Matthew 1:18-25

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Todd Wood

My questions related to the text . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

  1. Which other Person of the Trinity is connected with the birth of Jesus?
  2. What did Joseph want to do with the Mary when he found out she was pregnant?
  3. What is Joseph’s family lineage?
  4. What does the name, Jesus, mean?
  5. The birth of Jesus fulfills what Old Testament prophecy?
  6. What does the name, Immanuel, mean?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

  1. What were the cultural parameters of Jewish betrothal?
  2. What would happen to a betrothed girl caught in sexual immorality?
  3. Did Mary’s sinful nature pass on to the baby within her womb?
  4. What do you think of the Catholic doctrine of Immaculate Conception?
  5. How would you explain the birth of Jesus?
  6. God became a baby.  What are your thoughts on this?
  7. Did God have to become a human?
  8. Jesus had a divine nature and a human nature.  Have you heard the phrase coined by theologians, hypostatic union?
  9. Do you consider the virgin birth of Jesus Christ a fundamental doctrine of evangelical Christianity?
  10. The name of Jesus is rooted in what Old Testament name?
  11. If Jesus saves believers from their sins, why do believers still sin?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

  1. What would you do with your spouse caught in adultery?
  2. Has an angel from the Lord ever appeared to you in a dream?
  3. Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  Is He saving you from your sins?  To what extent, is He saving you?
  4. Are you in bondage to any dominating human desires?  How can Jesus help you?
  5. What do you fear presently as you pursue God’s will?  Do you need His assurance?
  6. How will you trust and obey God this week, knowing that He is with you?  What is He calling you to do?
  7. What would your life be like today without God with you?
  8. How do you know that God is with you?
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Matthew 1:1-17

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Todd Wood

On Sunday, April 23, Pastor Beau Floyd of Emmaus Road Church in Idaho Falls introduced to the church family a new study in the book of Matthew.  My intent is to join Pastor Beau in sharing this good news all over the city over the upcoming months with the desire for making disciples of Jesus Christ.  For is this not the command given to us by King Jesus in Matthew 28?  Walk with us in this journey of repentance and grace.

In reading the opening seventeen verses of Matthew 1, I am convinced that Jesus is the long awaited Messianic King.  I am also persuaded that no matter how big the scandals and black the stains, Jesus is able to triumph in any family.  There is great grace displayed in our genealogies.

My questions related to the text . . .

Observation (questions for your head)

  1. List the names of the women that you see in this genealogy.
  2. Who is the “wife of Uriah”?
  3. Name the good, the bad, and the ugly among the Jewish kings.

Interpretation (questions for your head and heart)

  1. What is the significance of “the son of David, the son of Abraham”?
  2. What is the reason for listing “Zerah by Tamar”?
  3. Was there hope given in the Jewish deportation?
  4. What you do say about the genealogy gaps in the text?
  5. Numerology is important in Jewish belief.  What does the sequence of “fourteen generations” teach?
  6. “The Christ” is a title for what?
  7. How does this genealogy prove that Jesus is the rightful Messiah?

Application (questions for your heart and hands)

  1. Are you able to trace the providence of God in your family genealogy?
  2. How you wondered if anything good can come from the messes in your family?
  3. Have you given up on your family?
  4. When other families are in the midst of sinful struggles, do you give gospel hope or judge?

 

 

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Mercy in the Margins (May – 2017)

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Todd Wood

Greetings to you all!

As a missionary chaplain for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, our passion is to give Jesus to the least.  The last.  And the lost.

Thanks so much for your desire to pray and partner with us.  Your prayers and giving are making a difference.

Some quick highlights from the trenches

  • This past month, I have been the case manager for fourteen men at the ARK.
  • Every Monday, I get together with men to discuss what they have learned in Sunday services among the local church communities.  We have named this the “Jesus Family Life” group.
  • On Tuesdays, it has been a joy to be reading through the Bible with some of the men. We call it the “Jesus in the Bible” Group.  Currently, we are in the book of I Chronicles.
  • On Thursdays, I lead a “Roots by the River” Bible study in Ephesians.
  • Early this Thursday morning, I lead the National Day of Prayer event downtown at the First Presbyterian Church.
  • Today, I opened up the Word and shared Jesus at the men’s breakfast for Berean Baptist Church.
  • And I am thankful for being given the opportunity to share the gospel hope and power of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection when I recently officiated in a funeral and graveside service.

