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Dear Friend, I would like to invite you to share any thoughts, comments or ideas that you might have about this web site or ministry. Please share your own experiences in life too if you feel led to. Oh, and let's keep it a positive place. Messages written here are intended for public viewing and will be posted after they have been authenicated and are not SPAM. If you wish to contact Joe Keim with personal messages, please click Here |
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Previous Messages:
Name: L Yoder Email Address: ru4nncyc@veroom.net 07-07-2008 I am not sure what all to say here but it could be a lot. Most people that do nothing have a lot of criticizm for others that do do things. How can "christians" sit back and "do nothing" but look down their bony finger pointing and accusing the ones out there that have a concern for the salvation of others and all the while they fully believe that they are going to heaven because they do what the church requires of them and wear the "right" clothes and don't have this or that when all the while that stuff has absolutely nothing to do with salvation. Salvation was PAID for by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross and by the way He was put there by the ones He came to save!! I know Joe Keim and I know he is human just like the rest of us and he is capable of making mistakes just like myself. I also know that Joe knows who his redeemer is and I hope that ALL people, amish and non-amish will come to know Jesus as their saviour. Please,, I'm not an amish basher, there are many excellant amish people but there are also some crooks and thats too bad!! I watched the prime time thing on the news and if you are a real christian you could see the looks of emptiness on those poor souls faces.....they are cooped up in emptiness so long and when they come out from that they try so hard to fill that empty place thats inside and so many times its all the wrong things. They "think" they are having a "good time" and then here comes someone to help them and show them Jesus and they have to be "shot" down as evil-doers and yet they {the shooters} themselves will not feed them with life!!! What a shame!! Praying 4 U !!!! Name: Jaci Email Address: mynewaddressis@hotmail.com 07-03-2008 This is so amazing. I also was watching the ABC special and felt burdened for the Amish and was looking online to see about mission resources and found your website. I didn't realize you were the same Pastor from the special, they didn't even talk about your work as mission work, really. Thank you for what you are doing and know that I am praying for you and the Amish community here in my own state. Name: Mr Esmor Price Email Address: priesm@aol.com 06-29-2008 I think your way of life is wonderfull and rewarding. Love to you all. Esmor (North Wales) Name: Sarah Marshall Email Address: sjmva78@yahoo.com 06-26-2008 I watched the ABC special the other night and it broke my heart. I have read quite a bit about the Amish and have visited places like Shipshawana, IN. I am just so thankful that there are ministries such as yours reaching out to the Amish who need to realize they are lost and need a Savior. Thank you. Name: Noah and Mellisa Schrock Email Address: nmschrock2001@comcast.net 06-26-2008 We thank God for your ministry! My parents were saved 25 yrs ago out of the Amish and it is such a blessing to see the work you are doing! Name: Abe Abraham Email Address: abraham641@juno.com 06-23-2008 I just found your website and appeciate your work, as I to thought about how my amish friends could use more solid church time in the word of the Lord. Being more involved on a personnal relationship bases. I grew up the old german way, speaking only german till I went into the first grade. We worked hard all week and our time for visiting was on saturday nite when we went to to get things from the store. Sunday was for church and visiting with family and friends and resting as our Lord said. This I still much appeciate seeing when I am with my amish friends. I appeciate going to the barn to milk the cows or goats and hear them all singing hymns from memory, little kids having a job to do in helping do chores and learning responibilty early in life. Yes, I feel they should have church every week instaed of every other week. That their pastors get a greater training in teaching Gods word. One of the biggest things I have seen in my amish friends is "pride", as they realize from the many statements the "english folks" have made to them is that they build things better then the "english". This has caused them to seem to get big heads thinking that they are better then others. I see them going out and getting jobs with the english and contaminating their minds with our music. The young fathers are out there hearing all this all day,and then go home at nite to a complete amish secured life, which must make them wonder. They also have the idea that no matter how they construct a building that it is strong. I have found many barns I would be affraid to put my animals in, as the structure was improperly built. I like and I appeciate their morals and bibial understanding of how we should treat each other and how to be honest people at all times. Our "english" life styles don't seem to teach that and our schools sure don't. I appeicate knowing they stand behind their word. And I love them like my brothers. Many times I tease the kids of my friends that they are my secret nephews and nieces. However to Date I have not brow beat them about their beliefs because I feel they must first trust me and see I live what I would like them to know and believe, and be an example. They have a clean heart in all my dealings with them, I feel their life style is what I would like the "english" to yet be. When I shake a mans hand on a deal, I have no fear that it will be. I can't do that with my "english" friends and neighbors, can you? I would like mostly to see them truely become closer to the Lord and to find a way that throughout the U.S. those that wish to leave their amish communities would have "english" who with the Lord's help be there to assist in the transition. A long time ago I had a friend who left the amish community back in Ohio. He said for a few years he didn't see his family and then he got married and had children. He dicided he could not deprive his parents the right to enjoy their grandchildren and went back with a letter and he would return and return until they by their Love for God would realize that they as grandparents did not have the right not to spend time and love on these their grandchildren........God was good and they all see each other annually....God bless and may many come to realize how presious "Jesus" personal relationship is, and is needed. Name: Doug and Corena Spiron Email Address: spiron4@comcast.net 06-19-2008 Corena and I just finished listening to your interview online. We will be praying for you and wish you and your ministry the very best! You are an outstanding example for all of us! Name: Barbara Miller Email Address: danbar59@yahoo.com 06-17-2008 I realize there are Amish who DO NOT understand salvation but there are also many who do. I know what I'm talking about because I was Amish for the first 27 years of my life. While I feel you are trying to do what is right I wonder if you have thought through this. Do you really feel they will be more spiritual if you bring them OUT to modern churches where the majority are not any more saved then some of them.We need to be careful in what we condemn and what we call good. Name: Sue Kern Email Address: susieq2uwho@yahoo.com 06-16-2008 I have always been curious & interested about the Amish way of life. Been to Amish country in Clare,MI, Berlin,OH and Lagrange Co,IN. I have not been to Pennsyvania yet. I found your website because I just finished a book by a former Amish lady, Anne Beiler. Her name search led me to your page. It sounds like you are doing wonderful work with the Amish. Thanks for such an interesting website. Name: Harriet Cragle Email Address: hac238@yahoo.com 06-08-2008 Our county has a lot of new Amish moving into it. I am personally acquainted with some of them. I have had the opertunity to witness and talk on different subjects from Scripture. I am learning how they believe. It is all new to me and the one is a bishop and he asks me questions. One topic was will you be in heaven? The amish said I hope so. I told him I have a know so salvation and he can have it too. I am lerning that his knowledge of scripture is kind of limited to Bible stories without spiritual depth. I need to learn more about what they believe spiritually. They are very kind and helpful and are workers and unselfish toward me.But they seem to be in darkness spiritually. Name: Maryann Rought Email Address: tweetylover2065@hotmail.com 05-15-2008 Thank you for ur service to the amish. It is a wonderful thing u do. And thank u for sharing it with others, so that we may get involved. Name: Gail Burgess Email Address: gailb1018@yahoo.com 05-13-2008 I heard your interview with Tower of Truth Ministries WVCH today. Thank you for your website and the testimonies. I wrote to one of the women and thanked her for sharing her story. I live about 45 mins. east of Lancaster, PA and visit the Amish area often. I also read the Amish fiction books by Beverly Lewis, and others. God Bless You. GB, Glen Mill, PA Name: Lynnet Email Address: apostolicrichard@gmail.net 05-12-2008 We spent some time in Pennsylvania this past Christmas. We had an awsome time in "Amish country". We had a good witness with one family and recently our pastor and a group of people went. They also had a great time and an awsome witness with the same family. We are praying sincerely for these people and would love to see a revival start in the area. Name: Carolyn & David Carpenter Email Address: cckittybiker@aol.com 05-09-2008 Ever since we became friends with an Amish couple and their 5 little girls up in Michigan, we have had a heavy heart for their belief that they can not know for sure that they are