REVIVAL MINISTRY- Three Special Services of Awakening-
In a world of incredible uncertainty, there must be an uncompromising certainty to the life of every believer. Centered in mix of the chaos that seems to envelop us, now more than ever, God is awakening His church, the body of Christ, to be prepared. He wants us to be ready and resolute for His return.
But it is not enough just to be ready; what we are doing in the days that approach His return is critical. While the irrational events of the world, along with the absurd dealings in our own country- froth around us every day, God has a plan. And the church is an intricate part of that plan.
These Special Services of Awakening are intended to bring about a greater awareness of God’s plan; as well as to provide an environment for an outpouring of His anointing in these critical days. As we look at current world events through the lens of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is bringing an awakening and a renewed empowerment to His church.
After more than 35 years of pastoral and missionary-evangelism ministry in 56 countries across 5 continents- combined with current ministry overseas and constant communication with embedded missionary friends around the world- we offer a unique perspective of the world events unfolding every day. It is clear that these events will indeed have profound ramifications in your church and its ministry in the very near future.
We have endeavored to design these special revival services, meeting on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Monday evening, to fit into the busy schedules in the church. To our delight, even those churches that do not regularly have a corporate service on Sunday evenings- have come together with eager crowds for this special event!
And of course we always remain open to extending the services in the week should you desire. Please contact us at 616-291-3438, or dean@aboundinghope.com if you are interested in scheduling an Awakening Revival in your church.
DRAMA MINISTRY- One Man Drama Presentations
As part of their ministry to the local church, Dean & Brenda Elliott minister through stirring dramatic presentations portraying different characters for Christmas, Easter and Missions.
This one man Christmas drama- written by Dean Elliott and Jack Strom is a unique rendition of the Christmas story- retold by the very one who didn’t have any room for the expectant couple from Nazareth. With laughter and much regret, Eleazar tells of that very special night when he unknowingly turned away the Messiah from his home. The character of Eleazar is a rough and gruff old man who speaks with a distinctive New York Jewish accent. His demeanor may be rough, but his heart is soft and now has the love of the Savior abounding! This drama can also include several adults and especially kids without any rehearsals or line memorization necessary.
Now in his older years- Heber, the shepherd on the night watch on the very night the Messiah was born, runs the famous, “Shepherd’s School” for youthful, troubled shepherds. It is his job to help these younger misfits of Judea become “real Shepherds!” He takes a new class of shepherds to the field of Migdal Eder- where he saw the angel who brought the good news and tells them about that very night. This delightful drama, written by Dean & Brenda Elliott, includes the kids of the local church allowing them to sing and present their own special music!
You didn’t know there were actually 4 magi who set out to find the Christ child? Well, perhaps this delightful narrative of the Christmas story will be unlike any other! Rajamoni, the seemingly all but forgotten fourth magi, was running a bit behind the others- in fact all his life it seemed like that was his story. So Rajamoni sets out to prove to everyone that he could in fact do something worthwhile- he was going to find the long awaited King of Israel- and announce the arrival of the Messiah! This whimsical and inspiring drama, written by Dean, Brenda and Lauren Elliott, tells of the journey of the 4th magi and his guide and travel companion, Capella- the shining star, how he finally reaches his destination, and what he has to give the baby Jesus. The kids of the local church can also be involved so they can sing and present their own special music!
This drama presentation will bring you back to the old 1940’s radio dramas. King Herod- Kingdom Conspiracy is an adaptation from the original radio broadcast from 1945- The Greatest Story Ever Told- Flight into Egypt. Whileall the characters from the original radio broadcast presentation are there and participate (you will hear them)- only King Herod will be seen! Here the character of King Herod comes to life and the drama revolves around his failed attempt to destroy the King of the Jews- and the Kingdom of God!
This is a more serious drama than the others- and reflects all of the endeavors over the years the kingdom of darkness has attempted to destroy the Kingdom of Light! The close of the drama is where the pastor can make an appeal to “stop the struggle to deny the existence” of a Savior and accept Him today! It is approximately 35 minutes long and does not involve any other people from the church.
These wonderful 30-40 minute adaptation of the Christmas and Easter stories work well for church services and Holiday banquets alike. Often the stories are developed by using several other characters (church people) as town’s people or extended family of the main character. These “add ins” to the cast, can be integrated to sing specials, etc.; or the main character (portrayed by Dean Elliott) can perform alone.
Each of the Christmas dramas are light hearted- lots of fun- but have a real punch at the end- presenting the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. The Easter dramas also tell of the birth, life, death and resurrection- but are more serious in nature.
This Drama, High Adventure in Tibet is the moving and compelling story of the difference one man made to change the course of history for a nation. On February 4, 1908, as a young single missionary, Victor Plymire set sail from Seattle, Washington for northwest China and the desolate land of Tibet, to which God had called him to share the gospel.
Both humor and hardships are told with undaunted courage as if you were sitting with Plymire in his humble cottage in Springfield, Missouri in 1956- only hours before he passes away and receives his eternal reward. You will find out how he was the only man to cross the harsh land of Tibet on horseback and on foot, from boarder to boarder- over 2,000 miles sharing the gospel message to everyone he met. You will hear of the triumphs and tragedies of a lost people and the man who would not let go of the call of God on his life. You will feel his struggle as he wrestles with God in the fulfillment of the calling in his life until the very end here on this earth.
Victor Plymire was a man who lived in a world of compassion, concern and was compelled to make sure the Tibetans knew the loving Savior. Your life will be changed and challenged as you meet Missionary Victor Plymire.