On the home front

  • Our oldest son is heading to India, May 10, for a short trip and then on to Hong Kong for an international business internship, May 17.  Please pray for his safety.
  • Our oldest daughter is flying from South Carolina back to Idaho today, May 6.  We look forward to seeing her!
  • Our youngest daughter is finishing her junior year at Skyline High School and plans  this summer on delving into some research for her senior project on human trafficking.
  • The Skyline freshmen class voted in our youngest son as next year’s Sophomore historian.  Also, we like to say that he is second in the state among 9th graders for throwing the shot put in track.

Prayer requests: May Jesus reign as King in Idaho Falls!

My four main ministry objectives: 1) Partner IFRM with local churches 2) Disciple IFRM staff, volunteers, and residents 3) Provide pastoral prayer, encouragement, counsel, and Biblical preaching and teaching 4) Help facilitate discipleship components for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and the future Renewed Life Recovery Program

Thanks for the prayers.  God bless you all.

roots by the river,

Todd Wood

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Mercy in the Margins (April – 2017)

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Todd Wood

Hi all,

My sister lost her husband to cancer last July, leaving her behind with four children.  When I visited her at the end of March in Canada, we started talking about loss and grief.  She told me that in our western culture we have a great difficulty in handling our heartache.  We don’t properly express our sorrow, and we run to various addictions to escape it.

On my drive home from Canada, my yearly Bible reading schedule placed me in the book of Ruth.  It is always remarkable how the Spirit of God can take a simple Bible reading schedule and make it so relevant to what I am facing daily in my life.  God speaks directly to us.  He knows where we are struggling and searching. And He has the answers.  It is up to us to seek and hear His voice, to search out His glory in the heart of a matter, and to trust His loving wisdom and care.

The book of Ruth starts off with three women losing their husbands.  Utter. Devastating. Loss.  Yet one of the ladies, Ruth, ends up clinging to her bitter mother-in-law, Naomi, and leaving her own country of Moab.  Of course, this was a courageous act of trust on her part.  How was she going to survive financially?  She was destitute.

Thankfully, the ancient country of Israel had a plan for helping those in poverty.  Farmers would leave portions of their fields for the poor to harvest so that they could eat and survive. In application, I am thankful for business owners in Idaho Falls who provide working opportunities for the poor to glean from their business abundance.

So in her poverty, Ruth ended up gleaning in the fields.  This started a chain reaction of God’s powerful redemptive care.  Boaz, the owner of the fields, noticed her and ended up marrying her.  Yet the story does not end here.  In the family line of Boaz and Ruth, there will come King David and eventually King Jesus.

For my sister and all the ladies who have suffered loss and find their way at the door of the women’s shelter named the Ruth House in Idaho Falls, I like this note in the Gospel Transformation Bible.

But death of loved ones is ultimately the result of living in a fallen world; it comes to all.  Far from being against her, the Lord is working through Naomi’s grievous circumstances to bring into the world One who ultimately will redeem her and all his people from death forever.

 In our loss, Jesus triumphs!

Some quick highlights from the trenches

  • Currently, I case manage seventeen men.
  • I am leading a half dozen weekly Bible studies and devotionals in small groups.  One of those Bible studies involves getting together with teenagers after school.  I am delighted to provide a pastoral reference for one of the young men as he desires to attend Jackson Hole Bible College in the future.
  • Recently, CrossPoint Community Church celebrated in the baptisms of two residents living at the ARK.
  • I had the privilege to preach the Word at Berean Baptist Church on Sunday, March 19, and Emmanuel Bible Church on Sunday, April 2.
  • Very thankful for Eagle Rock Baptist Church initiating new ministry to the ladies and children at the Ruth House.
  • I am excited to teach on the humanity of Jesus in the upcoming Emmaus Road Church Men’s Retreat at the Sleepy J Cabins in Swan Valley, April 21-22.  Also, I will be leading the community prayer breakfast at First Presbyterian Church on the National Day of Prayer, May 4.

On the home front

  • This summer, our oldest boy is heading off to China for a business internship.  Please pray for his safety.
  • And in four weeks, our oldest daughter is flying back to Idaho after completing her first year of college.  She is excited that she has been officially accepted into the clinical nursing program.  Please pray for her in the search for a summer job in Idaho Falls.

