NEW YORK CITY OUTREACH

I just want to give everyone a shout of thanks for the prayers in regards to my New York City mission trip. It was an absolute incredible time! I hooked up with some forty urban/street missionaries from around the United States we took a bite out of the big apple! There were so many people that were witnessed to and prayed with. Sometimes its hard to put words together to share the absolute blessing this was.


We witnessed at Ground Zero, on the Subway, Time Square and Thompson Park. Plus anywhere else we were walking. We actually went to Times Square three times in the evenings. This was an incredible place. There were literally hundreds of thousands of people that walk and site see down this street. We ministered to every imaginable race and creed; from every religion to paganism to atheists, really, you name it and they’re in New York.

I met many Catholics. This was hard ground to minister too because so many trust in their own works and do not want to listen to what the Bible says. I actually had my first opportunity to share the Gospel with on two different occasions with Jewish men. They also were resistant to the Gospel. I believe I was able to sow a little seed in the second conversation I had with one he seemed a little more open as I shared with him the prophecies full filled about Jesus.

I also spoke with many people into New Age and Paganism, this mostly lead to arguing and debates so I tried to end the conversation quickly when that started.

I met many people who claimed to believe in God but had no real relationship with Him.

Many people claim they "believe in God" or say they are "Baptist" or "Methodist" or when I ask them how they came to know Christ they would say "all my life." When I’d probe a little deeper they would usually want to end the conversation quickly. I would stress to them that God wants to know them personally and that just knowing about God don’t save a person. You must be born again!

I did meet many people who were open to receive Christ. I was able to pray with a little Korean woman who would occasionally drink at the clubs with her friends. She was open to repent and cried out to Jesus. Tears were streaming down her face as she asked God to forgive her and give her ability to resist the temptation to drink when she is lonely. Amen! This was awesome!

On another occasion a young man and his girl friend came upon me at Times Square. While I was ministering to the guy, some of the other gals on the Raven team were ministering to the girl. Both the guy and the girl ended up repenting and making Jesus Lord of their lives. It was so cool when the two came together and each shared what happened. –It was incredible!

Another highlight that only God could orchestrate was we met a man that was a Chaplain of a local mission. We met him at Thompson Park. Thompson Park is where we made up sandwiches and went in and fed and prayed with the homeless and anyone else in need.

This Chaplain hung out with us and he enjoyed our company and the zeal we all had to minister to the lost. It was great having the opportunity to sow into him, he was eating it all up and loved the fellowship with us.

He asked if we could go back with him to the mission, as he needed to do roll call for the evening. As we were waiting outside we had the opportunity to minister to many guys who were inside the fenced yard or walking by us on the street. The Chaplain then came out of the building and said he got permission for us to go in and minister to some of the guys if we wanted and of course we did! It was an incredible time Pastor Alex Hill from Florida preached and exhorted the men to look to Jesus!! We then were able to lay hands on guys and pray for them. It was awesome! Guys were coming up for healing & deliverance. Many were weeping and crying out to God—It turned into a Holy Ghost Revival Praise God!! One little Asian man walked up to me and I asked him what he wanted God to do in his life and without batting an eye the little man said "I am a sinner and I need God to forgive me of my sins".--- Wow! Praise God! I asked him a few questions to see that he understood who Jesus was. I then led this little Korean man in prayer crying out to Jesus for forgiveness of his sins!! –Totally incredible! –It was an incredible time!

There are so many more to share I don’t have time nor the typing skills to perform this.. lol.. lol..

Thanks so much for all of your prayers!

God Bless!
Steve Ignowski

New York City Outreach Coming Up..please pray.

Greetings Brothers and Sister in Christ!

This Thursday May 22nd I leave for a 5 day mission trip to New York City. New York City is America's largest city. With an estimated 12,000,000 residents located within its boundaries, it is a tremendous harvest field of souls. While the city is diverse economically, socially, culturally, and racially- we have found that the answer to life's problem remains constant: Jesus Christ.

I’m excited to be joining efforts with RAVEN Ministries. The outreach, termed "Boot Camp in the Big Apple" by its organizers, will be composed of men and women from across the nation who will spend five days doing street witnessing, open-air preaching, music and other types of evangelism in some of New York Cities most famed locations.

I was blessed to be part of this outreach in 06’ and I am really anticipating an awesome time this year!

I covet your prayers for this mission trip. Please pray. Prayer is essential for an outreach to be productive and successful. I desire to see many people come to Jesus. Thanks so much!!

Please pray for:

-Safety for Jodi and our 2 dog's (Andy & Adam) while I'm gone.

