GOOD MORNING WEST OAKS FAMILY

"I was really thirsty for God, hungry for God, to find who He is," Pastor Amir Bazmjou says. "That's why I became a very fanatic Muslim."

Amir was born into a Shia Muslim family in Iran, and he grew into a very devout Muslim seeking to earn Allah's favor. When Shia Islam couldn't answer the desires of his heart for a relationship with Allah, he became Sufi, a form of Islamic mysticism. Then someone gave him a Bible. In spite of a lifetime of conditioning not to believe the Bible, Amir began to read. When Amir asked Jesus - if He was real - to change Amir's heart, God answered that prayer.

Amir's wife, Rashin Soodmand, is the daughter of Iranian martyr Pastor Hossein Soodmand. She came to know Jesus as a young child through the example of her father and her mother. When she was just 13 her father was martyred for his Christian faith and ministry. After such a tragedy, "I could have become full of self-pity, but in a strange way my father's martyrdom strengthened my faith, as I knew he had died as a soldier in God's army. I am proud he chose Christ." After finishing secondary school and God calling her into full time ministry she wrote a letter to God, promising to serve Him as her father had done. 28 years have passed since she dedicated that letter to God and during these years, God has led her faithfully step by step in His Ways.

Today, thousands and thousands of Iranians are coming to Christ. Believers in Iran tell us the underground/house church is expanding rapidly. We have heard estimates of as many as 30,000 underground house churches in Iran, but there is no way to know for sure.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Priscilla Laughlin, Donna Scott, Duane & Sheralyn Boynton, Cephas & Billie Ann Goodman, Jessica, Jackie Freeman, Grayson, Gale Guthrie, Stacey Bobbitt, Junie Wilson. Pray for our Pastor, our pastor's wife Teresa, and our school, West Oaks Academy. Also pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

DID YOU KNOW?

• --Next Sunday Linnette Gayle is bringing the entire church family a Jamaican inspired meal to help her celebrate God's goodness and her 85th birthday
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• (July 13th!). Don't bring a thing! Linnette is bringing everything for all of us. What a gift of love!
• -- In 1906 a group of nearly two dozen delegates came together on a snowy January day in North Carolina to accomplish what has remained the commitment of a Church of God General Assembly ever since. On July 8-12, 2024, delegates from around the world will come together in Indianapolis, Indiana to worship, fellowship, and conduct business of the Church of God. This year our very own Shirley Davis will attend.
• -- Church of God convention music writer, Max Morris's funeral was this week. Max Morris wrote for Tennessee Music book. Two of his most used songs were "Oh Happy Day when Jesus found me" and "Because of Jesus." Max was a gifted pianist and organist. He was ninety-one. Here is the link to his inspiring celebration of life: https://www.youtube.com/live/UnZB8bOlwCs
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SERMONS IN A SENTENCE

• Live the life if you are going to talk the talk.
• Reputation is what others say we are; character is what GOD says we are.
• Do you wish to be great? Begin by being little and develop your humility.
• A good violinist is one able to play first fiddle but willing to play second.
• Humbleness is always dignity.
• Those who live close to God are never found bragging about their own deeds and accomplishments but rather what the Lord has done for them.
• The influence of a spiritual life is the greatest contribution we make to help others see Christ.
• The best way to get over your problems is to talk to someone who is going through hard times and encourage them.