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CHALLENGER NEWSLETTER When All Kingdoms Fall,One Will Stand |
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Michael Furchert - Challenger Music & Evangelism Ministry - 218-724 8288 |
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 "Peace of God Remains"
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A Ministry Update Highlights of Touring Europe
Dear Friends, |
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 CD Peace of God Remains
Michael Furchert
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I trust this email finds you well and you are enjoying a wonderful summer season. It has been some time since I sent out my last newsletter and ministry update. The past months have been passing way too fast. Summer is finally arriving in Duluth, as well. I look forward to my whole family coming over from Germany to celebrate my sister's wedding here in Minnesota next month.
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 The first half of the year has been a whirlwind of tours and ministry work. Guiding for Joshua Expeditions, a Christian touring company in Dallas, TX, has taken this ministry and its message to new places inside and outside the USA. For my wife Carol, a social studies & history teacher, and for myself, a licensed travel agent turned Christian speaker and musician, guiding faith-based educational tours is a wonderful opportunity to teach and minister in the classroom and sanctuary of our beautiful wide world. Besides guiding tours in the USA, we are passionate about taking groups to Europe. We explore with them the kingdoms that have come and gone and challenge young and old alike to put their trust and faith into a kingdom that will last. We walk the places of WWII, follow the steps of the Reformation, visit the castles of kings and queens. We teach at famous sights and places, engage in mission work and local ministries. We discover the beauty of the world, its rich history, culture and spectacular nature, while having an opportunity to impact lives for eternity with a message of hope and faith in Jesus Christ.
In guiding Europe, we have taken groups to Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy, to Austria, Switzerland or Czech Republic. We have travelled to Rome, Florence and Venice, visited Prague, Munich, London or Paris. In each place we look at its history from a Christian perspective and learn how God has worked in the lives of people and nations throughout centuries. We experience their cultures, politics and faith and broaden our understanding of the world we live in as we seek to inspire a new generation of Christian leaders. In upcoming newsletters I will share some more of what we can take away spiritually from our tours and how the things we discover and explore, teach and learn are relevant to our lives and faith today. One of many personal highlights for my wife and I, was to organize a worship service and concert at the Castle Mittersill in Austria. In preparing a tour for Kings Academy, a private Christian school from West Palm Beach, Florida, I had been approached by the school's president to share my testimony of growing up behind the Berlin Wall with the 120 travelers of their graduating class to challenge them in their life and faith. Castle Mittersill, with its auditorium and grand piano offered a wonderful opportunity to do so, and allowed me to play some of my piano compositions as well. Carol ministered with her guitar singing songs that she had written. Worshipping God in a 12th century castle tucked away in the beautiful Austrian Alps, only a few miles away from Europe's largest waterfall, was a unique experience. More importantly, we were grateful to learn that lives were impacted and that students and adults had returned home challenged in their faith and inspired to make a difference in the world. As the tours are often exhausting in preparing and guiding, seeing lives being changed is the greatest reward to us.
 I am grateful when I see that our work with the schools and groups who travel with us does not end at the airport. The letters and feedback we receive are often heart touching. Other times schools invite me to their home town, to speak to their classes, churches, or communities.
Carol and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit at Temple Christian School in Madison Heights, VA, following an invitation to attend their annual Formal, to speak at their chapel and classes, and to minister with message and music at Temple Baptist Church. Spending time with the principal and pastor, faculty and students, was a great opportunity to get to know more of their own work and ministry of reaching out to America's youth, to their congregation and community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to returning to Virginia in October to speak at their church and to lead the schools Spiritual Emphasis Week. I am also looking forward to visiting Kings Academy in Florida in March 2010, and to the opportunity to speak to all 640 students for several days during their Spiritual Emphasis Week, with the emphasis on missions in the world.
Working with America's Youth is a humbling opportunity to impact a young generation from which America's spiritual, educational and political leadership will rise. I ask for your prayers and support as we continue this ministry to your country, for strength and wisdom, boldness and love and most of all a servants heart.
Especially in these times of global turmoil, of political and economic uncertainties, it is both a challenge and a privilege to serve in ministry and to help build God's kingdom as people are searching for meaning, truth and direction. Most of all they search for a foundation to build their lives on that will last. Pray that God can use us to provide meaningful answers and to make a difference in their lives, and that He will faithfully provide for our needs as well.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Your friend and brother in Christ, Michael Furchert
Challenger Ministries is an official affiliate of Christianbook.com and other Christian book stores. With each purchase via the Challenger Newsletter or website you help advance the vision of Challenger Music & Evangelism Ministry and it's work to America.
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