Soon, we'll be walking these roads and having these types of witnessing encounters.

Greetings, beloved brethren, in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's just something about that name. Master, Saviour, Jesus, Like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there's just something about that name.

Yes, my friends, it's falling all around us; but that which falls can only plummet, as foretold, UNTO the consummation of all things when "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). Oh, the ANTICIPATION (Isaiah 64:1).

Speaking of anticipation, it's making me late in terms of news from the front lines on the Full Proof Gospel Ministries front. My latest post was more than two months ago, and for that, I apologize. For those of you who do support this work with your prayers and sacrificial gifts, know that these have and continue to bear fruit for the Word of God and the Testimony of the Lamb. Moreover, our fruit is your fruit!

fpgm is 10 years old and growing

As you might well know, FPGM is now a decade old; and a single bicycle journey across America involving one missionary family back in 2003 has since mushroomed into three missionary units serving the Lord in three distinct fields, at least two foreign national partnerships, a Scripture publishing ministry, multiple ministry liaisons with those whom with have had the privilege of discipling, and the planting of at least three Bible-believing churches. To the Lord alone be glory in this. We are just unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10), trying to follow the New Testament pattern: Bold evangelism, discipleship, sending out laborers, and planting churches. And, with such things in the rearview mirror, the anticipation of what is to come is simply making me late. It used to be a few days or a couple of weeks between posts, now it's a couple of months! LOL.

Earlier, I stumbled upon this snippet from an old post back in April of 2005. I was hitchhiking around Guatemala with two dear friends who are now full-time laborers in Argentina. Such divine appointments have been abundant over the years, and the anticipation of yet more in far off lands is enough to slow anyone down to behindhand:

Hitchhiking and witnessing in Guatemala back in 2005.

From Lanquin [Guatemala], we hopped on a truck carrying cardamom seeds up the hill. For the next hour, we were able to speak with Jose about spiritual matters. He said he’d been thinking about salvation and becoming a Christian for a while but was scared to make the commitment. Jose told us that if he became a Christian, his Catholic family would likely disown him. It was sad to hear him honestly tell us that he knew when he died he would go to hell. As plainly as we could, we showed him how Jesus loves him and is offering him salvation without good works. If only he would accept it. This was a divine appointment. Jose did not accept Christ during that ride, but we gave him some Gospel tracts and clearly show him from the Scriptures how to be saved. I cannot help but think that he made the decision sometime later. His heart was humble and open. If and when he does decide to follow Christ, much persecution will surely follow. Please pray for him. We, as spoiled American Christians, can't even comprehend the meaning of the word "persecution."

In my last blog entry, Ricky provided the recap of our time of mutual labor in South Africa and Namibia; and I concluded by requesting prayer for THREE MATTERS. Thank you for taking the time to bring these before the throne of grace where, in Jesus Christ, we can come boldly, obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). Praise God, for we've had answers in all of these matters, thankworthy answers that necessitate continued prayer after the manner of Ephesians 6:18-19.

fpgm's other laborers

By God's grace and in partnership with New Testament Christian Fellowship of Conover, NC, we had a commissioning service for Ms. Ward, our new full-time laborer, back on June 8th; and she left for the foreign field two days later. The Lord provided suitable airfare at the last minute, and notwithstanding some very difficult trials that greeted her upon arriving in Delhi, she was able to soon transition to what she presently calls home in a remote corner of the Indian Himalayas. Originally, Ms. Ward was supposed to have a partner in ministry for the first few months, but regrettably, this fell apart upon her arrival in Delhi, and she was forced to enter her field alone. Discouragement and last-minute breakdowns are pretty typical modes of spiritual attack in such places. Notwithstanding, the Lord has shown Himself faithful, and she has endured, laboring faithfully and with a godly attitude. Nearly 2 months later, we can discern God's watchcare, even in the unforeseen trials. Spiritual attack may be typical, but God's sovereign care for His servants is predictable . . . no, it's sure and steadfast (I Peter 5:7). Sometimes, I wish I could see and appreciate this with foresight instead of hindsight. "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24-25).

