Dear Friends,
We’ve stayed close to home this summer, but have somehow kept very busy still as we’ve tended to our garden, enjoyed time with friends, attended Naomi’s cousin’s wedding, and kept up with work and church responsibilities.

Ministry News

No Ordinary Story Series Audiobook
Last week we began recording book five of the eight book set, so we’re past the halfway point! It is slow going as we have to do at least two takes on everything, and we can only do a few hours a day before voices start to give out. I am discovering how many words I mispronounce! Naomi also spends time in the recording studio as she is the voice for all the Scripture in the book series.

Speaking Opportunities
I’ve had a couple speaking opportunities this summer, one at the church we regularly attend, and another one this weekend at a supporting church 1.5 hrs north of here.

Bible School in Texas
The last week of August I’ll be traveling to Texas to help teach a Creation-to-Christ course at 3D Training Center (Disciple, Develop, Disperse), a small 1-year Christian school. We will be kicking off their school year by teaching By This Name to the student body of around 20 students.

A Note from a Pastor
We recently received this note from a pastor in the US: “ I wanted to write to encourage you that your book has had a tremendous impact in the life of our church…. Many people, most likely hundreds, have come to know Christ in the last 15 years.”

Partnering with Missionaries Overseas
A few weeks ago, a missionary couple stopped by to pick up a large quantity of books for their ministry in Mexico. They, along with another visitor, joined us for a bite of lunch. As we all sat around, hearing about ministry in Mexico and how GS tools were used there, our other visitor commented, “This is what GoodSeed does!” As he observed in person how we partnered with this one couple to enrich their ministry and knowing that GoodSeed helps many more, he could see that GoodSeed is a multiplying ministry – helping others multiply their efforts for the Gospel.

Family Happenings

Ethan had a good week at a fly fishing camp with his grandfather who was the speaker for the week. This was followed up with Ethan volunteering at the camp for the next week which he really enjoyed.

Naomi, Ellie and Ethan volunteered at VBS at our church for a week and Adelaine has kept busy nannying twin girls of some friends of ours

We built a new greenhouse.

Prayer Requests

Family stuff:

• That Ellie will be able to find a suitable job.
• A replacement vehicle for Troy. If you know of something, esp. something AWD and less that $5000, please let us know.
• That each one in our family would know Christ better and desire to serve Him.

Ministry stuff:

• For Troy as he speaks this weekend and travels to and ministers in TX next week.
• That we can get the audiobook recording finished. This project has had so many interruptions and obstacles.
• For John Cross (Naomi’s dad), as he is making good progress on his writing of another book – Draft 1 almost complete.

We want to thank you for joining us in prayer and support for our ministry with GoodSeed and our family.

Troy & Naomi

P.S. A few photos from a family camping trip a week ago.

About 15 years ago, a church in Des Moines, Iowa start using The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus as a key component in ensuring their people had a clear understanding of the gospel. Basically, anyone new to the church, looking to join a small group, or wanting to become a church member first gets funneled into their “Starting Point” class. Over eight weeks, the class studies The Stranger book, and that way the entire congregation has the same foundations on which the pastors can build.

Do I really believe this?
This is Tyler’s story, and it comes from a public Facebook post from this church.

I have been a church goer all my life. Thus, Jesus, or at the very least the idea of Jesus, has always been a part of who I am. I am also a very factual person. I question and look for evidence and proof before making decisions. This inherently lead me for a few years to occasionally ask the questions “Do I really believe this?” or “How can I be sure? I began to look at church as a chore and something I had to do. It was not a productive or fulfilling time for me. I didn’t seek out Bible study groups or spend any time in the word.

So, although I was a church goer, it wasn’t until I went through the Soteria’s Starting Point Class where things began to click. The factual nature of the “Stranger on the Road to Emmaus” started giving me the insight I was looking for. The ever-lingering questions of “Do I really believe this?” or “How can I be sure?” began to fade and were replaced by requests like “Lord help me understand” or “Lord use me to do your will”. Fast forward a few months or so and pastor Mike did a two-week series on “Can We Trust Our Bibles?”. This put the final nail in the coffin and gave my annoyingly inquisitive mind the resolution I didn’t realize I was looking for.

