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ERIC MURPHY UPDATE MAY 2024
COSTA RICA YOUTH CAMP NEWS—Dates have been approved for Camp Destiny to be held December 9-14, 2024 rather than January 2025. We need to pay a deposit to hold these dates. Please consider making a donation today to help with this need. $10,000 is needed now. CARIBBEAN NEWS—Word of Life is making great progress establishing youth ministries on seven islands in the Caribbean. I have been asked to help start these opportunities to reach youth for Christ on the island of Saint Maarten, August 15-19, 2024. God willing, I will also be speaking to all of the new youth leaders to encourage them at that time. Another team of leaders from the States will go to the nearby island of Anguilla to do the same. Churches from the Dutch side of Saint Maarten as well as the French side will participate. I was there with Dave Kelly, WOL Caribbean Coordinator to meet with pastors to set up the training sessions for this coming August. It takes time to build a youth ministry with behind-the-scenes preparation that will result in opportunities to hold evangelistic events. We are developing these youth ministries so they will be prepared to handle the need for discipleship for those who will receive Christ. It’s very fulfilling and exciting. Thank you for helping to make this possible. Then, I will be the keynote speaker for Word of Life in Aruba, August 29-September 2, 2024. Can’t wait! MONTENEGRO NEWS—Jim Compton, our LIFE Montenegro Director, just returned from there having made preparations for our next Camp Monty, July 22-26, 2024. Old ministry friends at Word of Life may be sending a team of students to help with Camp Monty 2025. Pray for the salvation of teens this summer. Eric Murphy Executive Director www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton FL 34208 [Address for donations]
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ERIC MURPHY UPDATE JANUARY 2018
ARTICLES: —Outreach Report From Montenegro —Camp Monty XII OUTREACH REPORT FROM MONTENEGRO One of the ways we reach out to young people and build relationships in Montenegro is to go to public schools and community meeting halls to give our Christmas Shoebox gifts. What a great joy it is to put smiles on young faces. In fact, the picture at the top of this Update is that of a precious little girl clutching her special Christmas gift she received from one of our staff members. This builds good will in the cities and villages in and around Niksic, Montenegro where we have been holding Camp Monty each summer since 2007. Open doors lead to open hearts. Revelation 3:20 states “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Pray that we will be able to build on this foundation and see people open their hearts and lives to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. CAMP MONTY XII Someone recently referred to the upcoming Camp Monty that it will be our twelfth year. Wow! Time flies! Boy, I remember how difficult it was for me to get the first Camp Monty started back in 2007. Satan was fighting us tooth and nail. My life was threatened by parents who said if I came back to the outdoor basketball complex again that they will bring an ax and kill me. It took time to build trust. Only one teenager came the first day of camp! On the second day, I was ecstatic telling my translator that we had a 100% increase in the number of campers. He dryly commented that we now have two campers. Hey, I had to look for every reason to stay positive. By the end of the week we had 32 campers with seven salvation decisions. Last summer there were around 450 campers, maybe more. Jim Compton and his team are doing a great job as they are planning for our greatest summer camp ever—Camp Monty XII. Want to get involved? We need more basketball coaches and help with other sports as well. We need prayer warriors and we need financial supporters. It takes significant funds to operate our Niksic LIFE Youth Center each week during the school year so we can conduct Bible studies and do follow-up on the campers. Would you kindly consider becoming a monthly supporter? No gift is too small or too large. Pray that we can raise $3850 per month in Phase One to help with these monthly expenses. Thank you for considering this. Stephanie and I are grateful for your friendship and prayers. We could not do this mission without your help. May the Lord bless you! Eric Murphy Executive Director www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Address for Donations: Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue E., Bradenton, FL 34208 ERIC MURPHY UPDATE DECEMBER 2017
