The Better Place News
The Better Place News
The most current news can currently be found upon our news blog. Please excuse us as we transition news items from here to the blog.
The purpose of this page is to let you know of coming events and what has been happening through The Better Place ministry and within The Better Place mission region. – for additional information on upcoming events, check the links at any of the three mission pages at this web site, Equipping the Church, Refreshing Pastors and Networking for Revival. – From here you may read a chronological log of what has happened over the past three months or a log of what has happened during the past twelve months (that is, the past four to twelve months).
REPORTS:
(Many thanks to all who prayed for these events and ministries!)
Chautauqua Lake Area Men of Integrity
Charlie H - Men of Integrity
Dundee A. Brings The Word
Jim Q. - Men of Integrity
The CLRMI is a Better Place ministry – networking the Body of Christ for revival. During a recent breakfast for men in the region, held on January 24th; over sixty men who represented more than a dozen denominations gathered for fellowship, worship and to be challenged and encouraged as faithful disciples of Christ.
Former TBP Board member, Leecroft Clarke, now directs the CLRMI ministry. He led the worship and facilitated the flow of this breakfast gathering.
The breakfast was hosted by the Christ-First United Methodist Church in Jamestown, NY.
Keynote speaker, Dundee Aipoalani, a faithful member of Praise! Fellowship in nearby Russell, PA, could have spoken about his experiences going through the U.S. Air Force Academy. He could have spoken about his experiences as an F-16 pilot during Desert Storm. He could have spoken about his many experiences all over the globe as a pilot of one of the world’s largest passenger airplanes, the Boeing 777. And, in fact, he did draw illustrations from all of these experiences but his topic was based on this prophetic word God gave to him a number of years ago: “Tell my people, get rid of sin or I will cut them off.” That may not be a topic that will draw crowds but the men who gathered on January 24th were ready and open to hearing this always timely word and to take it to heart. First Officer Aipoalani’s message was well grounded in Scripture; his primary texts were John 15 and Hebrews 10.
CLRMI has two more breakfasts on the calendar for 2009. The next one will be on the 25th of April at the Healing Word Church in Jamestown. After that, a breakfast is scheduled for the 25th of July at the Lakewood Baptist Church in Lakewood, NY. The start time in both cases is 8:00 a.m. The person to call with your questions about these gatherings or to make reservations is, Charlie Hodges at 716-664-5803.
Also, the men and boys of the Chautauqua Lake Region will not want to miss the Fall Conference that is being sponsored and facilitated by the CLRMI. It will be an all-day event on Saturday the 10th of October, 2009. The location planned for this is the Busti Church of God – a couple miles south of Jamestown. – Watch the networking pages of this web site for more information as the time of the Conference approaches.
Through events such as these, the Chautauqua Lake Region Men of Integrity and The Better Place are strengthening the unity of the Body of Christ and equipping God’s people to be faithful disciples. This all puts feet on our prayers for revival; for, where God’s people come together in unity, their God commands a blessing, even life everlasting!
An article, Men's Group Offers Help, appeared in the December 26, 2008 edition of the Jamestown Post Journal on the front page.
Cider and Donuts at the Healing Rooms
Goodies at the Healing Rooms
Enjoying Cider and Donuts at the Healing Rooms
Healing Rooms, a ministry of The Better Place, is open for ministry every Monday from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at their Cherry Street location in Jamestown, NY. This past Monday, the 24th of November, they welcomed “customers” with cider and donuts. As people came to receive prayer and the gift of healing, they enjoyed a time to relax before and after their ministry sessions as they sat at tables with other “customers” and Healing Rooms volunteers.
Not only did people enjoy a relaxing time of visiting and fellowship, but one person made a dedication of her life to Jesus and, of course, some people were healed.
Kettle Kickoff
On Saturday the 22nd of November, our Director, Roy Miller, joined with the mayor of Jamestown, a representative from the County Executive’s office, the Chairperson of the Jamestown Salvation Army Board and Major Richard Best of the Salvation Army for the Kettle Kickoff. – This all took place in front of city hall with several on-lookers. – Following words spoken by each of the above persons, and music performed by the Salvation Army Children’s Choir, our Dr. Miller gave a dedicatory prayer and then the ribbon was cut to begin the bell ringing season for the Salvation Army kettles.
The Salvation Army’s goal is to raise $100,000 this year through its Red Kettle Campaign. This money will be used throughout the year to help with their domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, their food pantry and their youth counseling program.
