2018 July Newsletter

New Support:

I want to thank Old Paths Baptist Church and Bro Kirk for taking us on for support. We have had meetings in Tennessee, in Ohio and in West Virginia. I am looking for more new support and have scheduled some new churches. Your Prayers are needed! Thank You!

Ghana Update: 

Pastor Prince and Pastor Koasi from our church in Ghana, CBBC, updated us on

the work there. They are having VBS in the surrounding villages of Sekondi this summer. The Theme for the weeks of VBS is “BELIEVE”. The crowds have been about 150 kids in attendance. Freedom, a young thirty-four year old man, received Christ last year in August as a result of our VBS in Nkontompo. He has been baptized and became a member of CBBC. He, since January has also been coming to our Evening Bible classes during each week. This summer of VBS the Pastors notified me that Freedom has been teaching a VBS class!!! Praise the Lord for Freedoms visible growth it is wonderful to hear this great report! While he is growing in the Lord, we are also just as glad to hear of our faithful church members serving the Lord at the VBS also. The Pastors, Prince and Koasi are also keeping up with going and teaching once a week for us at the Deaf school and learning little by little some signs. Please be in prayer for a young man there at CBBC named Albert. He is having problems with the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He has been saved and growing in the Lord as a CBBC church member. But misguided by wrong influences at work and at home. Charismatics live by feeling and take the Bible out of context. The Holy Spirit does not guide the Charismatics, the Hellish spirit guides them. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” – I Jn 4:1. Please be in prayer for the Pastors as they are doing the work of the ministry there.

Mack & Freedom

Travels & Happenings: 

Traveling to Florida in May for our son, Matthew Jr’s, graduation was

exciting. We got to see him graduate, to see our daughter, Naomi, and spent a week of vacation with them before they both had to go back to work at PCC for their college tuition. It was a good week together and we, rightly, are proud of them in their growing up and taking on financial responsibilities. That makes a parent feel good! For those who would like to keep in contact with Naomi and Matthew

their mailing addresses are:

                 
                  Naomi Siekbert 

                  PCC Box 666 250 Brent Lane

                  Pensacola, FL 32503

                  Matthew Siekbert Jr 

                  PCC Box 1397 250 Brent Lane, 

                  Pensacola, FL 32503

  

The 4th  of July at our Ohio home with some of my family and friends. It seemed to be extra special this time because after 14.5 years experiencing Africa and having now an American President who has America’s interest in a right perspective, I have come to appreciate our God Blessed Country more, the Land of the Free. We had a day recalling what some of our forefathers said: Thomas Jefferson said, “We in America do not have government by the majority—we have government by the majority who participate… All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent”; “The good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army. They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves”;  James Madison said, “A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people”;  John Adams said, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;”… - Ps 33:12a 

Matthew J. Siekbert

siekbertnewsletter@blogspot.com

siekbertromans828@gmail.com

2018 May Newsletter

Our Last Few Weeks In Ghana: 
March 18-21 we had our Mission Conference at Cornerstone Biblical Baptist Church. Many folks raised their hands in commitment to be a disciple and the last night committing to give to FPM. The commitments for 2017 FPM year went to the project of putting a roof over the container of Scriptures we received last May from BPS Milford, Ohio. God cares about the littlest of things. Planning to leave in May we had to reschedule leaving Ghana April 3rd so Matthew Jr could do his ACT test in the States to be accepted into PCC’s work program for the summer. Disappointment came to us because Bro Prince and his wife Linda had the 1st baby due April 14th and we knew we would not get to see it. But we prayed and God heard us!!! Amen! On March 30, 2018 Matthew Prince Tackie was born. They named the baby boy after me. God’s Blessings are rich and His gifts are Precious!!!

  

Our First Few Weeks In The US: 
We are still trying to see our way through the dust of moving, meetings, appointments, scheduling and graduation. April 22-25 we had MC at Chippewa Lake Baptist Church and on the 29th a meeting at Crusade Baptist where we were warmly welcomed back home.

Our Needs: 
Time of furlough is a time for reassessing our physical dilemmas, doctor appointments, family adjustments, financial analyses, ministry needs, and etc. We must raise our support level 25%. We are running on reserve. If you already support us thank you for your faithfulness. Above many other missionaries on the field I thank the Lord and also count ourselves blessed because of the churches that support us are faithful. Please be in prayer about helping us with an increase of your support. I am not complaining, but just informing. Usually, every furlough we come back and try to get our support level raised up to where it needs to be. We honestly, always fall short of our goal. Please pray and consider helping us get to our needed level this furlough. I’m sure you well know this, but prices everywhere in the world for everything are getting higher. Also we are trying to raise money for some sign language courses while we are here in the States. Be in Prayer for the church land in Sekondi, Ghana to be approved for purchase and building. All last term we longed to put the bricks we had made into the form of a building, but corruption and scandals in the government there have held us up.


Our Schedule: 
We will be in Ohio, Florida, and West Virginia this month and next month, May and June. I am working on getting into the Pensacola, Florida area. The busy schedule of Mother’s Day, graduation, and vacation fever is coming on. May and the summer epidemic is hitting. Please be in prayer for us as I am scheduling with supporters and also looking to pick up some new churches.

Our Family: 
We are glad to be back home in the States!!! Naomi is completing her first year at PCC. Some of our Newsletter contacts and supporting churches have sent Naomi letters, cards of encouragement, and gifts through the year, as her parents we want to thank you for remembering her and keeping in touch with her. We are getting ready to take Matthew to Abeka to graduate with the homeschoolers. Last year there were well over 400 Graduates in attendance. Then we will be leaving him there with Naomi so that he can start the summer work program to pay for college at PCC. Enclosed is his Class of 2018 graduation picture. If you would like to send him some graduation money, you can send it to our church, Chippewa Lake Baptist Church, in his name, Matthew Siekbert Jr; and noted it as Graduation in the memo section. Thank you all for being a part of our family during these last 18 years as we have been traveling the US on furlough and being your missionaries in Ghana W Africa.

Our Reception with God Depends Many Times On Our Living for God, “In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. – Psalms 86:7 

Matthew J Siekbert

SiekbertRomans828@gmail.com

siekbertnewsletter@blogspot.com

2018 March Newsletter

Salvation/Weekly Bible Studies: 

About 4 weeks ago I got to lead a young man named Eric to Christ in the Village of Ekuasi. Our weekly Bible studies on Tuesday Evenings in Nkontompo has continued with Linda and Jackie going to Emma’s house. Prince and myself were meeting with Samuel, due to his work we have not been able to continue with him. He has come to church once since then. Prince and I go visiting there in Nkontompo while the ladies have their Bible study. Another man named, Bill, contacted me to have a Bible study at my house on Thursday’s. We have known of Bill, he remembers us from 14 years ago when we were looking to rent a house in the Sekondi/Takoradi, area we live in now. I have been meeting with him on our front porch on Thursday Evenings. As I have mentioned before Ghanaians are very religious but their gospel is good works and tradition. The people here in Ghana are fooled by their own people and the churches here are money-making businesses.  They dress and look like many think Christians should look and even use Bible words, but without  Bible Truth of those words. Bill goes to a charismatic church, which is named Victory Bible Church. That sounds very convincing, but there is no victory in a cult. It does not follow the Bible. Most  churches now do not teach or preach on conflicting or convicting topics. The churches here teach on money, prosperity, and miracles. The world is full of blind people looking for a blind hope. They praise and worship, speak in what they call “Tongues” as the world has defined Christianity. I have  been going over with him “Salvation Bible Studies on Blood Sacrifice” that another missionary has developed. This past Thursday I hit a cord with Bill when I mentioned Judgment. He thinks that “ALL” will be judged at once by their works to determine their Eternity, because II Cor 5:10 says, “For we  must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Then I mentioned to him that judgment, reading carefully, it is called the “Judgment Seat of Christ” and that is for “ALL” Believers, who are Truly Christians, those that will be raptured. And that judgment is about rewards of living for Christ. Also that judgment is not to determine if they will live in Heaven or Hell, that has already been decided for them when they received Jesus as their Savior, who took and paid for their punishment on the cross and went to their deserved Hell. Then I mentioned the “Great White Throne Judgment” found in Rev 20:11-15 and told him that judgment is for the Unbeliever, the one not written in the Book of Life. At that judgment Christ will judge the Unsaved person “According To Their Works” (20:12,13) because that is what they trusted in like Cain to be accepted by God, but was rejected by God. That rejected person will then be cast into the Lake of Fire forever, because they did not put their sole trust   in the Blood of the Lamb, who is Christ Jesus the only Savior. Pray for Bill that he will see the true gospel light and get Truly Saved. I will finish these lessons with him in the next two weeks. “The love of Jesus spoils us for every other interest in life EXCEPT DISCIPLING men and women to HIM.” –   by Oswald Chambers   