going to heaven and are saved for eternity. This couple ended up abandoned with a faulty van on the side of the road when they decided to go to a meeting in Mich. from Indiana. God placed us in the right place to help them and nurture a friendship that has lasted 11 years now. Praise God. We don't see them enough, but hopefully we have planted some seeds of God's love in their hearts. Thank you for your ministry and God Bless you. Name: Norman and Kim Rice Email Address: weisyankees@msn.com 05-06-2008 This Ministry and Website are so very vital to and for the work of God!! It was thru viewing Amish recipes one evening online, that God pricked my heart, to get involved with the Amish ministry! I prayed more and more about this, and God spoke clearly, that He wanted me to become involved in helping to reach the Amish, thru Outreach/Evangelism!! Praise God for all the info. on the site and for the Keim's and Geesey's obedience to God, to share the message of Hope and Salvation with the Amish!! Bless everyone at the Ministry overall!! Name: charlie Email Address: hanchar2@yahoo.com 04-27-2008 You were at our mission conference last week at Liberty Bible. I just wanted to say that you and your family are doing a great work for the Lord. We all think that missionaries are people that go all over the wourld to preach the message of salvation,when really we need them in our own back yard. It was great to have you come and tell us what the MAP program is doing. We are praying for you and your family to continue the work of the Lord. Thank you and God bless you Name: .Rev Tom Miller Email Address: gracetrm@ptd.net 04-10-2008 Greetings in our lord and Saviour: "Grace? So then what is Grace? Is it not God's mercy poured out upon us at the expense and the suffering of His son our Lord and savior Christ Jesus? As I understand it grace is our only hope as it is the very thing which makes our salvation even possible, grace is God's free gift!" (Grace, Faith, and Works, p. ix; Author: Rev. Thomas R. Miller, B.A., M.A. copyright 2008) I am writing this with and through the same driving force that came over in my experience with God in my conversion that ultimately led me to confess Christ Jesus and be baptized as a believer before the Church. This was not for membership at the local level. I believed in Him and I believed in obedience to the Scripture. My hearts desire was to testify and demonstrate publicly through water baptism outwardly what God had already done spiritually inwardly wherein I believed and I was "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" and it was He that called me to membership in the true Church with all believers, God's elect from the beginning unto the end, Amen Grace be to you, Rev. Tom Miller www.godswordforlife.com gracetrm@ptd.net Name: Carolyn Carpenter Email Address: cckittybiker@aol.com 04-05-2008 God bless you, Joe, in your ministry. My husband and I are very interested in adopting an ex Amish girl or boy. We need to know how your ministry is doing in the area surrounding Huston,Texas. Name: Geoorge Kinsey Email Address: oldmanham@lantic.net 03-28-2008 I am an old time preacher of the Doctrines of Grace, and a missionary in South Africa for the past 19 years. May the God of all grace give fruit for your labour of love: and He fill you full of Himself to do His work that He has set in your hand. Yours By Sovereign Mercy; George Kinsey Name: Jon Brown Email Address: jonathanebrown@bellsouth.net 03-16-2008 I find it very interesting that most people putting down this ministry or question whether the Amish need the saving message of Jesus, have never been Amish or former Amish. Yet most all former Amish are happy with your work and the need for these people to have the saving knowledge of Jesus. People putting down Joe and this ministry have never been excommunicated by their family. They have not had to miss funerals and weddings of family members. Your parents are not speaking to you ever again, as result of your faith in Jesus saving you from your sins. Joe keep up the great work and remember that those people who are saying bad things are not rejecting your message or your ministry, they are rejecting the Lord's. I pray that one day I can join MAP and by joining the Lord Jesus and His work among the Amish. May God bless all MAP missionaries and Volunteers Name: Jeff Email Address: jeffmh@goshen.edu 03-15-2008 I'm interested in your site. To me, wouldn't it make sense for such people who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their savior to remain in the Amish community and act as a positive force to change the Amish church? It seems to me that your problem with the Amish is not so much their original Anabaptist teaching, but rather what has become a tendency to be a "religion of tradition". May you be a blessing to troubled Amish who need Christ. However, let us not be so arrogant as to believe that other Christians outside of the Amish faith don't need to account for what they believe simply because they live in mainstream America or sleepwalk through their faith. May your ministry be discerning in realizing that Amish people aren't the only ones who need to personally know and accept Christ's love. Name: Jonathan Helmuth Email Address: jhelmuth@frontiernet.net 03-11-2008 Hello Joe, God bless you for your wonderful ministry to the amish people. I too grew up and married in the amish church. I received the gift of salvation at age 16. I had baught a box of old books at an auction that had a book in it about the christian life. The first chapter was on salvation and at the end it had the sinner's prayer. I got down on my knees beside my bed and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins,to give me a new heart, and to be the Lord of my life. I got up with tears streaming down my face and with the joy and peace of God in my heart. Praise the Lord,I was a new man! The next chapter it talked about the need for fellowship and to be part of a local body of believers. Because of all the brainwashing growing up,I thaught the Amish church was the right church,so I joined them. I used to love reading my Bible and meditate on the word at first, but as time went on the fire within me slowly went out until there was just a small ember left. This was due to lack of true discipleship and the fellowship of other on fire christians. But praise God, he says in his scriptures,"A bruised reid he will not break and a smoking flax he will not quench." In 1996 I was working with a young amish man [John Borkholder] who got gloriasly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. I thaught I would be a good amish brother and show him his erring ways. Ha! He began to witness to me of the wanderful infilling and leading of the Holy Spirit in ways I had never heard of before. At first I wasn't sure about this but in my heart I new this is exactly what I had been longing for. After studying the scriptures with a couple of other on fire christians,I decided that this is indeed true christianity to be filled with the Spirit of the living God and to learn to listen and obey his voice instead of the following the traditions of men. I had married my beatiful wife Dorothy at the age of 21 on Sept.23,1992. We had 3 children at the time we left the amish and moved to Montana. There I spent 7yrs. in the wilderness where I gloriously got filled with the Holy Spirit and power. Once again the scriptures became alive and real to me as his Holy Spirit continued to reveal his Kingdom to me. I am more on fire 8 yrs. later as I continue to seek his face and continue to discover the beauty and wonder of his majesty of our great and glorious King and his kingdom. May he receive the reward of his sufferings when he calls forth his glorious bride that is without spot or wrinkle. In Jan.2007 he called us to pastor a church in upstate New York where I currently reside with my wife and 6 children. If I can be of any assistance to you and your ministry, please contact me at the above email address. Feel free to share my testimony with anyone you wish. Name: Beth Email Address: justbeth2790@yahoo.com 02-28-2008 I read some of your articles, and they were very interesting. My parents left the Amish I was born, and I have lots of Amish relatives. We have good contact with them, and I am pretty good friends with some of my Amish second cousins. I'd say overall my parents have very good relationships with their Amish family, and we have lots of good times at family reunions and everything. One thing that really, REALLY disturbed me was your article on manners after you leave the amish, etc. It basically makes Amish people sound like dirty, uncouth people who have no idea about anything in the real world. Some things were very repulsive for me to read, mainly because i know that a very HUGE majority of all Amish people are not so daft as to not know that people actually say please and thank you to each other, or that girls should shave, or that they should change clothes every day, and keep themselves clean and such like. I just think it gives a wrong portrayal of the Amish, when people can come on here and read all of that article and they go away only able to say, "UGH GROSS" and get majorly turned off at the Amish. I know that some Amish could definately use some of these tips, but that's only like maybe ten percent or less. I just think it's wrong that everyone on the whole entire world wide web can come on here and read that. No wonder so many people think Amish people are so weird, if they have to read stuff like that. I hope nothing I said was offensive in the least, and I do think you have a wonderful ministry. Beth Name: cindy miller Email Address: alcindy@wildblue.net 01-22-2008 we also after receiving Christ as our Saviour left the amish 3 years ago.we got many letters & visits from our amish friends & nieghbors.telling us how wrong we are,look what we are doing to our 5 children.but God has truly set us free to live for him every day.thanks be to God for salvation in him.we are free from bondage!! a sister in Christ,Cindy Miller Name: Susan King Email Address: lotsofkings@n-connect.net 