- God's divine protection for a safe plane trip to and from New York. Also, for safety and protection on the streets, subway, parks everywhere we walk and minister.

-The Gospel to be presented clearly and for receptive hearts. We know that some plant, some water and some reap a harvest. I pray for all three and for most of all that JESUS to be exalted!!

- God's divine appointments for those to minister to. You know, those "God set-ups"

- Anointing & Gifts to flow from the Holy Spirit.

Thanks so much!

Also, recently I "finally" put my testimony on audio. I mixed it with some music and posted it on one of my myspace pages, if you would like to listen here’s the link: (left click on it)
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=165311905&blogID=386076864

Here's the video I made from 06’ New York trip here’s that link:



Thanks again for your prayers! God bless!
Steve Ignowski

STREET MINISTRY UPDATE

With the warmer weather finally upon us a small team of us hit the streets of Elkhart to minister Jesus!!

Bill Lehman, Justin Reeves and I went out sharing Jesus to whosoever God would lead us to. It was a great night! Really, it turned out to be a busy night even with the threat of rain and thunderstorms there were still many people out and about.

We ministered to many people this night. Two different homeless guys, a Hispanic couple who had some real pagan beliefs, we talked with 2 guys who were carrying a case a beer home. We bumped into these guys as we were all waiting for the light to change as to cross the street. Sometimes God just sets these appointments up, as this was quite the encounter. They seemed pretty quite as we shared with them that Jesus is better than drunken stupor. Justin did a good job sharing with these men.

We also met a Grandma lady with her 3 small children. Bill Lehman ministered to them and really planted some good Gospel seed. We bumped into a young couple who were atheists and seemed uncomfortable listening to us but the word and testimony of Jesus was spoken to them. They even tried to get away from us quickly but their dog they were walking broke loose from the guys grip and ran straight back to us.—The pooch wanted to hear a little more of the Gospel!!-Amen!

The enemy is sure at work in this area and doesn’t want us out there ministering the Gospel. One incident we had ie were just walking down the street and a car drove by and some demonized guy stuck his head out the window and started screaming vulgar profanities at us. But we prayed for the guy and kept on our Gospel way!!—Praise God!! It was a great first night of street ministry!!

~Steve

MINISTRY UPDATE: MAY 01-08

A small team of us went back into the county jail Monday evening to minister Jesus. We went into our usual 2 cell blocks A & C.

When we first entered I visited briefly we a lot of guys who wanted Bibles and of course I handed them some Chick tracts. I love passing out those Chick tracts, they definitely are an awesome tract the guys always ask me more different ones. I guess it’s the comic book part of it they like. Whatever it is they are good seed.

I then sat down in cell with a man who I had the privilege to pray with to receive Jesus as His Lord and Savior, after we embraced and greeted each other we got right into the Word and started sharing and having a good Bible Study time. You see, a lot of what we do in these cell blocks is discipleship and mentoring. Yes, we evangelize but we follow up with these guys and disciple them. The reason I bring this up is to stress an important point and that is that new believers need to be cared for. It would be easy for me to just from cell block to cell block and just minister evangelistically and pray with guys to receive Jesus. But I believe without discipleship and mentoring the enemy, the devil, will draw these guys back to sin, destruction, and a life away from Jesus. We see it happen all the time. The parable of sower talks about only receiving the word for a short time due to not having any root. (Mark 4: 15-17). We help these guys get some “spiritual roots”.


The man I was talking to gets out in a couple of weeks. We’ve made plan to hook up and come to my local Church. One the issues he is struggling with and we talked a lot a bout it is the fact that he is living with a woman who is not his wife. I’m not going to type in here our whole discourse, but be assured that I shared with him exactly what the Bible says about living like this, its called SIN and in fact God calls it fornication. It is sexual sin. When a believer chooses to disobey God and blatantly disobey God they actual are in a very dangerous spot, which can lead to totally walking away from God. Yes! This is serious and we talked intensely about this.

One of things I stressed with this man was that God will empower him to do what’s right. If God expects us to obey and live holy, which He dose, He will give us the ability to do it. – You see were not on our own. We don’t have to obey the Word of God on our own strength. In all reality we cannot anyway. We rely on the empowering strength of God within us. His grace is efficient! God grace empowers us to obey. We talked a lot about that.

I believe when he gets out he is going to do the right thing. I will be praying for him, please keep him lifted up in your prayers. His name is Spencer, He is nineteen and really desiring to follow God with all his heart.