ARTICLES: --Exciting Changes at LIFE Romania --LIFE Montenegro & Camp Monty EXCITING CHANGES AT LIFE ROMANIA A church planter starts a new church with the sincere hope of eventually turning it over to a national pastor whom he has trained. It is a joy for me to acknowledge that Iulian Avramescu and Life Romania is now at the stage that it can be launched to stand on its own. We see tremendous growth on the horizon for the team in Romania and pray for God to bless their endeavors to reach their country for Christ. In fact, my new book, O Mighty Warrior, is dedicated to two young men, one of whom is Iulian. It is not the desire of Life Impact For Eternity to sever the relationship, quite the contrary. We stand ready to encourage Iulian and his team. In fact, this was our original role before the official relationship with Life Romania started in 2012. We were intimately involved from the beginning of the ministry in Romania, spending time training the camp counselors each year. And since 2008 I have been at the forefront at the youth camps in Romania as well as in the background encouraging, advising, and counseling Iulian to develop his dream. Certainly, God has blessed this relationship and will continue to bless in this new phase as LIFE Romania is being launched as an independent ministry. The leadership in Romania is blessed with guidance, leadership, and oversight from an able Board of Directors largely based in Dallas, Texas. There is a structure and accountability in place to enable Iulian and Roxana to achieve their ministry aims and goals. The Board of Directors for Life Impact For Eternity is in good fellowship with the new Board of Directors for LIFE Romania. Hand-in-hand we commend Iulian and his staff and encourage individuals and churches to join hands in supporting this vital mission in Romania. If you have been a contributor to Iulian’s ministry you will be contacted over the next few weeks with instructions on how to transition your giving to the new entity. May God bless this dynamic ministry as it enters into a new and exciting chapter in its existence. LIFE MONTENEGRO & CAMP MONTY Camp Monty started in the summer of 2007 experiencing phenomenal growth over the years. Today we have the Niksic LIFE Youth Center for the purpose of doing follow-up and discipleship for the campers who attend Camp Monty. Together, it is known as LIFE Montenegro. There is so much more in place in 2017 as compared to what was available 10+ years ago. I praise the Lord for the great things He has done! Jim Compton, who oversees these ministries, is over there at the present time connecting with his sidekick, Danijel Petkovski. Danijel and his sweet wife, Martina, lead a ministry to college students with EUS. In addition to this, they are heavily involved with Camp Monty and lead the discipleship and Bible studies at the Niksic LIFE Youth Center. Sasa Olah, another member of the team helps with various responsibilities including a weekly soccer outreach. We are thankful for each of these incredible servants of the Lord. What a thrill for Stephanie and me as we watch what God is doing in Romania and Montenegro as well as in Costa Rica. God is at work in each of these countries. And, God uses us in the lives of the country leaders advising, encouraging and giving ministry oversight. Thank you for your prayers and your financial support. Thankful you are a part of the team. You know, it takes a team effort and we need your help. God bless you and Merry Christmas! Eric Murphy Executive Director www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Ministry Address for Donations: Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 ERIC MURPHY UPDATE NOVEMBER 2017
ARTICLES: —“Who Funds What You Do?” —Costa Rica Plans —Camp Monty Update “WHO FUNDS WHAT YOU DO?” Recently someone asked me this question trying to figure out who I am and what I am doing. The question came from an unbeliever with whom I was sharing the Good News. She listened to the story of how God loves her. As a writer she is used to researching her subject prompting her to ask me who I am, what I am doing and how long have I been doing this. When she learned that I have a long history of putting smiles on young faces explaining that God loves them, she wanted to know who sponsors me. I thought of you. Thank you for your faithful support which allows me to share the Gospel no matter where I am—even at a writer’s conference. She was impressed that God loved her so much that He would send someone to connect with her. No, she did not make a decision for Christ … yet. But, the seed has been sown. This conversation was held during a lunch break. To my left was a young Russian man listening carefully to every word. Brilliant mind, he is a technology expert for a large company. Speaking to the lady who is close to my age with words she could understand, I changed the rhetoric with this young guy in his late 20s using the topic of robots. Then, he made a key statement, “I suppose robots will enable us to live forever.” His eyes widened as I described how he could really live forever. Pray that God will use this witness in both of their