International Messengers' Trip East

I look forward to partnering with International Messengers again in two English-Teaching camps. In between each camp I will help a local leader conduct follow-up.

Where: Somewhere East of the Atlantic

When: June 23rd through August 16th 

Why: Support and boost the small, yet growing, community. Reconnect and cultivate friendships made during last year's trip.

Who: Several families befriended by the community, seeking answers to life's questions, will attend one camp. The other camp will invite local youth. Also, this time I will be spending more time with the leaders of this community seeking direction for me in the future.

If you are led, please make checks payable to International Messengers and put CCW in the memo. Send them to the address included below. The amount required is around $4,000.  Thank you for your thoughts and financial support.

International Messengers

PO Box 618

Clear Lake, IA  50428-0618

Phone: (800) 243-6763

Email: office@im-usa.org

Held Captive, Set Free

Ever wonder how and why someone could walk away from mercy? Have you tried to help someone and they only seemed to become more angry with you? Here at Faith Discipleship Center (FDC), we have seen many residents leave unadvised. The last few months have been difficult – loaded with many disappointments and hair-pulling situations. Even in all that, the Lord is prevailing among certain souls! I shall testify to both.

In the first two months of my time here, I witnessed two men make foolish choices in words and actions which caused their dismissal. Grieved and discouraged, I wondered whether I was in the right place. Then in October of 2016, Jesus was speaking to me through a conference the entire FDC attended in Michigan. He was confronting one of my passions. He spoke this to me: “You must care for the residents to the point where it causes you pain to see their pain.” Up to that point my self-protective pride was keeping me from deeply caring about the men in my flock. I did not want to feel the pain of disappointment if one of them failed. It was good of the Father to give a clear word about that and I clung to my commitment.

One man, fresh out of jail, arrived at FDC repentant and ready to draw close to Jesus. I discipled him, and the Lord grew us both through this relationship. I saw things in him that mirrored my own weaknesses, which helped me to repent and continue helping him. In the course of time, this man got a job, and at this point his passion for work started to replace his passion for Jesus. When I confronted him about this, he didn’t hear me. His passion for Jesus never did re-emerge. A couple months before graduation, his grandmother died, and his faith was tested. We were all rooting for him to finish this program, but he decided to leave a month early. When our passion isn't for Jesus, life’s problems become insurmountable; however, when Jesus is our passion, we become willing to do just about anything – even a 9-month program.

David D

Even among many disappointments there are tokens of encouragement. Not all is doom and gloom. David D, who arrived shortly after the previous described resident proved that it is a small world. I had met his mother and step-dad through friends in Wisconsin before I ever moved to Iowa. There was no referral on my part, but just a surprise to them and me. It was very ironic and most comforting to have a fellow Wisconsinite among us. David has been an exemplary resident, helping others with fitness and diet regimens, and setting a good example by taking the program seriously. Let's hear it from him.

My name is David and I have been a resident at the Faith Discipleship Center in Oelwein, IA for close to eight months, with completion of the program slated for May 2017.

I grew up in a mid-sized city in Wisconsin where alcohol is a major factor in many social events. I attended college in Wisconsin, and alcohol became a lifestyle. After graduating, it followed me in my career path and as a single male, going out to drink socially and meet women were one in the same.

The Three Amigos

My professional career led to opportunities in traveling. In conjunction, my use of alcohol became more prominent in everyday life, yet I was not aware of the grip it had taken on me. Without acknowledging it, alcohol quickly became my adviser and my drinking morphed into an addiction.

My increased consumption rapidly led to a divorce and loss of employment. My supportive family urged me to get professional help, but I believed that I could handle it on my own terms. The addiction became cyclical, and my short periods of sobriety would end with long terms of binge drinking. I finally needed to get honest and reach out for help.

