Smoking Flax: 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.