Praise the LORD!!!
As the title says, this is a Vine of CHRIST Ministries "VineNotes" update. "Of sorts," because truly there hasn't been much going on within the ministry. It's formation and set up procedures are basically at a stand still.
Considering the amount of time that has transpired since the last newsletter(?) many would of given up and given in to the temptation of seeking after another means of glorifying GOD within their life. My focus now, is stronger then ever, though not very much along the actual lines of the ministry are getting done. But the LORD has shifted me to an almost steady task of posting devotionals, studies, readings and other Christian content online within the social media sphere. Most like many of you're familiar with these posting, since the bulk of the readers of this blog are followers on one of these sites :{)))
Over the years of my Christian walk, since Jan. 7, 1995, I've had many of these periods(plateaus) within my life. Those time periods where there seems that little is being accomplished to grow and expand the KINGDOM of GOD. Friends, it is these times within our walk that GOD is allowing us to relax and grow in HIS grace, learning to be patient and await HIS perfect timing for that which is to come. A reason for the ministry's by line of "for such a time as this."
We, as self willed beings, very often tend to think of all things being within our control and if it's going to get done, we've got to do it. One thing I've learned well over these years, is that there is NO BETTER time- then GOD's time. For over the years I've stepped out on my own, in my own strengthens and ideas, to only fall flat on my face, or run into a brick wall :{))) Most of the time, that wall or ground into which I've found myself, was the LORD's hand, gently catching me or putting the brakes on for me!!! An sure as can be, there was a lesson thru chastisement to shortly follow, with it's object lesson to learn buried within it :{)))
Now, you may be wondering what all that has been said, has anything to do with the LORD's ministry for me??? The fact is, EVERYTHING!!! For when one gives their life totally to the LORD, forsaking all to follow HIM, every single detail becomes a part of their cross, their burden to shoulder. The ministry, I know is is good hands, HIS hands. It's growth, again HIS hands. The days will come when this break from labors(HIS) comes to and end and the ministry will break forth from it's seed pod and sprout into a glorious vine it is meant too. Until that time, I'll continue to be obedient and await HIS perfect timing!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
ps: and when it does, there will be places for many, many wholehearted believers that seek only to glorify the precious and holy name of JESUS!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! So, why not be in prayer and see if you're one???
Showing posts with label disaster relief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disaster relief. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Though homeless...
Praise the LORD!!!
Though homeless the LORD has blessed me to not be completely out in the cold. I've been supplied, what started out as "storage only," a temporary shelter in a friend's garage. They've also allowed me the use of a small electric heater, an air mattress to keep me up off the cold concrete floor and the use of their Wi-Fi connection so I'm able to keep the LORD's message going out!!! You can believe I highly thankful for this person's listening to the LORD and being obedient in following that leading!!!
That which I'm blessed with would be considered "a luxury suite" to many around the world. Those who live in condition far worse than that which most could ever imagine. My heart goes out to these, as day in and day out I continue to work on building the LORD's ministry for me. Of which, the plight of the homeless is but one of the agendas that it will seek to cure or at least assist people in overcoming. The list of agendas for the ministry is a long one, covering far more than most could imagine themselves. Truthfully, I couldn't of even begun to bring all these together under one ministry, let alone add all them together in a growing list!!!
What GOD has done within my life, since "re-birth," has simply been amazing!!! I've come from one of the most self-centered, egotistical people you could of met and been born anew into one that cares far more about others than he does himself !!! The problem is though, that in all the efforts expended to broadcast the ministry and it's goals, not one person has ever stepped up and asked about how they can help or join in with the efforts!!! This wouldn't be so bad if I'd of just started all this a year or so ago, but when you consider that I've been at this whole thing since my release from the "halfway house" in "99." I've gone thru every imaginable means of broadcasting the ministry, it's goals and the GOSPEL message thru it and still "no interest."
Many would be disheartened, but I am not. For I know WHO it is that laid this cross upon my shoulders and WHO it is that shall bring it all to completion in every degree!!! When the LORD gives you something to carry, carry it to your dying breath, no matter what it looks like at this time, HE has ways of making things happen!!!