I moved to Iowa late last summer to begin a new approach in my recovery journey at Faith Discipleship Center. I came in a few weeks after Joel came on board as staff at FDC. Since I met Joel, there has been a lot of learning experiences that I’ve been able to glean from him. There have been times when things became difficult and he has provided an insight from a different perspective. He has taught the men here at the center about grace, mercy, and forgiveness from his personal viewpoint and experiences. I am grateful that God led Joel to FDC and the example that he has displayed from which we have learned. God uses everything for His glory and in the end He will receive the Glory.

My newfound hope and trust is not based on psychology or clinical diagnosis, as much as I respect them. There is a promise of hope for anyone dealing with any type of addiction and that promise is Jesus Christ. I have finally realized that He has been the answer which I have been seeking.

Subaru Drivers

Even though the enemy has taken many souls captive (2 Tim 2:26), Jesus has commanded us not be afraid, because we are to catch men back (Luke 5:11). The same Greek word is used in both verses: zogreo. The word means to take alive, to capture or ensnare. The world and the prince of this world has taken souls captive by the stimulation of the flesh – a subtle lie. Sin is pleasurable for a season, but after a while, (hopefully) one realizes what he has traded for this fleeting pleasure. Ultimately a man can trade his very soul – his unique identity. It is not worth it. Please, pray for the staff and residents at FDC. Pray that the Lord would free us to love Jesus with more of our hearts.

Thank you,

Joel Huebner

Ministered To By The Harvest Field

Ministered To By The Harvest Field

How will God use you for His glory? Where should you invest your heart and energy? For the past two years the Lord has hemmed me in at two discipleship programs wrestling with those ideas. After struggling with these questions, the Lord sent me first abroad and then back to the US for domestic ministry. Two groups of elders affirmed a short-term venture to the Middle East. The elder board at Evergreen Center (EC) blessed the trip and the committee members for the Faith Discipleship Center (FDC) postponed the start date for the staff position in Iowa. Everything seemed to fall into place, and by mid-July I was eastbound over the Atlantic. Although the team came with the intent to teach English, we learned a lot – especially me. Much of what the liberal media in the United States feeds the masses is incorrect. In an oppressive culture enveloped by hate there existed a people full of love. From where does this love come? Who are these people? Allow me to introduce one such person and his story in which he first encountered this overwhelming love. Meet Ala’a:

Hello, my name is Ala'a Khoury. When ‏I was eighteen years old, I was engrossed in the world and the lusts of the world. Alcohol, cigarettes, and much of my time was spent on girlfriends. I was very far from God. Even though I went to church, I felt nothing. When I turned twenty-two years of age I graduated from my university and I was in the same situation. Then this wandering soul moved from town to town, taking various jobs. I was not successful in my jobs, and work became very tiresome. I spent late nights with friends, drinking and playing cards.

One night I reached the stage of absolute helplessness about everything in the night-life and I said, “Lord, where are You? You are nowhere present.” I said to myself, “There is no God.” Again I spoke to Him, “If you do exist, come O God,” and I went to sleep. In the morning a strange number was ringing my phone. When I answered, I heard Pastor Imad on the other end. He told me that I came to his mind.

Three years prior, I had met the pastor, at a prayer meeting. How he came by my number, I do not know. He explained his call: “I want to meet with you,” and we met and spoke about God. He invited me to church and I met with him every week. I felt so wonderfully loved by him. ‏I asked him, “What is this love that you told me about – this love of God?” I went to my house on that day and as I lay down to sleep I thanked the Lord, “Lord, thank you! Thank you, Lord, for their love for me!”

I started to attend every meeting at church with the pastor, and invited God into my life. Seeking God through prayer every night changed my life. I received generous employment and stable transportation with my own car. Now I give back as I serve the youth of my church and live my life in all peace. With the Lord Jesus there is more beauty in God, and the beautiful thing is that God is close to one of his children; He will never leave me. He will never leave you. Thank you, Lord Jesus! ‏That’s my story.

