February 2022 MAP Update

In This Issue

Alan and Katie Update/Conference Details                            Volunteering at MAP 

Bountiful Gift                                                                                     Ella Schrock's Testimony

We have learned that sending Bible lessons out via mail is by far the best way to reach the Amish culture with the gospel.  Since 2000, God’s simple plan of salvation (Jesus + nothing) has gone out to Amish people over one million times.  To date, more than 4,000 students have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ.  Every student, award, lesson, and salvation is recorded in a customized Student Tracker program. About January 2nd of the year, a hacker got into our Student Tracker database and encrypted the storage drive with ransomware.  Just like that, we lost 20 years of student records. Since ransomware follows backed up data and encrypts additional drives, we lost all the data on our backup drive. We panicked for a full day before realizing that two months earlier, our computer guy had backed all the student tracker data up on flash drive. So, in the end, we only lost two months of records.

Alan and Katie Update

In January, we sent an email out asking God’s family to pray for Alan and Katie.  Since then, many have informed us that they are praying daily. Thank you!

Katie is still very much convinced that in order to go to heaven she must stay fully committed to the baptism and vow she made to the Amish church. Her family, friends, church members, and leadership are all there to support and encourage Katie and the children. At times like this the vow made to the Amish church trumps the marriage vow. Please continue to pray for Katie and the children’s salvation. Until the Holy Spirit of God becomes Katie’s teacher and guide, she will continue to trust in a religious system that leads only to death.

Alan is part of a daily texting group I’m involved in. He is also part of a by-weekly video conference call where our goal is to study the scriptures, encourage, hold each other accountable, and pray together.

Alan was encouraged by several former Amish to not just hand his business over to the Amish community, even if it means loosing all his employees as a result of excommunication. Alan does not attend the Amish church anymore and drives a truck, but lives at home with his wife and children.  Alan agreed to go to Amish-run counseling with Katie at Huffnung Heim.  He is glad that he went and said, “I’m sure they took me as a rebellious person because I have a problem with church rules, but them saying that doesn’t change my peace with God. I know who I am in Christ.” 

Stepping out of the Boat Conference

We are so excited about the upcoming conference, March 24-26. God clearly has sent us 13 speakers, who each have 20 minutes to share about a time they stepped out of the boat and God did the supernatural. 

What makes this conference so unique from any other conference:

1. Our speakers are everyday, down-to-earth, men and women of God who have a fire within and a story to tell—a story much bigger than self.
2. You will be challenged to get out of the rut, let go of your fears, refocus, and do something big—bigger than yourself— for the glory of God.
3. Our amazing pastor of 48 years, John Bouquet, will start the conference off on Thursday evening. His message: When God Stepped Out of the Boat.

For almost two months straight, entire families and individuals have been registering every single week. It. Is.  Going. To. Be. Awesome!

We are offering food, ministry networking, fellowship, child care, and a fully staffed children’s ministry on Friday and Saturday. 

So, come on out, bring your family and friends, and let’s support the Peters, Johns, James, Lydia's, Mary’s, and Martha’s of our day. Let’s get out of the boat and watch God move more mountains.

Dates: March 24-26

Location: 575 US-250, Greenwich, OH

Phone: (419) 962-1515

Details: MapMinistry.org/step-out

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Our group of women from the Ladies’ Missionary Society at Camden Baptist Church of Wellington has really enjoyed serving in the MAP office. Once a month, we have been helping with getting newsletters and Bible study course materials ready to mail. Most of the ladies in our group are retired or widowed, and serving at MAP offers us a fun outing for fellowship with one another, a time to serve the mission of MAP, and a chance to shop and enjoy lunch at Beyond Measure Market. We delight in making a day of it.

We have about 12 ladies who are able to be a regular part of the group and several other ladies who are not able to come, but share our interest and give their support. Our purpose is to keep regular communication with our missionaries so that we can pray for them and encourage them as well as to support their work. Ladies Missionary Society has been a group at Camden Baptist Church since 1840. It’s sweet to think about the faithfulness of God over the years, and it’s such a joy to be able to volunteer at MAP.  

—Valerie Reebel

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Greetings, Dear Friends,

Thank You for your support throughout the years and for sticking with us through the rough times that we have had.

This December, one of our supporting groups blessed us with a special Christmas present. Women of Grace, from Ashland Grace Church, gifted us with some much-needed office supplies!

In their gift, WOG included toilet paper, paper towels, colored pens for grading, sticky notes, tape, tissues, other supplies, and of course, some GOODY SNACKS!  They thought of everything!

To ALL of our supporters: We thank you for the gifts that you have sent us this Christmas and throughout the entire year as well. You are all so AWESOME and such an encouragement!

God Bless You all!

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I was born and raised Old Order Amish.  I was taught about God and the need to follow man-made rules with the hope that  I could be good enough that God would allow me into heaven.  I was told by my deacon that if I followed and did what I was told, it should not fail.

I fully rested in that until my foundation was shaken when someone shared the gospel with my husband. I had thought that the Amish church had what it took to get to heaven, but I did not know if I would go there.  I was seeking truth. 

In the meanwhile, my husband, four children, and I left the Amish. For about four years, I struggled with not knowing if I was saved. On October 11, 2010, a message was preached in church titled,  “Are You Ready?” Heavy convictions came upon me. I went forward as the church sang, “Is Your All on the Alter.” As I cried out to God to deliver me from my sins, a huge burden was lifted.  My life was drastically changed. The scriptures came alive. Songs got meanings to them. 

One of my favorite verses is Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” 

Being saved doesn’t mean that I am sinless, but that I am forgiven.         

— Ella    

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