University Bible Fellowship

House Church Ministry

October 2009 NIU UBF Monthly Mission Report. Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

Key verse: Romans 16:5, ““Greet also the church that meets at their house.”

In UBF, we acknowledge that God has called us to be, not only a campus ministry… not only a missionary sending institute, but also a house church movement. In Romans 16 we learn from Priscilla and Aquila the principles of house church ministry. What a privilege it is to live as a house church ministry in our generation. NIU UBF is a genuine house church. In this report we want to report how God has been working in this tiny house church in the month or October.

Part l: People In Your Fellowship

First, Andrew Norte. This month, Andrew showcased some of his many talents. He performed in the University Jazz Concert at NIU, which was webcast simultaneously at www.niu.edu. His parents, grandparents and brother were in attendance and were quite proud of him! The NIU Tennis Club played a tennis tournament in Wisconsin. The team played well, took third place and beat three other teams. He prays to lead one NIU tennis player to Jesus. Andrew finished studying 1 Samuel and is going into 2 Samuel.

Next Tim S. This month Tim was challenged to get a job. God has placed Tim in a situation where he needed to cry to God and God lit a fire under him. Tim was reenergized to work hard to stay on top of 4 classes and prays to get a job this month as a top priority. Tim also finished 1 Samuel and is starting 2 Samuel.

Sarah Jesmer. This month Sarah became president of the middle school student council. She also is practicing choir and madrigals and POMs. She had a choir concert at DHS. I pray that she may devote all of her talents for the glory of God. She is studying John 5 with her father.

Jennifer Jesmer. Jennifer tried out for IMEA Chorus in Sterling and made it! Jennifer’s first meeting of the high school club occurred this month. Cara came and studied John 1a . It is a beginning. We pray for Jennifer to form a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on her campus. Here is what Jennifer wrote about the FCA:

“ FCA is a national organization of Christians dedicated to providing students with the resources needed to self-lead Christian fellowships on high school and university campuses. The FCA Chapter at DeKalb High School has just been renewed after a 3-year hiatus, and I have many plans for this club. As a beginning, our club will meet every two weeks to pray and discuss a passage from the gospel of John.

Prayer Topics for FCA @ DHS:

1. Good co-working between President Cara, Mr. Beverly (Advisor), Meagan and myself

2. John’s Gospel Bible discussions

3. God may direct us to projects and community service, and inspire many students to participate

4. FCA members be a good influence and make the kingdom of God visible to DHS students

5. Planning and scheduling may overcome busyness and other responsibilities & activities to honor God

6. God may raise up 5 faithful & committed co-workers.”

So far it seems that not many people are interested in a Christian presence on their campus. The next meeting no one came. We are proud of her because she stood as a servant of God. She needs to be faithful and Augustine will join her next year.

Julie Jesmer. This month, Julie’s company unexpectedly sent her to Philadelphia and Canada on a business trip. She was able to visit with Timothy Park of Humber UBF and pray for his health to recover. Here is what she wrote about her visit, “On Wednesday evening, I visited Sh. Andy & Jennifer Stumpf’s home, in which they share common life with Msn Joshua & Hanna Yoon. We had dinner fellowship with their family and bible student Greg, who also lives there. God provided a spacious new bible house across the street and a home big enough for 2 families and many guests. They pray for Rick Pace to grow as a steward in the former bible house building, and 4 growing disciples who live together in the new building. I spent just 2 hours with them, due to the fact that the Stumpf’s have a new baby (Hudson), Msn Hannah’s sister and cousin were also visiting, and they had a scheduled planning meeting. On Thursday evening, Humber coworkers prepared a delicious feast and we enjoyed fellowship from 7pm to midnight. I stayed overnight with Msn Paulus & Mercy Cha’s family, and on Friday morning visited Msn Timothy Park at with Mercy and Msn Rebekah.

Their prayer topics are as follows:

1. Chantel Ryan and Joshua Kirkland may grow as ancestors of faith

2. 1-Day Fall Bible Academy on November 4th

3. 45,000 Humber College students/ two campuses: 1-Toronto & 1- Guelph

4. Young Disciples meet and share testimonies on Friday evenings

5. 1 Corinthians bible study

6. Msn Tim Park’s Leukemia – healing & experience resurrection power

7. Beautiful co-working of 4 families in one heart, mind and mission:

a. Paulus & Mercy Cha (Mary-UofT, Grace-H.S. and Sarah-H.S.)

b. Isaac & Rebekah Lee (Jacob-7thG and David-5yrs)

c. David & Maria Lee (Sion-5thG, JuEun-2ndG, and HaEun-4yrs)

d. Tim & Joanna Park (Susanna-9thG, Hannah-7thG, & Joan-6thG)”

When Julie got back from Canada, she attended Founder’s Day at Chicago UBF, focusing on the work of God in 22 nations of Latin America. There, over 400 attendants from all the chapters of Chicago area and several guests from outside, gathered. The highlight of this celebration was M. Abraham Hwang’s lecture about the history of UBF in the pioneering of Latin America (1976-2009).

God’s love was revealed to me through my family and friends celebrating my birthday at Famous Dave’s restaurant in Naperville. Brett and Sohee Procek and their kids joined us, as did Tim and Amanda Zito. I thank God for faithful friends. They also took time out let me know they appreciated me as their pastor.

On October 10th the Jesmers blessed the wedding of Matthew and Christian (Norcross) Misurac. The Jesmer kids attended the Spooky Science Saturday hosted by the Science Department at NIU. Augustine started to play Grade 8 Basketball.

Part ll: Events In Our Fellowship

Monthly Communion. This month we started our monthly communion service. Coming from a Catholic background, Julie really loves communion. Her heart longed for it more frequently than every six months. So, now at NIU UBF we will be having communion on the first Sunday

of every month.

UBF Staff Conference. Pastor Kevin and Julie attended the USA Staff Conference in Columbus, OH. from October 15-17. The theme of the conferences was house church ministry. Dr. Ruth Tucker delivered the opening message on the history of the house church movement, accompanied by her husband John who interjected in a third person voice with empirical anecdotes. Afterwards, 5 new UBF chapters were introduced in Springfield, IL; Pittsburgh, PA; Houston, TX; Chapel Hill, NC; and Knoxville, TN. On Friday, after breakfast, we broke up into 18 small groups for Bible study. Pastor Mark Vucekovich delivered a message based on Romans chapter 16, illustrating six principles of an exemplary house church based on the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. The afternoon was spent writing and sharing testimonies in small groups, and getting to know each other. In the evening, five house church leaders shared one practical aspect of their mission lives followed by an open floor discussion. Lastly, a video introduction to UBF Press was presented and a call went out for Partnership donations. On Saturday, after GBS, Pastor Kevin Albright delivered a message based on Romans chapter 1, outlining Apostle Paul’s Faith, Vision and Obligation.

Following lunch, 1/3 of the group went to the airport to return home, 1/3 made a quick stop to pray at OSU, and 1/3 joined a time of fellowship with Columbus UBF coworkers and prayed on the campus of OSU. At the OSU Bible house, Dr. John Jun delivered an encouraging message based on Joshua 17. “Clear the land yourself.” He encouraged Columbus coworkers as well as all of us to pioneer many campuses though today’s post modernism and unbelief are like iron chariots. We can and we must pioneer all of the campuses in USA and in all 233 nations of the world with the gospel of Jesus!

God sent Dr. Henry Park’s family to Columbus in 2002. Currently there are four house churches co-working for the ministry: Dr. John/Grace Jeong, Shepherd Jeff/Lauri Lewis, Missionary Matthew/Peace Kim and my family. There are three new generation’s: Pauline Park Jr, Helen Park and Elly Wilson. Several growing leaders are Jeff Gathergood, Stephen Parks, Jimmy Mei, Chris Kozel, Amanda Logsdon and so on.

Their prayer topics are:

1. to raise 12 house churches

2. to raise 12 shepherds through men’s devotional

3. to raise 12 shepherdesses through women’s devotional

4. to have fruitful fall quarter ministry

Open mike night. Last week, the Jesmers went to DeKalb Christian Church’s monthly “Open Mike Fellowship” on Saturday night. We met many people and played games with them. We sang over 10 songs and listened to other praise musicians play music. By God’s grace, we can co work with them and faithfully attend to help build up this event.

Part: lll Bible Students.

Sandy G. visited. She is the fruit of Julie’s 1:1 Bible study for she accepted Jesus and is now attending a house church in Shanghai. Daveed Y.came to Dekalb and brought his nephew Kyry J. with him for 1:1 Bible study. God has been inspiring Daveed to renew our 1:1 Bible study together. God blessed him through 1:1 Bible study and he wants the same for his nephew.

Please pray for us to serve as a house church with the same spirit as the early Christian House churches.

Sing To The Lord A New Song

Key verse: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

September 2009 Mission Report by Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

This month we want to sing a new song of praise to God who has done marvelous things, for he has made his salvation known to all nations, and to us here at NIU UBF. September is month of new beginnings in college ministry. It is time that new students come with a spirit of anticipation for the new year. It is also a time when our two shepherds, Tim and Andrew, return in order to resume their common life together and their growth in Jesus Christ. We entered this month with great expectation and God did not disappoint. He helped Jennifer begin a High school club and helped us to have two students on the campus. He has disciplined and trained our members through the school system, especially to sing through various choirs. May we all accept God’s training and discipline and sing a new song in our hearts to Jesus.

Part l: People In Your Fellowship

Andrew hosted try-outs for the NIU Tennis Club. . This is opening up opportunities to serve. Tim and Jennifer helped out with some of the club try-outs. It is good to do some activities on campus. There was a healthy turn-out and Andrew prays to introduce Jesus to his players as well. They won their first meet in Wisconsin. Andrew is doing very well in his classes, joining an

a-capella sorority and three jazz bands. He is also the president of the NIU tennis club with about 50 members. I pray for Andrew to lead one or two of the people that he knows to 1:1 Bible study and ultimately to Jesus.

Tim S. is praying to overcome four 300 level classes and to find a job. We pray for Tim to remain focused and overcome all things that are hindering him from graduating from electrical engineering in eight classes. May God grant him power and strength to do what he needs to do before God. Andrew and Tim are both finishing 1 Samuel study this month.

Jennifer J. (15) organized a “See you at the Pole” prayer meeting on her high school campus. At the “See You At The Pole” event, 34 people came. 24 people gave their name and phone number as people who are interested in a Christian club. It was a good opportunity for Christians at DHS to step out and identify themselves, and plans were made to continue in fellowship and start a campus club. God also sent one person, Meagan, a senior with a similar idea. Together., hey promoted the event and together they led it. May God raise up a faithful co-worker for Jennifer to grow a Christian club on the campus of DeKalb high school. She is trying to jumpstart a Christian club, “The Fellowship Of Christian Athletes.” It is not easy. There is not much momentum among past members to do something with the club. By God’s grace may it grow to be a source of life for the students of Dekalb High school.