‏Ala'a Khoury

This was a life-changing experience and my heart remains open to the Lord's direction and calling to the Middle East. However, I'm held by financial conviction. The support for this trip has yet to come in and I'm grateful for the trust the sending ministry holds in me. I will not venture on another trip, though I have been asked, until the Lord provides partners in such a ministry. There were a couple supporters who were willing to scramble some financial aid, but more is yet needed. I'm not asking for hand-outs, but partnerships. For every donation received I will match from my savings. This is how I'm led in this situation. Please, contact me.

Upon returning to the States I moved to Iowa and began the ministry the Lord called me to there. He has prepared a place for me as the Assistant Director at the Men's Faith Discipleship Center in Oelwein, IA. Serving in this position has opened my eyes to the other side of authority. In the past, when I was a program participant, I had a great distaste for authority and this soured many relationships. As Jesus has put me in a place of small authority He has grown my understanding and empathy for my previous leaders. This has been both humbling and maturing. I would not trade it for anything. Jesus continues to challenge my love for sinners. No one can out-love Jesus, but He continues to beckon me to deeper love for those who are in desperate need of His love and mercy through me. The Lord has mercy on souls; therefore, must needs I have mercy also upon souls. Stories of God's mercy lavished upon someone are so encouraging. Meet Chris:

Posing in Viroqua, WI  Top: The Petersheims
Bottom: Joel, Josh Bicknese, Chris Serbeck

Hello! My name is Christopher L. Serbeck Sr. I am 43 years old and from New Jersey. I have been addicted to drugs for 30 years. In and out of jails and rehabs (facilities) I used drugs because I was always looking for something to fill this void in my life. In January of 2015 I confessed Jesus to be my Savior while enrolled in a previous faith-based center, similar to FDC. Even though I stumbled after leaving that program Jesus has given me the grace and mercy to be able to come to this ministry. After a few weeks into my stay here, Joel came on board as a staff member. Since I met Joel there has been a lot of learning experiences through him. There have been times when things were tough and he has brought insight from a different perspective. He has taught us here at the center about grace, mercy, and forgiveness that was given to him while attending other programs in Wisconsin and Kentucky. I think that God has called Joel here at FDC both to teach us new things and also for his benefit, so he will continue learning. God uses everything for His glory and in the end He will get the Glory. Thank you for allowing me to share.

People invest in many things: cars, real estate, businesses, or even mutual funds. All these will pass away eventually; however, eternal investments reap eternal profits. I used to think this was merely giving money to ministries. However, the Lord has allowed me to see that His Kingdom goes deeper than ministries and mission organizations. “...For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). God's Kingdom is found in you, me, and the next brother. It will manifest itself in His People. When we invest our time and heart into His People, they become the very “crown” which we shall present to the King (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thes. 2:19). Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost,” and we are called to do likewise (Luke 19:10). Please, prayerfully consider partnering with me in this work God has before us. Thank you for all of your prayers and help thus far. May He bless you during this Christmas season! Check out more pictures by following the blog below!

Joel Huebner

305 6th St. NW

Oelwein, IA 50662

(715) 252-1503 jhueb298@gmail.com smokingflax423.blogspot.com

Bonus Photos

Mama Joan and Daddy Dar, two of the many surrogate parents by whom the Lord has blessed me. There is always a place for me. I stayed on their farm the weeks leading up to the trip to the Middle East.

The Metz family provided a ride to the Chicago airport. Mr. Metz included my attendance to his mother's birthday 
party in Aurora.

Amazing: this Arab and Ukrainian are speaking to one another in Russian. 

The students were spelling as many words in English as they could with scrabble pieces. Their passion to know English surpasses any educational zeal I've witnessed yet.

They had serious fun learning, too!

It was such a joy to teach!

Faith Discipleship Center Labor Day picnic!





Fishing!

 The 
Outdoors!

Dan Richter catching a whopper! 

