SAX 4TH AVENUE saxophone quartet has returned home from Greece. On arrival they hit the ground running after a 2 day delay because of a strike in Greece. Read more

For many of the cultural contexts in which Proclaim is working, this season is one of the best times of the year to talk with creativity and boldness about the Hope that is within us.12366421_10153326652322219_9088499101504239814_n

Annual Christmas Production – Ima Nade, Croatia

And the Proclaim community has been doing exactly that: a concert for refugees in Germany, Christmas concerts in Belarus, a “Christmas Lord’s Supper” banquet in France, four nights of Christmas concerts with a refugee theme in Croatia with 1000 people from the community attending, a theater play in Peru, with church members participating — as well as the many personal contacts and conversations with friends and neighbors.

At Christmas, as always, we trust that God will use each point of contact, whether a high profile public event or a brief conversation with a neighbor talking about the Real meaning of Christmas, as a powerful entry point for His Spirit into lives.

Kim Peterson, Latin America Ministry Coordinator

Recently I played in the orchestra at a local church for their Royal Wedding musical. I got a text late the night before asking if I could substitute for their sax player in this production. I said “yes” and am very glad I did. It was a powerful play that creatively and emotively told the gospel story. I cried during it, even though I was sight reading and needed to keep a clear head, focused on playing the music. There were over 20 in the orchestra, a choir of about a hundred, and about 20 actors.

All the effort and expense to reach the community with the gospel reminded me of the effort and expense God invested and continues to invest in us. Serving God well can’t be done “economically.” We serve him lavishly and sacrificially. When we do that, the power of God’s love is displayed. Audiences sense it and feel it, and many come to understand and live it.

12389217_10156263167125654_531825020_oOur Proclaim team is going to Chile next month, sacrificially and lavishly, because we are going to love Chileans like God loves us. As we continue to work hard to prepare, we are going to see more and more God’s awesome love and truth displayed in and through us.

We do this for our Lavish Lord.

The Sunrise Church four who are part of the team

 

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January 25-February 2 Proclaim members Kim Peterson and Jeff Aslesen return to the Island of Hispañola and the Dominican Republic where Columbus first set foot in the New World. They will work with believers there to help people place their faith’s footing on the Rock of Ages and discover the New Life.

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Kim says:

This is the Carnaval season in the D.R. a dark, dangerous and disappointing time where people look for what they long for in places where their needs can’t be satisfied. We will spend this week in La Vega, Dominican Republic, reaching out to seekers and rallying Christians to join the rescue party. We will be calling out through music and the Word to invite people to eat the only True Bread that satisfies. From Monday to Saturday we’ll be in churches, on the street, and in a jazz club. On Sunday we participate in the kick-off event of Unidos Por El (United By Him). This is the first event of an entire month of February activities sponsored by UPE which offer Living Water to the thirsty of LaVega, D.R.

 

Here is one of the songs in Spanish that Kim wrote for this outreach:


Lyrics in English:

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Jeanne and Kim Peterson led a team of 15, age 13 to 59, 
to Lima, Peru with the Good News. 

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Their outreach tools were dance and music. For two weeks, dancers danced and spoke the gospel during 30 presentations.

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web Kim Jon play LS Together with musicians, they proclaimed the Gospel in schools, churches, on the street in parks and in plazas.

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web cup of waterGod grew them closer to Himself as they celebrated Him. 

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And He filled them with joy as hundreds said “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to receive forgiveness and life.

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Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.  Rom 10:14

Photos Jeanne Peterson

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This photo by Bob McIntyre in Åmål, Sweden on July 4th, 2014, is one of my all-time favorites. It is worth 1,000 words in summarizing who we are and what we do in Proclaim!

2 wordFirst and foremost we preach Christ crucified. The members of the sponsoring churches were encouraged by our openness and boldness in declaring the clear gospel message of the cross of Christ.

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Dominic Bijan (outstanding guitarist) is our German staff member. He works with Steve Liberti in Germany in our band “Soul Tattoo.” Dominic is a motivated and effective personal evangelist, and always wears a smile of joy – even when he had a toothache!

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Diana and I are thankful for our calling to minister and work together as we use our gifts and lives to tell the good news.

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Though the vast majority of Swedes speak English usually we are dependent on translators like Olga for communication in places where none of us speak the language.

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Steve Liberti is one of our fulltime staff members who first came as a short termer. He and his family now live and minister in Germany. Steve is a great musician and a gifted evangelist.

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Steve Wallace playing bass is one of hundreds of folks who have come over the years as short term workers. We can’t do ministry without them!

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Of course there are BIG things not seen in this photo. Like the four churches of Åmål who worked together on the outreach.

And most importantly the hundreds who heard the good news of salvation!

9 Hundresd who heard

 

 

 

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In much of the USA the World Cup seems to be hardly more than a blip on the evening news. But in many parts of the world, life revolves around the daily results, even after the country’s team has been eliminated.

For Proclaim ministries in July in Peru and Croatia, this event will take center stage — and not for the results of the match.

In Croatia an international band is taking their music to the streets and along with youth teams from local churches sharing their faith, plugging into the excitement of this event that brings people into the streets and public venues.

In Peru a dance company from Florida and Proclaim’s local team in Lima, will join together for several days of ministry. A highlight will be an evangelistic event for their new church plant with a showing of the championship game and an evangelistic dance performance and message at half time.

When you see a match or results of the World Cup in the news, let it remind you to pray for these ministries. It’s about much more than the winning of games.

I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some.
I Cor. 9:22

 

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God answered prayer! Our entire team met weekly for over a month before the Gala for prayer, planning, updating, and encouragement.  Board members invited many guests and helped with planning, and one member took the event photos you see here.
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Staff members all helped with various aspects of the evening, under the leadership of Patty Sullivan who coordinated the event.
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We were concerned about the lower than usual number of guests signed up as the date approached, but prayed that God would be glorified and the evening would be a blessing to those who came.
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From all we experienced and heard from others, it is evident that God answered. We made every effort to get an on-time start, and even with a shorter than optimal set up time everything was ready to go right on the dot.

We were thrilled that table hosts and guests took their commitments seriously and almost all of the people who had registered were actually there! And thanks to a few additional guests, every place was filled. That was a specific prayer request and God answered decisively.

The program went very well. Everyone loved the performance of the Switzerland Dance School team! Even some problems with the rented stage did not phase the girls who dealt with the conditions that couldn’t be changed like the professionals (and servants) they are.
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They did an amazing job of demonstrating how effective this kind of approach is in ministry with their performance that included samples of pieces they used last year with Proclaim in Peru.
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The dance team’s involvement and other aspects of Proclaim’s ministry were well communicated by Proclaim Co-director John Bowers, Dance Company Director Stacey Dumdei, and Proclaim Latin America Ministry Coordinator Kim Peterson. And an excellent video production by Russ and Marj Speiser explained the satellite broadcast ministry into North Africa and the Middle East that they head.

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web china screenMany of the guests had seen the Chinese orchestra Proclaim brought to the US in March to perform at university and cultural events, including 3 venues in Jacksonville. We were excited to be able to share followup stories indicating changes spiritually in a couple of their members since their time here.

As for contributions . . . besides all the other profitable aspects of the evening, we were blessed to receive financial gifts and pledges greater than the amount that we received last year when we had a significantly higher attendance.