Sarah J. (12) is helping to create a Christian presence on her campus. She wrote an official letter revealing her and Augustine’s desire to keep meeting for the Middle School Bible Study and Prayer Club. She actually sat in the principle’s office talking to him about her faith. She received official permission. I thank God for her courage to reveal her faith. Keeping this club is good discipline for them. They meet on their campus with an advisor, Mrs Cole. They don’t have anyone who wants to join them yet, but they meet and read a chapter of the Bible and pray together. It also prepares them to be leaders at the high school club that Jenn is building up this year. Their faithfulness glorifies Jesus.

Jenn and Sarah are developing her singing talents and God is helping her through the public school system. She joined The A-capella group and Troubadour Madrigals. Sarah has joined Jr Madrigals and Choir. Augustine and Mark have been faithful to practice with the Kishwaukees Barbershop singers. May these kids develop their singing talents for the glory of God.

Augustine Jesmer. (13) started football training. He is excited about football. The training is hard but he seems to thrive in it. I know that he can learn many spiritual lessons through football. May his physical training translate into Christian discipleship and leadership.

Julie took Thursdays off from teaching Trish in order open the night up for us to go fishing. Julie gave Trish R. spiritual direction. She asked Trish to study the Bible with Angie at West Loop UBF and to study 1:1 with Janice T. Trish accepted this and so did Janice. They have been faithful to meet at the Chicago center to study (1:1) every week. This is the fruit of years of Julie’s 1:1 Bible study and prayers for these two young ladies.

Part ll: Fellowship Activities

The Jesmers went to DeKalb Christian Church’s monthly “Open Mike Fellowship” on Saturday night. We met many people and played games. We sang over 10 songs and listened to another praise musician play his music. By God’s grace, we can co-work with them and build relations with other Dekalb area pastors. We plan to attend this regularly.

This month was also Kevin’s birthday, and we had a party for him at Famous Dave’s Barbeque restaurant in Naperville. Brett and Sohee Procek and their kids joined us, as did Tim and Amanda Z. October is also Pastor Appreciation Month. Family and Church members thanked God for Pastor Kevin’s life and ministry!

The Jesmers and Kalthlene H. went to a Barbershop Potluck at Chief Shabonna State Park on Sunday afternoon, where the group sang, including Mark, Augustine and Pastor Kevin. It is good fellowship and it makes us feel part of the community.

The Jesmers attended the Waterman Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, in order to hear Dr. John and Esther Prabhakar speak on missions in India. Dr Prabhakar retired from the hospital that Kevin works at. He is involved in medical missions. His wife give workshops in prayer. After their talk, we learned about the arranged marriage and caste systems in India, and how to tie sari-style clothing. It was good for the kids to get a glimpse of others involved in world mission.

On Labor Day we went hiking at Starved Rock and experienced good fellowship and God’s majesty through his creation.

The highlight of the month was the “Triple Praise Band Blowout” at Triton College. There musicians and vocalists from five UBF churches. (IIT, DuPage, Triton, NIU, West Loop,) There was good co working between the chapters. NIU teamed up with Triton UBF and DuPage UBF. Jenn played bass, Tim was on acoustic guitar and Andrew was on the key boards. About 150 people joined in the concert. It was trans generational, with people as young as 7 to people over the age of 60. It was on campus. It was good fellowship. It was a Christian contribution to the culture of the Triton campus. It was fun. There was not many new people at the concert. Almost everyone was from UBF. But it was fun…and if we cannot have fun together, as a ministry, how can we ever think that we can invite people to join us if we can’t enjoy our time together? It is a beginning. Maybe we can have an outdoor event next year in the commons of Triton College.

Part lll: Bible Students.

I used to study with Daveed Y. for two years, from 2004 to 2006. He graduated and began to work in Rockford. But to my surprise he kept his Bible material and called me to begin Bible study once again. Daveed declares that it is God and Bible study that helped him to focus and overcome the difficulties of electrical engineering studies. We agreed to share the commute to Rockford. We are continuing on in our John’s gospel study. I believe that this an answer to prayer that the work of God may extend all the way from Aurora to Rockford. He even wants to invite his nephew, Kyliyle J (NIU ) to Bible study. I pray for Daveed to grow as a Bible teacher and shepherd and to start a house church in his apartment in Rockford in God’s time.

Julie is studying the Bible with Amanda Z., a youth leader at Christ Community Church. She also studied with two nurses, Kathlene H and Tracy B. She stopped studying with Trish and Janice and helped them to study with one another at the Main Center in Chicago. She also studies with her son Mark and her daughters Jennifer and Hope. I am studying with Daveed Y, Tim S, Andrew N, Augustine Jesmer, and Sarah Jesmer and Greg H. (Hx 3). Occsasionally Cornel N, (Wubansee/basketball) studies. We pray that all our members may teach the Bible to one student each. (excluding the two youngest, Hope and Mark.)

Part lV: Repentant Topics and Prayer Topics

. The agony of ministry is that nobody else seems to want to pick up the cross of being a 1:1 Bible teacher (except Julie and myself). We do other things, but do not cross the line to actually find someone to teach the Bible to. This requires great faith on the part of our members. It requires conviction. I pray that all of us may decide, by faith, to reach out and teach the words of life to those around them. I also have to repent of my lack of building up a fishing ministry. Lord, help us come out of ourselves to reach out to others in very decisive and practical ways and raise disciples among the students of NIU.

The Hope Of God

Exodus 19:5-6, “5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

August 2009 NIU UBF Monthly mission report. Shp Kevin Jesmer

After the exciting and fruitful Joint Summer Conference with DuPage UBF ministry, it was time to get prepare for the upcoming fall semester and the European Summer Bible Conference. By the grace of God, we could find the resources to send Tim and Julie as representatives of NIU UBF. We pray that by participating in the conference, all of us may be filled with vision that America and all of Europe may live up to God’s great vision to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Part l: God’s Work Among Our Members

Preparations are underway for the Fall Semester, which begins for NIU and DeKalb schools on Monday, August 24th. Andrew moved back into the Bible house. He is continuing with his music education studies. He also is leading the very popular NIU Tennis Club. We pray that he and Tim may live quality common life together and grow spiritually as shepherds of God’s flock. Tim finished his summer class. He inched one class forward toward finishing his degree in Electrical engineering. It is a hard struggle, but Tim is definitely moving forward. Tim prays to have two Bible students, to get A’s and get a job. Andrew prays to get A’s lead his friends to Jesus.

Shepherdess Julie is working on a script for an Introduction to UBF Press video. The UBF is well underway. This month they produced a 1 Corinthians Book. Julie is working on 2 Corinthians with the rest of the team. The UBF press is another way to glorify Jesus in this present day culture.

This month the Jesmers finished preparing for school by getting all the supplies they needed. Pray they can be a blessing in school that starts in one week. Augustine and Sarah pray to continue their bible reading and prayer club in middle school. Jenn wants to resurrect the fellowship of Christian athletes, club. Though the kids are in a public school, surrounded by non Christians friends I pray that they stand up for Jesus and reach out to their friends. The kids are going to bed earlier to wake up earlier for daily bread before school, which they are keeping each day.

Augustine finished his football camp last week and he is now on the football team. he loves football. he has a passion for it. Through training for football I pray that he may learn many spiritual lessons through it.

This month Sarah (12) has been spending a couple of weekends with her friend Miranda on a boat in the Illinois River. They had great fellowship together. Miranda is Sarah’s friend. she occasionally comes to our Sunday service. She studies the Bible with Sarah when she does. I pray for all my kids to be shepherds.

Jennifer finished her job, pollinating corn. She learned what it meant to work hard, which is great lesson for every young person. I pray that she may learn to work hard, not only to support herself and support her life of faith, but also to learn how to work hard for the Lord.

As an aside, We renewed ownership of www.niuubf.org for another 2 years with hope & a prayer to move our website to its own domain. Right now Jennifer is our web master. But she is not a web designer (yet!) For now we will stick to freewebs.com. I envision a web site with lots of video, Bible material, news, links to other chapters. Lord, bless us with a top quality web site.

Part ll: The European Summer Bible Conference.

By God’s grace we could send Tim Sagel and Julie Jesmer to the 40th anniversary of European pioneering. God opened the way for Tim to go. he finished his classes and one nurse donated 1,000 to our ministry in the spring. Julie’s job opened the way for her to go The European Summer Bible |Conference is entitled, “The Hope Of God. A Kingdom Of Priests And A Holy Nation.” It was held from August 13-16 in Eringerfield, Germany. There 1,200 people gathered to celebrate the wonderful work of God. After the conference Tim went to the UK tour. he visited all the tourist attractions in London and our UBF chapter. Julie went on the eastern European tour. She visited Czechoslovakia, and Poland. At the end of her trip her team visited Auschwitz. We pray that they be filled with God’s vision and be a source of blessing at the conference.

Entering into the new semester, our hearts are excited about the possibilities of the work of God happening in the hearts of our family, our members and our Bible students. We look forward to having two people, Tim and Andrew actually being on campus. We pray for them to be shepherds of God’s flock. I know that I need to repent of my complacency and go out to fish new Bible students and lead them to Christ. May God bless us in the upcoming semester.

.

Part lV: Julie’s Post European Summer Conference Mission Report

The following is Julie’s mission report concerning her trip to Europe and Eastern Europe…

Central Europe II Tour Report By Julie Jesmer August 2009

After the historic 2009 Summer Bible Conference at Castle Eringerfeld, 35 members of the Central European UBF journey team left by bus for the Czech Republic and Poland, accompanied by Czech UBF coworkers traveling home by car. Near midnight, we arrived at Hotel Praha, a 5-star hotel near the North and South Korean embassies where dignitaries and celebrities stay. Early the next morning an English-speaking tour guide boarded the bus with the team for a tour of historic sites in Prague and the Czech UBF Bible House.

The Czech Republic is part of the former Austro-Hungarian empire, and its written language is Slavonic in origin. Catholicism was practiced from the 11th to 14th centuries, yet 60% of the current population are atheists. The Community of the Brethren spread the word of God house to house, not in or through the church, which they opposed. Later know as Moravians, Moravian missionaries worked hard to pioneer the whole world with the gospel. The turning point in religious Czech history began with the plague of 1380, after which the Catholic church experienced a crisis over indulgences. John Huss led a protestant reformation 100 yrs before Martin Luther¡¯s German revolution. The Hussite Revolution began in 1479 and lasted 15 yrs. Many were martyred and churches burned to the ground. Through this, the country lost 14% of its population and its economy was destroyed. Five different Crusades were sent to the Czech kingdom but each time were defeated by zealous freedom fighters. The end result was two churches: Catholic and Hussite. Due to the influence of Communism and state control of church land, to this day the church of the Czech Republic has a bad relationship with The Vatican. Many monasteries are flourishing, but churches still lack membership and reconstruction funds.