Joshua Bicknese, Dan Richter, Joel Zupke, and Chris Serbeck find a baby snake on their hike on the Evergreen Center Prayer Trail.

We helped lay sandbags around Cedar Rapids, IA during the flooding season. 

 It was a fun time serving others in need!

Work Projects vary from serving the community to tilling our own garden.

 The Lord adds to his ministry unique gifts and talents as He adds each resident. This fellow revived the rotor tiller. Hallelujah!

"She's 

a 

runner!"

The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to meet Brother Yun!

What's Under Your Hood?

"Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." Matthew 23:28 

Greetings Brethren,
 
     I am so thankful for the past two months. The Lord uses everyday events to reflect the ultimate purpose in life - to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Recently I purchased a new vehicle. In January Tauri the Taurus (my Silver Ford Taurus) was lost to a minor collision and I collected from my insurance company. After much car-shopping from February through March I purchased a salvaged hybrid in Detroit (Honda Insight 2013) and was surprised with sundry repairs to satisfy engine and airbag lights. The car looked very good outwardly. The mechanic restored all the body damage, but what exactly lay under the hood?

Honda Insight ("Lil Gray") Post Accident

     In May I learned of a friend planning to travel down to Arkansas in a pick-up truck. I suggested she borrow my new hybrid instead. She made it only through Illinois before she was the tail of a four-car pile-up. The Lord be praised that all four drivers were safe and unharmed. Listen to what happened next! At the body shop in Illinois this salvaged vehicle continued to be a lemon. It was at this insurance-contracted shop that certain short-cuts were discovered - the shop in Detroit left unfinished work hidden. The shop in Illinois refused to make repairs unless certain aspects of that original restoration were corrected. My insurance refused to pay for any repairs unrelated to the accident in Illinois. So, after days and weeks of contemplation it was agreed that I would invest more money so that the vehicle would meet my insurance company's operational standard. The repairs on the car should be complete by July.

"Lil Gray" in Illinois Auto Body Shop

Can you hear the Lord's lesson in all this? Though the outward restoration was complete, all the problems left on the inside made the car structurally unfit. What use is the body of a car if the engine structure is faulty? Would you drive it? Some may think, "of course not Joel, I wouldn't even purchase a car with a faulty engine." I consider my car selection a learning experience -- I will be wiser the next time I shop for a car. But don't miss the point: how sorry would we be if we were wise in our car selection, but very foolish in our soul-searching? Why do we sell ourselves short? Why hinder the work the Lord wants to do within us, by settling for merely outward change?  The Lord is not a shady mechanic. Many of us would like to settle for an outward refinish in our spiritual life. However, He is unsatisfied with that, He will continue deeper than outward restoration. He is a good mechanic Who wants to restore you and me from the inside out. The question is whether or not we will allow Him to open up our hoods and let Him deal with what really lies within. The people He sends us to will not receive effective service from shiny vessels containing horrible hypocrisies! Jesus deserves our bodies and our hearts, not our charades.

     So maybe we are willing to lay down our lives for others. If we lay down our lives, yet we have nothing but “self” or “unlove” inside, then we gain nothing and others are harmed. If we desire to lay down our lives for souls, then we must yield everything that is inside to the Mechanic Who will restore the internal injuries and garbage. I remember hearing a man's message calling Christ's servants to the middle east. Inside, my response to God was, "fine, send me there to die." His answer to me was, "No Joel, first you must die here." He was implying, "the inside". What did Christ mean when He commanded, "Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me"? We must die to our own desires and wishes and carry the burden of another's sin onward to Calvary where all sin was atoned.