"With GOD, all things are possible !!!!!!!" (Mark 10:27)
Good day and GOD bless,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Though homeless the LORD has blessed me to not be completely out in the cold. I've been supplied, what started out as "storage only," a temporary shelter in a friend's garage. They've also allowed me the use of a small electric heater, an air mattress to keep me up off the cold concrete floor and the use of their Wi-Fi connection so I'm able to keep the LORD's message going out!!! You can believe I highly thankful for this person's listening to the LORD and being obedient in following that leading!!!
That which I'm blessed with would be considered "a luxury suite" to many around the world. Those who live in condition far worse than that which most could ever imagine. My heart goes out to these, as day in and day out I continue to work on building the LORD's ministry for me. Of which, the plight of the homeless is but one of the agendas that it will seek to cure or at least assist people in overcoming. The list of agendas for the ministry is a long one, covering far more than most could imagine themselves. Truthfully, I couldn't of even begun to bring all these together under one ministry, let alone add all them together in a growing list!!!
What GOD has done within my life, since "re-birth," has simply been amazing!!! I've come from one of the most self-centered, egotistical people you could of met and been born anew into one that cares far more about others than he does himself !!! The problem is though, that in all the efforts expended to broadcast the ministry and it's goals, not one person has ever stepped up and asked about how they can help or join in with the efforts!!! This wouldn't be so bad if I'd of just started all this a year or so ago, but when you consider that I've been at this whole thing since my release from the "halfway house" in "99." I've gone thru every imaginable means of broadcasting the ministry, it's goals and the GOSPEL message thru it and still "no interest."
Many would be disheartened, but I am not. For I know WHO it is that laid this cross upon my shoulders and WHO it is that shall bring it all to completion in every degree!!! When the LORD gives you something to carry, carry it to your dying breath, no matter what it looks like at this time, HE has ways of making things happen!!!
"With GOD, all things are possible !!!!!!!" (Mark 10:27)
Good day and GOD bless,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Monday, February 27, 2012
February/March '12' VineNotes>An open Plea
Praise the LORD!!!
Good day and may GOD be blessing you this day. That is a bit of a redundant statement, if you think about it. For the fact is, if you're reading this in the first place, GOD has truly blessed you already :{))) Think about this. HE has blessed you with another day of life!!! HE has blessed you with the ability to see, read, you've and internet connection, functioning computer(to use it) and many other blessings on top of these. But, my greeting still stands, stands for the reason of you taking note of all that the LORD truly has blessed you with. :{)))
It has been some time since I've written a newsletter(VineNotes) for the ministry, so this will be a little out of sorts. I'm currently on a borrowed computer, an old lap top, living with a friend who is in the process of finishing renovations and in prep to move. I was cast into this situation(a blessing) due to the fact that the move to Louisiana didn't pan out, being brought back to the starting area(Kingsville, TX.) the future home of Vine of CHRIST Ministries first office and D.R.O.C.(Disaster Relief Operational Center.)
Yes folks, I'm still going to go at this with my all, though, once again having hit the bottom. I'm living out of boxes and my backpack. Being blessed to have a roof over my head and a couch to sleep on for the moment. I've plenty of food, that which I took with me to LA., that which they(in LA.) blessed me with and that which my friend has been adding to this list:{))) The problem is, this can't continue!!!
I came here to TX. to begin setting up what will be one of, if not the, biggest Christian disaster relief operations in existence!!! That's right folks, the visions the LORD revealed to me while I was still in prison, showed me a ministry that would absolutely boggle the mind(it has mine, for years.) Over the years, since '96-97', I've been receiving more and more revelations on top of the original week's worth of visions. All these adding to and 'cementing in' the fact that this ministry is of GOD and that which HE has raised me up for from the beginning!!! Folks, GOD has had each and everyone of us in mind, and at heart, since the creation. Every little detail of our existence has been laid out and set in stone before any of that which we see around us ever existed!!! We are GOD's crowning glory in creation and HE has an exact purpose for each and everyone of us and every single detail within our lives. Yes folks, every detail, even those which have seemed to be bad (Romans 8:28)
This though, isn't the reason for my producing this newsletter(of sorts :{))) ), but the reason is to put forth a request. One of a type that I've never have before. This is an open request for others to assist in this ministry. This assistance can take any form, prayer(the greatest), monetary and or of your own hands in some manor!!! As most of you that have followed me for any length of time, or visited the website know, all that has been accomplished over the years has been completely by my own hands and out of pocket. Well folks, it is time this stopped. One man does not a ministry make, for even the apostles had others walking by their sides. Assisting them with that which the LORD had laid upon their shoulders(their crosses.) It is time that this ministry takes on the next step in it's growth, that of reaching out and assisting others to a greater degree, while not having to wonder if projects will get completed or not. Plus having the ability to take on more projects, having the materials and equipment to preform all task to a degree that is worthy of the LORD's name being placed upon it(doing all things as if unto the LORD) and in a timely manor.