Czech Technical University is the oldest of 17 universities in Prague, founded in 1348. The journey team visited the site where in 1993, Msn Isaac Shin buried his hair under a tree on the campus with the hope of planting gospel faith in the hearts of students. After Msn Isaac was called home into the bosom of Jesus Christ, Msn Hannah Shin decided to remain in the mission field and continues to hold out the gospel of life to CTU students. Msn Hannah successfully supports herself and the ministry as a Distributor of Korean foods, and plans to open a warehouse soon to expand her business into the surrounding countries. Their son David Shin is pursuing a Masters degree in Economics, and stands wholeheartedly as a spiritual leader and coworker in the ministry. Msn Joshua and Maria Kang joined the work of God in Prague, and this year Msn Samuel Park and his wife are also relocating to the Czech Republic. By the living word of God in Jn 12:24, the labor of love of ancestors of faith such as John Huss and Isaac Shin are not in vain, but are producing countless seeds of life in the Kingdom. Ales Maca is growing as a student shepherd in the Agriculture Faculty at CTU, and shared his life testimony and the Czech mission report at the conference.

The journey team visited the spacious Czech UBF Bible center and enjoyed refreshments and fellowship. Coworkers shared the prayer topics of 30 1-to-1 Bible studies and 12 growing disciples as we prayed with united hearts. In addition, we praised God to hear an encouraging story about God’s work during the conference preparation period and in the heart of one person. Co-workers in Central Europe met together in central places once a month for many months to prepare "The Ballet" performance for the conference. They hired a professional to direct them, who became busy and introduced a friend to take her place. When that director again grew too busy, a third friend was recruited. The program came together spectacularly, and regional unity grew in the process. Satan attacked and broke Msn Hannah's leg in Croatia, leaving her on crutches. Yet this final director attended the conference fully, and afterward expressed the desire to study 1-to-1.

Ez 37:3 says, "Son of Man, can these bones live?" Based on the Friday morning devotional message at the conference, we could hear the cry of Almighty God offering grace to breathe the breath of life into dry bones and transform Czech youth into a mighty army of God! The fields are ripe for harvest, and God is empowering his servants to fight the 1-to-1 battle through Bible teaching, prayer, and discipleship training. Czech UBF prays for Sh. Ales to grow as an Abraham of faith at CTU, and he himself prays to grow as a good coworker.

After saying goodbye, the journey team headed eastward to Poland, where Msn Elijah Park of Warsaw UBF met us at the Hotel Galicja near Auschwitz at around 2:00 am. After another excellent Polish-style breakfast at the hotel, for several hours, the team toured 2 concentration camps, Auschwitz and Birkenou. Auschwitz was not the largest of the extermination sites that operated in Poland between 1941-1944, but its notoriety comes from the fact that it doubled as a labor camp and housed horrific medical experiments performed on Jewish children. Humanity itself was guilty of causing and executing the Holocaust, with its godless philosophy and scientific engineering. Satan used German excellence, existing transportation infrastructure and world indifference to slaughter God's children. In order to move the Jews in such large numbers by train from several countries to the camps, the Nazis developed an elaborate deception with regard to resettlement. Thinking only that they were being involuntarily relocated to neighborhoods elsewhere, tickets to nowhere were purchased and Jews packed clothing, goods, valuables and food for the journey. The Nazi regime acted in accordance with the law and documented the genocide extensively. Lifespan after train debarkation lasted from 20 minutes to 2 years, and the rule of fear kept the able from escaping and exposing the plot against the Jews. In the material evidence hall the journey team viewed a sacred urn containing what human remains could be collected, as well as spectacles, shoes and prosthetic limbs that survived the attempt made by the Nazis to destroy the evidence of their horrific crimes by fire.

Hitler’s goal was power more than it was personal racial satisfaction. He offered world leaders a solution to their "Jewish Problem", and put himself forward as king. Briefly Madagascar was considered as a relocation site, but likely common hatred precluded a solution that would include a homeland for the Jews. Once the system was built, darkness reigned and over 6 million Jews met their end at the hands of the Nazis. Each journey team member prayed a repentant prayer not to turn a blind eye to the needs of others, but to welcome and work hard to help each Bible student that comes our way with the very heart of God.

In the afternoon, the team toured the historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka, a national treasure also known as the Salt of the Earth. Stretching 300 km wide by 327 m deep, it is the only mining site in the world functioning continuously since the Middle Ages, illustrating all the stages of mining technology development over time. After descending 54 flights of stairs down to the 1st chamber, the team toured the 1% of the mine open to the public. The mine contains numerous memorials to legend and dignitaries made of salt, as well as 14 chapels hundreds of feet below the surface of the ground -- the largest of which took 50 years to be completed and is a popular site for local weddings. From there the journey team traveled to Krakow, the former capital of the Polish Kingdom. It took 4 hours by bus, and when we arrived we met one Bible student named Philip who joined the team for dinner at a Polish restaurant. Philip is a PhD student in BioChemistry at University of Krakow, whose population measures 46,000 students. The three most prominent faculties of the university are Law, Medicine and Philosophy. Pope Jean-Paul II and Copernicus are the most famous graduates of Krakow University, and national treasures to the Polish people. Msn Elijah travels from Warsaw to Krakow to study with Philip and prays for him to take responsibility for the campus.

After dinner, the team drove 4 hours by bus from Krakow to Warsaw, where we checked into our final hotel for 2 nights. On Wednesday, the team visited the Marie Curie home and museum. Inside, pamphlets describing her scientific achievements are available in six languages. Madame Curie is a Nobel Laureate in Physics and her work formed the foundations for the science of radioactivity and the dawn of the nuclear era. She also discovered the two elements Polonium and Francium, naming them after hers and her husband's home countries.

From there, the team journeyed to the University of Warsaw, the mission field of our UBF missionaries. The campus population totals 60,000 students, and the spectacular roof gardens over the New Library divides the view of the city from west to east. From time to time Msn Elijah ascends the stairs he led the group on, and from there counts the stars to remember and believe God's promises. The general philosophy and way of thinking of students are extremely complicated, comparing all things from a human point of view. As such, although 97% of Poland’s population is Catholic, Polish people do not consider the Bible to be the word of God. Struggles with Polish students have been so intense that the Park family named the Bible house portion of their home, “the cave of Adullam.”

One man Tomasz has been studying the Bible 1-to-1 with Msn Elijah for over 10 years. Tomasz entered university bypassing the entrance exam because of superior academic performance in primary school years. Though he has yet to meet Jesus personally, every Saturday Tomasz helps Msn Elijah to translate the Sunday message into excellent Polish. Msn Elijah and Deborah pray for a simple gospel spirit to overcome all thick and tall cultural obstacles, and to conquer the hearts of proud intellectuals with the gospel of grace. They pray for Bible students Tomas and Zbyszek to grow as ancestors of faith for Warsaw ministry. They also pray for a new place of worship within this year. After 4-by-4 prayers on the campus, Msn Grace Hong fished one man named Mache, who professed interest in Bible study and was happy to be introduced to Msn Elijah.

The final stop on this prayer journey was the Warsaw Bible House. In early 1998, the Holy Spirit gave Msn Elijah Park a heart for an unknown land called Poland. He had no job and had no knowledge of the Polish language. His only prayer was for a wife to co-work with him, so on the same day that he finished missionary training he took Msn Deborah as his wife. Less than 2 months later, Msn Elijah left for Poland with a backpack and a 3 month visa. For one month he stayed in a hostel and then started a language course. Because he was a poet with no driver¡¯s license or experience with MS Word, no one wanted to hire him, but one Manager heard about his persistence in sending out resumes and gave him a chance. Msn Elijah now manages an international trade office and translates the daily bread material into Polish language. In order to improve his language ability, he continually listens to radio and reads newspapers. Msn Deborah joined the mission by the summer of 1998, and God gave them three lovely children, Paula, Paul and Peter. Agneshka also began Bible study and continues. In 2003, Msn Henrik & Hanna Lee joined the Poland mission in the pioneering of Wroclaw, the third largest city in Poland.

Msn Elijah is a very efficient gospel worker, and welcomes short-term missionaries to Poland as English teachers. Such fellow workers would be most beneficial to the ministry, as they would attract new students who eagerly desire to learn English. In the land of Copernicus, Jean-Paul II, Marie Curie and Chopin, we pray that God may raise up a new generation of spiritual leaders with faith that can move mountains, beginning with one man Tomasz and one woman Samantha

Thus Far Has The LORD Helped Us.

1 Samuel 7:1-17. The key verse was verse 12, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us.’"

July 2009 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

Samuel served his mission faithfully, teaching the word of God to the people for over twenty years. In this time a new generation of people was raised up with a repentant heart. The whole nation was compelled to seek after God. What compelled the nation to seek after God? Samuel stood firm on the Word of the Lord. He taught it with conviction and resolve. After twenty years of faithful Bible teaching they were moved by the love of God. They mourned over their sins and sincerely sought after the Lord. They came together as a nation and humbled themselves, making a public confession. Only the Word of God could change the peoples’ calloused hearts. It was Bible study and prayer, and nothing else that changed the people’s hearts.

God led Samuel and he led his people each step of the way, until they could have “Ebenezer” faith, the faith that says, “"Thus far has the LORD helped us." In this month, the Lord has helped us to see his powerful work of God, going on among us. Thus far he has helped us. He has helped us to co-work with another UBF church to hold a very fruitful summer Bible conference. He has also helped us to see the visible fruit of his work in Triton UBF over the last twenty years.

Part l: The Triton 20th Anniversary Celebration

On July 5th, NIU UBF participated in Triton’s 20th year anniversary. People flew in from Seattle and Florida to celebrate the work of God through Triton for twenty years. Tim Sagel, Kathlene Haskins, Brett and Sohee Procek and family came from NIU UBF. This anniversary celebration is especially powerful, because God has revealed what he can do when a person, or a group of people live by faith for twenty years.

