November Newsletter 2023

Attendees:                                                                                                                                                                              Knowing our Labor is NOT in Vain in the Lord, I Cor 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”; and that Being Obedient to GO Out and Compel others to come in, is Right, Luke 14:23, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.. It proves to be Rewarding! In our last newsletter I mentioned our Saturday Blitz of passing out 800 flyers for our Friend Day, Not one of our visitors came from that distribution, BUT our Church was Edified and Encouraged from another carrying and concerned church that went visiting with us that day and those that visited for our Friend Day were from people in our church inviting their extended families and friends, Amen!!!   A few have stayed, some we are still working on. Thank you Lord and Thank you Calvary Chapel! Since our Friend Day on September 24^that Old Paths Baptist Church, the Lord has brought some other visitors our way. A family who used to attend a while ago, came back. The husband who we have never met until we visited them at home about two weeks ago, has also been coming. They have two children, an older teen and one about 10 years old. There also has been a couple coming with her teen daughter with a teen daughter after they called me at the church and I went to visit them at their request. We thank God for giving the increase.    

Ladies Bible Study:

My wife asked, Kathryn Dornbirer if she would like to teach a ladies Bible study on Tuesday evenings. There are 6 ladies who signed up and one lady joined the Bible study last week. Bad and Disturbing Circumstances can turn to your good and God’s Glory if we let God have His Way in our l lives. We are thankful to see God working AND I’M SURE HE IS NOT DONE YET!!! Joseph’s, David’s, Job’s and Daniel’s Convictions Did Not Change, Nether Did Their Devotion to the Lord during Circumstances that were thrown at them.    

Baptism/Electrical Work:

A mother and her daughter got baptized this month, Jackie discipled Cathy earlier this year. They have been at Old Paths for 3 years. They professed being saved, just never became a member through Scriptural Baptism. It was so good to see them follow Christ in baptism. The spirit in the Church was at a good level!!! Kathy’s husband who is also a faithful attendee did some electrical work in our downstairs fellowship hall. We are trying to only heat up the basement with some electric heaters instead of turning on the heat for the whole building. (For the Ladies Bible Study). He ran some more wiring and separated the lights from the outlets.   

Receiving Baptist Certificate

Harvest Dinner:

On November 12^th, we invited Light House Baptist, Bucyrus, to join us in a Harvest Dinner. We had about 30 people for the dinner. Including the two families that came in October after our Friend Day. We had plenty of good food, gave out some door prizes and had a good time in the Lord. It Went Well!

Prayer Requests & Thank Yous:

Please Pray for us as we seek support and continued support. We have been to two more churches in October which seem to be hopeful supporters. WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL THAT SUPPORT US IN THE WORK GOD HAS US DOING. 

Bits Of Bread:

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – Psalm 107:1

Giving Thanks To God Is:(1)Expected,“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Repeatedly said) – Psalm 107:8,15,21,31;(2)Due Him, The Lord, “And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” – Luke 17:16-17;(3)What His Dear Children Do, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” – Ephesians 5:3-4; (4)To Be The Fruit Of Our Lips, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” – Hebrews 13:15

                                                                                                                       

Matthew J Siekbert

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING and A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

 

September Newsletter 2023

Saturday Blitz:                                                                                                     We have prepared 800 “Friend Day” packets, included in each packet is, an invitation flyer, a John and  Romans and our church card in it. We have passed them out on visitation and those in our church to their co-workers etc. On September 16, a group of about 18 folks from Calvary Chapel Baptist Church in Minister OH, came to help us pass out the 800 flyers. We still have about 100 left to be passed out, but we will get those passed out this week. We had pizza and fellowship afterwards. Some of our ladies brought dessert and drinks. It was an encouragement and blessing to our church. We are thankful to them for helping. Please pray for this special Day, “Friend Day” this Sunday, September 24th.  After passing out our flyer packets and right before having pizza we all gathered together and had some testimonies about our visits. One of the testimonies that was given was of a lady at one of the houses that said, “It was something pleasant to see church people going down the streets visiting door to door”; Another testimony was of a widow lady that was saved in a Baptist Church in her early married years, moved to Bucyrus when her husband died and is looking for a good church to go to; Another testimony was from Pastor Dan’s wife. She got to meet a young lady that she and Pastor Dan led to the Lord years ago. Since that time the young lady got into sin and trouble, but now is trying to get out of that. My testimony of our Saturday Blitz is that seeing and hearing those people from our church, and 3 of them not members yet, being very excited to come out and do a work for God and see, and fellowship with another like-minded church that is excited and cares was a good dose of what our young church needed.

