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Michigan Bridge Ministry is a Christian organization dedicated to supporting missionaries and the projects with which they are involved. Our Goal is to do what we can to help unify the body of Christ in all parts of the world. Our mission partners are both overseas and domestic.
It is our desire to be able to bridge the gaps of distance, language, culture, and doctrine by supporting disciples who spread the Word of God and share the Love of Jesus Christ around the world.
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Defend
the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain
the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Psalms 82:3 (NIV)
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The Committee for Sexual Protection of Children
in Ukraine is committed to partnering with organizations
that offer education materials, and resources
to raise awareness for a thorough understanding
of the moral and social implications of sexuality.
Our main objective is to provide trainings about
abuse prevention, trauma recognition, and Christian
rehabilitation counseling. |
This
ministry can not exist without your help...
or
send a check to:
Family of Faith Ministries
203 E. Upright St.
Charlevoix, MI 49720
memo: CSPCU & MBM |
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Dear jason wiser, 
The NMSAAA Conference is over, but the work is just beginning. We had 40+ people in attendance at one or all three of the events, including 5 pastors! We saw lives changes, eyes opened, and wounds healed. We had education, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Thank you to all who attended and all who helped to make this possible. If you are interested in learning more, please write to me, and go to www.NMSAAA.org We will be posting future events, information & resources, and different ways for you to get involved.
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Turn in your Bible to...
Scriptures specific to God's heart
for Children
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"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." Matthew 19:14 "Then
Jesus took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his
arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name
welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who
sent me." Mark 9:37"At that time the
disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I
tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child
in my name welcomes me. If any of you put a stumbling block
before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better
for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you
were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of
stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to
the one by whom the stumbling block comes." Matthew 18:1-6
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Northern Michigan Summit Against Abuse & Assault
by Pastor Chip Sauer, Charlevoix Community Reformed
Church
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I participated in the recent
Summit Against Abuse and Assault in Charlevoix and I was overwhelmed.
It is time for all of us to take a stand against the ravages of abuse,
especially the abuse of children.
How prevalent is child abuse?
- 1 million children per year confirmed (does not include all the unreported incidents)
- 2,000 children die every year because of child abuse
- 1/5 girls and 1/7 boys by age 18 will be abused
- 1.1 million runaway/throwaway children in the U.S. - often runaway because of abuse
- 241,000 children are prostituted in the United States each year
- The rate of child abuse is 10x greater than the rate of cancer
- U.S. government spends 10x more on cancer prevention than child abuse prevention
- 94 billion dollars are spend every year on aftercare for child abuse
What about the sexual exploitation of children?
- 20% of children ages 10-17 have been solicited sexually online
- 100,000 - 300,000 children are exploited sexually every year
- average child prostitute sees 4-10 customers a day
that's 1,460 - 3,650 sexual victimizations per year, per child
- avg age of sexually exploited child is 14
- 18.5 million pornographic images/videos of children produced each year
- If a child runs away or is thrown out of their home, and they spend
more than 30 days on the street, it is almost a guarantee they will end
up in the sex trade industry and become a sexually exploited child.
- 70% of victimizations come at the hands of someone the child knows and trusts
Child abuse is a sin.
Child sexual abuse is a sin.
It is the work of the Enemy who is seeking to destroy children.
"... it would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck ..."
All forms of child abuse do exactly what Jesus warns us about. They keep children from God.
"How could God let this happen?"
"Where was God when my own dad was sexually abusing me week after week, year after year?"
"Why did the church provide more support to the offender than to the victim?"
"Why did the church condemn the victim and show mercy to the offender?"
"Why did the church start avoiding me and my family when I reported the abuse?"
"How could the church let this happen in their own building?"
"Why do I feel like I did something wrong by telling the truth?"
"Why doesn't the church believe me?"
One of the devastating consequences of being a victim of abuse is the temptation to reject God and the church.
It
may not be an easy topic to talk about, but it must be addressed.  We
cannot claim to love our children and the children in this community
without acknowledging the reality of this evil that as one person
described "is the playground of Satan." There is nothing that he wants
more than to destroy the weak and innocent ones among us. A prime
target is children. Our silence only furthers his cause.
A few suggestions:
- Parents must talk with their kids about this reality. Help them
understand that no one should touch their private parts and if anyone
does, they need to tell someone until they are heard.
- Parents need to help children understand the difference between sinning and being a victim of someone else's sin.
- Many offenders tell children it is their fault and that they are just
as guilty as the perpetrator for participating in this activity.
- Parents need to help children understand that secrets can be very bad
especially when they are asked to keep secrets from one or both of
their parents.
- Parents need to help their children understand and avoid the dangers of the internet.
 Would
you allow a stranger to come into your child's room and close the door
and spend time alone with your child? Of course not, but many parents
allow this behavior to take place on the internet.
In a loving
and helpful way, ask your church, school system, law enforcement, etc.
what they are doing to prevent child abuse. Become an advocate for kids
and help these organizations do everything they can to protect the
children in our community.
Check out the following websites for helpful information:
Grace - www.netgrace.org
Mending the Soul - www.mendingthesoul.org
Halos - www.charlestonhalos.org
Faith Trust Institute - www.faithtrustinstitute.org
"Darkness2Light" training curriculum - www.darkness2light.org
Watch the DVD "Hear Their Cries"
National Child Protection Training Center - www.ncptc.org
Great web site for those in law enforcement/judicial system
Pray for children in our community - for those abused and in the midst of abuse.
Visit our
website www.NMSAAA.org
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Join us in Prayer...
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 The victims and survivors of Abuse in your church and community
- Pastors, Counselors, Educators looking to God for restoration and healing
- Praise God for the wonderful testimonies of freedom from the bondage of despair caused by abuse
- Opportunities to get your church involved
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Financial Concerns
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A car to use while we are Stateside - ANSWERED!!!- Raise $375 more to cover NMSAAA Conference bills
- Funds for the Christian crisis counseling center in Ukraine
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We look forward to hearing from you. Please share with us your questions, comments, and suggestions. Thank you all for your prayers and support.
God's Blessings,
Jason & Valeriia Wiser, Directors
Michigan Bridge Ministries & CSPCU
Church of God World Missions #065-0833
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