So, Ms. Ward has been on the field for almost two months, and I rejoice over what has already transpired. After the manner of Jose in Gautemala described above, there have been divine appointments, and the Word has gone forth--living water in a dry and thirsty land. Please join us as we pray for the arrival of 2 boxes of Nepali Project Jagerna Gospel tracts and Scripture portions that have been couriered to her from Delhi after having been smuggled there on a bus from Kathmandu (Importing literature overland into India is risky because it is a preferred means for smuggling drugs, particularly marijuana, which is often hidden and pressed between the pages of books. Border officials are always suspicious and quick to accuse). As Ms. Ward has already had contact with Nepali-speaking peoples, these materials are of utmost necessity. Also, please pray that she can find another place to live. Her current residence has been suitable for almost two months, but problems have arisen that make for huge distractions. She really does need to move; please pray that the Lord provides. For security reasons, I cannot go into any further detail on a public forum.

In my last post, I also requested prayer for Ricky Springer:

Please continue to pray for Ricky as we work together toward building a hospitality ministry for Israeli backpackers in South Asia, a place these frequent annually . . We hope to have him back on the ground in Kathmandu sometime this Fall. In the meantime, he will be seeking the Lord’s provision and sharing this vision with the Remnant Body of Christ here in America.

Ricky preaches Christ outside a Hindu Temple in Kathmandu back in 2012.

This summer, Brother Springer has been seeking the Lord's provision and sharing his vision. Moreover, the Lord has provided his one-way plane ticket to South Asia; and he is set to depart on September 4th. His labor "to the Jew first" (Romans 1:16) in Nepal will be difficult and fraught with needs, but God never guides where He does not provide. Presently, Ricky's support levels are minuscule, but we aim to send him anyway, as is our custom--by faith. His previous labor amongst the lost sheep of the House of Israel will prove invaluable experience as he steps into more of a leadership role. Moreover, we are excited about having him on the ground in Nepal to assist with the publication and distribution needs of Project Jagerna and to labor alongside Brother Bishnu and the local believers we continue to support there. Again, for security reasons, I cannot go into any real detail concerning specifics. Just know that Brother Springer needs your prayers; and please pray about supporting his work with FPGM.

brother bishnu in america

Thanks for praying for Brother Bishnu's trip to America back in June. He has come and gone; and we had a short but fruitful time together here in North Carolina. After attending a leadership conference in Nashville, he spent some time with believers in Denver and then hooked up with Brother Ricky in Oklahoma. Ricky had traveled home to tie up some loose ends and to take possession of a vehicle given to him by the wife of a dear brother and supporter of FPGM who recently and unexpectedly went home to be with Jesus. This vehicle was a huge answer to prayer and met a real need for Brother Springer. And, it was truly special for it's maiden journey under Ricky's care to involve chauffeuring Brother Bishnu the 1,000 miles back to North Carolina. Thanks to be brethren from Maranatha Baptist Church in Brookline Station, Missouri for hosting them along the way.

Bishnu shares the Gospel with Nepali-speakers in Greensboro, NC.

Here, it was a joy for Bishnu to be able to share about the work in Nepal with the brethren of four Bible-believing churches. Moreover, we made initial contact with communities of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees that currently reside in both Charlotte and Greensboro. It was a joy to meet Pastor Mon Biswa in Charlotte and to join him for house-to-house outreach in both cities. Numerous Project Jagerna Scripture portions went out, and the handful of Nepali believers that we met were much encouraged. Without Bishnu, we couldn't have got our foot in the door with these folks. It was interesting how the Hindus would invite us into their home and listen with intent as we clearly communicated the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They would respond by feeding us and gladly receiving Scriptures in their language, quite opposite of what we have become accustomed to with typical American outreach. I look forward to what the Lord is going to do with these relationships going forward. And, praise God that Bishnu was able to fill both pieces of his luggage with Jagerna materials when flying here from Nepal. We needed a serious restocking. Funny, he put all his clothes and traveling necessities for a month in a carry-on daypack. He then used his luggage to haul Gospel materials. I wish we American Christians could learn how to travel like that.

