Mike Jentes Interviews John Karmelich On His Internet Bible Study Ministry

Transcription

1 L O S A L T O S G R A C E B R E T H R E N C H U R C H The Messenger Volume 11 Issue 11 March 2010 Internet Bible Study Ministry Mike Jentes Interviews John Karmelich On His Internet Bible Study Ministry L et's start with the basics. Describe what you do in your ministry? Essentially, it is a Bible study on the internet. My web site is I teach through a book of the Bible, and usually cover one or two chapters per lesson. I don't teach straight through the entire Bible. When I get close to finishing a book of the Bible, I pray and God shows me what book to take on next. Each lesson is about pages. I've currently completed about one third to one half of the Bible. I send out weekly s to everyone on my list. The list is currently approaching 700 people per week. I also keep everything I have written on my web site, so there are many people who just read what is there. According to my statistics, I get around 2,000 unique visitors per month from all over the world to the web site. I've been at this for close to ten years now. Why do you do this? It started because of my love of God's word and my desire to teach it. I have been taught that the best way to learn the Bible is to teach it. So that is what I do. Now, how do you physically send out the s? Until about a year ago, I would send them directly from my computer with the entire list as one big "bcc", which stands for blind copy. In other words, no one on the list knows who else is on the list. About a year ago, I had to switch to a professional "list server", as my internet account would not let me send that many "bcc's". A "list server" is a type of web site for sending out broadcast s. I send the weekly lesson to that server, and then the server broadcasts the e- mail to everyone on the list. With this "list server", no one who is receiving the e- mail is aware of who else is on the list. I don't fully understand the technology behind it, but I know it works. How did this get started? Well, God did not tell me one day to start an internet ministry, if that is what you mean. It started as I used to teach live classes in my former church. I prepared hand outs to those who came to the class. I started noticing that people came for the handouts and didn't stay for the lecture. I asked the pastor of my church if I could put those notes on the church web site. Later, I decided that since I was posting the handouts, I might as well post my entire lecture. My friend Mike, who maintains that church web site, would help me put the information on the site. After about a month or two of doing this, I was starting to get s from people who were (Continued on page 2) Inside this issue: Green Oak Ranch 2 From The Kinjos 3 Emergency Numbers 4 Summer Blast Day Camp 5 Localpaloosa 5 Please Pray 6 Contribute To The Newsletter 6 Join Us Sunday Mornings: Family Bible School 9 AM Worship Service Touching Lives Reaching The World 10:15 AM

2 Internet Bible Study Ministry Cont. reading my lessons who didn't go to my church. This continued for a few years. I eventually gave up live teaching to focus full time on the ministry. After a few years, my work was dominating the church web site. My pastor asked me to set up my own web site as I was outgrowing the church site. My friend Mike, who runs that church web site, helped me set up my own site and he updates it for me. All I do is write the lessons in Microsoft Word Format, and he takes it from there. That is "His" ministry. Describe the style of your writing? I type it. No one can read my handwriting. I describe my studies as focusing on three key questions: 1) What does the text say, 2) What does the text mean, and 3) How does that text apply to my life. To me, question #3 is the great challenge of every good bible teacher. If it is not relevant to people's lives, one should not be teaching. Green Oak Ranch I also write in "outline" format. I'm not sure how I started doing that, I just did. I think I do it that way because when I teach from my notes, it is easier to follow an outline. It became my "trademark" and I kept going that way. How do you prepare for your studies? Lots of prayer. My regular prayer is "Lord, show me the things that You want me to learn and show me the things You want me to pass on". For every book of the Bible, I consult a half dozen to a dozen different sources. I don t read each source every week, but I do consult a lot of them for each lesson. The sources include a lot of studies in audio format. For example, if I am teaching the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, I will probably listen to three or four lectures on that chapter. I also consult some Bible encyclopedias as well as books written on that topic. I find a lot of writers do a great job of explaining what the text means. The trick is always figuring out how it relates to my audience. e Power of the Cross The message of the cross is the power of God. 1Corinthians 1:18 Green Oak Ranch So who is your audience? The truth is, other than a few friends, the vast majority of them I would never know if they walked up to me and said hello. I do know that a good percentage of them are from foreign countries simply because the e- mail requests will be from say, John.smith@aol.ukwhich means that address is in the United Kingdom. My best estimate is that it is 80% to 90% is from the United States. I've never surveyed my audience so I don't know what they all have in common, other than the fact they are willing to put up with my sense of humor. Does that mean not all of your writing is serious? The way I describe my writing is, "I take God very seriously. Everybody else, including myself is fair game." If God created us with a sense of humor, I expect He wants us to use it, appropriately. The trick is to use enough humor to keep the reader interested but at the same time of taking (Continued on page 4) Green Oak Ranch Children s Camp: Spend a week with your friends in a cabin. Participate in great activities such as crafts, swimming, archery, animal and reptile study, petting zoo, hiking, sports, games, baking, outdoor bowling, hayrides, fishing, chapel, Bible study, campfire, & squirt gun water park for everyone; panning for gold for campers 1st 4th; BB Rifle Range for campers 4th 7th grade; & a beach day & special evening events. See Cindi Stone or for details Page 2 T HE MESSE NGER