My Prayer Requests

  • Would you please consider having me share in one of your ministry groups?
  • I am seeking to gain monthly financial support as a missionary chaplain to the poor in downtown Idaho Falls.
  • Pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be lifted up during Passion Week in Idaho Falls.

My four main ministry objectives

  • Partner IFRM with local churches
  • Ongoing discipleship among IFRM staff, volunteers, and residents
  • Provide pastoral prayer, encouragement, counsel, and Biblical preaching and teaching
  • Help facilitate discipleship components for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and the future Renewed Life Recovery Program

Thanks for the prayers.  God bless you all.

roots by the river,

Todd Wood

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Succeeding and Reading

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Todd Wood

Two Sundays ago with Emmaus Road Church along the river in Idaho Falls . . .

Pastor Beau taught from the text, Deuteronomy 31:1-13.

His talking points:  God is With You

  • God Goes With His People
  • God Goes With His Leaders
  • God is Present Through His Word

He introduced the Bible passage with a question somewhat to this effect:  “Have you ever been in a situation that was impossible?” He shared one of his own stories while in the military.  Others from the church family shared some of their personal experiences of how God helped them through the trials.  God is our strength in the midst of impossible situations.

Moses is at the end of his life, and Pastor Beau suggested that he was a little bitter.

Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, “You shall not go in there” (Deuteronomy 1:37).

And I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, “O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand.  For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.  But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me.  And the LORD said to me, “Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again” (Deuteronomy 3:23-26).

The problem is that the people took out their frustration on their leader through severe complaining, and he angrily took out his frustration on them.  Both the people and the leader left God out of the picture.

Pastor Beau urged us first to take our problems to the Lord.  We ought to sit before the Lord and share our issues with Him.  Take it first to the King of Heaven!  Believe that God is with you.

Second, when sheep bite, shepherds need to take their hurts to the Lord.  Pray for your leaders.  Frustrated pastors need prayer.  Usually, a church member does not know all what the leaders are thinking or knowing.  They often experience opposition.  Beau shared the hostile responses by hecklers given to a chaplain in a recent town hall meeting.

Third, leaders do come and go.  But God’s Word remains constant.  You can trust God’s Word fully.  Beau said that he was a Torah guy, but he urged all the brothers and sisters in regularly hearing and reading all of God’s Word, whether it is a one year, three year, or seven year plan, etc.   And then he told us how important it is for the little ones to hear it all, too.  He cried when he read the first chapter of The Jesus Storybook Bible to his boy.

For the kids, I would also recommend:

My questions related to the text . . .

Observation

  1. How old was Moses?
  2. Who goes first into the promised land?
  3. Who is with you?
  4. What are some of the examples of past victories?
  5. How come the people don’t have to be afraid?
  6. Who will succeed Moses?
  7. When is Israel to read the law?
  8. Who is in the assembly to hear the law?
  9. What are three responses to God’s law (v. 12)?

Interpretation

  1. What is significant about the seventh year among Jewish people?
  2. What is the Feast of Booths?
  3. Why was there the need for a transition from Moses to Joshua?
  4. Can you think of an instance in the New Testament where Moses actually stepped foot into the Promised Land?

Application

  1. Do you feel like there was a dream that God has kept you from entering?
  2. What gives you hope for the future by thinking about what God has done for you in the past?
  3. Israel did not have to be afraid in following the massive command of God to conquer and inherit the land because of what central truth?  How does this parallel the massive command given to the Church to make disciples in all the world?
  4. How may you intentionally hear God’s law?  Do you have a systematic plan?
  5. What about your children?  How will you help them hear?

 

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Mercy in the Margins (March – 2017)

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Todd Wood

I share greetings of the Lord’s grace and peace to you all.  This is the first of my monthly updates, entitled “Mercy in the Margins”.  My life passage in the Bible is Isaiah 61:1-3.  It’s fitting because my first name, Elon, is in this Hebrew text.  Secondly, for a year and half now, I have been ministering as a servant of Jesus among those who are homeless; those who have had very difficult backgrounds filled with personal heartache, and those who are held captive by addiction.  This is a big mission field in Idaho Falls.  When one considers men, women, and children in the Bonneville County Jail, the homeless shelters of the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, and low-income housing, my desire is to see the miraculous gospel of Jesus Christ abound in the midst of this community and then to see them embraced by Christ’s Church and serving the King.