lives. Again, thank you for making it possible for me to share God’s message. COSTA RICA PLANS Stephanie and I will be in Costa Rica for our upcoming youth camp. This year we might have the privilege of connecting with their parents as well. Pray for this exciting opportunity to be held January 21-25, 2018 south of San Jose, the capital. Cris Vidaechea, our director in Costa Rica, is leading this venture and I will be speaking. Can’t wait! If you would like to help sponsor some campers please send your check to Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 or go to our website at www.lifeimpactforeternity.org and click on the donation button to give via PayPal. In advance, thank you for your contribution. CAMP MONTY UPDATE Danijel Petkovski plays an important role in all that we are doing in Montenegro, a small country next to Albania. He leads the Niksic LIFE Youth Center which reaches students in Bible studies, outreach and discipleship. During Camp Monty he is very active not just with translation ministry for the speakers, but also, helping our director, Jimmy Compton, behind the scenes. In fact, Jimmy and Danijel make a great team as they serve together. Pray for the needs of operating this important ministry throughout the year. Yes, we need more partners to help carry on the work there. If you want to give please use the address mentioned in the previous paragraph and notate your donation for which project you want to help. Thank you! Eric Murphy, International Director www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 ERIC MURPHY UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2017
Articles: —40 Years, No, 46. Would You Believe 50? —More than 400 in Romania —Camp Monty Continues To Grow —Launching My Book Soon 40 YEARS, NO, 46. WOULD YOU BELIEVE 50? Last month I said that I am in my 40th year as a missionary. Forgot to mention three years as a pastor plus three more as a youth pastor. That makes 46 years of ministry. Wait, would you believe 50 years? My first time speaking to young people was age 17 and I was on television. I kid you not! The living room in my friend’s home was so crowded with teenagers that I leaned against their television set as I spoke. Back in those days TV sets were in consoles as a piece of furniture. Yes, I was “on” television. Somehow I hear your groaning … but, rejoice with me for fifty years of ministry as a speaker. MORE THAN 400 IN ROMANIA What a harvest at LIFE Romania where Iulian Avramescu directs our ministry there! More than 400 salvation decisions in ten weeks of youth camp in three locations! Incredible! Big congratulations to Iulian and his team! CAMP MONTY CONTINUES TO GROW Jim Compton and Danijel Petkovski report that several salvation decisions were recorded in Montenego at Camp Monty along with quite a few rededication decisions. Pray for their spiritual growth. We do follow-up through our Niksic Youth Center where our team holds Bible studies, discussion groups and meet one-on-one. Exciting times there! LAUNCHING MY BOOK SOON Back in July I was scheduled for ankle surgery, but God had a different plan in mind. Stephanie and I needed to help my mother move into assisted living and sell her home. This included selling her furniture and cleaning out her house. I was hobbling around, but God gave me the strength to do a ton of work. During this time the scar tissue between two bone spurs was possibly “torn apart” relieving me of some of my pain. Furthermore, the torn ligaments that the surgeon had planned to re-attach with screws improved. Did God heal me? Whatever happened I assure you that we are praising God for much improvement. After meeting with the surgeon’s PA it was decided to put the surgery on hold for 90 days. With 30 days of evaluation left it seems that the ankle is about 90% better. It just may be that I will not have to have this surgery after all. If so, whew! The PA told me that the recovery was a minimum of six months and could possibly be longer. It has been a tough, difficult 17 months since I tore ligaments in my ankle in Romania in April 2016. It really slowed me down, but it gave me time to do something special—write my first book. In fact, O Mighty Warrior is already in print. You can purchase this book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or at the publisher, West Bow Press. Because of the plans for surgery I postponed the launch of this book. With the aforementioned improvement I now plan to launch this book in November. It is chocked full of stories and experiences that God taught me in Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Costa Rica as well as in the United States. I’ve been there and done that [through God’s help]. Now, it’s time to teach someone to go there and do that. If you check the Christian bookstores you will find very few books on the theme of mentoring. O Mighty Warrior seeks to fill this vacuum helping young adults prepare and equip themselves to make an impact upon the world. I can hardly wait for you to read this book. You may want to get more than one copy so you can give some to promising young adults who you think have much potential. Thank you for caring, praying and giving. Without your help, O Mighty Warrior, would never have been possible. I am grateful for your help and encouragement. God bless you! Eric Murphy Executive Director, Life Impact For Eternity www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 ERIC MURPHY UPDATE AUGUST 2017
