June 2015 Newsletter

God has been doing a great work in us and through this ministry. There are exciting new changes, upcoming events and prayer needs. Riverdale Baptist Church has been touched by God's direction, upcoming mission plans to new and familiar places, and continued personal notes from us as we move forward in faith.

Missions in the Next Years

An open door to further ministry in Romania is coming again in October of 2015. The Mission Team we are developing will have nearly ten people going with us. We are doing a Coaches Clinic (teaching how to teach the game) and we are doing a Basketball “Camp” for the area students! We will be able to share the gospel with ALL of them! Then while that is going on, we will also be helping reach and teach people related to Costel Burlacu’s church (Alpha and Omega Bapt. Ch.). There is an AWANA banquet scheduled in which there will be many parents present. His Church is beginning to gain traction and make genuine gospel difference; in late May they baptized six people! The cost of this trip is $2,700 per person. There are also TWO other international mission trips on the horizon. One is to be with the IMB Two Plus Two Missionaries who were recently commissioned and are finishing their master’s degrees overseas (that trip is January 2016; Joseph and Lily Veres will be there). The second is a possible trip to Ireland (Seth and Jessica Lewis) in the Spring of 2016. Thank God for the privilege of investing in these wonderful gospel centered people and assist them in their faithful labor.

Revitalization at Riverdale

I have been called to the REVITALIZATION effort as the TRANSITIONAL PASTOR of Riverdale Baptist Church. That is right in the center of what Mike Palmer Ministries is about. The amount of work associated with that effort is monumental. But all the principles learned through the years can be applied to help Riverdale transition to become a more healthy church, ready to call its next pastor. That may take as long as three years given the situation at Riverdale. The good news is that after four months, there is already some progress! I have preached through the book of Nehemiah. The biblical truth in that book has been “spot on” for that church family at this time. And we have also been going through the biblical mission of the church and the six tasks of the church on Sunday nights. This church will be a good test for the overall work of REVITALIZATION. It will be good to have experienced being a TRANSITIONAL PASTOR firsthand. I will be even better equipped to help others facing the same challenges...and there are SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES! MIKE PALMER MINISTRIES has helped provide some church health resources for Riverdale. We are still involved with International Missions and Pastor Networking, although the time required in being the Transitional Pastor has taken some time away from the networking and equipping of others. I hope to do some work in this area beginning in the late summer and fall. I need your prayers and support in this effort. The church has systemic problems BUT the people know they need to do something; and they need experienced leadership to guide them in those steps. I believe that the Lord is in the RESURRECTION business! He is able. Your support will help MPM guide this church toward health. And you will also help us touch people globally. Thanks for standing with us in this Gospel centered work.

Two plus Two Missionary Training

Several years ago Southeastern Seminary began a program for International Missionaries in which they could go to the mission field and also earn their Masters degrees. This coming January several missionary couples and singles will come to Prague for training. Dr. Danny Akin and other professors from Southeastern Seminary will be present to teach these intensive sessions for two weeks. I am planning on being there to meet and get to know EACH person and LEARN about their particular assignment. And in the future I hope to be able to TAKE AREA PASTORS WITH ME to make a genuine Gospel difference in these places and in the lives of these precious people. This could be one of the most strategic mission trips in the sense that I will be able to learn about mission strategy and opportunities in MANY DIFFERENT AREAS AROUND THE WORLD. After that I believe the Lord will help me develop a strategy for investing in them over the next decade.

Upcoming Needs

1. Romania Mission Trip – OCTOBER 16-26 2.

2. Romania Mission Trip – support the Gospel Strategy there. We will need funds to get the proper equipment for the two basketball events; rental of portable goals, gym rental, and basketball equipment; Gospel DVD’s, booklets, the AWANA banquet; over $1,000 needed

3. PRAGUE MISSION TRIP – JANUARY 4, 2016 – This is a strategic mission trip done each year with the faculty of Southeastern Seminary. I will have opportunity to invest in these couples and keep up with them and their needs for the next ten to fifteen years!! The cost of this strategic mission trip is $2,600.

4. Working on Trip to Ireland (Seth and Jessica Lewis) – sometime in 2016 5. PRAYER – We need your prayer for discernment as to God’s total strategy for this ministry. We want to honor the Gospel and make a genuine difference. Pray specifically that Mike would be able to develop more vital relationships with other pastors and staff in our region. THANKS GOSPEL FRIENDS FOR YOUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS!