Nearly twenty-four years ago our family moved to Lancaster, California, to begin ministry at Lancaster Baptist Church. At that time, we had two children, Danielle and Larry, and God soon blessed us with two more children, Kristine and Matthew.

This past week, our youngest son, Matthew, was engaged to Katie Crockett of Redmond, Washington.

Matt and Katie have just begun their senior years here at West Coast Baptist College. Matthew is a church ministries major with a desire to pastor someday, and Katie is an elementary education major with a desire to teach and serve along side her husband.

Following family tradition, Matthew arranged a special place for his engagement to Katie, which was followed by a special dinner with our family members and the Crockett family who traveled from Seattle to join us for the occasion.

Terrie, our daughters Danielle and Kristine, and our daughter-in-law Ashley took Katie on what she thought was simply a trip to have a special lunch time together. Instead they brought her to a conference room where Matthew was waiting with a video that chronicled the last few years of their dating experiences. At the end of the video Matthew brought Katie outside where he proposed to her on a beautiful Southern California coastal bluff.

Katie’s family serve the Lord in an independent Baptist church where Katie’s father serves as a deacon. Katie attended public school in Seattle, and her life was significantly influenced by a missions trip to Africa with her grandfather, Brother Gary Williams, who pastored for many years in Missouri.  Later, her youth pastor, Bro. Sam Green (a 2003 graduate of West Coast Baptist College) brought Katie and her youth group on a trip to the college.

Soon after meeting here at West Coast, Katie and Matthew began dating. It has been a joy to watch them grow and develop a heart for God and a desire to serve Him.

Matthew currently preaches at our Fontana chapel ministry on Wednesday nights and has recently concluded expository studies with them in Philippians and Ruth. The chapel is located about 10 minutes from the Ontario airport, and the folks in the midweek study are enjoying the ministry provided by Matt and the team of young men from the college.

Third John 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

By the grace of God, we have seen three of our children honor the Lord through their teen years and then marry godly spouses. Each of them now serve the Lord in full time ministry.

We covet your prayers for Matthew and Katie as they continue to develop a relationship in Christ. Pray that our Lord will direct and guide their paths as they make plans to give their lives to the Lord in full time ministry.

The music program in the local church is vital, and it’s impact—for good or bad—on a church service is immeasurable. While some may view music as simply a form of entertainment and emotional conditioning, godly music plays a much larger role in a church.

Scripture gives at least seven purposes for Christ-honoring music. Use these principles as a gauge to evaluate the biblical soundness of your music ministry:

1. The Purpose of Worship—“And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished” (2 Chronicles 29:28).
2. The Purpose of Thanks—“Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:7).
3. The Purpose of Rejoicing—“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm” (Psalm 98:4–5).
4. The Purpose of Consecration—“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). (Spoken in song!) “Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
5. The Purpose of Edification—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
6. The Purpose of Evangelism—“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).
7. The Purpose of Preservation of Faith—“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 145:4–5).

May the music of our churches bring glory to the Lord and lift our hearts in His praise.

Note: West Coast Baptist College is hosting Bible Truth Music’s National Church Leadership Conference this week, February 10–12. This is a preaching and teaching conference focused on the biblical principles that apply to music. It is primarily aimed at the pastor and all music ministry leadership.

We’re praying for our West Coast Baptist College ladies’ volleyball team today as they play their first NCCAA national tournament game in  Kissimmee, Florida. This year was the Eagle’s first season in the NCCAA, and the team is currently ranked seventh in the national standings.

More than athletic skill, however, I’ve appreciated our girls’ Christian growth and heart for the Lord. There are three things in particular that have impressed me about our team.

1. Attitude—They have a willingness to learn and to be taught. They have been teachable and responded well to Coach Shaw’s instruction and the devotion presented at every practice.
2. Testimony—They have done a tremendous job of representing the Lord and West Coast Baptist College in their modesty and in their spirits. Some women’s sports programs seem to lack in femininity, but our girls have worked for balance. They are both competitive and gracious.
3. Soulwinning—We praise the Lord that our team has been able to see three people saved on their road trips this season. The girls have faithfully gone soulwinning and handed out tracts on every trip. I’m thankful for their perspective of knowing that, while volleyball wins are exciting, winning souls produces eternal fruit and is far more important.

Thank you, Lady Eagles, for your dedication to having a great attitude, a Christ-honoring testimony, and a heart for souls! I’m praying for you at the tournament!

It is always exciting to see how God’s will for our college students unfolds in each of their lives. As a part of His plan, God allows most of our students to find a spouse while at Bible college. A month or so ago, as I was preaching in college chapel, I took some time to share with our young people the following marks of a mature dating relationship that honors God. I hope these thoughts will be a blessing to you.

The marks of a mature dating relationship are as follows:

1. Regular times of prayer and Bible reading as individuals first, and sharing Biblical truth as a couple.

2. Respect and honor for all parental standards and preferences, as well as college rules.

3. Relationship encourages strengthened academics.

4. Enjoy being with godly friends and those in authority not on a quest to be “alone”.

5. Relationship development does not impede work ethic bills are paid on time.

6. Preaching and teaching is gladly received.

7. Friends and acquaintances are strengthened spiritually because they know you.

8. Respect for each other would not allow for crass speechgodliness is not just a church word.

9. Use of technology is not obsessive when others are present the relationship is secure enough to allow work time without interruptions.

10. Realization that saying “I love you” is meaningless if the relationship is not mature in the nine principles listed above.

I had the opportunity to meet up with our college basketball team this past Friday as they traveled on a two-game road trip.  My son, Matthew, is enjoying his second season of basketball with the West Coast Eagles, so I have tried to be at the games to cheer him and his teammates on. It has been a joy to watch him and his fellow players mature both on and off the court this season.

After our team had secured a victory, we gathered together at the local restaurant for a time of fellowship.  I was greatly encouraged by the godly testimony and spirit of each of our players and am thankful for this time I spent with them.

More than being impressed with their abilities on the court, I am proud of the obvious desire these young men have to serve the Lord. While they enjoy playing basketball, their primary focus is preparing to train for the ministry. In fact, when these men graduate, they will join the ranks of many other former players who are now serving the Lord around the world.

I am thankful for the privilege to help train these leaders for God’s work. Please pray for them as they finish their season and this semester for God’s glory!