Doug and Lila Groth
ECMI
End of summer 2014
“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down…” (Is. 64:1a)
This has been our prayer in the Rabka church for years. During the last week of August God answered those prayers in a very literal and visible way. Werner Oder visited us for the fourth time. There were many meetings planned throughout the week, a meeting with Holocaust survivors from Rabka, other parts of Poland and America, an evangelistic meeting in the Rabka church. Werner taught at another church we work with on Friday. On Saturday there was an outdoor baptism and wedding. On Sunday Werner spoke and I (Doug) led communion. There were testimonies, prayer and worship.
According to Jonathan Edwards the signs of a true revival are;
- When esteem for the true Jesus is raised
- When Satan’s kingdom is attacked
- When people come to love the Scriptures more
- When men are led from falsehood into truth
- When there is an increase in love to God and man (all from 1John4)
Each of these signs took place and continue to be seen in the Rabka church. The four people who were baptized boldly spoke about how Jesus Christ had totally transformed their lives and families. Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, was clearly, lovingly and boldly preached. God is speaking to us through His word and there is an increasing hunger for the pure word of God. People gave testimony of how God has been pointing out sin and how they are repenting of it. We have a growing desire to get rid of all hypocrisy and half-heartedness. We want to be clean, holy and filled with the power and love of God. God is doing a new thing in us. It is real. We believe it will continue as we seek Him with all our hearts. To God be the glory!
One of the things that especially struck me was the beehive of activity. So much to be done (preparation of food, arranging for seating, setting up the baptisterium, speaking and translating, inviting people and caring for guests, etc.) and everyone pitched in and just did it. There were people from all over Poland, brothers and sisters in Christ from Belgium and other places. Narcyz (one of the 4 people who was baptized) belongs to a Christian motorcycle club. They have an amazing, God blessed ministry of reaching out to other bikers. About 25 others (with wives and kids) from his club showed up to support him and his wife, Lucyna, as they were baptized and re-dedicated their marriage to God. Many new people just “showed up”.
God miraculously gave us perfect weather. The day before everything began it poured down rain. During the week, and especially on Saturday when everything was outside, it was sunny and warm. After we finished the service on Sunday the rain came back.
We will never forget the amazing week God gave us. Our God is amazing. Thank you for the part you played through your prayer and support.
Please pray;
-for those God has touched and continues to touch
-conversion
-repentance from sin, lukewarmness, judgemental and proud attitudes
-that we (the Rabka church) will live in the fullness of God
-love
-holiness
-the power of the Holy Spirit
-wisdom
-humility
-courage
-for protection against the schemes of the devil
God bless and thanks,
Doug and Lila
Doug and Lila Groth ECMI-USA
32-434 Skomielna Biala P.O. Box 2217
Nr. 623 Monument, CO
POLAND 80132
douggroth@poczta.onet.pl george.brown@ecmi.org
