Village Green Outreach Recap

This last Saturday was the first block-party outreach of the year and it was awesome!The weather was great, the turn out was marvelous, the whole team did a fantastic job sharing and ministering the love of Jesus!

Sharing the love of Christ is what these outreaches are all about- ministering the Gospel, praying for the needs of the people, testifying of God’s great saving grace and connecting those we minister to our churches where they can be discipled. Amen!

This first outreach was at Village Green, a low income mobile home park in Mishawaka –a very impoverished and needy area and it was a total blessing to not only be blessing physically with free food and clothing it’s an even greater blessing to minister to the spiritual needs.

We had several first timers at this outreach. This is totally exciting to see, people stepping out and witnessing and evangelizing. I love it. Almost always the first-timers tell us how it’s easier than they thought. It really is neat to see people stepping out with anxieties and apprehension to witness, evangelize and pray for people and then seeing and hearing them say, “I can do this.”, “this is easier than I thought.”… Amen!

During the course of the day we had five people come to Christ! To God be the glory!

We ministered and prayed for everyone who was open for dialog and prayer. We ministered the Gospel and a few of the team shared some awesome testimonies, giving glory to Jesus for his delivering and saving grace.

Please check the pictures out below and please continue to pray that all the Gospel seed that was sown will result in a harvest of souls. There is much ministry on weekly basis going on at Village Green from bi-weekly Bible studies to food box distribution and bus ministry.

God is reaching out to the people of Village Green. We are glad to do our part. God bless you. Thanks for reading and your prayers.

Steve Ignowski

Lifeline Outreach Ministries

  

Jodi and Mom prepping up the Grilled cheese



loading up the Grilled cheeses

A good size crowd came to be blessed

Free clothing to the needy

Ministry at the Free Bible/Book Table



Praying for a soul

Getting into the Word with a young man who was struggling with troubled thoughts

Ministering Free Food and the love of Jesus!!



Ministering to the Children ... (awesome Bounce house)



Looks like fun!!

Ministering the Gospel!

Leading this young man to JESUS!!... PTL!

This young man received Jesus and he asked for this new free suit for church!...awesome!



Ministering to a confused young man who thought he was unwelcome.



Testifying of Gods delivering Power!

Free Hair Cuts!!... What a blessing!

Ministering the Word!!

Some Faces of Village Green







Children Bibles & Booklets

A Big shout of Praise to the Lord for the new Childrens Bibles and booklets!!
We have always always had to say "NO" when we were asked if we had Children bibles.... Not any more... Praise God!!

We are gearing up for the upcoming outreaches...AMEN!

FIRST OUTREACH OF THE YEAR: MAY 5th (VILLAGE GREEN)

Our first block-party outreach of the year is coming up in about four weeks! We are pumped and excited to get back outdoors and proclaim Jesus.

These block-party outreaches are a super effective way to reach the lost. Many of the people we meet in these outreaches are not focused on going “to church”. In fact, many have been disappointed by the church, hurt by the church or they plainly had wrong expectations of the church. Whatever the case may be, they aren’t planning on visiting any time soon. This is why these block-party style outreaches are effective. We (the church) go to them. We meet them right where they are at.

DAY: Saturday May 5^th

WHERE: Village Green Mobile Home Park (12^th street Mishawaka)

TIME: 1pm – 4pm

*We will be walking the neighborhoods of Village Green to pass out invitation flyers Friday April 27th & Friday May 4th. from 6pm-8pm.

Any questions please call me.
God bless!

Steve
574-612-0555

La Casa Estates Outreach Planned for June 9th

I recently spoke with the property manager at La Cassa Estates and she is very encouraged to have us come into the apartment complex to do a block party outreach.

This apartment complex is downtown Elkhart right near the rail road tracks. I am not sure of the number of apartments but I know it has many people. It is a very urban- low income area. Ideally, this is in a great location. It feels good to be back in Elkhart!

So far the Outreaches are as follow for 2012:

May 5^th : Village Green Apartment Complex. –Mishawaka

June 9^th: La Cassa Estates Apartment Complex – Elkhart

July 7^th: South Bend Juvenile Correction Facility – South Bend

(Evangelism Concert in the Court Yard w/ PS150)

August 18^th: Location TBD

September 22^nd: Location TBD

Please mark your calendars.

Everyone receiving this email is invited to be part of these Outreaches. We minister together as a team- from set-up, grilling the food, serving the people, handing out tracts and Bibles, children’s ministry, greeters, face painting, one to one evangelism, sharing testimonies, etc. etc.

Please feel invited… More info will be coming as the outreach dates get closer.

Most of all please keep these events in your prayers as we need God’s anointing to touch lives and save souls!!

*Also: Please keep the County Jail Ministry in your prayers, God is really doing a great work ministering to the guys locked up. Last Tuesday’s Juvie meeting was incredible as five young men accepted Jesus and their Lord and Savior.

