May is Digital Outreach Month

"You have an incredible gift at your fingertips - literally. Your keyboard," says the team at Internet Evangelism Day. They claim there is growing potential to share the good news online in a variety of ways. Christians can investigate these options during May, which has been designated Digital Outreach Month. At its center is the worldwide annual focus Sunday, Internet Evangelism Day itself, on May 15.

"You do not need to be technical," says Tony Whittaker, IE Day coordinator. "There are many simple yet fulfilling ways of being salt and light in cyberspace."

On May 15, IE Day is partnering with several major publishers to offer free e-book downloads of Christian titles which are normally pay-for. These cover web evangelism, social networking and other areas of effective communication.

"This is a great opportunity to explore digital evangelism. I encourage Christians everywhere to take advantage of these free downloads to learn how to effectively share their faith in the digital world," says Naomi Frizzell, Chief Communications Officer of The Lausanne Movement.

IE Day encourages churches and other groups to focus on digital evangelism during May, at any level they choose. As a minimum, IE Day can be featured in a church bulletin, so that members can investigate its resource website. Alternatively, focus spots can be created during meetings using IE Day's free downloadable video clips or PowerPoint, or even perform a drama sketch that relates to online evangelism. Two new video-clip resource sites could be showcased live by projection, to demonstrate how to add an evangelistic video to Facebook with one click. These videos can also be downloaded to a mobile phone to share face-to-face.

IE Day's site includes pages on using mobile phones for evangelism, creating 'outsider-friendly' church websites and introductory videos, social networking, how to blog or build a website, and much else. Explore www.IEDay.net to learn more.

NOTE: As technology advances, the James Croft Evangelistic Association believes Christians must keep up with it, using the tools God gives us to spread His Word so that all may know Him.  Visit our ministry website for the various ways we use internet technologies.

Elim Baptist on Sunday

I will be preaching in supply at Elim Baptist Church this Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 11am & 6pm.  Please be in prayer for this church as they search for a pastor.  The church is located on County Road 238 in Fort White, Florida.  For more information call (386) 497-4686.

Olustee Block Party Saturday

The James Croft Evangelistic Association will have an exhibit at the 3rd Annual Block Party sponsored by First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida this Saturday, April 30, 2011.  The event will be held 1-6pm along Pintail Road in Olustee near the Olustee Train Depot Museum.  The party will feature a K-9 unit demonstration, a two-lane slide & bounce house for the kids, games, a dunking booth, one mile fun run, Sparky the fire dog, cakewalk, plenty of free food and much more.  First Baptist of Olustee Music Director Kevin Owen will provide special music.  For more information about the event call Pastor Mike Williams at (386) 438-9717.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

S-T-O-R-M

FOX News is reporting over 70 people have been killed as tornado-spawning storms moved through southern states on Wednesday.  Read the story and watch a video here.

I have also embedded two videos of tornadoes below that illustrate the power of these storms.

I hope everyone will be in prayer for those impacted by these storms and for all of the rescue and emergency workers.

The best way to weather the "STORM" is to Simply Trust Our Risen Messiah.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


4-27-11 Tornado Tuscaloosa, Al from Crimson Tide Productions on Vimeo.

Historical marker dedicates site of Billy Graham’s first sermon

PALATKA (FBW)—A little over 200 years after the First Great Awakening swept the American colonies, an unknown Bible student by the name of Billy Graham stepped into the pulpit of the tiny Bostwick Baptist Church in Palatka to preach his first sermon.


It was Easter Sunday night, March 28, 1937, and Graham, with shaking knees and sweaty hands, went through all four of the sermons he prepared in advance—in eight minutes.

The beloved evangelist, who has since spoken in person to roughly 210 million individuals, got his start as an 18-year-old, preaching to a humble congregation of about 40, including ranchers and cowboys in denim overalls and women in cotton dresses.

Read more on Florida Baptist Witness.

NOTE: During a recent revival trip, I visited the Billy Graham Museum for the first time.  I have a few photos posted in the Spartanburg, SC 2011 gallery.