Community Impact Week with Ron Hutchcraft
Our Director, Dr. Roy Miller, led the Prayer Facilitation Team for the Chautauqua Region outreach effort with Ron Hutchcraft. Four concerts of prayer, planned and facilitated by the Prayer Team, led up to the actual Community Impact Week – the first week of November – when several seminars and events targeting business & professional people, educators, healthcare workers, parents, youth and college students were held. Over 500 people committed their lives to Jesus or renewed their commitment to Jesus during these seminars and events. Two very positive outcomes from over 50 congregations working closely together is a heightened knowledge of the importance of unity in the body of Christ and a renewed desire to gather regionally for united and concerted prayer and worship. The Better Place Ministries will be giving direct leadership to these vital elements of the follow-up to the Community Impact Week. – The photos you can see with this article were taken during the Concert of Prayer when Ron Hutchcraft was present on the eve of the CIW.
Some Participants at the Community Impact Week Concert of Prayer
Ron Hutchcraft at the Community Impact Week Concert of Prayer
Dr. Miller and Rev.Jim Bailey at the Community Impact Concert of Prayer
Partnering with Camp Findley
View from Atop a Hill at Camp Findley
Cabins at Camp Findley
Jim, Cindy, and Maureen at Camp Findley
The Better Place Board member, Jim Pegan, is also on the Board of Camp Findley. Camp Findley is located on the shores of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County, NY. It has been serving the Church and people of all ages for many decades.
One thing Camp Findley wants to do (which is new for them) is to make their facilities available to individuals who want to come on a personal spiritual renewal retreat. Jim thought it would be great if TBP could partner with Camp Findley by providing spiritual direction and – when needed – scholarship aid to persons who come for such a retreat.
Some members of TBP Board toured Camp Findley on the afternoon of the 26th of October to see what facilities the Camp has to offer. – In the photo, Board members Maureen Shaffer and Cindy Robison are seen with Jim by the Camp Findley sign. – Regarding the proposal to partner with Camp Findley (in the words of Cindy); "it’s a no-brainer!" Clearly the partnership is something that The Better Place should engage in.
As if to confirm God's will for TBP/CF partnership, our Director was called just two days after the Camp tour, on the 28th, by a pastor from Clymer, NY – who knew nothing about the proposed partnership – to ask if he (Dr. Miller) could provide spiritual direction for a man who was feeling a need to get away on a personal retreat. Wow! That was arranged for and the retreat took place on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of November. There will be follow-up.
CLMI Comes Under The Better Place Umbrella
The men who are giving leadership to a long-standing association called the “Chautauqua Lake Men of Integrity” asked if they might become an official ministry of The Better Place. – The CLMI mission statement declares they “will provide opportunities for men to gather to learn from God’s word and from each other, how to fulfill His purpose for their lives. The goal is to encourage men to love the lord with all their hearts, souls and strength, to be faithful participants in a local congregation and to be spiritual leaders in their homes. This mission will be accomplished through the use of praise and worship services, clinics and conferences.”
The Better Place Board discerned that the ministry of the CLMI fit well with TBP mission of networking the Body of Christ for revival. Therefore, the CLMI has been welcomed into TBP fold as a TBP ministry.
TBP Board member, Mark Summers, is on the leadership team of the CLMI and former TBP Board member, Leecroft Clark, has resigned from TBP Board so he can give faithful attention to his duties as the Chairperson of the CLMI Leadership Team. – So, Rev. Clark has not left TBP; he is just wearing a different “hat” within the organization of TBP ministry.
The CLMI sponsored a two-day Men’s Conference this past August. The keynote speaker each evening of the Conference was evangelist Bill Fay. Mr. Fay motivated the men to actively share their faith in Christ. – This Conference was held in the Lena Civic Center in downtown Jamestown, NY.
The CLMI is now sponsoring quarterly Saturday morning breakfasts for men of the Chautauqua Region. Rev. Clark, Mr. Summers and our Director, Roy Miller, each spoke at the most recent breakfast which was held on the 1st of November 2008. Following this breakfast, one of the participants sent the following e-mail to the leadership: “Just wanted to thank everyone for a great morning. I feel revived. To be honest with you, I was very tired this morning and had a tough time waking up. But as someone mentioned, when we honor our commitments, God will meet us where we are. I appreciate the small devotions from everyone. It was good to hear from some of the men that I haven’t got a chance to listen to before. Hopefully, we can do it again. Well, I am fired up, already thinking of the next batch of men I can ask to come to the next meeting. Once again, thanks for the encouragement. … Bob, a gentleman I invited, stated he will definitely be back. Praise God for what He is doing and going to do in the lives of men!”– The next breakfast is scheduled for the 24th of January 2009. It will be hosted by Christ-First UMC in Jamestown, NY starting at 8:00 a.m. that morning. Men may contact Charlie Hodges ( ) to make reservations or to ask questions.