ARTICLES: —Better Late Than Never —48% —Camp Monty 2017 —39 Years BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Stephanie and I were thrilled when we saw all of our campers make decisions for Christ at our youth camp in Costa Rica in January 2016. One of them was a small time drug dealer. I am encouraged that my efforts on social media are finally bearing results in this young man’s life. Of course, there are some Costa Ricans reaching out to him as well. He struggled at first as you can imagine. Recently, he starting making progress after despairing for his life. No, he is not perfect yet, but, he has come a long way. Pray for Nene [pronounced Nay-Nay]. By the way, plans are being made for the next youth camp there in January 21-25, 2018. 48% That’s how many of our campers at LIFE Romania came to Christ this summer—48%. Yes, out of 679 campers 329 came to Jesus! Praise the Lord with us! We had two camp locations this summer splitting our youth camp staff into two teams. So, four weeks of camp in each location. We almost doubled the number of campers from 2016. And, we have two more weeks planned in southwest Romania starting on August 14. Pray for a great harvest there as well. CAMP MONTY 2017 Still waiting for the final results to come in, but the word is that this camp was the best ever. I love it when people say this. It brings a smile to my face as I think about others leading the ministries that I started earlier that those who are serving with them say it’s the best ever. YAY! 39 YEARS About this time 39 years ago I was accepted and approved as a missionary. Wow! What an experience this has been. Grateful to God for the opportunity to serve Him! So, it means that I’m starting my 40th year of service and ministry. I’m pumped about this. The last 16 months have been difficult with issues with my ankle, but this is on the mend. Stephanie and I are happy to serve the Lord and thankful for your help, encouragement and support. Let’s keep moving forward!’ Eric Murphy International Director Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 www.lifeimpactforeternity.org ERIC MURPHY UPDATE JULY 2017
ARTICLES: —Helping My Little Mother —LIFE Romania Is Off To A Great Start! —Camp Monty 2017 Is Happening Later This Month HELPING MY LITTLE MOTHER What we did to help my little mother is normally what a family does after a death. No, my mother is very much alive in an assisted living facility that is just two doors down from where she used to live. We sold her condo, had an estate sale and gave whatever was left over to both Goodwill and the Salvation Army. It was a ton of work and quite exhausting. During this process Stephanie decorated mother’s new room with family pictures, special mementos and “what-nots” that she enjoys. She is doing well there and all of us survived. It was mother’s decision to do all of this and she made the right choice because she could no longer maintain her home. Glad we could help. You can write to her if you would like to do so: Glenna Murphy, 408 Timber Ridge Drive, Beckley WV 25801. Thankful that God gave me strength despite struggling with ankle problems. Surgery is planned for July 14. Hold the presses! The surgery is now on hold as of a meeting with my surgeon’s PA this week. Many people have been praying for my ankle. God enabled me to help my mother and He has done something in my ankle through all of this. There is still some pain, but I can walk better. The surgeon has advised me to continue to rest my ankle and will evaluate my situation in three months. The PA said that the surgery is very difficult and the recovery time would be significant. They want to wait to see if my ankle continues to improve. Please pray! LIFE ROMANIA IS OFF TO A GREAT START! So far 127 children have come to Christ in western Romania at our camp locations close to Arad, Romania and at the other camp in southeast Romania. Two youth camps held at the same time in two locations … how exciting! Please pray for a great harvest this summer. This week we will have two camps for ages 12-16 in Romania. We are thankful for a couple of groups that are going to serve there this summer. One is from Raleigh, North Carolina and the other is from our home church in Jacksonville, Florida. We were able to get a few individuals to serve there this summer which includes Corey Tornes from the Bible Center Church in Charleston, West Virginia. Corey is a student at Marshall University and he is having a blast serving with Iulian Avramescu’s team at LIFE Romania. CAMP MONTY 2017 IS HAPPENING LATER THIS MONTH The first Camp Monty was held in 2007. God used me to get this camp started as I went to find young people hanging out at a basketball court. At that time there were only a handful of young people in Montenegro who claimed to be believers. Some of our first converts were those I found playing basketball. A few of them are helping us today in the eleventh season of Camp Monty? To God be the glory. Camp Director Jim Compton is leading Camp Monty and he has assembled a quality team. Thank you for your friendship, love and concern. Thank you for all that you do. Eric Murphy International Director Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208 www.lifeimpactforeternity.org ERIC MURPHY UPDATE MAY 2017
Articles: —A Boy Named Eric —Something Happened Sixteen Years Ago —It’s at the Publisher Now A BOY NAMED ERIC A Romanian young man is naming his son Eric. What an honor. Beni Negoita wrote that it is because the name, Eric, means “leader” and it is also because of me. He went on to say that I have many “descendants” meaning that God has used me to impact the lives of many young people. What a blessing! Beni served in our youth camp ministry in Romania earlier and is launching his own ministry now. Actually, this is the second time a little boy in Romania has been named Eric, the son of Iulian Avramescu. Iulian is another one of our “descendants”. Pray that God will use both Stephanie and me to impact others for Christ. It is wonderful to see how God uses young adults with great potential. SOMETHING HAPPENED SIXTEEN YEARS AGO A 14 year old came to Hungary with his father on a ministry and work team to help us in the summer youth camps. Little did we realize that God would use this experience in his life to call him into missions. Now 30, Daniel Gibson is raising support to move his wife and four children to Japan where they will serve as missionaries. Incredible! Sounds like another “descendant” story. Please understand, all credit and glory goes to God. There are other stories like this. For example, there is a church planter serving in an undisclosed country. He attended our second youth camp in Hungary in 1990 and made a decision at the campfire service to do whatever God would have him to do. He is doing it! No, God is doing it! IT’S AT THE PUBLISHER NOW “O Mighty Warrior” will soon be in print. Chocked full of stories, lessons that God taught me over the years, it is a book that I have written for leaders and mentors. It is for anyone who wants to learn how God works in the lives of people. Printed by WestBow Press, a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson, it will be available soon. Let’s make some more “descendants”. God can use you to make an impact. Stay tuned for more details. Thank you for making possible these opportunities to touch the lives of many young people in several nations. Only eternity will reveal all of the great things that God has done. Eric Murphy International Director, Life Impact For Eternity Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue E., Bradenton, Florida 34208 www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Articles:
--O Mighty Warrior —Progress in Montenegro —Study in Romania —Follow-up in Costa Rica O MIGHTY WARRIOR God has taught me many wonderful things over the years and it is time to share this information with others. O Mighty Warrior comes from a phrase that an angel used in addressing Gideon calling him to action. Interesting title because Gideon was not a warrior much less a mighty warrior. God knows our future and He has wonderful plans for us just like He had for Gideon. This new book is in the final editing stages and will be released later this year. Would you pray that God will use this book in a great way in the lives of young leaders? 85 short chapters chocked full of lessons learned from God. Just wanted you to know what is in the works. PROGRESS IN MONTENEGRO Jim Compton has been in Montenegro organizing for Camp Monty 2017. Booking facilities, securing commitments, laying the foundation for another exciting youth camp. Jim has been with our staff at the Niksic Youth Center where they hold youth meetings and do discipleship. STUDY IN ROMANIA 30 or so students are gathered together at LIFE Romania this week in the city of Targoviste where we rent a youth camp facility to hold many of our camps and conferences. Dr. Neal Cordle is on hand to teach our camp counselors and other young adults on the topic of leadership. Pray for these young leaders, the future of Romania! FOLLOW-UP IN COSTA RICA Social media gives us the opportunity to connect with young people to encourage them. Recently, I have “talked” with a couple of the young men who