After I prayed with Spencer and everyone else was done ministering we all went to Cell Block C. This cell block we also go into regularly and I have made some real friends here. One guy in particular named Jason. I always make it a point to look him up. He is a young guy around twenty-five with a real desire to serve God with all his heart. In fact he is developing into a real spiritual leader in this cell block.

One of the things he and I have been praying for is that his mom would come in and visit him, as it’s been months since she last came in. Well, guess what? Last week she came in and visited him. He was overjoyed! Man, I was overjoyed.

We talked and got into the Word another brother joined us and we had a great time studying God’s Word.

======BIG NEED:
Some of the inmates having trouble reading small print are asking for large print Bibles. I plan on getting some of these. Also there is a major need for Spanish Bibles and tracts. And some of the guys that are real serious with their walk with Christ are asking for Concordances. I plan on getting some these as well.

If anyone would desire to help with this please message me or go the very bottom of the page is a paypal button for on line giving.

Thanks! ~Steve

====WHAT’S COMING UP:

With the warmer weather we will be going out to the streets on Friday evenings ministering Jesus to whoever God leads us too. We had an incredible time last year ministering on the streets of our city and now with the warmer weather upon us were pumped up to go out again! Please pray for us and for God to prepare the hearts of the people we talk to. We have a team of four to six of us who are going out in the boldness of the Holy Spirit! It’s an amazing thing seeing who God leads you to, because you never know. Last year we ran across atheists, gangs of youth, drunks, homeless people, families walking in the park, police officers, you name it. It’s going to be awesome!!

Also, May 22-26 I will be going on an inner city mission trip to New York City. This will be my second time ministering on the streets in New York as I went in 06’. I’ll be going with RAVEN Ministries for this awesome evangelistic outreach. We’ll be witnessing Jesus at the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Jamaica Queens, Empire State Building and Times Square.

God Bless! and thanks for the prayers!
Steve

UPDATE

The ministry at the County jail is going absolutely incredible! I know I always say that but it is so true! I know with all my heart that God has given us that live in this area a tremendous opportunity to minister the Gospel here at the County Jail in Elkhart, Indiana. The door is open in an unprecedented way to minister to drug dealers, thief’s, gang banggers, drunks, prostitutes, etc., etc,. – These were the type of people Jesus went to when He walked the earth. Sad to say, most give up these types of folk.

The reason I say "the door is open in an unprecedented way" is because we are allowed to go literally right into their living quarters, right into their cells. You see, most jails have services or meetings in a classroom, and that’s great but most don’t attend these meetings for various meetings. But we have been given the OK to go directly to the cells to talk to "ALL" the inmates. God's desire is for "ALL" to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) – So I’m thrilled to be going into the jail, I know God has opened a tremendous door to evangelize. Brad Rodgers, Captain of The County Jail, made a powerful statement in the last orientation, He said, "Many people go over sea’s to do missionary work and that is great. But we have an incredible mission field right here in the County Jail and it’s right in our own backyard." – Some true words.

Here’s a cool praise report, I’m always praying for God to raise laborers to step into the harvest field. Well recently God hooked me up with a brother who just got out jail. His name is Justin and this brother is "on-fire" for Jesus. He’s a young guy who’s filled with the compassion of the Lord and tons of zeal for Jesus! Of course, we hooked up almost immediately and now Justin is approved and is actually going into the Jail ministering to those of whom he once was. –Awesome!! Please pray for Justin as he is believing God to help him with getting his drivers license, he needs a job big-time! and a place of his own or with another solid Christian brother. Thanks.

MINISTRY IN THE JAIL 3/17:
Justin and I had a great time ministering in the County Jail. This was Justin’s first time coming in to minister and He absolutely loved it! And he did a great job ministering to the guys. You see, just 6 months ago Justin was on the other side of the bars as he was incarcerated. But God has totally changed his life. When he got out of jail he came to my Church where we met and we’ve been friends ever since. Justin has an awesome heart and a passionate desire to be used by God to spread the Gospel. God with his awesome favor has allowed Justin to go into this jail while still on parole which is unheard of, but with God all things are possible! .Amen!

We were able to talk to several of the inmates tonight. 2 young men who I have been praying for and ministering to in the past, tonight they surrendered their lives to the Lord!! PRAISE GOD!.. Roman and Spencer are their names. Please keep these guys in your prayers. We will continue to meet with them on Monday nights until they get out, hopefully real soon, and we’ve made plans to hook up with them when get out We talked to several other men as we each had a table full of guys talking and praying with them. We prayed for God to heal and many asked for prayer to be delivered of depression. We know that with God all things are possible!... Thanks again everyone for your prayers, I know God was really touching lives tonight!

