It’s been a joy for Terrie and I to get to spend some time together and with Larry and Ashley and Ashley’s family these past days. Not only has it been an opportunity to pull apart for fellowship and reflection after Matthew’s wedding, but we’ve been learning about God’s work around the world and studying the history of our Christian faith.

We sent a video greeting (above) to our Lancaster Baptist Church family from the city of Athens. It was in this city that Paul’s heart was stirred when he saw the “city wholly given to idolatry” (Acts 17:16). He stood on Mars’ hill and urged the Athenians to turn from idolatry to Christ. Although Paul’s message was, for the most part, rejected by the philosophers of his day, Paul himself did not compromise or conform to the pagan culture. Because of his faithfulness to preach the Gospel, churches were established throughout the known world.

I believe that if we will likewise faithfully spread the seed of the Gospel, even when it is rejected, a harvest will come. I’m thankful for churches all around the world that are proclaiming the truth of the resurrected Christ.

The last few weeks have been memorable and enjoyable as our family was able to take a few weeks vacation together. Most of our trip was centered around visiting with family and extended family in Colorado. The chief attraction of this vacation for me was my grandson Camden! (Click here to see a few more vacation photos.)

Having Camden with us reminded me of how quickly time flies. It seems just yesterday that our own children were his age. It was a joy these past couple of weeks to have all four of our children and their spouses with us. I can wholeheartedly echo the words of Proverbs 23:24: “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”

Terrie and I thank the Lord for each of our children, and we rejoice in their hearts for the Lord. Our three oldest children who are married are serving the Lord in the ministry. Our youngest son Matthew is preparing to be married this August. He and Katie look forward to serving in ministry together.

I don’t regret any time I’ve invested in my children, and I cherish every moment I’ve been able to spend with my wife. My family is a great treasure from the Lord, and I’m so thankful for every moment I’ve shared with each of them.

A little over six months ago, our family had the privilege of visiting the little town of Bethlehem, about six miles southeast of Jerusalem. I still recall the day vividly. We drove through the terraced hills, past a security checkpoint, and entered the city. Looking past the political tensions of the present day, I allowed my mind to consider the rich history of this City of David. As we walked through caves there in Bethlehem, we considered what it might have been like that first Christmas morning.

As our family has approached this Christmas day, we have looked forward to the joy of the Christmas celebration. At the same time, our hearts have also been filled with the emotions and challenges that trials can bring our way. (more…)

Throughout the year, the Lord has given our ministry the opportunity to conduct several Striving Together Conferences across the country. Earlier this week, we conducted our final Striving Together Conference of the year in Great Falls, Montana. The meeting was held at the Heritage Baptist Church where Dr. S.C. Schearer, a good friend of mine, has pastored for many years.

While in Montana, it was a thrill for me to meet with several pastors who are doing great things for God in that region of the country. Their testimony of faithfulness was an encouragement to me. This was truly a time of iron sharpening iron.

As we drove toward Great Falls late Wednesday afternoon, I couldn’t help but admire the wonderful creation of God. The sun was just beginning to set while a couple hundred antelope grazed in the distance. It was a reminder to me that in the most difficult times of political and economic instability, we can rest in the fact that our God is greater than our every problem. May we not forget that He is great and that He is in control!

II Chronicle 2:5-6a
And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?

Last week Terrie and I had the privilege of ministering to our missionaries and pastors in Ireland.  It was a great joy for us to join Dr. Paul Kingsbury and his wife Dianne as we preached in the churches pastored by Missionary Jerome Pittman and Missionary David O’Gorman.  The Lord also gave us the privilege of meeting with a good number of other missionaries and pastors including our own graduates, Justin and Grace Hayes.

Besides preaching in the churches in Dublin, we were also able to conduct leadership training for pastors, missionaries, and national leaders during the trip.

Perhaps the highlight of this trip was the Sunday morning service at Pastor Pittman’s church.  We have had the privilege of supporting Brother Pittman’s church financially, and Brother Pittman’s son Joel is a student at West Coast Baptist College.  We have several other students represented at West Coast from the cities of Cork and Dublin, Ireland.

As the Sunday morning service began, you could feel the anticipation building.  Many hours of work and prayer had gone into the meeting.  The building was packed with visitors.  As I preached, I sensed a unique anointing from the Lord for that particular service.  As I gave the invitation, a good number of people raised their hands indicating they wanted to be saved.  Realizing the importance of the hour, I took another few minutes to explain salvation to them.  During the invitation, thirteen adults responded to be saved.

Perhaps the greatest joy during this invitation was to see the mother of one of our West Coast students accept Christ as her Saviour.  Rita Mitchell is the mother of Ashleigh Mitchell, who is a student here at West Coast.  It was only after the service that I had found out that Ashleigh and her roommates had gotten up at 3:00 am to pray for that service.  I have no doubt that we were laboring together for the Lord as I preached and they prayed.  What a blessing it was to talk to Rita’s husband later in the afternoon and to hear him rejoice about his wife’s salvation.  He had prayed for her for over ten years!

In between meetings, we had the opportunity to visit a few sites in Ireland with the Kingsburys.  Paul and Dianne Kingsbury are two of the choice servants of God in America.  Dr. Kingsbury founded the Reformers Unanimous Ministry that is now ministering to over forty thousand people struggling with addictions across America each Friday evening.  We greatly enjoyed our time with them and it was exciting to see the success of the RU ministry there in Ireland.

Another highlight of the trip was the opportunity to see Justin and Grace Hayes serving the Lord Jesus Christ.  Justin and Grace are graduates of West Coast, and they had visitors present in the service who accepted Christ as their Saviour that morning.  Another West Coast graduate, Brother John Anderson, flew over from England to spend some time with us.  It was a joy to see him and to hear of the good start he is having in London.

Please pray for all the missionaries in Ireland and in the United Kingdom.  These men and women are doing a faithful work for the Lord in countries where the response is not always as quick as some might expect.  Nevertheless, they are praying and trusting God for revival.