Those from Calvary Chapel - Blitz

Calvary Chapel - Lunch

Friends from CLBC Medina on Friends Day

Baptismal/Membership Classes:

The lady Jackie discipled earlier this year, she and her teen daughter have finished up the baptismal/ membership classes that I had with them. They have been saved for several years but never got baptized  since attending Old Paths for over 2 years. We are now working on a date for them getting baptized. We are excited to see them grow in the Lord. 

Travels and Encouragement:

We are so thankful to our churches that have continued with us, being burdened and in support of us as church planters in the USA trying to make a difference in OUR COUNTRY taking on Old Paths Baptist Church Strengthening it, and Growing it! Old Paths Baptist Church is a small church that’s not that old, but can play a vital part in OUR COUNTRY’S spiritual need. We have traveled to Pennsylvania where we had 2 churches that we were in on Sunday September 3^rd. Going to our churches who have supported us for 20+ years and the memories and people in our churches we love them and are our extended church family who have had a part  in our ministry. GOD BLESS YOU!!! Pray for us as we seek support and continued support!

 

Bits Of Bread: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” – Jude 1:20-23                 

Matthew J Siekbert

 

July 2023 Newsletter

 Planting Where The Crops Grow, We Are In The Farmlands:

In May’s Newsletter, I sent out our Strategy, 4 Areas for our Plan of Attack. Getting Into The Wynford School District, Summer-school Route,On Monday Morning, June 12, after a week of testing I Started a Summer-school Route as a way to start getting into Wynford School District and the Community. I have been able to meet many new people who have some kind of responsibilities in running the school. Please pray for further in-roads. I want to be an Effective Planter for Old Paths, Our Country, and Our Christ. Working On Our Non-Members to Join is a part of our Strategy, We have been visiting the non-members and the visits have been encouraging. One of the non-members when Sunday Morning  Services is over has been asking me some questions about what she has been reading in her Bible. She knows that I enjoy talking about the Bible and when I can answer some of her questions. She leaves the church excited and ready to read more. Her husband who has been coming with her came one day without her and she said that he never does that. Amen to that!!! That makes me happy!!! On Monday Evening, June 12th another non-member made a profession of Faith, Amen! We look to see Growth there. Discipleship is another part of our Strategy,The lady my wife has been Discipling, finished with the 14 week course in discipleship. On Sunday, July 2nd we got to present her a certificate of completion and present her a Bible. Her husband and daughter have been coming as non-members to all of our services since the start of her discipleship. We look to see her husband getting saved. Please be in prayer for that.  Dominic, A Young Man God Can Use, is another part of our Strategy,On June 17th We started our VBS in Dominic’s town of Bloomville. Our biggest day in attendance was Monday, but our most rewarding days have been every day since. Our non-member family that has been faithful to every church service that my wife Jackie discipled has come with her daughter and helped every day at our VBS in Bloomville. Praise The Lord!  On Sunday Night, July 16^th the two Campers we had go to the Bill Rice Ranch gave some testimonies of their trip and you could hear and see that they are sensitive to God’s moving. We also have had some church outings. We went in June to see the Columbus Clippers baseball game where hot dogs only cost  10 cents each; and in July we had an Ice cream Social and Cake after Church. Sugar Is Good!       

Columbus Clippers baseball game

Presenting Cathy with Bible and certificate of completion

                                                                                                                         

2 of our teens joined our sending church Chippewa Lake Baptist Church
 and went to the Bill Rice Ranch

                                   

VBS in Bloomville 2023

Planting Where Some Maybe Just Gleaning, Visitors:

We have had some visitors from May and June. A Family of six from Michigan came earlier in May and was looking for God’s direction on a Church and asked us to pray for them; A man about my age from Canada on a business trip came by during a Wednesday Evening service looking to just be at Church. That was refreshing to see someone making an effort towards what God would have; Our next visitor was a mother and daughter that used to come a few years ago, but never joined. Their mother’s mother has cancer. Pray that we will see them more. 

Planting Requesting Prayers, We Need Support: 

Please prayerfully, consider what you will do in support of us at Old Paths, Our Travels to Churches as we continue seeking support. Please be in prayer for Pastor Dan Dornbirer’s family in their adjustments and Old Paths Baptist Church as we all adjust to Our Work of Church Planting at Old Paths Baptist Church. 

