Hi Everyone! Well, what is going on in the NYC Metro Mission? Well, first of all, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Yankees winning their 27th World Series Championship was definitely a highlight!
Of course, the things that God is doing are the “true highlights”. We are seeing God work in magnificent ways here. Due to its international scope, NYC is called “The Center of the World”. In our ministries, God is touching the lives of Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Muslim, Buddhist, New Age, Wicca, Jews, Albanians, African and Hispanic Americans, Ecuadorians, Mexicans, Cubans, Bosnians, Serbians, Greeks, Armenians, Italians, Guatemalans, Brazilians, Indians, just to name a few.
We meet yearly with the Metro Teams from Boston and Philadelphia. This past fall, we had a great conference in New Jersey with our new Metro Director Bob Adgate and his wife, Ronda. It was a warm time of ministry and story sharing. Bob and Ronda introduced themselves, encouraged us, and shared with us the direction and heart of the national leadership of The Navigators as we move forward into the future to advance Jesus’ Kingdom and make disciples together.
NYC staff and associates meet regularly in Greenwich Village for encouragement and sharing led by our NYC leader, Andy Puleo. These times are a blessing and allow us to see what is going on across our ministry venues – neighborhood, inner-city, youth, collegiate, church discipleship, Korean and more. We have an area wide metro rally planned for February 6th. We would appreciate your prayers for this time as we have invited staff, associates and stakeholders in the region to join us! We are working on more of these rallies to extend our calling, values and movement to the region and beyond.
Andy and Donna Puleo have been ministering to the poor in Roosevelt, NY. Charles, a friend of theirs, offers to help them out at times and they are relating with him about life issues. He is in the process of getting a job and new place to live. Billy, another man they are working with, is doing well and they see and minister to him often. He has enrolled in school to study for his GED. They look forward to be able to partner more through Minister Reginald Benjamin (of ABBA ministries) networking in the Roosevelt area. Abba ministries regularly distribute food, school packs and other relief to distressed residents of Hempstead. Most of Pastor Benjamin’s contacts come from ex-cons and their families. He is very well received by hundreds at each event. Andy and Donna also have great ministry contacts with many African American pastors in the NYC area.
We, (Ernie and Judy Scalabrin) are seeing God work in great ways on the New Jersey side of the NYC Metro Area. We are seeing relationships grow from our multi-ethnic contacts with people in our surrounding neighborhoods. Our dear Korean Buddhist friend expressed her admiration for our family even though our material standard of living differs from hers. She wanted to know more about Christianity because our family life seemed more real and purposeful to her. Her husband is a nice man who works for LG, and though he provides well, he is hardly at home for family time. This is common for many lost families here. Due to the intense competition involving wealth and materialism. Most families lack real life and they know it.
With the economic issues facing our nation, we are seeing God use us more with the business community. Ernie has led two businessmen to Christ and is discipling them. We are in growing relationships with them and their families and helping them to “Navigate through life spiritually.”
Our public school Bible club is in its 8th year. We continue to see children come to Christ each year and be discipled impacting families. The Board of Education allowed us this year to expand to a second day during the week to accommodate the older 6, 7, and 8th grade students. This children’s Bible club is international with many backgrounds. We are given complete freedom, by the school (with parental permission) to share the Gospel and the Scriptures with the children. Our first students are now in college! Ernie also goes to the nearby high school and teaches at the Christian “Harvesters” club. We have been asked by Christian families of other towns to have such clubs. Although the clubs are legal, it can often be intimidating to get started.
Our other ministries in New York City are also thriving. Finances are the biggest challenge and prayer request for our team. Since this is an extremely strategic area of the world for missions, ministry opportunities are abundant here! However, there is a cost of living that is one of the highest in the nation. Pray for us! Although, God has been very gracious in His provisions, finances are an ongoing challenge for all of us. Finances can threaten and hinder the work of all our ministries more than anything. But we praise God for His abundant fruit and work in our midst! Hallelujah!
Donate to the New York City Metro
Donate to Andy and Donna Puleo
Donate to Ernie and Judy Scalabrin
Read more about the New York City Metro Mission
at new-york-city.navigators.org
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