<![CDATA[New Foundations International - Blog]]>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:38:51 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[AMAZING POTENTIAL!]]>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/amazing-potentialPicture
​It is always exciting for me to get news after one of our training conferences and know how God has worked among the indigenous people to push the gospel further into areas of darkness.  This is one of those reports that causes praise from our hearts.
 
“We had a very fruitful and effective mission to Nepal.  After three years of training, the completion of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD), and now God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC), we had 50 graduates.  They shared their ten-year strategy to reach Nepal, particularly the unreached people groups in various areas of Nepal.  They started with their relationship with Christ, their marriage, family, and their Antioch church (their sending church), and then the area or areas they planned to reach in the next 10 Years.  Some were ready to go, but others saw the need to work on their personal relationship with Christ, or their marriage, or their family, or to find and commit to an Antioch Church so they could be sent out.
 
Two of the brothers and their families are going to Tibet.  This was very exciting since Tibet is a closed region.  Since they are doing business in Tibet, they already know the language and culture.  You can certainly see the advantage of training and sending indigenous leaders.  Those who attended were sent off with training material and new Bibles.”
 
A point to consider is that of the eight people groups in Tibet, seven of them have less than 0.1% Evangelical Christian witness.  That is why this training conference has so much potential.
]]><![CDATA[WHICH KIND OF REVIVAL DO YOU WANT?]]>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 02:27:21 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/which-kind-of-revival-do-you-want​It was a very interesting conversation.  This person began telling me about numerous preaching opportunities he has over a large area.  Then he mentioned being invited to a church to preach revival services.  When he spoke of this as if what he planned on preaching was going to spark a revival, he really had my attention!  So, I asked him a few questions:
 
  • How do revivals happen?
  • What is the ingredient that causes a revival to start and gain momentum?
  • What does a revival accomplish in the soul that makes a lasting change in the person?
These and other questions are important for us to wrestle with.  So many who call for present day ‘revivals’ look for a temporary emotional ‘high’ that never makes a permanent spiritual change.  Consider the pleading of the Sons of Korah;
 
“Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away Your indignation toward us!  Will You be angry with us forever?  Will You prolong your anger to all generations?  Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:4–6).  Notice how the appeal is for God to do the work of revival!  
 
Peter gives the divine way for restoration In Acts 3; “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” (Acts 3:19–20).  We must note again that revival begins with repentance in ourselves, so a highway is made in our hearts for refreshing times from the Lord.
]]><![CDATA[RESURRECTION POWER]]>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/resurrection-powerPicture
​There have been many times that I have read Philippians 3:10 and want to have a deeper understanding of these words.  “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”
 
Part of the meaning of this verse became clearer to me in our Zoom prayer time last evening when Tom shared details of his trip last week to Ecuador.  Part of his time there was visiting Quechua churches high up in the Andes Mountains.  Some of these believers have no formal education and cannot read or write, yet they have a hunger to know God’s Word.  That is the resurrection power of Jesus working in them.
 
Tom also visited a church in Guayaquil where the pastor had been gunned down three months ago.  Even though the loss was deeply felt by them, they are determined to carry on his vision to train every person in the church to be a faithful follower of Jesus through our discipling material.  Tom reported that “it was such a blessing to return to this church and see them continuing to press on in the Lord.  Instead of people leaving the church, it is growing and becoming more united.”
 
THIS IS RESURRECTION POWER!!  The challenge we have is whether we want to see this same power working in us and in our churches.  The Spirit will make it happen if we open our hearts to Him.
]]><![CDATA[BLUE SKY AND HEAVY BAGS]]>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/blue-sky-and-heavy-bags​(NEPAL) God has moved in the hearts of a church in Kathmandu to begin a ministry called “Hands of Hope” that reached out to areas of Nepal where the recent floods caused so much loss of life and living essentials.  As they reach these people with practical supplies such as water, food, clothing, and bedding, they also bring the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This has touched many.  
 
There are more pictures I could share that validate difficult road conditions, making travel hard and longer than usual.  Perseverance and relying on God’s help is make their efforts successful.  Most important is that the seeds of truth (the gospel of God’s saving grace) are being planted in hearts and souls.  Please take time to pray for these servants who care for the lost and hurting.
 
(ECUADOR) On the opposite end of this earth, there is another work taking place.  In Guayaquil where a pastor was killed several months ago, a new study in his church using God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) is starting.  In other places, whole churches have studied GPHD and students have graduated.  Tom and Oswaldo visited one church high in the mountains and discovered that most do not have Bibles.  We are making sure these are supplied as soon as possible.  Please pray.
 