12-29-2007 Joe and others in MAP, We come into contact with many Amish in our area of Iowa. We English shop at their grocery stores and furniture stores. They come into town to buy goods at our stores. The separation between cultures is serious and we do not cross it, although I do know of one family that did come out of the Amish. Still the family names of the Amish in our area are the same as the family names of many of my relatives, for my husband's family is Mennonite and some were Amish long ago. I find this ironic that they are perhaps distantly related to us(very distantly) but seemingly unreachable. I have often thought of this subculture as one of the most difficult mission fields we encounter. The Amish do not understand the Gospel, but have put up walls to communication. They are so self sufficient and closed that we do not interact. I find it amazing that you are able to reach across this divide. God bless your ministry. Name: John Judge Email Address: e_buy_sell@yahoo.com 12-25-2007 Hello, Tho we agree with most of your site (having studied the Amish for over 5 years in our studies of the Anabaptist Faith), but some of the court postings and such, we feel, are out of line. If you are the Christians that you claim to be, then you should take a look at what you are doing, dragging peoples name thru the mud. This part of the site is offensive, and we can not recommend it to folks because of this. We pray that you will re-consider the posting of this type of information, since it is not Christ like in anyway. Can you please explain how this helps your mission? Thank You. Name: REV JOHN KINGARA Email Address: revjkingara@msn.com 12-10-2007 Thank you for your tireless work that the Lord has given you and your hand work of evangelizing. Our Lord and Savior will continually empower your ministry. Name: Norman Robinett Email Address: nrobinett@sssnet.com 12-09-2007 It may be that someone may not believe the Bible to be God's Word as I didn't at one time. So I want to pass on this poem that helped me see the truth. The Bible's Pedigree The Bible is we plainly see, then it must have a pedigree.Author Unknown Numbers 23:19a "God is not a man, that he should lie..." Malachi 3:6a "For I am the Lord, I change not..." There are wonderful promises and serious warnings found in the Bible. Not believing them will not make the warnings go away or make hell less hot. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Eternity is a very long time and hell is very hot. Come NOW and reason together. Life is short. Death is sure. Sin is the cause. Christ is the cure! Name: Carole R Email Address: clreu@mchsi.com 11-05-2007 My heart is touched by what this Ministry is doing for the Amish! I am praying for this Ministry and the Amish!! Joe, there will be an awakening with the Amish people, this is what the Lord is saying to me, do not lose heart and stay the course!! Name: Gary Lyons Family Email Address: garyandbrendalyons@yahoo.com 10-25-2007 Hi Joe! It was such a great priviledge to be able to provide the entertainment for MAP Fellowship Meeting in West Salem, OH a few weeks ago. It was so nice to meet people who are involved in your Ministry. The food was great too! May God bless you as you labor for Him! The Gary Lyons Family Name: Madeleine W. Email Address: gym_junkie66@hotmail.com 10-10-2007 I have recently been researching the Amish faith and way of life and have become very intrigued in them. I would love to have the opportuinity to experience the Amish way of life and enjoy the simplicity by which they live their lives by. Their faith and determination to be better people and live for their saviour is truly inspirational. They are an example for all. Name: Willard H. Miller Email Address: wilmil@bnin.net 10-08-2007 Keep up the work of LORD. I am also ex-amish, I left 6 years ago and have not regreted it for one moment. To those that have a negative spirit for this ministry! I understand where your coming from because it looks good from the outside, and you will never understand it untill you were on the inside. We will pray for you and GOD BLESS YOU...............Willard Name: Teresa Hirschy Email Address: hirschyhugs@isp.com 10-04-2007 Greetings in the Name of Our Lord And Savior, Jesus Christ I would like to comment on your ministry. It is a awesome answer to prayer. My family and I live right in the heart of the old order Amish community in the rural area of Geneva, IN for 25 years. And I have been friends with many, but the longer we live with them the farther away we seem to get. they are a very jealous, hippocritical, dark and lost people. There has only been one lady I have really talked about my faith too, but this was just a casual chat. My husband has been able to talk with her married son and he seems to be hearing a little, but still will not consider going against his religion.We see lots of problems with these people amongst themselves, that has giving us more reason to stay silent. So I have prayed many times over for these people. There has been some north of the Berne, In area that God has opened up their hearts and eyes and we are very good friends with this bunch, they have been a great testimony to our area. I truly believe that God is working very hard to reach these people, He just needs more willing helpers. I don't know if we are making any impact where God has placed us, but I have to believe someday we will. I would also now like to comment on your "Where will you spend Eternity" Page. I have only one problem with your explanation and it seems to be a problem with many Christian ministries. I have been trained with the Child Evangelism Fellowship Ministry and have been taught the complete gospel which I feel is very biblical, and that is to never leave out the Blood that Jesus shed, Hebrews 9;22 plainly states that without the shedding of Jesus blood there is NO forgiveness. The law requires that nearly everything is to be cleasned with blood if you read the first part of 9;22. so why do we consistently leave that part out when sharing the plan of salvation????? I don't mean at all, to be sarcastic about it, I just wonder why we leave the most improtant part out!!! Do you not agree with me that the blood Jesus shed is part of the gospel?? according to your statement of faith you do, so why leave it out when sharing with anyone.. I have requested your information packet and look forward to recieving it. I pray that it will give me some great ideas as to how to reach the dark world the amish are living in. Although I came from the catholic religion, I have dicovered the amish are pretty close to the same thinking, so I thank God daily for delivering my family from the same darkness. and I thank GOd for bringing you and your family into the {"Light"} and for your minstry He has set forth before you. God Bless and have a great day in the Lord!!!! Teresa Name: Marylee Pullen Email Address: pullenfour@adelphia.net 10-02-2007 A year ago, I cried like I hadn't cried in years. As a mom of 2, I ached for the parents of those precious little girls. I also was one of the thousands who sent condolence notes to each of the girls & their families. I have always felt a bond to the Amish even though I am not Amish. I plan to keep your website in my file so that I can gain a deeper understanding of who they are and what they mean to the Lord. I wish I could help you financially, but I cannot at this time; but, I will hold you up in prayer. Thank you, and God Bless, Marylee Name: Edna A. (Troyer)Schwartz Email Address: edna@schwartzfarm.com 09-02-2007 Hey I love your web site. I really like your family picture. Esther I still knew you. But not Joe at all. You have 2 nice children. Name: Leah Email Address: leah.mast@hotmail.com 09-01-2007 I am an ex-Amish woman between the ages of 25 and 30. I would be very interested in speaking with fellow ex-Amish between the same age group. ~*~ Leah ~*~ Name: James Parker Email Address: king_james_81@yahoo.com 08-31-2007 Hey MAP Ministry I have recently answered the call to the foreign mission field, and will be ministering in San Pedro, Sula, Honduras, and I realize that prayer works, so therefore, I will pray for the ministry to the Amish, and appreciate what you guys are doing. God Bless James Parker Name: Angela Email Address: twinkle1950@optonline.net 08-29-2007 I am a committed Christian believer and while reading a book on the Amish came across your ministry. As I read some of the e-mails below I find it sad that people express so much hostility, but as I believe that we are in the last days before the return of the Lord it doesn't surprise me. And yes, I have been hurt by Christians myself, but the enemy often seeks to destroy faith and just because someone says he or she is a believer doesn't mean they are. Christians are not perfect but if they are truly committed they will be reading His word,doers and not just hearers of the Word, and exhibiting the fruits of the spirit. Please continue with your ministry. Although I am not a Baptist we are one in Christ and we know that it is only by faith in Him that we are eternally saved and not by works or man-made laws. Our works are a result of that faith.To be born-again is faith in a person, that of Jesus Christ. I pray that you will continue to bring the truth to the Amish so that they can know the true joy and freedom that only Jesus can bring. May Jesus bless you all, strengthen you, and give you wisdom. You will be in my prayers Name: Judie Email Address: judie@carolinameadows.com 07-12-2007 To those of you who have expressed your messages in anger and discouragement towards Joe and MAP, I'll pray that the Lord opens your eyes to the truth about the Amish church. You are not Amish and you need to read what the former Amish are telling you. They did not come out because life was so filled with the joy of the Lord. May MAP continue to help lead them to the truth, something none of you can see because you have blinders on just like the horses they drive. Take a chance, go and meet Joe a former Amish man, who loves and knows his people more than any of you ever will until you start