Bits Of Bread: Planting For A Harvest!!!  Pray that we see a Harvest for the Lord!!!                                                                                                                                  Matthew 13:4-8,18-23 in the “Parable of the Sower” we are not told that there is a Problem with the Sower of the Seed, Nor are we told that there is a Problem with the Seed, God’s Word, BUT there was a Problem WITH THE SOIL, THE HEART of Man.  “Some seeds fell by the Way Side,…Some fell upon Stony Places,…And some fell Among Thorns,…BUT Others Fell Into Good Ground,”…                                                                                                         

Matthew J Siekbert

 

 

May 2023 Newletter

 Home Going Service: 

On Thursday April the 20th Pastor Dan Dornbirer went HOME, to Glory. His Visitation and Home Going Service were May 5^th and 6^th. The Services held for Bro Dan were a testimony of the impact one can have on others. Friday’s visiting hours from 4pm to 8pm there was a constant line of people from the back doors of the church outlining the auditorium to the front. For Pastor Dan’s Home-Going Service Old Paths was packed and people were standing. For Dan’s Eulogy his family had his friend from his college years, Rick Young give it. Rick Young, Bro Dan had won to the Lord, Discipled, and for several years now has been a deacon in a like-minded Baptist Church; Dan’s pastor, Pastor Wert Officiated the Service and brought the message. Between these two men there were times of laughter and not many dry eyes in the building. The Gospel was given and God was Glorified. Churches from all over North Central Ohio brought food and catered the Dinner afterward at a nearby event center. Many a thanks to those churches.

Moving Over & Moving Forward: 

With Pastor Dan’s Home Going there are a few things now in play. We are now moving over to Rent a house in the Bucyrus, Ohio area instead of traveling back and forth from Medina, Ohio. There are some Definites that are having to be faced. Pray for our Church Planting Work at Old Paths. Some of the few that are members there, are falling away.

Strategy, Plan Of Attack in 4 Areas:

Discipleship: My wife is discipling a lady named Cathy and is halfway through, Praise the Lord. The man that I was discipling fizzled out; Non-Members to Join: There are about 11 Non-member that have been coming pretty regularly, Some, every Sunday Morning and 3 every service in the week. Some are not saved, some claim to be saved, and some  are saved and need to be baptized; Dominic: Dominic is a young man of about 12 years old that Pastor Dan led to the Lord and lives in the town of Bloomville. He is of great interest to me; Wynford School District: Wynford School district is about 3 to 5 minutes at most away from the church. I am going to try getting involved with the school in as many ways that open for me. My thoughts go back to Ghana W. Africa as we were church planting missionaries there. The Lord led  to us two young teenagers named Prince and Koasi. These young teenagers were yielded and God allowed me to Disciple Them, Teach Them, and Train Them up into the ministry. They are now in their 30’s and have been working along-side  me since their ordination in May 2012 and are the pastors of our church plant and Bible Study there in Ghana W Africa. I believe if the Lord let it happen then, He can do it again. Please help Support us in doing it again in Bucyrus, Ohio at Old Paths Baptist Church.

Travels & Prayer Requests: 

We were at Blessed Hope Baptist Church and at Calvary Chapel Baptist Church to update them about our ministry in Bucyrus, Ohio at Old Paths. There are other Pastors, Churches, and Individuals who are being voices for us and support  us in this work at Old Paths. Please prayerfully, consider what you will do in support of us at Old Paths. Please be in prayer for Pastor Dan Dornbirer’s family in their adjustments and Old Paths Baptist Church as we all adjust to Pastor Dan’s passing; Our Work of Church Planting at Old Paths Baptist Church; Our Travels; and for New Supporting Churches.

Bits Of Bread: “Nothing Doubting”

“Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.”; “And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied  me, and we entered into the man's house:” - Acts 10:20; 11:12 

                                                                                                                                    

Matthew J Siekbert

March Newsletter 2023

At Old Paths: The theme at Old Paths for this year is “Search The Scriptures Daily”. Our Theme verse is Acts17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Based off this theme we provided some Scripture Reading Plans for the year and Little Yellow Note Pads from Sam’s Club. During the Adult Sunday School hour I am teaching on the Topic of God’s Word and Psalm 119. The little yellow note pads we call our “Scripture Pads”, I have encouraged them to write down some things the Lord has shown them during the week of their personal Bible Reading and Devotion time. As Christians we should read God’s Word, but not to just complete a year of reading through the Bible, but to listen and meditate on what the Lord is speaking to us about. On Sunday Evening we have been having a time of testimony with our “Scripture Pads”, sharing what we have written down, and then I’ve been speaking on the Lessons that I have Gleaned from the week’s reading.  Some of the topics I have preached on at Old Paths for Sunday morning have been about: Searching the Scriptures Daily; Our Faith, Our Fasting, and Our Resilience. I have started Discipleship with one of the men in the church. Jackie will begin this Wednesday with two ladies that attend there, a Mother and a Daughter. Wednesday night, I am teaching on I Peter.

