In driving from Bend to Portland I has to pass through the Mt. Hood National Park - wow, breathtaking. A nice secondary of this trip has been the diversity of God's creation and how glorious His handiwork truly is! Often I found myself simply in awe and worshipping the Lord for His amazing artistic glory!
The Greater Portland Baptist Church rolled out the red carpet for me. This is the last church I will visit on this trip to the Pacific Northwest. I must say, all of the churches treated me great but the Pastor and this church family went over the top. After the service on Wednesday night, I spent roughly 45-60 minutes talking with church members and feeling excited about all the Lord is going to do!
I would say this is the beginning of my deputation experience. I tried to enter this phase of my mission work with the desire to encourage and challenge believers to a greater walk with the Lord and a great passion for the unreached nations of this world. I am not sure if I accomplished that goal, but I do believe the Lord has stirred some hearts and hopefully awakened the church! Praise the LORD - I look forward to doing more and going further for the gospel and the Name of Jesus Christ!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Bend, Oregon
Sunday night preached at a small church attempting to do big things. The church is leasing but has its eyes on the future with the desire to purchase its own land and building. Pastor Peil has a true desire to see this town come to Christ and is doing a fine job at training his people and reaching his community.
In meeting with a few of the members, there is a true sense of God's righteousness and a desire to follow the Lord. Again, I am impressed with how the Lord uses smaller churches to accomplish so much of His purpose! It is easy to think the mega-church is where the Lord will work since there are so many resources available - however, this trip and especially this church has proven to me just the opposite.
As Paul would teach, the body of Christ is diverse and each of the members has a true and distinct purpose. None of us function well without the other!
In meeting with a few of the members, there is a true sense of God's righteousness and a desire to follow the Lord. Again, I am impressed with how the Lord uses smaller churches to accomplish so much of His purpose! It is easy to think the mega-church is where the Lord will work since there are so many resources available - however, this trip and especially this church has proven to me just the opposite.
As Paul would teach, the body of Christ is diverse and each of the members has a true and distinct purpose. None of us function well without the other!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Pasco, WA
Wednesday I traveled from Seattle to Pasco. The trip had me cross through the mountains and drive through the desert. I went from 68 degree temps to 96 degree temps - quite a change!
Riverview Baptist Church was a lot of fun! This church has a lot going on. My Wednesday schedule went something like this: preached 10-15 minutes to the Spanish church, preached 10-15 minutes to the Korean church, preached 10-15 minutes to the public school teens, and finally preached 20 minutes to the adult service! WOW - what a blessing to be involved in so many different ministries in so short a period!
The next morning the Pastor (Dr. John Paisely) invited me back to preach on the radio. Preaching on the radio was quite a thrill for me - just knowing that God's word is being broadcast for thousands to hear... very fun! For many years now the church has owned and operated a local radio station. In the last few years, they have been helping missionaries set up radio stations on the foreign field. It is possible this church might even come to Zambia to help set up a new station in the Eastern Province!! Praise the LORD!!
Riverview Baptist Church was a lot of fun! This church has a lot going on. My Wednesday schedule went something like this: preached 10-15 minutes to the Spanish church, preached 10-15 minutes to the Korean church, preached 10-15 minutes to the public school teens, and finally preached 20 minutes to the adult service! WOW - what a blessing to be involved in so many different ministries in so short a period!
The next morning the Pastor (Dr. John Paisely) invited me back to preach on the radio. Preaching on the radio was quite a thrill for me - just knowing that God's word is being broadcast for thousands to hear... very fun! For many years now the church has owned and operated a local radio station. In the last few years, they have been helping missionaries set up radio stations on the foreign field. It is possible this church might even come to Zambia to help set up a new station in the Eastern Province!! Praise the LORD!!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Marysville, WA
Sunday PM - services started at 7 pm at Northwest Baptist Church on Father's day. I met the pastor for dinner before the service to get to know and hear about his ministry as well as introduce where the Lord is directing me. His church is a growing group of believers eager to attempt great things for God.
The Sunday night service is my favorite time to preach. People seem more relaxed and ready to receive the word of God. After the service, no one was in a hurry to leave but many people stayed around to talk about the message and encourage each other. A huge highlight to this particular service involved a young lady coming forward and receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour. Always fun to be part of!!
This month long trip to the Pacific Northwest has allowed me to come into contact with so many people. I honestly count it a huge privildge to open God's word and allow the Spirit of God to inspire and convince believers to take that next step of faith - To God be the Glory!
The Sunday night service is my favorite time to preach. People seem more relaxed and ready to receive the word of God. After the service, no one was in a hurry to leave but many people stayed around to talk about the message and encourage each other. A huge highlight to this particular service involved a young lady coming forward and receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour. Always fun to be part of!!
This month long trip to the Pacific Northwest has allowed me to come into contact with so many people. I honestly count it a huge privildge to open God's word and allow the Spirit of God to inspire and convince believers to take that next step of faith - To God be the Glory!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Fircrest, WA
Sunday AM - Liberty Baptist Church. Had a good meeting and believed the Lord used me to encourage some people. The Pastor really has a love for his people and doing a fine job of Biblically teaching. Today's message was from Luke 15 - the prodigal son's relationship with his father.
This church has just recently taken on a new missionary to Zambia - always interesting to find out others are going to Zambia. When I am in Zambia, it does not appear there are many missionaries doing much but the truth is the Lord does have His people working hard throughout the nation to evangelize and teach God's truth!
This church has just recently taken on a new missionary to Zambia - always interesting to find out others are going to Zambia. When I am in Zambia, it does not appear there are many missionaries doing much but the truth is the Lord does have His people working hard throughout the nation to evangelize and teach God's truth!
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