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Marathon Ministry Newsletter for June 2007
So I also address you as Friend, * * * * * 75 Years and Still Going Strong * * * * * And believe it or not, no Energizer batteries. My energy Source is the Lord Jesus Christ and it has been since Christmas 1982. April 21st I celebrated my 75th birthday at our First Annual Golf Tournament with many friends, raising enough money to buy 25,000 pounds of food. I praise God for my life, for giving me the opportunity to lead so many to Christ, for my precious wife Ruth, for the Ministry to which he called me so many years ago, for those who serve with me and for those thousands upon thousands we have served over the years. And I especially praise Him for all those who have supported the work of Marathon Ministries over the years. Thank you, thank you, thank you, each and every one. * * * * * Burden Bearers * * * * * For 20+ years this Ministry has been bearing the burdens of the poor and needy. Many of you have helped us with your prayers, your time and your money, and every one who has is a burden bearer with us. “And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens.” (I Kings 5:15) We don’t have that many! I don’t know exactly how many we have, but I do know that God’s math is not our math: Deuteronomy 32:30 says: “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock (Jesus) had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?” Together we are making the devil flee from the lives of those we serve. Thousands have come to Christ over these 20+ years. * * * * * Partners for the Poor * * * * * Last year God placed on my heart to create a Church and Corporate program called “Partners for the Poor”. The requirement is one of several options: 1) A monthly offering for Marathon Ministry. 2) $1,000 or more given to Marathon in a year. 3) Participate in our Cooperative feeding program by providing all labor and half the cost of a distribution. Church “Partners” so far: Pleasant Hill Baptist – Castlewood, Calvary Baptist – Castlewood, Lebanon VA Memorial – Lebanon, Beech Grove – Bristol, TN Corporate “Partners” so far: J & C Industries – Seabrook, NH * * * * * Blessings in the Mail * * * * * “Dear Mr. Cooper, here is a little something for all you do, the good work for those that need it so much. Bless you.” (TK) *** “Thanks for all the worthy and needed work you do. My check enclosed. (HL) *** “Dear Brother Philip, You’re making the difference in countless people’s lives. Job said he took up a cause that he knew not. That cause was being a blessing to the poor. I remember your testimony when we met in 1986. You have taken up the cause for the poor. Bless you, Brother Philip.” (JC) *** “My name is Ben Talley and I'm a schoolteacher here in Bristol. Thanks for all the food your ministry delivered to Leisure Park Towers recently in Bristol. My mother lives there and is writing your ministry a thank you note also. Bless you all! Ben” *** “Rev. Cooper, Bill was unable to play in the golf tournament because of his knee. But in honor of your birthday please accept this donation ($75 = the player fee). It was a good day and I enjoyed working with Carolyn and the others in food preparation (women from Lebanon Memorial church did the catering for us). May God continue to bless this Ministry in a powerful way. Trusting Him, Sandy & Bill” * * * * * Memorial Gifts * * * * *
* * * * * Honor Gifts * * * * *
* * * * * God's Call for Things We Don't Do * * * * * We don’t move furniture. But when God lays out the plan we do what we don’t do. On May 11th we were headed to Cedar Bluff, VA to deliver the first load of food boxes for our new partnership with AASC. We received a call from a needy lady at of all places, Cedar Bluff, who had nothing for her new apartment. A donor here in Castlewood had supplied furniture, but they could not deliver it nor could she afford to pay for moving. We delivered it the same day. The donor loaded it on our “new” truck and there were volunteers there to unload. What a blessing we all had as we prayed with her and the helpers for God to bless. HE did! * * * * * When God's People Work Together the Poor Get Served * * * * * Marathon Ministry and Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens (AASC) have entered into a partnership to supply food to homebound seniors. The partnership enables Marathon to provide large food orders once a month to AASC’s homebound clients. AASC’s Care Coordination staff will deliver the food during scheduled visits to these seniors. Both our organizations are concerned for the welfare of shut-in senior citizens in the region. Through over 20 years serving the poor and needy, we have recognized that partnerships such as this make it possible for organizations to increase their effectiveness. We thank God for allowing us to serve side by side with AASC in this endeavor. Jesus said “As you do unto the least [neediest] of these, my brethren, do you unto me” (Matthew 25:40). NOTE: Philip is a member