MINISTRY IN THE JAIL 3/24:
Donavan, Rich, Debbie, Candy and I all went into the jail last night. Debbie and Candy went to the female wards and we guys went to our usual two cell blocks. It went great! I know I say this a lot but many of these guys are really maturing in the things of God and it is exciting!

Rich met with a few of the regulars who are hungry for God; he had a Bible study with a table full of guys.

Donavan went cell to cell talking to guys, sharing the Gospel and praying for them.

God led a Lutheran guy to me. This guy’s named was Jim, he was really struggling. We talked about a lot of things mostly his need for God in his life. He seemed to be resisting somewhat. I ask you to continue to pray for him, I was able to pray with him and I could see God was dealing with him. Please keep him in your prayers.

In the next cell block Rich and I ministered to group of guys for an hour. The Lord is growing them up and great to see these guys hungry for the Word of God. Jason E, Jason B and Mario were the three guys I was ministering to. Please keep them in prayer. We also handed out several Bibles and many tracts. Praise God the Word is going forth!!

Things Coming Up:
- With the Warmer weather moving in we will be back out in the parks and street witnessing on Friday nights. Anyone local who would like to come out with us give me a call.

- I’m planning a 5 day New York City Street mission trip at the end of May. This will be my second time ministering on the streets in New York as I went in 06’. I’ll be teaming up with RAVEN Ministries for this awesome evangelistic outreach. We’ll be witnessing Jesus at Times Square, The Statue Of Liberty, Empire State building and other spots in the big apple. – It’s going to be awesome!

Thanks for all your prayers! God Bless!

-Steve

UPDATE 2-19-8

We went into one of our usual wards last night and we didn’t see too many familiar faces so I walked around the cell block passing out Bibles and tracts, talking to the guys and trusting God for ministry. I went into one of the upper level jail cells where the inmates sleep; this particular one had 8 bunk beds. There were two guys sitting in there talking.
I was really feeling the unction of God to stop here and talk to these guys.

Sure enough, it was really a God moment of intense ministry as these two guys were really open to hear about God and the things of God. One of the men, named Jason, was raised in a home where his dad was an evangelist. He was raised hearing the Gospel, but he got tired of it and desired to experience the world and it pleasures and to do his own thing. The result was pain, anguish, sadness, misery, broken lives, in and out of jail three times, basically, a broken busted and disgusted life. Sin is a hard task master. There is a high price for low living. The devil has an “M.O.”(modis operandi) and that is to rob-kill and destroy and sad to say, he is doing a good job, but Jesus can and will deliver. Praise God Jesus can have the last word on a situation! That is why it is so exciting going into places like the County Jail or out on the streets. Jesus is what people need! There is hope and His name is JESUS!!

The other young man in the cell was named Mike and believe it or not, he has been in and out of the county jail 14 to 15 times, he said he lost count exactly, but at least 13 times. How heart breaking is that? He told me since he was 18 yrs old he has never been out of the jail for more that six months. Again, the devil is sure working overtime destroying people’s lives. I Wish to God the Church of Jesus Christ would rise up and take its place and be salt and light in people’s lives. We have the solution! It’s not politics, its not social programs; it’s not a good economy. It’s Jesus Christ! A surrendered live given to the lordship of JESUS!!

By outward appearance you would never guessed these guys have the past that they do. They were very polite and easy going. As I talked and shared with them they openly acknowledged their need for God. They both are finally at a place to start seeking God and they desire change. Sometimes it takes awhile for people to get it, but praise God the Holy Spirit will take a willing heart, with mess, junk and all that and He will reveal Jesus! Praise God! He never gives up on us!!

We must have talked for a good hour. I spoke they listened, they spoke and I listened, we had a good dialog. They asked many questions and I pray that the Holy Sprit will continue to draw these men. They both have a rough road a head of them, they are awaiting sentences in the range of 5-15 years.

Please pray for God’s will on the sentencing for Jason and Mike. Pray that they get placed in a facility where there are men of God to disciple them and that God surrounds them with good influences.

Thanks everyone!
God Bless!

-Steve

UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY JAIL

Ministry is going great in the county jail. Rich Rennier, Donavan McCormick and myself have been going in about every Monday night to make disciples and evangelize.

The Elkhart County Jail really is a harvest field. We have been given an awesome opportunity from God.

