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Drawing Near to God is an interdenominational, intergenerational ministry that seeks to draw us into a living and healing relationship with Jesus Christ and to equip us, through life application study, to live out our faith empowed by the Holy Spirit.
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Drawing Near to God Ministry
July 2008
Newsletter #2
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 Dearest DNG friends,
As we approach our eighth year in Drawing Near ministry, I am going to make a concerted effort to communicate with you on a regular basis. So much goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the fall study and planning in the different areas of ministry. Sharon McGuirk, our new Administrator, and I are working on ways to communicate what we have accomplished this summer and what we have to look forward to in the fall. Sharon has spent extensive time in researching and writing grants and we hope through increasing our funds we will be able to deepen and expand our program and make our resources and programs available to other communities.
Drawing Near began as a Bible study and has grown into a ministry that encompasses the study of God's Word, healing prayer, intercessory prayer, compassionate care, leadership training and outreach conferences. In the next several newsletters, I will be highlighting one area of ministry and hopefully you can grasp the scope of what Drawing Near leadership is involved in throughout the year. As you get a clearer understanding of the different facets of DNG, perhaps you will consider getting involved in one of these areas.
This month let's talk about healing prayer. Several years ago a team began to pray with participants the third Thursday of every month after the teaching. Last year, we expanded prayer to every Thursday after the teaching. We see in the gospels that Jesus both proclaimed and demonstrated God's Word and we have restructured our time together to enable people to both hear the Word and respond to the Word through a time of prayer.
The Word of God is a two-edged sword that divides soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12) and we have seen the fruit of God's Word touching participants and receiving prayer at the end of the sessions each week. In addition to prayer offered each week, an extended time of prayer is offered to any participant who needs to spend more time with prayer team members.
Healing prayer is best described as prayer that is offered up inviting the Holy Spirit to heal, restore, and repair an area of our life. Often God's Word stirs up our need for healing and that is why each week we offer prayer after the teaching. But sometimes the Lord desires to do a deeper work and more prayer is needed. Past hurts, memories, guilt, and sin bubble up and it is helpful to pray through the issues and invite God's healing power to bring restoration. Participants can make an appointment for an extended time of prayer.
I have been involved in praying with people for 25 years and have seen the Lord repeatedly break chains of bondage and bring freedom to His people. Jesus came to set the captives free and He continues to set the captives free today. I believe that Drawing Near has a mission to not only teach God's Word but to demonstrate that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He can and will heal the broken hearted, the discouraged, the oppressed. It is my hope that Drawing Near will continue to be a place for our community to come together to study God's Word and receive His healing touch. Prayer is offered all year, not just during the time of Bible study. Please call our office if you want to meet with members of our prayer team.
As we seek the Lord's blessing on our individual lives and our corporate life together, let's never lose sight that we serve a big God who longs to set us free. Don't miss an opportunity to meet with him.
God bless,
Joanne
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ACTS-A CHURCH IN ACTION
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There are several ways to register for our bible studies!
- Pre-Register online by clicking on our website at www.drawingneartogod.com
- Come to our Pre-Registration Coffee on Thursday, September 4th, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - See details below
- Call the DNG Office at 843-284-4333
Join Joanne as she uncovers the "acts" of the early church and shares how Christians functioned in the power of the Holy Spirit to build God's kingdom. Her teachings have special emphasis on Paul and his mission to the Gentiles.
This bible study will be divided into a 7-week course in the fall (September 11-October 23, 2008), continuing with a 6-week course in the spring (January 15-February 19, 2009).
-Community-wide study for men and women of all ages, interdenominational
-Thursday Mornings from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
-Live Worship, Small Group Discussion, Teaching, Healing Ministry, Compassionate Care
-St. Andrews Church, 440 Whilden Street, Mount Pleasant Olde Village
-$35.00 per course, includes study guide
-Childcare available.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO REGISTER. WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW MANY ARE COMING IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN PLAN, PREPARE AND PRAY FOR YOU.
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PRE-REGISTRATION COFFEE & DONUTS 
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September 4, 2008
10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
St. Andrews, 440 Whilden Street
Mount Pleasant, Olde Village
This is a great way to pre-register for the Fall/Spring courses, to meet the Core Team and Leadership, to view volunteer opportunities and to fellowship with other men and woman interested in growing their relationship with God.
At 11:30 a.m., Joanne Ellison will give us an encouraging word and get us excited about the upcoming study and how it will affect our lives and our churches. |
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
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Editing
In the next six months, we hope to complete the process of editing nine of our study & facilitator guides. This involves cross-checking the scriptures, looking for formatting errors, and giving suggestions on succinct wording of questions. To speed the process, we are looking for four to six people who are willing to work on the project. Most work will be done independently, but there will be monthly work sessions. You don't need editing experience for this task, but we will have a training session before the work begins later in August. Join the team!
Admistrative
We need a couple of people with computer skills to help with projects that should only take a few hours. Your donated time is valuable to us.
Grants
We Would like to work with someone who has grant writing expertise to follow up on the grants that have been written and seek new funding for the ministry through grants.
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NEWS FLASH
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- Joanne is now writing regularly on her Blog. Click on the link below to enjoy her journal of thoughts, insight and words from God.
- Don't forget to tune into Rocket 980 AM on Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m. and WJNI on Sunday Evenings at 6:00 p.m. to hear Joanne's teachings on the radio. To watch on TV go to Charleston's TV42 on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. A Comcast channel will be added soon. We continue to look for sponsorship for all of these programs.
- Donate to DNG through the My Cause Campaign at Suntrust Bank by clicking on the link below. This offer ends September 30th.
- It is important for you to forward this email to your friends near and far. Simply click on the "Forward email" button at the bottom of the page.
- Beginning August 18th, Sharon McGuirk will occupy the office at St. Andrews from 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday each week.
- THE NEW DEVOTIONALS ARE IN! Purchase them through Amazon, St. Andrews Book Store and the DNG Website.
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| Contact Information
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