 

Travels: With taking Old Path’s services I have been trying to take only one Sunday a month for traveling. Our traveling to other churches and Pastor Fellowships are for the purpose of Updating those who have supported our Church Planting in Ghana W Africa, to Retain our support Retooling for missions in America Planting, Establishing, and Strengthening churches here in our Country. In January we traveled to Hilltop in New York; In February I got to speak at a Valentine’s Banquet at Ambassador Baptist, in Wadsworth, Ohio; We were at a couple of Mission Conferences, one was at First Freedom, in Brimfield, Ohio and the other at Bethel Baptist in Pekin, Illinois. On Tuesday the 28^thwe joined Bible Baptist, in Sandusky OH, with their new Pastor and had a good evening with them. It is so good to see those faithful people we’ve known for over 20 years still in church and serving. It was an encouragement to be with them all. We thank the Lord for each of you and the pouring out of Blessings on top of your Financial gifts and Support! We are Loved and we are Blessed! Thank You!!! The meetings we had in February were many, but only one Sunday service was taken from my preaching and teaching at Old Paths. Many of the meetings I have had were off days like Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday and close in proximity. Thank You For Helping Me Help Them! I cannot do it alone. You are very Important to our Missions work in America!!! I would Like to See the Lord doing Great Things at Old Paths!

Prayer Requests:Please continue to pray for Pastor Dan Dornbirer and that his body responds positively to the cancer treatments; Our Work at Old Paths Baptist Church; Our Travels; and for Supporting Churches

 

Bits Of Bread: “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” – Lk 7:47 (7:36-50)In reading this parable Simon, the pharisee who invited Jesus to eat with him had a problem with a woman in the city, which was a sinner, for she loved much and he loved little! “The parable does not deal with the ‘Amount’of sin in a person’s life but the ‘Awareness’of that sin in his heart.” (W Wiersbe)                                                                                                                                Matthew J Siekbert

January 2023 Newsletter

 At Old Paths

Since December my wife, my son Nehemiah, and I have been at Old Paths Baptist Church in Bucyrus Ohio. Because we are/were their missionary in Ghana we are acquainted, but now we are learning to know them better and their families. It truly has been a joy being used and serving the Lord there. I have taken all of the services while Pastor Dornbirer is dealing with cancer. We pray for Dan, his wife Kathy and their family during this difficult time. We pray for his healing. The church loves him and you see the hurt they are all going through. We thank the Churches who still see us as missionaries and that are continuing to support us. AMERICA IS A MISSION FIELD and CHURCHES NEED PLANTED, ESTABLISHED, and STRENGHTENED! Here are some things that I have been told: I. By Layman In America, “We need Missionaries here in our country”; II. By Pastors In America, “If we do not have strong sound churches here in America, how are we going to send out foreign field missionaries with conviction?” No Biblical Churches, No Biblical Missionaries! God commanded in the Book of Genesis chapter 1 that we should Reproduce after our own kind!; Concerning missions in America another Pastor told me this, “The Bible tells us to Go ‘Both’ in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”; “A need seen is an assignment given.”; III. By The Bible to be Lived By In America, It tells me in I Cor 8-10, Mission Giving Principles are Based off helping the Brethren; At this point my family and I are helping to Establish and Strengthen the Planted. We are answering the calls the Bible tells us of! Thank you to those who are continuing our support as missionaries in America. Our Missions support is still to be sent to Chippewa Lake Baptist Church.

Christmas/New Year

This Thanksgiving and Christmas looked a little different this year with my mom being gone and us being back in the States. When we were home on furlough we always had Thanksgiving at mom’s. This Thanksgiving in the States Jackie cooked and our two youngest sons were with us. On Christmas Eve Jackie also made dinner and all our children where home…except Naomi…she was planning on coming, but then the snow and cold weather came and delayed her coming till the next weekend. In Africa where our children grew up we all were together, so this Christmas was something we looked forward to with us all being back together again. We thank all those churches and individuals who sent us cards, monetary gifts, and extra support for Ministry needs.

Good News from Afar!!!

