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Available from Berkeley Version
Counseling is here on how to select prayer(s) for your children to learn, how to avoid bouts of anger, how to address God through your prayer (listen to the recorded examples), and the interesting topic of Pontius Pilate (a movie and novel/partial chapters showing).
Ever wondered if you'll have a crown in Heaven to wear? Well, here you can read the description made by a famous pastor "of the past" G.D. Watson; "Heaven's Crowns". We are drawing closer to the Millennium--read about it here, in, "Life in the Millennium". Other topics... just use the links at the top of this homepage.
I've recently had an email request for more information outlining my experience with the Olayinka Peter ministry in Nigeria, featured on this website. Perhaps you will find the response I gave her of interest as well. Donations are much appreciated, and perhaps this information below (that letter I sent in reply to an email request) will help to assure you that this money will be well-received and disbursed for the glory of the Lord and his work!
"Hello. I have been asked by my friend in Africa, Olayinka Peter, to write and be available to answer questions you may have concerning his fine ministry and to tell a little about my experience in supporting the Living Grace Christian Mission. I think I first began to send him Bibles, items I thought would be useful such as books, eating utensils, sports equipment and curriculum development materials for grades K through 3rd, about four years ago. Making the world notice him and the pure work of the evangelism team (about ten to fifteen people) was an interest of mine besides the presentation on my websites of explanations of Christian topics that are important to me. For a long while I gave out free CDs of the Gospel According to John in the Berkeley Version, a DVD movie titled Pontius Pilate (having a slip of Hebrew Scripture from an old no-longer-used leather scroll), and during this time, Mr. Olayinka Peter contacted me and asked for a Bible in the New American Standard Version. I found a very nice leather one for him and shipped it, not knowing whether it would successfully reach the destination in Nigeria or not. It did, and that experience gave me confidence to ship him other useful items (always of quality, for the cost of shipping by USA postal service in flat rate boxes is also very high $38-$55 each; in other words, it's best to send good, quality items that the people like to use than send otherwise cheap items that they can obtain easily there, because the cost to ship them may better be money given as a donation.)
"I happened on an unusual printing of the New King James Bible that the Robert Schuller "Hour of Power" ministry produced for its viewers back in the 1980s. These are Bibles that have the especially uplifting Bible verses highlighted in blue, and what has been unique is that the lovely blue covers, saying "genuine cowhide" on the back cover have been available on Ebay for a mere $8 upwards to $18 that I have had to pay for like new condition Bibles that I consider to be of $40 quality. I think the donors had to give $75 originally to be sent one by Mr. Schuller's ministry. I have sent around twenty of these during the past year and a half.
"At first I asked for photos from Olayinka Peter that would substantiate some of the efforts his Christian group provide to others (school, evangelism in neighboring country of Benin, and photos of his team). Being at a distance as I am, and being aware of the reputation that Nigeria has, generally, internationally for scams, I had some initial concerns regarding how my money might wind up being used (or misused). I have become convinced that Olayinka Peter has a genuine ministry, and that he is an advance guard going in with the Gospel into those areas that are remote and under the almost-full control of the evil in this world, for many, many of the people Olayinka Peter's group minister to have been or still are voodoo practitioners. These people he preaches to may be farmers, etc., but they have lacked knowledge of the Bible and the God of the Israelites. Together, he and I have produced an evangelism booklet of about twenty pages that is printed in Nigeria's main "Yoruba" language, in English, and in French. It is titled "First Steps". The evangelism team judiciously disburses these when interest is shown by their listeners. So far, about 35 have been given away in each language. Our next joint-product is for his team to trial use an English and French printing of the Gospel According to Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles. This will be given away in neighboring Benin where French is spoken and voodoo the common religious practice.
"I am gratified that one nice and very intelligent fellow (he wrote a book on a Christian theme ten years ago) was able to learn about this ministry of the Living Grace Christian Mission (Olayinka Peter) off the internet site I operate. He lives in Nigeria and traveled to Imeko area where Peter lives and he has been both a financial contributor ($75) and participating team member since. This man is an architect, has a family, and as I say, published a book that I found both very interesting and helpful, titled "Stronghold of the Lord, the Sure Refuge". I easily recommend it for your reading. email: arrowheadofgod@yahoo.com . The author's name is 'Toye Akinola. Well, I can say that, 100% of a donation goes fully into the work of the Lord: gasoline, food, publications, clothing that is distributed to the poor, and operation of the fledgling grade school that must soon get accreditation by the Nigerian government.
"I wish there were a way to get money to this Christian effort without having to pay a fee; however, Western Union is fully capable to getting money safely to him. If this is done online, the fee charged to you is less than if you go to an office of theirs. The amount of money I have sent over the past years is probably around $1,500 but I don't keep track of it, and the evangelism team is so grassroots, so to speak, they do not provide official receipts. Olayinka Peter is a man of about 37 years of age and he has recently married for the first time. His wife Bola is soon to graduate from college and I have sent money to him and specified that it should go to her education expenses. This lady was chosen to be chairperson of the Christian clubs on campus during this current year, and it has been a nice experience for her.
"What do you get out of giving to this small but effective ministry of Olayinka Peter's? First, I have found that the Lord God prompts my heart on occasion to give a certain amount through the Western Union to him. Second, being a creative writer, I have enjoyed producing as a partner with him certain little evangelism printed materials and he has given me reports on how well these are being accepted in his work with non-believers and Christians. Third, when I tell him of my prayer needs and friends of mine who are in need of prayer, this evangelism team begins to pray for the need and, appreciated by me, they continue to pray for a concern until I can report that situations have changed. Lastly, because I operate a website, Peter has sent me photos that are interesting to add to the www.BerkeleyVersion.com website.
"Olayinka Peter is a conservative person and will well use any money that you can support the ministry outreach efforts with. His team comes from recognized churches in the area, and he is occasionally asked to conduct services at the churches themselves. All these folks of his are growing in the Lord; however, Peter is a good manager and leader already and his wife has these same qualities as well. Within ten years, I predict, their ministry shall be known country-wide. The country of Nigeria is growing in its population almost greater than any other African country, and there is much Christian-Muslim strife almost every year. The small fact that Abdul-Razaq Olayinka Peter was born a Muslim but converted to Christianity (because this first happened to his brother) will be a bridge between these religions for better communication and possible peace in the future--at least that is my hope.
"Well, this has been a lengthy email, but I hope that it well-enough summarizes the type of ministry outreach Olayinka Peter, wife Bola, and evangelism team have there in the Northwest corner of Nigeria, and that you will confidently support this ministry in the future. Your interest thus far I can well imagine he appreciates; all such is an encouragement to these folks. If you have any specific question I would be happy to try to answer."
(signed) Yours, in the Lord, Clif Moberg Woodland, California