We trust that God is continuing to use the Gala in people’s lives. And please continue to pray for additional finances for Proclaim as ministry opportunities abound. If you are able to add to the funds for these ministries, you can donate at the secure link below:

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DONATE ONLINE

Photos by Jeff Westcott Photography

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February 26th   7:30 pm
Jacksonville University, Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville, FL
Guest Artist Series  purchase tickets in advance* or at the door
Adults $15   Seniors (62+) & Military $10    Students/Children  $5
* To secure advance tickets or arrange for them to be set aside for pick up at the box office the night of the event at Jacksonville University, call:
Mrs. Hyatt
Division of Music
(904) 256-7370

JU Event on Facebook

February 27th  
Columbia International University and Ben Lippen Prep school
Columbia SC

March 2nd   3:00 pm
University of Arkansas – Little Rock, AR
 Artspree Series (afternoon concert)
UALR Event on Facebook

March 3rd    10:50 am
LeTourneau University, Longview, TX 
S.E. Belcher Performance Center
LeTourneau Event on Facebook

March 6th   7:30 pm
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Recital Hall
suggested donation  $15
UNF Event on Facebook

Christmas marks a beginning. The dawn of redemption. The commencement of the life of the Savior. The opening of the door to the Kingdom. The first coming which guarantees the second. The beginning of the end of the reign of death, pain sorrow and fear. It is the starting blocks for the race of enduring faith. Christmas is the opening movement to the great opus that leads to a cross, an empty grave, a triumphant return, a throne, a shining city and eternal joy.

Remember this as you “put away” Christmas. The birth is a start, not the finish – savor the promise of things to come.

John Bowers – Co-director

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See more information:  Qingdao University Orchestra Tour on Facebook

EVENTS

 February 26- Jacksonville University

March 6 – University of North Florida

That’s what John Denver would have been singing if he had been at the Proclaim! International Gathering on the Mediterranean coast of Spain at the end of November!

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The surroundings were stunning as far as the eye could see. What a setting for singing the glory of the God of all creation. And with a mission full of gifted and devoted musicians we were led into heartfelt praise and worship daily.web mid week band

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Tim Lusk from Jacksonville, a fellow missionary and kindred spirit, challenged and encouraged us from the word each day to unity in Christ with family and our mission community. And he and his wife Allison blessed all of us simply by their presence and interaction with us during the week.

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There were 33 of us from 6 countries where Proclaim has ministry. One of the goals of our time together is catching up on the latest developments in colleagues’ ministries, in scheduled reporting times or just around the dinner table or a cup of coffee. One of the satisfying and very practical outcomes of that is seeing our community members find ways to work together and contribute to each others’ ministries.

Of course there is always time left free for just spending time together. These people have too much fun!

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 CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE GATHERING

Our band is receiving a warm welcome to teach music and perform in an East Asian country through relationships we have developed on previous visits in the past year. 1000 plus came to the Thursday evening concert — standing room only. There is a second concert Friday evening and the invitation has been extended to return next year for even more involvement.

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Proclaim!’s Kim Peterson regularly takes the lead on local fishing expeditions for kingdom catch. He tells about one recent outing that was particularly challenging but invigorating!:

Our pastor’s Sunday message came from I Peter 3:13-16 — how to respond to intimidators. It turned out to be a fantastic heads up prelude to that day’s fishing expedition.

As I listened to it I had a strong sense that I would soon be living it on the street. My wife Jeanne and I both had the same feeling in our spirit about what was about to unfold — Blessed opposition! And did it ever come. As if it were wonderfully choreographed. (I am convinced it was.) The morning message outline played out in real time during our 2 hour outreach foray in Hemming Plaza. Thankfully we had both made sure that Jesus was firmly sanctified, enthroned as Lord as we headed out to offer the dark world God’s marvelous light.Sept 29 13 Hemming Plaza 14 web

The first hour was smooth, just like we all hope things will be when we make efforts in Jesus’ name. People applauded and thanked us. As we played and shared, Steve and Susan Schneider spoke extensively with people one on one. We were enjoying that luscious, velvety, almost cozy sensation that feels so nice and does little good for strength and vitality of soul. God had more in mind for us and for the glory of the One who suffered all for us and for the Father’s glory.

