June, 2008

Greetings in Jesus Name!

It has been several months since we updated you on what we are doing and where we expect to be next. We have been in Jacksonville, Florida for the last 8 months or so. We are speaking into different churches, leaders, restoring with some of the people from the past, and feeding the poor.

I have traveled and spoken to several different nations, and all was good. For the most part though, we have just listened to hear what the Lord would have us do next. We know the call of God on our lives and the purpose and nature of it. I prefer to be a man of action, so this is very different. It has been a time of quiet listening, and searching out not only our hearts, but searching out the heart of the Father. Father, what would you have us do? Not hearing anything specific, we stay busy with what He puts in our hand daily, and simply press on into His heart to hear His secrets. We have needed this quiet alone time. It has been a true act of Grace to us after the business and constant motion of the last 15 years.

One morning several months ago while waiting before the Lord, Philip Smethurst with Overland Missions called and invited Candi and I to come to Africa and work with them for a couple of years. That doesn't happen everyday. I know Philip and Sharon very well. I have been on their board since the early days of Overland, and preach in their conferences annually in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Phil's wife Sharon was our worship leader in the early "Gloryhouse fellowship" days, and I preformed their wedding ceremony.

Overland Missions is a multi-faceted international ministry that is dedicated to both spiritual and social outreach. Most of their many missionaries and staff are young people that they have trained and equipped for service. The Gloryhouse sent a number of our own young people to them for training and field work. The entire ministry is devoted to releasing the next generation of young people to take their rightful place, and to use their youthful strength and zeal to capture entire nations for the Kingdom of God. They have been busy in various countries from Indonesia to North America, and are presently planning one of their outreaches to the Amazon in Brazil. You can search out this and much more by logging onto their website at "overlandmissions.com".

What do Phil and Sharon want from Jeff and Candi?

They want us to come take over the leadership of the Rural Pastors Network ( RPN).

We would relocate to Livingstone, Zambia and live there most of the year for the next few years. We would also travel back and forth to the US presenting the vision to pastors, ministries and corporations that have a heart for the Kingdom of God Africa.

Currently, the RPN has over 1200 members from all over Africa. We would be adding reality and substance into the RPN with conferences, revival ministry, doctrine, ethics and literature. This would be our mission. It would require of us a great offering and investment, a great deal of team ministry, and much time spent in the field. Want to go to Africa with us? I went last month, and I was very impressed with what is being done there through Overland in every facet of their outreach. The vision for the RPN is to gather the rural pastors into a network of fellowship, revival and instruction.

The African pastors in these more remote areas truly love the Lord, but don't know anything much of doctrine or ethics. Much of their preaching is legalistic and fear based. Most of them are under denominations or Bishops, but never really see the people that cover them. Overland Mission's goal is not to replace a denomination or Bishop. It is to bring the touch of God; to mentor; to teach and train; to educate and impart. In my observation, these men and woman are so hungry, and so thirsty for fellowship, teaching and the touch of God that they are ready for anything.

While I was there, we sent word of a conference to a small town in the remote western province. We only gave them one week's notice to prepare and arrive for several days of meetings. As Phil and I began to preach, The Spirit began to move, and we began to call out for the rain (spiritual rain). Not only did the spiritual rain begin, but it started raining natural rain in the middle of a dry season. No one could remember that happening before. I have seen this happen in a number of countries just before or in the early days of a revival breakthrough. It used to happen in Brazil regularly. The brothers there are taking it as a prophetic sign of good things to come. I believe they are right!

We have accepted this invitation. Candi and I know we are to be involved, and are planning to relocate to Zambia, Africa sometime early in 2009. Our youngest son Isaac ( 27 years old) will be going with us and will be working with us during the upcoming years. Our mentor and spiritual covering has blessed us to go, so go we shall. Needless to say, we covet your prayers!

As we accept this move as our required offering, I will be the oldest player on the full time team. Candi is 50 years old and I am 55. Since we are only 50's in body but 25 in heart, the move itself and the culture are really not the problem one may think. We have lived in three other countries, and have always been able to adjust to the culture wherever God has sent us. They also speak English… Praise God. The greatest gift of it all is to know the will and purpose of God for our lives, and what is to be our next mission.

By this time, you may be asking yourself, "How do I get on board for all of this"? You can log onto our website and send an offering by using Paypal. Our site is http://gloryhouse.org/ You can also send a check payable to the Gloryhouse.

Our address is;
Gloryhouse International
PO box 16473
Jacksonville Fla. 32246

We love you all very much. I will be in touch with the details as they unfold. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Love you all,
Jeff and Candi Martin

Please read the attachment that is with this email. It is the cover letter from Overland Missions to me, explaining what we will be doing. Thanks

Martins Invitation Letter