On May 6th we had an open Sunday, so I called a church where we served 2 years ago.  I asked if we could park and attend the church on Sunday.  Pastor Simpson was very kind and gave us permission to park and visit all of the services at First Baptist Church of Arcola in Roseland, Louisiana.  To our surprise they had a big crayfish boil and fish fry on Saturday night.  On Sunday morning, the adult Sunday School teacher was very sick so pastor asked me to step in and do something for the adults.   I did a seminar on overcoming fear when trying to witness to the lost who we meet every day in our busy lives.

This week we are back on the road again leaving Louisiana and heading for the state of Mississippi.  We are going to be holding a half of a week of revival meetings at Goodman Road Baptist Church in Horn Lake which is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee.  Please pray for our safety on the road, salvation of the lost and revival in the hearts of the saints. 

On April 29, 2012, on Sunday morning at Fort Hope Baptist Church in Leesville, Louisiana,  I told the story of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” with Rodney my ventriloquist partner and preached about Daniel’s three friends who stood up for their faith and for the Lord.  After a great meal with the church family we had a communion service with some great singing.  We enjoyed serving with Pastor Keary Jordan. 

That evening, at West Baptist Church in Oakdale, I preached for Pastor Robert Jordan.  I used Rosie to help me tell the story of Ruth and her new-found faith in the one true God.  Then I presented our ministry to the church closing with a message on John 3 on the salvation of Nicodemus.  Please pray for the two boys, who are asking questions about baptism, that they will soon understand what baptism is about and their need for salvation first.

We were thankful that we were able to park at West Baptist Church for two weeks so that we could enjoy the fellowship with pastors in the area.  We were able to play pool with Pastor Hobbs, help in the furniture store that the Jordans’ own and enjoy the food at the Jordan’s Barbeque Shack.  We are looking forward to being back in this area in 2014.

On April 22, 2012 I had the privilege to preach at the Faith Bible Baptist Church in Oakdale, Louisiana for Pastor Lester Hobbs.  We started Sunday morning with a whole family Sunday School class with my friend Randy helping me with the story of Samson.  For the morning service, Rosie came out and helped me tell the story of Ruth and her faithfulness to the Lord and for the morning message, I preached out of John 3 to encourage the lost to trust Christ and challenge the believers to share the gospel with a friend.  Sunday night, I told another story with two of my friends Rawley and Randy telling the story that I have titled “Obedience.”

Please pray for Brother Hobbs and this growing church in Oakdale.  The church family is very strong in the Lord and seek to reach their community for the Savior.  They have a ministry preaching in a prison not far from town that has been very fruitful.  They have seen many inmates come to trust Christ as their Savior.  The nearby federal prison is now looking for a new chaplain to continue the ministry in the prison.  The church is praying that they will pick a chaplain that will continue to let them have Sunday evening services in the prison.

On April 15, 2012 I preached and presented our ministry at Victory Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  For Sunday School, I ministered with ventriloquism and object lessons for all ages.  For the morning service, I preached from John 3.  One of the men responded to the invitation and trusted Christ as his Savior; Pastor Dartez had been praying for him for 15 years.  Praise the Lord God is faithful.  Seven other adults raised their hand asking for prayer that they might have the opportunity to share the gospel with a friend.  Sunday night, Rawley and Randy helped me tell the story of obedience and I preached on a living portrait found in the gospel of Mark.

I told the story of Jonah and the Great Fish on Wednesday for chapel at Victory Baptist Academy.  I closed with some object lessons with a surprise ending to explain the gospel.  One young man responded wanting to know for sure that he was saved.  After explaining the gospel he said that he had done that in the past.  Please pray for this young man, his home situation is very difficult.

Pastor Dartez and his wife have been a real encouragement to us providing food and fellowship throughout the week.  God also provided as I went fishing on Thursday with Brother Tibideaux.  It was certainly enjoyable to work together with the men on Thursday night barbequing steaks for a fundraiser for the Christian school.   

On April 8th, Easter Sunday, I spoke for Sunday School at Vincent Baptist Church in Sulphur, Louisiana.  For the morning service, I preached for the children’s church using Randy to tell the story of Samson and how his strength fizzled all because of sin.  Five of the young people that were all brought to church through their bus ministry responded to the invitation.  Each one of them was confused because of the wrong teaching of baptism from another church in the area.  Please pray for these young lives that they soon will understand salvation by grace through faith alone.  After the services, we all came together and enjoyed a great barbeque with chicken and pork steaks.