For this to happen, as I'm being led, starting slowly at first and building up to greater and greater involvement in the community(works for the LORD,) it will accumulate monthly expenses up to about $5000 per month on a continuous basis. This would enable the ministry to reach out and begin helping more and more people around the community, without placing the total expense upon my shoulders alone.(which has been the practice up unto this time, though not to this expanded extent.(one man is limited, very limited by only being able to do so much, while providing all the cost also.) It is here where the hands of others would be beneficial, adding to the overall effectiveness of these out reaches!!! That which one man can do is little, while that which two or more greatly increases this, adding to it's effectiveness and reach!!!
Sure, I've currently not a 501.c 3 non profit rating by the I.R.S., then again I've not had one since the beginning and it's not deterred me from reaching out to others. I've helped others throughout the years even though it has placed me in debt for most of it. This hasn't mattered to me though, for this is my calling and I'll give until it hurts and then give even more if this is what it takes to accomplish the LORD's ministry for me !!! This has come about by the fact that this morning the LORD led me to read Matt. 7:7,8. Two verses which in many study Bibles is captioned under the title "Ask, Seek and Knock." For years, I've asked only the LORD in prayer for these things to be added to HIS daily provisions for me. I've prayed until I was exhausted and crying. I've been led over the years, to only place notice of the ministry's needs online and out before others, but this morning was different and this is the results. An open plea for your prayers and assistance in whatever manor you're led to. For now, as always, I enlist you to first pray and petition the LORD as to the method in which you respond to this. If it is prayer alone, praise the LORD. If in your making a donation to the ministry, praise the LORD also. Or if, you're led to in some other manor help the ministry, another praise is offered up. For truthfully folks, I see all these alike. To me there is no difference in your prayers, your money or your efforts. Any assistance will be appreciated, prayed over and I will thank the LORD for them all. The choices are yours, ask the LORD in prayer, in what manor HE wills for you to effect this ministry and do it or not. It's that simple. I'm not going to enlist the methods of the prosperity preachers, for in part they're the exact reason this ministry is set up in the manor in which it has been. Far too many seek riches through their ministries for the LORD. Far too many use scripture to reap benefits for themselves and not for that of others. GOD does promise to bless those that bless others, but truthfully, this is between the person themselves and GOD. It is HIS call and not mine and I'll not use deceptive means to garner a profit from others. I love my LORD and SAVIOR far to much to bring disgrace upon HIS holy and oh so precious name !!!!!!! !!!!!!! :{)))))))
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall T. Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
204 Otis
Kingsville, TX., 78363
Good day and may GOD be blessing you this day. That is a bit of a redundant statement, if you think about it. For the fact is, if you're reading this in the first place, GOD has truly blessed you already :{))) Think about this. HE has blessed you with another day of life!!! HE has blessed you with the ability to see, read, you've and internet connection, functioning computer(to use it) and many other blessings on top of these. But, my greeting still stands, stands for the reason of you taking note of all that the LORD truly has blessed you with. :{)))
It has been some time since I've written a newsletter(VineNotes) for the ministry, so this will be a little out of sorts. I'm currently on a borrowed computer, an old lap top, living with a friend who is in the process of finishing renovations and in prep to move. I was cast into this situation(a blessing) due to the fact that the move to Louisiana didn't pan out, being brought back to the starting area(Kingsville, TX.) the future home of Vine of CHRIST Ministries first office and D.R.O.C.(Disaster Relief Operational Center.)