Soon, as we continued speaking the gospel to the crowd sitting all around us, a teenager skate boarded right in front of my face and muttered, “Hail Satan” as he passed. “Finally! It has begun,” I said to myself. “Here we go Jeanne. Did you hear that?” We were both ready for action and poised to love with words of truth and hearts of compassion. At the morning service we had been alerted to God’s design for our day. How cool is that?

The teen rode by again, spewing the same nonsense but this time louder. One of his friends walked over to our sign, “No God. No life. Know God. Know life” and jeered, making a mocking gesture to his other 8 or so buddies. When the song we were singing concluded we engaged the guys directly and challenged their alleged allegiance to Satan. The subsequent interchange was heated, with gross insults coming continuously from them. We kept our composure reverent and God-trusting and our behavior gentle, not bombarding as we lifted up our Lord.

The whole bunch of them then planted themselves directly in front of us, dancing derisively and going to great effort to get us to “fold.” We, on the other hand felt increasingly more and more secure and confident in the face of their shameful display. It was as if Peter were standing there with us nodding affirmingly, smiling knowingly and pointing to the words he’d penned for such occasions. At that point I thanked the teens for staying and for coming in close to hear the words that they needed to transform their hungry and lost souls.

A few minutes later, another person in the audience approached the young men and said something to them. In the next moments they were gone. We thanked God they had come and were able to see and hear what we pray will one day liberate them and save them from destruction. God is powerful and present. The enemy is desperate and deceiving. God’s Word keeps our spiritual eyes clear and wide open to the realities that surround us; the things that really matter.

It is exciting! Nothing like it.

Proclaim! concert featuring Johnny B and the “Jazz Badgers”???

We are going to have a great evening, Friday October 4th at 7 pm, at Christian Family Chapel, performing a wide variety of music showcasing the extensive range of our Proclaim staff and guest musicians. Featured will be music from our upcoming tour to Asia.

On the tour next month we will be doing classical numbers and teaching “master’s classes” in universities. Kim Peterson, Jim Jenkins, Todd Smalley and Shirley Elliot will perform music in keeping with their studies as legitimate instrumentalists.

A jazz concert on the same tour will feature a range of styles by the “greats” of the jazz world plus original music we have written. It will play like a history of jazz.

And if we have not hit on a genre you appreciate yet, John and Diana will be performing several numbers representing four decades of John’s songs in country, bluegrass, contemporary and blues styles.

Come for a super evening of music, come to be encouraged by what God is doing, and come to encourage us by your presence!

AND if all that weren’t enough, October 4th just happens to be John’s birthday – so if for no other reason, come celebrate another year of his survival.

Your can respond here to our Facebook invitation

Proclaim Concert 10.4.2013 email.
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Proclaim! Jacksonville recently provided an opportunity for garage and attic contents to be transformed into kingdom treasure. Our huge garage sale was timely in helping raise much needed funds for our ministry. And some nice donated items supplied the need for furnishings in our new Proclaim office.Cupcakes

 

When our staff met the following week and began relating stories of our experiences and others we had heard about – we were thrilled that, as usual, the funds raised were only the beginning of the blessings God poured out. So many served and sacrificed joyfully to make it successful. And we were able to encourage other local ministries by sharing helpful resources.

Picture1We were intentionally focusing on ways we could minister to our shoppers– not only materially, but spiritually. Click here to see stories of how that happened.

Thanks to God for providing and multiplying the treasure!

 

Garage sale has been the term given for selling stuff, first to get rid of things no longer used, often so that other things can be purchased.  At the Proclaim garage sale in September this was the case.