This celebration was especially significant for another reason. It was held in a conference room in the heart of Triton College, on the Fourth of July weekend, at that. Triton College actually opened its doors to us. Literally, for 16 years they could not penetrate the culture of Triton College. There were a few years that the college was even hostile to Triton UBF. But lately, the Triton Bible Club, under the leadership of Charisma Moguel and the sponsorship of Dr Esther Kim and Dr Crystal Shannon-Morla, has become an integral part of the Triton College Community. They were voted “Outstanding Student Group” for one year. Last year, Shp Teddy was invited to be a prayer servant during the NIU Shooting memorial. Some Bible club members are studying the Bible at Triton UBF church. Indeed, God is raising Triton UBF to be a ministry for Triton students. This has all come about after twenty years of faithful Bible study and prayer.

Shp Teddy delivered a message on 1 Samuel 7:1-17. The key verse was verse 12, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us.’" In Samuel’s time the priesthood was corrupt. The Word of God was rare. The enemies of Israel oppressed them and made their lives miserable. But in the midst of their darkness and their suffering, God did something wonderful. He raised up a woman of God named Hannah. Hannah offered up her first born son, Samuel, who grew to be a great spiritual influence. God used Samuel’s power Bible teaching to turn the whole nation back to God.

To help celebrate the work of God, people came from all over America. Gideon Sherwin came from Florida. The family of Sam and Donna Wahbeh came from Seattle with several co-workers in three vehicles. With them was Msn Mark Bae. Shp Teddy’s niece, Maria, came from Pittsburg. Msn Monica Koh came from Utah. Representatives from Chicago-land UBF chapters came. There were people from Chicago, NIU, DuPage, Wright College, IIT, West Loop UBF. Leaders of UBF came, like Dr John Jun, Mother Barry, Pastor Ron Ward, Grace Lee and others. All in all, there were about 150 people at the celebration.

Prayer servants were Msn Wesly Jun, Sam Wahbeh, and Gideon Sherwin. Singspiration was led by Kathy Portugal, Ian Turner, Tim Lopez and Andrew Norte. A special song was performed by Charisma Moguel and Kathy Portugal, who sang, “Make Me Sanctuary.” Triton CBF children performed a special song. Two young ladies from Seattle UBF performed a special song while playing guitar and violin. Afterwards all people were served a delicious Mediterranean style buffet with seemingly unlimited food. The serving was wholehearted, generated out of everyone’s thankfulness to God.

After the message, we were treated to a Power Point of Pictures documenting God’s work in over the twenty years. Andrew Norte and Msn’s Remy and Rene Alonzo worked hard this project, collecting over 600 photos. The power point highlighted the numerous house churches that God established over the years. It honored those who planted the seeds of prayer and Bible teaching before Shp Teddy and Shp Liz came to Triton. It described landmark events, like the sending of missionaries like Msn Chris Sagel and the Msn’s Moses and Iris Margi, the renovation of the Bible house, acquiring a parsonage and the establishing of the Triton Bible Club. It showed others who were sent to other UBF chapters. Indeed the power point was a panorama of the beautiful work of God going on the Triton campus. Personally I saw how those who accept God’s mission at Triton UBF and stayed and struggled spiritually along with God’s people, were especially blessed. They become a stone in the pathway of Triton UBF history. They have a place in this vast spiritual family. They can share in the joy of all that Jesus is doing. They are part of a lasting heritage and legacy.

There were several things that moved most peoples’ hearts. First of all, the message was very powerful. It outlined what God can do in 20 years if we stick to Bible study and prayer. It was also a clear call to repentance. It was humorous to see old pictures of co-workers, 75 pounds slighter and a full head of hair. It was good to see the children of the original shepherds growing up and serving God themselves. It was encouraging to see the parents of our co-workers coming to show their support. It felt like a family reunion meeting up with people from all over. I was also amazed at the cosmopolitan atmosphere. There were representatives from a multitude of nationalities and races. That is the way that the Jesus’ church should be.

Part ll: The Joint DuPage/NIU Summer Bible Conference.

DuPage/NIU UBF held a joint Summer Bible Conference on July 24th to the 26th 2009, at the beautiful campus of McDonald’s corporation. The conference was held in the Hyatt Lodge. The title of the conference was “But Seek First His Kingdom” based in Matthew 6:33. The intent was for all attendants to decide to stop seeking worldly treasure and to decide to seek Jesus and the Kingdom of God as top priority in their lives. God blessed our two ministries to co-work well and God sent 50 attendants, 17 through NIU and 33 through DuPage. The conference was graceful and powerful, giving each of us clear life direction.

The conference site was so beautiful. It was the site of Hamburger University, the place where McDonald’s trains its managers. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hamburger_University.jpg) There is 80 acres of forest, trails, sculptures, and two lakes filled with giant carp. The rooms were 4 star hotel rooms. The food was restaurant style. It was local, in Oakbrook Illinois and a great environment to relax and focus on the word of God. We thank God for providing such an environment.

The work of God began about two months before the actual conference. We came up with the program and the messengers. For one month we met together for Friday meetings, alternating chapters. Our messengers shared testimonies and delivered before each other, humbly accepting constructive criticism. The drama team and the praise teams met regularly. Msn Susanna Hajek created a vibrant invite card. Sarah and Hope did research and gathered information for a powerpoint presentation on 5 UBF chapters in India, and dance practice began to revive the Jai Ho dance. Julie Jesmer used her conference planning talents to secure the site at a great price. We were in constant communication. Indeed much of the work of God happened before the conference.

Each main message was introduced with group Bible study. God raised up six groups. There were “age appropriate” groups for the elementary and middle school students. All groups were well attended. Almost everyone wrote testimonies. Each group raised up one testimony sharer for the Saturday evening program.

The opening message was delivered by Tim Sagel, a 3rd year E/E student of NIU UBF. His message was entitled, “Jesus Calls His First Disciples” based on Matt 8:18-22. He revealed that Jesus called the first disciples from a meaningless life of simply surviving, to a meaningful life of being fishers of people. He thanked God for saving him from a life of being a failed student and a part-time dog walker, to being a shepherd for college students. His message was clear and pointful with lots of practical applications. Tim prays to be a source of blessing at the up coming European Summer Bible Conference.

Kevin Jesmer, pastor of NIU UBF, delivered the main message. The title was “But Seek First His Kingdom” based in Matt 6:19-34. In the message he revealed that Jesus cares about the condition of our hearts and wants us to seek his kingdom and his righteousness and not the perishing things of the world. God will provide all we need for life and ministry and eternal life keep our priority. He shared his own testimony of how God blessed his life of faith when he made decisions of faith, at crucial moments, to seek God’s kingdom first. He urged all attendants to do the same, though it may require sacrifice at times.

Sunday morning, Jennifer Jesmer, a high school student in grade 10, delivered a message, entitled, “The Greatest Treasure Is Jesus” based on Matt 13:44-46. She stated that there are small, fine pearls, that people seek in this world. They think these things are “good enough” and are content with small pearls. But God has a pearl of great value and a treasure of great worth for anyone who gives everything they have to get it. She confessed that her life is filled with things that seem good enough, but they are distracting her from the great treasure of the Kingdom of God. She repented and re-dedicated her heart to Jesus. She prayed that her message would touch the heart of her two friends who came, Payton and Heather.

God planted world mission vision in our hearts. On Sunday, Msn Andrew Yoon delivered a “Yabatec University” mission report with accompanying power point and video of Lagos Nigeria. Lagos seems so difficult a mission field, but there is a small taste of the Kingdom of God at Yabatec University. God is helping them to renovate an 18 room former maternity hospital into a Bible house. Msn Rebecca Yoon shared her life testimony where she testified that through her struggles with boys and the “whip” of life, she was able to draw near to Jesus and be his missionary. We heard beautiful testimonies from their two young girls, Sarah and Becky. They were full of life and vitality. Sarah even spoke English with an African accent. Msn Joshua Kim, from SNU 3, in Korea, shared his life testimony. Hope and Sarah Jesmer prepared a power point presentation of India UBF pioneering work and then NIU UBF performed an India dance showing the conversion of Hindu people though Bible study and prayer.

The music team glorified God. The Jesmer kids sang “The Brave Apostles 12”. Sarah and Hope Jesmer sang, “The Stones and the Sea.” Hannah and Esther Kim and Isaac Bahn sang, “When We Rise.” Julie and Jennifer Jesmer sang, “Who am I?” Msn Gideon Bahn sang, “He Lives.” Matthew Monroe played a Euphonium solo. All of the songs worked together to highlight the messages well. The joint praise team worked hard to create a spiritual atmosphere through praise music. They are indeed maturing as musicians who can lead congregations to Jesus.

Shp Kevin wrote and directed the drama. It was a drama about the conversion of Levi to Saint Matthew. Despite of summer classes, all the members committed to practice and produced a very joyful drama, clearly revealing the agony of Levi, when he lived to solve his money problems. It showed the joy of his changed life when he decided to seek first God’s kingdom by following Jesus.

Msn David Kim who trained all messengers and orchestrated all conference programs delivered the closing prayer topics. He encouraged us all, that when we go back to our mission fields, that we will seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, as of first importance, in many practical ways. We gathered for historic picture taking. That afternoon co-workers stayed behind to enjoy baseball, tennis, swimming and hiking. Later, NIU served some people McDonald’s food and others went to Korean restaurant.

God worked greatly among our members. From NIU, we brought 17 people, including the Jake (12) and Abby Swick (10), Miranda Forde (12), Heather Byerly (16), Peyton Eitel (16), and Jackie Garland. Jake said, “I believe in God. Thanks to Augustine I am a Christian.” Abby was very with the conference and participated with her whole heart. Miranda also experienced great joy I her heart. Peyton (15), though she is an atheist, stated that she is now asking questions as to whether there is a God and would like to join in future programs. Heather was rebuked and her heart was troubled, but the great work of God was that she overcame her feelings and accepted the words that were spoken to her and maintained open communications and friendships with Jennifer. She is about to restore regular Bible study with Jennifer. Jackie (RN) was very happy to see me preach. She is “proud” of me. She is like my mother. She even brought cookies to share with everyone. Tim Sagel was very clear and pointful in his message. He gave his whole heart to everything he did. We are happy that the five young people we brought had parents who actually paid $105 per person to send their kids the conference. They valued the whole experience. This is a first in NIU UBF ministry. We pray that God may bless further co-working in serving the student of the western suburbs of Chicago.

Part lll: Local Happenings

Julie spent a busy month preparing for the Summer Bible Conference and doing some editing for UBF publication ministry. She was working on the 1Samuel Book based on this year’s Disciples Conference that was held at the Chicago Center. She has committed herself to supporting the publication ministry.

Julie and the kids went to a house warming/birthday party for Amanda Zito. Amanda is one of Julie’s faithful Bible students. She serves as a youth director at the local Christ community church. They wanted to show God’s love and support to Amanda.