A little over three weeks ago, I approached the Executive Director of the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission about my idea to launch out as a chaplain on missionary status.  My specific mission is partnering IFRM with Jesus’ Church in Idaho Falls and the Southeastern Idaho region to disciple the marginalized so that they, in turn, may disciple others for the glory of God.  And I break this down into four main objectives:

  • Partner IFRM with local churches
  • Ongoing discipleship among IFRM staff, volunteers, and residents
  • Provide pastoral prayer, encouragement, counsel, and Biblical preaching and teaching
  • Help facilitate discipleship components for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and the future Renewed Life Recovery Program

My first church family to share this vision will be with those beloved to me in Idaho Falls, the Berean Baptist Church, on Sunday, March 19.  If your church family has questions on how to bring Jesus to those trapped in low income jobs on the verge of homelessness, fighting mental struggles, battling addiction, or deeply hurting, give me a call. I would love to partner with you.

Some quick highlights from the trenches

  • Currently, I case manage eighteen men.
  • I am leading a half dozen weekly Bible studies and devotionals in small groups.
  • We have seen four baptisms of residents in the local churches.
  • And I am delighted to be involved in a new church plant along the river in Idaho Falls, Emmaus Road Church.

On the home front

  • I have the gift of mercy, but my wife has twice the amount of this grace giftedness.
  • Our oldest son and daughter are attending colleges on the other side of the country, and our youngest daughter and son attend Skyline High School.

My Prayer Requests

  • In my observations, every homeless man and women needs a friend.
  • Every resident who lives in one of the IFRM shelters and worshiping with a church needs a spiritual mentor within that Christian family. We need much training on discipleship.
  • My first goal is to partner with ten churches.

roots by the river,

Todd Wood

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DISCIPLESHIFT

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Todd Wood

discipleshift

My pastor handed me a book, Discipleshift, and a real-life discipleship training manual.

I read the book over several days, and I have finished week 3 of 12 in the training manual.  I meet with my pastor on a weekly basis to discuss.

I highly recommend this material filled with biblical text.  The process is simple.  Easily reproducible.  And very relational.

What if every Christian existing in our local churches got busy about making disciples for Jesus Christ?  You see, this business is not only for the pastors or anyone else with titles in town.  The work of the Great Commission ought to engulf us all and sweep us up in the greatest faith adventure of our lives.

This “discipleshift” could transform your town.  Literally. For God’s glory.

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Day of Prayer and Fasting

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Todd Wood

Day of Prayer and Fasting – Idaho Falls Rescue Mission

Tuesday, February 21, 2017.  All are invited.  The tables in the SonShine Room of the City of Refuge will be open to gather around for prayer during the noon hour.

Here is a suggested list of prayer requests.

The community to whom we minister to daily

  1. Those needing forgiveness, healing, and hope for past life trauma
  2. Those needing deliverance and victory over dominating sin addictions
  3. Those needing health treatment and physical strength
  4. Those needing reconciliation among broken family relationships
  5. Those needing new, loving, accountable relationships (spiritual mentors and church families) based upon God’s truth and joy
  6. Those needing determination and strong work ethic to pursue jobs
  7. Those needing guidance, wisdom and grace for personal, family, and legal issues
  8. We need Jesus in our midst, bringing good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, and healing for the broken-hearted.
  9. Pray that residents will be delivered from evil, led away from spheres of temptation, and brought into Christ’s marvelous light
  10. We need the community to be discipled and then in turn to become disciple makers for Jesus to the glory of God the Father in our city.

Christian case managers ministering seven days a week

  1. That they would experience the daily provision, favor, and love of the Father
  2. That they would grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ
  3. That they would be daily nourished in the Lord’s word, wisdom, and strength
  4. That they would be bearing much spiritual fruit as they abide in Christ and worship among God’s people, not forsaking the assembly
  5. That they would taste in greater abundance divine answers to prayer
  6. That they would be front-line, in-the-trenches evangelists for Jesus Christ in all facilities and events connected with the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission
  7. That God would be their shield and protection
  8. That God would be an ever-present refuge for their troubles
  9. That they would not be weary in well-doing, receiving ongoing encouragement from the Comforter
  10. That case managers would be filled with godly discernment in handling lies and deceit and loving patience in enduring immaturity and childishness
  11. That case managers would be connected in vivid supernatural ways to the resources of God’s people all over the city

Night workers

  1. Pray for their protection, rest, wisdom, and discernment.
  2. Pray that God will grant them favor and power in the unexpected.
  3. Pray that God’s shalom will flood the facilities at night.

