The Revival Fellowship meeting on 9-27-14 began with Don Jacobs sharing from Psalm 86:11

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will  walk  in  your truth;  give  me  an   undivided heart that I may fear Your name” then he led in prayer.

Wayne Lawton led us in Jeremy Camp’s song “Give me Jesus”. Then he shared from 1 John 1:7 “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, purifies us from all sin” and Colossians 2:6 “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk you in Him” –confessing, repenting, believing and rejoicing ! Don added words he had heard at O’hare Airport in Chicago “Keep walking, keep walking, keep walking” !

Jean Griswold spoke about her life – coming to Christ in her teens – later she attended a Conference at Worldwide Evangelization Crusade (WEC) in Fort Washington, Penna. where she met English brethren, African brethren and Erma Maust ! Jean said  “I know I am a sinner and Jesus died for me. How can we keep this good news to ourselves?” Then from Psalm 73 she high-lighted verse 23 “Nevertheless I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me in to glory”! We sang “Glory, glory, hallelujah, glory, glory to the Lamb for the cleansing blood has reached me, glory, glory to the Lamb”!  ( in English, Luganda, and Kiswahili).

We had expected to hear Tefiro & Deborah Kisosonkole – but their daughter Druscilla was on a business trip and her plane was delayed in returning and so she was unable to bring her parents. They called and extend greetings from the revival fellowship in Kampala, UGANDA.

Catherine Longenecker spoke of ‘angels’ watching over their children as they were traveling this weekend. Arlene Stauffer led in a prayer for Elam, her brother in law who is in the hospital in Columbus, Ohio  because of heart issues. Prayer was offered for Don Jacobs who is facing some skin cancer surgery;   for Dan Longenecker’s weakness in his legs;  for Jean Griswold’s hearing loss. While this fellowship has not focused on the physical healing ministry of Jesus – we believe He is the same “yesterday, today, forever”! Rose Mbugua (Kenyan from Balto. Fellowship) led in prayers. Agnes Bamu-wamye (Ugandan from Phila. Fellowship) sang “Praise Him” and we sang along with her.

Our next meeting will be on January 10^th,^, 2015 with Dan Longenecker and a group of ten persons speaking “Scripture From The Heart” !

Here is a photo of some of us leaving the meeting.

You are cordially invited to attend the Revival Fellowship Meeting on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 10 a.m.   The meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA 17540. You will hear testimonies given by Tefiro & Deborah Kisosonkole from Kampala, Uganda and also Jean Griswold from Lititz, PA

These meetings began in Eastern Pennsylvania in 1949 and have continued to the present. Missionaries returning from East Africa testified to a renewal of their Christian faith. What they shared inspired people in many denominations and so the fellowship continues.

A book has been written about the influence of the East Africa Revival - especially among the Mennonites. Dr. Richard MacMaster with co-author Dr. Don Jacobs wrote "A Gentle Wind of God". It is available on Amazon.com.

For more information about this September meeting contact Pastor Wayne Lawton in Elizabethtown at 717-361-8990, or Paul Burkholder in Lititz 717-581-3964 or Tom Hess in Harrisburg 717-756-7921

About those sharing testimony :

 Tefiro & Deborah Kisosonkole are part of the Revival Fellowship that meets at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala. They were close friends of the late William & Sala Nagenda. They are presently visiting their daughter, Druscilla and her husband, Paul Senkungu and daughters, Peace, Joy & Grace. They will be returning to Uganda the second week of October. We welcome them here.

 Jean Griswold has been part of this fellowship in Eastern Pennsylvania since 1953. She thinks she is getting old – but we tell her, “No, just older” – “old is up ahead yet !!!” This picture of her was taken in 2005 as she visited Lawton’s to encourage Wayne on his first trip to East Africa.

The inspiration was great as we gathered for the Revival Fellowship meeting at Forest Hills Church in Leola, Pennsylvania, Saturday, June 28, 2014. We sang two hymns “Great is the goodness of God” and “All Things in Jesus I Find”.

     After brief introductions, Bishop William Rukirande from Kabale, Uganda, gave the devotions. He spoke from 1 Peter 1:3-9 about the ‘new birth’ and the ‘living hope’ of those who are born again.

     Millicent Njuguna sang several songs . The songs are so good and you can understand the words of the songs as she sings. We were blest in hearing them. In one song she is saying the words that Jesus spoke to Peter “If you really love me, feed my sheep”. (John 21)

     Paul Burkholder shared “Joy on the Journey” – a short synopsis of his life – and the blessings he has received through many of God’s servants. He named so many familiar names. It is obvious that Paul is seeing Jesus – and reflecting His love.