doing some research on your own. Name: Laura Dailey Email Address: dailey_612@yahoo.com 07-07-2007 I enjoyed your website very much. I have always had a strong interest in the Amish people. I have done a lot of reading about them. I had no idea there was a ministry to the Amish. My sister and her family are also missionaries in Kathmandu, Nepal. My niece is a missionary in Argentina with her family. I will try to send you some money when I can. God Bless you and I will be praying daily, In Christ, laura Dailey Name: Glen & Elizabeth Good Email Address: ouiza.good@club-internet.fr 06-27-2007 Looking at CROSSWALK today we discovered your site. It makezs feel very good to know what you're doing in the Amish communiy. We have been doing church planting in France for 39 yrs & have retired here. Often we have seen where the Amish livay d before leaving for America and know many French Mennonite that came from that community. May the Lord bless you all. Name: Linda Tanner Email Address: Lynda8150@yahoo.com 06-22-2007 In reply to Tom and Ruth Hudzina, you call the Amish the works salvation people? Well the bible says that faith without works is dead. As the mother of two grown married children, boy and a girl, who are bright, intelligent and sensitive to other people, regularly tell us that their friends who don't claim to be Christians, treat them better than their "Christian friends" and they say that they have better relationships, can count on, and trust their non-Christian friends much more than the other. I see people get "saved" and then walk around as though they are holier that though and that turns people off, is that what it means to be a Christian? Perhaps we need to take a closer look at what it means. Perhaps we need to not go around boasting about being a "Christian" and just "humbly live" it to the best of our ability, and let our conscience and God guide us. Live by the golden rule. I am a believer but have been confused about the bible for sometime now because there is numerous contradictions in the bible. Thou shall not kill, turn the other cheek, and then we support war, and read in the bible that God himself encouraged war? Is the bible accurate? Did man add to it? Organized religion? Go to a building, sit and listen to a pre-selected sermon, help pay for the church mortgage by tithing, and frequently asked for an additional "Love" offering, and reminded about how "God loves a cheerful giver" when you're perhaps struggling to pay your own mortgage. I see people in the church who are not as "popular" or preferred as other people and often feel left out, or not important as others who are frequently given recognition, and find favor with the pastor. whose needs are not met when they arise because they are hardly recognized in the church, But we have all kinds of programs and forms of entertainment in the church. Is this Christianity in action? No thanks. Do we need reformation in the modern day "Christian" churches? Is this what it means to love our neighbor as ourself? But yet we want to teach the Amish how to be a real Christian? Come out of the world and live separate? I don't claim to have the answers, still searching. still searching Name: Joe Stutzman Email Address: joeclara@frontiernet.net 06-20-2007 Hi Joe, and all those who minister with you. After reading some messages I can see there are a number of those who are uneducated about the Amish, and possibly not saved themselves, or do not know "what is a Christian". Name: Joe Stutzman Email Address: joeclara@frontiernet.net 06-20-2007 Me and my wife grew up in the old order Amish "tradition" until we were 28 years old. We finally started asking questions with no satisfactory answers. A former amish couple took us under their wing and led us to Christ. Praise God 3 of my wife's sisters have now also left and joined a bible beleiving evangelical church. Good for you for your ministry, it has been needed for many years now. We will want to see how we can get involved. Thanks, Joe & Clara Mae Stutzman Name: Linda Tanner Email Address: Lynda8150@yahoo.com 06-03-2007 I just came upon your website. are you kidding me? you want to evangelize the Amish? Teach their children how to come out of the Amish faith? It's us who could take a lesson from them. Are they perfect? no. Do they have their share of problems? yes, but not like us. We always seem to want to indoctrinate others with our beliefs! Or way of thinking. Take the plank out of your own eye before trying to remove the sliver in theirs. good grief!!! Name: Matt Mullet Email Address: moolay@gmail.com 06-01-2007 The Mennos have lost their way. At least the Amish retain some semblance of history, community, and pacifism instead of acquiescing to the diluted evangelical hodgepodge of mainstream, self-affirming, Christian capitalism present in the Mennonite church today. There is little sense trading one oppressive system for another, especially considering that what you're giving them is still an interpretation of the "good news" of the gospels ("love me or spend eternity in a pit of fire") for their century's old traditions. "In the world, but not of the world" isn't a bad way of thinking these days. If you're going to bother questioning your religious indoctrination, question it all the way. I certainly wouldn't trade the basic tenets of Anabaptism for the moral smugness of Mennonites who've jumped the fence and get to watch television, but still retain the ridiculous guilt of "sin." Is this the freedom you offer them? Name: Elam Zook Email Address: elamzook@yahoo.com 05-17-2007 There is a lot of variety among the Amish and lots of differences between their groups. I was raised in an Amish family that had no joy, but I did know some joyful very Christ-like Amish people in my community. Honestly, it all depends on the situation and group. I never joined the Amish church. I left and read lots of books and saw the world and prayed and listened to many different stories with an open mind and heart. There are saints in every church, every religion, and every country. To believe that God was not clever enough to write more than one book or that he was mean and narrow-minded enough to only create one method of salvation is not a big step from the Amish way of believing. The Bible is full of contradictions and terrible stories like when God commanded Moses and the Israelites to kill all of the people living in the place he wanted them to have after they returned from their time as slaves in Egypt. To believe that the Bible is completely accurate and absolutely inspired by God, well, then you beleive that God commanded his chosen people to commit genocide. They killed everyone: old people, little children, even newborn babies. I don't believe God asked the Israelites to do that. I believe a man wrote that God told them to do that so they could kill in his name. So, was man made in God's image or the other way around? To jump from being Amish to a born-again Christian isn't an improvement in my opinion. It is just amother form of legalism, another kind of self-righteousness, another way to see the world through black and white glasses. At least the Amish follow Christ's example of nonviolence. He said we should turn the other cheek and all the born-again Christians I know ignore that commandment and support war. Many even go to war and kill in his name. To tell me that I have free will to either accept Jesus as my Savior and go to heaven or not accept him and suffer eternal damnation isn't really a choice, is it? It certainly isn't free will either. If I put a gun to your head and say: "You have free will. Either give me your money and live or don't give it to me and die." That is not a choice. That is not God's way. It is man's way. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, not some conqueror. Name: S Warren Email Address: quiverof8@scrtc.com 05-14-2007 In your own way you are just as "misled/deceived" as you feel the Amish people are. The Amish are very well educated, despite only 8 grades of schooling. They also run businesses, have bank accounts and such. You are promoting the worldly, untrue stereo type of these people. I noticed many on your own website behaving in an UnBiblcal manner of dress. For example women wth short hair, manly clothes, no headcoverings etc. You are trying so hard to get away from your Amish background that you are throwing out the good with the bad that you perceive within the Amish church. The Amish are better off than many "english" and there are many who are saved. Many withing the protestant denominations will cry out 'Lord , Lord" and Christ will say get away I never knew you! You certainly have no right to send out the mailings unsolicited to these people or their children. Better to have that millstone around your neck than to lead people astray! Name: Fred & Dolores Crothers Email Address: fredanddode@sbcglobal.net 05-11-2007 Joe & Ester Ever since you were here in Ypsilanti in our home a couple of years ago, we have been enjoying your letters and we do pray for your group and you as well at leased once a week. We select 2 or 3 missionary prayer cards every morning for our devotions and pray for each one. Thank you again for your devotion to your ministry. It's obvious to us that God has given you a tremendous burden and the STRENGTH to endure. In His Love Fred and Dolores Name: keijo Email Address: keijoleppioja@hotmail.com 05-10-2007 "I am the Lord your God,who teaches you that is best for you,who directs you in the way you should go."So beautiful fair encourase too when I know that I am friend and disciples to God stil today and he has get to heaven that repare a room in heaven for me and for you,let us praise him and win the lost to Christ,pray for blessed revival soon.Thanks and bless.keijo sweden Name: Harvey & Barbara Keim Email Address: hbkeim03@hot.rr.com 04-24-2007 Hello Joe, I would like to post a response to the 2 people who have less than encouraging remarks for you. Both Bob Burns and David Stear are obviously highly uneducated when it comes to our people, the Amish. I would like to bring it to their attention that they