Chattahoochee Independent Baptist Fellowship (Jun 14, 2010)
We were privileged at Grace Baptist Church to hear yesterday the convicting preaching of Evangelist Lou Rossi. The altar was filled withnumerous decisions by Christians at both altar calls. We praise the Lord for the way He used His Word. Dr. Rossi helped kick off the annual meeting of the Chattahoochee Valley Independent Baptist Fellowship. He will be joined tonight by Pastor Mike Norris from Franklin Road Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Both preachers will preach tonight at 7:00 PM and tomorrow at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. You won't want to miss it! A combined church choir from the independent Baptist churches in the area will perform, and special music will also be provided from the various assemblies. It will be a great two days of sweet fellowship and dynamic sermons.
We were saddened to hear last week of the homegoing of missionary Ike Foster. Ike had been a veteran missionary in Korea since the 1950s. He was one of the first missionary families supported by Grace. Years ago, Pastor Neaves cut his own salary in order to add the Fosters to our missionary budget. Ike went without many personal benefits in order that he might minister to the people of South Korea. He was buried in Korea, the land that he loved so much. We will miss this old soldier.
Grace continues, however, to add to its missionary family. On June 5, we were privileged to have missionary Beth Johnson with us. Beth will be working in Morocco among Muslim women. Men are not allowed to engage in idle conversation with women in the marketplace in strict Muslim cultures. Beth will be involved in much-needed evangelism in this heavily Islamic country of North Africa. It was a privilege to add Beth to our missionary family.
On Monday, June 6, Karen and I traveled to Chattanooga so that I could participate in the annual board meeting of BIMI. Nineteen new missionary candidates were approved. Amen! We stayed Tuesday night as the mission celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Dr. David Snyder was installed as the new General Director of BIMI, and we are confident that he is God's man for the hour. Grace voted last night to add Dr. Snyder to our missionary family in order that we might stand behind him in this awesome responsibility. He becomes the 174th missionary of Grace Baptist Church. Amen!
Our annual Vacation Bible School was conducted June 7-11. Our bus workers braved the heat, and our coordinators and teachers did a marvelous job of maintaining order. Pastor Powell reported that 46 children prayed to receive Christ through individualized, personal counseling. We praise the Lord for these decisions and for our dedicated workers who made these decisions possible.
On Saturday evening, I was privileged to preach at Victory Independent Baptist Church here in Columbus with my good friend Marty Wynn, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, as we celebrated the 35th anniversary of our sister church in the city. Preston Parker started this church, and it is still going strong. We praise the Lord for good friends in the city.
Last night, Bill Lockerman received his first pin in the soul winners club for leading his first soul to Christ since beginning our 13-week program. Bill was able to lead a neighbor of our church to the Lord, a man many of us have witnessed to on multiple occasions. We praise the Lord for God using Bill to help this dear man "seal the deal."
This afternoon, I will travel to Opelika, Alabama to meet with the men of Heritage Baptist Church, a new church plant. They are considering becoming a member of our satellite church ministry. Pray that God will give us wisdom as we deliberate. Also, continue to pray for our new church plant in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, scheduled to begin in the month of August.
On Tuesday, we will close on a duplex adjacent to the church, which will be converted into our new youth house. Our current youth house will be moved, Lord willing, to make room for more parking. We are also in negotiations concerning another property that has become available adjacent to the church. Pray that God will help us secure this land for the best price possible.
On June 27, Bert Arrowood will be on campus to interview for our vacant youth pastor's position. Bert has been a youth pastor in Easley, South Carolina for the past four years. Pray that God will give him and us wisdom as he comes to Columbus.
On Thursday, Karen, our girls, and I will travel to Ohio to celebrate the fiftieth wedding anniversary of my parents. What a great privilege to be raised in a godly Christian home! I will stay over Sunday to celebrate father's day with my wonderful dad and preach at the Mansfield Baptist Temple. Pray that God will give me wisdom as I handle the Word of God at my parents' home church.
Your prayers and financial support do mean much to us. Pray that God will continue to use us this week to bring people into the family of God. We have several "hot" prospects we are hoping will come to Christ this week. Pray that God will help us to be effective soul winners.