It’s been a good week but very busy. We are pretty much running on empty so your daily prayers on our behalf would be much appreciated.
You have noticed, no doubt, that the blogs have not been coming regularly. We do not have wi-fi except when we can drive to a local place and get on. It’s been a bit hard to get used to since we seem to live by these things now days.
Tonight we have family night. I’ll be using a couple of my friends, the pastor will speak for a moment to introduce himself to, hopefully, the many visitor parents in attendance. Then after a photo presentation of the kids, they will sing 4 of the songs they’ve learned this week.
Pray for my voice. It’s really beginning to waver a bit after 2 weeks of constant ventriloquism.
Tomorrow we will have our decision service. Please pray that I am as clear as I can be that there will be no confusion.
Blessings,
John

Hi friends,
I know some of you have been checking and because you’ve seen no update have figured that I have officially fallen off the map. Well, thank you for your faithfulness and determined spirit to keep up with us. You are a blessing.
We got to Baton Rouge on Thursday evening and slept in on Friday, totally exhausted from the previous week’s work. We then began to gear up for the VBS here in Baton Rouge by planning sessions and eventual set up.
Today we began and it was a good day. Don’t know for sure how many in attendance but seems to be around 350 or so kids. Very tiring but good. After opening assembly, we begin teaching music classes and that runs until close to 11 a.m. We have a brief break before going to the student center where the 4th-6th graders are meeting and we close out with them from 11:30 to 12. All in all it’s about a 3 hr. singing and ventriloquism morning with a 30 minute break.
Those of you that keep regular tabs on us know that this could be a real strain on me vocally so your prayers are very much needed and appreciated.
We’ll keep you posted.
Blessings,
John

We had our first decision service today and saw 67 children ask Jesus to come into their heart. It was a phenomenal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The kids minister says this was the largest response she’s had in her ministry. She was prepared with many, many, counselors but still there was team counseling going with 1 counselor to 3 or 4 kids. Not the ideal set up but when your counselors are really qualified and trained it can be accomplished.
We are thankful for all the prayers and look forward to God continuing to work in the services.
We’ll wrap up tomorrow with another decision service and anticipate God continuing a great work!
John

It was a phenomal day at VBS. I’m telling you, you would be hard pressed to see a church do VBS any better than Green Acres Baptist is Tyler. Today we had 1316 kids. The children’s minister says that we should top out around 1500.
Tomorrow is decision day and then we’ll do it again on Thursday. Your prayers are much appreciated.
Pray for the kids, my voice (it’s doing well just want to cover it in prayer and not let the devil in) and clarity in message.
God bless,
John

Wow…the day began with a sound check around 7 a.m. in the church auditorium.  I did a “teaser” for VBS in all 3 worship services and that went really well.  This church is probably one of the largest if not THE largest I have the privilege to work with.  You would have to see the sanctuary decorated for VBS to believe it.  There is a man in Tyler that is a baloon artist (does clown ministry too) that has created a jungle for the “King of the Jungle” theme.  It’s truly remarkable.  Well over 10,000 balloons have been used to build a giant tree, 2 large giraffes, a gigantic elephant and several trees and monkeys.  Folks, I’m telling you, I’ve taken a picture of Patty standing next to the elephant to give some perspective.  She can easily walk UNDER the elephant.  It is massive.  The kids are “off the charts” with excitement.  Because of construction this church hasn’t done VBS in 2 years so if you hear a gigantic BOOM then the roof has just been blown off of Green Acres Baptist Church.

There are 1100 kids that have PRE-registered for VBS.  Not really sure how many will show up tomorrow morning but it’s sure to be a wild time.  Pray the teachers and workers and pray that in the midst of the fun and entertainment that the message will be crystal clear.

I look forward to giving you an update tomorrow evening,
John

Hey, thanks for the prayers. We arrived this afternoon in Tyler, TX, safely. Tomorrow begins really early with a sound check at 7:15 a.m. in the auditorium. There are 3 services so things get started pretty early.
Following the service and lunch, we’ll change clothes and head back up to the church to move in the necessary equipment to begin Monday.
So far, 1100 kids have pre-registered for VBS. Don’t know how many more will show up Monday morning. What a great opportunity, huh?
Pray that we are as effective as we can possibly be and that many come to know Him. I’ll keep you posted!
John

Nope, I’m not talking about temps although that would seem applicable down here having experienced 88 to 92 degrees already.
I’m talking about heading out on the road for the first 2 events of the summer schedule. Our first stop is Vacation Bible School in Tyler, TX, at Green Acres Baptist Church. The theme…King of the Jungle. Lots of excitement and many, many kids. I’ll try and give you more info once we get on the field.
VBS finishes up in Tyler after Thursday’s activities. We will load up and head to Baton Rouge, LA, where we will be with Parkview Baptist Church and their Vacation Bible School. The theme…Boomerang Express.
Pray for all the kids at both churches and pray that many will come to Christ in a personal relationship and others will draw to a deeper walk with Him.
Blessings,
John

Thanks for the prayers. It was a good trip. There was a good attendance in the small church in Ripley, MS, and the ministry was well received.
Thank you for the prayers of vocal strength, effectiveness and safe travel.
You are a blessing,
John

It turned out to be a really small, albeit active, little country church. We had a good turnout of all ages for kids night with a total of about 70 men, women, and children.
I’m tired. Everything involved 2 set ups. I arrived around 2:30 to move things into the fellowship hall area. It was a full set up being that there was no sound system. After the program ended around 6 p.m., I moved what I was to need in the morning on into the sanctuary and packed the rest. Whew!
Tomorrow I will lead the morning service and then head home following the service. It’s about 380 miles up so it will be a later night. Pray for safety in traveling as well as effectiveness in the service.
Blessings,
John

Headed out today for a kids/family weekend in Ripley, MS. Everything doesn’t actually begin until tomorrow afternoon but I’ll be knocking out the 7 hr. drive today.
The two programs will be; kids tomorrow evening and churchwide Sunday morning then the drive back following that morning service.
Appreciate the prayers!
John