Thank you for your prayers.  It was a good day.  Northwest Baptist Church had more kids (and parents, some visiting) than they’ve ever had, so the pastor tells me.  I did 35 minutes for the kids during Sunday School then about 45 minutes during the morning service.  A pizza lunch followed for all families.  Lots of fun.

We headed home after the lunch and loading of our equipment and arrived home around 7:30.  We’ll make a quick turn-around and be ready to leave for Phenix City, AL, tomorrow, late morning.

Thanks for the prayers,

John

We arrived in Gainesville, FL, around 4 p.m. to check into the hotel and then headed to the church to set up.  It wasn’t a difficult set up but one that took some time.  We set up in two locations.  The children’s area for Sunday School and the Worship Center for the service.

After all the sound checks and everything, we went to eat with the pastor and his wife.  Now we’re in the room and looking forward to a busy morning tomorrow.  Everything at the church begins around 9:30 and finishes with a kids pizza lunch.  After that we’ll break everything down and head home.

Gas for the trip was available most everywhere (although NOT everywhere) and let me ask you…how bad does it get for you when you find regular unleaded for 3.89 and you get fired up about it?  Yikes!  Saw it as high as 4.59.  Geez!

Anyway, thanks for the prayers and we’ll be in touch and let you know how the day goes!

John

It’s late and I’m watching the weather like perhaps you’ve been.  Obviously, with all the traveling I’ve done in the past 22 years, I have friends all over, some who are being directly affected by hurricane Ike.  With the upcoming travel we have, we find ourselves affected in other ways.  Fuel, for instance.  We filled our tank when we got home on Thursday and glad we did after the recent “run” on the gas stations in Enterprise found almost all of them sell completely out.  My truck can get to Gainesville, FL, on the one tank but will have to get refilled to get back.  Pray that fuel will be available.  We need this to do the work, obviously, and I’m glad my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills!

Blessings,

John

Well, we wrapped up our services tonight.  We, once again, had good services.  The pastor was overall pleased with attendance but had hoped for a few more.  But, don’t all preachers think that way during a meeting.  Again, there was no movement during the invitation time but I was told by the pastor that the church is not an outwardly expressive church.  Still, I would’ve like to have seen it but God knows each heart and I know I did what I was suppose to do this week.

Tomorrow morning, I will be going to the high school and speak to “First Priority” the christian club that meets prior to classes.  I’ll be there at 7 a.m.

Continue remembering us as we travel home following that program and begin making immediate preparations for our weekend travels.

Blessings,

John

Had a good service tonight.  A number of kids came that saw us at the school on Monday.  Still no movement at the invitation time but the spirit was good and the response during the service was a blessing.  Continue to pray that God will work in the lives of the people at Stowers Hill Baptist Church.

John

Good service tonight.  Smaller crowd because of ballgames and lots of other activities but the ones there were responsive.  Again, no movement during the invitation so keep praying.

We went to the upper elementary to do the “teaser” for kids night tomorrow night.  We had a great response so pray the kids come.  This could be wonderful for the community.

Blessings,

John

Hi friends,

It was a good day.  We had good services with high attendance goals for the church exceeded.  The people were really excited.  Just a few short years ago, the people in the church had pretty much resigned to dying out.  They had had many troubles from different areas as well as a marginally changing neighborhood.  God has sent them a pastor with a vision and the excitement has caught on.

We haven’t seen any movement in the services but the people have been responsive and God is working.  Tomorrow we will go to an upper elementary school to do some “baiting” for kids night that will be on Tuesday.  The church has developed a relationship with the school and this has created many opportunities for them.  We’ll be there at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

John

Hi Friends,

Thanks for the prayers.  Our week away was really nice and now we’re back on the road ready to go again.  On Sunday morning we’ll begin revival services at Stowers Hill Baptist Church in Attalla, AL, and go through Wednesday night.  Pray that God will move in a mighty way.

Blessings,

John

Wow, what a great night of ministry at Ridgecrest Baptist Church for their one night revival service.  We had our simultaneous service (the adults were meeting in the sanctuary while we were in the kids area) and ministered to over 100 kids.  We saw 9 give their hearts to Jesus.  Awesome!!  Thanks for the prayers,

John

Thanks for the prayers, gang.  Yesterday’s travel was an experience as we left Hampton, AR, at 1 p.m. and arrived home a little after mid-night.  Driving through a tropical storm/depression is not something I desire to do regularly but glad I’m home now. 

Our time in Hampton was really good.  The kids were responsive and the new pastor has a really good leadership team that is geared up to reach that community for Christ.  We were blessed to be a part of the work there.

Today we are preparing for a one night revival service (Awesome August) in Dothan, AL, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.  Looking forward to that opportunity. Pray that the weather doesn’t affect our attendance too much and that God will work in the hearts and live of the kids in attendance.

Blessings,

John