of the Advisory Board to AASC. * * * * * Blessings in Person * * * * * ** On May 7th I spoke to five classes of 9th & 10th grade girls in the physical Education program at Lebanon High School, invited by teacher Sharon Owens. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to give testimony of what Christ has done in what was for many years a chaotic life, now turned to joy since my salvation in 1982. One of the girls in the last class of the day handed me this note: “Mr. Cooper, Thank you so much. I’m going through a rough hard time. And I prayed to God to send someone who could help me. Your words were gold. You were the answer to my prayer. Thank you so much, “S” (Name withheld) ** The card and gift were left for me at the April 14th food distribution. “Pastor, the work you do is an inspiration to so many, and your thoughtfulness and caring have made such a difference in people’s lives. Our church is really blessed to have you for a Pastor. Happy Birthday. God bless for your kind work you do.” (LC) The gift was a stone engraved with: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15.” Though we don’t promote Marathon as a church, we have services and prayer for all who come for help, and I consider myself a “Pastor to the poor”. ** The same day, Polly Rasnake, one of the ladies we serve presented me with an extraordinary birthday present. It’s a 12x12 inch patio block. She had painted with many colors an exceptionally beautiful image of Jesus carrying the cross, with these words: “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest.” * * * * * A Word from Chase - Moving Mountains * * * * * I received a phone call May 24th from a lady living near Tampa Bay Florida about a friend just recently moved to Paintlick VA (about 40 minutes from Castlewood) who was in need. The friend lives in a run-down trailer with her husband and 3 young girls. She earns low wages at a job in Tazewell, to which she is transported by Social Services because her van has been at the mechanic for nearly 3 weeks. She can’t even get to the grocery store. The Florida lady called 211, a human resources directory, which referred her to Marathon Ministry, and I arranged to deliver a large order of food for her friend who was having trouble getting assistance. It amazes me how God can move mountains from Florida even when the need is in Paintlick VA and the help comes from Castlewood. * * * * * Together for Children Day * * * * * We held a special distribution of “Goodie” bags for the children of Russell County at the Lebanon Town Park in cooperation with the Department of Social Services at the Together for Children Day on April 28. This day was in honor and recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. We gave out over 600 goodie bags. Each bag contained a pack of vanilla wafer cookies, a couple snack cans of Pringles chips, a bag of Quaker rice snacks, a brand-new toothbrush and toothpaste, and Christian children’s literature. We also gave out a lot of great Sunday School literature for kids ranging all the way from preschool to junior high. We pray that the literature we gave out and the love we showed would touch some young person’s heart for Jesus. * * * * * Finding the Perfect Christian Gift * * * * * We want to remind you of our wonderful Gift Store, featuring our exclusive gift items, all available for your designated donation. Visit us in person at the Milton Shopping Center, or visit online at www.marathonministry.org Our exclusive “Resurrection mug” @
$15.00 ---------- Leather Bible @ $15.00 SPECIAL Charlton Heston presents “The Word” – 2 volumes (12 cassettes) @ $50.00 (retail $199.98) We can ship directly to anywhere in the US or Canada
for additional charge * * * * * A Summer Blessing * * * * * On May 24th we were blessed to have Tracy Frazier join us as “Office Assistant” for the summer. Tracy is a senior at Radford (VA) University majoring in math education and her goal is to teach special-ed children. So far she’s doing a fine job. Trying to organize our “stuff” is no easy task, but the Lord has sent her to help. We are still in need of a permanent, full time “Office Assistant” who could develop into Office Manager, since the Ministry still grows. Pray fervently that God would send just the right
person for that position. If you know of a fine Christian who might
be appropriate for the position, have them send me a resume. * * * * * Join Marathon's Exclusive Food Blessing Clubs * * * * * We buy our food at Second Harvest Food Bank
at 18 cents per pound. 500 Pound
Club: Membership involves giving a SPECIAL 1,000 Pound Club: Membership
involves giving a SPECIAL We are praying that we can recruit 1,000 members
of these exclusive clubs. We already have one new member of a new 10,000 Pound Club at $1,800. Cut here & mail --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Address _____________________________________ City _______________
State ____ Zip __________ Mail to: Marathon Ministry Food Clubs – P.O. Box 771 – Castlewood, VA 24224
Angela Anderson * Zachary Cornett * Crane’s
Nest Bible Church * Kenneth Dotson * Bob Fletcher * Billy Halcomb
* Angela Hall * Helpers for the Lord Ministries * Rhonda & Michael
Hill * Peggy & Anna Holbrook * Vicki Holbrook * Tammy Huffman
* Rhonda Kiser * Denny Lambert * Tyson & Crystal Lambert * Nancy
Lester * Lois & Wilbur Marshall * Eunice & Charlie Miller
* Robert Pickett * Christopher Ramey * Reca Rasnake * Ray, Barbara,
Robby & Adam Reynolds * Sarah Reynolds * Eunice Robinson * Edith
Stiltner * Jason Stiltner * Gail Surber * Virginia Surrett * Mary
Sutherland * Vicki Taylor * Brenda Teagarden * Sheila Tiller * Lorraine
& Ike Turner * June Witt * Denise & John Zanellis For the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) |
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