I want to thank all of you who have been holding us up in prayer and I want to thank all of those who fasted for this out reach to Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Our heavenly Father responded in a wonderful way.

He obviously had prepared the way before us, the tent site was excellent, it was located in the down town area but in the east side which is considered the poor side of town. The timing was excellent because we had a thunder storm that almost turned into a tornado the day before we set up the tent, then a another one, much lighter the last day. Unknown to us the dates that we scheduled put us there during the time of the county fair and we were located only a few blocks from the fair ground.

Our first day we had a visit from a Pastor (Tevis) and his wife (Synica) they both really love Jesus, they are colored, in more ways than one, black of course but they reveal the beauty of the Lord in a very special way. They wanted to know why we choose St. Cloud and we explained how the Father had led us in that decision. They didn’t question it at all in fact they believed he had sent us for their benefit in many ways. They explained that they also were preparing to set up a tent for the first time, for evangelism. Tevis said when he told his wife that he had rented the site for two days the 27^th and 28^th of August, that she said yes but their will be a tent set before that and for much longer time and that it wouldn’t be his. About two days later he saw our tent and he knew God had sent us. They bought our breakfast and saw to it that we ate every morning for the two-week period that we were there. We would have breakfast with him then we would spend a good while discussing the word of God with him. He had been formerly taught the prosperity doctrine but readily received teaching from the word on these things. Before that he had been a Catholic and our Lord Jesus brought him out of that and they both are growing in their faith and understanding of God and his word. He told me after a few days that we had been a rebuke to him from the first time he came to the tent without us saying anything. Just in the way we had set up no big fanfare no name other than Jesus was displayed and we didn’t have a big rock band and or PA system was quite small. He said he thought if Jesus were to come to town he would come in this fashion. Tevis had been planning on having a rock band and doing a lot of different things to try to draw the people in. But now he says he will not do that and he will be content with those whom the Lord sends. He realizes that to think you have to be successful is pride and that our Lord Jesus is more concerned in our obedience to him than he is in our success and the way we do things portrays who we are.

We found out that Sister Synica car had a starter out and that they were going to charge her five hundred dollars to fix it, we prayed over it and Jack and the boys were able to fix it for about forty dollars.

The first week there were three of us Jack Burwell and Ethan a 15 yr old young man ready to serve, and myself. We went house to house sharing the gospel but we kept one person at the tent most of the time to be available to minister to anybody who should come in. Some days it was one after another walking in or riding their bikes in, some had real genuine spiritual needs and wanted to talk others just curious and many just wanted to thank us for what we were doing. Daily we had people coming by and giving us twenty dollars or more just to support what they thought was a good ministry.

The second week Joel Bernard and his brother Jesse came up from Powel Wyoming to help us, the timing was good because this was the week of the fair. The first day of the fair the authorities that manage the fair grounds told Jack and the boys that they could not bring the gospel literature on the fair grounds nor could they talk to people about the gospel. We questioned their reasoning for this but we prayed about it and the Lord Jesus showed us what he told Pontius Pilot on the day they arrested him. “ Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. “ John 18: 36

We were content to not take in literature but just go in and talk one on one with people. One or two would go in and the rest would remain outside where we could give out literature and wear the sand-which board with scripture on it. One would preach at the gate as people were coming and going. The authorities were not happy with this but they tolerated it until the last day and the fair was to close at five pm and at four pm I was preaching at the main gate. Then they came and said that the land out side of the fair grounds also belonged to them and that I would have to leave. I told them ok I would go even though I question there authority to do this but let me say one thing before I leave. If you are wanting Gods blessing on your city and fair activities this was not the way to get it. Besides the preaching of Gods word saves people from hell and if anyone was responsible of keeping the word of God to be preached to their people God would hold them accountable on judgment day. I believe our Lord Jesus wanted these men who are standing in the way of Gods messengers to know they are putting themselves in jeopardy. However we managed to preach right up to one hour before closing.

There is a lot more to report but for now, I want to thank all of you who labored with us in this out reach.

James Lucas for the team.

Beloved Saints,

Our heavenly Father certainly knows how to bring encouragement to his children. We just recieved an e-mail from a dear brother that lives in Mali, Africa. His name is Siaka (Isaac),  we met Isaac in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia in 1993 or 94. He was a student in the university in Irkutsk, he was living in sin with a Russian girl but they both gave their lives to Jesus and became faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus.

I will let you read a little of his letter:

James and Francille,

Praise the Lord!
Thanks for the reply, I am very delighted receiving your contact! Yes it is  a real pleasure to hear from you after this long and quiet time.
Yes, I love Jesus and I am growing in the faith.
Life in Mali is no too bad, it is poor sahelian country, not sea side, but peaceful.
I am living in Bamako which is the capital city with my Family but I am travelling a lot inside and outside country.

Since 1998 I have got married with my Russian girl friend who attend sometime the church meeting with us at Irkutsk. Her name is Anna. We ve got 3 lovely boys, the oldest one 11 year and the last 4 years old. Daniel Vladimir is the first, Serge Luc, the second and Antoine Thomas the last.
Will sent you later some of the pictures. Since we arrived from Irkuskt, Anna has been assisted by the women from the Church I am attending. She is now Malian woman, used to the life here and is working as Director at the one of the factory making minerals water, soft drink and plastic bottles. We received quite few time my parent in law coming from Russia to visit us, may be this summer they will visit us again.