Supervisors

  1. Pray that they will be given heavenly strength and wisdom in wisely managing their staff, the residents, and resources at each one of the facilities.
  2. Pray for guidance in handling staff and resident issues
  3. Pray for God’s provision for gaps in staff coverage, repairs to old structures, and miracles in the midst of hopelessness
  4. Pray for God’s will and God’s glory to be manifested.
  5. Pray for effective use of donations, funding, and maintaining of buildings.
  6. Pray for the continual filling of the Spirit
  7. Pray that all the facilities may be havens of both God’s truth and love.

Administration, executive, and board of directors

  1. Pray for health
  2. Pray for success in the thrift programs
  3. Pray for Spirit-filled vision, effective communication that promotes purpose and unity
  4. Pray for increasing partnerships with businesses and local churches on the behalf of reaching the poor
  5. Pray for ever-widening circles of volunteers.  Pray that all of our volunteers will have their cups running over with blessing for what they do!
  6. Pray for the development of work enterprises, multiplication of discipleship groups, and a future, vibrant, Christ-centered recovery program
  7. Pray that Jesus Christ will be in everything and the Father will be glorified in everything that is done.

 Pray for the city and downtown revival

  1. Pray for pastors as they declare biblical truth and Jesus love in pulpits all over town.
  2. Pray for full-scale purpose, commitment, and training in a strategic plan of city-wide making disciples of Jesus Christ.
  3. Pray that every church family will be a loving, gospel haven of rescue, recovery, and restoration and an equipping ground for the great commission.
  4. Pray for spiritual awakening and revival in the city of Idaho Falls.
  5. Pray for the police, probation and parole officers, and Bonneville County jail guards.
  6. Pray for the network of social service and counseling agencies.
  7. Pray for business partnerships and the economic prosperity of the city.
  8. Pray for the doctors, nurses, and all the caregiving and mercy ministries in town.
  9. Pray for all our teachers.
  10. Pray for our civic leaders.
  11. Pray for our journalists and reporters.
  12. Pray that Jesus will reign as King in the city.  Pray that we will all grow our roots deep by the life-giving river.
  13. Pray that we will turn over the keys of our city to the King.
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Choose Life

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Todd Wood

This morning with Emmaus Road Church along the river in Idaho Falls . . .

Today, Pastor Beau taught from the text, Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

His talking points:

  1. God is Near, Through His Word
  2. Life and Good
  3. Death and “Evil”
  4. Choose Life

Pastor Beau made a case for the fact that one of the greatest benefits for the people of God is the nearness of God.  One of the saddest aspects about our modern society is that people don’t know who is God, where is God, and how to appease God. Beau read to us a sad prayer uttered back in the 7th century B.C. about a worshiper who had no clue.  In contemporary thought, Beau illustrated the same heartache by a Wikipedia description of the movie, Eat, Pray, Love.  Many have no idea how to come near God.  But the reality is that word of God’s gospel is so near to us, starting with what Moses says here in Deuteronomy.  Beau recommended readings from Daniel Block’s book, The Gospel According to Moses.

To follow God, it is not a prosperity gospel, but nonetheless there is great blessing – great hope, peace, and joy.  To not obey God is to invite death and “evil”.  Beau made it clear that God is not the author of moral evil.  If He brings evil, it is in the sense of destruction or calamity.

Moses is at the conclusion of his ministry.  The next generation is constantly on his mind.  He beseeches the people to choose life by holding fast to God.  Notice that is covenantal, marriage language.  God is faithful and trustworthy.  He keeps His promises.  So how are we doing daily?  Let us make regular, daily, habitual choices in our time, entertainment, friendships, etc. that follow God.

Beau told us that he cannot give to us any better words than the biblical exhortation of Moses:  “Choose Life!”