happen to be talking to someone who has been raised there as well as the majority of the people writing to you in the guest book are people who have been raised there. We all know the truth about the Amish religion. We, as born again believers, know they are in desperate need of hearing the good news of gospel of Jesus Christ. We were once one of them. I want to encourage both Mr. Burns and Mr. Stear that their time could be better spent praying for the salvation of the lost than casting stones at the servant who has laid down his life that our people might come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Thank you, Joe, Esther, Jonathan, and Rachel for continuing to lay down your lives to serve our God the way you do! Be encouraged! And by the way I was that 5th grade teacher Pete Weaver spoke about. God is so faithful! God's Blessings from Texas! Barbara Keim Name: Bob Csontos Email Address: hbcpastorbob@yahoo.com 12-28-2006 I am blessed by reading your materials. I would like to know more information on how we can reach the Amish in the Middlefield area. Our church has a number of believers who came from an Amish background. We are interested in starting an outreach. We need some insight in how to go about it. Please help us. Our church is open right now and the Holy Spirit seems to want to use us. In the past you may have visited with us. We would like to see you again. Thanks Bob Csontos, Huntsburg Baptist Church 440-636-5203 Name: Nathan Falstad Email Address: natetine@hotmail.com 12-25-2006 You guys are awesome!!! May the Love of God continue to flow through you, reaping HUGE results! I've had a burden for the amish as long as I've known the Lord, and have prayed that long that God would shine his light into their darkness. You all should really check out the ministry of the Father's Love. It is a very powerful ministry to people who come from a works oriented backround, and is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus. Many times we overlook the fact that it was God the Father who Jesus credited for everything he did, and think that good, and loving Jesus is saving us from a mean old cop in the sky who is waiting to crush us the moment we stray from the path. And many of us fall for the angry indifferent God because of our own broken or non-exsistent relationships with our own Father's. Religion tell us that we are not allowed to be human, and uses fear to get us to pretend we're not. God the Father, saw us just how we were, and still sent Jesus our way. Why is it after we get saved we thank God for cleaning us up enough so we can start performing again? If you are interested in a man who has a well organized teaching tool on this check out Jack Frost. His ministry website is Shilohplace.com I think. Keep up the good work, and don't back down. I know the amish say they're non-resistant, but the religious spirit can down right nasty when you start stickin your nose in it's territory. God's blessing on you! Name: Jacob Stoltzfus Email Address: jakestoltzfus@yahoo.com 12-22-2006 My wife and I were Amish until 1982, 24 years ago we were ex-communicated because we were rebaptised by immersion, I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ on may 5th 1982, and He immediately began to show himself alive to us. I am glad that He is moving among the Amish, right here in Lancaster, Co. PA and in other areas as well. Love in christ, Jake Stoltzfus Name: Ed Borntreger Email Address: edborn@aol.com 12-17-2006 I see a need for ministering the gospel to the amish people as I am from the amish and I didn't learn or experience salvation until I got to look to the outside that my understanding of the word of God enlightened my eyes and became a reality to me. Name: Daniel & Sarah Ann Wengerd Email Address: ddeeww1973@aol.com 12-15-2006 I found these messages very interesting, my heart goes out to the Amish. Me and Sarah Ann are former Amish born again beleivers so thankful god saved us and brought us out of bondage. Can't see why sombody (like you read in some of these messages) would want to go back to that bondage after being saved. "YOU ARE BOUGHT WIH A PRICE; BE NOT YE THE SERVANTS OF MAN." 1Corinthians 7:23 "ARE YOU SO FOOLISH? HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT IN THE FLESH?" Galatians 3:3 "WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US TO CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. BUT AFTER THAT FAITH HAS COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER" Galatians 3:24-25 "STRIVINGS ABOUT THE LAW; FOR THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE AND VAIN" Titus 3:9 Name: Henry Email Address: seakay2@hotmail.com 11-29-2006 Hi there, just wanted to say "hello" and don't let the naysayers detract you from your work. Keep up the good work! Name: David Stear Email Address: cinema2@myway.com 11-21-2006 Why don't you just leave these people alone?! They already have their own understanding of the gospel which they have had since the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in Germany. Maybe they don't want to be bothered with Social Security numbers or bank accounts. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps you have something to learn from them?! I admire them for being able to remain relatively free of electricity and the internal combustion engine as well as putting telephones in their proper place--in their own outhouse-like structures in the middle of a field. LEAVE THEM ALONE--BEFORE YOU LOOK FOR THE SPECK IN THEIR EYE, LOOK FOR THE BOULDER IN YOURS!!!!! Name: Rebecca Miller Email Address: pccooking123@hotmail.com 11-14-2006 I read the coment about the Amish shooting, the thing about The Forgiveness of the Amish... The report of the Amish forgiving the shooter. Brian Williams of NBC called the act "towering faith". I think that a lot of the Amish ways are not so awesome in their "towering faith" and the forgiveness. I think this is a "Trained Behaviour." They always say, "Des is ve ma dut!" I don't think many function on a deep conviction of their own belief. I gotta go! Name: Tom and Ruth Hudzina Email Address: hudzina@vrizon.net 11-13-2006 We are listening to the radio interview with Tower to Truth Ministries and Fran Sankey. We attend Berean Bible Chapel where he is pastor and he is a very good friend to us. We live near the Lancaster County, PA area. We have always been interested in the Amish people, but we also know that they are a work's salvation people. Thank you for sharing your faith and informing us of their beliefs. God bless you and your family. Name: jerry miller Email Address: ba.miller@juno.com 11-11-2006 was forworded your email from the benderoths.was blessed by your comments about the shootings.looking forword to hitting your website again. blessings to your ministry. Name: suresh Email Address: johan_234567@yahoo.com 10-24-2006 praise jesus i sam suresh Ido childrens ministry in my own town Bapatla so i need your healp so pray for me thank you i am sorry ido not no english so please andestand my my english i will remember all of you in my prayers you are allso please remember and please send e_mail Name: bob burns Email Address: tenskatawa_1@yahoo.com 10-18-2006 what is your problem? why would you want to evangalize one of the most peaceful and religious peoples alive today. holier-than-though would scarcely begin to descibe the attituted you must have towards anyone who does not belive exactly as you do. Name: Lynnet Email Address: kjrich8@aol.com 10-14-2006 What a terrible thing to happen to those young girls. We are praying for the whole community. Glad they destroyed the school building. What a wonderful thing to see so much support going out toward them and they are accepting the gifts! Thank the Lord for every victory. Name: Jason H Email Address: slacked_out@hotmail.com 10-13-2006 I think it's a wonderful thing that your ministry does. God Bless you and the Amish wheverever they may be. Name: Jerry Kohler and Robbie Nicol Email Address: joxjk37@msn.com 10-10-2006 We are sending a donation for the school childern victims of the West Nickel School tragedy. God Bless all the Amish Families thatwere touch by this tragedy. The Kohler & Nicol Family Prescott, Arizona Name: Brenda Huse Email Address: cwcfirstlady@charterinternet.com 10-05-2006 Great web site. Keep up the good work. Is there a network to help people who are coming out, or who want out? Name: John J. Miller Email Address: aloe1@adelphia.net 09-18-2006 We need so many more poeple to do what you do. THe fields are white with harvest and the workers seem to be getting less and less. We pray for more workers and that the Lord would make them bold so they are not afriad to speak out. Name: Lisa M. Styer Email Address: lisaandy2000@msn.com 09-12-2006 I am so glad I found your web site, it is very encouraging to see your outreach. Keep up the great work of the Lord, you will be in my prayers. Lisa Name: Pete Weaver Email Address: peteweaver@peoplepc.com 08-25-2006 Love your website,it helped me get in contact with my 5th grade teacher when both of us were still amish.Your site is a blessing in many ways. Thanks for your work toward the amish. God bless you. Name: Anita Kunkle Email Address: Anita_kunkle@chs.net 08-22-2006 I'm trying to understand about reaching out to the Amish about Jesus Christ. I thought they were as they are because of bibical teaching? I do not mean to come across inapproiately. I mean this in a respectful and humble manner. I await you responce. thanks Anita Name: Richard L. Miller Email Address: rmiller037@centurytel.net 08-21-2006 Found your web site while looking up some info on the Amish, I presently am an "Amish taxi" driver. My father was raised Amish but did not join the church. I thought I knew the amish but after reading up on them, my heart breaks for them. I have had a burden for them since I started working with them. My heart jumped when I saw your ministry. You'll hear more from me later. Rich Name: Mahlon & Martha Schmucker Email Address: amishtaxilady@iflock.com 08-15-2006 Just talked with Levi Hochstetler,I'm excited to hear of this ministry. We left the amish