Menu
Hope Church congregation

September 18, 2016 – Hope Church News

0

We want to say thank you for staying tuned in and interested in seeing how God is working in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

Around 60 people came to Hope Church yesterday morning, which was the largest number yet. No doubt, the word is spreading through ones like the man we told you of last weekend. We praise God for each individual that is experiencing God’s presence in a special way. Bro Martin shared a message on God being the source of our strength from Isaiah 40:31. He gave the illustration from electrical wiring of how God’s strength/power flows through us. Joy said that it was the best message she had ever heard her Daddy preach! We are so thankful of the seeds planted in the hearts and trusting God to bring the increase.

Bro Martin preaching

We haven’t shared much about the meals the girls prepare for the people each week. For the first few weeks, they made a Taco Soup in large roaster ovens. Because the people eat soup most every day throughout the week, the girls are now branching out and preparing other things. They had a Penne Alfredo with green beans and coleslaw yesterday. Bro Martin says that the people especially liked the coleslaw with it being something they haven’t had much.

 

We really appreciate your prayers and support.
We pray God will bless you!
praying-hands-bible

Take God at His WORD – Devotional

0

 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
I John 5:14-15

 

How would our worry levels decrease and our faith increase if we really took God’s Word as the final authority in every situation, no matter how big or small? 

 

Our family experienced God answering prayer one very memorable day while driving through Los Angeles, CA. At that time, we were riding in our 15 passenger van pulling our 39 foot bumper pull travel trailer. We had been advised to have sway bars in order to be safe. Some had said that one would be adequate, yet to be safer Daddy decided to get two. On this day, a very heavy crosswind rose up and I can still recall the feeling of panic as we could feel our trailer swaying back and forth to the place of no human ability to correct. We knew that it had to be God’s intervention or we were going to flip the trailer. We cried out to God in prayer and Momma called our praying Granny who would “travel along with us” with her finger on the map in her lap. Granny and Papa went to prayer immediately for us. Before long the wind calmed and we were able to make it safely to our destination. I wasn’t a disciple in the boat on the storm-tossed sea, but I know what its like for God to say, “Peace be still” to a crosswind in California.

 

 

“Thou art coming to a King,

Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much;”
John Newton

 

Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Gen. 18:14)
A Glimpse of Alaska

September 11, 2016 – Ministry News Update

0

We’re coming with a wonderful report from Anchorage, Alaska!

 

The Downtown Soup Kitchen allowed Bro. Martin to use their van to pick up people for church. They got it completely loaded and headed back to the church when a man in the van hollered emphatically, “STOP!” again and again. Bro Martin came to a stop to see what was going on with him. He then opened the door and hollered out of the van, “Hey cuz, you need to come on up here for church and they have really good food too!” After the van door was closed and they were on their way again, Bro Martin used this incident as a teaching tool for everyone else. He said, “We are having church because we have the Good News to share.” Bro Martin preached about “A Love that Deserves a Response.” He shared a story in memory of September 11, 2001 about a lady that was rescued from the World Trade Center. In response to the love that was shown her, she named the child that she gave birth to after the man that rescued her and her unborn child. Bro. Martin tied it into what our response should be to the love of God that has been shown to us. We praise the Lord for the response of these precious people to God’s amazing Love.

 

After church, Bro Martin went down to the hospital for about 3 1/2 hours. He visited patients and also ministered to the staff. There was one of the RN’s that especially opened up and shared some of her background in a foster home and how she was taken to a “holy-roller” church. Because of her raising in that type of a church, the other denominations didn’t suit her. We are trusting God for the seeds sown to bring forth a great harvest for the Glory of God.

 

Bro Martin and the family had the privilege of attending an ordination service for a faithful volunteer at the Downtown Soup Kitchen on Sunday night. This volunteer made mention in his speech that he was glad to have the  pastor at the Downtown Soup Kitchen, Pastor James, there. My baby sister, Joy, relayed this special honoring time to me. She thinks it is really neat to hear her Daddy referred to as a pastor, since he’s been a missionary/evangelist for her whole life.