Jennifer started a new job, pollinating corn plants in the field for 3 weeks. It is hard work, going row by row, covering up corn cobs to ensure pure seeds. It is hard work under the burning Illinois sun. It is boring work, doing the same thing over and over again. But she is eager to work and she is faithful. We pray that she learns many things about working hard, and apply it to the work of God.

Tim had a double cross this to study hard for classes and wrote another draft of the opening message of the Bible conference. He is taking two classes. We pray that he may graduate from NIU with an electrical engineering degree in one year. He prays to see God’s vision through this year’s European Summer Conference and be a blessing.

I thank God for a few faithful Bible students. I study with my two kids, Augustine and Sarah. I also study with a 20 year old Waubansee College student, Cornell Nealy, I also study 1 Samuel with Tim Sagel. By God’s grace about 7 nurses are regularly receiving manuscripts at the hospital. I pray that I God may send 12 students this fall semester, who are eager to study the word of God through 1:1 Bible study.

Part lV: Repentance Topics and Vision

Please continue to pray for us to reach out to NIU students through a faithful fishing ministry; for my older kids to share the word of God with their friends; for Julie to serve the publication ministry with her whole heart; for Tim to overcome all distractions and worries in order to be a good student and be able to teach the Bible to two students. Pray for me to prepare Colossians messages and to write 1 Corinthians daily bread and to read the Bible twice this year.

One word: Thus far the Lord has helped us.

Unless as Kernel Of Wheat Falls To The Ground And Dies

June 2009 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

John 12:20-36. Key verse 24, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground

and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

This month God helped us to serve family members, both in Chicago and in Canada. He also help us to witness the fantastic work in Minneapolis / St. Paul through our prayer journey there. We could see the fruit that is born when servants of God do not live for themselves but who live like they are kernels of wheat who fall to the ground and die. They produce many seeds, 30, 60 or 100 times what was sown.

Part l: Local Happenings.

This month we had several activities to enjoy the summer. We had a bonfire after World Mission Night, which Heather joined. The Jesmer kids participated in a 4-H Project Day at the DeKalb Ag Bureau. The boys learned bike safety and made rocket launchers, while Sarah and Jennifer went to a beginning photography workshop led by a professional photographer. Sarah joined Miranda’s family’s vacation on a cruiser boat at the Illinois River. Jennifer and Sarah are praying for Heather and Miranda to participate in our summer conference & to grow in personal faith. The Jesmers went to a birthday party for Camillo Reynoso, whose wife, Trisha

God is using the public school system to train our children, spiritually. Mark’s 3rd grade class put on a reader’s theater at school, and Mark played the old man in a Russian folktale called “The Golden Fish.” Sarah and Jenn both love school drama. I pray that God may use them to use their drama skills to put on many gospel centered dramas.

Shepherdess Julie and Andrew drove Jenn and two friends, Diana and Maddie, to Indianapolis to a “Cold Play” concert. I pray that my daughter may make friendships with many of her “non-Christian” friends and lead them to Jesus.

NIU students started summer classes, and Tim began taking 2 classes. We thank God for Tim staying at NIU and co-working with us. Tim also started early working on his message for the Summer Bible Conference. . His is the opening message. He is glad to get a head start. Three of our members have been chosen to deliver messages, Tim, Jenn and myself. By God’s grace I was chosen to prepare the opening message on Matthew 6:33. To prepare for the conference, we plan to meet every Friday with our DuPage UBF brethren to share testimonies and pray together.

This month, Julie’s brother, Chris Nugent and his family came to DeKalb and stayed for 2 days. (June 9-11) We, along with Chris’ family and Tim Sagel and Heather Byerly went to the Brookfield Zoo, and marveled at the wonders of God’s creation. The Jesmers later went to downtown Chicago and went sight-seeing with their relatives. They visited Navy Pier and also went on an architectural boat tour along the Chicago River. It was very exciting. We pray that our time with family may have revealed the love of God to them and that they may all meet Jesus very personally.

This month we also started on our Colossians study. This should bring us into the fall.

Part ll: Prayer Journey To Manitoba and Minneapolis

From June 23-29, the Jesmer family traveled to Manitoba and to Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. The purpose of their journey was two fold. First, they wanted to visit family, showing the love of God to Kevin’s aging parents and his other family members. Kevin wanted to reconcile with his 80 year old uncle, Ed and also show the kids some of their family history. Second, they wanted to visit the two UBF chapters in Minneapolis/St Paul. Before leaving Winnipeg they prayed on the campus of the U of Manitoba and reflected on the work of God there in the past.

On Sunday, June 28, 2009 our family visited the UBF chapters in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a visit that was a long time in coming. Frequently I would see Dr Abraham T. Kim and Dr Charles Kim at staff conferences and tell them that we would stop by and visit them on my way to Canada. But it would never happen, for we would drive through Minneapolis at night. This time we decided to make this trip a “Prayer Journey” to Minneapolis/ St Paul.. We prayed that we may be a source of blessing to our co-workers there and have eyes to see the work of God. We prayed that my children may have world mission vision for American campus pioneering work. God answers all of our prayer topics On Sunday they worshipped at the Church headed up by Dr Abraham T. Kim. We first visited the Minneapolis chapter on Sunday. It is headed up by Msn Abraham T. Kim and his wife is Msn Sarah Kim. We were warmly greeted by their co-workers. As we approached the Bible house there was a 1:1 Bible study happening on the porch of the Bible house.

The message was delivered by Dr Abraham T. Kim, “The Kernel Of Wheat.” It was based on John 12:20-36. Key verse 24, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” There was a praise song and opening prayer. Shp Chuck operated the power point. There about twenty-five attendants. From the message we learned that life is productive and reproductive. This is best expressed by the kernel of wheat. Dr Abraham told us that one kernel of wheat has the potential to produce 25 truckloads of grain in 5 years. But there is one prerequisite, the initial kernel needs to die and offer up its nutrients for the next generation. Jesus is the ultimate kernel of wheat. Through his death and resurrection so much good fruit has been born throughout the generations. Dr Abraham used the example of the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and his four companions in trying to reach an Amazonian tribe. They lost their lives trying to preach the gospel. Later the whole tribe was converted and saved from annihilation. Their sacrifice started a modern missions movement. Dr Abraham ended with the words, “There are some things more important than life itself.” This brought tears to my eyes because I realized how true that statement is. By living to preach the gospel to students and raise disciples, we are engaged in a mission that is more important than life itself, because the eternal salvation of millions of souls are at stake.

We could share their 2009 key verses and a report on NIU pioneering work. They also went to the campus of U of Minnesota to pray for the 55,000 students. Later they visited the house church of Dr Charles and Happy Sarah Kim. There, they had a barbeque and prayed for the students of St Paul.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the new U o M Bible house. Last year they had bought a huge Victorian home near the campus. It is three stories high with a basement. The top floor, with a raftered ceiling, is the shepherdess’ common life. The middle floor is the home of Dr Abraham and Sarah Kim and their son, Abraham. The first floor is the home of Chuck and Elizabeth Voght and their two children, Noah and Hudson. The first floor meeting rooms and the basement were under construction. They are making the Bible house wheel chair accessible, (even the bathrooms). Sewer pipes in the basement are being buried and the floor is being lowered. Trees in the back yard are being cleared and a six car parking lot is going to be built. They have the support of their neighbors. The Bible house is a perfect Bible house, blending spacious meeting rooms and common life areas and being close to the campus. A Fine Arts building, across the alleyway from the Bible house, has graciously offered up space for them to have their Sunday worship service every week for only $10 per week. The Bible house, along with the use of the Fine Arts building, ensures lots of space for the work of God to carry on for years to come.

May God help us to raise 12 disciples of Jesus. May God send us new Bible students to love and serve with the Gospel of Jesus. May God help us to repent and restore a regular and faithful fishing ministry among the students of NIU. Most of all, may all of our members be like kernels of wheat that fall to the ground and dies and produce many seeds and much fruit for the glory of God.

May 2009 Mission report <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

God Was Laying The Groundwork For Some

Good Co-working Among Chapters

May 2009 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

Mark 6:12, “Calling the Twelve to him, he sent then out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Co-working is very important in doing the work of God. In Mark 6, Jesus sent his disciples out two-by-two in order to support one another. It was part of their training to be apostles. He gave them power to conquer the rule of Satan in the lives of people. He gave them the authority to drive out evil spirits. Together, God worked through them powerfully. In Ecclesiastes, we also see the wisdom of two-by-two partnerships in doing the work of God. God made people to live in community. When a person lives and works alone, he becomes selfish and less fruitful. But when they co-work together they have a good return for their work. When a lone person falls down, there is no one to help him up. But when there are two, they can support each other. A single cord snaps easily, but a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:12) Two disciples and Jesus could be the three cords. Co-working can be between two individuals, but also between two churches. We are a small church here at NIU. In order to fight the good spiritual battle we must co-work amongst each other and with other chapters. I am thankful that this month, God has been laying the groundwork for a great summer of co-working with other chapters, especially with Triton and DuPage UBF ministries.

Part l: People in Our Fellowship

The beginning of the month saw our two students move out of the Bible house and back to Triton UBF in the Chicagoland area. Tim is planning to walk dogs for one month and return for some summer classes. Andrew is planning to teach tennis at a club and return in the fall. While in Chicago they are going to participate in the Triton UBF ministry. We pray for them to have a fruitful summer.

It is hard to see them go. We are a small ministry and it is encouraging to have people who can co-work with us in the task of campus evangelism. With their parting, our Sunday attendants dropped from 11-12 to 8-9 people. But I thank God that I have my family and a couple of prayer partners and several one to one Bible students. We still have the Bible house and most of all Jesus is with us and the work of God continues on. God has shown me over and over again that the most important thing is that my heart and my house church are drawing nearer to Jesus through his word. God is helping us to mature as servants of Jesus and to co-work together as a Christian family. Jesus is always with us and this most important.

Tim made deeper commitments to attend the European Summer Bible Conference. He committed himself to funding a good part of his trip. It was not easy for him to do so. It was financially demanding. Julie and Tim are looking forward to experiencing the work of God in Europe. Later Tim will be seeing London and Julie will be going to Eastern Europe, including Auschwitz. We pray for them to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. May God grant 1,000 attendants and use this conference to initiate a spiritual revival in Europe.