___

I am thinking . . . there is the urgent expectation of decision, which results in fundamentally altering the course direction of our lives.  The children of Israel have a choice, either to follow the gods of their own making and their surroundings or to follow YHWH.

Some might think this to be a difficult proposition.  But Moses persuades us that this decision to love and obey the LORD is fully within the range of human possibility and actuality.  We can do this, truly through the full provision of gospel grace.  And not only can we do this, we must do this, because all future prosperity or peril hinges on our obedience to the commandments of God.

YHWH is our very life and length of days.

My questions related to today’s text in Deuteronomy 30:11-20:

Observation

  1. What are the two things that Moses notes about God’s commandment in verse 11?
  2. How close is God’s word to you?
  3. What does Moses set before the people in verse 15?
  4. In verse 16, obedience to God is revealed in what three ways?
  5. What are two other synonyms for God’s commandments (v. 16)?
  6. If Israel does not heed Moses, what will happen?
  7. This passage is not about choosing between the “better” and the “best”but about what?

Interpretation

  1. How is anyone really able to please and obey the LORD?  What enables a person to obey?
  2. Is God’s word easily understood by everyone?
  3. What are the points of access to God?
  4. What is the difference between God’s transcendence and His immanence?
  5. Do you need an earthly mediator to be the conduit of God’s word to you?
  6. How does the apostle Paul quote and interpret Deuteronomy 30:14 in Romans 10:8?
  7. How does your personal obedience affect your family lineage?
  8. What is the ultimate source of life?  death?

Application

  1. Have you ever said that what God asks of you is too hard for you?
  2. Is there any commandment from God that is impossible to obey?
  3. Do you think that God’s will is unclear?  Are you having a hard time figuring out what God wants you to do with your future?
  4. Does God speak in secret? (Isaiah 45:19)
  5. Do you feel that God is inaccessible to you?  Do you feel that others in town might have a secretive and better passage to God than you?
  6. Why do you feel that God is shutting you out?
  7. What are major spiritual decisions facing you today?
  8. Do you consider God’s rules as just decrees for you and your community?
  9. If you have made bad choices in your life, do you think it is too late for you to have a good life?
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Would you pray about this?

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Todd Wood

Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Grace and peace to you. 

Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Elon Todd Wood.  Most people call me by my middle name.  I was born in a hospital along the banks of the Snake River in Idaho Falls back in 1969.  I became a child of God at a very young age because I had the privilege to grow up in a Christian home.  Early on, my parents taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and surrounded me with teachers who loved the Lord.

Upon graduation from high school, I had a keen sense of calling from the Lord that He desired for me to submerse myself in cross-cultural missions.  I went to college to receive theological training, completing a B.A. in Christian Missions, an M.A. in Theology, and finally a Master of Divinity.  Shortly after, I completed a pastoral internship with great cowboys at Grace Baptist Church in Elko, Nevada, and then I immediately came back here to my home area in 1997 to pioneer a new church plant, Berean Baptist Church, in Ammon, Idaho.   I went from a church planting missionary status supported by churches and individuals all over the country to where the church plant became fully self-supporting. I pastored at Berean Baptist Church for almost 20 years, dropping my financial salary in September of 2015, continuing to preach the Word on Sundays until I eventually presided over a beautiful church service in the call of a new pastor in July of 2016. 

I am writing to you concerning a new calling that the Lord has placed upon my life.  Back in September of 2015, Dr. John Oakley, executive director of the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, extended the invitation for me to be a case manager within the downtown organization.  Working in a gospel rescue mission has opened my eyes to a whole community of people who struggle with addictions, mental issues, legal difficulties, family fractures, brokenness, and homelessness.  Because of their unique issues, they can feel marginalized from family, church, and community at large. 

Because the Lord has uniquely wired me with a heart of mercy for listening, counseling, writing, teaching, and coaching, I feel burdened to serve and minister as a missionary discipleship chaplain among the poor in downtown Idaho Falls. I have been called by God to bring gospel mercy to those in the margins.  Over the past year and a half, my burden has only intensified.

I am writing you for this simple reason.  Will you prayerfully consider in partnering with me?  I am trusting in faith that my position as a missionary discipleship chaplain with the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission will be financially supported by God’s people as you see this urgent need.  I covet your financial support and your prayers as I seek to continually bring Jesus to the poor.

Roots by the river,

Todd Wood

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