Some of you may not know that us ministers can go directly into the cells to speak with the inmates. (We get locked in with them) – This really is an incredible opportunity to minister to guys who need Jesus! Most all other jails I have ever been in just have services that inmates can go to for Bible study or worship, but many don’t go for a number of reasons, but here in the Elkhart County Jail God has opened the door for ministers to go directly into the cell blocks. The obvious advantage to this is we can talk to everyone. We are literally taking Jesus into these guys homes…Wow! What an opportunity!

When we walk into the cells this is what we normally see: Many of the inmates are playing cards or watching TV. Some are just aimlessly pacing around in circles. There are usually several of them just sitting and staring at the ceiling worried about court cases and pondering the outcome. Many are in despair due to bad choices and mistakes they’ve made – These guys, most of them, live in regret missing their families and loved ones. Many-many are bound by satan with drugs-alcohol, violence and other vices. All of these guys are prime for the Gospel as God has them sober, broken and thinking. They sit and think about life, wondering what their future holds and ponder mistakes and memories of: “What went wrong?” or “What could have been?” and they rehearse the bitter times and they are literally at wits end. And you know what? – Jesus is the answer!! So many don’t know it but that’s what they are missing!!

Just yesterday evening I was minister to a man named Gabe. He is a guy who recently turned thirty years old. A rough looking fellow- but the Lord led me to him. He was with a group of guys and I gave them all a “Chick-tract” (a good way to start a conversation). I asked them if they would like a Bible and I started talking to them. Within a few minutes the group dispersed and it was only me and Gabe left. I shared my testimony with him while he intently listened then he shared with me how he has been “thinking of God lately” – One thing he said that really sparked the Holy Ghost in me was he said - “I just feel empty inside” – Of course that opened the door for me to share why he felt empty and how without Jesus actively in our lives we are in an ever state of emptiness and because of that emptiness we try to fill with it with drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, etc.

We talked for about an hour. It was an awesome time of God pulling at this man’s heart. He asked many questions and seemed really open to God’s drawing. Please keep Gabe in your prayers, as the devil will try to discourage him and pull him back along with everyone else who is seeking after God. But I am encouraged at what God is doing in the Elkhart County Jail. Our God is able! The Holy Spirit is moving! The Word of God is true!

I would also like to invite anyone who lives near the Elkhart, IN to come join us ministering to these men and women. As I said earlier this is an awesome opportunity that God has granted us here in the Elkahrt area to be what were called to be: “minister’s of reconciliation” – Please call me for info: 574-612-0555

God bless
Steve (Igy) Ignowski

NEW YEARS AT ELKHART COUNTY JAIL

A team of three of us went into the Elkhart County Jail. It was New Years Eve and what a awesome thing to do. 15 years ago I would have been drunk and partying up a storm, but now it's all about serving JESUS!!

Kevin Privett, Donavan McCormick and myself went in and it was an awesome night. Kevin was restricted from going into the cells due to some red tape he needs to finalize with Captain Rodgers, so we went into a class room and they brought the guys who wanted to come have a meeting. It really was a great time ministering to the guys.

We had 2 meetings all three of us spoke and prayed with the guys. God is really touches a few inmates in a mighty way.

God bless!

~steve

A Few Testimonies From The Outreach

Steve Ignowski says:

The outreach was everything we prayed for and then some! Anytime you can go out where the people are and be the hands and feet of Jesus it is an exciting time…. It’s an awesome time! Jesus said the “harvest is plentiful” and that is for sure. Immediately we were knocking on doors and ministering to people.

God had the group I was with go minister on 5th street in Elkhart. 5th Street is dubbed “the hole, this area is known for high drug traffic and violence, the kind of place that Jesus has on His heart to target for souls.

Jodi, myself and Rich Rennier teamed up and ministered to several people and families. God touched many as we invited ourselves in to their homes with the food box and spoke with the people. God had it heavy upon my heart to share with the people Hebrew 9:27 “It’s appointed for man to die once and then the Judgment”. That was my springboard to start sharing the Gospel. Rich Rennier and Jodi joined in and we had powerful ministry.

One young man named Nick was so polite as we talked with him and ministered to him. God was really speaking to his heart. You could really discern the working of the Holy Spirit on this man. Praise God!!

One particular house we went to a lady open the door and we shared with her that we were here to bless her with this box of food. Her face just lit up and she smiled and began to tell us how she had “No food in the house” So we gave her two boxes. She had her daughter and two other people in the living room when we walked in. We started ministering Jesus and sharing the Good news. We had a great time testifying and sharing Jesus with these folk. The one guy that was sitting on the couch look at us like we were crazy. He’s somewhat right, we are crazy for JESUS!!..LOL..

