Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 13, Number 2
December 2002
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"And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement)..."
The apostles called him Barnabas because he was an encourager. There are two specific references in Scripture where we find Barnabas bringing encouragement to someone because he saw them not for what they were or had been, but for their potential because of who they were in Christ. In Acts 9:26-27 we see Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul) coming to Jerusalem to join the disciples, but they were afraid of him and did not believe that he had had a conversion experience. In verse 27 we see that Barnabas took a risk by supporting Paul and affirming his conversion experience to the apostles. This action of support brought encouragement to Paul. The result was a special partnership in ministry
The second example is in the latter part of Acts Chapter 15 where Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over whether or not John Mark should accompany them on their next journey. Although John Mark had deserted them on a previous missionary trip (Acts 13:13), Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance. He saw growth and potential, and he was willing to risk taking one who had previously deserted the group. Although this decision initially led to the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, we see later on that a special relationship formed between Paul and John Mark (II Timothy 4:11), and Paul and Barnabas' differences over John Mark were healed as inferred in Colossians 4:10.
A more recent encourager was a pastor by the name of Sherman Brantingham. This past fall my home church prepared a special tribute to Pastor Sherman and his wife Dorothy for their faithful 50+ years of ministry. About 2 1/2 weeks before the day of celebration would occur, the Lord took Sherman home to heaven. The tributes given in the weeks that followed his homegoing showed how much Sherman lived the testimony and faithful life of one who loved Christ and cared deeply for people. Although he was one to constantly make sure people got their minimum daily dose of encouragement, he never heard these special tributes shared during this special time of worship and celebration. He had made everyone feel as if they were the most important person in the world. It did not matter if their beliefs were different from his. He loved them through the eyes of Christ. Even to the moment when he took his last breath here on earth, his focus was on praising God and encouraging others.
Several years ago the Lord clearly showed me the importance of seeing and loving people through His eyes. As I listened to a pro-abortionist debate on the floor of the Representative Assembly, all of a sudden I saw that individual as one who needed the love of Christ rather than as one who was my enemy because of their views on life. As I have reflected much about both Barnabas and Sherman over these past several weeks I have been reminded of how often we look at people and think they aren't worth our time or effort - especially those who do not support our view regarding the sanctity of life.
Think of people like Dr. Bernard Nathanson, Norma McCorvey (Roe), or Sandra Cano (Doe). What if those who believe in the sanctity of life had seen these as individuals who could never change? Yet because someone showed the love of Christ to them and encouraged them, they were rescued from their brokenness and brought into the light.
One of the nobliest virtues that we can have is to see the best in people, to see people, not just as they are now, but as they can become in Christ. This Christmas season let's rejoice in the birth and life of those all around us and begin to see people for the potential and purpose they have. Let us take time to encourage people and tell them how much we love and care for them while we still have the opportunity to do so and then allow the Lord to do His work within their hearts.
Many do not realize that as a small organization Teachers Saving Children® is very dependent upon volunteers. Each Board of Trustees member as well as the Executive Director must find the time to volunteer for the day-to-day functions and all the activities of TSC alongside their normal teaching and personal responsibilities. In addition, there are many other individuals who have donated countless hours to assist with the work of TSC. We want to take this opportunity to recognize these individuals.
Our prayers partners. Eighteen individuals have committed themselves to praying daily for TSC through the avenue of intercessory prayer. From Michigan are Nancy Cline and Bill Regnier. From Ohio are Myra Cottrell, Terry Fitzgerald, Bonnie Furr, Bill Geha, Gladis Hetherington, Mary Johnson, Evelyn Kehres, Jan Kent, Ken Mazer, Marge Richards, and Fran Shufelt. From Pennsylvania are Holly Baker, Karen Bowman, Christine Doty, Charles Fry, and Jane Lauver. In addition, we know that there are many other individuals, including members, who are praying for TSC on a regular basis. We say "thank you" specifically to these eighteen individuals and to all who partner with TSC through prayer!
Our mailing preparation volunteers. A very special "thank you" to Kathy Johnson. Kathy comes to the home of the Executive Director generally on a bi-monthly basis to help in preparing the newsletter for mailing. It takes time to staple, label, and sort the newsletter before it can be mailed out to approximately 450-500 individuals five times a year. Thank you, Kathy!
