Daytona Beach Outreach

Our weekly Beach Outreach here in Daytona continues to be a powerful night of ministry as we see the hand of Jesus touching so many lives. This past wek we were blessed to have some reinforcements in from Texas-- Meredith Lindsey and Jim Snead had driven all the way here from Fairfield, Texas to spend a few days with us and were a tremendous blessing to have.

It is amazing to see how God still uses "loaves and fishes" to minister to the multitudes. This past week we once again took one of our favorites out (this must come from our time spent in New Orleans!) red beans & rice with sausage! That and the Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper are always a big hit on the boardwalk.

On this particular evening it was non-stop ministry as Melanie and Kayla manned the food table, allowing me and the guys to minister to the constant flow on people coming by. They come from every walk of life and from every situation imaginable---they come for the food--but they are also drawn by the presence of the Lord Jesus.

We have been so blessed to find people open to the Word of God and to ministry and prayer as we go out. We are seeing people come out just because they know we will be there! We are seeing people come and kneel right there on the sidewalk and ask Jesus to come into their lives.

Thank all of you who pray for us regularly as we "take Jesus to the streets." If you have been praying about the right time sow financially into this ministry--this would be a great time! It typically costs us about $100 per week to finance just the Saturday night outreach. Yet--that is such a small investment when you consider the lives that are being changed and the souls that are being saved! Would you consider sponsoring a night or even 1/2 a night?

You can give securely online by clicking the "Donation" button at the top of the screen.

Blessings,

Pastor Troy

Raven Midwest Making News in Indiana

Pastor Terry Shuff is seen here cooking for the hundreds of people who came out to the Raven Block Party and Outreach this past Saturday in Elkhart, Indiana. With hundreds of sausages, hot dogs and grilled cheese being served--no one went away hungry--and they got the REAL MEAL as well (The Word of God).

Pastor Terry is regularly leading streets teams into the surrounding areas of Northern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Southern Michigan. He is connecting with local churches and hosting events on their properties to encourage them to "get outside of the four walls" and into the streets of their neigborhoods with the message and love of Jesus Christ.

We are blessed and excited as to how God is using this servant to provide outstanding leadership to our MidWest Team! May the Lord Jesus bless, propser and anoint you my friend for your heart of compassion and willingness to sacrifice for the commission that the Holy Spirit has entrusted you with!

Email Message from "Jade"

Dear Pastor Troy Bohn,

How are you? Hope you still remember us, we met each other in Dam Square, Amsterdam.We are Chinese young Christains. Now, Jade is writing to you (in the image, I was beside you in pink shirt, we raised our hands).

Really wanna say thanks to all of you, it was an awesome spiritual experience to talk to you and prayed with you. That day, I was shocked and delighted to see you with the Cross there!! It was so touched. Praise God, our family members are everywhere. Wish God continue blessing your preach wherever you are, it's God''s will.

I have to say sorry for writting you such late since I just got these pictures from others. I am sending them to you, wish you will like.

God bless you and your team!

Jade Liang

COMING SOON: EXCERPTS FROM

REMEMBERING 9/11

Seeing all the images on the news stations and observing the advertisements for all of the associated with motion pictures, television movies, and docu-dramas made me stop and reflect on the actions that changed the face of a city, a nation and in reality the world just five years ago.

I have sat and drank coffee at Starbuck's just a short subway ride from Ground Zero with my friend, Steve Ignowski (above) I have witnessed in the area and prayed with people to receive Jesus as Savior with my daughter, Kayla (above).

Seeing the images of the towers burning on television, I remembered how they once dominated the NYC skyline when I first went to witness there with my friend, Bobby Chance, years ago and met David Odel (above) as we shared Jesus in the Cherry Street projects just a short walking distance from the Twin Towers. I remember when I took my daughter Kayla with me on outreach to NYC and she snapped a picture of me on the Staten Island ferry with Manhattan Island over my shoulder---and knowing that the Twin Towers and nearly 3,000 lives would never again grace the lens of another camera.

I remember taking the first "Boys are Back In Town" outreach team (above) to New York City this past year and seeing the expressions on these men's faces as we walked towards the ominous hole in the ground once occupied by the cities talelst structures. I remember praying with Eian (above) from Tel Aviv, Israel who had just made his frist visit to NYC and I remember taking my son, Jered with me to the city several years ago to minister.