Brochure Arrives in Time for Presentation
The Better Place recently had a brochure created to help promote this great ministry. The brochure was designed and printed by Register Graphics in Randolph, NY.It is attractive, with many photos from various TBP events. It includes information on our logo, our name, our purpose, our three-fold mission, our vision for the future, our organization, contact information, how to receive ministry from TBP and how to help support this ministry. That’s a lot of information on one brochure; yet it is all very clear and easy to read. The people at Register Graphics did a great job!
Our Director was privileged to speak during a gathering of the Chautauqua Region Christian Business and Professional People at a luncheon on the 24th of October, 2008. The presentation was well received. It was also a little different from what Dr. Miller is used to; normally he is asked to teach on an aspect of prayer but, for this event, he was simply asked to present The Better Place ministry.
The placemats for this occasion were provided by TBP. They were a depiction of what our Campus might look like once it is constructed. Dr. Miller put a power-point presentation together for the occasion, complete with some cartoons that drew chuckles from the crowd. The best part of all, however, was that he was able to leave everyone with one of our new brochures as a reminder of what they heard and saw and as an inducement to sponsor a TBP workshop in their home congregations.
(If you would like some brochures to help your efforts to spread the news about The Better Place ministry; contact our Director and he will be happy to mail some to you.)
Helping Denominations
South View over Silver Lake
Holy Communion
Prayer Partners and Prayer Triplets
The Western New York Conference of the United Methodist Church consists of over 300 congregations of the Church that have covenanted together to partner with and to support each other in the ministry of the Gospel. They are scattered throughout Western New York State from Ontario (in the upper eastern corner of the Conference) to Jasper (in the lower eastern corner) and all points west of there. – Leaders of this Conference asked our Director to meet with them last spring to begin to strategize regarding how to be a praying Conference.
Dr. Miller presented several points of a possible strategy to these leaders. As they met, it was clear to each one that this is a “Kairos” time in the life of the leadership of the Conference. They know that if they labor without the Lord, they labor in vain. The leaders all share a true hunger to grow in their prayer life and a willingness to make necessary sacrifices for this to happen.
One thing that grew out of the spring meeting was an invitation to Dr. Miller to meet with an expanded group of Conference leaders during a weekend retreat. This retreat was planned and facilitated by our Director. It took place at Camp Asbury, on Silver Lake in NY on the 10th and 11th of October, 2008. – Photos here show some of the participants who where at that retreat.
God spoke clearly into the group of leaders who gathered for the retreat. They have now made several commitments, established a strategy and set goals as they continue forward to lead the charge that will see a whole Conference of a Denomination grow to be a house of prayer for the nations.
Answered Prayers in Kenya
One of the prayer requests, which were posted on this web site, was for the people of Kenya. – Following the presidential election, near the beginning of this calendar year, bloodshed broke out in the beautiful nation of Kenya in reaction to perceived injustices when the election results were announced. – Many people who visit this site have been praying for Kenya and the people of Kenya.
One thing that happened is this: Anne Terta was directed by God to this web site as she, and other women in Kenya, sought help to intercede effectively for their nation. – Anne is a member of the Maasai Tribe, who lives, with her husband, in Nairobi.
The Better Place was able to provide Anne with some materials our Director has created to teach about intercession in a workshop setting. Subsequent to receiving those materials, Anne and others – who, together, call themselves the “wailing women” – were able to sponsor and facilitate a workshop on prayer. The workshop was used in a very good way by God.
Anne and the wailing women are continuing in their ministry. Kenya has stabilized. – But, please continue to pray for this great nation; there is still a need for much forgiveness, healing and reconciliation to take place.
Global Day of Prayer - www.globaldayofprayer.com
Each year for the past three years, The Better Place has provided the leadership for a region-wide gathering on the “Global Day of Prayer.” – This special world-wide prayer meeting takes place annually on Pentecost Sunday. It has become the world’s largest prayer meeting; involving people from every nation in Africa and a majority of the other nations of the world.
The gathering that was planned and facilitated by The Better Place this year was done in conjunction with The Ron Hutchcraft Ministries Community Impact Week thrust that was just getting off the ground at the time of the Global Day of Prayer. – The Better Place also has been providing leadership for the Community Impact Week and, since regional Concerts of Prayer are part of the buildup to the CIW, it made sense to combine the Global Day gathering with the first CIW Concert of Prayer this year. It took place on Mother’s Day at the Christ-First United Methodist Church in Jamestown.