Bishnu safely returned to his family in Kathmandu at the end of June. It was such a joy to have him in our home for a third time since 2008. I am so grateful for his faithful service to the Lord and for all that is happening on the ministry front in his homeland, a place very dear to my heart. And, I cannot express how excited I am that Ricky will be on the ground with Brother Bishnu very soon: different ministry foci, but mutual fellowship and partnership.

returning to south asia

The final matter for which I requested prayer in my last post concerned an open door and provision for me and my family to return to South Asia. Thanks for helping us seek the Lord in these matters. To make a long story short, my family and I are departing with Brother Ricky on September 4th, destination India. Lord willing, we will travel overland from Delhi up to Ms. Ward's neck of the woods where we will spend a month assisting her in her work. I have 3 specific objectives for this period of time, one of which includes finishing something we started eight years ago. These words were penned in my ministry journal back on October 16,2006 (For security reasons, some of the place names and other details have been removed):

Friday (October 13) was one of the most special days in my entire life. All who participated would say the same. On Thursday (October 12), we left town and began the long drive up and over an 18,000 ft. pass and down into the Nubra Valley (about 10,000 ft.), a drop that took hours. The road was very dangerous and narrow, but the bus and the motorbike made if safely. The view looking north into the craggy and snowy peaks of Pakistan was glorious. There were no problems at any subsequent police check points, and the LORD provided a place for us stay in a guesthouse at the north end of the valley. There, we discussed our strategy for the next day. It would be a long walk for the Nomad and me beginning at the south end of the valley (a little more than 20 miles). We would alternate carrying the cross along 3km legs; the one not carrying would S.A.G. on the motorbike. In the meantime, the team would follow some distance behind, stopping in the villages along the way to proclaim the Gospel, hand out tracts, and corporately sing hymns and worship songs to draw a crowd. Friday, October 13, dawned early. We started the walk (after a 33km motorcycle ride) around 7:00 am. The backdrop of amazing snow-capped peaks provided motivation all along the way.
We walked and walked and walked, lugging the cross as a visible proclamation of truth. Many eyes beheld in wonder, and there is no doubt that this event will be talked about in the valley for years to come. We gave out tracts and proclaimed truth as we slogged. The team followed behind in the bus, and they distributed tracts, Bibles, and Gospels of Luke on audio tape. Our only regret was that we did not have more tracts. By the end of the journey, our supply was completely exhausted. Notwithstanding, we can rest knowing that these will be passed along throughout the valley. The Nomad and I rejoiced to carry the cross by as folks from our group stood on the roadside sharing with townspeople, construction workers, and school children. This was a major demonstration of boldness, and God showed us his favor. We saw no hostility or encountered no problems from anyone this day. On one particular occasion, I noticed three men following behind for several kilometers as I lugged the cross. When I stopped to handoff to Nomad, one of the men insisted that we come into his home for tea. He showed us kind hospitality, and then his true motivation came out. He knew we were bearing Light and wanted us to pray for his wife. Her arm had been mangled and rendered useless in a bus accident. He requested that we pray for her healing. This, we did in earnest with the laying on of hands, and the family accepted Gospel materials with gratitude. Truly, this was a divine appointment. Also, the hot tea and flat bread made for a refreshing treat. Late that afternoon, we paused for a meal, and then the entire group walked the last 5km from to the Army Check Post and the end of our road. We were not allowed to saunter any further. Beyond the post are a couple of villages, so we threw Gospel tracts in trucks to make sure that they got up into the places where we could not go. The final 5km was extra special. Other team members wanted to carry the cross, so we alternated. Many were out and about, and many heard the Gospel. Tracts went forth in abundance, and in one village, songs drew a crowd to hear the Gospel message sung in the local trade language. The sunset and subsequent alpenglow on the peaks of the Karakorum were signs of the Creator’s favor as this day ended. Later, under the cover of darkness, the entire team hiked out across the desert sands just south of the road to a grouping of rocky hills lining the valley floor. The night sky was amazing, and the climb to the summit of one of the outcrops was grueling. At the summit, we had a clear view of the lights of surrounding villages, a perfect place to plant the cross. We mixed cement, dug around with the shovel, and built up a rocky foundation. The cross was planted permanently, and there on that outcrop it will stand as a visible testimony to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ that was planted in this remote valley this day. Special moments followed as we dedicated the cross to the Lord in prayer and corporately sang “The Old Rugged Cross” with voices lifted high. The song echoed throughout the valley, and I cannot help but think that people heard. Interestingly, as we sang, I gazed directly above and clearly beheld the constellation of the Northern Cross shining brightly. It was as if God was again visibly showing us His favor in creation. I am on the verge of tears as I write even now. Praise be to God!

