Trip to Ohio & Upcoming Christmas at Grace (Nov 17, 2009)
I flew into Atlanta yesterday after a fantastic weekend with Dr. Dale V. Adkins and the Mansfield Baptist Temple preaching for their 14th annual mens conference. Over 900 men from various states attended the conference, and many good decisions were made by the men who attended. Preaching along with me was Dr. Roy Thompson, founding pastor of the Cleveland Baptist Church, Dr. Neal Jackson, former pastor of the Campus Church in Pensacola, Florida, and Evangelist Mark Rogers. The Lord blessed in a tremendous way. During my Saturday morning session, a young man trusted Christ as his personal Savior, and at the conclusion of my last session, the altar was filled with men vowing to be better dads. It was a great time. As always, my friend Dale Adkins was a gracious host. If you have never attended the men's conference, try your hardest to attend next year's event when they will mark their fifteenth anniversary.
Speaking of fifteen-year anniversaries, I stayed over Sunday and preached for Pastor Bill Fennell in Mount Vernon, Ohio to help them celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Mount Vernon Baptist Temple. A lady who came to witness her daughter's baptism was saved after the morning worship service in the counseling center, and several good decisions were made among Christians. Pastor Fennell has been in Mount Vernon for eight of the church's fifteen years, and he is doing a marvelous job. The church has recently purchased 20 acres of land, and it is a church on the move. It was a great privilege to be with them.
While in Ohio, Dr. Shelton Smith from the Sword of the Lord called and asked me to do a systematic column for the Sword addressing social issues and the Bible's answer for them. This new feature begins in January. Pray that the Lord will use it to be a help to those who read it.
In my absence, Pastor Powell preached the morning worship at Grace. James Taylor walked the aisle and received Christ as his personal Savior. Amen!
Pastor Chambers reported good numbers on the buses, and six precious children prayed to receive Christ in the counseling center of bus church. Amen again!
The Lord blessed again with good numbers in our military ministry. Brother Ingram reported 147 soldiers in this week's outreach with 20 of them standing to receive the Lord as personal Savior. Praise God that He is using His Word to bring about such fruit.
We were able to record 590 in attendance for Sunday School and 616 for the morning worship. We are on target to have our highest year ever. Pray that the Lord will help this ministry end this year on a high note.
Christmas at Grace is right around the corner. The dates are December 11-13. Evangelist Bryan Samms, Uncle Charlie, and the Daybreak Quartet will be with us for the weekend. You won't want to miss it.
On a personal note, it was a great privilege to stay with my godly parents during my recent trip to Ohio. Do pray for my mother who is scheduled for major back surgery on December 9. Mom has been battling severe back pain for several years, and the doctors are promising her 80% relief with this surgery. Let us pray to that end!
And as God lays this ministry upon your heart, continue to pray for us. Your prayers mean much!