3 From The Kinjos ear prayer supporters, D Greetings from the Kinjos in Okinawa, Japan. A new school year has started in the beginning of April in Japan. Kohei turned to five years old on April 1 st. Now he is a senior in his kindergarten. He is growing well physically and spiritually. He can pray by himself in his life. Kanan is seven years old. She is a second grade of elementary school. She increases number of her friends. She invited a lot of her friends for the Children Club. Hatsuho is a fifth grade of elementary school. She testifies her faith for her friends at the Certification Club. Thank you very much for your prayer for our family. We are glad to send the latest update for you. A) Yuki s PTA ministry: Yuki attended a council of PTA at the Urashiro kindergarten where his son, Kohei attends in April. He was elected as one of two sub-leader of PTA in this kindergarten for the next one year. This kindergarten will celebrate the 35 years anniversary. Also by using opportunities, Yuki has been doing volunteer works with the PTA Papa club of his daughters Urashiro elementary school. The Papa club members are doing volunteer works such as an instruction for safety traffic, a night town patrol, helping various school events. This elementary school will also celebrate the 40 years anniversary. Especially, both this elementary school and this kindergarten will have the ceremony at the end of January, Yuki would like to discharge his duties by Lord s helping for the next one year. Praises: 1) Yuki and Fuji s youngest son, Kohei turned to five years old on April 1 st. Kohei and Yuki had a special time together on that day, like taking shower, playing catch ball, and playing at a park. Even this day, Yuki found Kohei s growth physically and spiritually. Kohei himself pleased his growth. 2) At the Easter morning, the Kinjo s house church members learned the way to Lord s Cross and Resurrection through the Word of God. Also they had discussed together about the meaning of Lord s Resurrection. The Lord of Resurrection is still live, and HE helped them to change a view point from un-hope to hope. Praise the Lord! 3) A school year end at the end of March in Japan. Yuki and Fuji had discussed about their ministries with their house-keeping works in the end of Japanese school year. For house church, a house is also a ministry field. That why a house-hold is a big element of ministry. At this time they could own jointly understanding for developing their house church. 4) The harvest-time ministry is a well known Japanese Christian ministry. The ministry leader, Rev. Kenichi Nakagawa has started the first harvest Second-coming gathering in Tokyo, Okinawa, and Osaka, Japan. Both Yuki and Manabu Oshiro attended this Okinawa gathering on Wednesday, April 14 th. They could learn the original God s salvation plan for mankind by the whole Biblical view point, such as the salvation of Gentile (Japanese), the racial salvation of Israel, and the Messiah Second Coming for six and half hours. Even for Manabu, he pleased to learn new Biblical truth as his understanding level. It was a good time brotherly fellowship. 5) There was Certification Club on Saturdays, April 10 th as the first class of the new school year. Three girls attended this time. Fuji and Yuki desired to serve to the Lord through this ministry continually. Also there was the second class on Saturday, April 17 th. A girl invited other two girls, and totally were seven. New comers had a chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Resurrection with English study. Praise the Lord! 6) There was the first Children Club on Friday, April 23 rd in this school year. Yuki and Fuji s second daughter, Kanan invited her friends for this Children Club. Totally 24 children attended this time including 6 new friends. Fuji gave a message for them that was Since you are precious in My sight was. They were glad to serve for these children. 7) Yuki was participated in the biggest long distance relay race in Okinawa with Yuyu running club members on Sunday, April 25 th. There were near 170 teams there. He could own jointly as one of team members this sport event. He could have relationship with other team members. Prayers: 1) Yuki was elected as one of two sub-leader of PTA in this kindergarten. Please pray that he may discharge his duties by Lord s helping for the next one year. 2) There is the next Children Club in this new school year on Friday, May 21st. Please continue to pray for this Children Club that the Lord Jesus may bless richly this ministry. 3) There is Certification Club on Saturdays, May 8th, and May 15th. Please pray that they may have good academic studies and spiritual growth. 4) Please continue pray for Yuki s father, Kogi that the Lord may heal him from Pleurisy completely. 5) Please continue pray for Manabu that the Lord may heal him from his kidney stone and hernia of the intervertebral desk completely. Also pray for his spiritual growth. Thank you for your faithful prayer for us in Urasoe Okinawa, Japan. May God bless your ministry in your towns or cities. By Lord s Spirit, Yuki and Fuji Kinjo Page 3 T HE MESSE NGER