Yes folks, I'm still going to go at this with my all, though, once again having hit the bottom. I'm living out of boxes and my backpack. Being blessed to have a roof over my head and a couch to sleep on for the moment. I've plenty of food, that which I took with me to LA., that which they(in LA.) blessed me with and that which my friend has been adding to this list:{))) The problem is, this can't continue!!!
I came here to TX. to begin setting up what will be one of, if not the, biggest Christian disaster relief operations in existence!!! That's right folks, the visions the LORD revealed to me while I was still in prison, showed me a ministry that would absolutely boggle the mind(it has mine, for years.) Over the years, since '96-97', I've been receiving more and more revelations on top of the original week's worth of visions. All these adding to and 'cementing in' the fact that this ministry is of GOD and that which HE has raised me up for from the beginning!!! Folks, GOD has had each and everyone of us in mind, and at heart, since the creation. Every little detail of our existence has been laid out and set in stone before any of that which we see around us ever existed!!! We are GOD's crowning glory in creation and HE has an exact purpose for each and everyone of us and every single detail within our lives. Yes folks, every detail, even those which have seemed to be bad (Romans 8:28)
This though, isn't the reason for my producing this newsletter(of sorts :{))) ), but the reason is to put forth a request. One of a type that I've never have before. This is an open request for others to assist in this ministry. This assistance can take any form, prayer(the greatest), monetary and or of your own hands in some manor!!! As most of you that have followed me for any length of time, or visited the website know, all that has been accomplished over the years has been completely by my own hands and out of pocket. Well folks, it is time this stopped. One man does not a ministry make, for even the apostles had others walking by their sides. Assisting them with that which the LORD had laid upon their shoulders(their crosses.) It is time that this ministry takes on the next step in it's growth, that of reaching out and assisting others to a greater degree, while not having to wonder if projects will get completed or not. Plus having the ability to take on more projects, having the materials and equipment to preform all task to a degree that is worthy of the LORD's name being placed upon it(doing all things as if unto the LORD) and in a timely manor.
For this to happen, as I'm being led, starting slowly at first and building up to greater and greater involvement in the community(works for the LORD,) it will accumulate monthly expenses up to about $5000 per month on a continuous basis. This would enable the ministry to reach out and begin helping more and more people around the community, without placing the total expense upon my shoulders alone.(which has been the practice up unto this time, though not to this expanded extent.(one man is limited, very limited by only being able to do so much, while providing all the cost also.) It is here where the hands of others would be beneficial, adding to the overall effectiveness of these out reaches!!! That which one man can do is little, while that which two or more greatly increases this, adding to it's effectiveness and reach!!!
Sure, I've currently not a 501.c 3 non profit rating by the I.R.S., then again I've not had one since the beginning and it's not deterred me from reaching out to others. I've helped others throughout the years even though it has placed me in debt for most of it. This hasn't mattered to me though, for this is my calling and I'll give until it hurts and then give even more if this is what it takes to accomplish the LORD's ministry for me !!! This has come about by the fact that this morning the LORD led me to read Matt. 7:7,8. Two verses which in many study Bibles is captioned under the title "Ask, Seek and Knock." For years, I've asked only the LORD in prayer for these things to be added to HIS daily provisions for me. I've prayed until I was exhausted and crying. I've been led over the years, to only place notice of the ministry's needs online and out before others, but this morning was different and this is the results. An open plea for your prayers and assistance in whatever manor you're led to. For now, as always, I enlist you to first pray and petition the LORD as to the method in which you respond to this. If it is prayer alone, praise the LORD. If in your making a donation to the ministry, praise the LORD also. Or if, you're led to in some other manor help the ministry, another praise is offered up. For truthfully folks, I see all these alike. To me there is no difference in your prayers, your money or your efforts. Any assistance will be appreciated, prayed over and I will thank the LORD for them all. The choices are yours, ask the LORD in prayer, in what manor HE wills for you to effect this ministry and do it or not. It's that simple. I'm not going to enlist the methods of the prosperity preachers, for in part they're the exact reason this ministry is set up in the manor in which it has been. Far too many seek riches through their ministries for the LORD. Far too many use scripture to reap benefits for themselves and not for that of others. GOD does promise to bless those that bless others, but truthfully, this is between the person themselves and GOD. It is HIS call and not mine and I'll not use deceptive means to garner a profit from others. I love my LORD and SAVIOR far to much to bring disgrace upon HIS holy and oh so precious name !!!!!!! !!!!!!! :{)))))))
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall T. Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
204 Otis
Kingsville, TX., 78363
Saturday, October 8, 2011
VineNotes October 2011
PTL!!! It has been awhile :)))
10.08.11
It has been some time since, I've made an entry here. There's been numerous problems, which if you've been following the happenings thru my numerous postings on the social sites I frequent, so I'll not post them here. This would just be a bit redundant and only rehashing the past :))) Being that the ministry has been blessed with a new computer and several donations, there is a bit more movement towards the goal of establishing the ministry. Most of this has been witnessed online only, due to the fact that for the ministry to really establish a footing in the real world, it will take far more funding. The LORD has shown me great visions and all that I've been able to complete to date, are are from fulfilling even the most basic of these. You can't develop a global ministry, with but the work of a single person, it takes an army of people and equipment.