The COMMUNITY IMPACT WEEK is a week dedicated to reaching the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a series of events that target various population groups (see www.hutchcraft.com). Preparation for this week included three Concerts of Prayer. After the first Concert, that was held on the Global Day of Prayer, our Director planned and facilitated the Concert that was held outdoors in July at the facilities of the Busti Church of God and then the third Concert that was held in downtown Jamestown, at the Revolutionary Life Church, in September. Each of these Concerts experienced a growing participation coupled with a growing excitement and anticipation concerning what God is doing through a united Church in this region.
Philip Taylor, a staff member with Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, sent the following message to our Director:
Roy,
Thank you so much for the diligent prayer efforts from your team and mobilizing the community to pray!! When people are saved, you know someone is praying, and so far we have seen over 100 people make a commitment to Christ, and we haven’t even gotten to the outreach events!
Just want to thank you for your incredible contributions to the local team, your community, and the Kingdom!
Bless you Roy. Good days ahead…
Phillip Taylor
Field Ministry Manager
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries
National Day of Prayer 2008
Sam Shreffler at the National Day of Prayer
Natonal Day of Prayer at Tracey Plaza in Jamestown NY
The National Day of Prayer is always held on the first Thursday of May. – In Jamestown, NY, the “hometown” of The Better Place, you can be certain there will always be a Better Place connection with the special gatherings on that day.
There were two gathering this year in Jamestown. The first was at noon on Tracy Plaza, in front of city hall. The second was in a large room of an old factory that is being transformed into a center for ministry – called “The Gateway Center.” This second gathering took place in the evening to accommodate the schedules of people who were not free to attend the afternoon version.
The Better Place helped to facilitate the planning and implementation of the evening gathering. The Better Place was also the “go-to” agency for the promotion of both of these gatherings (as has become common with any church-wide event in this region where the ministry is headquartered).
One of the photos here shows the Chairman of our Board, Rev Samuel Shreffler, as he leads a portion of the noon-time service. The other photo shows some of the gathered crowed.
The turn-out for both gatherings was encouraging and the participation showed off the church unity that is strong and growing in this region. One mission of The Better Place is to network the Body of Christ for revival. There will be no revival without unity in the Body of Christ, so TBP strives to encourage that unity and it is heartening to see it happening.
2008 Agape Prayer Ministry School
Agape Prayer Ministry - praying for a newly released lead
Agape Prayer Ministry - praying for another new lead
Agape Prayer Ministry - Ready for Instruction
Twenty-one people attended the 2008 edition of the Agape Prayer Ministry School that was held at the Park Church in Sinclairville, NY the last week of April. Those who participated constituted a good mix of men and women from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Warren counties in south-west NYS and north-west PA.
The people at Park Church were wonderful hosts and fed everyone very well.
The School provides very effective training for anyone who desires to better understand the Agape Prayer Ministry. It also equips participants to give leadership to this ministry within their own congregations and throughout the C/C/W region.
The Better Place Director and School Administrator, Roy Miller, explained during the opening worship that one goal of the School is to produce more people who will be able to give leadership in future School. To be a leader in ministry sessions at the School, a person must be credentialed as a “released lead.” To be so credentialed a person must attend a minimum of three Schools and satisfy many requirements. – Dr. Miller explained it is imperative that we multiply the number of released leads who are available to provide leadership at future Schools so we can be positioned to equip a growing number of people who should want to receive the School’s training in the future.
One hi-light of this edition of the Agape Prayer Ministry School was the release of two new “released leads.” Maureen Schaffer, of Stockton, NY, and Rev. Carly Moore, from Warren, PA., are pictured here as other leads pray for them during their commissioning. – There were also three persons released as “seconds” (a step on the way to becoming a lead). They are Rev. Mike Poindexter, from Warren, PA, Candy Scarem, from Findley Lake, NY and Rev. Todd Venman, from Russell, PA.
Every School concludes with a time for participants to share a little about what they experienced during the School. These times always seem to be filled with thanksgiving for the work of the Holy Spirit who sets us free from all sorts of bondage; for the sensitive and loving ministry of ministry team members; for the helpfulness of teaching sessions; for new friends in the Lord and more. This School was no exception.
The dated for the 2009 editions of the C/C/W region Agape Prayer Ministry School will be announced by December of 2008.