A dramatic portrayal Dean does is that of the famous missionary- CT Studd. Set in the late 1800’s, contemporaries with DL Moody and Hudson Taylor, this stalwart messenger of the cross takes the gospel to China, India and Africa. CT Studd along with Stanley Smith led the “Cambridge Seven” to China, in 1885. Studd had a deep and compelling passion to spread the gospel that far outweighed any and all of the fame and glory he had already gained as England’s greatest cricket player!
As a soldier of the Cross, C.T. is remembered for "his courage in any emergency, his determination never to sound the retreat, his conviction that he was in God's will, his faith that God would see him through, his contempt of the arm of the flesh, and his willingness to risk all for Christ." He tells us his story of what it was like to forsake all and take up the cross of missions! You will hear of the tragedies and triumphs of this incredible, British veteran of God’s army. Though he was a mere man, your life will not be the same after meeting this apostle of the cross on the mission field.
A new dramatic presentation is “Mother of the Nile "- the story of matron missionary Lillian Trasher and her renown orphanage in Assiut, Egypt. In 1911, at the young age of 23, single after just having broken off an engagement to a young minister- Lillian Trasher set sail for Egypt. Once there, she was fascinated by the country with its exotic and colorful landscape; yet appalled by the poverty and needs of her people.
In Mother of the Nile, you will travel to Assiut, Egypt with an ambitious journalist, Franklin Arnold, who, much to his chagrin is sent to there to cover a special human interest story and meet this larger than life legend. Delayed on the way to Egypt in Casablanca due to illness, he arrives a week later than he had planned on December 19, in 1961; he was not ready for what he encountered.
Today, Lillian Trasher is a house-hold name across Egypt. Thousands of boys and girls in Egypt grew up in what came to be called, The Lillian Trasher Orphanage of Assiut. You will learn about the life of the one they called the "Lady on the Donkey"; and how she earned that nickname. Lillian always dreamed of having 12 children of her own someday- but having never married, that dream never came to pass- or did it? Your heart will be challenged when you learn about this incredible woman of tremendous faith and endurance. Staring death in the face on more than one occasion, you will discover why Lillian ultimately gave her life for the numerous children she so loved.
In this spirited and inspiring Fourth of July patriotic drama, Timothy Murphy, a gallant soldier in the Revolutionary War, presents two famous renderings of great American literature. It begins with a narrative of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In detailed pros, we are introduced to the signers of our historic document and then learn of their arduous fates.
Next, Murphy tells us of the timeless words of Thomas Paine in “The American Crisis” as Paine sought to bolster the moral of the American colonists. So often we have heard the famous words, “These are the times that try men's souls"; but we have failed to give our attention to the rest of the story.
Finally, Murphy concluding the presentation exhorts us back to our roots of being a nation of honor, a nation that was built on Judeo Christian ethics and freedom, and to seek the face of God for our nation while there is yet time.
MISSIONARY-EVANGELISM MINISTRY- America, Eurasia, and India
For several months each year, the Elliotts are involved ministering with several missionaries throughout Eurasia and India in a support ministry in evangelism. A large part of their overseas ministry (under the direction and auspicious of the Assemblies Of God World Missions), is made up of speaking for youth conferences, pastor's conferences, teaching at Bible colleges, open air services, and services in churches. There are 3 primary areas of ministry in India that make up the central focus.
THE MADRAS MIRACLE- In Chennai (formerly known as Madras), we are delighted to be a part of the Madras Miracle Project with Pastor David Mohan of New Life Assembly of God (NLAG). Over 34 years ago, Pastor David Mohan started NLAG with 7 seeking precious families. Today, there are over 40,000 people in attendance every week. The American church is partnering with Pastor Mohan and the precious people of NLAG, to help them build a worship center that will seat 55,000 people!
NLAG has started over 200 churches throughout Chennai, a bustling city of nearly 7 million people. God has used NLAG church as an instrument to bring glory to His name. The church that we witness today in Chennai is the result of prayers and faith and stands as a testimony for the glory of God.
PROJECT RESCUE- The second ministry we are involved with is Project Rescue. Project Rescue's journey began in 1997 when K.K. Devaraj, an Indian National, and members of his Bombay Teen Challenge organization went into the Falkland Road red-light district in Mumbai, India with a passion to reach the young generation that was ensnared in drugs, gangs, and prostitution. The task force was stunned by what was there: a tragic city of over 100,000 women and girls, many of whom had been sold into sexual slavery by their impoverished families in North India and Nepal.
In that first encounter, they inspired over 100 young women to escape and find a new life in Jesus Christ. They were also given an additional 32 little girls by enslaved sex workers who hoped to prevent their young daughters from sharing their dark fate.
THE DELHI INITIATIVE- Church Planting in the N.C.R. Our third, and most critical area of ministry is in the North of India. Here the gospel has not been as impacting as it has been in the south. Abounding Hope is partnering with Rev. Robert Jeyaraj, of Delhi to help make an impact in that difficult and dark part of India. Rev. Jeyaraj is the Superintendent of the Northwest District Council of North India, founder of Delhi Teen challenge, Central Bible College, Delhi, and senior pastor of Global Christian Life Center also in Delhi, and has become a dear friend and ministry partner.
We have committed to help plant 2,000 churches by the year 2020 across Delhi and North India! As we raise our budget, our goal is to spend approximately half our time in Delhi assisting with this ambitious and vital endeavor.