My self I am working with British/Canadian gold company in the gold exploration as project manager in Guinea, Mali etc….

That is roughly about us and how we are living.

Currently, I am in UK for roughly one week  meeting with my CEO……

This was very encouraging to Francille and I after so long to hear that they are still in Jesus and growing in their faith.
This came at a good time to spur us on in this time of the battle for souls, we should not grow weary in our labor of love, there is too much at stake. So please join with us as we move into St Cloud Minnisota. Their are three brothers that plan on helping in this out reach Jack, Joel and Barnie, they will be traveling far and leaving family behind so please pray for our Father to meet their needs and keep them safe. Our plan is to meet there in St Cloud on the 27 th of July (tuesday) I will be departing from Rogers on Monday.

The days for prayer and fasting will be the 27 th -29 th

I know our Father will be pleased if you choose to join us in this endeaver.

I will try to keep you posted on the progress of things.

In Jesus our Lord,

James and Francille Lucas

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all of one accord in one place.” Act 1:1

What a blessing it is when the Lords people are all one of accord in one place. The day is coming, at the return of the Lord Jesus, that we will all experience this in the fullest fashion possible. In the mean time, it is a rare occasion, that we see this blessing even in significant measure. I am glad to report that we have had the privilege of seeing a select group of our Lords servants in one accord and in one place. This desired unity always brings the same results; which is an obvious divine presence, of our Lord Jesus. I cannot say that we have seen the type of results from the out reach here in Rogers that we would like to see. However it is not about what we want to see but it’s all about Jesus receiving the reward of his suffering because he is worthy.

You may be wondering; who is this select group? You my beloved prayer warrior are a part of this group. By fasting and praying for this endeavor, we all have been of one accord and in one place, that’s right in one place that is before the throne of God.

Our Father blessed us in sending the four trainees from Bend, Oregon: Chris, Frank, Joel and Ben. Chris brought his wonderful wife Lisa and his 6 fine children. They all traveled together in their van and travel trailer. Brother Jack Burwell joined up with them in Cheyenne Wyoming.

Our heavenly Father allowed us to rent a very nice wooded lot in a central location. This was a great place to set up the tent and to park the travel trailer. Chris and family made out real well. The other gentlemen all seemed to be quite comfortable staying with Francille and I. We all had a great time of fellowship and the week passed very quickly.

Joel has written a report of the time spent here [it follows below], and I know you will understand from it that our Father has truly blessed us with his presence.

Our Lord has confirmed for us that our next out reach will be in Minnesota, the later part of July, Lord willing. Joel and Jack Burwell are quite sure that they are joining in on that endeavor. If any of you would like to join in on the evangelism, please contact me. Many of the details we are still working out, like the exact location and the length of time and etc.

Most important of all is that we continue in one accord and I know without question that our Father is using all of this in a much greater way than what might appear. I am convinced if we will continue to press forward in faith, we will see that our Lord Jesus is not slack concerning his promise. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor 15: 58

James and Francille

PRAISE REPORT!
—- from Joel Barnard

The time we had down in Arkansas was amazing. We got to see God move in amazing ways, and it was good to see what God is doing in Jim and Frans hearts through everything going on with their ministry. God has, is, and will continue to use them for His glory and the advance of His Kingdom.
The evangelism that went on during the week was really neat. We held signs, preached and handed out tracts and fliers on the street corners. We had a lot of contacts. But interesting enough very few people showed up for tent meetings. One night no one showed up. But we were not concerned about getting people to the tent; but simply for them to hear the gospel, turn and serve the Lord in repentance, and to be freed from the power of their sin and Satan.
We also did some door to door ministry. We found that to be affective and a good way to talk with a lot of people.
Every night of the tent meetings were really good and the presence of the Lord was there. In the songs, the fellowship, the preaching and sharing, the Holy Spirit was in charge of it all. And God was glorified. We realized that this all was the Lords work and ministry, we were just simply being available. As Paul asked Jesus in Acts 9:6 ”What is it you would have me do?” So we also everyday should ask that of our Master.
We had an average of about 4 people show up every night. ( Thats an average)
There were a lot of things that happened during that week, but one experience I will not soon forget was when Jim and I was going door to door. The first house we had the door slammed in our face, the second house was an excited lady who loved the Lord, she prayed with us and was such an encouragement to us.
Across the street was the house of a women who had to have a helper 24/7. In a wheel chair, humped, crippled hands….. But the most joyful face you ever saw. Sitting on the back of her porch we had a wonderful time with her and her caretaker. In the course of talking I asked her what her favorite verse in the Bible was. She couldn’t talk clearly, and though Jim and I was sitting next to her it was work for her to look up at us. Yet she looked up and said ” Revelation 4:11; Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Wow! That hit me like a 2×4 between the eyes. Here is a person who is so messed up physically she has to have a helper 24/7 who knows something many of us can’t get a hold of; and that is: Its not about us! Its all about Him! He alone is worthy! It doesn’t matter what we are going through, how we are feeling, or what our circumstances are, its still all about Him not about us. In our job, evangelism, family, ministry, even our sleeping and eating, its all about Him, for the praise of His glory.
So praise the Lord God our savior this day with everything! For He alone is worthy!

- Joel
Rom 10:14-15  1 Peter 2:9-10