     Please, pray that my “inside world” would be surrendered before God so that He can repair it and that my life would be a service to others. This summer I will be headed to Jordan and Egypt to teach English camps. I've had my reservations about short-term mission trips, but as one brother has put it, “The body of Christ needs one another in presence and in personal relationship!" And this quote is from an indigenous brother who was offered money from a short-termer rather than purchasing an airline ticket. Upon the completion of these camps I will return to the states and serve the Faith Discipleship Center of Oelwein, IA as staff for one year. Your prayers are needed to help me lay down my life for other souls. Please send your life updates my direction. Feel free to text, call, or mail me using the information below. If you are led to support financially, feel free to send checks made out to International Messengers with Joel Huebner in the memo. Send to:

International Messengers
PO Box 618
Clear Lake, IA  50428-0618

Thank you so much for your prayers,




Joel Huebner
305 6th St. NW
Oelwein, IA  50662

(201) 701-1125

jhueb298@gmail.com
(715) 252-1503
   

Highlights:

In January a friend introduced to me a ministry (Jobs for Life) which helps people develop skills to market themselves in the workforce. It was faith-based and most of my time was devoted to job-hunting.

In April, I was especially honored to witness the marriage of a good and seasoned friend, John Latta. John and I endured a life-changing discipleship program in '13 and '14 together. We not only endured the program, but we endured each other. Congratulations John and Carrie! I've never seen that many groomsmen!



The annual conference hosted by Pure Life Ministries (PLM) was a wonderful reminder (Rev 2:5) and much inward repentance can correct a man's course – Praise God! It was wonderful to visit with old friends and meet new ones. Dave and Randy supervised John and me at a PLM job-site until we graduated the program. They and the others remember us.

In May I trained with the International Messengers Jordan Team which will depart for the middle east on July 16th.


Last month the Evergreen Center Alumni Reunion June 2016 (ECAR8) was held and we were encouraged to walk as royal priests of Jesus, interceding for the souls of people.

Then He said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2 

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much,” Luke 16:10 (July-Dec 2015)

Burning Leaves at the Deterts'

Greetings Brethren,

     Many know of my earlier walk, how from 2005-2013 the Lord had me serving a local church in Wisconsin. Now through multiple discipleship programs He has been humbling me. Yes, through His Holy Spirit, God has been breaking me so that I can be more like Jesus; a servant rather than a ruler. His will is mercy; and it takes lowliness to accept His mercy and to also give it to others undeserving of that mercy.

     This extra term proceeding the completion of the 11-month internship through the Evergreen Center (EC) has included continued learning. I really am nothing without God. Will I do what He has taught me; will I do unto others the mercy He has shown me?  “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them,” (John 13:17). How that looks in each situation can only be discerned by God's Spirit – anything else is human intellect and it fails. Correction is not rejection; but even so, rejection is not the end of the world. Jesus was rejected and He invites us to share in His sufferings (Ref. Isa. 53, Philp. 3).  Besides, as Christ's lovers we consider other people's feelings more important than how we feel. Let me share some special moments with you.

Lisa, Joan, and Maria prepping the last two birds

Blessing Highlights: 

August 15th, 2015 Newell Chicken Butchering  –  Three sisters were happily completing one of the final steps in the butchering process; gutting. It was a fun time spent with some of EC's most funfilled congregates.







September 12th, 2015 Magdelana & Richard Larson's wedding – A friend of mine from college and beyond, Richard Larson, tied the knot with his beautiful bride near Seattle, WA. The tears along with radiant smiles caused their faces to sparkle with love. It was a touching ceremony and a grand reception! Thank you for including me, Lana & Richard!

Lana holding the Cases' firstborn
during the reception. (Thew,
Clarissa, Lana, and Richard)

September 18th-20th EC Fall Retreat  –  The Lord moved in a tremendous way during that last meeting on Sunday morning. We helped serve meals. The cook in the back kitchen was Leslie with her assistant Hannah; they did a great job and kept me on task. It was a great time serving under sisters.

October 24th, 2015 Viroqua Apple-Pressing   –  The annual trip to Viroqua, WI was a heart-warming weekend full of delicious cider-pressing delight. Pastor Alonzo Coiley spoke the message Sunday morning: “Are you  prepared for the Lord's return?” We shared food and fellowship with our brothers and sisters at Living Faith Church. It was a desired time to catch-up with many beloved friends. A hike through a nearby park topped off that precious weekend.

