Words Fitly Spoken...

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Jim Eliot, Missionary to Ecuador

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Nothing out of the ordinary...

Sunday, October 25, 2009
We began the weekend on Saturday by going to Allegany to hang door hangers. We had twelve dedicated soldiers out on the front lines for God on a cold dreary morning. The sun came out that afternoon and God provided a beautiful day to get work done on the house. My father-in-law came down to paint all of our ceilings for us in the house. My sister-in-law, Jackie, came down with us as well to help paint the door, window, and floor moulding. It was a sad goodbye when they left, but we were grateful for all of their help!
Sunday was another day filled with God's blessings. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, except Cherish Flagg running out of gas with her four kids. The ladies met to talk about the Harvest Dinner - fast approaching! They took forever. I'm so thankful for the percentage who always help out after church is over to clean up.
The Lord blessed us with 39 in attendance. Dexter said that he counted six times to try to find forty, but to no avail! Praise the Lord anyhow!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
It was a blessing to have Bro. Don and Carrol Merritt with us. They minister to small churches across our nation doing "whatever" needs to be done to be a blessing. One aspect of their ministry is providing special music. Bro. Merritt led our song service while Mrs. Merritt played the piano. They also blessed us with six songs throughout the day that blessed and stirred our hearts. It was a blessed day of fellowship and music.
God blessed us with 45 in attendance which is a record high since we have been here.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

God gives the increase...

Sunday, October 11, 2009
Each Sunday morning, the boys help me greet the people as they arrive.


Joey and David happily await the arrival of our church members!


David is very pleased to hold the door for folks as they carry in their food for the afternoon meal!




Dexter Bartlett is one of our faithful members and serves as head usher!




The Lord filled our nursery and younger age classes today with many children.




Our deacons faithfully count the offering each week wherever they can find a place!


Bro. Potter (left) and the Dornan's have been faithfully attending
Humphrey Baptist Church for many years. We appreciate the heritage they
have helped to provide and pass on to the next generation.

Our ladies work diligently each Sunday preparing a wonderful spread for our afternoon meal!

We had a wonderful day on this, our fourth Sunday as Pastor. Bro. Burrell was not feeling well so I led the singing. The Lord blessed us with 43 in attendance. This is a record for us since I have been here as Pastor! Even though we did not see any new visitors from the nearly 2,000 doorhangers, God chose to bring people from another direction - many folks who used to come have been visiting lately. May the Lord help us to meet their needs spiritually, and if it be His will, keep them around! The Lord gives the increase from wherever He sees fit. We just need to continue in obedience to His commands!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Stormin' the Beaches...

Saturday, October 10, 2009
It was a cold, damp morning as we at Humphrey Baptist Church anxiously awaited the arrival of help from the north. Nineteen reinforcements from Heritage Baptist Church in Palmyra arrived to help us attack the gates of Hell. Twelve of our own soldiers of the Lord were ready, willing, and able to get out on the front lines for Christ! We met together to tour the fort and then gather to seek help from our heavenly powersource!
You can see the nervousness from our young soldiers.

It's good to see young ladies enlisting in the Lord's Army!









General Fedick awaits orders with Privates Avin and Aldin.



Mrs. White serves as our spiritual nurse.
She helped gather the chow and oversaw KP.


Young, hungry soldiers!


Acts 5:42
And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.




The battle was intense. The Captain of our team held off the weather
and brought out the sunshine! In the end, our soldiers were tired, but managed to plant the Gospel gun in nearly 2,000 doors!

We are so grateful for the help from Heritage. To those nineteen soldiers for Christ, we extend our most sincere thanks! Thank you for giving your day, your time, your energy, and all the expense to come down and be a blessing to us.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

...so send I you...

Saturday, October 3, 2009
John 20:21
...as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

On our third weekend as Pastor, we began our organized outreach program. Twelve of us met at the church house at 10 AM. I gave a short devotion, and we went out from there to Franklinville. We were able to hang well over 100 door-hangers. Praise the Lord for giving us a beautiful day and allowing us to get much accomplished for His glory!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Once again, God blessed the services with a great spirit. I spoke that morning on "My Dream for Humphrey". I spoke from my heart and received many kind words from the people. The Burrells did a wonderful job singing "I'm Standing on the Solid Rock". They will definitely have to sing on a regular basis! The Lord gave us a good crowd of 34 in attendance.



Mrs. Burrell lost her 100 year old grandmother just a few days before. Praise the Lord for faithful people who serve the Lord even with a heavy heart! We appreciate her willingness to play the piano for us each week. That is a real committment!


"...joy in the presence of the angels of God..."

Sunday, September, 27, 2009
Our second Sunday was a day I will never forget. We were very pleased to have "my beloved father, in whom I am well pleased." Unfortunately my mother was not feeling well, or she would have been there too. To the delight of the people, he provided special music during the afternoon service. He sang, "This Day Will Never Return," while he played the banjo. It was beautifully done. I couldn't have done it better myself! The Lord blessed us with thirty-seven in attendance.
The moment I will forever hold dear to my heart was during the invitation. A young lady came forward to settle in her heart whether or not she was on her way to Heaven. She came forward with moistened eyes in humility and surrender. Katie spoke with her in my office for about twenty minutes while we closed the service. I asked her if she thought she was making assurance of her salvation or if she thought she got saved today, and she responded with the latter. Blessed be God that He would use us to draw a precious soul unto Himself on our second week as Pastor. I must recognize and give credit to the friendliness of the people of HBC. It was they who greeted her before I became Pastor. They received her with open arms and made her feel welcome. It is that kind of atmosphere that makes people come back to church with a receptive spirit. Praise the Lord for their hospitality!
Once again, the spirit of the services and the fellowship during the afternoon meal was marvelous. The people work so hard to provide a tremendous spread of delicious dinners and desserts! If anyone leaves hungry, it's their fault. There is always plenty left over, and the people can barely stand for the congregational song during the afternoon service!
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
Luke 15:10

Monday, October 5, 2009

"...we were like them that dream..."


September 20, 2009
Psalm 126:1-6 A Song of degrees. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. [3] The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. [4] Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. [5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The day had finally come - our much anticipated first service as Pastor of Humphrey Baptist Church. The presence of the Lord was evident throughout the day. I spoke on God's faithfulness in the morning service. The people had such a sweet spirit and were so gracious to us. They had a cake made in honor of our coming with the Scripture reference, Colossians 1:9-18. We had thirty-two in attendance, which included Katie's sisters and their children. We were so grateful for them being there to be part of such a special day in our lives! The people were tickled to meet them as well.

Katie did a wonderful job preparing the bulletin board in the front entrance of the church building! You only get one chance to make a first impression!

The day was truly a dream come to fruition. I thank and praise my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He has truly blessed us with this wonderful opportunity to lead these dear people for His glory!

I also want to express my sincerest gratitude to my sweet wife! Without her, I would be incomplete. The position I now hold is one that I would forfeit were it not for her! With ALL MY HEART, thank you, my darling, one and only, Katie! I love you so much!