In addition, there is a very special group of teenagers who assist with the August newsletter mailing. The August newsletter is sent to the entire database of approximately 3000 individuals. For the past two years, 8-10 members of the Alliance Evangelical Friends Church youth ministry program volunteered to assist in preparing this mailing. Each teen volunteers about 4 hours of their time. This mailing preparation is just one of many ways that these teens volunteer their time throughout the year. Thank you, teens!
Other volunteers: A very special thank you to Gladis Hetherington for all of her assistance. Gladis has volunteered numerous hours to complete those monotonous jobs that take time. She has counted and bundled brochures and bags. She helped update the database in 1999 by researching some postal information that was needed. Each fall, Gladis prints the names and other information on the membership cards and then prepares them for mailing by putting on the addresses labels and stamps. Thank you, Gladis!
In addition, Paula McDaniel has spent numerous hours transcribing some audio tapes for TSC and Life Issues Caucus. These transcriptions will assist TSC and Life Issues Caucus members in preparing for discussions about life issues at various Representative Assemblies. Thank you, Paula!
Our computer experts. A special thanks to both Neal Quast and Tom Furr for all their work and counsel with the computer system and software. During the early years of TSC, Neal Quast gave hours of his time to help set up the original computer system for the Executive Director. Over the past 3-4 years Tom Furr has donated numerous hours in creating the TSC database template, converting old files to the new database system, and most recently assisting with the preparation of the new computer system that is owned by the Executive Director. Thank you Neal and Tom for your time!
Our members: We appreciate all of you - for your participation, suggestions, prayers, and support. Thank you!
"I thank my God every time I remember you." (Philippians 1:3). We do thank every one of you - for your love and devotion to Jesus Christ; for your faith in Him; and for your willingness to serve through volunteer ministry support for Teachers Saving Children®. You are all greatly appreciated!
"Amerivision is the parent company of LifeLine and that relationship has never changed. In addition, neither Amerivision nor LifeLine has been sold to WorldCom or any other company. LifeLine began more than ten years ago and today remains dedicated to helping Christian ministries and family-oriented organizations raise much needed additional funds by providing competitive products and services.
The fact is that we do have a relationship with WorldCom, but it is simply this: We purchase a portion of our telecommunication services from WorldCom who happens to be one of the largest and most respected companies in the country; in fact, there are only a few carriers that are able to offer nation-wide coverage, and we felt best about going with WorldCom. After our decision to choose WorldCom as our carrier, WorldCom bought MCI, but has since dropped the name, MCI, and is simply known as WorldCom. So, it is through this relationship with WorldCom that we are able to provide you with our very low, competitive rates and the opportunity to give back 10% of your long distance calls to the non-profit organization of your choice. Through this "give-back" program, LifeLine has given over $63,000,000 to our customers' favorite charities and Christian ministries."
For more information about LifeLine Communications, visit their corporate Web site at www.lifeline.net.
We need to encourage NEA members who represent our philosophy to run for delegate; it is an unforgettable experience that every educator should have at least once in his or her career. We need delegates who believe that our dues money should not be spent to support abortion and should not be spent to support any issue that is not directly related to education.
If you have made the choice of maintaining union membership, please prayerfully consider becoming a "Voice for Life" amongst our colleagues. Now is the time to run for NEA delegate. It's so simple. Just contact your NEA State Affiliate office and/or your local association president for complete information. Don't make it complicated by campaigning, because if the Lord wants you to be a delegate, you'll win!
If you cannot attend the NEA convention, please encourage other educators who share our views to consider becoming a delegate. Get involved either as a candidate and/or educate yourself about the candidates. Then PRAY and VOTE!
Last spring individuals contributed $5651.84 towards the TSC exhibit at the NEA Expo 2002; TSC spent 100% of the total amount contributed. Your generosity helped TSC pay the exhibit expenses plus provide free educational materials and the book Donnie Lost in the Cornfield to hundreds of teachers. Once again we are asking for your generosity so that we might expose more individuals to the "awesome" truth of a little child growing inside his/her mother.
Please make checks payable to "TSC Inc. - National" and designate any amount towards this endeavor as "NEA Exhibit." Only designated amounts will be applied towards this endeavor. Each child born into this world will thank you for your special contribution, no matter how large or small, towards educating teachers about "The Wonder of Life."
For complete details concerning the events of January 22nd,
please contact your local Right to Life Chapter or State Right to Life office.
For those pro-life teachers and school employees who can't go to Washington DC,
it is suggested that you attend the pro-life marches or rallies being held in your own local areas.
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