(S. E. ASIA) This has never happened before!  As our “Timothy” traveled north by train, he discovered many on the train who came from a Catholic Diocese in the North.  From his conversations with them, he found out that they are Catholic teachers and are now waiting for our team to come and pray for them and introduce GPHD.  This looks like an opportunity that God arranged before this trip.  Please join us in prayeras preparations are made for this visit.
]]><![CDATA[LEADERSHIP MODELED]]>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/leadership-modeledAs I read Acts 20:1-6 this morning, I wondered why more attention has not been given to these verses?  As Paul moves from Ephesus through Macedonia, several from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia tag along with him.  This speaks of the strength of Paul’s continual mentoring that prepared these leaders for a time when they could not be with Paul.  If we combine this evidence with Paul’s desire in Acts 16:3, “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him,” we see a principle that he speaks of in 2 Timothy 2:2.  It is not merely companionship, though it might feel that way to the participants, it was intentional on the part of Paul’s desire to leave behind strong leaders who witness the truth lived out in a leader.
 
There must be a deep desire with leaders today that begins with habitually living transparent lives so that this type of mentoring does not just affect public ministry but the private life as well.  Effective ministry begins in secret and is woven from private life, to family, to work and the public arena with godly character that proclaims an intimate relationship with the Lord.  This challenge is for every follower of Jesus, not just pastors and teachers.  Each of us have some degree of influence on others.  What is your influence like?
 
I invite you spend some time alone with the Lord and ask Him to examine your heart and inner being.  Allow Him to expose any weakness that hinders effective godly leadership and influence.  REMEMBER, the result of what God does in and through us impacts time and eternity – HIS GLORY!
]]><![CDATA[A PIVOTAL MOMENT]]>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/a-pivotal-momentEvery Thursday evening, the NFI Team gathers via Zoom so we can focus on prayer for what God is doing in so many places around the world, and the events that are scheduled in the future.  Our normal routine for these meetings has been suddenly changed by the massive landslide, and subsequent flooding has expanded our opportunities to spread the gospel in Nepal.
 
We had Suman (our Timothy) in Kathmandu in our meeting this Thursday evening.  He reports that at least 1,300 have lost their lives and over 5,000 are still missing.  The catastrophe has opened doors for the gospel to be preached in many ways.  Many details about the flood are horrific.  One of the pastors who lives near the flood, was away with his wife.  Their whole family and church families were swept away.  PLEASE PRAY for God to guide the Church in Nepal to know how to comfort, encourage, and help with the resources they have.  THANK YOU FOR PRAYING.
 
Pray for the leadership conference, September 28th to 30th in Kathmandu, (Tim, Don, and Bob will be there).  This is a follow-up training from previous conferences.  The location of those affected by the flooding is populated by many unreached people groups.  For centuries, an unbroken paradigm has now been broken by this disaster and Christians can now openly assist in the disaster, recovery efforts, and proclaim Christ at the same time.
 
Nepali churches are helping other Nepali’s openly without regard to their cast or religion.  The Gokharna Disciple Church of Kathmandu has started the Hands Of Hope Project to collect supplies for the people without food, clothing and shelter for those in the region of the river valley.  This emphasis is indigenous, Nepali’s taking care of their own.  WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM THIS EVENT AND ASKING GOD TO OPEN A HIGHWAY FOR THE GOSPEL OF HIS GRACE.
]]><![CDATA[TRANSFORMED IN SUFFERING]]>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/transformed-in-sufferingPicture
From my desk and cell phone I am watching the wonderful work of God moving forward in many places around the world.  The most exciting events are taking place where conditions are the most difficult.  While we may concern ourselves with making sure our AC is working at the right temperature and whether our gas tank is full for tomorrow’s errands, there are some who will walk miles in steamy heat to a place with no AC just so they can study God’s Word with others and go through our training.  This is Cuba!
 
Tom is there this week for three very important events plus other opportunities to introduce God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD – Spanish) to new churches and groups.  Here are five graduations:
 
  • Santa Clara – Kids graduating from God’s Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD – Spanish)
  • Santa Clara – Adults graduating from God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD – Spanish)
  • Jatibonico - Kids graduating from God’s Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD – Spanish)
  • Jatibonico – Adults graduating from God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD – Spanish)
  • Banao – Adults graduating from God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD – Spanish)
The fact that so many have completed GPHD and GPYD is a proof of their hunger to learn and be devoted to Jesus.  Before Tom arrived, we had messages from each place saying how ready and excited they were to graduate.  They also got others involved in the study.  This is transforming people into disciples who are suffering and learning their purpose and how to live for that.  Please pray for their endurance!
 