     Helen Apio Sabiiti who now lives near Philadelphia brought her Mother who is visiting from UGANDA. Helen shared the medical ministry – she takes medical supplies to Uganda bi-monthly. A suit-case of medication costs about $200.  Her daughter, Florence Anna, (age 15) showed a power point of many children receiving medications. Also Florence told us about going with a group of 18 other students to Nepal where they helped to build a primary school. Helen and her Mother sang a lively praise song to the Lord !!!

     Andrew Onguka is home from Kenya on furlough. He shared  three things: about people, about provisions, and about prayer.  They have a school with 130 students. They are developing a discipleship training center in Western Kenya.  He mentioned “all the easy places in Kenya were taken”  so they are being faithful were God has placed them. It is obvious that God is blessing their ministry.

     Pearl Nsiah-Kumi (who is from Ghana) now living in Bowie, Maryland – came to say the closing prayer. With her sister, Ruby Sackar and the Lawton’s,  they  sang a praise song in “Ikan” – ‘lift Him up, Jesus is the King, He’s the King indeed !”    

      Wayne Lawton, reporter

You are invited to attend the revival fellowship meeting on Saturday, June 28th, 2014. It will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA 17540 (Check mapquest for directions). The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. with songs of praise. A devotion from God's Word will be given by William Rukirande, a retired bishop from Uganda, East Africa. A testimony entitled "Joy for the Journey" will be given by Paul Burkholder of Lititz, Pennsylvania.

Millicent Njuguna will sing at the Revival Fellowship meeting on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10 a.m.  Millicent sang acapella "Let the Lord have His way" at our last meeting. It was so beautiful. She plans to have accompaniment this time. And she will have CD's available for anyone wishing to purchase.  This meeting takes place in the fellowship hall of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA 17540. For more information you may call Wayne Lawton at 717-361-8990

PS I have recently become acquainted with an Amish man, Emanuel "Manny" Stoltzfus . He has quoted Scriptures to me from the phone in his barn. So he has been invited to attend this meeting and quote some scripture, He lives close to Forest Hills so he says he will attend.

Wayne D. Lawton, pastor
Cedar Hill Community Church at Lifegate , 5636 Bossler Road , Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Mail or Phone to Home/Office 717-361-8990, 624 Groff Avenue,  Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Dear Friends,                                                             June 10, 2014

   Usually I write a report of the previous meeting. But I failed to take notes at the last meeting (April 5, 2014) – so what I share will just be “to the best of my memory”.

   Paul Burkholder opened the door of Forest Hills Church for the meeting. We gathered to praise our wonderful Lord. Don Jacobs shared a devotional from the Word.

   Monicah Muikia, from Kenya gave her testimony (in Kikuyu) and Rose Mbugua interpreted for her. Monicah’s father owed money to a man who was married. Instead of giving money he gave Monicah (at age 16) to this man. 3 children were born to this union.  Later, she was saved by the Lord Jesus and in reading the scriptures felt this arrangement was not pleasing to the Lord. She left the home. The man’s first wife did not want to raise the three children – so Monicah raised her children as a single mother, prayed for them and led them to Christ and put them all through school!  People told her that she would some day be begging on the streets – but this never happened and today she is married to Eliud Muikia, a brother in the Lord and who has been a successful business man.

   Eliud Muikia also gave testimony – telling how God saved him and helped him to make restitution to his employer. Instead of being fired he was given promotions. After his first wife passed away (the mother of 4 sons - Samuel attends these meetings faithfully),two years ago God led him to marry Monicah, who had walked alone for many years. They are rejoicing together in the LORD !

   Helen Apio Sabiiti from Philadelphia area brought her Mother to the meeting. She and her mother sang praise to the Lord in a Uganda language - with great joy.

   Tim and Miriam Nissley (our oldest daughter) of Charlottesville, Virginia, each shared testimony of God’s faithfulness. Miriam read from her journal words the Lord has been speaking to her.

   Becky Maust Kurtz was blest in hearing Rose interpret for Monicah and seeing that Helen was interpreting for her Mother! Becky takes pleasure in  preparing lunch following these meetings.

   We have just learned of the passing of our sister, Lucille Mann Wolgemuth. Her Memorial service is 10 a.m. June 28 at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg.                                Wayne Lawton

Report of Revival Fellowship, October 5, 2013      

We gathered from Bowie, Maryland, and Baltimore, from Ephrata, Elizabethtown, Lititz  and Lancaster in the  Fellowship Hall  of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, Pennsylvania singing “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter His courts with praise . . . .” 

H. Glenn Stauffer opened the meeting with prayer  (on his 81^st birthday) ! Each person gave their name and where they were from and some included testimonies. 

Wayne Lawton read from Daniel 3:16-18 about the 3 Hebrew children.  They believed God could and would save them from the fiery furnace but they added - but if He doesn’t  - we will not bow down to this golden image. They were submitting to the sovereignty of God. They confessed the word of faith in humility and submission. 

