Special Announcement from Turkey

Gateway Educational Services Special Announcement:
January 1, 2010

· EPIC International to serve as administrators and facilitators of Gateway’s ministries.

Dear Supporters of Gateway Educational Services,

I am excited to announce to you all that Gateway is now under the umbrella of EPIC International as of today, January 1, 2010!

Gateway Educational Services began as a grass-roots/non-traditional missions organization in the Spring of 2002 and was founded by Jacob and Lisa Pursley. Gateway’s mission is to use Turkey as a Gateway country and choose Gateway cities to fulfill the Creation and Evangelistic mandates found in the Bible. This is done through writing, education (NUT School), mercy ministries (Zacchaeus Projects), evangelism, church planting (Beytel) and the sending of local missionaries to fulfill both mandates to the unreached. Our focus has been the least reached people of the country of Turkey, namely the Kurds.

Gateway is grateful for those who have administrated and facilitated the company, those who volunteered their time and finances; without them Gateway could not have accomplished anything. Since Gateway was conceived it had not found any other ministry that had similar values and philosophy of ministry until the divine appointment with EPIC International workers on January 26, 2009. After several meetings, fasting and prayer the board of Gateway has made the decision to come under EPIC for financial accountability and further direction for the ministry.

What is EPIC? EPIC is an acronym for: Enabling Partners in Church-Planting. They are based out of Atlanta, Georgia and working to fulfill both Creation and Evangelistic mandates in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Northern Iraq, Armenia and now in Turkey with a goal to reach the Kurds!

Why EPIC? Out of all of the ministries doing work in the world that I am aware of, I am fully convinced that EPIC is one of the few uniquely trying to fulfill the Evangelistic and Creation mandates Biblically without exception! One important aspect of EPIC’s unique philosophy for Gateway is that there is no distinction and or separation of “nationals” and “foreigners”. They truly see the “nationals” as partners in the ministry to work with as equal brothers and sisters in the ministry. Their missions’ philosophy is par to none, and I encourage you all to examine their website and learn from an organization that is doing the work well. I also encourage you to look at their projects page to see how they are fulfilling the mandates. www.epicinternational.org
What will change for you the supporter? Your prayers and finances will continue to go towards the Zacchaeus projects, J. and L.’s support, the support of national evangelist “E.” and the help of Beytel East and West, along with Christian resources. The only change will be the address of where your donations are sent. We will send you a follow-up update on how financial donations will be taken care of. You will also begin to receive letters from EPIC International, and I believe that you will be blessed by them as we have.

Please check out EPIC’s organization website: www.epicinternational.org

· If you have any questions about the change please feel free to contact: gatewayeducationalservices@hotmail.com

J. of G.E.S.

News from Ron and Nancy

MINTON NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2010

Happy New Year from Ukraine!

Dear Pastor Burress and friends at Victory Baptist Church,

As the end of 2009 reminds us, nothing is permanent except what we do for our Lord Jesus. We wanted to share a few things that have been happening lately.

Three months ago our previous translator, who had been with us for over a year, moved to England to attend Bible college. We knew she was going and we prayed for a new one. She translated for Ron one Sunday night, stayed for a fellowship, then left for the airport. During the fellowship time we met another girl who spoke English. Ron asked her to email him if she was ever interested in doing some translating for him. Tanya is now our full-time translator and ministry partner. She has a real heart for ministry and we believe God sent her to us.

Our schedule has been quite busy for the last couple of months. Since September, we have had classes on Discipleship, Islam, Romans, Soteriology, Dispensations, Hermeneutics, and Genesis. Coming up early in 2010 are Bibliology, Biblical Counseling, and Apologetics.We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with American missionaries in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and were also able to do a little sightseeing and enjoy a few days of “down time.”Ron’s been able to preach numerous times recently on the Incarnation of Christ, the modern faith healing movement, and other areas. Pray that God will use the messages from His Word.

On a personal note, our two sons are doing well, and our grandsons are ten, six, and five.

Thankfully the Lord gives good health. Pray for the Ron and Nancy Minton team in Ukraine.

God’s blessings on you during 2010!

Ron and Nancy Minton

ronminton@gmail.com

nancyminton@gmail.com

P. S. We really appreciate you folks at Victory Baptist in helping us win Ukrainians for Christ.

News from Zurafa

Romans 13:11-12
11And do this, understanding the present time.
The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,
because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.


Hey everyone!
I know I just sent a message the other day, but I want to update you on Kenan's health. He id doing great! This morning he went to the hospital to get his staples and stitches removed and the cuts are looking so much better! He has been giving all the glory to God telling people how Christ had healed him, not only physically, but spiritually. Many of his friends are starting to ask questions and understand his point of view! Pray for them that they would come to know the King of the universe. Pray also that God would really begin to break through the darkness here and that many people would see the light and come to know Him.

Guys, this place that I am staying in they called Sodom for a reason. This is one of Satan's strongholds. Everyone you meet has never met a Christian before nor have they ever heard the Gospel. This place is very oppressive and I have not felt right ever since I got here. I was told it is the same for every believer who comes here. I would like to ask you for your prayers for my spiritual health. I feel stunted and have not been able to feel God's presence for days now. I know He is stronger than the darkness, but I need your help with your prayers for myself as well as E. and Kenan.

I am really starting to enjoy the idea of teaching these people. They came over today to visit Kenan and see how he is doing and stayed a very long time and we were able to talk (by which I mean play charades). I am beginning to feel more comfortable with the whole being-in-front-of-people thing. We start classes again on Monday and I have been studying more English than I ever remember learning. I am wishing I had paid attention in English class now...