As we were leaving that house another lady came running up to us. She heard we had food boxes and she didn’t want to miss out. Her name was Leena. She looked so burdened down. You could tell she had a rough life and a sinful life. Rich and I ministered to her for a while outside while Jodi went back to the truck to get her a Food Box. We talked with her for awhile sharing how God can make her whole and bring total deliverance. She started weeping and you could sense the Spirit of God moving on her heart. We prayed deliverance over her and prayed for God to continue drawing her.

I could go on and on but I need to stop. In short, the outreach was God touching lives in a tangible way. I am so happy for all the new people that stepped out of their comfort zone and shared Jesus with a lost and dying world. Several young people came out and helped with this outreach and I salute them! These memories will be with them forever and I believe it will be a stepping stone for a deeper walk with Jesus and a further passion to reach lost with the life changing Gospel.

God Bless
-Steve Ignowski


John Orsini says:

My group, Brother Arturo's, went to two trailer parks and a few individual trailers and homes in the same area off Johnson Road.

I was with Carl and Dorothy. This was my first time doing this. I had never gone door to door in my life. Of course, I must admit that I am only born again 12 year and my time has been spent behind the wall ministering to inmates.

We arrived at the first park west of Johnson Road. It had fifty to sixty trailers. A small number of them were empty. Some of the people were not home. We did catch a few people as they came home. We gave out the food boxes and ministered to some of the people. All were surprised and they were also grateful for the food. Not all wanted prayer.Those who did, we prayed for specific prayer requests. One man John, Age about 55, asked for prayer for more work,(He was only working two days a week.) and for his blood circulation that the doctors were working to correct. When we prayed for him, he felt the presence of God on him. He was a little surprised at that. We assured him that was Holy Spirit letting him know that his prayer request was heard.

We caught a young couple coming home and gave them a food box right there on the front step. They were surprised and very thankful. When we asked them if they would like us to pray for them, they said that they were just coming back from the doctor, who had done a checkup for the wife's pregnancy. So, we prayed for the health of the baby and the mother. Again, they were thankful.

We got a separated for a bit and Carl and Dorothy were asked into a woman's home. I know they prayed together. One man, age 40?, came to the door. He took the box and said that he had attended Elijah's Fire Church a few times in the past. Without our encouragement, he said that he had been thinking about it and needed to come back to the church and would do so.

We went to the east of Johnson Road and there were about ten trailers. There was some ministering by other team members. Then we went to a small-scattered section of trailers and homes. We saw someone warming up their truck and hiked down the side street to them. The man, in his late 50's or early 60's stepped out of the truck. He was not too tall and had a full sandy white beard. He wife stayed in the truck. We gave him the box and asked him if we could pray for him. He said his daughter, just around the corner, could use prayer, that she was in the process of divorce. Well, that turned out to be true and the highlight of the day. We scooted around the corner with the last box of food. It was a dark charcoal bungalow with a small front stoop. The woman, about age 30, came to the door. She had a woman fried there with her. We explained our mission and ourselves. She explained her divorce situation. We talked there for another ten to fifteen minutes.

The topic turned to forgiveness. Dorothy shared about a situation of unforgiveness in her life and how when she forgave she was set free by the Lord. A few minutes after that, the woman accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of her life and forgave her husband and others who had offended her. As we prayed together, the bitterness left her and her stomach felt better. God is sooooooo good. She was encouraged to come to church for support and prayer, and said she would do so.

We left the front stoop and headed back to the group, who could not see where we were. Our feet were somewhat numb from the cold, we had the shivers, and we praised God all the way back to the team, who were patiently waiting, and to our warm vehicles. What a blessed day for all of us. Seed were sown, some were watered, and God gave the increase. What a wonderful day. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!!

IN Christ,
John Orsini


RAY BEAN SAYS:

ON SATURDAY'S FOOD BOX OUTREACH, GOD ALLOWED US TO ENCOUNTER A SITUATION WHERE WE CAME UPON A HOME THAT WHEN I KNOCKED ON THE DOOR THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOME OPENED THE DOOR AND A LOUD SMELL OF GAS CAME OUT TO HIT ME IN THE FACE. I IMMEDIATELY SAID TO THIS YOUNG LADY IN THE HOME THAT WE WERE THERE TO BLESS HER WITH A FOOD BASKET. AND AT THE SAME TIME I SAID TO HER YOUR GAS IS ON.