 

Thank you for all who prayed for Susan* last week as she underwent surgery. She came through it good, and scheduled to be discharged from the hospital today. The Brother Francis shelter is allowing her to stay in a private room in order to recover away from the elements. We praise the Lord for this.

 

We greatly appreciate you agreeing with us in prayer for a mighty revival among the homeless in Anchorage, Alaska! May God bless you!

 

*Name changed to protect privacy
in-gods-hands-368x450

The Eternal God – Devotional

0

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:…” Deut. 33:27

 

This verse has been such a strength during trials. Taking the first three words of this verse “The eternal God”, we see the truth that God has forever been. On bus route visitation today, my husband and I began talking to a young man who was full of questions about God. We were so thankful to see how God had been touching his heart. One of the questions he asked was how God was created. Derek answered first of all with the description of God as eternal.

 

  • We can trust a God that was not created with human hands, but has forever been and will forever be.
  • To take it a step further, it’s who God is to me and you that makes this of such significance – He is our refuge, habitation, or dwelling place.
  • Our Heavenly Father want us to know Him as the One who will always be there (in the truest form) for us.
  • Furthermore, God has chosen to place His everlasting arms underneath us to show us His love and care for us.
On this point, I felt like sharing a story that my precious Grandma Martin shared before she went on to her reward. She said there was a lady in their church while they were pastoring that was going through so much. Grandma had been really burdened for this lady and prayed much for her. One night, Grandma had a dream and she saw this lady’s head out in the boisterous waters, but she saw a big hand underneath her chin. God spoke to my Grandma, “She’s just as safe here as she would be out on the shore.”

 

My dear friend, no matter what you are going through right now, put your trust in the eternal God that is your refuge and allow His love for you to secure and protect you. 

Hope Church and Beyond

0

Since the family returned to Alaska in July, they have had the privilege of several people visiting from the Lower 48. Pastor & Mrs Randy Perry, Pastor Patrick Stone (COG Depew, OK), and Bro Boyd Smith and son, Denali (Kellyville, OK) came to look over the Downtown Soup Kitchen on Friday. Rev. & Mrs. Larry Landress along with Bro & Sis Bradley Cottrell, their son, Kyler, and Sis Cottrell’s mom came up this past weekend to be in service. Hope Church was blessed by their ministry on Sunday. They ministered through song and message and there was a great response in the altars. Praise the Lord!

 

Julie has just finished up her first week as a full-time employee at the Women’s Shelter. When her alarm goes off in the middle of the night, she has to be reminded of why she is doing it in the first place: to be a vessel of God’s love to these precious ladies. She also has the responsibility of organizing the volunteer list for each night. There has been some challenging moments, but God continues to be her strength.

 

Bro Martin was asked by a faithful member of Hope Church to come and see her in the hospital yesterday. Susan* is scheduled for an 8-12 hour surgery today. While Bro Martin was there, a Catholic chaplain came in to visit Susan*. While he was going out in order to give them some time, Bro Martin overheard Susan* telling the chaplain that he was her pastor and she went to Hope Church. Just 6 weeks of Hope Church being established and these precious people are feeling identified with the family and church. To God be all the Glory! If you think of Susan* today, please pray she will experience the peace and love of God in a special way.

 

We want you to know on a regular basis how we appreciate your faithful support of Hope for the Home Ministries.
May God richly bless you!

*Name changed to protect privacy

{Monday’s update is a day late due to family activities and delay in collecting information. Thank you for your understanding.}

James Martin family 2005

How Character Effects Actions

0

Do you desire your “doing” to be different? Whether it’s organization and consistency in your daily schedule, reactions to unpleasant circumstances, training children, ways to use your time, or a slew of other things: we find ourselves desiring to do differently than we actually achieve.

 

Just as the success of the crop rests upon the health of the soil, so the outer expressions of our lives are dependent on who we are on the inside. We see this truth addressed in the words of Jesus in Luke 6:45: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth for the that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of this heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

 

In “Habits of a Healthy Home”, author Bill Carmichael gives the analogy of our homes being the soil where children, like seeds, are planted. He said, “Healthy homes that produce good ground are the result not so much of how we parent but of who we are as parents, as families.”

