Update: Seeds That Change Lives
Praying with Evangelist Henry Pulsifer in 1984.
Dear Precious People,
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 KJVER)
This is the time of planting seed for our farmers and gardeners here in the upper Midwest. Just as the seeds that we sow in spring will produce fruit in the fall, I’ve been thinking about how the things that we say and do will produce fruit later in life.
As we were preparing for our outreach to Mahnomen in April, I ran across this photo on our website and realized, “Hey, that photo was taken near Mahnomen. Turns out the photo you see here is of Evangelist Henry Pulsifer and me praying. It was taken in 1984, just after I began serving in full-time ministry. Henry was walking with his cross from Mississippi to Winnipeg, praying and evangelizing along the way.
I thought, what kind of seeds were planted in that moment captured in this photo? Seeds in me for evangelistic ministry. Seeds for Mahnomen. Seeds for you who are reading this now.
Many times, we plant seeds, and we don’t even recognize their value. We don’t understand that the seeds of our actions contain a blueprint for a harvest, often much greater in value and quantity, a multiplied seed. It seems the older I get, the more I recognize the value of a seed. Seeds of kindness. Seeds of faithfulness. Seeds of patience. Seeds you plant that no one recognizes or acknowledges.
Then again, there are the negative seeds. Words spoken in anger. Actions taken based on wrong assumptions. Times when emotions have dominated over the spirit. Whatsoever a man or woman sows, that shall he or she reap. But if you’ve sowed a bad seed in the past, don’t get defeated. Just repent, receive forgiveness, and go on. God can even turn negative things into positive when we learn from them, grow up, and go on. Don’t live in the past. Forgive yourself. God has a future and a hope for you!
Henry Pulsifer sowed some good seeds. I don’t know how much sacrifice was involved in walking with a cross through America from south to north. I’m not sure how many times his mind or body told him to go home; this is a waste of time. And yet he persevered. The seed was planted in the heart of a young minister. Seeds were planted for Mahnomen and the White Earth Reservation. Many others have planted seeds there, as well, and continue to do so. Some have prayed. Some have ministered tirelessly to plant the Gospel there and in a world of other places. Realize, my friends, that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
After I saw this picture and recognized the connection between that prayer and our outreach in Mahnomen, I wrote an email to Henry, not realizing that he had gone to be with the Lord. I received this encouraging and inspiring email back from his daughter:
Hi Mr. Tom, this is Joy Pulsifer, Henry’s daughter. I’m so sorry to tell you that my father passed away about 7 years ago. I can’t tell you how special it was to see that photo. I was just a child when we were in Minnesota. Knowing that the work my father did then is still making a difference today brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep sharing the Good News with everyone.
So Henry is gone, but I want you to know that his seed remains. Likewise, Abraham, David, Jesus, and Paul are gone from the earth, but their seed remains. One day, you and I will be gone, but our seed will remain!
Rev. Issac Clossou encouraging students at Danzoumey.
The Seeds are Still Producing in Benin
I recently visited with Rev. Isaac Clossou of Messenger Church of God on WhatsApp Video. We have been working with his ministry in Benin for many years. In May, he led the monthly prayer meeting at the retreat center in Danzounmey, a remote village in southern Benin. Two young men received Christ at the prayer meeting.
This is the place where we have helped to drill a well, build classrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a dormitory for the Bible school and vocational high school. Issac reports that 10 students are scheduled to graduate from the vocational high school this summer—six from the electrical engineering program and four from the civil engineering program.
In addition, three full-time students from the Bible school are about to enter their internships working with local churches, after which they will graduate and begin their ministries as local pastors. The Bible School has been fruitful, with 73 students having graduated so far, most of whom have become pastors in rural areas where the need is greatest. Some are engaged in evangelism and church planting, and two are teaching in other Bible Schools. These are multiplying seeds, people!
In addition to the two schools and the monthly prayer meeting, there is a local church on the grounds, which is pastored by one of the Bible School graduates, and which also has three branches in nearby villages. The grounds and facilities are also used for conferences each year—an international missions conference in March, a ministry of the supernatural in July, and a national convention of their 22 churches in September.
We recently sent $1,000 to Benin from one of our partners who designated an offering for Benin. Issac told me that he had used some of the money to catch up on teachers’ salaries. The rest he used to start making concrete blocks for a new building the ministry is planning—a large building for the local church and for conferences. I told him, “You are a visionary!” If you would like to invest in “The Benin Vision,” you can donate here. We will send 100 percent to be used wherever most needed for the continued work in Benin.
Tom and Susan on the river boat cruise on their 56th anniversary.
56 Blessed Years
Susan and I celebrated our 56th anniversary with a wonderful cruise on the St. Croix River on May 24. I am truly a blessed man!
Thank You for Your Seeds
Thank you for the seeds you have sown to help others know Jesus, and for the seeds you have sown into this ministry through prayer, encouragement, and giving. Keep letting your light shine wherever you go, and let’s continue to pray for one another. The best is yet to come!
Still planting!