With the new computer and some of the donated funds, I've purchased hardware for the computer, to upgrade it's operational abilities. Adding RAM(memory) and a graphics card(to remove part of the drain from the RAM used for this.) The next moves will be to acquire another slightly smaller monitor(19") to have my Bible study programs viewable while visiting at one of the social sites. This will allow for improved postings of scripture related post.
There will also be a need for increased efficiency in other areas and there will be the need for other programs to do so. There are three of these that I've currently in mind.
As with any growing adventure, there is much more that can be improved upon, but these(as with all things) will be taken care of as the LORD allows them to take place !!! All things in the LORD's time :)))
10.08.11
It has been some time since, I've made an entry here. There's been numerous problems, which if you've been following the happenings thru my numerous postings on the social sites I frequent, so I'll not post them here. This would just be a bit redundant and only rehashing the past :))) Being that the ministry has been blessed with a new computer and several donations, there is a bit more movement towards the goal of establishing the ministry. Most of this has been witnessed online only, due to the fact that for the ministry to really establish a footing in the real world, it will take far more funding. The LORD has shown me great visions and all that I've been able to complete to date, are are from fulfilling even the most basic of these. You can't develop a global ministry, with but the work of a single person, it takes an army of people and equipment.
With the new computer and some of the donated funds, I've purchased hardware for the computer, to upgrade it's operational abilities. Adding RAM(memory) and a graphics card(to remove part of the drain from the RAM used for this.) The next moves will be to acquire another slightly smaller monitor(19") to have my Bible study programs viewable while visiting at one of the social sites. This will allow for improved postings of scripture related post.
There will also be a need for increased efficiency in other areas and there will be the need for other programs to do so. There are three of these that I've currently in mind.
- Microsoft Office Professional
- Adobe Acrobat X Suite
- DeLorme mapping program
As with any growing adventure, there is much more that can be improved upon, but these(as with all things) will be taken care of as the LORD allows them to take place !!! All things in the LORD's time :)))
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Vine of CHRIST Ministries, what is the vison
Praise the LORD!!!
This is going to be something I've never been led to do and is only coming about because I've been getting promptings to do so all day!!! I'm going to try and keep this as short as possible, but this like all things within my life are in GOD's hands alone.
Due to the depravity of my early life, when the LORD showed me all of my wrongs and HIS grace awaiting me, I didn't make a half-hearted choice, but a complete, petal to the metal decision. I was never known for doing things to a minor degree, but always stepped in with complete devotion to whatever it was. My giving my life to the LORD, was none the less.
It maybe easier to state what the ministry won't cover, than what it will, because of it's total reach of Christian ministry. That might defeat the purpose of this post though, so it will not be the case. Early on in my walk for the LORD, which you all should know by now took place in prison, I was beginning to see many great needs in the body of CHRIST. Having at one time making a confession of belief, age 16, I was soon to fall away. This due to a lack of proper mentor-ship. You can see then that there will be a focus on discipleship training, not just conversion through a GOSPEL message, but the follow through that is needed after wards.