at least 35yrs.after experencing the new birth and joined Berea Beachy church. and were there a number of years,and then experence the infilling of the Holy Spirit. And were asked to leave,because they did not belive in the fullness of the Spirit. The Lord has been opening a lot of doors the last couple of years.We want to be at the next meeting,PTL. We attend church at Maple City chapel in Goshen IN Name: ruth irene & Ottie Garrett Email Address: ruthirene@scrtc.com 08-14-2006 Love your site, I'm former amish and author of several books on the amish, if I can be of help, please contact me at the above e-mail address. Name: Terry Ohm Email Address: jesusfollower58@peoplepc.com 08-02-2006 I found out about this site from The Plain Truth online site and heard the interview with Joe Keim. It was soooo informative and touching. I've only begun to search this site, but I already see what a blessing it is to those that come here. God bless you richly as you continue in His leading. In Christ,Terry Name: Vern Schlabach Email Address: vernon_2@hotmail.com 07-12-2006 Thanks, Joe for your prayers. I doing great on my summer break and mite just have to swing by when i come up there in mid Aug. I'll give you a ring soon!!! Name: Jennifer Kirk Email Address: johnshelpmeet@msn.com 07-10-2006 Thank you for all you do for the Amish people. I have been interested in the Amish way of life and how they weave what they believe into their life. I was very sad to find out they don't believe in Salvation. I pray daily for them and think it is such a blessing to know you all are witnessing to them. May God continue to bless you all as you minister to these people. I think we all forget sometimes that beneath the clothing and lifestyle they are still sinners like all of us and need to know the Lord personally. God Bless Name: Megan Owens Email Address: mowens@cbbcmansfield.com 07-03-2006 Just checking out your website to get information for the Prayer list for Community Baptist Bible CHurch. Great website! Lots of information! Thanks Name: Dawn / Craig Winans Email Address: winansc@comcast.net 05-13-2006 Keep up the good work. We left a church that is very similar to the Amish. Rules, Regulations, no dating, no TV. Very strick dress code and worship style. Women sit on one side men on the other. They are not allowed to even date among each other. If you see someone u want to marry you must go to the Elder and ask him, then he will ask her father, then her. If you commit a sin according to the old law that was a sin unto death you get ex-communicated, and shuned. After a while you could start working your way back which could take a very long time. Then you are only considered a half a member. There are many other things also I won't get into. I left then my wife left and she was persecuted so much for leaving. Told you are leaving your faith " there church", loose your salvation etc. It was bad. Well keep up the good work Name: Lynnet Email Address: kjrich8@aol.com 05-11-2006 I still visit this site once in a while. It is always intresting to read what others have to say in the guest book. I didn't expect to get feed back on my entry. No one seems to like the shunning thing but it is in the Bible, that is why we shun backsliders. No matter how we look at it there is still one faith(belief), one Lord, and one baptism according to the scriptures. We just need to study to shew ourselves approved unto God, a workman needing not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. It is my prayer that all who read come to the knowledge of the truth in Jesus' name. God bless. Name: Rosa Balzamo Email Address: lil_rosi81@yahoo.com 05-09-2006 Just wanted to say how much I appreciate this ministry and the work they are doing. I'm also thankful that my mom, Mary Schrock, has been able to help out so much; I know it means a lot to her. Since my parents were both raised Amish and I was born into the Amish and now we are all born again Christians, it is such a blessing to see a ministry like this affecting so many lives! God Bless!! Name: Gerrie Louden Email Address: gerriel@charter.net 05-01-2006 I grew up in Pennsylvania and had cousins (non-Amish) that lived in "Amish country" just outside of Reading. I'd always been fascinated by the Amish we saw so often, until I read a book during the early 80's called "Born Amish." That book was written by a woman raised Amish whose parents became Mennonites after she grew up, and revealed the legalistic and judgemental side of Amish life. I found your ministry described in the Plain Truth Magazine and just had to come and read your site. God bless your work and may He continue to rescue more Amish people through you. Gerrie Name: brother luke Email Address: ehmisch@hotmail.com 04-28-2006 Thanks for partnering with plain truth magazine! I loved the article and continue to run the race as to win. Name: John Stevens Email Address: pastorjohn_@hotmail.com 03-08-2006 I am praying for you and your family my friend! Name: Dan Morell: Pastor Email Address: handplane1@juno.com 03-08-2006 Enjoy your site and share your burden...keep looking unto Jesus. We are a Supporting Church of Bro. Paul and Miriam Coblentz missionaries to Amish. We will continue in prayer for you. Bro. Dan and Heritage Baptist Church Name: pamela dupre Email Address: pamyrose51755@aol.com 03-02-2006 Hi Iam a 51 yr old divorced female interested in learning about the Beachy Amish Mennonite faith and possible conversion. I was baptised in the Baptist faith. I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and has saved me from my sins. I am thinking of moving to MO in Webster county within the next few months and wonder if there are any of this denomination there. Would someone be willing to reach out to me, and help me to learn more about the faith. I will need to buy a home to live in and will want to do so in accordance with the faith. I have always longed to be close to my savior and always enjoyed good hard work, working in the soil and tending flower gardens. I have taught some school in the past and done alot of work with children who were young. I do regrett the divorce and have asked God's forgiveness. Would I be allowed to remarry if God willed in his time. All contacts would be appreciated. I will be staying in Florida with my sister until I decide for certain. That will be after March 14,2006 Are there any members of the faith in Florida? I look forward to hearing from all. I truly desire this journey and pray there are those who will help me make it. I am no stranger to hauling wood and heating with it and using an outhouse. My cooking skills are not very good however and I never learned to sew, but I know God has a plan and purpose for me. I love to read and my favorite book is the Bible. I love nature front porches and sunsets. But most of all I love God and long to be close to him and serve him in a beautiful and simplistic manner. I know my family children grown and relatives will think me crazy for desireing this, but I desire it with all my heart. Pamela Dupre P.O. 248 Cheswold, DE 19936 After March 14th you may reach me at Pamela Dupre care of Diana Harrington Hampson 1055 Willa Lake Circle Oviedo Florida32765 Name: Bruce Argo Email Address: sea3@twlakes.net 02-17-2006 I am a Apolostic minister who has made many friends with the Amish and Mennonites. They are some of the kindest and sharing people you could ever hope to meet. I have spent almost 20 years witnessing to them. The Ordnung does not allow them to jump the bounds set by their particular group. This in many cases makes it difficult to witness to them. First, for those who are trying to witness to them, you must understand that they do not think like the English think in many ways. If you want to be a true witness to them you must allow God to work thru you in a way they can understand. They understand plain living! They understand plain dress. They understand helping each other, they understand the pecking order of the family etc. To explain, my family is an Apostolic family. What does that mean? It means my wife and daughter wear long dresses, it means they never cut their hair, it means they don't wear make-up, it means we don't have a TV, it means that the men and women wear long sleeves, even in the summer. It means that we do many things plain also. These are not things that are in the plan of salvation but rather are part of the things that seperate us from the world. We do them not because the Ordnung says so, or because we are made to do them, but because we want to do them, its in our heart. You see, the Amish understand these things. By having items in common with them, I have spent many years enjoying their friendship. We have learned to make our own bread, We have learned to make our own sorghum, and live separate from the world. Even with our friendship with the Amish, I fear that many have never grasp the true plan of salvation in the name of our Lord Jesus, and know the power of his name according to Acts 2:38. But we can testify that some have. Pray for them and pray for us that we can continue to be a witness for Jesus Christ our Lord.. Just remember that it is God who opens the doors, it is up to us to try to keep them open, by His will.. I am always open for e-mail or questions or comments on living plain, or the fullness of God. May God bless you, and our Amish and Mennonite friends. Amen. Name: Mrs Gaynor Saripalli Email Address: gaynor@sify.com 02-05-2006 I am interested in the Amish way of life and looked at the web site. Thankyou for the interesting and well presented information which has enlightened me. I will come back! Name: Enos Yoder Email Address: yoder34@aol.com 02-05-2006 I come from the amish Ethridge Tennesseee there is A great misson there pray for them Name: Tina Alexander Email Address: tla3816@yahoo.com 01-12-2006 In the words of my 3 year old Logan - AWESOME! I truly enjoyed reading your newsletter and getting to see the pictures. I have been talking with April for awhile now and she is just as beautiful as her words are to my heart. God is evident in this ministry and I will continue to keep you in