We're going to plant another cross like this.

You see, the remote valley mentioned above lies in the shape of a "Y". We walked the north arm, passing by the road the follows the south arm. Now, it's time to take up a cross and walk the other side of the valley, sowing seeds in the villages there. This time, we have no supply of Gospel tracts in the local language. However, much of the New Testament has been translated into this dialect and is now available online in pdf format. Recently, I was able to isolate John 3 and design a one-page tract with online contact information. We can carry one of these with us and have it photocopied multiple times to create a sufficient supply. Also, I have been able to obtain a Gospel film file in the local tongue. Again, it will simply be about purchasing DVD's and burning copies. Ms. Ward is working on having an "Are You Ready?" cross built for us; and this time, Ricky and I will alternate 3km stints until the whole valley has been trodden. That first cross which we cemented atop the roadside hill remained there for some time but has since been torn down. Oh well, we'll find a place to plant another one. As for our other objectives, they will involve outreach to Tibetan nomads and Israeli backpackers.

Around October 5th, Ricky and I will leave India to rendezvous with Brother Bishnu and a team of local believers in Nepal's Far West. There, we will be training brethren and doing outreach in the remote Baitadi and Bajhan Districts and, hopefully, as far north as Darchula. Toward the end of the month, we will travel back to Kathmandu to meet up with my wife and children who will have remained behind for an additional month of mutual labor with Ms. Ward.

From October 24th-November 2nd, we will travel to Dhaka in Bangladesh to welcome a team from a local church that I will be leading to assist Brother James and his ministry. There, we anticipate seven very busy days of ministry that will include mass distribution of Scripture portions on the streets of Dhaka as well as a time of teaching/training local pastors in the village. We will be a team of 6 men: including Ricky and myself, 2 local Baptist pastors, and 2 of my martial arts students. I am real excited to again come alongside Brother James in his homeland after he came alongside us last Fall. Pray specifically for God's provision in terms of Bangla Scripture portions. We need to print 2,500 Gospels of Luke and 2,500 Gospels of John for distribution; and this is going to cost around $1,500. The order will have to be placed well ahead of time with the local Bible society. Please pray about helping us with this Bible printing need.

From Dhaka, we will return to Kathmandu to host another team that will be coming to Nepal for about 7-10 days. Our focus during this time will include mass distribution in Kathmandu as well as some days in the village doing outreach with believers from one of the Brother Bishnu's church plants.

Jamie, the children, and I are scheduled to fly home from Delhi on November 14th, at which time we will immediately transition to one of our sending churches where I will be preaching revival services for four straight days. It will be a whirlwind; but a joy nonetheless. Of course, Ricky will remain behind in Nepal to begin his long-term labor toward Israeli backpackers there.

Children open doors for the Gospel in faraway lands.

Obviously, we have many needs and are trusting the Lord to make provision for these labors. By His grace, the roundtrip tickets to Delhi have already been provided. It will be difficult and expensive to travel around South Asia with a family, yet having the children with us, especially up where Ms. Ward is serving, will most assuredly open doors that otherwise might remain fastened shut. I will share more details as the time draws near.

For the past few months, I have been enmeshed in language study, both Nepali and Hindi, in preparation for this work. I would greatly appreciate your prayers in this as well. Furthermore, as we will be spending extended periods of time at high altitude, there is an element of physical training and preparation that we cannot afford to neglect. We need the Lord's help in balancing and faithfully pursuing such things.

local preaching

Between now and our September 4th departure, there will be a couple of opportunities for public preaching at local festivals. This is always needful, especially as this country continues to down-spiral like unto Israel in the days of the Judges. Also, I have been busy continued to teach through the Book of Revelation at New Testament Christian Fellowship on the Sundays that I am in town. I started this journey back on January 13, 2013, and to date, I have preached 48 messages up through Chapter 7. All of these are available at FPGM's Studies in Revelation Podcast or through subscription on iTunes (Full Proof Gospel Ministries: Studies in Revelation). Apparently, these have been a blessing to several from various locales around the world and have been listened to in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and Europe. I pray they are a blessing to you during these dark and troublesome times in which true believers ought to be anticipating our Lord's return and loving His appearing (II Timothy 4:8).