Thanks Saints. God bless!

Steve Ignowski

Lifeline Outreach Ministries

574-612-0555

Outward Appearances are Deceiving-County Jail Update

Last night in the County Jail We had a great meeting. Brother Larry and myself preached the word and exhorted the men to continue their pursuit of God. I shared a message on the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee. Brother Larry shared and stressed to the guys the Lord’s faithfulness and His desire to guide us and direct our paths. It was a great meeting.

A cool thing happened at the end of the meeting. One of the fellow inmates named Richard who was very quite and even rather sleepy looking individual throughout the meeting shared how God has been giving him songs and he asked if he could share and sing one of these songs, acapella style? To be quite honest, it rather surprised me due to his docile and lack of energy self, but I was encouraged that he spoke up and I certainly allowed him to share. And may I say, Wow!, this brother had a voice, and he bellowed out and incredible song entitled “Wait”. Through acapella song this brother blessed all who heard, it was a Word based song and it preached! It was awesome.

This was so cool, as the message that I shared had to do with how the outward appearance can be deceiving. By outward appearance the Pharisee had it all going on but his heart was wrong and he was full of pride. While the Tax Collector didn’t have it all together but he was broken, humble and cried out for mercy.

On the outward appearance Richard looked uninterested and indifferent but that wasn’t the case. He shared his talent from the Lord and it blessed us all. I would have never guessed…To God be the glory!

Thanks for reading

Igy

COUNTY JAIL UPDATE

We had another awesome County Jail service last night!

One of things I am really noticing about these guys who come to the meting is they are really hungry for the things of God. They are so eager to hear and receive the Word. Praise God!

We are really are building some great relationships here at the Jail. This was our fifth meeting and every guy who attended last night has been at previous meetings. I did ask, as I noticed a few guys were missing, one of the brothers said that a few of the guys have moved on to State Prison facilities. So we all prayed and lifted up these guys up who are serving their time at State facilities- trusting God to continue to do his work in their lives.

At last nights meeting there we two of us, myself and Mike Martin, Mike is a brother who has such a passion to serve and minister to the hurting. It was awesome having him with me. Mike spoke on the “Good Samaritan” sharing with the guys the importance of reaching out with mercy and being aware of the hurting right before our eyes. It was a good word and the dialog was great.

I followed up Mike’s message with a message to the guys asking and answering the question, “What is a Disciple of Christ?” I shared from the Word six areas to which we need to examine ourselves and ask ourselves if we really are a disciple of Jesus.

1. Faith in Jesus

2. Continuing in His Word

3. Love One Another

4. Bearing Christian Fruit

5. Denying Ourselves

6. Having an Obedient Heart.

It was good- the guys seemed to really take it to heart. After the meeting we had a great time of prayer and fellowship.

God is definitely doing something in the Elkhart County Jail. Thanks so much for the prayers.

Next Jail meeting is February 9^th.

Thanks for reading and praying! God bless!

~Igy

TEEN CHALLENGE - A GOD CONNECTION

I recently found out that my city, Elkhart, is now privileged and blessed to have a Teen Challenge operating and ministering here locally. Praise God!

Teen Challenge is a 12 -15 month Christian rehabilitation program for men who are 18 years and older. They deal with life controlling problems-drugs and alcohol are the most predominate issues. What I totally love about TC, founded by David Wilkerson, is that Jesus and knowing Him is the key to the program, which will bring a total life transformation! The program has incredible success rate.

It’s awesome they are here in Elkhart. This is kind of funny as they been here for over a year…lol.. But, I just found out and immediately starting praying for them and was inquiring of the Lord about networking with them.

Well, within a week, as myself and a couple brother were leaving the Elkhart County Jail I crossed paths with a couple young ministers who were also leaving the Jail as they had just finished their meeting.

As we introduced ourselves I was floored when the brother, Mark Howell, introduced himself as on staff at the Elkhart Teen Challenge. We embraced and greeted each other. Mark told me how he was praying for people to connect with in regards to evangelism. So we are both excited to see what the Lord has in store.

Yesterday, I was able to visit the Teen Challenge building and meet the Director, Andy Collins, who is an awesome young man- who is devoted to Jesus and is a man on-fire for God with a passion to see people’s lives changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Please keep Teen Challenge in your prayers. Hopefully we will be seeing more of each other..Amen!

“I need to change, I can’t do it on my own.”

Quick update on the Juvenile Ministry.

This last Friday my Dad and I went to the South Bend Juvenile Correctional Facility to minister to young men who are locked up.

The way it works at the facility is that the “Lifeline meeting” is announced and those desiring to attend are brought to us in a class room that the facility allows us to use.

The number of guys who come to the lifeline meeting vary. During the time we minister there are several “free-time” things that are going on for the guys to be doing: open gym, TV, lift weights, play cards, etc. We have had as many as twenty come to the meeting.

