellowship covets your prayers for our deliverance. Pray especially for Elders Grant Christensen and Mark Simpson as they battle stage four cancer and the effects of treatment.
Again, a huge thank you to all who give to and pray for The True Vine Fellowship; your fellowship in the gospel is a joy and blessing!