Set Free! 

Mark 1:41-44 - Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

What is the key to having a life of impact? Compassion. That's it! Compassion is the fuel that allows a man to become more like his God. Compassion moves you to live beyond yourself. It moves you to do what the world would not do. 

Jesus was filled with compassion. Compassion for the sick, compassion for the hurting; compassion for the hungry, compassion for the lonely; compassion for the blind, compassion for the confused; compassion for the lost, and even compassion for his enemies (Luke 23:34). 

Am I filled with compassion? Do I want to be? Do I think and pray about it? These are all good questions for us to ponder. 

Jesus was willing to heal this man, and immediately he was healed! When Jesus engages, things can happen quickly. Then Jesus warned him strongly to tell no one, but to go present himself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded.

If you browse back to the Old Testament, you will find the following in Lev 14:49-53 (paraphrased): "The man is to bring two birds. One should be killed, and his blood poured into a bowl. The other bird should be dipped in the blood of the dead bird, and then set free." 

Wow, what an illustration! Two birds--one bird dies for the other. One bird dies, and through his blood the other is set free. The application to us is striking. If it wasn't for Jesus's blood, there is no way we could be set free.

As we come to the end of our missions month, we pray for a world that is lost. The real work of saving this world is not done by us. The real cost is the blood of Jesus. We just help others to be dipped, so they can be set free. 

Thank you for dedicating your life, your time, your heart and all the resources God gave you, to help set men free the way you have been set free. Pray for all the saints today, that they will be filled with compassion!

Pray for the Portland, Maine Church Planting

Acts 18:9-10 - "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."

One night in Corinth, Paul had a vision that was very encouraging.  God encouraged him to keep on speaking and not be silent, because God was with Paul and there were many in that city who were open to the gospel. Through his Spirit, God has moved us to realize and believe the same thing in the great city of Portland, Maine.

This summer my family and 18 others will be moving up to plant the church in Portland! There are also many others that are still interested in being a part of the mission team as well. God is moving powerfully, as we have seen many people in the Portland area waiting for the church to be planted. Several family members and friends of disciples that live in Portland have been studying the Bible with disciples around New England, and desire to be baptized and come to church as soon as we get there.  This is not surprising, because Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful!  

Portland, Maine has a population of 350,000 in a state of over 1 million. There are also 25,000 campus students in the Greater Portland area. The campus ministry will provide a great opportunity to train up the next generation of leaders in the church. There are also many single professionals in Portland that will provide incredible leadership as well as stability. Many families live in the greater Portland area as well, and are looking for answers for their marriages and their children. God has many in this city.

This summer, in addition to the 18 moving up we will be having 12 others come and help us evangelize. We are calling this effort "Operation Vacationland," since Maine is known as New England's vacationland. These 12 disciples are not going to be on vacation, but they will be sharing their faith radically, and will be trained in several facets of ministry including leading one-on-one Bible studies, leading discussion groups, and learning to preach and teach publicly. In addition, many family groups from around New England will come up during the summer and fall to help us evangelize, and to encourage the church in our first few months.

Please pray that we can see many baptisms this summer before our first official service on September 12, 2010.  Pray that our inaugural service will glorify God, and that many new people will begin studying the Bible. If you or your family group are interested in coming to Portland to help us evangelize this summer or fall, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Even if you cannot come on the team, you can still be part of this effort to evangelize Portland, Maine!

Churches are being planted again in New England, as Storrs has been planted and now Portland.  Many more need to be planted, because in each of our cities there are many that are waiting for someone to share the gospel with them.  Please pray for us and the team, that we can build a church that is a family that glorifies God and reaches many for Jesus Christ. Thank you for your love, support and prayers.

Glenn & Danielle Petruzzi