made decisions for Christ in our youth camp there in 2016 when I was there to speak. In particular, one of these young men is asking some important questions that can change his life if he follows through on the advice that I have given to him. Please pray—he has potential. Behind the scenes—there is a lot of this ministry that is absolutely necessary to make the overall operation of Life Impact For Eternity happen. Your prayers are vital to help me with this part of the ministry. It is the engine that makes the vehicle more forward. Thanks so much! Eric Murphy Executive Director, Life Impact For Eternity Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Ave. East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 www.lifeimpactforeternity.org Articles:
—Needs in Romania —Ramping up Camp Monty —Life Costa Rica Had a Great Camp —Stephanie Releases Her New Book NEEDS IN ROMANIA It’s quite exciting that we plan to run two camps simultaneously at LIFE Romania this summer. Four weeks in two locations. But, two locations in opposite sides of the country means two PA systems, 2 keyboards, 2 sets of sports equipment, 2 projectors, 2 cameras to take pictures and makes videos. Two of everything. Iulian Avramescu reports that he has one set of equipment thanks the generosity of supporters and friends of the ministry. He is praying for an additional set of equipment. Wait, one more thing, an additional van. Lots of needs, but our God is great. A minimum of $28,500 is needed to purchase these needs. $35,000 would give us more money to buy a better quality, used van. Yes, this amount includes the equipment needed along with the van that is needed. Pray asking God to provide. And, pray asking God what you might be able to do. No gift is too small, dear friend. RAMPING UP CAMP MONTY Director Jim Compton would like for you to know that LIFE Montenegro and Camp Monty need a good used van as well. Looks like 2017 is the year for meeting vehicle needs at Life Impact For Eternity. How much? Glad you asked! $15,000 would get us into some fairly reliable wheels for the road. $20,000 would purchase a much better used van. Please take this to God in prayer. Stephanie and I have been praying for these needs along with Jim and Michelle Compton and others. Meanwhile, Jim Compton will be heading to Montenegro in April to get everything set up for Camp Monty 2017. It should be a banner year. Pray for this. LIFE COSTA RICA HAD A GREAT CAMP Cristian Vidaechea wrote that 14 came to Christ. In fact, he was the evangelist. I am thrilled to see how God used him in the youth camp. Is there a need there? Yes, 85% of his support is needed. Pray for Cristian and Alejandra Vidaechea and their needs. STEPHANIE RELEASES HER NEW BOOK Strong and Courageous, Encouragement for Families Touched by Autism. My sweet wife, Stephanie, has grappled with autism as she has encouraged her grandson who was diagnosed at age three. Her book offers hope and understanding to families who face struggles as they help their child with autism. Back in the 80s, one out of 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism. Recently, I saw an article on the internet reporting that one out of forty-seven are now diagnosed with autism. The writer spoke of the problem as being an epidemic. Stephanie has personal experience as a professional counselor in her practice before she retired from her practice about four years ago. And, she has sought to encourage her daughter and son-in-law as they walk this path with their own son, presently nine years old. I highly encourage you to purchase a copy whether you have autism in your family or you know a family who does. Reach out to help others with this difficult issue. Stephanie’s book has study questions at the end of each chapter that could easily be used for support groups in churches for families touched by autism. Maybe you could assist your church to start such an outreach in your church. You can purchase her new book, Strong and Couragesous, at West Bow Press [www.westbowpress.com] or on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble. Check out her Facebook page, Touched by Autism or her author website at stephaniemurphyautism.com where you can find more information regarding purchase options. As always, we thank you for your interest, prayers and support. We would not be able to do what we do at Life Impact For Eternity without your help. No, I have not retired and have no plans to do so anytime soon. Love what I do! Love that Stephanie loves to serve with me! She loves to say that she came out of retirement to join me as a missionary. Charge! God bless! Eric Murphy Executive Director, Life Impact For Eternity www.lifeimpactforeternity.org ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS: Life Impact For Eternity, 3984 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208 |
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