AS I LOOKED AROUND I NOTICED SHE HAD AN ELECTRIC STOVE. SO IMMEDIATELY MY THOUGHTS WERE THERE'S A GAS LEAK. SO I ASKED THE YOUNG LADY TO COME OUT OF HER HOME BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO CALL FIRE DEPT. BECAUSE WHEN CALLING FIRE DEPT. WE ALSO ALERTED THE GAS CO. AND BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO IT IN THAT MANNER THE FIRE DEPT. WILL COME AND THE GAS CO. USUALLY WHEN YOU CALL THEM WILL SAY WE WILL SEND TRUCK WHEN WE GET TIME. BUT IF THEY KNOW THAT FIRE DEPT. IS ON THE WAY THEY TEND TO COME ALOT QUICKER.

WHEN THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED TWO YOUNG FIREMEN GOT OUT WITH A LITTLE GREEN BOX. I ASKED WHAT IT WAS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A CARBON TESTER. I SAID TO THEM THAT SHE HAS A GAS LEAK. THEY SAID IF THERE WAS ONE THEY'D BE ABLE TO TELL. SINCE I HAD BEEN IN THIS SAME TYPE OF SITUATION I KNEW THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN USING. IT'S CALLED A SNIFFER. BECAUSE IT HAS A LONG WAND THAT REACHES UP INSIDE YOUR FURNACE AND WATER HEATER TO CHECK PIPE LEAKS. THE CARBON TESTER ONLY TEST FOR BURN -OFFS. SO THEY PROCEEDED TO SAY WE HAVE THIS UNDER CONTROL AND ENTERED THE HOME. THEY CAME BACK OUT SAYING THERE WAS NO LEAK. WELL I KNEW THERE WAS BECAUSE GOD HAS BLESSED ME TO BE ABLE TO DETECT THE SMELL. I SAID TO THE YOUNG LADY WE'RE STILL CALLING THE GAS CO.

WE ALL PRAYED FOR HER. AS WE WERE LEAVING I GAVE TO HER MY CELL NUMBER SO THAT I COULD FIND OUT WHAT GAS COMPANY FOUND WHEN THEY CAME. WE ALL MET UP AT BEGINS AND WITHIN ABOUT 15 MIN. SHE CALL ME STATING THAT THE GAS CO. SAID YES THERE WAS A LEAK AND IN FACT WHERE WERE 2 LEAKS. ONE COMING FROM INSIDE THE FURNACE AND ONE IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AREA. AND SHE WAS VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE CAME BY THAT DAY. THANK YOU JESUS!!

-Ray Bean

AWESOME OUTREACH!!!

We had over 30 people to come out and minister Jesus today! praise God!!

Today's outreach was incredible! Sometimes it hard to put in words the feelings and the blessing that you experience when you minister the Gospel and share the love of Christ. Well, this is one of those times. The whole team had a awesome time. The Bible is so true when it says "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

We were blessed to distribute 145 Food Boxes!!

It was a chilly 28 degrees with snow & wind. But we ventured out and had a excellent time! We went into three impoverished areas praying and ministering to many people. So many people were absolutely stunned that complete strangers were actually there to bless them. Many didn't know what to say except "thank you!"

Also, many of the people that were prayed for were weeping and so touched by the Spirit of God! -- Awesome!!

This lady (left) named Leena was visibly broken as we ministered to her and shared the Gospel with her. She was so thankful for a Food box. She wept and was under heavy conviction as we prayed for her. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you everyone who prayed and contributed to this outreach. I believe that many-many lives were touched today and only in eternity will we see the impact this outreach had.




God Bless,
-Steve





Bill & Tracy Lehman's daughter was also helping! ..what a cutie!

Some more pic's of the day:

Christmas Food Box Update

Everything is full steam ahead as far as the Food Box Outreach is going. In 5 days (December 15th.) a team of us will be going into three needy areas of Elkhart to minister Jesus and be a blessing. We will be going door to door blessing the needy with these food boxes also praying for them, but most of all we will be sharing the Gospel. It is through Jesus and Him alone that we have eternal life. We are believing for a powerful move of God!


We started putting the boxes together this past weekend and were excited about what God is doing and what He is going to do! It’s looking like will have 140 boxes to distribute. PRAISE GOD! Thank you everyone who has given.



We have ordered the hams and will pick them up Friday. We still have several more purchases to make before Saturday (boxed items and canned items). The big need is toys.


There will be many Children in the homes that were going too and were hoping to have a toy to give to every child we come across. If anyone would still like to donate, you can do this with pay pal (a secure safe way to donate on-line) we have a pay pal "Donate" button on the very bottom of this blog or if you live in the area and would like to purchase some toys to drop off at my house that would be great as well. Please call me for details..


