From the desk of
EVANGELIST JOEY KELLY
Preach the Word. 2 Timothy 4.2
 
 
January 3, 1995
Dear friends,
     The Apostle Paul wrote, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (Cor. 2.2). Haiti is full of so-called "missionary" activity sponsored by certain Christian groups that feel it is their social responsibility to involve themselves in international politics. Invariably, their theology as well as their political ideology is radically liberal in nature. They view Jesus as a good man, a teacher, even a good example, yet they refuse to acknowledge that He is God. Consequently, they do not believe in salvation nor the judgement, and as a result, thousands of Haitians will die and go to hell while these "missionaries" waste God's time and the Church's valuable resources.

     This ministry is not so. We do one thing, and that is to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To be sure, Christ commanded us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc., but this is a part of the gospel and a visible example of the love that God has for the individual. We believe that Jesus is the only hope for the problems of Haiti, and we intend to lift Him up, believing that He will indeed draw all men unto Himself.

A BURDEN FOR LOST SOULS
     "And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die ... And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb" (Gen. 30.1,22). In Bible times it was very important to bring up children because of the inheritance that was to be passed on. We don't place that much importance on it today, but back then the inheritance meant life or death for the individual families of Israel. It was not so much whatever money or property that was involved, but the ability to pass on the inheritance that mattered. Joshua (at Moses' instructions) divided the Promised Land unto the tribes of Israel, and this land was later divided up according to the individual families in each tribe. God promised this land to Israel (just as we are promised a spiritual inheritance in Christ), and this is what concerned Rachel.

If Rachel were to have no children, then she and her genealogical line would then die out, and she would effectively have no inheritance. This is the motivation behind her request to Jacob (and her petition before God). God heard her cry, opened her womb, and gave her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin.

     David (speaking of the Messiah) reveals the Father's directive to "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Ps. 2.8). Isaiah tells us that "more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife" (Is. 54.1).

     This ministry is concerned with souls. There are about two million people in and around Port-au-Prince. It is the will of God that these people come to know the Lord Jesus. From the filthy slum of Cite' Soleil, where raw sewage runs into the people's houses every time it rains, to the rich neighborhoods up the hill in Petion Ville, the gospel must be preached. We don't sponsor children or write our congressmen (or some other such foolishness), we preach Jesus.

OUR MISSIONARY STRATEGY
     At the direction of the Holy Spirit, we have developed the ministry strategy outlined below. Please understand that we are already involved in some of the listed areas, and we are seeking the help of the Lord to do all that He has instructed us to do. I was in fact intending to relocate to Port-au-Prince last summer, but the tightening of the embargo and the ensuing U.S. invasion effectively shut us out of the country. The ministry as a whole is just now "getting back on line", and we are believing God for a move of His Spirit and a mighty harvest of souls.

1). 3-day crusades in local churches and other meeting places. Please note: this is in addition to my normal schedule of itinerant preaching.

2). Salvation Bible School --- I am currently working with Pastor Samuel Orelus of Haiti to establish this Bible school for those who evidence a God-given call to the ministry, as well as those currently active in gospel ministry who desire to learn more about the Word of God.

3). Daily prayer meetings --- we feel that it is absolutely essential to remain on our faces before God if we are to see a move of the Holy Ghost that will break Satan's stronghold of voodoo and bring lost souls into the kingdom of God. These prayer meetings are intended to be an integral part of the Bible school curriculum.

4). Weekly services in English --- there are a number of Haitians that speak English; in addition, there are quite a number of Americans (missionaries, soldiers, etc.) and others that would appreciate worship services in English.

5). Miscellaneous ongoing projects --- visitation, personal evangelism, tract distribution, street preaching, radio campaigns, etc.

WILL YOU HELP ME?
     First of all, we need prayer. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4.18-19). Please pray for us, that God's anointing would rest upon us as we attempt to obey His command to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16.15).

     Secondly, we need you to help us financially. My personal living expenses while in Haiti are around $500 each month. This does not include rent for any facility that we might need, printing and mailing costs, airfare, and so forth. Additionally, the various ministers who work with me need to be looked after while they are in Port-au-Prince. Please ask the Lord what He would have you to do. If everyone will do as the Holy Spirit directs them, then I will have no difficulty in this regard.

     Thank you for praying for us, and thank you for your financial support. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Thes. 5.23). Amen.

Your co-laborer in Christ,

Joey Kelly

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