The apples were washed outside
with a garden hose outside the warehouse

     These highlights may seem insignificant to those expecting reports of huge outreaches or astounding conversion stories. The skeptical chant, “You're nothing – why don't you be something,” or “You're wasting your time; why don't you do something with your life?” are met with the Word of God. “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much,” (Luke 16:10). We must seek to be like Him Who, “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:7). This has been my goal and struggle this past term – to be nothing, so that Jesus can become everything. When I seek to see Jesus, He shows Himself in others and I am so blessed. Thank the Lord for all the wonderful people by whom He has blessed this soul!

     Please, pray both for the Lord's subduing and my yielding of my will to His. Pray for His anointing and direction in my life. I need to come down and stay down low where He is. Please send updates my direction –  we need to stay in touch.  Please, feel free to text, call, or mail me using the information below.

Thank you so much for your prayers,




Joel Huebner
N7101 14th Ct.
Almond, WI 54909

(715) 252-1503
jhueb298@gmail.com

The apple cider-pressing was conducted inside the warehouse adjacent to the church building. The weather was overcast, but the company was comforting.

Absolutely Powerless Apart From Him, John 15:5 (Jan-June 2014)

Greetings Brethren,

The Evergreen Center

     Please, to those who are unfamiliar with God's mercy to this soul, let me enlighten you. From 2005-2013 I attended, served, and was a member of a local church in Wisconsin. Through church discipline I was expelled to a ministry in Kentucky called Pure Life Ministries (PLM). Since July 2014 till now I've been interning at The Evergreen Center (EC), a discipleship training program in central Wisconsin.

     The internship through EC lasts for 11 months and fosters a consecrated environment by which God loves to work the inward change He longs to do in every soul. We have studied works by Madame Guyon, Brother Lawrence, Charles Price, Jackie Pullinger and many other consecrated saints. Living communally we continue to seek Christ's full remission of our self-life and the full indwelling of His Spirit-life in us (Luke 17:21). Only He can accomplish the inward work and He loves to answer the prayers you lift up in Jesus' name.

Summary Points: 

January  –  The Lord allowed my road-unworthy-car (Tauri the Taurus) to travel out of state (KY, OH, IA) during December and January. Many friends and I were encouraged and refreshed to see one another.

February  –  Towards the end of the trip Tauri started to misfire. Through a message playing in my car the Spirit prompted me to apply what I was hearing. God takes care of whatever we give Him, so I gave Him my car. (Isn't it just like me to give Him something broken?) Unbeknown to me, the Lord's servant, my former roommate, was waiting back at EC to repair the car. The Lord had done an amazing work in him and so he began to do amazing work on my-ehem-God's car. What a blessing! What a great way for the Lord to work healing and forgiveness in my heart towards my brother. To whom does the Lord draw you for reconciliation?

     One of the exciting things anticipated was the arrival of the very first family of interns ever to attend EC. Three Brazilians, a mother, her son and daughter came to live at EC. She planned to translate a book, What the Bible Teaches About Mercy. Unfortunately, they chose to withdraw after six weeks. The expressed reason was a difference in theology; however, many of us here come from different theological backgrounds. The question is whether or not we are able to come under another out of love. Are you able to yield to the will of another even when you think your way is best (Psalm 19:13)?

March  –  The beginning of March one of our teachers was struck with tragedy; one of his sons was allegedly murdered. All of us at EC mourned with the family and we attended the funeral. He chose to step down from teaching our class this term so he would be able to best address this situation and the Lord sent a different teacher. He also sent His mercy to the grieving family. The testimony they continue to give during their loss is far from bitterness, but an inspirational and heart-tugging conviction to deny self, hold mercy for others, thereby glorifying God. Evil will not prevail, for God is STILL good, and His love endures forever!

