Week of November 2nd

MARANATHA! For those of you who were not able to make it to hear Dr. Jimmy DeYoung last week it was a very eye opening experience as usual. From his humor to his excellent explanation of the sequence of events after the phoomph (rapture). Tuesday night brought us an excellent briefing of world events from several places, including two live phone calls - one of which was from the Pentegon. the other call was recorded earlier in the day from Israel and gave a unique perspective from "ground zero" in prophetic events.




This week's missionaries are husband and wife team Paul and Jan Fischer, spreading the Gospel in Okinawa-ken, Okinawa-shi Japan. Pray for them as they minister there.

Week of August 10th

The missionary for this week is Benjamin Costea serving in Romania. He is a Romanian national. Keep him in your prayers this week as he spreads the gospel to the people of Romania.

ATTENTION!!!
The 2008 Missions Conference is drawing close. Be sure to attend the "Real World of Missions" beginning September 6th and running through September 10th.
Saturday: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Seperate events geared towards men, women, and children
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. We will have a combined morning church service
10:30 a.m. BREAKOUT sessions to meet individual missionaries
6:00 p.m. Evening church service
Monday & Tuesday: Missionaries with adult Bible fellowships
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. More breakout sessions to meet the missionaries you missed Sunday morning


Some more opportunities to "Walk Across the Room"
Saturday August 16th--- Minister to those walking on the trail
AWANA will be beginning again September 17th. If you think you would like to become involved in this ministry to children contact the church for more details

Stay tuned here for more details on the missionaries who will be here for the conference

Week of July 20th

This weeks missionaries are Ron and Barbara Brooks. They are the European Field Representative for Baptist World Missions. Some specific prayer requests they have mentioned are continued improvement in Ron's health and safety as they travel, the financial needs of their missionaries in Europe and on a more personal note prayer for their son (in the US Army) as he serves in Korea.
Starting July 28th there is an opportunity to learn some "Walk Across the Room" techniques at the Creative Ministries Camp. It will run through August 1st and has a $20 dollar cost. You will learn how to use puppets, dowel rods, and gospel illusions.
Coming up August 4th through 8th is the annual Vacation Bible School at the Holiness camp on Jersey St. in Normal.....NOTE: Bible School is 6:00 p.m. to 8: p.m. and is open to 4 year olds through 6th grade.
Keep your calendars open for this years mission conference. It is September 6th through September 10th...Stay tuned - more details to follow in following weeks.

July 6th

Let me say first of all that if you missed this mornings message you need to see if you can get a copy to listen to.
This weeks missionaries (I need to start making sure that I indicate the plural as most of our missionaries are husband and wife partners, as is the case this week) Jim and Sandra Binney. Jim and Sandra founded and operate a retreat and counceling center for those in the ministry, first at Moorehead Manor in Ohio (the seasonal estate of late actress Agnes Moorehead) and now also at their new bed and breakfast in Greenville, South Carolina. If you would like to know more visit their website at www.leadministries.net Remember the Stewerts as they travel to Romania this week. Also be in prayer for our 65 Brothers and Sisters as they travel to New York in a couple of weeks.

Week of June 29th

Coming to us from Bangladesh again this week is our missionary of the week -- Jack and Margaret Archibald. For those of you who do not know Jack and Margaret are the parents of Bob Archibald (last weeks missionary of the week - along with his wife Chrissy). They also minister to the Bengali people. A couple of prayer requests they have given are some assistance with the financial needs of the national primary school there. In order to balance the budget they must secure an additional $130 per month and on top of that they need to hire a Christian teacher, who is already trained and has approval - this will require extra funds as well in the amount of $470 per month. They also request prayer for a situation with the tribal people. In praise, they were able to print student Bible workbooks.
Some mission work from home to keep in your prayers: A five day Bible camp for children ages 4 through 12 will be held at the McLaughlin home from July 7th to July 11th at 10 a.m. each day, the NYC trip is the week of the 19th of July, Vacation Bible School will be held at the Holiness Camp on Jersey in Normal from August 4th to Aug 8th. Please keep these efforts to reach others who may not have another way to hear, in your prayers. Also please remember the Stewerts, and Chuck Buckley as they walk across the room to different countries to spread the Gospel.

Finally an update!