I have three months to teach them and I hope to be able to share a little more than just my knowledge of English with them. Keep these people in prayer!

Very close to being done with the Qur'an and have finished several of J's books. A long way more to go though. Keep praying for my focus. I tend to lose it eas-hey! have you ever wondered what the difference is from a house fly and a regular fly? ;D

Anyway, I really appreciate those of you who have taken time to pray for me, to send support, and to send encouraging letters.


Here is how you can pray specifically for me and the area here:
· Pray that God would raise good godly leaders in His churches here.
· Pray for Kenan's speedy recovery and new unemployment.
· Pray that God will use the English class as a platform for sharing the Gospel.
· Pray that God would reclaim this land for His own!
· Pray for much discernment for me as well as the other workers here for many decisions that need to be made.
· Pray that if that is God's will, He will open the doors to get me to the right college with the right classes.
· Pray that the Lord would open my mind to learn what He would have me to learn and to give me a humble and obedient heart.
· Pray that God will continue to guide my conversations and give me the words to speak and the courage to speak.
· Please pray that God would reach His lost sheep here and bring them out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light.
· And always remember to pray for your brothers and sisters who are in prison and who are suffering. (Heb 13:3)
Thanks for all the prayers everyone! They truly are a blessing!
____________________________________________________________
If you feel led to support my training here, you can send donations to: New Horizons Foundation Inc. (Check Memo: Gateway Missions/Zurafa) Send to: New Horizons Foundation, Inc. 4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 This will help pay for things like my Turkish classes, rent, and food. You can also give online at New Horizons. If you do decide to give online, you will need to send me an email sayıng how much you sent because there ıs only one account for GES. Zurafa108@gmail.com. or you can send an email to J of GES at gatewayeducationalservices@hotmail.com. Also for those of you who go to Victory Baptist Church, Grace Road Church, or Wheatland Community Church, you can put your donations in the offering box/plate and it will find its way to me. (I hope) Thank you everyone who decides to pray or give financially!

You can now see more constant updates on my Facebook account: Zurafa Turk
(Picture of a Turkish Stop Sign [I thought it was pretty funny;])

--
Zurafa
It is well with my soul,
It is well with yours?
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News from Turkey

Gateway Update on Kenan: December 30, 2009

Happy New Year!

In the Middle East it is customary for friends and family to come and visit one who has experienced a bad accident or was released from the hospital, especially in cases as critical as Kenan’s was. Because of this E. and Kenan have had guest after guest in their home day and night. Kenan used this situation to share with all those who visited that it was through the prayers of the Christians and because of Jesus Christ that he was saved. Kenan is now sharing his faith for the first time and many of his friends and family are now learning about his faith. The reaction could be negative, especially in a place such as “Sodom”, where Beytel East is located at, and because of the strict laws of Islam that considers belief in anything but Islam blasphemy and punishable by death. However, so far many of his friends are open to listening to the Gospel and asking him many questions. There has not been a negative response yet! Pray that many would come to faith from this and that the Lord would open their hearts to the truth.

Pray for E.’s and Kenan’s safety and for a continued spiritual growth in Kenan’s life.
· More news after Kenan’s accident:

Here are two posts from twitter concerning this: Sunday, December 27th,
1. J. from Istanbul: Kenan is sharing the Gospel with each visitor and as I write he is sharing with "K.". Pray that many come to know the King through this!
2. J. from Istanbul: Kenan is now telling all his family & countless visitors that he was healed by Jesus Christ. He is giving the glory to God!

December 28,
· Today (Monday) Kenan said to his mother that because of Jesus Christ and because of the prayers of thousands of Christians that he was saved. His mother did not say anything and Kenan said to E., “It is enough already, (meaning it’s time that) everyone should know that I am a Christian, whatever they will do to me let them do it. I am not afraid anymore.”. Kenan said to E., “If the Lord wills I wish to serve with you and do all I can to help as long as I live.” He then hugged E. and they cried, Kenan said that again they should say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord and they did. E. said to me, “Once more I am bowing before our Glorious King the Lord for the miracle that He provided. Our God is living and is a God that is concerned with us.”

Immediate needs:
1. Medical bills for Kenan. $1,000.00
2. Replacement eye glasses: $800.00 (Special glasses for his eye treatments).
3. Help to raise funds for a new taxi: $9,000.00

Thank you for your prayers and help,
J. of G.E.S.

Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gatewayeducationalservices?ref=profile
Follow us on Twitter: “E.” and “J.” will be giving daily updates via twitter.
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Website: www.gatewayeducation.org

If you feel led to support Gateway’s ministries please send your donations to:

Donations can be made online through New Horizons Foundation: http://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&Itemid=5

More detailed information about EFT transfers:
EFT Bank transfer Credit/Debit Card Donations. The 15th of every month donations to Gateway can be electronically withdrawn. One can decide in giving if their electronic gift will be a one time gift or monthly. The transaction date for monthly gifts is on the 15th of every month. What is needed is the credit/debit card information (Name, Expiration date, Card Number). If the transfer will be made from a Bank account; a routing number and account number will be needed. Remember the project of the donation is Gateway Missions.

Checks can be made out to:
New Horizons Foundation Inc. (FBO Gateway Missions)

Send to:
New Horizons Foundation, Inc.4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203Colorado Springs, CO 80907

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