I remember standing in from of the Ground Zero location with my nephews, Justin Bohn and Brandon Romero (above) and having the cross-shaped steel girder that served as a reminder in those desperate hours following the terrorist attack--that Jesus was our only hope against the true terrorist--satan.

Over the years we had many people come to Jesus Christ on the streets of New York City. Many other street ministries and evangelist can give testimony of the same truth. I wonder to myself--had any of the thousands that perished that dreadful day prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior because someone took the time to venture beyond their comfort zones and tell them about the only way to obtain eternal life?

We go. It's worth it.

If you will keep supporting the outreach and evangelism efforts of Raven Ministries International we will continue to "Go and tell" all the world that Jesus still saves!

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

September Miracles

September 2006

I was sitting here thinking of all of the significant things that have happened in Melanie and I's life and in the ministry during this time of year. I was just amazed as I set back and considered the past few years and how God had brought us through some powerful and challenging times on both a personal and ministry level.

As I think about September 2006, I am so blessed and excited that many of the things that the Holy Spirit spoke to us many years ago are coming to pass---and even to a greater degree than we could have imagined ourselves! When we were just in our early twenties and starting out in the ministry we would talk about the things that we felt God had called us to do and the places that He had placed upon our hearts--but those things looked so far off that we really couldn't fathom the day in which they would come to pass.

Each weekend across this nation, there are RAVEN teams taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some of the most desperate people and seeing some of the greatest miracles that one could imagine. Here in September of 2006 we will have teams ministering and preaching the Gospel in: Daytona Beach (Florida), San Francisco (California), Elkhart (Indiana), Austin (Texas), New Orleans (Louisiana), Los Angeles (California), Benton Harbor (Michigan), Baltimore (Mariland), York (Pennsylvania), Amarillo (Texas), Albuquerque (New Mexico), Post (Texas), South Bend (Indiana) and other places that I have forgotten!

With each passing September there is a way paved for a more glorious time to take Jesus' message of hope, healing and deliverance to a whole new harvest field. We are just so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve and trust Him with each passing year and looking forward to higher heights and deeper depths in Christ Jesus.

September 2005

Just a year ago we were making our way back into New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. As we came into the city we were taken aback at seeing streets that we drove daily still resembling rivers. As we made our way through the Mid City area where Nick and Cindy Castro and Pastor Alex and Holly once lived--seeing the devestation and watermarks over 7ft high was almost overwhelming.

Then as we came to the front of our home we were not prepared for what we would see. The five beautiful trees that lined the front of our house were now laying on their sides across our front yard! The sidewalks were raised from the ground from the uprooiting of the trees and debris was scattered everywhere.

Making our way inside we soon discovered that the 18" on water that fileld our home pretty much destroyed everything on the ground level that was not over a couple of feet up. The furniture, appliances, all of my books, rugs, draperies, etc.. were the victims of this devestating disaster. Not to be detoured though! Praise God! We through the junk out and got busy reaching people for Jesus!

September 2004

The previous September had to have been one of the most difficult times in my life. That was when the devil tried to kill me physically! Being told that I might have contracted the West Nile virus, finding out that I was a diabetic, and having a doctor tell me that they couldn;t belive that I had been able to walk into the office under my own power was sobering to say the least!

With all of the physical attacks that I faced--people were coming to Jesus in droves! Jered (my son) and I had just returned home from an outreach in New York City, we were hitting the streets constantly in New Orleans and were seeing tons of people kneel right on Bourbon Street and ask Jesus to come into their lives!

Praise God that He delivered me from that trial and in the process I lost a much needed fifty pounds and have never felt better in my life now! Those were some tough times--but my God is always tougher!

In September of 2003 Melanie and I resigned from our pastorate in Amarillo, Texas where I had served for over 13 years. It was the church that God had allowed us to plant, in the same building that I had gotten saved, baptized and married in! God was doing amazing things there and had blessed us with an awesome church family and fulfilling ministry. But God...had other things for us to do!

