MAY 2004

Dear fellow laborers and supporters in Christ,

       Can you envision wearing a T-shirt sporting this logo: "Jesus is my homeboy"? (Mary Lou Creamer, "Jesus is the New King of Pop Culture", Port Huron [MI] Times Herald, April 24, 2004)? A youth pastor in Clyde Township MI offered this perspective, "Idolatry and instant fame, certainly the media has helped to generate that so our society tends to grandiose everybody. Now it's Jesus. He walks on water, is faster than a speeding bullet and flies. He's our superhero."

       Can you see something wrong here? Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, worthy of all reverence and worship. Pop culture reduces Him to an icon, trivializing Him. Would you place your eternal salvation in the hands of a "homeboy" or "superhero"? I wouldn't.

       Time for our monthly updates:

       Jewish outreach ministry: Larry, a Jewish man we met at a Toastmasters meeting, asked me how I went from being a practicing Jew to become a Baptist minister. I shared with him my testimony, and added that I hadn't changed religions but entered into a personal relationship with God through my faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that the Holy Spirit convict Larry and show him his need of the Savior.

       Janet, our Orthodox Jewish friend, presented me with with a theological challenge. "How can Christians say that Jesus Christ was a sacrifice for their sins? Doesn't the Torah forbid human sacrifice?" In response, I pointed her to Genesis 22 (where God asked Abraham to offer his son Isaac [a type of Christ] as an offering). I also noted Isa. 53:10, which described Messiah as "an offering for sin" ("Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand."). Janet is curious about what Christians believe and why. Please pray for her salvation.

       Bible study: We're still studying John 16 ("The Savior's Final Discourse to His Disciples"). This is part of a Bible I prepared entitled "The Savior's Last Week", a study I started in March 2003.

       Keep praying for: Bill (family matters), Beverly (health concerns and an unspoken request), Christopher (family health concerns, financial concerns), Isobel (getting a second job, knowing God's will for her life), Rich and Eunice (Rich: remission from cancer; Eunice: family concerns), as they begin their new life as husband and wife, and Tim (family concerns).

       Remember to pray especially for Chloe, who needs to get out of a relationship which is contrary to God's Word but is afraid to do so. First and foremost, though, I believe she needs to be saved.

       Nursing home ministry: Stanley and Rhoda continue to do well. Rose spends much of her time sleeping in bed; Carol and I fear she may be dying. Keep these Jewish souls in your prayers!

       Ray still appears to be difficult to reach. Yet he introduced us to his roommate John, also a Jewish man. I started sharing the gospel with John but he walked away. Please keep praying for both of them.

      A praise: John (Westminster [not the man mentioned above]) accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior!

       Personal concerns: Thank you for praying for my foot! The swelling has disappeared and I'm able to walk comfortably again. Gout and arthritis seem to be my "thorns in the flesh", but praise God! -- He gives me the wherewithal to endure it.

       Carol continues to do well. In the nursing home ministry especially, her kindness melts hearts everywhere!

       The cost of the September Ukraine trip has risen slightly (from $1700 to 1900, including the cost of the Ukrainian visa). By God's grace, to my knowledge as of this writing, approximately three-quarters of that amount has been contributed to me by faithful supporting churches and individuals, like yourselves. These demonstrations of God's provision continue to overwhelm and humble me. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!

       Would you prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift to help support me as a part of this effort? Please mail your gift to IBJM and write in the designation line, "Oshman-Ukrainian Trip." Thank you and God bless you for your concern for Jewish souls!

       Until our next letter, may God bless and keep you!

Mark A. Oshman
Carol M. Oshman