Isaac, (left) I led to the Lord and he came to church, he is from Ekuasi. Samuel (right) is who we had Bible study with in Nkontompo

Freedom got saved from a after VBS visitation. He came to get out of the rain and was listening to what was being taught. He got saved and baptized and has been coming faithfully and growing.  Amen

Furlough: 

With just a couple of weeks until we head  home for furlough we would appreciate your prayers for our family, travels, meetings, good traveling car, and the ministry here in Ghana. We hope to update you on the church property the next newsletter. Please pray for: Cornerstone Biblical Baptist Church. We will be starting our Mission Conference this Sunday; Pastor Prince and Pastor Koasi as they continue the ministry here in Ghana as we return for furlough; Bro Prince’s wife, Linda, as she is due to have a baby soon. It is due in the middle of April.                                                                                                                                              
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,…” – Mat 28:19a   
       

     

Matthew J Siekbert

2018 January Newsletter

Thanksgiving, Christmas Party, & New Year’s Eve: 
There were 4 missionary families at our house for Thanksgiving Day making 5 families totaling 28 people. We had a good time of food and fellowship. The Bible verse that comes to my mind at times when we are traveling in the US on furlough or here on the mission field is when Jesus was speaking to His disciples saying, “...Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”- Mark 10:29,30. The phrase I am emphasizing is “now in this time”. This was truly a Special Grace and the visiting families were a Special Blessing! On Sunday evening, CHRIST-mas eve we spent it at church with the church family preaching on the 1st Christmas and ending on Anna, “...which departed not from the temple, but served God”..., being a faithful and a fervent witness of the Redemption in Christ. In Luke 2:38 the Bible says, “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”. Afterward we snacked, played games: Bible Trivia, Awaree (African Game), and Pit. It was pretty noisy! Then the night was topped off with the “White Elephant” gift exchange. After everyone opens their gifts then we exchange 2 more times, bringing a bit of torture to the one that now knows what they have and would like to keep. New Year’s Eve church started at 9 pm and closed well after 12 mid-night with having afterwards Ettel (African dish) and fireworks. To say the least, it was fun, but we were ready for bed when we got home! THANK YOU ALL WHO GAVE US EXTRA FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

Thanksgiving a game of volleyball

CBBC Christmas Party

New Year 2018 eating Ettel

Planning Meeting: 
On December 14 & 15 was our yearly planning meeting where we go over the past year’s finances; Schedule the new year’s happenings; and intermittently download and listen to some sermons
from November’s Loving & Leading Conference in Milford, Ohio. Preachers need preaching too at times and it was good. We scheduled also our spring semester of Evening Bible Classes. Monday, I teach, starting a 3 part course on The Defense Of The Faith – part 1; Tuesday, Bro Koasi will teach a course on The Four Gospels; and Thursday, Bro Prince will teach on The NT Church. Here the government has an organization called the Lands Department. They deal with all affairs concerning government land, which is said to be the safest to buy from. And for us, the only available spot in our location that we see to buy. In the middle of December they were to have met together and decide on the Church property and it’s pricing for us at CBBC. After a year’s wait on them to have this meeting, they finally had it, BUT DID NOT DECIDE ON ANY LAND ISSUES. I think it must have been a Christmas Party!!! Although these times in this world are very disappointing, we are still praying and waiting. The Only Blessed Assurance We Have Is Jesus!!!