The Ultimate 5pm Worker

The Back Pew

Evergreen Gospel Fest Friday

I will be preaching during the 2nd annual Gospel Fest at Evergreen Baptist Church this Friday, April 29, 2011.  The service will begin at 7pm and will feature special music by Lisa Moore, owner of WGSG Christian Radio in Mayo, Florida.  The flyer below contains the complete line-up.  The church is located at 2509 224th Street, just off SR247, south of Lake City, Florida.  For more information or directions call (386) 935-3497.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Too Good To Be True?

Our Daily Bread

Read: Luke 24:1-12

 

Their words seemed to [the disciples] like idle tales, and they did not believe them. —Luke 24:11

 

In the 1980s, John Knoll and his brother Thomas began experimenting with a computer program to manipulate images. Software companies thought they were crazy, because photographers didn’t use computers at that time. Initially the brothers called their program Display, then Imaginator, and finally they settled on Photoshop®. Today Photoshop® is used by amateurs at home and professionals in business around the world. A San Jose Mercury News article noted its place in popular language. When something looks too good to be true, people say, “It must have been Photoshopped.”

On the first Easter morning, the women who took spices to anoint the body of Jesus found the tomb empty and heard angels say, “He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6). When the women told this to the disciples, “Their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them” (v.11). Nonsense! Mind-boggling! Too good to be true!

If someone manipulated the evidence, then millions of people around the world gather today to celebrate a myth. But if Jesus conquered death, then all He said about forgiveness, power to change, and eternal life is real.

Because Christ has risen and lives today, this news is too good not to be true!

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign. —Lowry

The resurrection is a fact of history that demands a response of faith.

New To The Faith

Do You Know?

Here's a few "Do you know?" questions...



Click here for a text version and more information.

Sin Hurts

Our Daily Bread

Read: Hebrews 2:10-18

 

He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many. —Isaiah 53:12

Sooner or later we all feel the painful effects of sin. Sometimes it’s the weight of our own sin and the shame and embarrassment of having failed miserably. At other times, it’s the load of someone else’s sin that weighs us down—someone who betrayed, deceived, abandoned, ridiculed, cheated, or made a fool of us.

Think about a time when the weight of that guilt or pain was so heavy that you couldn’t pull yourself out of bed. Now try to imagine the heaviness of the combined grief that everyone’s sin has caused your family, your church, your neighborhood. Add to that all the suffering sin has caused everyone in your city, state, nation, and the world. Now try to imagine the accumulated grief that sin has caused throughout the centuries since creation.

Is it any wonder that the weight of all this sin began squeezing the life out of Jesus on the night He was called to bear it? (Matt. 26:36-44). The next day, even His beloved Father would forsake Him. No other suffering can compare.

Sin put Jesus to the ultimate test. But His love endured it, His strength bore it, and His power overcame it. Thanks to Jesus’ death and resurrection, we know beyond a doubt that sin will not and cannot win.

Is God aloof from human pain
That ravages our mortal frame?
Oh, no, Christ felt our agony
When sin and death He overcame! —D. De Haan

Christ’s empty tomb guarantees our victory over sin and death.

Elim Baptist on May 1st

I will be preaching in supply at Elim Baptist Church on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 11am & 6pm.  Please be in prayer for this church as they search for a pastor.  The church is located on County Road 238 in Fort White, Florida.  For more information call (386) 497-4686.

Food for Thought?

Think portion distortion is recent? Look at how much food portion sizes, plate sizes, and bread sizes have increased over the millennium. Craig and Brian Wansink analyzed the "food-by-head" ratio in the 52 most famous paintings of Christ's Last Supper shows increases in portion size (69%), plate size (66%), and bread size (23%) over the millennium.

Rock Sink Revival in May

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Americans embrace pluralism, poll says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A majority of Americans mostly reject universalism -- the belief that all people will be saved -- but nevertheless believe that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, with a plurality saying that good works are the key to entrance into heaven, according to a new analysis of Barna surveys.