In summary, in the past I could put up a good front and say the right things when asked, but it wasn’t until recently that I truly believed for myself that Jesus dies for our sins and credited us his righteousness. There is a new energy in who I am. I am excited and eager to go to church, be part of a growth group, and spend time in the Word. I look forward to growing and strengthening my faith in the years to come and leading my family in a God fearing, God first manner.

It is amazing what a clearly understood Gospel can do for people, even for people who have been going to church their whole lives!

This church is not alone
It seems that their approach to using The Stranger has caught on with other churches around them. We recently had a large order of books going to a nearby church, and we gave them a call to ask what they were doing. The church secretary told us that about 10 years ago, another church in the area also created a “Starting Point” course, which studies The Stranger as well. They run 3 courses each year and often have around 30 people attend each course on average. She also shared a quick story of her own. Her daughter started dating a fellow who wasn’t a believer, but began coming to church with her. The mother taught him through the course and he became a believer by its completion.

In the past week alone, we’ve had orders from five other churches in and around Des Moines, Iowa, plus a number more in the last few months. We don’t usually have the opportunity to speak to those ordering the books, but from what we can see, it seems that this approach to grounding a congregation is catching on in that area and we think that’s pretty cool!

Together with you for the Gospel.

Troy & Naomi

Books Heading North with Samaratian’s Purse

Our children love to participate in Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child’s shoebox program each year. They enjoy purchasing items and packing a few boxes for our family and church. For years they have wanted to travel to the large warehouse in Calgary to help repack and process the boxes, too, but have never had the opportunity.

That changed a bit this week.

Samaritan’s Purse contacted GoodSeed this week looking for a bit of help. They have some left-over shoebox contributions they plan to ship to Canada’s far north for people in very remote communities. They were wondering if we could supply the gospel resources for 200 packets.

We agreed on a bundle of books including The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus with its accompanying DVD, a large print edition of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, a DVD version of our children’s book, The Lamb, and a shorter gospel presentation booklet called The Story that Matters. These bundles had to be assembled quickly so the packages could be on their way.

At supper last night we discussed how the kids have always wanted to help the shoebox program and how we could now have a role in seeing people in the far north equipped with a clear gospel message. They were excited to take part. After supper, we headed over to the office and spent a couple hours assembling the 200 sets. It was fun to see the kids’ excitement at being a part of this project.

Please pray with us as these gospel resources head into Canada’s far north later this week and bring light to the homes they are given to.

It is a joy for us to see these books go out, along with hundreds of other books each week, knowing each one may help bring someone to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Thank you for participating with us in getting the Good News out there!

Troy & Naomi

Gospel Partners in Kenya

While heavily missionized, many churches in Africa have very little understanding of the gospel, with most believing in some form of works based salvation. Many pastors have little to no theological training, and in many areas Christian books, even Bibles are hard to come by.

On social media we follow George,  a pastor in Kenya that somehow stumbled onto GoodSeed resources. Since then he has been in regular contact with our staff, and we have been thrilled to send him books and teaching aids along with people who travel to visit him in Africa.

A few years ago he was teaching at a pastor’s workshop and he shared about the gospel of grace. A few of the Bishops stood up to oppose his teaching of salvation by faith. George had opportunity to talk with them more, and has, over time, they have come to accept this message. Recently George held a conference and posted this:

“I usually carry just one copy of The Stranger book to give out to the person I feel led to. For this conference of 72 Bishops and Pastors I carried 5 books so these Bishops received The Stranger books and one of them gets All That The Prophets Have Spoken. May the Lord bless the seeds sown. I am able to give these materials absolutely free of charge because that’s how I receive them. Some people who have understood the Gospel are giving to get the Gospel out. Thanks to Pastor John R. Cross and the GoodSeed ministry for believing in me enough to support with these precious tools.”

Understanding God’s Plan

God has given me the honor to be able to give this book freely to those that He impresses upon my heart. Thanks to GoodSeed Ministry. Here I gave a copy to Moris and his wife Joy after baptizing them in Lake Victoria. And I am happy to know how the Lord is using the book to establish them and prepare them to be clear message bearers.”