April 2022 MAP Update

In This Issue

21 Years of Ministering to the Amish                        Step out of your Boat

April 1, twenty-one years ago, I stepped away as a tool and die maker at Newman Technology and went into full-time ministry. I read all I could about DL Moody and even made a trip to visit the DL Moody Museum inside the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. I remember tears pouring down my cheeks as I stood in the midst of that little museum. I cried out: Oh Lord, not for my sake, but for Your sake and those whom You are calling me to reach with the gospel, please bless and fill Your servant with the same portion that you blessed DL Moody with. 

If I have learned one thing in my ministry journey, it is this:  I may have been capable and talented enough to fix one-thousand-ton dies at Newman Technology, but I will never be able to fix people and their problems. Only God can do the fixing. Secondly, I’ve learned, and am still learning, to be a better listener. God gave me two ears and one mouth for a purpose. Thirdly, I have learned that when we are on the front line fighting for the souls of men and women, we are automatically going to get shot the most. 

With that all said, I can’t wait to begin our 22^nd year in ministry. With God at the steering wheel and you by our side, I have no doubt, but that the best is yet to come.  

In March, I spent a full day with Ephraim Stoltzfus in Lancaster, PA. About 75 souls, mostly Amish and former Amish, had gathered to worship, pray, and be challenged by anointed men of God. Ephraim and others have been called to plant house churches all over the Lancaster area. One of the leaders said, “Joe, we eliminated the pulpit, and our children sit with us during the church service.” The Lancaster churches, mostly people with Amish roots, meet weekly. Every three months, all of the house churches come together in one place, for a day of rejoicing, food, fellowship, and preaching.

I seldom share about Beyond Measure Market, even though Esther and I spend a great deal of time serving our community with deli meats and cheeses, groceries, produce, and other unique items. We play Christ-centered music throughout the 6,000 ft store and often pray with our customers. A few weeks ago, on March 18, we entered our 5^th year.

The first three to four years were very challenging and difficult; they cost us many sleepless nights. At times, I questioned whether God was even part of the store idea. Once, we hired a young man to manage the store, but it did not work out. We prayed often and continually sought the Lord for wisdom and guidance. Many of God’s people believed in us, cheered us on, and donated funds to keep the doors open. Slowly…very, verrry slowly,  we were able to inch our way forward, to the point where Kailyn is preparing to take over management of the store. 

Kailyn started working at Beyond Measure Market from the very beginning, right out of high school. She is a visionary, a hard worker, loves the Lord with all her heart, and fits right in with the ministry.  In May, she will finish her college degree and start working full-time. The MAP Board has fallen in love with Kailyn, just like we all have. You might say that she is home-grown and has been part of the sweat, blood, and tears of starting up the market.

The goal has always been to employee young Amish women, while they live at New Beginnings, and eventually make enough profit from the market to help support Mission to Amish People. That is still the goal.  Several ministries in the US are looking at Mission to Amish People and Beyond Measure Market as a ministry model that they would like to follow.

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In recent updates, we have often talked about our second annual Step Out of the Boat Conference. I would like to share some of what God did in our hearts.

An army of people worked around the clock preparing food, registering attendees, decorating the church house with boats, a dock, and scripture passages on faith, and working with 18 speakers who would share what it was like to step out of the boat and trust God to do something bigger than themselves.

Our pastor, John Bouquet, preached the first message on Thursday night, reminding us that God Himself stepped out of heaven, put on human flesh, and became one of us. From there, we heard testimony after testimony from educated, uneducated, Amish, former Amish, and English every-day people who stepped out in faith. Let me just say, it was by far the best conference that I have ever been part of.  The Spirit of God was so obvious, so powerful, and moved so mightily throughout the three days. Again and again, people spoke about having to forsake culture, parents, children, grandchildren, businesses, and everything they had ever known – to follow the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. This is our generation, our turn. 

The Lord called out to Joshua, in the Old Testament, and said, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise…” Our challenge to each other was: DL Moody is dead! Leonard Ravenhill is dead! Now therefore arise, step out of your comfort zone and do something for the glory of God and this generation. 

Not a single day has gone by without attendees calling, emailing, and texting – letting us know the immense impact this conference has had on their lives. Amish people are also calling and letting us know that they are watching the YouTube videos. One Amish father of three called to let us know he fell into drugs and alcohol, but recently got saved. After searching YouTube for a better understanding of his new-found faith, God led him to the Step Out of the Boat Conference videos. He went on to say, “My friend and I download one video a day, using a small black box with antennas, located outside our house. – It takes a full day to download just one video session.” At the end of each day, their families get together and watch those videos. 

If you would like to watch the videos from the conference, please go to our website <> Step out of the Boat and click on the names of each speaker. Be sure to watch David Kirkwood, Jonas, and Levi Kurtz. Jonas and Levi are ministers within the Amish church. David, from an English background, is helping these men start up Bible studies and teach disciples to go out and make more disciples. It is POWERFUL what God is doing in their midst.

Are you ready for revival to break out in our land? Then do me a favor. Step out of your boat and let God do the impossible…through you. Please consider joining us for our next Zoom call. Email us at (map@mapministry.org) for details. 

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20).

Next month, I have much to share about weddings, counseling, discipling, an Amish/former Amish texting group, zoom calls, and the need to send the Amish Voice out  monthly instead of bimonthly.  I would also like to share some details on how MAP got hit with a $120,000 city-sewer connection fee! The Lord will provide. He always does. 

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