STEVEN JOHN BUTT’S VISIT
(4-11 Nov 1998)
From: Pastor Israel CS Lim
To: Pastor Steve and all at GFMW
About: Steven John Butt's VisitThe visit of Pastor Steven John Butt to our ministries was one of tremendous blessing.
He came, not just with the grace and love that he imparts through the net but also much more that he could pour into our people here in the East. We on the other hand were honored to be able to share with him our concepts and practice of Biblical Patriarchal relationships and leadership that God has given us.
Truly it is Biblical Patriarchy that identified us with one another right off from the start at the airport. There was such wonderful kinship in the Spirit. Our congregation was anxiously waiting to meet him and was all excited to see the photos of his wives and children flashed onto the projector screen while he spoke of how his entire family is standing together in the truth of Biblical patriarchy and polygamy. We felt like we knew one another for life, but with one thing missing - there were so much more that we could offer and share with one another.
We fellowshipped even through the nights, yet found the 6 days that he was here insufficient to share with one another on our calling and on what God is doing in our lives and ministries in this last days move. And of course we worked deeper into what God has in store for our ministries worldwide.
I must not forget to thank him for the Sunday Service, and talks on Cults and Biblical Polygamy that he had ministered with such love and grace, and also for the individual marital counsel that he gave to some of our people. And we appreciate his family and ministry for sharing him with us. I am sure God would use him mightily in guiding many families into successful plural marriages.
Above all, I believe this visit has an impact in the spirit realm and there was such joy and anticipation of what God is going to do through both ministries, converging from the 2 direct opposite sides of the world. We approach this event with much anticipation and came away knowing that God has blessed us beyond our expectation. We had to let Steve go home, but fortunately with the Internet, we are just seconds apart.
With love and grace,
Israel CS Lim
Biblical Patriarchy Federation
17 Nov '98A copy of this letter was posted into GFMW Listserve on 17 Nov '98
From: Brother Steve
To: Pastor Israel and congregation and GFMW list
About: Singapore Trip
NOTE: I just got back from visiting Pastor Israel and the Patriarchal Christian Church in Singapore. It was an experience of a lifetime and a blessing beyond words. Below is my letter of thanks to Israel and the Church. I am sharing it on the listserve to update all of you about what God has done in Singapore with His Patriarchal Truth.Dear Pastor Israel,
My dear friend, I have been recovering from massive jetlag and am finally starting to feel pretty good after my return from Singapore this last week. I wanted to wait to let the whole trip sink in a bit before telling you how wonderfully blessed I have been - my whole family has been - by you, your family and your church.
There is so much to thank you for I'm sure I can't remember each thing. The trip there, the many wonderful gifts for me and my family, the support for my ministry - all these were so encouraging and helpful to me and my family. However, the greatest blessing was you, your family and the dedicated saints of the church. I can't express how much it meant to me to spend those many hours with you in precious fellowship. To know that we have each been prepared by God's hand for our individual roles in this move of God and to see that in you face to face for myself was uplifting beyond words. To share one heart with a spiritual man of your quality is a great honor and precious treasure. I am so truly honored to have you as my brother and friend.
I so enjoyed the smiling, happy presence of your delightful daughter. Pastor Anna was such a delight to meet and fellowship with. She did so much to bless me and my family. She is a Christian woman of such devotion to God and His Word that I was deeply moved by her. In truth, I was greatly blessed by all the saints there. Pastor Corina was so thoughtful in so many ways. She is an outstanding woman of God and such a great asset to the patriarchal moveof God! I greatly appreciated her many kindnesses and cheerful fellowship. It was really such a delight to meet your entire full-time ministry staff. What an attractive, dedicated and effective ministry team they are! I know both you and the Lord have every reason to be very proud of them.
It was also wonderful meeting with your Care Group Watchmen. Because of their consistant hard work and love for the flock each person in the Church is getting regular attention and care. How wonderfully this reflects the love of Christ for each of His precious ones. With this level of care for the flock it is no wonder the congregation is exhibiting such abundant excellent fruit!
It warmed my heart to meet the Church there and to minister to them! I have never ministered to a more responsive group. It was great to be able to share all about my life and my family, even sharing photos of my family with everyone - not to mention hugs for everyone in the Church. I know my message regarding the new commandment - to love one another as He has loved us - was not lost on them! A more dedicated and loving group of saints I have never met. They truly are a garden of God and I find myself thinking of each of them fondly and missing them already. They touched my heart so deeply I know we have built a special eternal relationship in God. Please convey my thanks to them for their many kindnesses and love towards me and my ministry.
Really, seeing what patriarchal principles have accomplished in your church has been such an encouragement to me. I have never seen a more fruitful, dedicated and happy church in my life and I know the patriarchal teachings have played a major role in that. I thank God for His restoration of these truths and your application of them in the Church for the benefit of God's own there.
Really, we had such a great time together in all we did. But perhaps the best was our last night together when we stayed up most of the night and God spoke to us about how we can cooperate together to benefit the patriarchal move of God in the world, with you in the East and me in the West. I believe the relationship God has forged between us and the wisdom He has revealed in our time together will have a positive impact on Patriarchal Christianity for years to come. Indeed, this is surely only the beginning of much larger things the Lord has in store.
Thank you, Israel, for your friendship and all the ways you have blessed me through my visit there. May the Lord continue to bless you richly - and all those who are boldly standing with you in Singapore.
In His Love, Pastor S. John Butt
A copy of this letter was posted into GFMW Listserve on 16 Nov '98