This particular night we had just two young men come to the meeting, but it was an awesome time of ministry. Sometimes with smaller groups the time can be more intimate and personal, which is what was the case here tonight.

One of the young men, named Jose’, was a believer and he was encouraging the other young man, Sidney. Both guys have a few months of the program to go through. My Dad asked Sidney why he came to the meeting. He looked at both of us and plainly said “I need to change, I can’t do it on my own.”

Wow. So true is that. Well, we spent the majority of the time sharing with Sidney that only true lasting change can come through Jesus. We shared why Jesus came, to save his people from their sins.

We were able to lead Sidney to the Lord. It was a glorious thing. Please keep him in your prayers. I’ll be heading back in there next Tuesday…God is good!

Elkhart Jail Ministry this Thursday..please pray...thanks Saints!

God bless!...thanks for reading.

Steve

Chick Tract -Jail/Outreach Testimony

Quick testimony from last Thursday nights jail meeting:

(It was another incredible meeting) .. I noticed a man sitting in the back who looked somewhat familiar. As we talked after the service, he shared how he remembered us from one of our summer outreaches, at that time he was away from God, he was given one of the "Chick tract's" that I always try to pass out. (those of you who don't know what a Chick tract is, it is a comic book style gospel tract with great artwork and a good job of presenting the Gospel)

I think it was the one called "This is my life" or something like that, anyway, he said after he got home he read it and continued to think about his life and the path he was on...

Yeah, this man did get in trouble with the law and he is in jail..but that is what it took for God to get a hold of him to where he would call out to God and repent...amen.

Since being locked up he has come to know the true God, Jesus Christ and he even told me that he now can laugh at things and smile, he never had any peace and joy before...

Praise God!!.. We serve a real Jesus that changes lives!... Hey, and to think a Gospel chick tract was used to bring some change of thinking to this man!.. Glory to God!!..Keep witnessing Saints!..and don't underestimate a Gospel tract, God uses them....amen..

~Igy

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH PARTY 2011...IT WAS AWESOME!

I just have to testify! The Christmas Outreach Party was totally incredible! The turnout was fantastic as one-hundred and thirty one people from our local area showed up. Many were bused in due to limited transportation for many of the invited families. A big shout of thanks to the servants who drove the bus and their vans to pick people up.

That is really what this Christmas Outreach was all about “servant-hood.” Serving and blessing people who don’t really have much and in no way could pay you back- Jesus was our perfect example of a servant. He came to serve not to be served. Praise His holy name!

The Christmas Outreach was set up banquet style. The people were served a meal and loved on by the teams of ministers who were assigned to each table to care for and help each families.

The Urban Choir ministered in music and did a great job. Brother Larry preached a message on “Christmas-the true meaning.” and afterward led an altar call for prayer and salvation. Several people were prayed for and ministered to. Praise God!

To close the meeting we blessed everyone with a gift.- Every family was blessed with gift card to an area grocery store. The children were blessed with a toy/game and every teen was blessed with a McDonald’s gift card.

Some highlights of the meeting:

Obviously, the people who accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior-as several people were prayed for during the altar call. Praise God! Also, many other people were prayed for with personal needs: finances and family issues. Amen! God was touching lives!

One family that attended the Christmas Party-told one of the team, that this was the first time in their life that they have ever been inside a church, of course this opened up the door for some great ministry and they were invited back.

We handed out several new Bibles to people who did not have one.

The Spirit of God was really moving among the people as one little girl who won the free raffle for a Girls bicycle changed her mind about taking it and gave it to another little girl.
Also, a man named Joel who came to the Outreach with his family was so touched by God he asked if he could make an announcement to give away for free, some furniture he had in storage that he wasn’t using. He got several names from people, he is planning on connecting them, as he has a truck and he will bring it to them. Awesome! PTL!

Many of the new people who we met for the first time signed up for rides to Church. One lady who we recently just met, didn’t even know we had a bus ministry, she was overjoyed to hear that the bus was able to pick her and her two little girls up for Church!

In closing, words can not describe everything that went on during this outreach. The Lord moved, the people of God showed the love of Christ and lives were changed.

Below, I posted several pictures, hopefully, you can get a better picture of what went on. It was marvelous, to God be the glory!

A final thanks to all who prayed, gave and served! It was worth it as lives were touched- the kingdom advanced-some great memories were sown into children who may have never seen love in action.

God bless you all – thanks for reading!

Steve Ignowski
Lifeline Outreach Ministries

The Families

Pastor Mark & Crystal Lantz of Christan Center Church greeting the people.

The Food Ministry team did an outstanding job!

The Free Raffles!
This brother received the free Christmas Tree

This little girl received the Girls Bike

This fellow received an awesome new coat

The Urban Choir ministered in song and they were awesome!

Bro. Larry preaching the Word!

Ministry/prayer with people

Blessing the kids with presents!

...that little face says it all!!...God bless!!