I really want to thank all of you that have stuck by us, prayed for us, supported us and been with us through so many Septembers! I know that the best is yeat to come and that we can all look with great anticipation for God to reveal Himself in a more glorious and intimate way as we press into His presence and pursue His will daily.

We need your continued prayer and support for the ever-increasing work that God has entrusted to us. You are the one's that God has called to partner with us for this end times harvest and we are asking you to pray about be a part of another September Miracle for the work of Raven Ministries International.

We love and appreciate you so much and may God bless and anoint you mightily!

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

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Labor Day Outreach in Daytona Beach, Florida

(Above) We had a great Labor Day Weekend outreach here in Daytona Beach. The City was filled with many visitors looking for that last cahnce to get away before the end of Summer. (top clockwise) 1. Melanie, Sabrina Eskine and Kayla serve up a hot meal of fried chicken and trimmings to the homeless. The lady pictured was laying by a wall unable to move when I saw her. She told me that she was in excructiating pain as a result of six slipped disck. I ask here if I could pray for her and she said "Yes!" He son then said that his mom really needed to get to a hospital--to which she said, "I am going to belive God before I do that." Here she is in line eating! 2. Unloading the Raven Van of the supplies needed for the night. 3. Kayla and Sabrina serve a homeless man a plate of food and and a tub load of compassion for dessert! 4. "Lurch" and a friend enjoy a chicken dinner. "Lurch" told me that he was excited about the weekly Bible Study and would be bringing friends as well.

(Above) We were enormously blessed to have our great friends, Pastor Don and Sabrina Eskine in our home visiting this past weekend. They were a tremendous help and an unbelievable blessing just being here with us a few days. Pastor Don is the founder and director of No Cross No Crown Ministries of New Orleans and the director of Raven Gulf Coast. 1. Pastor Don and Sabrina stand in front of a beautiful sunset following a night of ministry. 2. Pastor Do shars his testimony with a man who had just spent 14 years in prison. Pastor Don shared how God delivered him from the jail cell and heroin addiction to own a successful business and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 3. Melanie, Sabrina and Pastor Don get things set up for the food outreach in the beach. 4. Pastor Don witnesses along the "wall" where many homeless people gather in the evening just steps from the Atlantic Ocean.
(Above) We have some awesome "girls" on our team who are not afraid to get in there and "mix it up" for the Kingdom! 1. Sabrina ministers to a young woman who is homeless and suffers from full-blown aids. 2. Kayla and Melanie unpack the van for outreach. 3. "He that finds a wife finds a good thing" Pastor Don and I sure believe that word! Sabrina and Melanie are our genuine "armour bearers" in Jesus!
(Above) "Every knee shall bow and every tongues shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord!" 1. Pastor Troy prays with two brothers who gave their hearts to Jesus on the Board Walk on Saturday Night. 2. Sam and Sid, two brothers visiting the city from Macon, Georgia stand with Pastor Troy. Sid was wearing a shirt glorifying cocaine and had a cross hangin over it! You know I got all up and over that! Sam had a shirt under the jersey with the picture of a friend who had been gunned down at 25 years old! I gave it to them STRAIGHT UP and left no wiggle room! They both came under heavy conviction and said that they didn't want to go to hell and they wanted Jesus to come into their lives! 3. Me and "my girl" Kayla! She is definately "her father's daughter" PTL 4. Pastor Troy prays with Brian, a homeless man who had just arrived in Daytona Beach from Baltimore.
(Above Clockwise) Melanie, Pastor Troy, Pastor Don and Sabrina out by the beach one afternoon. 2. The Eskines and the Bohns after the church service this past Sunday. The service was off the chain! 3. Pastor Troy and Pastor Don declaring, "There is ONE WAY and that is JESUS!"

**If you are in the Daytona Beach area, join us next weekend for ministry at the Boardwalk along the beach. Call for details 504-202-0939! You will be blessed!

Acts 26:16-18 “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this PURPOSE, to make you a MINISTER AND A WITNESS both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you...to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

I can almost see Paul the Apostle as he stood before King Agrippa and began to give his powerful testimony of coming face-to-face with the blinding presence of the Lord Jesus Christ as he journeyed on the road to Damascus that day. A man in possession of a great mind, impeccable credentials, wealth and authority—suddenly found himself prone on the ground and hearing the voice of the King of Kings speaking directly to him in the midday.