     An assignment which I completed in haste exposed a deep rebellion and resentment toward my leaders, of which I was blind. It took three revisions and by the end of the month the Lord finally broke through. What is your biblical responsibility towards your leaders? Obey and trust in God's authority in them (Hebrews 13:17; Titus 3:1-2; Philippians 2:3-4). Do you know everything your leaders know? Leaders have a bigger picture of a situation. An allegory which was brought up during the first correction was a military one. A good soldier has been trained to obey his superiors. Generals have more reconnaissance than foot soldiers and ground units depend upon headquarters for enemy troop movement and objectives. In this spiritual battle, the Lord has seasoned particular sheep to be shepherds. Their calling is irrevocable, but their equipping depends upon training and study. This incident was followed up with a personal study upon Meekness.


April  –  What is meekness? The ability to come under another out of love. Are you able to come down and submit to the will of another? Many of the Hebrew and Greek words were translated into humble, gentle, etc. One spoke of meekness as quantitative, as if we could handle and store meekness like we handle food, water, or any other commodity. One Greek word for meekness relates strictly with God, how a person lowers himself before God. In this abandonment and yielding to God the soul could very well appear outwardly meek to other people, but the primary meaning is the yielding of one's soul inwardly towards God: this changes a man on the inside.

     This yielding is the only way we can ever expect to receive the Word of God (James 1:21) or the baptism of His Spirit. It is required and needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). We also need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. In the past I often thought the baptism of the Holy Spirit came during my salvation experience and that was it. This is incorrect; the first disciples received and were filled with the Holy Spirit multiple times and so must we (Luke 4:1; John 20:22; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3, 5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9, 52; Ephesians 5:18). If we aren't filled with the Holy Spirit, there is a good chance that we will be filled with a different spirit (Acts 5:3; Romans 1:29).

May  –  There has only been one week in May thus far before writing this newsletter; it was one of the most difficult weeks, due to my flesh. Finally, the Lord showed me what I was like. I was exercising at a local gym (post operative physical therapy for my ACL) and on the TV was Dog Whisperer. There was a case of a Golden Labrador that was super friendly most of the time, but when it was feeding, it would lash out at anyone coming in between it and the food. The Lord told me that when people extend mercy to me, inside I'm usually like that dog, snarling and nipping at their hands of mercy. Ultimately it is God's merciful hand at which I snap. I repent of me! Help Jesus!

     Last term the Lord taught me that His glory is His mercy.  This term He has been teaching me that I am absolutely powerless apart from Him (John 15:5). On my own power and strength I will fail every time. When I surrender my efforts and ambitions of the flesh and yield to His Spirit then I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Continually He grows me to trust Him more and more with all aspects of my life.

     This is why I need your prayers more than any funding. So please, instead of your check book this time, ask the Lord in prayer to provide wisdom, guidance, and direction for my soul. Yes, pray as led, please. This is what I need most. Thank you for all of the prayer warriors who, like Jesus, intercede for my soul!

     I will be speaking here on the Sunday morning of May 31st.  If you would like to attend the meeting, it starts at 10:30am.  Also, EC will hold a graduation ceremony on June 19th at 6:30pm.  Both events would bless you with a great opportunity to hear what the Lord has been doing.
Please feel free to send your updates my direction; I'd love to hear about your life. I plan to send out one more letter this year, closer to Christmas. So, let me know your updated email address if you are interested in receiving the updates electronically. Please, feel free to text, call, or post me.

A graduate from last term viewing a picture with the
Residential Adviser during a visit to the Milwaukee Domes.

Thank you so much for your prayers,




Joel Huebner
N7101 14th Ct.
Almond, WI 54909

(715) 252-1503 jhueb298@gmail.com

Saved And Restored By His Sovereign MERCY! (July-Dec 2013)

Greetings Brethren,


The Lord has been extremely merciful to this grievous soul. Removal from the past life was crucial. Please, allow me to share. From 2005 to 2013 I attended, served, and was a member of a local church in Stevens Point, WI. As a member, a covenant was signed and in August of 2013 the elders held their end of that covenant and expelled me to a ministry in Kentucky called Pure Life Ministries (PLM). Praise the Lord!