Our Church Plant in Ghana, Cornerstone Biblical Baptist Church with Pastor Prince and the Anji Bible Study with Pastor Koasi have been able to secure another 2 years of renting the Anaji Bible Study Room. Amen! Bro Koasi has asked prayer for some new visitors there who have been coming. Cornerstone was also able to get their auditorium lights and install them. It is looking nice! God Is Good! After church on Christmas Day we got a FaceTime call from Pastor Prince, Linda, and little Matthew. Little Matthew is getting big, also Prince and Linda shared with us that they are expecting their 2^ndchild. We are super excited. We have been praying for them. Linda has some health issues in the last couple of years. 

 Travels and Prayer Requests

Please pray for Pastor Dornbirer, Old Paths Baptist Church, our travels there, and other meetings reporting on the completion of our missions work in Ghana and now our missions work in Bucyrus, Ohio; and our Continued Support.

Bits Of Bread  “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” – Philip 2:5    There are calls from the Brethren to the Brethren about being “Like-minded” Having the mind of Christ – Phil 2:1-18; There are calls from Macedonia, perhaps another brother in Christ calling, “Come and Help Us” – Acts 16:9; There are calls from Heaven, “Who Will Go For Us?” – Isa 6:8; There are calls from Hell, “Send him to my father’s house:” – 

Lk 16:27.

 Matthew J Siekbert

 

2022 November Newsletter

MY MOTHER: 

On October 31 my Mother, Judy Siekbert unexpectantly went out to meet the Lord. My Dad and Mom were 1st generation Christians. They Received Christ on September 22, 1962 and that Changed/ Transformed their lives serving in church effecting their brothers and sisters, their children, grand-children and great grand-children. My Mother’s Life was and is a living testimony of the Change and Transformation the Lord can make, and the rippling effects of that change. My Mother, Judy Siekbert’s Memorial Service was at First Baptist Church of Milford, Ohio November 7th. It is posted on my Facebook. Love You Mom, We will See you soon!!! Please pray for us and Thank you for it. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” - III John 1:4

Pray for my dad, Jim

MY NEW MINISTRY: 

A few weeks ago I met with my Pastor, James Siekbert, and my former Pastor, Dr. Charles Keen, about the Lord’s leading in my life. I shared with them the burdens I felt and listened to their advice. After 5 years as an assistant, 23 years in missions and 19 of those years in Ghana, West Africa, we feel God would have us pursue other ministry opportunities. I want to thank each supporter of our ministry over the past 23 years. We feel God would have us continue to serve in His ministry in some way, whether pastoring or assisting in a ministry of some kind in a local church. As we wait for God to show us His perfect will, Jackie and I will be busy assisting a small church in Bucyrus, Ohio whose Pastor, Dan Dornbirer, has cancer and is struggling to stay healthy. Pastor Dan Dornbirer contacted me a few weeks ago and asked me, as he is struggling with his health, if the Lord would lead me into helping out his church stay afloat until he gets better. I do not know what all this means, but the Lord does and I know that they cannot support me. This church is a young church plant. We will still be maintaining our membership at Chippewa Lake Baptist Church. If you would like to continue partnering with our ministry until God reveals His exact plan for us, we would appreciate that very much. Support money should still be sent to Chippewa Lake Baptist Church. Should you decide not to continue our support, we thank you for all those years you invested in us. Should you have further questions please feel free to call myself at 234-802-5342 or my pastor at 330- 769-2790.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS & PRAYER REQUESTS: 

Thank you all for your Faithful Support Financially and Prayerfully!!! We look to Continue with you if the Lord Leads you in that. Starting this New Year we will be in the process of changing our Newsletter’s Letterhead. Be on the look-out! We are the same people, but updated look. Our New Ministry could save on some costs if we could email everyone who gets our newsletter instead of sending out a hard copy of our Newsletters. We could save on ink, envelopes, and stamps. If you get a hard copy and you do not mind getting an emailed copy instead PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: SiekbertRomans828@gmail.com . Please Pray for Pastor Dan Dornbirer, his health and biopsy results; for our continued support; for our family, the Siekbert Family as our Mother passed away; The Heitman Family and his church, Bible Baptist Fellowship as Pastor Georg Heitman passed away; The Troell Family, missionaries to Iraq, as their Father was murdered over there.

Pray for Pastor Dan Dornbirer and his wife Kathy

BITS OF BREAD: 

Help The Brethren, and Strengthen The Church – “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” - Exd 17:12; “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” - Rev 3:2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING & HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Matthew J Siekbert