Fall 2011 Prayer Letter

Last week in the South

This last week of internship was a very refreshing week! I learned much about persevering through the hard times. Satan will hinder you all he can to keep you from following through with all that God has for you. We have someone so much more powerful than him. In fact, Jesus has already defeated the Devil! It may not be easy to go through the hard times but it is absolutely worth it!

Gary and Frankie are missionaries in South Carolina

My buddy Elvis and I

We ate at this small restaurant called the Doghouse....they served food in dog bowls haha 

Good southern meal! 

This is an Olympian ministry at a church. They learned about how we can and should trust God in our life.

Mr. and Mrs. Deck made a German dish 

A week in South Carolina

This week I spent the week in South Carolina with Gary and Frankie Lawhorne. This week, we saw the Lord provide for the needs of the ministry He gave to them. I learned that If God wants you to do something, He will provide the means to do it. What we do in faith, we must not undo in doubt.

This is the cool car picture haha

I had the opportunity to share my testimony with the students at this church.

We spent time with the Gopher Buddies at Capital Baptist Church.

A week in North Carolina

Week number 8 has come and it has gone. I spent the week with the Baker Family. We had many opportunities to talk with people about Local Church Ministries. One of the biggest things i learned from Brian was the importance of keeping priorities straight. So many times, we categorize our life and exalt one piece over the other. This is not the way a Christian ought to live. Gary Lawhorne, the missionary from SC, told me is favorite word is "balance." You need balance. Everything you do ought to be centered around Christ.

I was able to teach  about tolerance to a students on a Sunday night. Afterwards, we had a time of fellowship around pizza an some basketball. 

This youth group had a costume party. This is the small group of 7/8 graders I was able to spend time talking about the Word.

Brian Baker is the missionary in Western NC. I learned a lot about priorities in serving Christ with him. 

First, I have no idea why I made this face. Second, this is Chris. He is a pastor in SC. Gary, the missionary let me spend time and ask him questions about life. We had a great time!

Week 7: Southeast Regional Conference and first time in NC

This week I had the opportunity to participate in the four day Southeast Region Staff Conference. It was a blessing to with these men and women who are committed to being fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. They are all unique in their own way....some more weird than others, but they all have a passion to see Christians discipled and the lost found. On Tuesday, we all went to the Coke Museum in Atlanta. On Wednesday we visited different youth ministries. On Thursday, I arrived in North Carolina to be with the Baker family for a week.I am excited to see all God will do and teach me. 

This is the Southeast Region at the Coke Museum

We did some club visiting on Wednesday night

Its a North Carolina thing haha.

Week 6: A week with the Allens in Dalton, GA

Week 6 has come and gone! Time is flying on internship. I spent this week with the Allens in Dalton, GA. They have been on the field for about a year. I learned this week about making ministry personal. We ought not to "streamline" ministry. God uses people and people are not the same. They are different because He has made them that way. 

On Sunday night, we were able to go to a Booth Brother's Concert. On Tuesday, we were able to present the Word of Life Ministry to leaders at a church. This church wanted to partner with Word of Life but they didn't have the leaders in their church for the different age groups. It was encouraging to see people passionate for discipleship but burdening to see that that they needed more help from the church. 

On Wednesday, we held a FASCAR rally with Emmaus Baptist Church. All the kids brought their parents and friends and we raced their Hotwheels. The Lord saved 8 kids! 

Over the weekend, we were able to help with the Allen's home church's block party. We saw many people from the neighborhood as well as many come out for church the next morning.

Brett, Jenni and Colby Allen 

We went to a Booth Brother's Concert!...for all you Southern Gospel fans out there 

These are the winners from our FASCAR Rally

Brett preached the Gospel. 

Week #5 - Baptists, Dairy Farms, Gasoline and much more! It was a good week of serving Jesus!

I found the hand sanitizer in the Baptist Church!

These are all the missionaries this church supports. Many don't even attend that church. They have such a heart for missions!

These are the holding tanks for BP's gasoline...we ate at a place across the street

This is Scott and Angie Gentry wit their team of associates...fun times as you can see haha

This is one of the Olympian clubs that Scott works with in GA. 

The Gentrys had a leadership team over to their house for dinner and some training. They love on their leaders so much.

Scott preached the Gospel and two people trusted Christ and many Christians wanted to get things right with God.

There is a pretty weird dude...so i took a picture haha

On Saturday I went with Brett and Jenni Allen to a Harvest Celebration at a dairy farm.

If the Church reached...

This weekend, October 1-2, I had the privilege to be at Hillcrest Baptist Church. I was so encouraged to be there. I heard story after story of how God was working in the lives of men, women and children.

As I was sitting there and hearing missionaries and church members speak, I couldn't help but think of the openings to Paul's letters to the local churches. He told the Colossians, "...we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints..." Missionaries gave testimonies like this to the faith of the church. As i sat there i thought thats what the Church i all about! We the Church are united around on common goal. It was a surreal experience.

God made a body, a unit of followers to be bearers of the Cross for the glory of God. God reaches people through people. We can be more effective in our commission when we, the church, get rid of our pride and fall in submission to Almighty God! I am pretty sure that the early church didn't squabble over music, race, format, building, or even style. They were concerned about the reality of dying for Jesus.

The Church was was not saved to practice religion! We are called to a relationship with Almighty God and to introduce others to Him. We are more effective when we are united in this one goal! The devil would like nothing better than to tear us apart. Don't let him! support your brother and sister! Submit to the leadership of your pastor! Support your missionaries! Evangelize the lost! Pour your life into others! We only got one life to live.

This takes commitment and hard work. It is not for the half-hearted. Are you going to do it? Get involved in lives! I believe we can we see a revival in the United States!

Week 4 update from Georgia!

Scott Gentry and myself at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

These are the kids at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

A Week in Alabama

We passed a guy on the way to church who had a bike with a motor  attatched

I taught on accountability at a youth group

I spilled water on my laptop but i was able to dry it out and it works fine!

We ran out of gas on the road haha.

We are setting up for a STORM event

One of the games

The band played some great music!

Brent preached a clear Gospel message

I had the opportunity to lead Daniel (in the middle) to the Lord