At PLM I learned that truly I was not seeking God with my whole heart. There was so much inward unbelief, cynicism, and skepticism. A lot of head knowledge had puffed me up and a lot of disappointments had let me down. No one would be able to exactly tell, judging from the outside, but that cannot fool the Lord. He loves souls too much to ignore such hypocrisy and double-mindedness.


Throughout the eight month program He led me down a path of lowliness, that I may truly be a part of His Heavenly Kingdom (Mt 5:3). This is the door of repentance in which any of us can walk through, if we heed His voice. As I left PLM, a particular verse was given to me, Ezekiel 36:23,
And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.


Like ancient Israel, I profaned God's name with my hypocrisy among many friends and family. There really isn't anything in me to boast about; there never was. In July 2014 I moved from Kentucky back to Wisconsin. I'm currently interning with a discipleship program in Almond, WI. The Evergreen Center (EC) is a program where interns spend 11 months focusing on the inward change that God has required for every soul. We are spending time reading such works written by Madame Guyon, Brother Lawrence, and others. We, the six interns and three staff, are committed to living communally and striving for the unity of the Spirit. I'm seeking Christ's full remission of myself and His full indwelling of Himself in my emptied vessel. This work can only be done of the Spirit. That's why this letter has reached you; your assistance is needed. We all desperately require prayer. The work can only be done by Him alone and He is pleased to answer the prayers of His saints.


Summary Points
July – Most of July was spent reconnecting with key elders from my former church. Please, continue to pray that restoration could be established.


August – As a ministry we (EC) took a trip to Door County, WI to reach out to international students. A lot of the students I spoke to were from Romania. From their experience, the church is a “cash cow,” taking money from the poor to build churches. Please, pray that the message of love conveyed by Pastor Doug entered their hearts: “Jesus won't ever lie to you.”


September – The Lord revealed a lot within the first two months. My selfishness, my cold love towards Him and others, an unwillingness to accept criticism or instruction from peers, and substance abuse.


October – The 3^rd of October I underwent Arthroscopic surgery (ACL reconstruction). This has caused a financial burden since my health insurance is a high deductible and, since the new Federal legislation, is a high premium also. The good news is that God is good and He will provide financially just as He has provided physically. My physical therapist (who also loves Jesus) notices that I am ahead of the curve in recuperating, keeping up with his younger (18-year-old) patients. Praise the Lord! We pray over my knee together during every appointment and we are able to build each other up spiritually as well as physically. What an unexpected blessing!

Ultimately the Lord's Spirit has been gradually correcting through both programs what His glory is. Before I would have sourced his glory to His sovereignty; now I see that He has set His sovereignty aside in order to proclaim His mercy. God is sovereign, but He promotes His mercy over His sovereignty. He calls us to do the same; give up all rights to become nothing but a vessel of His mercy. I would be eager to discuss this personal revelation with anyone, for it has been life-transforming.

Please, respond with any updates; I'd love to hear about your life. He was so good to place you in my life. Please pray for my soul as you are led. Thank you to those who have never stopped. Ask the Lord whether He would have you aide my situation financially. It would be for tuition, so any donation would not be tax-deductible. Checks should be made to Joel Huebner with “tuition” in the memo.


If you are a part of a ministry personally, please feel free to send your updates my direction. I plan to send out a semi-annual postal update. Let me know your updated email address if you are interested in receiving the updates electronically. Please, feel free to text or call me at the same number, below.

The postal address is the following:

Joel Huebner
N7101 14th Ct
Almond, WI 54909

Thank you so much for your prayers,



Joel Huebner
(715) 252-1503
jhueb298@gmail.com