This month we began to study the book of Jonah to initiate the start of our summer ministry. The key verse is Jonah 4:11, ““But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" We like to think about it this way, “But NIU has more than 25,000 students who are walking in spiritual darkness. Should we not be concerned about that great university?” Our prayer topics for summer are for 30 1:1’s, 20 Sunday attendants, 12 disciples, to keep the Bible house for at least 2 more yrs, Tim to get A’s in summer classes, to participate in Triton UBF 20th anniversary celebration, the Joint DuPage/NIU Summer conference, the Minneapolis Prayer journey, Julie and Tim’s visit to the European 40th Anniversary Conference. What a full and blessed summer! Pray for us to be concerned with the souls of 25,000 NIU students and give them Jesus.

I am thankful for God’s work in my kids’ hearts. I have decided to go fishing on campus to meet new students for Bible study more often. When I ask my kids to join me, they are totally willing. There is no resistance from them to go to the campus to talk to students about Jesus. This is the work of God in their lives. When we go to the campus we are seeing a lot of students from other countries who have just arrived in the USA. Please pray for our summer ministry, that God may raise up 12 disciples and for my kids to be fishers of people.

I discovered something about kids this month….they compare themselves to others and don’t mind if they cut corners in school, as long as they are a little better than others. I discovered this with my older kids. In their hearts they compare themselves to those around them and struggle academically according to a relative standard. I tried to help them. Augustine is responding well to his discipline concerning ignoring some of his homework. In most cases he is staying on top of his school work conscientiously. If he continues in the right path, he should get his iPod back by the end of June. Jennifer was also coasting along, enjoying her A’s and ignoring some smaller assignments. But I realize that, instead of comparing themselves to others, they need to do all things for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” They must study as if they are studying for Jesus to reveal Jesus’ glory. May all of us not be relativistic, but live to please God alone adopting Jesus’ higher standard as our own.

Part ll: Co-working With Other UBF Chapters

This month we could meet with DuPage UBF three times for joint Friday testimony sharing and Conference planning. We met twice at DuPage UBF and once at NIU. It was a privilege to serve our DuPage co-workers. It is good to meet together and share our meditations on the word of God. It creates spiritual energy and momentum in preparing for the Summer Conference. I thank God that my three older kids could prepare testimonies and share. The title of the conference is “But Seek First His Kingdom: The Ultimate Investment Strategy.” The key verse is Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Tim will deliver the opening message, Jenn will deliver a morning devotion message and I will deliver the main message on Matthew 6. Julie and myself will be group Bible study leaders. Tim will deliver his life testimony and we will be doing our India, “Jaiho”dance. We pray for 15 attendants from NIU UBF and 40 from DuPage UBF.

I am learning the importance of co-working with other chapters. We cannot live as an island. We need to encourage each other, learn from each other, and spur one another on to serve Jesus. My kids need to have relationships with other children involved in campus evangelism through our UBF ministry. As a pastor, I need co-working friendships with other UBF pastors. In the spirit of co-working, we began to plan the Triton 20th anniversary celebration. On May 20th, I met with the Triton UBF men and we could brainstorm some ideas for a July 5th celebration. I pray that we may co-work closely with Triton UBF and DuPage UBF ministries. I pray for an increased co-working spirit to grow among all of our UBF chapters. Then the work of God will continue to bear much fruit.

We could also co-work with the West Loop UBF chapter at UIC. They hosted a Woman’s conference attended by girls, teenagers and older women from Chicago, Wright College, IIT, U of C, Triton and NIU UBF ministries. It dealt with Christian woman’s issues and they did facials, manicures and pedicures (men would not like doing this). Shs. Christy Toh and Shs. Liz Hembekides presented teachings gleaned from what they learned from a national “True Woman” conference last October. It was meant for the bonding of the younger and the older generation of UBF women in the Chicago area. Originally planned to be an intimate gathering, 60 women attended. (They scrambled to find extra nail polish at the last minute. But just as at the wedding at Cana…God miraculously provided -- LOL) From NIU, Julie, Jennifer, Amanda, Kathleen and Tricia. Jenn led one of the Praise and Worship sessions with her acoustic guitar and take notes on the white board during two discussions. I thank God for my daughter growing up to be a more mature member of our UBF community. On the way out Julie had the unfortunate experience of falling and breaking her tailbone on the outside stairs, but God continues to strengthen her to overcome all things.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. NIU UBF members could attend and solemn Memorial ceremony at Kirkland IL. I went with my four kids and Greg, a Bible student. Kirkland invested a lot in their Veterans Memorial. It is made of black marble with names and pictures inscribed. I was taken aback by the sincerity of the whole event. Try to imagine 200 people gathered before and outdoor stage. There were 30 boy scouts in full uniform. There was a Vietnam Vet telling his story about his military career. State representative, Bob Prichard spoke. There was a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial. The Kishwaukeys (barbershop singers) sang patriotic songs. There was a flag retiring area, were used flags were burned by ultra sincere boy scouts and their leaders. The highlight was when the entire crowd all held hands in a huge circle and we all sang “God Bless The USA”. Afterwards we ate lunch at a pork chop sandwich barbecue. That was the best Memorial Day service I ever attended.

The ministries of Triton and NIU UBF held a joint Memorial Day Commemoration at Triton UBF on May 25th. Andrew Norte, Tim Sagel, Tim Lopez and Sh. Carl Heusel shared daily bread testimonies, the Jesmer kids led Praise and Worship, and Sarah sang a special song. Pastor Kevin delivered a Memorial Day Message entitled “True Enduring Freedom is Found In Jesus Alone”, based on Luke 1:74-75, “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days" We barbequed and ate together. We talked and the kids played. About 30-40 people attended.

It is fitting and right to preserve the memory of the fallen, and honor their sacrifice by paying the ultimate price. We must be thankful for the sacrifices of people who have laid down their lives, both literally and through their daily lives, to make our freedom possible, like Sh. Carl Heusel of Triton UBF. In our hearts, may each of us make an expression of solemn gratitude and deep respect for such as these. But we can not forget also that true, enduring freedom for any nation, is established when a nation’s citizenry are set free from the power of sin and death to do what is right before the eyes of God. May we always remember and honor the giver of true freedom, Jesus Christ.

On May 29th the World Vision 30 hour famine began at Triton UBF. Jenn and Tim participated along with about 15 people from Triton UBF who fasted as a prayer for the children around the world who don't have adequate nourishment. The Famine/ Fast began Friday, May 29th at 12 pm, and then all members met at the Triton Bible House at 6 pm that evening for a program consisting of a short film about world hunger and a Bible study. On Saturday, they did service projects around the Bible House including painting, raking, washing, and cutting back foliage. They closed out the fast Saturday, May 30th at 6pm with a 'Break-Fast' meal. To raise additional funds, a garage sale and car wash is also planned. May God use World Vision and their fundraising efforts to provide children worldwide with both physical and spiritual nourishment.

One word: Continue to co-work in doing the work of Jesus

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The Gospel Of Peace

April 2009 Mission Report: By Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

Key Verse: Acts 10:36

“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel,

telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

During the month of April God helped us to worship the Risen Christ. We co-worked with Triton UBF to hold a joint Easter Bible conference. Our students studied hard. In April we finished our study of the Book of Acts and we were visited by servants of God from the publishing committee. Through the Easter conference were are determined to reveal the Gospel of Peace to the students of NIU.

Part l: Easter Conference

On Friday April 10th through Sunday April 12th, Triton UBF and NIU UBF held an Easter Bible Conference entitled, “The Gospel Of Peace.” The key verse was “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36) Our prayer topic was 70 attendants and God brought 67 people (12 of which were from NIU UBF). We gathered at beautiful Timber-lee Christian Center in East Troy, Wisconsin which is about a 2 hour drive from Chicago.

Conference preparation began with two weeks of prayer meetings held at Triton. At these prayer meetings, God prepared our hearts through deep, verse by verse, Bible studies of 1 Corinthians 15 led by Pastor Teddy. Different groups worked hard to prepare a student drama, a CBF drama and a dramatic dance, dedicated as a prayer for India pioneering work. Our music team worked hard to prepare inspiring praise music and special songs.

I had the blessing of helping Tim Sagel to prepare his life testimony and Andrew Norte to prepare his opening message. Tim gave his heart to this task. He knew the importance of a life testimony. He tried hard to meet deadlines and he was humble to accept constructive criticism. He was eager to discover himself and the grace of Jesus. He ended up with 13 pages and eventually shrunk it to 4 pages. We were all blessed through his testimony. Tim also served in the praise and worship team by playing guitar. When Tim gave his whole heart, his whole continence became animated. He tasted true joy from heaven. This month Tim and committed himself to attend the upcoming European Summer Bible Conference. He continues to pray to do well in his E/E classes and for God to send him two Bible students.

Andrew also worked hard on his opening message. He knew the importance of setting the atmosphere and inviting people to learn of Jesus during the remainder of the conference. He revised his message about three times. He was determined to reveal less about himself and more about Jesus. We are thankful for Andrew’s contribution to the music ministry. His major is music education and he is a very accomplished pianist. He even presented an original song, “That’s The Power Of The Gospel” where he played the guitar and sang. Andrew plans to attend NIU for the next 2-3 years. He is praying for direction for the summer as to where he should work.

Julie found her role at the conference. She was a group Bible study leader. She also helped Tim, to make his life testimony into a finished product.

Our chapter was blessed to give several presentations. NIU UBF prepared a dramatic dance based on the Bollywood “Jai ho” dance at the end of the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire”. In this dramatic dance, a Hindu girl is converted by two missionaries. She receives some persecution, but overcomes and co-works with the missionaries to help convert her own people. We could sing a couple special songs, “Ride the Chariot” and “Turn Your Radio On.” This was the first conference where all of our children were able to come. They participated fully, with special songs and the India dance. Sarah (11 yrs old) even brought one of her friends, Miranda Forde. Sarah is learning the difficulties of shepherding. The kids sacrificed so much, practicing for weeks to develop the Jaiho dance. Young Hope (9 yrs) became our leader because she mastered all the moves. They were eager and willing to give whatever it took to prepare for the conference. They were thankful to have fellowship with other Christian kids at Triton UBF, (who are like cousins to them.) We are thankful that Kathlene Haskin and Mandy Halek could also come.

By God’s grace I could deliver the Easter message entitled “The Gospel of Peace”, based on Acts 10:1-48. Through his message, we can see how God wants all people of all nations to receive the Gospel of Jesus. When any person, who repents of their sins and comes to Jesus, by faith, they are forgiven by God and become part of God’s family. They not only receive the forgiveness of sins, but also eternal life. They receive the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding.

At the end of the conference, Pastor Teddy initiated an altar-call. Half of the congregation came to the front to be prayed for. Many people shed tears of repentance and release. I thank God for leading my five children to the altar call, some of them had tears in their eyes. Indeed the Gospel of Peace brought true peace and true joy to all of our hearts.