Coming Home: 
We are coming home for furlough. We are looking to schedule meetings starting with the middle of April. Also we are looking for a good traveling car/minivan that we can put a lot of miles on. In
May we head towards PCC in Florida and are looking to have meetings on the way there, and back. Our son, Matthew Jr. will be graduating with the Homeschoolers at A Beka and then going to PCC. Please pray for us!!!

Matthew, Joseph and Nehemiah 

Bits Of Bread: 
What is your objective in this New Year, or Better Yet, for Your Life’s Objective, is it that “Jesus Might Be Made Manifest” ?????
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” –II Cor 4:8-11 

His Manifestation, 

Matthew Siekbert

November 2017 Newsletter

Revival: 

October 22^nd - 25th we had our Revival Conference at CBBC. The theme was on the word “REVIVAL”. Each message was based on a word that can help bring revival to one’s life: “Recognize”;   “Return”; “Recall”; “Restore”; “Rekindle”; and lastly “Re-sound”. As a preacher and teacher one thing that is greatly desired is that each one that comes will come faithfully, because God is at work, each message is special, and many times they build on each other. During this revival the people were faithful with a little encouragement from us. A few weeks before the Revival we announced to them that we would give them a Bible if they came to every service; God convicted, stirred and spoke to hearts; and hands were raised. Now that the messages are over, we pray the hearts stay stirred.

Distributions: 

Since September we have been working on distributing some John & Romans, New Testaments, and some whole Bibles. Once a month we select an area in Sekondi to pass out John & Romans; the start of October we gave out about 116 whole Bibles to my Sunday morning class at the Deaf School. Matthew’s  and Joseph’s classes are too young yet. About the middle of September at West Ridge School new students that  came from 6^th grade to the 7^th grade we gave New Testaments to for their textbooks for our Bible classes we have with them on every Wednesday morning. 

Sign Language Classes: 

Since the middle of September we have been having sign language classes for an hour and a half on Saturdays with a young man who became deaf while in training school. This is somewhat unique to us because he can understand the way hearing people do things and yet also relate to the deaf very well because of being deaf himself for about 5 years now. We have been able to get some copies of a sign language book here, which has been a great assistance to us. Please pray for us that we can learn this and also for this   young man who is teaching us. His name is Derrick and he seems to be serious about God and have reverence for God that most people do not. Like most all of the people here, he has been taught twisted charismatic ways, but  yet is faithfully signing my Bible lessons to the deaf class without compromising the truths learned from each Bible lesson. This is great improvement over the last 2 years there! Most everyone else has been half hearted and not comprehensive in relaying the Bible messages. The bad news is that Derrick is an intern that will leave at the December holiday break. Pray that we can see him get saved before he leaves.

Joseph and Matthew writing their lesson on the board. 

                       

Answer To Prayer!: 

The Devil is always at work! We have been teaching faithfully at West Ridge School for over 11 years. This is truly a highlight to the ministries we have here in Ghana. If anyone is going to learn the truth and be salvaged from apostasies of the last days (false teachers and false prophets), it is going to be the students we faithfully teach for 3 years at a time before moving on to senior high. Just last week at West Ridge the newest headmistress of the school came to me and said, “The students will be learning Christmas carols for Christmas during the worship time you have, so we will not need you all (Myself, Bro Prince, Bro Koasi, & my boys: Matthew Jr, & Joseph) to teach your Bible classes until January ‘God Willing’. My heart was heavy when she said that. So after our lesson that day I went to tell the teachers why we would not be there. They were very shocked. The assistant to the headmistress said, “This is the first time that I heard that”. So he took my number  and said, “Pray Pastor and I will be in touch”. A few hours later I got a call that everything is cleared up and we  are back on schedule. Later the assistant headmaster said, “Pastor, it was only the Devil at Work”. Thank the Lord that Victory is His! Beware! the Devil wants to use you! Don’t let him! “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”- Jude 1:3   

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, & a Happy New Year!!!                                                                     

Matthew J Siekbert