NOTE: The picture is only a few of the graduates.
​
]]><![CDATA[GOD'S INTERRUPTION]]>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 02:02:30 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/gods-interruption​Normally we would not think of an interruption in our regular course of life as a blessing unless it resulted in something better.  This moment in Acts 9:1-9 for Saul was a huge interference to his plans and purpose to bring an end to “Ther Way” as the Church was called at that time.  Saul even carried legal papers from the synagogue in Jerusalem that gave him authority for the persecution he was bringing against Christians.  Suddenly, Saul was interrupted by another authority much greater than what he had.
 
While he was driven by religious status and importance, this event stopped him on an ungodly road.  This is the most dangerous state for anyone to be in because it blinds us to the truth about ourselves.  The divine interference was more intentional than Saul’s mission for Damascus and was necessary to cause Saul to realize that he was being confronted with a Person, power and authority that was much greater than his or the whole Jewish religious system.
 
When self-centeredness and self-will becomes controlling in our minds and hearts, it takes this degree of interruption to awaken submission that leads to repentance.  There are people in our lives that need this type of interruption, and we need to be specific in prayer that God will do this for the sake of His name, glory, and purpose for them.  Maybe this person is YOU!  Any interruption that God brings into your life is intended to change your future from disaster and judgment to the brightness of Christ’s life in you.
]]><![CDATA[USING THE RIGHT TOOL]]>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 02:22:43 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/using-the-right-tool​I just got off a phone call that I could not rush.  The person was having a struggle with evil thoughts that would not go away.  Their cry for help was, ‘what can I do to make them go away?
 
Knowing that they are saved, I was praying in my heart for the Spirit to give me the right words and Scriptures that properly address this heart-felt need.  I remembered an illustration I gave in a preaching years ago.  I took a jar of dirty water that could not be used for drinking or for refreshment.  Then I took a bucket of good, clean, drinking water and kept pouring it into the jar of dirty water.  As I did this, bits of dirty and bad water were forced out of the jar.  Eventually the water became as clean as the bucket of good clean water.
 
Paul says several things that speak directly to this problem; that Christ “might sanctify her (the Church); having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26).
 
Then, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape,that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  And “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2–3).  Putting these two verses together, we can understand why Paul put two principles together in one verse, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
 
So it is with our minds and hearts.  Evil and sin is not removed merely by human will to remove them.  We must intentionally take the power of God’s Word and pour it into our minds and souls on a continual basis – UNTIL JESUS RETURNS!  Again, Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
]]><![CDATA[LIGHT OVERCOMES EVIL]]>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 02:00:00 GMThttps://www.newfoundationsinternational.org/blog/light-overcomes-evil​“But he (Stephen), full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).
 
Acts 7:54-60 is a beautiful example of a normal follower of Jesus who is filled with the Spirit and, even under the severest pressure of persecution that led to death, Stephen redirects his attention to heaven.  He knew where his strength for that moment came from.  Though his message was inspired by the Spirit at the moment and required to give witness to God’s faithful work in Israel, he could do this because Stephen was well versed in the OT.  Those two divine resources (God’s Word and the Holy Spirit) provided everything necessary for him to look into heaven and see the glory of God and Jesus standing, exalted.  The glory of God in the OT was the same as what He saw in heaven.
 
The contrast between this and the anger of the religious leaders was a gulf they could not handle.  We must realize that evil CANNOT tolerate the presence of pure light.  Either those who oppose will come to the light and allow their works to be exposed, or they will lash out against the light in a vain attempt to extinguish it.  The first response will spread and magnify God’s glory and further reveal the Light.  The second response will find itself fighting against a power that CANNOT be stopped.  This ultimate failure will cause opposition to implode on itself.  What is so amazing is that opposition actually advances the work and Word of God.  Stephen knew this and was willing and ready to be the instrument of multiplication.  Are we of this mindset?
 
Footnote: God is using Zoom training to bridge the US and Vietnam in a very wonderful way.  Please pray for both the facilitators and students.  Both need the Holy Spirit to understand and apply the Scriptures.
]]>