Wayne then introduced  Pearl Kumi,  Ruby Sackar  and  Queenstar  –  and with Mary Lou & Wayne they sang a praise song in IKAN  –  a language in Ghana, West Africa,  “Lift Him up, JESUS is the KING”.   Johnson and Mary Kamau  sang a Psalm  in KIKUYU  –  a language in Kenya, East Africa.  

Johnson is an ordained Presbyterian minister and his wife,  Mary Njenga,  a school teacher – but when they came to America  they could not get positions  because they had not been trained here.   They have 4 children, ages  22,  19,  15  and 9. It is a challenge to get used to a new culture. After coming in 2006 they lived in Detroit, Michigan  –  but a year later moved to Pennsylvania.   Johnson has been studying in the mental health field at Lancaster Bible College. Mary works as a Certified Nursing Assistant [at Landis Homes, in Lititz]. Johnson shared that as a 19 year old student, 200 miles away from his home in Kenya, he heard the gospel preached at his school – but he resisted. He thought old people needed salvation before they leave this life but he was still young. He heard two powerful sermons: one about Zachaeus and the other about the Prodigal Son.  When an altar call was given he would not go forward   –   but spent a sleepless night. He came to breakfast but could not eat. Conviction of sin found him a self-righteous, proud young man.  He came from a  Christian  home  and had not been outwardly rebellious  –  so he didn’t  think he needed to be saved. But the Holy Spirit was faithful and drew him with cords of love to the cross of Jesus where he repented and was saved.  He said  “I thought I was winning  –  but I was losing. Only when you surrender to Christ do you win.     

Johnson shared  at length  about the  sermons  that had so convicted him. He was like Zachaeus – up a tree and too proud to come down! He was like the prodigal son – even though outwardly Johnson was a good young man, he was wasting his inheritance, by refusing to follow Christ.  He said when the  prodigal son  came home the father should have said,  “You have wasted your inheritance   –   get out of my sight ”  but instead he ran to this boy and threw his arms around him and kissed him.  Johnson  could  see  the  unconditional  love  of  the  father  and  knew that is how God felt toward him.  As Johnson spoke of God’s love in saving him  tears ran down his cheeks   –  tears of joy. He mentioned that we sin in selfishness.  We are blest when we think about others.  Death is a comma,  to everlasting life. Johnson hopes to write several books. 

As he concluded his remarks he told how he met his wife.  He had left his copy of a Gideon Bible on a chair.  Mary found it and returned it to him. Some friends  accused him of leaving the Bible there on purpose, to catch this young girl (smile) – but this was not the case.  He sees Mary as Number Two in his life. Jesus is Number One, then Mary, whom he loves dearly.

An offering was taken – brethren in Kenya have requested more copies of “A Gentle Wind of God”. 

Also a team of six from our fellowship [ Samuel Muikia, Anthony Wachira, Gad Kimani, John Maust Tom Hess  and  Wayne Lawton ]  will travel to Portland, Maine in  February 2014  to share with a revival fellowship just beginning there.        

Samuel Muikia mentioned his Mother’s passing in 2011. He told the group that he plans to fly to Kenya in November. His father, Eliud Muikia, will remarry a sister in the Lord on November 16^th. Don Jacobs spoke of Eliud – and his financial position in a large agricultural business in Kenya, and his leader-ship in the East Africa revival movement in Kenya. Don offered a prayer for this trip. And Sister Eva Kingori, who has lived in the United States for 14 years will take her first trip back to her home town of Nyeri, Kenya also. Don also offered a prayer for the meal.       

A book table had been set up and Pearl Kumi placed copies of two books she had written “Get On Board – Stay On Board” and “The Last Train at Sunset”  and Don Jacobs books “Consider Jesus” and “A Gentle Wind of God”. These books are available on AMAZON.com

October 5 Fellowship gathering

You are invited to hear the testimony of Johnson Kamau, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Kenya, East Africa. He is a Christian Psychotherapist, Researcher and Writer. He is the founder of Joshua Mentoring & Counseling Ministry. He and his wife, Mary Njenga, live in Ephrata. PA. They have four children, ages  22, 18,  15,  9.  He will speak at the Revival Fellowship meeting on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 10 a.m..   It will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Rd., Leola, PA 17540. There will be a luncheon at noon ($6).

The Revival Fellowship began in this area in the 1950's as a result of missionaries returning from East Africa with testimonies of renewed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is sometimes called "The Tukutendereza Fellowship" because that is the name of the Christian revival song of East Africa.

For more information about this meeting please call Wayne D. Lawton at 717-361-8990 in the Elizabethtown area, or  C. Thomas Hess at 717-756-7921 in the Harrisburg area, or Paul Burkholder at 717-581-3964 in the Lancaster area.