 

On a personal level: much of what molded my mindset and character was the consistent daily example my precious Momma & Daddy lived before me. Yes, I received discipline and lengthy lectures, but their lifestyle was the primary teaching tool in my life. They taught me to pray by their prayer life; they taught me to work by their work ethic; they taught me to be faithful by their faithfulness, and the list could go on and on. I know my parents would be the first ones to tell you that they weren’t perfect, but I can say that the character my parents allowed God to build in them made their training efforts effective.

 

Are you living the life you want others to follow? Let’s all ask God to cleanse the inside of our lives that the outside would be clean as well (Matt. 23:26).
WIlderness

In Abundance and Drought – Devotional

3

I’ve been reading lately in the book of Numbers about the children of Israel’s journeyings through the wilderness. If you have read your Bible for any length of time, you most likely have read the amazing miracles God worked for them on a daily basis. In Numbers 33, it records a multitude of times they moved. Oh, can I sympathize with all those ladies packing up their belongings time after time! 🙂

As I was reading this chapter, I came down to verse 9 which says, “And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.” 

Wow! What abundance of provision – twelve fountains of water! They were living with abundance of provision here.

But then it was time to leave and it wasn’t too many verses later, verse 14 to be exact, before it is recorded, “And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink.” Now we see that they are in a place of drought. No doubt they wondered, maybe even aloud, “Why here?”

But, we can ask what kept them journeying even when the circumstances around didn’t seem favourable?  Remember, they weren’t just following their feelings or the circumstantial evidence. They were being supernaturally lead by the LORD!

Exodus 13:21-22 says, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

In answer to the question we addressed earlier, I believe they were assured of God’s leading; therefore, they didn’t have to fear what they would face. God’s presence was with them. Their Jehovah Jirah (Provider) was leading them!

In application, we don’t have to live in fear when we experience unpleasant circumstances. Nor should we question God’s love for us during those times. Instead we should look up to our Father with childlike faith in HIs abundance, and trust His leading at ALL TIMES. As children of God, may we arise to faithfulness in our relationship to God no matter what we are going through: for we are assured of His presence.

Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

I would love to hear any comments or further insight you would like to share. Please comment here on the website or email me at joanna@hopeforthehome.net.

Hope Church

August 28, 2016 – Hope Church Update

2

We’re back again sharing the faithfulness of God at Hope Church. Thank you for staying tuned in each Monday to hear how God is working through Bro Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan, and Joy there in Anchorage, Alaska. The family has enjoyed having the oldest brother/son, Jason, and his oldest daughter, Laynie, there for a visit this week. Jason has been remodeling the bathrooms in their home which has kept him quite busy. In the meantime, the girls have taken Laynie to the Fair and Zoo making wonderful Alaskan memories for her.

There were around 45 people that came to service yesterday: some that had never come before. Jason and Laynie helped the girls out with the music part of the service and Bro Martin shared about God seeking those who were lost. The illustration had greater meaning as Bro Martin had taken Jingles (Our beloved poodle) outside yesterday morning. After leaving him out to do his business, Bro Martin went back out to bring him in. Upon seeing that Jingles was not out there, he realized that the gate had been left open the night before thus providing a way for him to escape. Thankfully, he hadn’t wandered too far and was quickly found. As all of you know, losing something special to you can make your heart jump up into your throat! Oh, how Jesus must feel! Three precious souls responded to the invitation to pray.

George*, a disabled man, slowly shuffles every Sunday morning to get to church. He is just so excited to be there! He has no choice but to be homeless throughout the summer due to the high tourist population creating higher living expenses. The state requires for landlords to decrease the amount of rent they charge in the winter thus making it possible for some to afford the rent. George expressed to Bro Martin his excitement for September to be here so he can have a place to live.

Each Sunday the visitors receive a card for them to write their name, number and any prayer requests they may have. Bro Martin expresses, “Its heartbreaking to read the extremity of the needs that these precious people have.” We are so thankful for the opportunity to share Jesus, the source of our hope, with these precious people.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.

May God bless you!