Please pray for the people to be receptive to the Gospel and for the Holy Spirit to draw and convict. Also, pray for the team to be bold and share clearing the salvation that we have.


Thanks everyone! God bless you!

-Steve Ignowski
574-264-9907

MINISTRY UPDATE

JAIL UPDATE:

Well the new $97million dollar facility is up and running and all the inmates have been transferred into the new facility. It is an awesome facility, but the same old devil has men deceived and bound. But praise God that a team of us have been going in ministering in the men's and woman's cell blocks.

The sole purpose of us going into the jail on a regular basis is to make disciples. We focus on the same cell block to build trust with the guys also to see these guys grow in their relationship with Jesus. None of us are interested in just praying little prayers with the inmates, we desire to see these guys "totally changed" and be radically "made new" by the power of Christ! --Please pray that God continues to touch lives in the cell blocks.

LEITERS-FORD UPDATE:

Quick testimony about the guy Billy from Leiters-ford. This is the guy who I ministered to for about an hour at the outreach and a couple others ministered to him as well. Debbie saw Billy a couple of weeks ago and he is talking about how the outreach touched him and the people who talked with him were awesome and how he's been reading his Bible and praying. PRAISE GOD!!

Also, Debbie has been picking up little kids and bring them to Church. Well since the outreach more parents are letting their kids go with Debbie and she has around 10 kids now she picks up and takes to Church. Amen!! God is working!!

CHRISTMAS FOOD BOX OUTREACH:

Were less than two weeks away. The goal is 125 boxes to be given to the needy and impoverished, but most of all we will be sharing the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This December 15th at 12:30 pm, a ministry team of "on-fire" believers will be going door to door sharing Jesus and ministering to needy people. The food boxes will consist of a 5 LB Ham and all the trimmings for a holiday meal. Also we will have toys for small children and a new Bible.

Please pray that God will touch lives and draws many to know Him. Also, pray that the team will be anointed to boldly share the hope we have for salvation.

Anyone still interested in helping or giving toward this outreach please call me for details.

God bless everyone!
-Steve Ignowski

Email: outreach_lifeline@yahoo.com
574-264-9907 (Home)
574-612-0555 (Cell)

GEARING UP FOR THE CHRISTMAS OUTREACH

The purpose of Life Line Outreach is to reach the lost. We minister in jails, juvenile centers and on the streets. Sharing the Gospel and ministering the love of Jesus.


And with Christmas approaching this is a great time to reach out to hurting people with the Gospel. God has led us to reach out to the needy in the community, this December 15th we will be going into very needy areas here in Elkhart IN. We will be going door to door to distribute Christmas Food boxes. (“Boxes of Love”), praying with people and sharing the Gospel.

Our primary concern is ministering to people spiritually; but we understand it is very challenging for anyone to hear what you have to say about Christ when they are hurting, hungry and in despair. It is so true that people really don’t care what you know - until they know that you care. By meeting a physical need we believe that hard hearts will soften for us to minister the spiritual need and that need is JESUS!!!

These Christmas Boxes will consist of most everything needed for a holiday meal: 5 # canned Ham, canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, boxed dressing, biscuits, canned cranberry sauce, Christmas candy/cookies, toy for small child, and a Bible. We are estimating the cost to be around $ 25.00 a box. We are hoping to give out at least 125 boxes. (Last year we were blessed to give out 114.

You can read about it here: http://lifelineoutreach.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-food-basket-outreach-was.html )

We refuse to resort to “gimmicks” or “high pressure-guilt laden techniques” when asking for help. Simply stated we can’t do this by ourselves but working together we can meet the needs of the people whether spiritual, physical or emotional. We just ask for you to pray and seek God to see if this is something He would have you help out with. All monies received will go directly to purchasing food or Bibles. (No monies will be used for our personal expenses.) Everything contributed will be put toward purchasing food, Bibles or a child’s toy for the outreach boxes.

If God speaks to your heart to help us with this outreach, you can donate on-line (click the on-line secure "Donate" button).

Or you can simply mail your tax-deductible donation to:

Life Line Outreach Ministries

1222 Cone Street

Elkhart, IN 46514

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and Let us never forget the great commandment – to love God and our neighbor, and to “go forth” in Christ as bearers and builders of God’s Kingdom.

-Steve Ignowski

Life Line Outreach Director

574-264-9907

outreach_lifeline@yahoo.com