Part ll: The Work Of God Among Us

In this month Julie plunged into her new calling to be part of the editing team for the UBF publishing committee. God has actually been preparing her over the years for such a task. She really believes in the power of the written word and the importance of quality publications. We pray for her to continually make a fruitful contribution to the UBF publication committee. Related to the publication committee was the visit to our ministry of Msn Mark Yang and Francesca Park and Deborah Lim to our home. We had the privilege of serving them supper and having spiritual fellowship. I am happy that all of our co-workers came to great them and share their annual key verses. I felt like Abraham serving the three visitors in Genesis 18.

This weekend Andrew Norte went to Surprise AZ for a tennis tournament. Andrew is the president of the club. It is very popular with 50 members. They are excited about it. They even pay in order to go to a tourney in AZ. Some are even thinking of renting a house so that tennis club members could live together. I wish that people were as excited to join a Christian club. So far people are all friends. That is good, but I pray that Andrew may be able to start one to one Bible study and make a spiritual friendship with someone in the club. One Iranian, Muslim student, Naveed is coming to the Bible House once and a while.

Augustine is learning the meaning of self control this month. He bought himself an i-pod. For a young man, it is enthralling. It captured his heart and mind, to the point that he ignored some of his school studies, getting bad grades. He was falling into the same rut that millions of young men are falling into…that is, using all of God’s gifts to play video games and get distracted by all kinds of electronic entertainment. He realized what was happening to him and he surrendered his ipod for several months. He made a commitment to attend barbershop singing and writing several book reports on Christian books this summer. He accept this as God’s training. I pray for Mark to attend barbershop singing also.

This month, we finished the book of Acts and we are moving on to the book of Jonah. Jonah 4:11 as the key verse of our summer ministry. It reads, ““But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" We changed the wording to say, “But NIU has more than 25,000 students who are walking in the spiritual darkness. Should I not be concerned about that great campus?”Our summer prayer topics are 12 disciples, 3 shepherds living common life, to keep the Bible House for one more year, fishing 3 times a week, the 20th anniversary celebration with Triton UBF, Joint Summer Conference with Dupage UBF, a visit to Mpls UBF chapters, and Julie and Tim’s attendance to the European Summer Conference.

God is opening up ways for our members to develop their gifts. Jenn She practiced hard for the High School musical, “Les Miserables” Sarah is practicing hard at Middle School Choir. The kids are developing a special song every week as a band. When Tim and Andrew are gone they will lead the praise and worship exclusively. Tim is faithfully attending guitar lessons to better his musical talents. Andrew is continually honing his musical talents through his music major. May they all offer up their gifts for the glory of God.

Part lll: Spiritual Direction

There are some simple points of repentance and prayer topics for us. We need new sheep. Practically speaking that means to restore our fishing spirit. This has got to begin with me. Jennifer needs to overcome and reach out to people who are not her friends. Our growing shepherds need to take that giant leap and actually invite people independently. We thank God for our regular Bible students. Trish (RN), Tracy (RN), Amdanda Z., Mark (8), Hope (9) and Jennifer (14) all study regularly with Julie. Greg H. (NIU hx major), Cornell N. (21), Augustine (12), and Sarah (11) all study with me. May God help us to establish Christ centered relationships with NIU students.

A Man Can Receive Only What Is Given Him From Heaven

John 3:27, “To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.’”

March 2009 NIU Monthly Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

This month I came to realize the deep meaning behind the words, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” After struggling with despair in relation to ministry, I came to understand that my happiness in Christ can not be dependant on what I want and what I receive. Many times, what I want is much more than what God wants to give me. I need to keep on giving my heart to living according to God’s calling on my life and at the same time trusting in God’s sovereignty. I can not move peoples’ hearts to respond to Bible study and participate in the work of God. Only God can do that. This month has been a month of learning to trust in what God gives to us and being happy with the grace of God alone.

The month started with a recognition of a couple, longstanding UBF Chicagoland pastors, Shp Teddy Hembekedis (Triton UBF) and Shp Mark Vesekovich (Lincoln Park UBF – DePaul ministry), and Msn Jose Ahn of Northeastern University. (as well as Msn Juan Seo of Venezuela) These servants of God have been living as pastors for almost 3 decades or more and have born much fruit for God. They are leading fruitful ministries, even planting new churches and sending off missionaries. But they were not officially recognized. On Monday, March 2nd, they were officially recognized, receiving plaques and robes. Official pictures were also taken. Families were there. I was thankful that I could stand up with Pastor Teddy as an official witness of this ceremony.

This month I found myself fighting my spiritual arch enemy despair. I am always conscious of the fact that only my wife, Julie and myself are essentially the only ones teaching the Bible. We are the only ones that try to fish others. As result there are very few new faces among us. Few people make tithes and offerings. I also despaired because I wanted to hold a 1 Samuel Bible School but deadlines were not met for testimonies and message preparations (and so we had to cancel.) I am still affected by a close couple who left to serve Jesus in another ministry. I acknowledge that we all contribute to the work of God, through stewardship and music and prayer. They are essential. The work of God can not go on without everyone’s service. I am very thankful for their contribution, but if the life giving work of God is ever going to grow in us and through us, we must reach out to others faithfully and plant the word of God in peoples’ hearts. I want to see definitive numbers, such as church attendance and official 1:1 Bible studies. Julie opened my eyes to see that much work of God has been going on among us despite of the lack of numbers. Many of our Bible students take what they learned from us, to other churches. Other people have been teaching the Bible, using our 1:1 method. God is working through us. But I am still going to keep praying to double our leaders and Sunday Service attendants by 2010. I also accepted the word of God, from John 3:27, “To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.’” And also from 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” I want so many things given to me from God. I want my ministry to be a certain size. I want my members to contribute to the work of God in certain ways. But no matter what I want, I can only receive what God has decided to give. I need to stop expecting things and despairing of life, when I don’t receive them. I need to accept God’s grace and continue to be faithful to what God has personally called me to do, that is, to live as a Jesus-centered house church, building up the 1:1 discipleship ministry at NIU, the western suburbs and northern Illinois.

God gave us a good dose of encouragement from an outside donor. One day I opened up a letter and there was a check as an offering to our NIU UBF ministry. We had received smaller offerings, from non-UBF people before, but not to this extent. Along with the offering was a letter stating how encouraged they are by the work of God going on in our ministry. I realized that this was God’s grace to me, to encourage my heart so that I could continue on. Thank you Lord Jesus.

This month Tim and Julie absolutely committed themselves to attending the European Summer Bible Conference. It is not easy to get people to attend a special event, even if their way is paid. People value their free time and are committed to their own personal plans. For Tim to decide to go is the work of God. Actually God was making the way for him to go. He is taking classes during the summer months, but the conference fell in between sessions. Tim saw this as a sign from God.

Camillo and Trisha Reynoso have been coming to our Sunday Service once and a while. Trish studies every week with Julie. They live in Chicago and, this month, they decided to attend our West Loop ministry on Sunday. Trish really likes the work of God here at NIU UBF. They are thinking of moving closer to DeKalb. I pray that one day that move to DeKalb and co-work together in the work of God.

This month we committed ourselves to having a joint Easter Conference with Triton UBF at Timber Lee Wisconsin. By God’s grace Tim was chosen to prepare and share his life testimony. Andrew Norte was chose to deliver the opening message. I was chosen to deliver the Sunday message. We also committed ourselves to prepare a special dance as our prayer for Indian pioneering work. I thank God for opportunity to co-work with our Triton ministry. I am excited about going to Timber Lee, for it has been about 13 years since we were last there. I am also excited that all of our kids can go with us this time. The end of March was spent working with Tim and Andrew and the kids to prepare our contributions for the conference. I thank God for their eagerness to prepare.

In conclusion, God set my heart free from despair and helped me to appreciate all that he wants to give me. He freed me to appreciate all the contributions that my coworkers were making in the work of God. I could be content with what God gives us here at NIU UBF. God is indeed working among us and he is using our house church, and our few co-workers as sources of encouragement. For this I thank Jesus.

Therefore Go and Make Disciples Of Jesus.

Matthew 28:19-20, February Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

?Then Jesus came to them and said, ?All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.??

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He wants to impart his authority to any who want to preach the Gospel and make disciples. Jesus wants people of every tribe and language and nation to belong to him and worship him. God loves all the people of the world. Jesus died for all people of all nations. God wants his gospel spread to all the nations of the world. Practically speaking that means that we can go to the campus and invite students to Bible study, disciple them, by the authority of Jesus who commanded it. And so, Jesus commands his disciples to make disciples. This is his plan for reaching the whole world. To obey Jesus? world mission command we must study and teach the whole Bible. When we have a learner?s attitude and when we ourselves live as disciples, we can then go out and replicate ourselves. How can we do this? Jesus gave a promise: ?And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.?(20b) As we serve NIU pioneering work we need to remember Jesus' words, ?Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.? In this month God has been moving our hearts to go beyond mere maintenance and yearn to raise disciples among our numbers. As a ministry we have also received direction to go and raise disciples of Jesus among the students of Canada and the United States. May God strengthen all of us to obey Jesus? world mission command by faith starting here at NIU. How has Jesus been working among us this month?

Part l: Our Members

I thank God who was with Tim this month. It was not an easy month for Tim. His class demands were heavy and he had financial demands looming over his head. But God helped Tim to get through some very demanding times. He had to drop one class and devote himself to his remaining classes. He also helped Tim to acquire a student loan. He prays for God?s strength to overcome his upcoming exams. Slowly, but surely, God is helping Tim to become an electrical engineer.

Tim and Andrew are growing in through their common life experience. They are learning how the bear with one another?s weaknesses. They are also learning how to be good stewards of the Bible house. Often they exhibit signs of individualism, neglecting to keep the Bible house, ?Guest ready? inside and outside. But they accept correction and try again to keep the Bible house clean. I pray for them to grow as student shepherds.

On of Jennifer?s friends, Suzie agreed to study the Bible with Jennifer in the future. She has a growing relationship with Julie. This is an answer to prayer for our children. My children have many friends, but they do not have friendships in which they lead others to Jesus. They pray for God to one day send a Bible student, but it seems that kids their age have no desire to study the Bible. Sarah is beginning to make a spiritual friendship with Miranda F. I pray that Jennifer make a spiritual friendship with Suzie and that all of my children may be second generation shepherds and Bible teachers.

Jay and Carrie Irwin began to pray about their future direction. The month started off with Jay receiving message training and studying 1 Samuel through 1:1 Bible study. But after praying and talking with each other they decided that they would rather serve Jesus through a community church setting. And so they decided to attend the Calvary Chapel in Carpentersville. They pray to be one in Christ. They pray for their marriage to be centered on Jesus and the Bible. They pray to serve the Latin American community. They hope to start a Spanish speaking group Bible study. On 2/18 we all met together. Several of us laid hands on them and sent them off. May God bless their future mission and house church.

