Back from Texas (Aug 16, 2009)
After preaching the Sunday morning service on August 9, I flew to Dallas, Texas and preached the evening service for Dr. Richard Wallace at Temple Baptist Church. It was my privilege to conduct the teacher orientation lectures for the new school year at Temple Christian Academy. I preached the Wednesday evening prayer service for him on August 12 before flying back to Atlanta. Dr. Wallace is doing a wonderful job in the North Dallas suburbs of Lewisville and Flower Mound. If you are ever in the Dallas area, this would be a church worthy of your visit. In all, I preached ten times of over the four days that I was with him and enjoyed every minute of it. Dr. Wallace has been a treasured friend to this preacher.
In my absence, Pastor Powell preached the Sunday evening and Wednesday night messages. They were very well received, and you can listen to them again by logging on to our website.
Upon my return Thursday, Karen and I visited Karen Ange, a recent visitor to Grace. We were able to take a Bible and lead Karen to a saving knowledge of the Lord. It was my privilege to plunge Karen beneath baptismal waters yesterday. Praise the Lord!
Our buses brought in 117 riders yesterday. Five of these prayed to receive the Lord in the counseling center of bus church. Amen!
Over 145 soldiers attended our Bible studies on Fort Benning this week. Eight of these stood to receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Amen again!
Last night we were privileged to have Jeremy Benbrooks with us. Jeremy and his wife Mattie are on their way to Togo, West Africa. They are being sent through Mikado Baptist Church, where Jeremy has been on the staff as children's pastor. Mikado is a great church in the greater Macon area. Jeremy's wife grew up in my home church, Mansfield Baptist Temple. They represented their church, BIMI, and most importantly, the Lord well. It was our privilege to add them as the 154th missionary family of Grace Baptist Church.
Our school year started well last week. This is the 31st year of Grace Christian School. The average Christian school dropped in enrollment by 33% this year. We experienced some decrease, but not as severe as the average. Pray that the Lord will send us the students He desires for us to have.
This weekend, our high school supervisor, Stephen White, will be ordained to the Gospel ministry. Dr. Johnny Pope will be joining us for the ordination and preaching all day Sunday, August 23. You won't want to miss it.
Your continued prayers for this ministry do make a difference. Please keep them coming!