my prayers for more grant money and outreach to those who need to hear the words of God! This mission helps so many people even beyond what it was designed for. Keep up the good work! Your friend, supporter, and sister in Christ, Tina Name: Jonathan Troyer Email Address: itsbenjaminht@yahoo.com 11-17-2005 What's up ya'll? Yes I'm harvey's youngest, I decided to stop by, and check it out. catch you later. Name: Lori Email Address: lorilou@bellsouth.net 11-06-2005 Very interesting site! The Amish have always fascinated me and only recently did I learn that they don't embrace salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. So sad...so much like the Muslims...both have a form of godliness (in appearances) but lack the inner sanctification. I would like to comment on one of the posts I saw on here from February. I also belong to a holiness Pentecostal organization that preaches the Acts 2:38 message--repentace, infilling of the Holy Spirit and baptism by immersion in Jesus' name. We also dress modestly and follow some of the guidelines as the other post-er mentioned, but I will set the record straight that our organization as a whole does NOT shun people, former church members, etc. for leaving the church or any other reason. We should love, encourage, pray for, and be in contact with former members so they would want to come back. Our God is a God of second, third, fourth, seventeenth, eighty-eighth, chances! I can't comprehend why that particular church would do that. I just wanted to clear that issue up so others wouldn't think that about us as a whole. Also, the post-er neglected to say that some issues are not doctrines, but rather personal decisions in most churches(birth control, sleeve lengths, TV's, etc.) otherwise it becomes very legalistic. God bless the ministry ya'll have started! Name: Naomi Peachy Clark Email Address: justpeachy607@hotmail.com 10-13-2005 You have an interesting site. I grew up as a Beachy Amish minister's daughter but I left that tradition when I was 21. I appreciate this forum that gives people a chance to tell their own stories. Name: Criss Morrison Email Address: criss719@wmconnect.com 09-16-2005 I can't and wont call anyone a liar regarding their own personal experiences with the Amish or any other "old order" group. As you know, there are good and bad in every group, club, race, etc. However, I can speak from my experience. I was raised Baptist and know of both good and bad in the church. I got caught up in the Pentacostal/Holliness churches for a while and know both the good and bad of that church, too. The preachers there are VERY controlling and in some ways, it's similar to voodoo. I joined and was baptized into a very large, conservative, rich Presbyterian church. Most of the members there were not only rich they were arrogant and actors who only put on a show each Sunday. After I lost my wife and children through divorce, had muscular surgery on my eye and as a result of the two life changing events, I had a nervous breakdown. After several months, I went to the church and asked for a job working in the kitchen or anything because I was not able to go back to work for the highway dept. The church completely turned their back on me. I resigned from that church, vowing to never return to any organized religion. Elmo Stoll was one of the, if not the finest man that I've ever had the privilege of knowing. The people that I knew from the Christian Community of Cookeville were good, Christian people who were gentle, caring, kind, giving people. I miss my friend, Ervin H. He is a model Christian who we could all learn so much from. Maybe if we tended to our own business and helped others, live our lives by the Golden Rule, we would all be better off. If you don't like a religion, leave it. If you don't like to be around people of a particular church, don't go around them. Name: Tom Email Address: jgr2002@msn.com 09-05-2005 I would like to thank you for sharing how our LORD has touched and filled your lives with his love. Joe and Esther, may Abba Father cover you and your family with his Heavenly shield of protection and richly bless you with his love and grace. May those who visit this site be filled with the open mind and heart guided by the Holy Spirit. Love in Christ, Tom Name: Becka Cross Email Address: avonlea1874@aol.com 08-01-2005 Hello. I am very thankful for a ministry such as yours. There are admirable qualities about the Amish lifestyle, but it is sad to know how dead in religion it actually is. How sad to think of all the religious people, Amish or not, who are literally going to hell in their own church. I recently visited with an aunt who lives in the middle of the Amish community of Ethridge, Tennessee. She would love to see her neighbors come to a saving knowledge of Christ. May God bless you, and work in the hearts of these dear people. Name: Mary Schlabach Email Address: yramsh@valkyrie.net 07-23-2005 I would not tell anyone to leave the Amish, though I've done so myself. I believe the decision must be directed by God and led by His spirit. However I do ask one question,"Can one be passionately Amish and passionately pursue God?" Name: Roman and Mary Kauffman Email Address: Romary@characterlink.net 07-17-2005 Our hearts desire is that all Israel (Amish) might be saved, for I bear them record that they have a zeal for God....but not according to knowledge....they being ignorant of Gods righteousness go about establishing their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of Jesus Christ....... Name: Ryan Coffman Email Address: indians20@msn.com 07-13-2005 Hey how's it gonin' Name: christy carraway Email Address: espritcoaching@aol.com 07-10-2005 I'm fascinated by the Amish culture Name: Elizabeth Email Address: Lven4God@yahoo.com 06-30-2005 I found your website while doing a search on google.com for something else. I've enjoyed reading your website and seeing how the Lord has used you in ministering to the amish. The amish have always interested me, and it is great to see you reaching them with the precious Word of God. I pray the Lord would continue to bless you and your ministry. A Sister In CHrist, Elizabeth Name: Tonya Email Address: ttaj_99@yahoo.com 06-20-2005 I'm interested in your ministry. I pray that God continues to bless it each and every day. It's definitely a needed ministry that I don't think many people would think of. My your love for God be reflected to the people you meet each and every day and may the blessings he pours over you continue to overflow and touch those around you. God Bless. Tonya Name: Rick Presley Email Address: DrewidRick@gmail.com 04-17-2005 This is a nice site and I applaud your mission. If I could make one suggestion: Put an "About" section or link on your home page. Use this to tell the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of MAP. Feel free to drop me a line if you would like some examples. Also, where can I find more information about your group in Mt. Gilead? rick Name: Norrene E. Speckhart Email Address: flower92@alltel.net 04-08-2005 So thououghly enjoyed your sharing of ministry and was blessed by your testimony and ministry. I trust our paths will cross again. Heard you at Fellowship Baptist Church. Name: Betty L. Bower Email Address: bettybee1@mindspring.com 04-08-2005 Just wanted to say how thankful I am for your ministry! God is so good! Name: Mrs. M. Britton Email Address: msbrit@usit.net 02-28-2005 It was so good to read your testimonies and all about what you are doing. My husband and I lived and ran a business in an old order Amish community in Kentucky for 4 years during which time we often privately felt we were missionaries to them. I was so suprized to find that there actually are missionaries to the Amish and so happy to know that there are! I will be returning here to read some more and I will be praying for your work. Name: clara dent Email Address: c-ddent@hotmail.com 02-25-2005 Hi Joe I sure thank u for all u did for me my family of 3 small children when we needed help .God bless u all. o I have it so much nicer since I'm with David I wouldn't want it differnt. again thanks for helping us leave the amish and finding God. I feel so much better out here and not the dread of going to church any more . we go to a church called family life fellow ship. and I can feel more at home in that church and i feel the preasents of god in that church.its such a mircal . i wish my family could see they are not right and find god b-4 its to late all we can do is prayfor them. thanks again Joe for your help in ministering to me and helping me in time of my needs.keep up helping the amish Name: Jenny Mink Email Address: boxersr2cool@aol.com 02-14-2005 You have a very nice website. Name: Lynnet Email Address: kjrich8@aol.com 02-11-2005 That is old style pentecost. Our men shave their faces and keep their hair cut short. They wear long sleeve shirts and long pants. Our children dress like their parents. No short pants for boys or men. No pants for females. No splits in the skirts or dresses for females. The females do not wear hair coverings, we beleive that the hair is our covering that is why we do not cut it. Name: Lynnet Email Address: kjrich8@aol.com 02-10-2005 Your ministry is intresting. I also have a sincere burden for the Amish people and am praying for them daily. My husband and I along with our six children visited an Amish community in Missouri this December. I wanted to meet them and hopefully get to witness to them. We did have a good visit, we may return in the summer. We are Apostolic similar to old style pentost. I read and study about their history and customs. We beleive in the infilling of the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus' name. We desire to see them set free and filled with the Spirit of God, baptized in Jesus' name. They are beautiful people that need love and understanding. We live without television in our homes, we have electricity and all the necessary things of living in today's society. We do shun people that have had understanding and truly born again according to the scriptures, that leave the church for the things of this world. Our church is in Lafayette, Louisiana 717 Duhon Road. My prayers will continue to be for the Amish people to learn the truth found in the Holy scriptures. We are in this world but not of it. Your site is helpful in gaining information that feeds my burden for these precious people's souls. Jesus is alive and well in Lafayette Louisiana, come see us when you can. Brother Schwing is our pastor, he truly has a pastor's heart. We also have 10 mission churches and foreign mission out reach churches. Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Eph. 2:2 Our women do not cut their hair, wear make up or jewelry and we wear long dresses at least 2 inches below the knee, sleves below the elbow and apropriate neck lines.We are very modest in our dress. We also do not practice birth control. We even teach our own children academics in a private school for church members only. We use the School of Tomorrow curriculm. It's filled with christian character teaching and scripture memory. We pray and worship the Lord every day. We begin with prayer every day and end with thanks giving to the Lord. Name: Lynnet Email Address: kjrich8@aol.com 02-10-2005 Our church web site is thechurch-apostolic.org Name: Anna Zook Email Address: zannette79@yahoo.com 01-31-2005 Your testimonies are very inspiring! I was wondering, are you able to communicate and visit your families? It is always encouraging to hear other people's stories and realize that your not the only one who had to leave their family behind. Name: Roy Lindquist Email Address: ro-lin@online.no 01-17-2005 My prayers are with you ! Roy in Norway Name: Andy's Dad Email Address: elwabook@hotmail.com 01-12-2005 Found you in a roundabout way through the Bill Gothard discussion site on yahoo. Name: Ryan Coffman Email Address: indians2034@hotmail.com 01-03-2005 Praying for you Name: Tom & Eileen Wilson Email Address: tompw02@earthlink.net 12-22-2004 Just visited your web site. Very good site. We're praying you and your family will have a blessed Christmas! Name: Teri Email Address: tep_16201@hotmail.com 11-23-2004 Greetings from SW Pa. I came upon this sight as I am always wanting to learn all I can about the Amish. I will mark this sight and read it in it's entirety as time permits. I was reading the testimonies, and was especially touched by John Schlabachs. Perhaps because he is in military attire and our son has been serving for 12 years. I wish to let John know he is in our thoughts and prayers and I respect/admire him for his services. I can't imagine life without family support and it is my understanding that once you leave the Amish faith, you are no longer permitted to be a part of the family. That to me is very sad so I want John to know that I would feel honored to write him while he is serving. I know our son loved getting letters and goodies from home while he was in Afghan and Iraq of late. Keep up the good work. Name: melvin john Email Address: melvin_psr640@rediff.com 09-28-2004 God extend your ministry.amen Name: Glen & Kathy Dockstader Email Address: gkd1981@digitalusa.net 09-10-2004 We have a new email address so you can send newsletter by email again. We appreciate your newsletter and ministry. thank you Name: Min. Terry Miller Email Address: millerhof@hotmail.com 06-23-2004 Greetings from Manitoba, Canada. I just came across your website. I don't know if you are familiar with the Hutterites or not? Hutterites are a branch of the Anabaptist movement with similarities to the Amish and Mennonites, but live a communal lifestyle. We are a congregation of ex-Hutterites. I was a minister of a Hutterite Colony, but we have experienced a revival and are separated from the old order and are now a Bible believing church. We will remember you in our prayers. Name: Lynn Email Address: blue4@sympatico.ca 06-22-2004 I was born into a family of Amish heritage. I have never attended an Amish church. I was Baptised as an adult and have thought dearly on returning to my heritage. As my Grandparents have told me about my family and my Amish background. I have come to miss what was taken from me.I am a full Anabaptist beleiver, However, I too am marreid to Joe my husband and not of the Amish faith. We are Christians and remain a servent to God. I hope to one day find where I belong and to keep the faith in my heart and soul. I love your site and which you and yours love and prayer. God Bless. Lynn Name: Sara Email Address: forjesusmail@yahoo.com 06-01-2004 I am so thrilled that there are caring people out there that want to reach the Amish with the love of Christ!I will pray for the ministry you have with the Amish,and I hope you win many souls for Christ.The "religion" of the Amish is truly empty,because of their lack of relationship with God.I'm so glad to know that you are winning some of the Amish for Jesus.May God bless you! Name: Mary Schrock Email Address: jmschrock7@yahoo.com 05-11-2004 It's a blessing to read messages from those of you who have a burden for these dear people lost in the Amish religion. I encourage you to witness to them whenever possible.They are very sincere, but sincerely wrong in their belief. How do I know? I WAS one of them 20 years ago. I'm thankful for the one who had the courage to witness to my husband and I, showing our need for the Savior! So never give up witnessing to them. Name: Elizabeth Popp Email Address: klpopp@hurontel.on.ca 02-21-2004 hello lm from canada Ontario, live in midwestren ontario. for lm lm wanting just a friend who is amish, lm not wanting to change her only the holy spirit can do so. l pray each day for her and her family, keep the safe and well. l know one day the good lord will bring a wonderful lady into my life, lm soooo excited!!!! lm married and have 4 children, god fearing people one chld lives in the world. l feel she can teach me so much and l know the lord is leading this!!! May This peace of God be with you always Elizabeth Popp Name: Lynn Wineland Email Address: unclelester@woh.rr.com 12-28-2003 I've been interested in the Amish for a number of years, but at the same time know that their view of salvation is skewed, and that they are under the curse of righteousness through works. We go to the Amish area's 2-3 times a year in NE Ohio and I've always had a desire to witness to them, but really don't know how to go about doing so. Also, I see the kids and realize their future is in farming or a long, hard, antiquated way of life. I'd like to take them home with me, let them get online, drive them around, let them live English for a few weeks and be a friend to them teaching them the grace and love of Jesus Christ, not the Ordnung of hardnosed bishops. Thank you Name: Roy Lindquist Email Address: ro-lin@online.no 12-02-2003 I believe GOD is working with you in a matter of some importance just now.... because I feel a "burden" of a whish to pray for you these days.......I feel the tears in my eyes..... sorry my english Roy Name: Dezerah mcguire Email Address: dangel199234@yahoo.com 11-17-2003 i love your web site and your picture toooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! god blesss and love you all DEZERAH Name: Michael Email Address: deaf_amish1978@yahoo.com 09-28-2003 Hello, I really enjoyed this website. I learned something from it. No, I am not Amish, but do have Amish friends in Pa. Will keep check this website often. Take care. Name: Pookie Bear Email Address: pookiethebear@hotmail.com 06-10-2003 What a great site! It is a blessing to see what you are doing. I live in central PA (not Lancaster) where there are a lot of Amish, and my heart goes out to them. I know that they are lost souls. I have found myself researching their way of life for some time now, and I always come up with more and more questions. I do not personally know any Amish people, but I feel somewhat compelled to help save them. Save them from the abuse that goes on and save them spiritually by opening they way for them to see the true word of God and thhe only way to salvation. I find myself wanting to show them the real 'english' life, one of work, worship, trust and faith, not the durgs, sex, and alcohol that the amish kids get into during thier rumspringa. The poor kids are kept ignorant and uneducated inorder to preserve that way of life, and there is so much more out there. Technology is a wonderful thing. Keep up the good work, and if you have any ideas on how I might go about starting to help some of the amish see the light feel free to contact me. Many blessings. Name: Natalie Powers Email Address: npowers@bethelchapel.com 08-20-2001 I am priviledged to know the Keim's personally and to witness their love for the Amish people. I, too, have developed a love for them. Only through prayer and support will every Amish person be exposed to the Gospel. This message is a challenge for those with a burden to pray to God and seek His will for their involvement in this ministry. God Bless! Name: Jennifer Reinbolt Email Address: jreinbolt81@hotmail.com 08-19-2001 I just wanted to say that you guys are a great blessing in many lives. There are a lot of people who don't think about witnessing to the Amish because they think they know the way to heaven. I pray that the Lord will continue to use you. Don't ever give up, let the Lord be your guide in all you do. Love in Christ, Jennifer Name: Roberta Johansson Email Address: 08-04-2001 May the Lord bless and guide you in your work. I am encouraged and challenged by what you do for His kingdom, in reaching the Amish with the Gospel of salvation through our precious Lord Jesus Christ Name: Joe Keim Email Address: jkeim@bethelchapel.com 07-21-2001 We put his message board up for people to post their thoughts and comments about this web site, about the Amish, and if you have had a chance to witness to an Amish person, I think it would be good to share it with one another. Some of you have written to us to share how God is using you in sharing Christ with your Amish neighbors and friends. Lets keep this a positive place as we share our thoughts, comments, and ideas. God Bless you - the Keims |
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