Message from the Founders

 
As 2012 is now underway, we ask for your prayers for what God will do in Romania through RUTH Ministries International. As we prepare, a few key words come to mind. Passion. We must have passion when serving God. No matter what it is that He has called us to do. God tells us in Revelation 3:16 “not to be lukewarm, but to be hot or cold about our faith.” Just as we encourage those that hear the Gospel to accept it now, we need to encourage believers to step up and be passionate about their faith now. We hear about how the circumstances of life get in the way. We must remember earthly life is finite, but Eternal life is forever. To wait until the circumstances change is to miss the amazing opportunities that God has in store for you and the rest of your life. Compassion. This word is used 98 times throughout the bible. It is important to understand how Jesus took his message to the world. Not only did he teach and preach, but he also fed and healed the sick. In Matthew 9:35, 36 it says “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” Not only did Jesus do this, but He gave authority to His disciples. This authority is also relevant today. We are called to not only share the Gospel, but to help those that cannot help themselves. Legacy. This last word is the most important. What can we do to leave a lasting legacy? God’s legacy, not our own. This is critical to understand. We see in the world many legacies, men and women accomplishing remarkable and amazing things. Names are written in history books. Buildings and monuments are named after them. But the crucial question to ask is the importance, or more importantly significance, of the accomplishments. Certainly, medical discoveries that eliminate deadly diseases are important. As are the creation of computers and other types of technologies that make life easier. But what relevance do they have? In Matthew 6:19, 20 it says “Do not store up your treasurers on earth but to store up treasures in Heaven.” If you look at Jesus’ legacy, when He performed miracles He did not say that it was from Him but gave all the glory to God. It wasn’t about Him, but everything about the Father. Everything that we do must always point us toward the Father.

So as we look to what the future holds, RUTH Ministries International continues to focus on that which will point the lost to the only thing that will save them, a personal relationship with Jesus. To help the people in Southeast Romania stand on their own and proclaim God’s love to those that need to hear the Good News. Leaving a legacy of helping others know of an eternal life with Christ is paramount. To do anything else would be fruitless.

Consumed by the Call,

Marshall and Marta Greenman 
Co-Founders of RUTH Ministries International