During my prison time I was beginning to see how the families of the incarcerated were cast into a deeper pit than the incarcerated themselves. Shunned by those around them, even when these weren't any great saints themselves. Children being ostracized by their once loyal classmates. Churches and ministries that are supposed to reach out and assist those in need, turning a deaf ear. This because they weren't members of their 'out standing community.' What? Here I am having just been a Christian for a short while and I hear my wife(X) say she was told this! From this you can see there will be a section of the ministry that deals with the needs and cares of the families of the incarcerated. This should also allow you to see that with this would also come a focus on those within the confines of prison too.
Since so much of my life was spent wasted on drugs and alcohol, there will be a CHRIST-centered drug and alcohol intervention and recovery program. I've become familiar with a number of good systems over the years through research and this may be a combination of several, working together under one 'roof.'
Other areas that we'll have services in will be those related to sex. Yes, you heard me right, sex. Since I was molested at an early age by several of my sister's girlfriends and the way my life was presumed after wards, there will numerous groups of focus here. Some may be porn addictions, the sex trades and those effected by them(sex slavery included), pregnancy consoling and assistance, a men's responsibilities group. This list could go on to encompass most of the current social services programs, but truly as Christians we should focus on EVERY ASPECT of life. Part of loving your neighbor as yourself!!!
Of coarse there will be the normal Christian fair of 'soup kitchens', food pantries, clothing and housewares recycling, job training and procurement services and the list could go on for some time:), but for brevity purposes, I'll stop with these.
OK now, let me go onto an area of the ministry you may of seen more of, the disaster related one. Maybe the best way to describe this branch of the vine would be, an army. Not a defensive one either, but one that actually assaults the disaster. Going into areas, when most are waiting for the problem to settle down. This is not going to be a little branch either, but a massive one with over 15 DROC's located in the continental U.S. alone. As I was shown, by vision, in the beginning, this will be like taking ten of the largest world spanning disaster relief agencies and clumping them together. A massive undertaking in the least and one I take very seriously. For I've been involved in numerous disasters, from the flooding of my hometown in the mid '70's' to Katrina and Rita in '05.' I've witnessed firsthand the shoddy example man calls relief and it isn't good at all. Kind of like defending against a rogue elephant with a fly swatter. Far from effective.
Here there will be a massive computer network set up. For the monitoring of weather and earth related issues. These will be tied with every known source for the gathering of the needed information and where there isn't one, it will be created. Then there will be the stores of equipment and supplies needed to begin an almost immediate response to any need. Not the gathering of the items when needed, as we currently see, but the items already on hand and readied for distribution to an area, if not their being in transport already. The goal, as I was shown, is to be on site within 24 hrs. of a disaster.
So far, this sounds like an impossible feat, for man, it would be, but for GOD nothing is impossible. Though I've worked on developing this ministry for 12 yrs. now, with but the leadership of GOD and it is myself alone at the helm. I know that HE would not have kept me working on it, going through almost every different division of it, for it not to happen. I'm no businessman, great logistic coordinator, or computer guru, I'm but a simple man that has humbled myself before GOD and realized that HE has called me to do this. An though I've done a lot of charity work along the gulf coast, because I'm a carpenter and work with my hands, I've not the slightest ideal as to how HE'll bring this all about. The only thing I do know, is that this is my calling, GOD has chosen me for and I'll work it until the day I die, alone, if need be!!!
(I don't know the reason for this posting, I'm just doing as led, for most of this can be found somewhere on the ministry's web site. I pray that the LORD will open the ears and hearts of those that HE wants this to come to and they'll pray and follow that which HE leads them unto. My life is GOD's and in HIM only I trust!!!)
May GOD bless you and lead you,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
This is going to be something I've never been led to do and is only coming about because I've been getting promptings to do so all day!!! I'm going to try and keep this as short as possible, but this like all things within my life are in GOD's hands alone.
Due to the depravity of my early life, when the LORD showed me all of my wrongs and HIS grace awaiting me, I didn't make a half-hearted choice, but a complete, petal to the metal decision. I was never known for doing things to a minor degree, but always stepped in with complete devotion to whatever it was. My giving my life to the LORD, was none the less.