4 Internet Bible Study Ministry Cont. (Continued from page 2) the study seriously. So how does your wife feel about this? Well, she's not crazy about all the time it takes, but she puts up with it and hasn't killed me yet. So how much time do you put into this each week? Well, let's see. The time I listen to the audio commentary on my IPOD is about three hours a week. Thank God I have a job that requires a lot of driving. The actual time to write and edit is about six to seven hours a week. What has grown through the years is the editing time. My work over the past few years has a lot less grammatical mistakes than my early work. How do you balance time for work, your family and your ministry? Well, let's just say after dedicating time to each of those things, there isn't' a lot of spare time. A great challenges is to balance the time between what God asks of me, what I should do for my wife and children and my time for work. At times, any one of those "entities" may suffer but somehow, it all works out. Do you get paid for this or make any money in advertising? I made the decision years ago to do this free of charge with no advertising on my web site. I don't want anyone to think I am doing this for the money and thank God He has provided for me through all of these years. Do you reach out to nonbelievers? I have a question and answer page on my web site. I state there that the purpose of these lessons is to help the Christian grow in their faith. I also state that there are lots of places on the internet to argue about the merits of Christianity, but this is not one of them. I do preach the Gospel through my lessons, but the main point of the lessons is that they are geared toward helping the existing Christian grow in their faith. How do people find out about your web site? I have no idea. I've tried advertising a few times, but have failed. God has made it clear to me in effect, "John, do the writing and let me worry about who reads it." With that said, I usually get a handful of requests every week to join the list. I also get typically one "take me off" request per week. I never ask why when people leave. I just write what I am told to write, and let God work out who will read what I write. So how do I get on your list? The information is on the web site. If you click on biblestudy .com it will be pretty obvious as to how to join. Anyone can join at any time and anyone can leave at any time. I never ask why people join or leave. I simply write what God tells me to write and the rest, is God's problem. Do you get feedback from people? All the time. Some of my favorite comments and ministry opportunities comes from those responses. To be honest, the feedback is not overwhelming and that is not a major issue. Once in a while I do have to do a little homework in order to give a response. I do write "disclaimers" with my responses to say in effect, "This is just my opinion, and leave it at that." I enjoy is the occasional thank you e- mail that tells me how much this ministry is making a difference in someone's life. I know I should only do this because God tells me to, but I have to admit, the feedback does inspire me to keep going. Emergency Numbers These are more effective than 911 When... You are sad, phone John 14 You have sinned, phone Psalm 51 You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91 People have failed you, phone Psalm 27 It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139 Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11 You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23 You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34 You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13 You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18 You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39 You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30 It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90 You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30 You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121 Page 4 V OLU ME 1 1 I SSU E 11

5 Summer Blast Day Camp W e begin Tuesday, June 29th! This is a 2 day a week program that meets every Tuesday and Thursdays at Los Altos Grace Brethren Church Stearns St. Long Beach CA, Each week will have a different theme! Sign ups are under way. The cost is $60 per week per child. This program is for children going into 1st grade through 8th grade. Activities include crafts, sport games, silly songs, chapel, field trips to CSULB pool, and El Dorado Park. We provide kids and families with as safe yet fun atmosphere for a reasonable price. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited to guarantee your child has a Blast this Summer! Localpaloosa Junior High Camp Localpaloosa June Event starts at 5:00PM at Los Altos on the 27 th Cost $125 Pool Party, Wild Rivers, Angels Game Join all your middle school friends for a two night local retreat having fun growing close to God. V OLU ME 1 1 I SSU E 11 Page 5

6 Touching Lives Changing The World LOS ALT OS GRACE BRET HREN CHURCH 6565 Stearns St Long Beach CA Phone: Fax: WE RE ON THE WEB! Please Pray Sheri Mirliss - Quick and complete healing of broken foot; pray for her Dad s healing from a stroke. Terri Summers - (Donna Colamonico s daughter) Beginning radiation for brain cancer. Pray for God s mighty power to heal and restore her. Praise God for providing a brain specialist for this rare, aggressive cancer. Pray for her kids Nathan and Britney to guarded from fear. For Donna and Dom, pray the Lord will show Himself mighty and shower them with peace and strength as they support their daughter and grandchildren. Donna Colamonico -Healing of lung infection/asthma; healing of neck injury from a fall (wearing a neck collar). Emily Todd - Healing of infection, healing of vertebrae and removal of neck collar, be able to bear weight on broken ankle, relief of pain, pray nightmares will no longer torment her; regain speech, swallowing function and strength through therapy. Praise God she is alive! Kevin Strong - Pray for God s miraculous touch of healing and restoration over his cancer and ALS. God s sustaining strength and encouragement be upon he and his family. Joan McNeely- Healing, strength, and clear thinking; doctor s wisdom for treatment and further testing; peace of mind for Joan and family. Pray that the new caregiver situation will be a wonderful, easy transition. I Contribute to the Monthly Newsletter s the Lord teaching you something that you would like to share with others? If you would like to contribute something of devotional nature to the monthly newsletter, please it to the church office by the 10th of each month: office@lagbc.org. Praise be to the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion & the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2Cor.1:3-4