The data, released April 18, shows that millions of adults reject the clear teachings of Scripture that faith alone, in Christ alone is necessary for salvation. Although Americans may distance themselves from universalism, they tend to embrace pluralism -- the belief that different religions lead to heaven.

By a 48-44 percent margin, U.S. adults believe that "if a person is generally good or does enough good things for others, they will earn a place in heaven." Also, 59 percent of Americans believe that "Christians and Muslims worship the same God," although only 43 percent believe that "the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truth."

Read more about this poll on Baptist Press.

IRS Branch Office

The Back Pew

Follow

Throughout the course of his public ministry, Jesus knew both the adoration and desertion of the crowds. Today, just as 2,000 years ago, the gospel asks a question that demands an answer: Will we follow? This video by Igniter Media illustrates this truth through the dynamic lens of a 21st-century social network.

National Day of Prayer upheld by 7th Circuit

WASHINGTON (BP)--A federal appeals court reversed April 14 a 2010 ruling that had invalidated the National Day of Prayer.

A three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago struck down in a unanimous decision federal judge Barbara Crabb's opinion that a law establishing a day for the observance was unconstitutional. The appellate ruling came almost one year to the day of Crabb's controversial ruling.

Last year's 66-page decision by the judge from Wisconsin's Western District had threatened a tradition as old as the American republic and a specific observance in effect for nearly 60 years. Congress passed a resolution in 1952 calling on the president to establish the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, which President Truman initiated the same year and which presidents since have recognized with proclamations. In 1988, Congress amended the law to set the first Thursday of May for its observance.

Read more on Baptist Press.

If God Filed A Tax Return

The Back Pew

TECHNOLOGY: In this realm, the youth can lead

Point of View by Aaron Linne
Baptist Press


With the announcement of the iPad 2, Steve Jobs gave some very clear statistics that herald our move into the post-PC world: more than 200 million iTunes Store accounts, 15 millions iPads sold in 10 months, and more than 65,000 apps available. These are touch points for just one company; it doesn’t include all sorts of gadgets and applications that are coming out from Google, Microsoft and the hundreds of companies we’ve never heard of from other countries.

The speed of technology adoption is moving faster than we can comprehend; it’s moving so fast that we’re not even seeing it even though we’re a part of it. Amazon recently announced that they are selling more Kindle books than paperback books; before the end of the year we can likely expect them to announce that they are selling more Kindle books than physical books total.

Read more on Florida Baptist Witness.

Financial Investments

(Click image to enlarge)

I would like to thank everyone that has offered your support in the various ministries of the JCEA. Our ministries involve many facets that do not include financial compensation, i.e. school presentations, prison services, nursing home ministry, internet videos, etc. The only way I am able to dedicate the time and talents the Lord has blessed me with is through the offering of your prayers, your time and talents, and your generous financial donations. I pray the Lord blesses you tremendously for your investment. This investment may not see returns while on earth, but will certainly be realized in Heaven!

Again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and with a sincere appreciation for all you do to further the Kingdom of God!

For more information about the James Croft Evangelistic Association or to financially invest in these ministries visit our website or use the buttons below.

Financial Contributions

To make an investment in one or more of our three ministry areas with your credit card or PayPal click the appropriate "Donate" button(s) below. To make a contribution by check or money order follow this link.

JCEA Donation Click this button to make a donation to be used as needed.

JOY Box Donation Click this button to make a donation to the JCEA  JOY Box Ministry.  Donations will be used to cover expenses in providing shoe box gifts to nursing home residents.

Ghana, West Africa Donation Click this button to make a donation to assist with ongoing ministry activities in Ghana, West Africa.

 
 NOTE:  The James Croft Evangelistic Association is registered with the IRS as a 501(C)(3) corporation and all donations to the JCEA are tax deductible.