Joanna Rich

*Name changed to protect privacy

IMG_8434

Update on Hope Church

2

Yesterday marked 1 month since the first service at Hope Church. It has been very exciting to see how God has worked over this month. One of our largest crowds was on the 14th of this month with 40 homeless people in service. Bro Martin preached “Life for a Look” — as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Six people responded with lifted hands to the invitation, two came forward for prayer. Bro Martin shares, “The wonderful presence of the Lord was evident.”

This tremendous outreach endeavor has not come without some major challenges. We are seeking to uphold the Kingdom of God, and therefore the enemy knows his kingdom is at stake. No matter the challenges, we KNOW who will always win the battle! I John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Please pray for the people of Alaska. There is some unrest among the homeless population at this time due to some policies and decisions made by the state officials. We ask you to please agree with us in prayer for the deliverance of the enemy’s strongholds and that the love and peace of God would fill these precious lives.  We also ask you to pray for the protection of Bro Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan, and Joy as they endeavor to be Ambassadors for Christ.

Thank you for being laborers together with us in the work of God. May God bless you!

Joanna Rich

Derek and Joanna

Martin/Rich Wedding

2

June 24, 2016 – The day that Derek & I, along with many others, have prepared for is HERE! Oh, what excitement filled our hearts as we got ready for this blessed occasion! I was blessed to have my 5 sisters and 1 sister-by-love (Native from Oregon) as my bridesmaids. Derek had his 1 brother along with 2 of my brothers and 3 friends, as his groomsmen. My other 4 brothers were ushers and my 7 nieces and nephews all had part in the wedding as well. It was quite an exciting wedding party!

Rich/Martin Wedding party

In planning for this special day, Derek & I chose to customize each aspect of the wedding to be specially unique to us. Our primary desire was to bring Glory to God. He is the One that put us together, and it will always be His love that keeps our love and commitment to each other strong. One very unique thing we did was that we quoted the passage of 1 Corinthians 13 together. As many of you know, my parents made memorization a daily part of our lives growing up. It was amazing when Derek and I met to find out that he had given himself to memorization throughout his school years and beyond as well. We both have a passion for the truth of God’s Word, therefore we felt it most fitting to include that in our wedding ceremony.

Derek & Joanna quoting

We both sang to each other: Derek sang, “…Only God could love you more for he gave me this love that I have for you. What a blessing to know He’s your Lord, for only God could love you more than I do…” I sang a song my sister, Joy, had written for me on the day Derek & I were engaged – “…You are my wish come true, You’re all I’ve ever prayed for, God only knew that I needed you to make me complete. You’re the best, the best thing that’s happened to me…” It was a precious time of communicating our love through song.

Both of our dads along with Pastor Gerald Hood performed the ceremony. They performed their various parts with a depth of meaning and challenge. Instead of the customary Unity Candle, we decided to do the Unity Cross symbolizing the strength of the man united with the beauty and intricate design of the woman which is held together with 3 pegs symbolizing the Unity of Father, Son & Holy Ghost. It a special piece that sits on our dresser reminding us of the unity that should be in our marriage. After we exchanged our vows, our 3 Grandfather ministers joined our dads and Bro Hood to pray over us. It was a very special time in God’s presence.

Prayer

Derek and I chose to compose our own vows to read/quote to each other. It was our desire to have vows concise enough to memorize and keep before us on a daily basis. We cherish the words with which we committed our life, love, and loyalty to each other and seek to make those words a reality each day.

The ending of the ceremony was with much significance. After we were pronounced husband and wife, Derek and I shared our first kiss. We had chose from the beginning of our relationship to save this special act of love for our wedding day. With God’s help, our commitment remained strong even during times of deep emotion. We have been so thankful that we waited.

The KISS

There was right around 350 that attended our wedding. We were thrilled for all the family and friends who put forth the effort to come and share in our joy.

The Martin/Noland family

The Rich/Hoge family

Thank you for your interest in this milestone in mine and Derek’s lives. Psalms 18:30 says, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”  There is peace trusting God’s perfect will for your life.

The Unity Cross

 

Blessings, Joanna Rich

Load More