Lindsay KaleyMany volunteers worked long hours to sort, display, dicker, sell, cleanup, chat with customers and encourage fellow believers.  The use of the funds raised in this event will differ slightly in that they will help to promote the Gospel instead of personal gain.  Then when it was all over we were able to bless another local ministry by donating the extras we could not sell to their thrift shop.

bible cropHowever, the best choices during the sale were free—free goods.  Several Bibles were given to those questioning the price.  Some were amazed that they could have this free gift.  Spiritual conversations led to mutual encouragement as time passed during travel to and from homes collecting donations, and during the sale itself.  Cheerful smiles and responses to customers’ questions, as well as helpful attitudes, reflected the One living in us.  Free invitations to come to church to hear from God’s Word firsthand were given and some responses were yes.

One of these yes responses was the result of a conversation in two foreign languages.  Three Brazilian women customers approached Kim to ask about some furniture prices.  Having  lived in the USA for only 3 months they could only communicate in Portuguese.  Kim decided to give it his best shot at communicating with them in Spanish since those languages have some similarities.  By God’s grace they understood each other, resulting in receiving good deals on furniture as well as a free invitation to come to church on Sunday.  On Sunday, it was wonderful to see those women in church, again speaking in two languages but in a different setting.  Despite the language barrier they made an effort to come and said it was good to be in church and enjoyed what they did understand.

However, one of the women brought up the fact that the TV she bought at the garage sale did not work and wondered if there was anything she could do to get another one.  Remembering that behind the building there was a small pile of “leftovers” from the sale, TVs BWKim went to look just in case there might be another TV he could give her.  He was amazed to find one and placed it in the office of Carol Corn, church staff member, who had connected with the ladies between services and had also tried to help with their TV issue.  She amazingly found a Portuguese-speaking friend that was visiting that Sunday and was able to clearly communicate with them.  The following week Carol was able to get the TV into the hands of the Brazilian ladies, connected them with the Christian-based International Learning Center where they can learn English, and also helped them explore the possibility of enrolling their little girl in the CFC preschool.  All this happened because of a garage sale, reminding us once again that there is nothing insignificant or trivial about anything done in the Lord’s name.  He is able to make even a garage sale the perfect place for shoppers to find what they really need the most.

Jeanne Peterson

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Branko Kovačević, director of Ima Nade (Proclaim!-Croatia) tells about their church choir being invited recently to sing in the annual celebration of their city’s rich heritage. It was an unexpected honor that a small evangelical church would receive such an invitation from a staunchly Catholic city.

Cak celebr 2013 choir w castle webInterestingly, Čakovec is known as the “City of the Zrinskis,”  a noble family of reformers who ruled that region in the 16th century and brought the truth of God to Croatia. So it was appropriate that the choir sang at the foot of the Zrinski castle during the celebration. Clearly, God is still opening doors in Croatia so that his children will proclaim his message and share his word with others.

Following the concert Bibles were freely distributed to those who attended the concert. Praise God that after almost 500 years the believers of the Baptist Church in Mačkovec are following in the footsteps of the reformers, publicly praising God and sharing his word with all who would receive it.

When David Cook saw our plea for a sound tech for the tour to Central Asia he thought someone would surely step forward. But as the time got closer he started thinking that maybe God was holding that position open for HIM. So just a week before the tour he agreed to go for it, which meant raising funds for very expensive flights and getting a visa for that country!

David had been on tours with Proclaim in 2011 and 2012, so he knew the routine, but this was a real challenge. He booked his flights in faith that the expedited visa would arrive on schedule and that support would come in to cover his expenses. God is faithful. The visa arrived the day BEFORE it was promised and all funds were donated before he left!

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Of course that was only part of the challenge. He was arriving a couple days after the band, missing the rehearsal and adjustment days. He traveled over 40 hours (10 time zones) on 5 flights and arrived just in time for the first performance! And it was a logistically difficult tour with travel each day on rough roads, unpredictable concert venues, and, shall we say, not all the comforts of home. But he jumped right in, did a super job with a pieced together sound system, and had many opportunities to interact with young people who were at the concerts. One last challenge — he got sick just as he was starting the 40 hour return trip! We’re grateful that God supplied that need for this tour through David’s response to the call.