Sword of Lord Conference (Mar 30, 2009)
Dear Friend of Grace,
The Lord opened our annual Sword of the Lord conference with a tremendous bang yesterday. Dr. John Hamblin, despite arriving at the motel at 2:00 AM Sunday morning, was at his "A" game. Visitors from Ohio, Tennessee, Colorado, South Carolina, as well as locally, were in the church house. Sunday School attendance was 576, and morning worship was 647. It was a great day!
Now to the particulars, our Master Club kids boarded the vans early Saturday morning to depart to Pensacola for regional competition. The kids and workers all did a great job. Many ribbons were brought home. Of particular note, Tyler Wood preached his first sermon and came in second in the competition. Amen! What a thrill to see a new crop of preacher boys stepping up at Grace Baptist Church.
Our Master Club workers have been presenting the Gospel to Kateland Hickman. Over the last several weeks, the conviction had been growing. Mrs. Amsbaugh, who runs the Wednesday night bus route, was able to lead Kateland to the Lord on the way home from Master Clubs. Amen! Yesterday it was my privilege to plunge Kateland beneath baptismal waters as a testimony of her faith. Her mother came to watch. Pray as we follow up with that family.
You may recall that Patsy Durham, a long-time member of Grace, recently went home to be with the Lord. It was our privilege Tuesday to lead the twin brother of Patsy's husband to the Lord. Amen! Pray for us as we seek to disciple Harold Durham.
Travis Lumpkin, an executive at a local manufacturing plant and member of the Grace Baptist Church Soul Winner's Club, was able to lead a co-worker who had been involved in a serious accident to the Lord this week. Amen! Travis was able to testify about this remarkable soul-winning encounter last night in church and receive his soul winner's club pin. Praise the Lord!
We were also thankful for the new members that God sent our way yesterday. Tommy and Michelle Baker returned to the Columbus area from Orlando. Tommy grew up at Grace and is a graduate of GCS. Michelle grew up in Bethel Baptist in Schaumburg, Illinois. She is a great pianist. Needless to say, it was a thrill to welcome them into membership.
Also joining yesterday was Mark Jones. Mark recently moved to Columbus from Bowden, Georgia in order to have knee implant surgery. Mark has a remarkable testimony of deliverance which he would like to use in our RU ministry. We are excited that God led him to join with us.
On the base front this week, we ministered to 136 soldiers. 31 of these stood to receive Christ as personal Savior. We continue to thank the Lord for the doors of opportunity he is opening for us on post. On April 15, the Lord has granted me an opportunity to preach at a military prayer breakfast on family issues. Pray that the Lord will use me to powerfully present the Gospel.
Solid numbers were reported on our bus routes and chapel ministry yesterday. Pastor Chambers reports that one child prayed to receive Christ in the counseling center of bus church. Amen!
Please continue to pray for our Sword Conference. Dr. Smith will be joining Dr. Hamblin tonight at 7:00 PM. A special pastors fellowship is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, and the conference will conclude Tuesday night at 7:00.
Thank you for your continued prayers and gifts to this ministry. We continue to be amazed by the hand of God who is helping us stay afloat during turbulent economic times. Your prayers and support help make this possible. Thank you!