Hi folks. Wow, what rain and storms we are looking at as we prepare to pull out for south Louisiana. I’ve been in contact with the pastor down there and although there is localized flooding, the roads look good for us. We are waiting a little while longer to let as much of this weather pass as we can. Pray also for the services that begin Sunday morning and run through Wednesday night.
Thank you for your prayers as we drive.
Blessings,
John
It was quite a day. It began when the alarm went off at 6 a.m. for us to have time for “morning rituals” and breakfast before having a prayer time and sound check at 8 a.m. at the church. I did kids Sunday School. It was a lot of fun. The kids were great and very responsive. For the worship service I began things with a trumpet piece then right after the welcome I used one of my “friends”. It was for a kids time but had a sneaky adult message meaning it sneaks up on the adults as they listen in amusement at the “kids” message.
We had a couple of hours back at the hotel this afternoon by the time we got through with lunch then headed back to the church for yet another sound check at 4:30 and all the prep work to get things in line for the concert. The pastor was a little bit concerned being this Sunday was the close of spring break and the average age for this church is 35. How bout that? Lots of little ones and growing. Anyway, there ended up being a great crowd and the evening was great. Even had an altar full at the invitation. A great night.
Tomorrow we’ll head out and looking forward to a nice week at home. Thank you for your prayer support. It is much needed and greatly appreciated.
John
We are just about to leave for Meridian, MS, and another opportunity to minister to the family. Tomorrow I’ll lead the kids during the Sunday School hour followed by the special music in the service. Then tomorrow evening I will present a concert for the family.
We’ll talk soon,
John
It was a good day and a busy one. I got to the church around 9:15 or so to find all our sound had been undone and things weren’t like they were when we left. The Children’s Pastor was shocked but apparently there is a small congregation that uses their facilities and although all outside groups and committees were to suspend meeting during this conference, this little congregation decided to meet anyway and I guess my stuff was kinda in their way. Oh well, glad I arrived when I did. With the help of our sound guy things were straightened out by 10 or so.
After some opening games and music by the kid’s ministry worship leaders I did a “teaser” with one of my “friends”. I kinda hung out with the kids following that time while they played games, had crafts, then lunch.
At 3 p.m. there was more music by the team then I led in about 50 minutes of my “friends” as we talked about having a closer walk with the Lord and once that relationship was deeper, the relationship with parents and siblings would be stronger.
Tomorrow morning I will have 2 kids worship services. The first with K-2 grade and the second with 3rd – 5th grade. Following the second service I will load up and drive home. The weather is pretty nasty and is supposed to be a lot of the same tomorrow so travel will be a little difficult. I appreciate your prayers.
Blessings
John
I arrived around 3:30 p.m. Thanks for the prayers for safe travel. Driving through Atlanta has become more and more of a circus. I just couldn’t deal with that day in and day out! Nevertheless, it’s all good and I got set up for tomorrow.
I will head to the church around 9:30 or so and everything kicks off about 10:30. Thank you for your continued prayers. I’ll give you an update on the day of ministry tomorrow evening.
Blessings
John
Ok, here we go again. I’m headed out in the morning for Gainesville, GA, where I will be doing a family weekend at Blackshear Place Baptist Church. On Saturday we’ll begin around 10:45 a.m. or so and I’ll have a couple of presentations with everything ending around 4 p.m.
On Sunday I’ll participate in Kid’s Worship twice. They have two morning services with simultaneous kids worship and that’s where I come in. It will be a blast.
Pray for safe travel. The weather is not very good for the trip or the event. Pray for attendance. I’ll be in touch!
John
It was a really good night. Thank you for your prayers. I really didn’t know how things were going to go. There was a tragic accident last Friday (Feb. 27) that costs the life of one of the men on the Upward board at the church. He was a 37 year old father of 3 so the small community has been in shock. They were to have a moment of silence for his family followed by my program.
Well, the kids were great. They were enthusiastic and very excited. They have not gone through all the decision cards but one was given to the pastor. A 31 year old mother gave her heart to Christ tonight. PTL!
Please remember us as we head home tomorrow. It’s not a long drive, only about 360 miles or so but you know the road is full of “crazies”. It’s been a long road trip but a good one. We’ll be home a few days before heading out to Gainesville, GA.
Looking forward to that time, for sure!
John
It was a good day. As I wrote earlier, it began early with a set-up and sound check at 7:45 a.m. I used J.J., played the offertory and sung. Then tonight I did a concert featuring my horns and 3 of my “friends”. It was a fun night and the people were responsive. Following the service we broke everything down and loaded it.
Tomorrow we’ll go over to the High School auditorium for our program. Here’s how you can pray for us. The Upward Basketball program here is huge. First Baptist started it and soon the entire county got involved. The have to use the public high school auditorium for their awards program because there is no other place in the city large enough to host the event. There will be over 1000 people in attendance. All teams, cheerleaders, AND parents. This is a wonderful outreach and opportunity to reach the lost. I will give an invitation at the conclusion of the program. Pray for receptive hearts and that people will be respective of those around them as I present the Word.
Thanks,
John
We arrived here in Ripley around 4 p.m. and had plans to set up equipment but were unable to do so. We will head to the church tomorrow morning around 7:40 to set up. The worship service is at 9 a.m. so that would explain the early arrival.
The plans are for me to do a vent spot (teaser), play the offertory on the horns, then sing the music before the preaching. Thank y0u for your prayers. Tomorrow’s going to be a rather long day.
Blessings,
John
Yesterdays travel was a little difficult due to the wind. LOT’S of wind! 20 to 25 mph winds with my trailer makes things a little more difficult than normal.
No problems though and we arrived late afternoon to visit with parents for a couple of days. We’ll be around today helping out where needed, preparing for the weekends work then tomorrow we’ll head up to Ripley, MS.
Thank you for your prayers
John