Trish and Camillo R. continue to come to SWS and Bible study every second week. Trish studies with Julie and has even taken the initiative to study the Bible with two of her friends. Camillo speaks mostly Spanish. At the beginning of the month, Camillo was studying with Jay Irwin, but after Jay left I am trying to study with Camillo. Maybe it is time that I bought a Spanish/English Bible and learned to communicate in Spanish.

Part ll: Out Reach

The Jesmer family made a campus trip to Rock Valley Community College. We went there to have vision and to pray. We pray for the D.E.A.R. area of Chicago. (D.E.A.R. stands for Dekalb/Elgin/Aurora/Rockford) We need to have vision for all of Northern Illinois. And so we en to pray. We want to visit all of the campus? in the DEAR region and pray that God may establish a ?Jesus centered house church? on each of the campus?.

We began to pray for the ?Young Samuel? Bible school. In the past we had a ?winging it? attitude towards the Word of God. I realized that this did not honor God and his word and only stresses out the organizers of the Bible School. We need to improve in quality in the delivery of God?s word. And so, I am implementing some spiritual discipline in the prep for the Bible school. ?Would be? messenger need to finish typing their testimonies by a certain date and have their messages done a week ahead of time so they can be adjusted and practiced. This month I hope that all of our potential messengers could have this type of discipline when it comes to the Word of God. May God bless us all to grow as messengers of the Word of God to the people of our generation.

Part lll: Bible America

February 26-29 we attended the USA/Canada UBF staff conference. It was held in Chicago at the Intercontinental Hotel, near O?Hare airport. There, over 200 people, UBF pastors and their wives as well as up and coming leaders, gathered together to study the Bible and to pray. We all studied Revelation 2:1-17 and John 13. We learned to restore our first love to Jesus and to accept Jesus? love and love others with the same love that we received?especially loving our co-workers. General prayer topics for our ministries are 1. To go back to the Bible, 2. Double the number of our leaders and Sunday attendants by 2010, 3. To reach out to Muslim people in our countries with a hope and prayer that they may become missionaries, 4. for every leader to have at least one Bible student, 5. For all staff to share the gospel with one person every day for a total of 7 1:1 teams per week, 6. 200 people to attend the European Summer conference from North America, 7. For all of us to love God and love our Bible students and each other, 8. To raise disciples. We were encouraged to see a video report on the UBF medical mission in Uganda, on the upcoming European Summer Bible conference, as well as special messages on Evangelism by Dr Rick Richardson from Wheaton College, a message on Nevious? Mission Policy, delivered by Msn Samuel H. Lee (director of Korea UBF). We also heard messages delivered by Pastor Teddy Hembekedis and Dr Henry Park. Julie and myself had a special blessing to be group leaders at conference. Julie was also inspired become involved in the developing UBF publishing venture that is about to be undertaken. May God grant all of us unity of heart and mission as we serve campus mission together.

It is good to get back to regular meetings with the Chicago area Pastors. This month we began studying 1 Samuel together. We were not meeting for over a month as our leaders were on world wide journey to encourage our missionaries. This meeting has been a lifeline to me. I really need the fellowship and the deep word of God. I also need the prayer support. It is also a good feeling to be ?in the mix? of the work of God in the Chicago region. I thank God for his grace.

Part lV: Prayer Topics

Once again I pray to God to help me to be able to reach out to NIU students through 1:1 Bible study. According to the prayer topic for all UBF staff to teach the Bible to 7 students each week, I pray for 7 1:1?s per week. I also pray to actively disciple four people to be Bible teachers. I pray that God may help all of our members to teach the Bible to at least one person a week.

One word: Work together to obey Jesus? world mission command.

LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD

Deuteronomy 6:5

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

January 2009 Mission Report Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

God gave his people the Law because he loved them. People who keep God's law are blessed. God wants his people to love and respect him. He does not want superficial, half-hearted obedience. He wants us to obey his laws because we love him with all our heart, soul, and strength. He wants us to hold his words in our hearts and teach them to our children. God helped us to choose this as our 2009 ministry key verse. In the month of January I can see how God has been molding us into a people who can grow to love Jesus with our all.

Part l: The Work Of God Among Our Members.

Tim returned to NIU 1/5/09. He started guitar lessons at Poc’s music. Over the past couple of years, Tim has given his heart to the praise band and to learning guitar. So far he has been self taught. It is time for him to have some formal training. Tim is praying for a job. He is also learning many spiritual lessons about faith. He is learning about humility and accepting God’s grace. God is leading him to the point where he has to fight spiritually as he reaches his own human limitations.

In January I was happy to see the work of God in Jay and Carrie’s lives. Jay was asked by Carrie’s mother to bring his guitar and sing hymns to the residents of a retirement center. It happened on 1/7. We were filled with hope to start of regular “Hymn Sing” time there as a way to serve the community and as an outlet for students to serve others. Jay and Carrie also obtained a new apartment. They need to find their own place and begin to “nest” for their upcoming new baby. Jay and Carrie are learning to offer up their apartment as a house church. One way was to serve others there. Both of them do not like football, but they decided to host a Super Bowl Party. Bamidele Taiwo and Maggie Straczek from Triton UBF came. May the Irwins always open their home as a “Jesus centered” house church.

Jay continues to work at Geek Squad and Carrie is hoping to get a job as a teacher in Geneva. We pray that God may continue help this house church lay a firm foundation for their family. Also, in the month of January, Jay went to California to attend the funeral of his grandfather. He could be used by God to plant faith in his family’s hearts. Both Jay and Carrie study the 1 Samuel through 1:1 Bible study. Jay accepted the challenge to deliver the Sunday message one time every month. I pray for him to grow to be an excellent deliverer of God’s word.

They pray to be able to serve the Hispanic community. They came to a realization that there are 6,000 Hispanics at NIU. God sent Jay three Hispanic students to study the Bible with 1:1. Camilo Reynoso, a person from Guatemala, also comes to the Sunday service every two weeks and studies with Jay after the service. I believe that these are God’s signs. God is answering their prayers to be blessings to Spanish speaking people right here in America.

This month Andrew is busy, very busy with piano teaching, studies, and tennis club. Despite of his tight schedule, he remains faithful to his 1:1 Bible study with me and Sunday attendance. We really enjoy hearing the latest piano piece that he is preparing for his classes. I also enjoy sharing with him the latest songs that I am preparing for Barbershop quartet. God has blessed Andrew with “A” marks and God has even blessed the Tennis Club he started to be an official club on the NIU campus with Andrew as the president. We pray that the friendships he makes on the tennis club may translate to spiritual friendships where he can lead them to Christ. Andrew attended an Educator’s conference in Peoria. He spent the night, visiting our co-workers at Champaign UBF. Tim and Andrew are growing in their common life experience. They are recognizing the need to pray together regularly. They are also learning the importance of keeping the Bible house atmosphere, by keeping it clean so that it is always ready for Bible students.

We thank God for her answering Kathleen’s prayers for her work. She recently got hired to work the med/surge unit, where I work. We pray that God may give Kathleen strength to bear up under the heavy load of working as a floor nurse. We also pray for her to have God’s wisdom to disciple her daughter, Emily, who is the only one living with her. Abraham moved out to be more independent. God showed Kathleen grace by helping her to go on a family sponsored cruise to Mexico. She had been going through a lot of hard struggles. May Kathleen be a mother of prayer for American college students.

Julie has been feeling limited by her job as of late. She wants to grow in professional development. It is hard for her to do that in her job. But with God, she is not limited. She decided to go to back to school to study accounting. She will be going to Waubansee Community College in Aurora. There, she will also plant the seeds of prayer and fishing, so that a great work of God may spring up one day.

Part ll: Visiting Ministry.

It was bitterly cold all month long with no break. I have heard it said that it is the harshest winter since the 1980’s. But despite of the harsh weather, God helped to reach out to others. This month we could visit with Janice Thiele. We could pray for Janice to receive God’s strength in order to continue serving the medical needs of her daughter Saige. We could also visit the home of Tom La Coppola for a Super Bowl party. There we met with his church small group and we could also meet with his Pastor. It was good fellowship.

Josh and Mary Jeon visited our home at the end of January. They are from UIC ministry. Mary is a very accomplished photographer. We asked her to come and make some family photos. I was hoping to go to the campus and pray, but the time didn’t allow. We pray for their ministry at UIC in Chicago and for their newly established house church.

We could also attend the birthday celebration for Mother Barry at the main Chicago center and reflect on the wonderful work of God that has been going on through the life of Mother Barry. When most seniors are feeling lonely with no mission in life, Mother Barry is full of mission and is surrounded by hundreds of people who love her dearly. She even traveled to distant countries last year in order to encourage our co-workers. I pray to follow her example in my senior years.

Part lll: Bible Students.

Greg Hilligross kept his decision to begin 1:1 Bible study. He is a Harper College graduate. He now attends NIU as a history major. He had a few Bible studies with Msn Moses Lethang. We were introduced at the Chicago Christmas service. Since school began, he has been faithful to 1:1 Genesis Bible study at the Bible house.

Trish has been studying the Bible with Julie. She recently decided to try to study the Bible with one of her friends. This month she began to teach the Bible to Cecelia G. Trish and her husband, Camillo R., come to our Sunday service every other week. In January they studied with Julie before the service. Camillo studied with Jay a few times in Spanish.

Part lV: Repentant Topics

Every month my heart is nagged by one word, “You need to go fishing and find new Bible students.” I have nothing to say except, “I repent Lord!” I pray for God’s help that I may set the example of faith and reach out to others on the NIU campus. I pray that all of our co-workers may be fishers of men. I pray that our student leaders may be able to establish spiritual friendships with others around them when they go to the campus.

The New Year began with our annual Key verse testimony sharing. The NIU UBF 2009 Key verse is Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Our ministry prayer topics are as follows, 1) Acts and Jonah messages 2) 30 1:1 Bible studies 3) 20 regular Sunday attendants 4) two 1 Samuel Bible Schools 5) 12 disciples of Jesus in 2009 6) Double our ministry by 2010. 7) Participate in world mission by sending two people to European UBF 40th anniversary 8) three shepherds to live common life at the Bible house. 9) Three new Bible teachers. I thank God that we could all share deep and meaningful testimonies. All of the kids shared. Kathleen shared. Jay and Carrie shared theirs also. Everyone shared. There testimonies were full of hope. May 2009 be a year of hope and a year of loving Jesus with all of our heart, soul and strength.