It maybe easier to state what the ministry won't cover, than what it will, because of it's total reach of Christian ministry. That might defeat the purpose of this post though, so it will not be the case. Early on in my walk for the LORD, which you all should know by now took place in prison, I was beginning to see many great needs in the body of CHRIST. Having at one time making a confession of belief, age 16, I was soon to fall away. This due to a lack of proper mentor-ship. You can see then that there will be a focus on discipleship training, not just conversion through a GOSPEL message, but the follow through that is needed after wards.
During my prison time I was beginning to see how the families of the incarcerated were cast into a deeper pit than the incarcerated themselves. Shunned by those around them, even when these weren't any great saints themselves. Children being ostracized by their once loyal classmates. Churches and ministries that are supposed to reach out and assist those in need, turning a deaf ear. This because they weren't members of their 'out standing community.' What? Here I am having just been a Christian for a short while and I hear my wife(X) say she was told this! From this you can see there will be a section of the ministry that deals with the needs and cares of the families of the incarcerated. This should also allow you to see that with this would also come a focus on those within the confines of prison too.
Since so much of my life was spent wasted on drugs and alcohol, there will be a CHRIST-centered drug and alcohol intervention and recovery program. I've become familiar with a number of good systems over the years through research and this may be a combination of several, working together under one 'roof.'
Other areas that we'll have services in will be those related to sex. Yes, you heard me right, sex. Since I was molested at an early age by several of my sister's girlfriends and the way my life was presumed after wards, there will numerous groups of focus here. Some may be porn addictions, the sex trades and those effected by them(sex slavery included), pregnancy consoling and assistance, a men's responsibilities group. This list could go on to encompass most of the current social services programs, but truly as Christians we should focus on EVERY ASPECT of life. Part of loving your neighbor as yourself!!!
Of coarse there will be the normal Christian fair of 'soup kitchens', food pantries, clothing and housewares recycling, job training and procurement services and the list could go on for some time:), but for brevity purposes, I'll stop with these.
OK now, let me go onto an area of the ministry you may of seen more of, the disaster related one. Maybe the best way to describe this branch of the vine would be, an army. Not a defensive one either, but one that actually assaults the disaster. Going into areas, when most are waiting for the problem to settle down. This is not going to be a little branch either, but a massive one with over 15 DROC's located in the continental U.S. alone. As I was shown, by vision, in the beginning, this will be like taking ten of the largest world spanning disaster relief agencies and clumping them together. A massive undertaking in the least and one I take very seriously. For I've been involved in numerous disasters, from the flooding of my hometown in the mid '70's' to Katrina and Rita in '05.' I've witnessed firsthand the shoddy example man calls relief and it isn't good at all. Kind of like defending against a rogue elephant with a fly swatter. Far from effective.
Here there will be a massive computer network set up. For the monitoring of weather and earth related issues. These will be tied with every known source for the gathering of the needed information and where there isn't one, it will be created. Then there will be the stores of equipment and supplies needed to begin an almost immediate response to any need. Not the gathering of the items when needed, as we currently see, but the items already on hand and readied for distribution to an area, if not their being in transport already. The goal, as I was shown, is to be on site within 24 hrs. of a disaster.
So far, this sounds like an impossible feat, for man, it would be, but for GOD nothing is impossible. Though I've worked on developing this ministry for 12 yrs. now, with but the leadership of GOD and it is myself alone at the helm. I know that HE would not have kept me working on it, going through almost every different division of it, for it not to happen. I'm no businessman, great logistic coordinator, or computer guru, I'm but a simple man that has humbled myself before GOD and realized that HE has called me to do this. An though I've done a lot of charity work along the gulf coast, because I'm a carpenter and work with my hands, I've not the slightest ideal as to how HE'll bring this all about. The only thing I do know, is that this is my calling, GOD has chosen me for and I'll work it until the day I die, alone, if need be!!!
(I don't know the reason for this posting, I'm just doing as led, for most of this can be found somewhere on the ministry's web site. I pray that the LORD will open the ears and hearts of those that HE wants this to come to and they'll pray and follow that which HE leads them unto. My life is GOD's and in HIM only I trust!!!)
May GOD bless you and lead you,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
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