Pastor Robert Degg and Vincent Baptist Church have encouraged us through the years.  It was a great opportunity to be able to celebrate Easter Sunday with them as we remembered our Savior and what He has done for us.  This resurrection Sunday is the reason why we go to church on Sunday and not on Saturday.

April 1st through the 4th we held a “World Missions Begins at Home  Missions Revival” at the Bible Baptist Church in Summerfield, Louisiana.  Pastor Bobby Tucker has a real burden to see this church get back on its feet in Northern Louisiana.  I preached for all of the services on Sunday and for the Tuesday night service.  Pastor Hal Baker came from Clinton, Arkansas and preached on Monday and Wednesday night and provided the special music.  For each of the services I provided a story with one of my friends. 

We had believers who came from other local churches to support the meetings and some first time visitors that lived in the area.  It is always a joy after knocking on doors to see visitors come and take part in the meetings.  Please pray for this pastor and his wife as they seek to reach this area for Christ.  Also pray for his wife who has severe chronic pain.

From  March 25 - 28, I preached a week of revival meetings at the Calvary Baptist Church in Adrian, Missouri.  The meetings were well attended  and visitors attended each meeting.  On Wednesday night, the church served a meal for the parents and the kids in KFC- Kids For Christ.  We all played a game called Musical Grab-bag.  When the music stopped, if we were left holding the ball, we had to wear whatever we pulled out of the bag.  We all looked funny wearing our large party hats and extra large coveralls over our church clothes.   Please pray for those who heard the word, but have not responded to the gospel.

Jane and Caleb enjoyed riding along with Dana the pastor’s wife and others in the church.  The weather was in the mid’ 70s and we also went mushroom hunting with Pastor Tim Rosekopf.    Spring has now arrived in the Midwest and the hot summer is just around the corner.

Foothills Baptist Church in Hardy, Arkansas was our next stop.  Saturday morning, we got together with the church family for prayer and a big breakfast at a restaurant in Cherokee Village.  For a whole family Sunday School class, I was able to introduce the church family to Rosie and the story of Ruth as God took the pieces of her life and made something beautiful out of her future as she sought to serve the one true God.  For the morning service, I preached out of the book of Acts on the Life of Paul and Silas as they shared the gospel with the Philippian jailer.  Then the church came together for some fellowship and a potluck dinner.  In the evening I preached on the living portrait with demoniac of Gadara out of the Gospel of Mark.

We said good bye to a very dear friend.  On Saturday evening, Ginger was attacked by a community dog as I was taking her for her evening walk.  Ginger was on her leash and I was standing right there with her.  Yet I was not able to pull her out of danger before the damage was done.  She died in Jane’s arms on Sunday afternoon about 2:30pm.  Our hearts ache for this dear friend that we have lost.  Yet we are so thankful for the short time that God allowed us to have her in our home.  Please pray for us as we learn to adjust our lives without her.

On March 11 I was scheduled to preach at the Marion Independent Baptist Church in Marion, Illinois with Pastor Keith Rankin.  After arriving at the church on Friday night, we found out that the church was planning a Faith Promise Missions conference and I was the guest speaker for all day Sunday.  For an All Family Sunday School, Rosie helped me tell the story of Ruth; then for the morning service, I preached an evangelistic message from Acts 16.  In the evening service I preached out of Mark as we looked at the Picture of a Sinner, a Saint and a Servant.  

For each service Monday through Wednesday, the church asked me to tell a story with one of my friends to start the service.   On Monday night the speaker for the service was Ken Westenberger a missionary from South Africa.  On Tuesday night it was Evangelist Mike Blackfort who came down from the Chicago area to challenge the church in reaching the lost for Christ.  Finally, on Wednesday night, Missionary Ward Miller ended the Missions Conference.  Please pray for this growing church as they seek to raise their missions giving.

Sunday, March 4,  we encouraged the saints at Charity Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  Rio Rancho is a sister city on the northwest corner of Albuquerque.  Pastor Tom Booze has now retired as of last week and the church is now looking for a new pastor.  Please pray for this growing church as they seek God’s Will for a future pastor.

For Sunday School I was able to introduce the church family to Rosie as she helped me tell the story of Ruth and her new found faith in the one true God.  After the morning service, it was a privilege to lead the Church family in communion to remind us of what Christ has done for us.  In the evening Rodney helped me tell the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den.  I closed the day with a message of the demoniac of Gadara in the book of Mark.  This message “A Living Portrait” helps us see a picture of a Sinner, a Saint, and a Servant all in one chapter.