JCEA Exhibiting at Block Party

The James Croft Evangelistic Association will have an exhibit at the 3rd Annual Block Party sponsored by First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida on Saturday, April 30, 2011.  The event will be held 1-6pm along Pintail Road in Olustee near the Olustee Train Depot Museum.  The party will feature a K-9 unit demonstration, a two-lane slide & bounce house for the kids, games, a dunking booth, one mile fun run, Sparky the fire dog, cakewalk, plenty of free food and much more.  First Baptist of Olustee Music Director Kevin Owen will provide special music.  For more information about the event call Pastor Mike Williams at (386) 438-9717.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Revival Services Scheduled In Old Town, FL

I will be preaching revival services at Rock Sink Baptist Church in May.  The services will begin on Sunday morning, May 15, 2011 at 11am and continue at 7pm nightly through Wednesday, May 18th.  The church is located at 471 NE 816th Ave. in Old Town, Florida.  For more information or directions call Pastor Terry Cranford at (352) 542-9488.

Cardio Regimen

Evergreen Gospel Fest Poster

(click image to enlarge)

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Mobile phones and other devices

The potential for evangelism

The desire to be in touch with people and information 24/7 has led to the huge growth in mobile cell phones and other mobile devices.  Over 90% of the world’s population now lives within a mobile reception area. There are about 4 billion mobile phone users (equivalent to more than half the world’s population) and many of these are in the non-western Majority World, often in 10/40 Window countries. There are more mobile phones used in Africa than USA. The mobile systems in Japan and Korea are more advanced than almost anywhere. It is a hugely significant medium. Unlike a computer, a mobile is always with you – an integrated part of you and your lifestyle.

Mobile devices are transforming communication and development in the non-Westerm world (see links and video clips in Section 9 below) and also have great potential for evangelism and discipleship.

Read more: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz1IwGInkNY

at Internet Evangelism Day

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

4 Saved in Tamale Services

Evangelist Ralph

Evangelist Raphael (Ralph) Adjei Kingbi, Ghana Ministry Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association, led revival services last week in the capital city of Ghana's Northern Region.  Four people were saved during the five days of meetings held at Ridge Presbyterian Church in Tamale, Ghana.  The theme for the services was "The Cross in today's contemporary world."

According to Evangelist Ralph's Facebook posts, he narrowly escaped some "commotion" traveling to one of the services and was detained in a curfew on another night.

For more information about the Ghana ministry of James Croft Evangelistic Association visit these links:

JCEA Ghana Ministry
Ghana Ministry News
Evangelist Ralph on Facebook

You can assist the JCEA and Evangelist Ralph in this ministry by investing financially by credit card, PayPal, check or money order.

Ghana Ministry Donation Click this button to make a donation to the JCEA Ghana Ministry.  Donations will be used to cover expenses in evangelism efforts, discipleship and children's programs.

To make a contribution by check or money order follow this link.

 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”    Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

Lacoochee Cook-A-Bout

I will be preaching during a youth fund raiser at First Baptist Church of Lacoochee on Saturday, May 14, 2011.  The event, called a Cook-A-Bout, will offer you the ability to walk around sampling food right from the cooker.  There will also be music, games and door prizes.  A donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12 will be accepted.  The church is located at 21012 Bower Road in Lacoochee, Florida.  For information or tickets call Russell Linville at (352) 206-4084.

Blind Ref?

The Back Pew

Bible Versions Poll Results

Our Blog Poll #31 question was, "What is your favorite version of the Bible?" and the results are:

* King James/Authorised (KJV)  7 (19%)
* New International (NIV)  6 (16%)
* New King James (NKJV)  7 (19%)
* New Living Translation (NLT)  2 (5%) 
* New American Standard (NASB)  5 (13%)
* English Standard (ESV)  4 (11%)
* New Revised Standard (NRSV)  0 (0%)
* The Message (Msg)  0 (0%)
* Holman Christian Standard (HCSB)  3 (8%)
* The Living Bible (LB)  0 (0%)
* Other  2 (5%)
* I don't read the Bible.  0 (0%)

Total Votes: 36

Thank you for participating!

Voted #1 April Fools Prank in HISTORY