With all of his plans, and with all of his ideologies and with all of his successes—he could not deny the voice of the one who spoke and formed both the heavens and the earth. This man of unequaled religious training, who was driven by a purpose that seemed both noble and of great benefit to his people had now been seized by something that would far transcend anything that he could have ever imagined.

Wherein he had once been driven by a sense of duty, personal ambition and misplaced motivation– he was now being given one solitary purpose to take the Glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Nations of the Word! In this day and age the adage “driven” has been adopted by every facet of society—including the church! It is said of a person who is totally devoted to his career and the financial rewards that accompany it: He is driven!

The woman who is in pursuit of a romantic relationship with a particular man is said it be “driven.” To be driven to or by something is to be moved and motivated by what you are doing or hope to accomplish, but when you are given to something or to someone—the pressure to perform is removed and you can just simply be who you have been called to be!

I have said many times in regards to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ that it is not what we do, but rather who we are! When you have given yourself to something, or in this case someone (Jesus) that which follows is merely the product of what and who you have become through the regeneration of the blood of Jesus! Being driven by something (regardless of how moral or noble it may be) can inadvertently lead to developing a works mentality in relationship to being obedient to the call and commission of Christ Jesus to reach the world with the Good News of Salvation.

When you are given to something—doing and being-are just a natural extension of your Born Again Self. Consider this text of scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

To be bought speaks of surrendering title, deed, and ownership of something to the purchaser. Once bought the owner can exercise any decision relative to his property. If it be piece of land; he builds what he desires. If it be a vehicle; he drives it to his choice of destinations.

Acts 20:28 speaking of the “the church of God, which he hath purchased with His own blood.”
When ownership is transferred through the free will of a person and the exercise of faith towards God—then the rights of ownership are acquired by the purchasing party who then has all rights to determine how and what this acquisition will be utilized. While we are not under bondage to any law—Jesus has established the one true reason or purpose in offering up the ultimate price for you and I.

So if we have established that we have transferred ownership of our lives to Jesus Christ and as a result of this spiritual transfer we are then instructed on how we should live—–then what is the purpose that we have been given to? Our text reveals the answer: “to make you a minister and a witness” Why? “in order to turn them from darkness to light.”

Just because that was the purpose in which Paul was given to, does that mean we have been given the same purpose? There is a good way to find out! Let’s look in the Bible! In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he makes the statement, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Another translation reads, “Imitate me as I imitate Jesus Christ.”

The American Heritage Dictionary offers up these definitions of the word imitate: to use or follow as a model, to copy the actions, mannerisms, or speech of, to copy exactly; to reproduce.

That last one sure hits home! Seeing that we were created in His image and likeness and are His offspring created or reproduced by His Spirit. We are then told by Paul to “be a copy of Him” in the way that he was given to be a “copy of Jesus.” What was it that Jesus was given for then?
Jesus Himself answered that question for us when He said in:

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Jesus certainly made it easy to see the reason that He came or for what purpose in which He was given: To Preach the Gospel! That is the Purpose Given to Him and by extension—the same purpose given to all who would be followers of Christ. Now THAT is as simple as it gets.

Related Texts:

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The words of Jesus in these verses and the testimony of Paul before King Agrippa are an echo of one another and our lives and purpose should be the continuation of that exact same echo. “The Spirit of the Lord” was upon Jesus to anoint Him to preach the Gospel. Now consider this:

Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Does the same Spirit that indwells Jesus dwell in you? If it does then you have been anointed and given to one purpose according to the Word of God—to bring people into His Kingdom through the sharing of the Word of God with them.

I gave a man a car one time and a few months later he called to see if I would mind him giving it to someone else. I said, “I gave it to you to do whatever you want to do with it. Its yours.”
Why is it that we “give Jesus our lives” and then spend the remainder of our years telling Him what He needs to do with His property! I think the problem is that too few actually have signed over their lives to him and embraced the purpose given to us. We’ve instead loaned it to Him with the hope that He would carry the insurance and somehow accept responsibility without authority.

I John 4:1 declares, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many religious imposters have gone out into the world.”

There are mimics and there are imposters. There are the purpose driven and there are the purpose given. Which one will you be?