An Action-Packed Sunday (Jun 28, 2010)
We had an action packed Sunday in the middle of summer yesterday. The Lord blessed with rebounding numbers and we are thankful for the sweet spirit that was to be found in church yesterday. Let me highlight a couple of significant milestones.
Yesterday began with Sam Snyder, missionary appointee with BIMI, sharing his burden for the islands of Kiribati. These islands in the middle of the Pacific were presented with the Gospel in the 1800s, but there has not been an authentic Gospel witness on the islands in over 100 years. There is not one Gospel preaching church to be found in the entire country. Sam and his lovely wife Mary Beth are teaming with another couple to rectify this problem. Our hearts were burdened, and it was our privilege to add the Snyders to our missionary budget, the 175th missionary of Grace Baptist Church.
We were also privileged yesterday to have a touring group from Grace Baptist College in Gaylord, Michigan. Over twenty years ago, Dr. Jenkins went to Gaylord and planted a church that is thriving today in spite of the depressed economic conditions in the state of Michigan. The touring group presented a package of God-glorifying, uplifting music in both the combined Sunday School and morning worship hours. Kristina Keyes and Stephanie Goldsborough, who are both graduates of our school, now work for this ministry in Gaylord and were in attendance in both services yesterday. It was a privilege to have them home.
In addition to these visitors from Michigan, we had visitors from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ilinois in attendance. We are thankful for these. Do pray for us as we follow up on the local visitors that were in attendance.
I continued my summer series on the life of King Hezekiah. Yesterday's message, "Men Who Helped the King," was received favorably, and there were a good number of decisions at the altar. You can listen to the sermon again by logging on to our website.
During the morning worship service, we also presented the Lloyd and Anita Berrey Bus Scholarship. This annual award in memory of our beloved former bus pastor is a full high scholarship to Grace Christian School given to a bus rider who best exemplifes the characteristics we desire in our bus riders. This year's recipient was Jasmine Russell. When Karen and I notified Jasmine's mother that she had been chosen, she responded that Jasmine had been praying for a way to come to Grace Christian. What a joy it was to hand her the scholarship yesterday. We praise God for our dedicated bus workers who are making a difference.
We were also privileged to have in attendance yesterday Pastor Bert Arrowood and his wife Christina. Bert is currently the youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina. He came to Grace yesterday to interview for the youth pastor vacancy at Grace. He preached a powerful message last night that you can hear again by logging on to our website. Pray for us as we seek God's will concerning our next youth pastor. Brother Arrowood is doing a great job as a husband and father, and it was great to spend time with his lovely family yesterday.
Last Wednesday night, the church voted to take yet another step in securing adjacent property to the church in order to construct a new fellowship hall and gymnasium. The congregation approved the purchase of another house on Howard Avenue, paving the way for future church expansion. We are thankful for their willingness to look to the future.
An exciting, patriotic weekend is approaching, and we want to invite you to be part of the festivities. On Saturday, July 3, we will have a church wide picnic at the North 40. We will get started with games at 10:00 AM, eat around 11:30 AM, and be done around 2:00 PM. On Sunday, July 4, our God and Country Sunday will feature special patriotic music, a touring group from West Coast Baptist College, the presentation of the colors, and special patriotic message. I trust you will be able to come.
Don't forget to keep us in your prayers. We are excited about all that God is doing in our midst.