I apologize for leaving this un-updated for so long but many circumstances have been in play. Many things are noteworthy this week. First of all our missionary of the week is Bob and Chrissy Archibald . . . Serving in the mission field of Bangladesh. A couple of prayer requests, mainly the loss of the rice seed (it was eaten by rats) for next years crop. Currently rice costs approximately $0.58 per kilogram (2.2 pounds). when you figure the average yearly consumption in that portion of the world averages 77 kg for each adult, in a family of 4 that equates to approximately $133.98 per year on rice alone. Doesn't sound like much until you realize that the average yearly income is only $380 dollars. So if you lived in the United States and had a yearly income of $50,000 dollars you would need to budget $17628.95 dollars per year ( or $1469.08 dollars a month just on your rice purchases - 1 ingredient in your food consumption). SOOO... this is an issue which carries a great deal of concerns with the Bengali people. Secondly Bob has a seminar in the Philippines - an important addition to his training ( in conjunction with this is a praise - Bob was able to secure a laptop to use at the seminar.
Please remember a few of our fellow church members who are walking a little farther than across the room. The Stewerts will be ministering in Romania from July 7th until the 30th. They will have the opportunity to minister to some orphans in the city and then they will move to the outlying rural villages to conduct some vacation bible schools and to assist with some Awana programs - a change from the English speaking Awana which they run here at Calvary Baptist church. (I've been told that the children are pretty proficient with the English language - a real assistance in ministering to them). Another member headed on a short term missions trip is Chuck Buckley. He will be traveling to Pakistan. Come support Ministry and More at the song fest this Saturday at 7 pm - another chance to walk across the room - invite a friend, neighbor, or co- worker to a time of good music and fellowship. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for some more information on some children's ministries this summer.

A walk across the parking lot

For those of you who were not able to hear the sermon this Sunday morning (February 17th 2008) you missed a great story from someone in our congregation of "walking across the room". Even though this was given to Pastor with no mention of the person by name, he felt it was worth sharing in the services this morning and I felt it deserved the same merit here. For your benefit I have posted this letter here. (I realize that it is long but please read the whole thing as it is a truly touching story)

"Dear Sir,

About 15 years ago, I was a freshman at ISU with barely enough to make ends meet. That first November it was really difficult for me to scrape up enough change to head home for Thanksgiving, but I managed. After filling my tank the morning of the trip, I stopped by Kroger on College Avenue to pick up some snacks for the 5 hour drive. I remember I barely had enough left over for a small bag of nachos and a Mountain Dew to keep me awake.

When I came out of the store that Saturday morning, I was horrified to find that I had left my old Ford's lights on, and my battery had completely died in 15 minutes time. It was extremely cold and all of my friends had already left for the holiday. I put my hood up to look at the engine, hoping even an ignorant kid like me could somehow get the car started. I was outside for 20 minutes, chilled to the bone, trying to tinker with the engine and no one stopped to offer help or even looked at me twice.

Just as I was about to give up all hope, an older brown station wagon pulled up in the parking space across from mine, and a kind man in jeans and a red plaid flannel shirt offered to help me. I was so thankful I could have cried but college guys must remain macho at all times for reputation sake, so I held it back. You quickly assessed the problem and retrieved some jumper cables out of your trunk. As you were working, we made small talk and I remember you telling me you had just pulled in the parking lot to grab some ice cream and root beer as a rare treat for your kids, when you spotted me with my hood up and thought I could use a hand. After my car started, you asked my name, which I provided, I asked yours. Your last name was so unusual that I laughed and asked how it was spelled. You did not realize it but I was committing it to memory.

We shook hands and I thanked you for your help. Just before I was getting in my car, you took one more look at my old rusty car and beat up jacket, stopped me, opened your wallet and handing me the only cash you had, a $5.00 bill. I refused but you insisted, telling me to take it since I had a long drive ahead of me and you never know when you might need a few extra dollars. I did, thanked you again and started to drive away.

When I looked in my rear view mirror, I saw you get in your car, and drive out of the parking lot in the opposite direction. You never even entered the store. That's when it hit me that you had given me the money you had originally intended to use as a treat for your kids. I reached in my glove box for a piece of scrap paper so I could write down your name before I forgot it.

4 and a half hours later, my gas tank was nearly drained and I was running on fumes. The gas mileage in my car seemed to get worse with every trip. It was only because of the money that you had given me that I was able to stop and get the gas I needed to get me home, instead of ending up stranded on the side o the road.

Later that night i tucked the piece of paper with your name on it in my keepsake box along side some of my old baseball cards and some Indian head pennies, vowing to pay you back someday for your kindness. I must confess that as the years passed, I forgot about the incident until recently when my son developed an interest in baseball cards. As I was digging through my old keepsake box for my old cards, I ran across that crumpled old piece of paper and remembered my promise. I raced to the computer to look up the last name in Superpages.com and was exited to find you were listed, enabling me to find your mailing address.

This brings me to this letter and the cash that accompanies it. You gave me all of the cash in you had in your wallet that day, so I shall give you what I have in mine today in return. I have not signed my name or provided a return address in order to give you no choice but to accept this small token of appreciation for your kindness to a dirt poor college student several years ago.

