It was quite a day!  We left mom and dad’s around 7:45 a.m. to head to Vaiden, MS.  We arrived at 9:20 and began moving in equipment for the morning service.  This particular day’s service was set up by the pastor to introduce me and this ministry to the people of Vaiden Baptist.  I am scheduled for revival in January so he wanted to create a little energy and excitement.  It went well and there was a good response including the invitation.  It was a blessing!

Following the service we went out to eat with the pastor and his family then returned to the church to break down and pack up the equipment.  As soon as we got everything loaded we headed to our second engagement.  Doty Springs Baptist Church is about 45 minutes or so from Vaiden.  We went first to our hosts’ home, visited for about an hr then headed to the church to, once again, move in equipment and set up.  It was a little more involved this time.  At Vaiden I was able to “patch in ” to the existing sound system.  Doty Springs was vandalized last week and their small sound system was stolen so I set up a full system. 

The night was great.  This is a very small, sweet fellowship who’s desire is to reach out to the community.  They did a lot of advertising and ended up filling up the little church.  Lots of folks. It was a fun night and a very responsive crowd including the invitation as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers.  We are in Yazoo City for the week and will return home on Friday.  Blessings to you and your family during this Thanksgiving!

John

Hi Friends,

We are heading out today with plans for spending the night in Yazoo City with the parents.  Tomorrow morning we’ll leave early for the one and 1/2 hr. drive to Vaiden, MS, where we’ll conduct the morning service.  The object of this “morning only” event is to introduce the people of Vaiden Baptist Church to this ministry.  We are leading in revival services in January so the pastor wanted to bring me in early for this purpose.

Upon conclusion of the morning events we will head to Kosciusko, MS, for an evening concert.  Some friends of ours have retired from Jackson, MS, and have moved to a homeplace outside Kosciusko.  When he saw on my schedule the Vaiden engagement, he went to his pastor and invited us to be with them Sunday night.  It’s 35 miles from Vaiden so it works well.

When finished Sunday night we will drive back to Yazoo City to be with our folks through the Thanksgiving holiday.  On Friday we will head home.

We appreciate your prayers through all the traveling and presentations.            

John

Thank you for your prayers.  We finished revival services this evening and although we had no response at the invitation I did have a number of people talk with me afterwards concerning God speaking to them.  I am grateful for that.  I just keep thinking about the “one” that may have needed encouragement to come forward by seeing someone else move.

God knows far better than I and I am grateful for the opportunity.  A wonderful group of people seeking the Lord’s work here on the gulf coast.

Tomorrow I’ll head home for a weekend off.  I’m looking forward to it.  Thanks again for the prayers

John

Ok!  Calling all prayer warriors!  Tomorrow night I need you to join with me and from about 6:45 p.m., c.s.t., I need you to pray.  God has been speaking and He is on the verge of doing something here at North Long Beach Baptist Church but is being held back.  I’m sure there are a variety of reasons I just need you to join me that the chains of bondage will be broken and that the church will allow God to move in a take over.

It was a good service tonight.  God spoke but we are seeing no immediate evidence.  The people are wonderful and are very responsive following the service just nothing during the invitation.  I am not, in any way, saying that there is no revival going on.  I know better than to rely on my on feelings or “satisfaction” to determine revival.  I just desire to see God move in the midst of NLBBC.

Thanks,

John

We spent the day with  a couple of families as we visited one in the hospital, one for the noon meal and another for the evening meal.  In between we did some riding around observing hurricane Katrina’s handiwork.  Although it was 2005, there is still much recovering going on.  Some rebuilding looks good for this area but there are many having problems with insurance and contractors. Pray for the coast as they continue forward.

 Really good service tonight.  A number of people coming to the altar or talking with the pastor as they yielded to the Lord.  Continue to pray.  There are still those that need to move.  Others stuggling with personal or family health issues and other needs. 

Pray for the pastor, Bro. Charles Bonner as he does the work here at North Long Beach Baptist.

Blessings,

John

Hi friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers as we continue the work.  We had a good service although the crowd was a little down tonight. 

Although the people are very kind and supportive there has been no response during the invitation.  We know His Word will not return void so pray that the lost and the “sheep that are stray” will listen to His voice and respond.

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                                                                          John

It was a good day, friends.  Thank you for your prayers.  The pastor was pleased with the turnout.  He’s been a little concerned as of late with attendance.  The people were responsive although not so much during the invitation.  Obviously you would like to see movement during that time but God knows hearts and we pray that His word is cutting through.

Pray that the crowds will be good tomorrow night and that members will reach out to those around them and invite them.  Pray that we will see movement in the service and that lives will be changed.  Pray that I speak with clarity and boldness.

Blessings,

John

Hi friends,

I arrived in Long Beach, MS, yesterday afternoon in time to set up equipment then join everyone in their fall festival.  I wasn’t asked to do anything at the festival just be in attendance and give a chance for all the church folks to meet me.  It was a good time and they were pleased with the community response.

This morning we will begin revival services and go through Thursday night.  My prayer is that God will use me in a mighty way for His Kingdom and I look forward to giving you updates.  Pray for Bro. James, the worship leader that he be led totally of God for every song that is sung and every “special music” that is presented.  Pray for the pastor, Bro. Charles, that he be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in knowing how to respond to the decisions made.

Blessings,

John

I know many of you check this blog daily or at least every other day and I am grateful for your prayer support.  It’s been a good week off and now I am gearing up for travel.  I’ve spent a good part of this week preparing to lead revival services in Long Beach, MS. 

Almost a year ago, the pastor at North Long Beach Baptist Church contacted me and told me the Lord had led him to ask me to come and lead services.  Unlike most revival meetings I lead, I will be preaching only.  Someone else is leading the music.  This is quite different for me but I have been in this position before and look forward to watching God work.  The meeting goes from Sunday through Thursday.

Patty will be staying at home this trip to work on things at the house that have gone undone simply because of our schedule.  Pray that God will use my words to change lives.  Lord willing I will be able to post each day and give you specific prayer requests as well as victory reports!

Blessings,

John

It was a great day.  Busy but great.  The first service was at the main campus of Whitesburg Baptist Church and began around 9:45.  It was high attendance Sunday so things were crazy crowded!  I had my program and wrapped up with an invitation at 10:30.  There were 3 kids that moved at the invitation, 1 of those giving their heart to Jesus.

As soon as we finished, we packed up and headed to a new inner city project by Whitesburg.  A great group of kids were there and a great response at the conclusion.  Counseling will follow but we rejoiced in the massive response to His Word.

Following that program which ended around 12:15, we grabbed lunch and headed home.  We arrived home at 6:15 and at 7:00 I headed to the church for “The Living Christmas Tree” orchestra rehearsal.  I’ll be playing my horn in the orchestra this year.

 Thanks again for all the prayers.  This week will be spent in preparation for the revival services in Long Beach, MS, where I’ll be preaching Sunday through Thursday.

Blessings,

John