Hallelujah!  Ok, I’m sure where to begin for fear of leaving something out so let me just begin at the first thing this morning.  I asked you to pray for us as we went into Winona Christian School today.  The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  You know who you are “righteous man” so I want to share with you.  At 8:30 this morning, Bro. Bowlin went into the middle school/high school.  Grades 7-12.  There were 4 professions of faith including a brother and sister.

Following the chapel, the host pastor, Bro. Freddie Matthews and Bro. Bowlin went to tell the dad all about it.  Mom works at the school and was so excited.  The men arrive at the farm to see dad on the tractor in the field.  They talk, he shows up at church tonight at WHAM, gets saved.  How bout that?

I went to the elementary, grades 1-6, this afternoon.  Tonight, 6 of the kids walked down the aisle to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.  Following that, a leader in the youth group came forward to recommit his life.  His dad was one of the 7 saved on Sunday.  When he recommited, being the leader he is, another teen guy came forward to receive Christ.  He’s not even a member of the church.  He lives in another community about 10 miles away.

All in all, we saw about 16 or 17 come to Christ and countless decisions of recommitment and families committing to take a deeper walk and begin a family altar time each day.  Truly a spirit filled revival.  I’ve only had the privilege of experiencing true revival in a church a few times in my ministry.  Your constant prayer coverage was honored by the Lord and I praise Him and thank you for your faithfulness.

Continue to lift up Vaiden Baptist Church and their pastor, Bro. Freddie Matthews as they fulfill God’s call.  We’ll head home early tomorrow for a long day.  We head home, unload, reload and head to Birmingham to spend the night.  On Friday morning we’ll fly out at 6:40 for Grand Cayman and the weekend mission at Cayman Island Baptist Church.

Not sure that we’ll be able to blog so pray.  Saturday a kids program, Sunday morning we’ll be participating in the service and Monday morning we’ll be in one of the elementary schools.

Blessings,

John

It’s a bit late but wireless problems at our hotel kept me from posting last night.  Another good day in the Lord on Tuesday.  There were a number of people that showed up to go door to door in the community to both invite folks to the meeting and share Christ as the Lord led.

The meeting began at 11 and it was their monthly “Live Wires” (senior adult) meeting so they just tied the two together.  They apparently have quite a few members of the group from other churches.  It was a good turnout and the service was nice. 

Last night Bro. Bowlin spoke on Eph. 5 and 6 and of course directed everything to the family.  The altar was full and included on little fellow giving his heart to Christ. 

This morning Bro. Bowlin spoke at the high school chapel (Winona Christian Academy).  Haven’t heard the results but he was excited to be able to give an invitation.  I will be speaking for the elementary at 1:30 today.  I won’t be able to go as far with the appeal since I heard last night that even 3 year olds would be included.  Those of you who know me know this isn’t my preference.  Pray that I am effective.

Tonight will be young people’s night.  (they are combining the youth and kids) So we’ll gear everything accordingly and pray for God to move mightily.

Blessings,

John

It was a good day.  At 11 a.m. we met at the church.  Obviously the crowd was the retired group mainly because most of the church folks work a ways from there and it wouldn’t be practical for them to be there for that time. 

Tonight’s service was, once again, a spirit filled service.  It’s been exciting listening to the church members express their “almost disbelief” but exceptionally excited over the crowds showing up and the response during the invitation.  We saw the altar full again tonight and 1 small boy giving his heart to Christ.

We appreciate your continued prayers.  The pastor has felt led in a different direction for tomorrow.  Instead of an 11 a.m. service, we are meeting at the church at 10, going out throughout the area to promote the meeting and talk to folks about Jesus.  Pray that the Holy Spirit goes before us and we see a great movement of God.

Blessings,

John

The Lord continued to work tonight as we saw an altar full during the invitation.  Thank you for your continued prayers on behalf of myself and Bro. Gary Bowlin.  Tomorrow we’ll have a service at 11 a.m. then, of course, tomorrow night.

Blessings,

John

Wow!  What a great service we had.  Probably as great a “first” service as I’ve been a part as we saw 7 people, 1 teen and 6 adults come to Christ.  The guest preaching evangelist, Gary Bowlin, said that there were at least 2 or 3 that raised their hands indicating they had just prayed the sinners prayer but didn’t come forward.

Let’s join together to pray that God will have His will and way in the services and in each life present in the services.

The service will begin at 6 p.m. tonight, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. 

Thanks,

John

We head out in the morning to a little town in MS by the name of Vaiden.  For you Rand McNally fans or MapQuest nuts, Vaiden is about 25 miles or so south of Grenada, MS off of interstate 55.

We will be setting up equipment tomorrow night and beginning revival services Sunday morning.  Lord willing I will keep you updated with any prayer request.  I will be leading the worship for this one and a vocational evangelist from MS, Gary Bowlin will be preaching.  Pray for strength and the Lord’s leadership in each service.  Pray that the walls will be broken down and God will be allowed to accomplish His will in each heart and life.

Blessings,

John

Hi friends.  Thanks for checking in and thank you for your prayers.  The service this morning went well and the altar was filled as the church members recommitted to live God’s way this year.  Pray for the church body.  Many are still recovering from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.  It’s been difficult but attitudes are really good.  It was quite humbling when talking to “Sandra” and she said; “we had 13 inches of water in our home but God is so good.  We actually have a dining room table that no one, previously, has ever eaten on and we have new counter tops.  Thank you, Lord.”

We will complete our time here tonight with another service then head home tomorrow.

Blessings,

John

It was a great night.  We began at 6 p.m. with a meal.  Too bad these folks in south LA don’t know how to cook!  ha  ha ha ha

Following the meal we headed to the worship center for a time of celebration, laughter and finally thanksgiving for the year.  There were several who shared things they were thankful for this past year with one being a lady who’s husband died November 2nd.  It was a sweet time with a few tears.

We finished the evening following that testimony with the song “Thank You Lord” by Don Moen and Integrity Music.  Wow!

Thanks for the prayers.  We’ll take some time to visit with friends the next few days and be back at this church on Sunday for both services.

In Him,

John

Greetings friends and thanks for checking in.  You’ve probably been checking in from time to time this month only to see no new posts.  It ‘s been a wonderful Christmas season as we took time off the road to be at home with friends and family.  Now it’s back to work and the calling God has given us. 

This morning we are heading to south Louisiana for a New Years Eve watch night service tomorrow night then we’ll hold over for Sunday services.  These are friends of ours that we’ll be with so the extra time between events will be a fun time.

Thank you for your support and prayers as we begin another exciting year of ministry.

Blessings,

John

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