Sincerely,

The Kid in the Beat Up Ford"




JUST A NOTE: Pastor indicated that the amount of money in the envelope was, as he understood, a few hundred dollars.
You never know what impact one small, "walk across the room" will have. A teaching story for all of us to consider.

Week of February 3rd

This weeks missionaries are Gideon and Yolanda Olah serving in Hungary. As you would assume 88.8% of the people occupying Hungary are in fact Hungarian. However, roughly one third of Hungarian people live outside the country. This country has only recently seen religious freedom (1990), having been captive to Communism from 1948 to 1988. Research indicates an increase in stress, suicide, alcoholism, cults and even the occult, presumably from 4o years without the Truth of the Gospel being widely available. While the 1990's saw church growth it was not nearly as large as it could have been, mostly because the church had not properly prepared itself to take full advantage of the new found religious liberty. An area in need of great prayer is the younger generations. As seen in other countries, this is the group where the greatest interest in spiritual things is being seen. Some other outreaches are Scripture distribution, other Christian literature, Christian radio, and interestingly enough the JESUS movie (which happens to be one of the best selling videos in the country) Remember to keep them in your prayers this week.

Till next week,
"be a reacher"

Thank-you to Operation World for the statistical information in this post. We appreciate this information in our pursuit of understanding the lands where our missionaries are spreading the gospel. For more information on this and other countries you can access Operation World HERE.

BOW THE KNEE

Remember to be in prayer for our upcoming Easter Gospel presentation of Bow the Knee. It is a way to reach some people who may not otherwise enter a church. Pray that God will give you someone you can "walk across the room" to and invite to this event. Presentations will be March 15th and 16th. More info will follow so stay tuned.

Manny Mills

I hope you had the opportunity to hear Manny Mills when he was here January 20th. If not visit his web site Koinonia House to learn more about his delivery of the Gospel to inmates and to those who have been recently released. We appreciate his humor, especially Pastor WIN-GATE, and his ministry to a sometimes neglected group.

Week of January 29th (click images for larger view)

Map of Ireland by Tourizm Maps © 2006

This weeks missionaries are David and Valerie O'Gorman. They are serving in the beautiful and ancient land of Ireland. This country is known for it's predominantly Catholic influence, however officially there is freedom of religion. 95% of the population believe themselves to fall into the "Christian" religious group. This is the largest but not the fastest growing group. Non-religious peoples are growing at a rate of 3.5% per year. In comparison, christians are growing at a rate of only .5% per year. Ireland is a country of young people. People who will soon be the leaders in this country. Roughly half of the population is under 28 years of age. Research shows that these young people, especially, are responsive to the Gospel because they are looking for something more. Unfortunately, suicide, unwed mothers and division of marriages is on the rise. Please remember to pray for the O'Gormans as they deal with these issues and others which make it difficult to make inroads with the gospel. You can reach them at
dogorman@baptistworldmission.org
Till next week,
"be a reacher"

Thank-you to Operation World for the statistical information in this post. We appreciate this information in our pursuit of understanding the lands where our missionaries are spreading the gospel. For more information on this and other countries you can access Operation World HERE.

Sunday Services January 20th

Don't forget this Sunday, Manny Mill will be with us.  He will be
leading a combined Sunday School class in the Small Gym at 10:15 AM.
He will also be preaching during the evening service.  His ministry
is to those recently released from prison.  Please be in prayer for
this service.


Thanks to Pastor Troy for this reminder.

Week of January 13th (Click Images for larger views)

This weeks missionaries are Eugene and Peggy Mumford serving in France (the largest country in Western Europe).
While "Christians" make up 67.72% of the population, in 2000 it was reported that 50% of these are "non-practicing" (up from 20% 30 years ago). Unfortunately they are scattered and spread out among more than 130 Protestant denominations and nearly 3,000 congregations. Also 20% of the population was reported to be non-religious altogether. When you consider the rich religious background that this country has it is saddening to find that nearly 50 million of the French people have no REAL link to the Christian church. Not to mention, that only 5% of the population owns a Bible and 80% of them have never even handled one (thats roughly 47,263,767 people). Remember to keep the Mumfords in your prayers this week. If you feel led to contact them, they can be reached at emumford@baptistworldmission.org or if you are more of a paper and ink person it's
26, rue Floreal
49770 Le Plessis-Mace
France

Till next week,
"be a reacher"

Thank-you to Operation World for the statistical information in this post. We appreciate this information in our pursuit of understanding the lands where our missionaries are spreading the gospel. For more information on this and other countries you can access Operation World HERE.