Discipleship Ministries reaches out
For some, the painting is disturbing: a close-up of Jesus’ face as he hangs on the cross. The crown of thorns has pierced his head and blood has covered his face and beard. Blood drips on his shoulder and the top of his outstretched arm. This is Christ, as he is put to death.
He is suffering – and yet he looks at the viewer with a sense of understanding, as the prophecy is being fulfilled.
So, for others, this painting is wonderful.
The painting is titled “An Aroma Pleasing to the Lord’ because it illustrates the supreme sacrifice made by Christ.
“You either love it, or you hate it,’ said artist Jim Kessler of Connellsville.
The Rev. Terry Collins was so impressed with Kessler’s work that he made it a part of Discipleship Ministries of Western Pennsylvania, the non-profit organization he founded in 1998 to proclaim the word of Jesus throughout the world.
“Jim Kessler has joined us with an awesome gift,’ said Rev. Collins, president/executive director of Discipleship Ministries. “Now, when we go out, we take his art with us. His art reminds me of the Russian icons. When you look at them, they all speak stories of our Lord.’
Indeed, there is much to contemplate when looking at Kessler’s work, which includes portraits of King David as a shepherd boy and Pope John Paul II. Kessler has been in contact with the pope about the latter painting and Pope John Paul II invited Kessler to show him the painting when the pope visited St. Louis a couple of years ago.
However, Kessler’s painting wasn’t yet ready, and he was unable to accept the invitation.
But Rev. Collins recently offered the Herald-Standard a look at Kessler’s work, as he hopes to stir local interest in Discipleship Ministries. The ministry has made itself known locally, including conducting a healing ministry in August, 2001, at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown.
“Fifty people were involved in the ministry to over 1,000 people at that one event,’ Rev. Collins said.
But Discipleship Ministries is perhaps better known outside the region, where it has been very active.
“Last year, I calculated our ministry teams have traveled over 50,000 miles,’ Rev. Collins said. “We went as far west of Pennsylvania as Las Vegas and as far east of the state of Pennsylvania as the republic of Komi in Russia.’
It’s the Russian ministry for which Discipleship Ministries has received the most attention. Rev. Collins has led several visits to Komi through the years, providing for 400 orphans who live under wretched conditions. Discipleship Ministries supplies food, clothing and equipment (such as stoves) to several orphanages and he has received assistance from local residents in carrying out this ministry. Rev. Collins plans a return trip to Komi in November.
As a result of the ministry providing for the children’s physical needs, the Russians have been receptive to the ministry’s spiritual message.
“That’s opened so many doors. Now we are teaching Jesus and United Methodism at the Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages as well as having Vacation Bible School every year for the orphans of Komi in partnership with the United Methodist Church,’ Rev. Collins said.
Besides Russia, Discipleship Ministries feeds people in the United States.
“Just recently, we joined with Chalk Hill United Methodist Church, Sansom Chapel United Methodist Church and Sugar Loaf Church to take a truckload of non-perishable food to a homeless shelter in Athens, Ohio. It’s known as Good Works Inc.,’ reported Rev. Collins, who became acquainted with Good Works after meeting the director Keith Wasserman two years ago.
“Jim and I had a unique experience to stay in one of the shelters. We met some of the homeless there as well as the staff of Good Works,’ said Rev. Collins. “We found out a lot of staff were former residents themselves, so we’re not happy to do this two to three times a year for them.’
In addition to ministry and feeding the hungry, Discipleship Ministries is involved in publishing Christian material. The ministry has a newsletter called Fishers of Men that began in December 2001 and is published three times a year.
The ministry has also published Rev. Collins’ first book, which is called “A Wilderness Experience With Jesus Christ.’
The title is taken from the Gospel of Mark when the apostles went into the desert to rest before going out to proclaim the word of Christ. Rev. Collins said the message is appropriate in today’s busy times.
In the forward, Rev. Collins wrote, “I believe that our Creator gives each person the capability to live every day in the peace and full joy of Jesus Christ no matter what calamity, hardship or burden is placed upon them by the world. I believe the process to maximize this capability is spelled out for us in the Holy Bible and that a study of this book will enhance your journey toward living this type of life.’
For more information on Discipleship Ministries, “A Wilderness Experience With Jesus Christ’ or the ministry’s next trip to Komi, contact Rev. Collins at 724-329-8414 or check the Website at www.discipleshipministries.net.