fpgm could use your help

Friends, we here at Full Proof Gospel Ministries trust the Lord for His provision and labor freely as God provides. Over the years, we have made it a practice of following the Lord into the field FIRST instead of waiting for a specific amount of support to trickle in, AND of focusing primarily on the testimony of what God has done and what He is doing as opposed to fundraising. When this ministry was founded a decade ago, we established these bylaws in the area of finances and have purposed to live by them:

Expenditures and budgets for this ministry will be bounded by provision, irregardless of investment potential. Full Proof Gospel Ministries will not subject itself to public or private financial debt for investment or ministry purposes.

Fundraising and/or support gathering efforts will focus primarily upon the activities of the ministry and not requests for funds or solicitation. Financial support is needed and will be accepted but is not to be vigorously pursued or requested.

So that we may remain faithful to these convictions and continue to sow in the lives and ministries of our missionaries, as well as partners like Pastor James in Bangladesh and Brother Bishnu in Nepal, I humbly ask ON BEHALF OF THESE that you prayerfully consider supporting FPGM financially.

Last week, I stumbled upon this article concerning a traveling evangelist that we used to enjoy hearing years ago: Evangelist Jamey Ragle - Trying to Raise $10,000 So He Can Take the Summer Off and Lose Weight. I was sickened, but not surprised, as this type of garbage has become modus operandi for the typical "evangelist" who really never does the biblical work of an evangelist. When we here at FPGM ask for your help, we aren't asking so that we can sit around and be comfortable, shuffling some papers and some schedules while calling it ministry. Neither do we travel around to churches all the time, riling up crowds that already agree with every word we speak, and call it evangelism. And, we certainly don't ask for "100 friends to give $100 or 200 friends to give $50" (see above article) so we can take the summer off and lose weight. No, by God's grace, we walk on the front lines, get our hands dirty with persecuted brethren, labor to make disciples, and send out missionaries instead of erecting personal kingdoms. Our track record is ten years of sowing and watering Gospel seeds with simplicity and good stewardship; and the fruit of this can be seen in any of our posted videos (follow the youTube link below).

For less than $10,000, we can print 6 of these truckloads of Scripture portions.

If you believe this is a ministry you can support with more than your prayers, or if you already support FPGM on a monthly basis and feel you can increase that faithfulness, even if but a little, I have shared some of the needs above. EVEN SOMETHING AS SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT AS $50/MONTH (i.e. LESS THAN A TANK OF GAS), WELL . . . WE CAN STRETCH IT FAR IN THE LIVES OF OUR MISSIONARIES AND/OR NATIONAL PARTNERS IN PLACES LIKE INDIA, NEPAL, AND BANGLADESH. The "evangelist" in the article linked above, asked for $10,000 for a summer of taking time off and dieting. And, he'll undoubtedly raise it from the hands of naiveté. For less than $10,000, FPGM can print 100,000 Project Jagerna Gospels of John in Kathmandu and freely distribute all of these in surrounding towns and villages! For less than $10,000, FPGM can support two foreign missionaries in South Asia for 5-6 months! And for less than $10,000, FPGM can financially undergird eight national missionaries sent to Nepal's Far West for an entire year! Oh, that Christians would stop foolishly and blindly giving to circus clowns and turn their attention to areas where the resources are desperately needed, areas where the Lord is working.

Anyway, our greatest need, simply put, is COMMITTED MONTHLY SUPPORT. For those of you who are faithfully partnering with us each month, both those who have done so for years and those who have recently come on board: THANK YOU. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed or taken for granted.

For more information on how others of you can help, visit this link: http://fpgm.org/donate/.

My brethren, forget not the biblical injunction:

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth (III John 5-7).

In the meantime, nothing is on hold, and the work does not pause; Full Proof Gospel Ministries goes forward in faith, trusting God to provide in ways that we cannot even comprehend. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go study language and work down a very long TO DO LIST before our plane leaves on September 4th. Anticipation is making me late in all sorts of ways. Oh well, praise God my family gets to go with me back to South Asia.

For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,

Jesse Boyd

P.S. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Psalm 122:6).

anticipation is making me late