Precept News Letter

Aug, 2010

It’s unbelievable! 
We have experienced so many miracles and milestones that I can only marvel how the Lord has been guiding us.
The latest milestone - we have now moved into our very own office! God has even provided a laptop (with the necessary programmes). Money has also been provided to pay all our outstanding bills.

But I’m running ahead of myself. Let us take a look back over our brief five years of Precept Ministries New Zealand Trust. Like me, I hope you, too, will rejoice at God’s hand in our miracles/milestones.

Miracle /Milestone Number One

In 2005 it was mainly international students who studied with Precept in New Zealand. When they returned to their own countries the Lord replaced them all with people from within New Zealand. He even doubled the number of classes a year later and again by 2010. Just like that! 

Miracle/Milestone Number Two

In 2007 we had to order our first pallet of books from Precept headquarters in the U.S.A. (After 9/11 we could no longer order smaller quantities at competitive prices). To order a whole pallet was a huge step of faith. After our Pre-Christmas sale in November and before Christmas – a usually quiet time for us, the Lord had people buy books in never seen before quantities … and the bill was able to be paid in full!!!

Miracle/Milestone Number Three

We were offered a spa pool as a fundraiser for Precept. We put it on Trade Me and were excited at the several hundred dollars we were expecting to make. However the Lord had bigger plans and brought in much more than that. He provided again!

Miracle/Milestone Number Four

In early 2007 I reconnected with someone whom I accompanied to prison on Mother’s Day 2007. What a work the Lord has grown since then! Now we have Precept studies in Wiri Women’s Prison, Springhill Men’s Prison and Mt. Eden. The Lord has not only provided four most excellent facilitators but also spiritually hungry prisoners, and Bible studies for each man and woman. Over 600 so far!  Just as importantly, God has given us favour with each prison’s chaplains.

Miracle/Milestone Number Five

Then there was the pressure to buy more books. We ordered them early 2009. This time nearly half of the provision came just before Christmas. God moved in the hearts of people who were convinced that they were to meet this need.

Miracle/Milestone Number Six

And now the new office! A stretch for me, but not for the Lord. By faith I did what He told me. In His might, He did what only He could do: Speak into people’s hearts to pray, support, give, sponsor, and buy. We are nearly fully established in our new premises, and are ready and waiting for God to show us the next step in this adventure! We pray that you will be a part of it!

Thank the Lord for:

- His Son, our Lord and Saviour
- His favour on Precept Ministries New Zealand
- His faithfulness in every detail of our lives
- His generous provision for the things we expect and for those we don’t expect!

Pray for:

- our facilitators at prison: good health for us all and financial support. Unless the latter is forthcoming one facilitator may have to seek paid employment.
- more facilitators for prison (Perhaps it’s you? Do you love the Word of God, has it transformed your life, are you willing and able to join us? Let me know, please!)
- those who study in groups - to grow in knowledge and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ and consequently to lead changed lives. Remember especially the home school mothers and the prisoners.
- the facilitators to be encouraged by the studies they lead and the effect they have on their students.
- sensitivity in assessing what study people need to grow more in Him
- continued provision: Wisdom, His immediate and long-term plan for Precept Ministries in New Zealand, books for prison, funds to cover expenses 
- many more students to be drawn by the Father to discover Truth in His Word and be profoundly changed by it
- much fruit from the conferences in May/June this year
- new groups to begin and God to raise faithful facilitators to lead them

“Grandparent – child” workshop

Are you a grandparent who would like to teach your grandchild the Bible but you don’t quite know how to go about it? I’d love to show you!
If you get a group together, I will come – Lord willing - and introduce you to how you can go about it practically!

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Thankful in Him,
Barbara Kipfer
National Coordinator for Precept Ministries New Zealand
www.precept.org.nz

Our mission and vision is...
 
... to establish people in God's Word to live as
exemplary followers of Jesus Christ,
studying the Bible inductively,
viewing the world biblically,
making disciples intentionally, and
serving the church faithfully
       in the power of the Holy Spirit.