As we enter into February the year 2012 is off and running. Exciting things are happening throughout your state mission work.  Already this week alone we have had nine professions of faith reported.  Bro. Bobby and I will be sitting down this week with an architect concerning the first phase of their building program.

Connection Point is making preparations for their launch service March 4th. Troy ministered in the Magnolia area over the week-end. Darrin is making visits and looking for a home in the Fort Smith area. Michael and our Hispanic work is progressing and growing in stability.  As you can read below, God is truly blessing in the area of state missions.  Please continue to pray that God will continue to reveal Himself in a mighty way. And last, but not least, thank you for your generous support.

From Our Missionaries

Charity, Ward:  Keith Lewis reports 66 present for Sunday School, 137 for morning worship, 2 first time visitors and offerings of $1,882.50.

“I cannot say enough good things about our services Sunday. It was a fifth Sunday which meant a pot-luck fellowship followed our morning worship, and it was delicious as always. The major highlight for me was the spirit of worship that was experienced in every phase of the service. You could feel the power of the presence of God. Following the meal we had an afternoon service with the singing group ‘Grace Alone’ from Lynch View Baptist Church leading us in worship. They have amazing talent and our hearts were truly blessed. It was a great Lord’s Day.”

Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 46 present for Sunday School, 54 for morning worship, 7 first time visitors, 1 profession of faith and offerings of $1,184.
“We start by giving praise to the Lord for the soul He saved in our outreach ministry last week. We rejoice over the two women added to His church this week during the invitation. Our folks are excited to be growing in the Lord as we meet each week on Wednesday night and Sunday morning for Bible study. I thank the Lord for the great teachers and fine folks He has given this mission who are willing to help out in so many ways. Many of our people are getting back in church now with their families after not attending church at all. We are expecting the Lord to continue doing miraculous things each week that only He can do.

“BMA, we love you folks and thank you for allowing us to be your mission. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord’s guidance in all that we do.”

Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 33 present for Small Group, 3 first time visitors and offerings of $435.

“It was a busy week here at Connection Point. Everyone is working to get ready for March 4 when we will have our “official” public launch service. We are praying for a house full of guests and looking forward to taking our ministry to the next level.

“January has been an exciting month as we have started the year off with a record average attendance and many first time guests. Please continue to pray for us. Specifically pray that we will be even more effective at reaching folks and meeting needs in our community.”

Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 61 present for morning worship, 57 for evening worship, 3 first time visitors and offerings of $899.

“Last week I went to an auction and was waiting for an item when an 87 year old man sat down beside me. After our talk he asked Jesus into his heart. Then, one of our men led his wife, whom we had been praying for, to the Lord. Sunday night was layman’s night and our music director, Tim Tucker, gave a talk on why don’t we use the name Jesus. After his talk I gave an invitation and three more were gloriously saved. A total of four joined the mission Sunday.

“I cannot tell you how we have felt the Holy Spirit’s presence here this entire week. I know you have been praying for us here and we love you for it. Please keep it up and thank you for your love and support. We love you all.”

El Faro, Little Rock:  Jorge Vasquez reports 70 present for worship service and offerings of $1,350.

“Jesus was very serious when he sent the disciples to make disciples throughout the world. This is the only plan that God has for winning the world for Christ. Now, we are responsible for our present generation.

“We at El Faro are also serious in obeying this great command of Jesus Christ. We have declared this year as the Year of Spiritual Multiplication. Friday we had our first meeting of all those discipled. We were able to recognize those who have finished the first, second or third level of discipleship classes by presenting them with diplomas. We also commissioned ten people as Disciple Makers and graduated the first student to finish the first level of Bible Institute Studies at El Faro. This is a great victory and step forward in our vision as a church.

“Thank you for your continued prayers for us.”

Many say we are on a countdown to doomsday. Whether or not one is willing to admit it, judgment day is coming. So our problem lies not in the fact that judgment is coming but as to the time of its coming. It will be a surprising day, as the deluge was in the day of Noah. A day of which God’s people and word have proclaimed throughout the centuries, a time more sure than the sunrise itself, yet unexpected by most. We hear many who dispute Christ’s return and who call those who hold to the teachings of the Bible as simple minded religious fanatics. We are warned of these in scripture.  “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4, KJV)

The text tells us the hour of that event is known only to God. And it is a sin for man to try and speculate just when this event will take place. What the writer is saying is, it is not man’s job to speculate, it is his duty to prepare himself and to watch. We are told that this time will come with shattering suddenness. In the old story, Noah prepared himself in the calm weather for the flood that was to come, and when it came he was ready. But the rest of the world was lost in their eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and were caught completely unprepared and was therefore swallowed up in the flood waters. May we learn from this that we are not to become more concerned about time that we forget about eternity. That is why it is so important to be ready, for His call may come at morning, at midday or at evening and assuredly it will happen when we least expect it.
Just because a person keeps putting off a decision does not put off the Day of Judgment. As surely as the waters swept away the unbelievers of Noah’s day, God’s wrath will cast such into everlasting destruction form which there is no fleeing. Knowing that judgment day is coming, should prompt us to be busy carrying the message of Christ to a lost and dying world.

From Our Missionaries    

Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 29 present for Sunday School, 34 for morning worship, 2 first time visitors, 2 professions of faith and offerings of $740.
“Our week of praise continued from last Sunday into Monday night as we gathered for the baptism of 5 adults at First Baptist in Damascus. Instead of Monday night football parties, we have Monday night baptisms and praise for Jesus. Before the baptism we gathered for a fish fry. A young mother who has been visiting with us came forward before we began to eat. She wanted to profess Christ and be baptized since we were already gathered for baptism. Our folks were shouting, clapping and crying as this young woman professed Christ and told of the freedom she had found in Jesus.

“We are so excited to be serving the Lord in Clinton and the surrounding areas. We visit with a lot of people each week and our folks expect God to do something that only He can do each week. We thank First Baptist, Damascus for the use of their facilities, also the prayers and support they extend to us. BMA we love you folks and thank you for allowing us to be your mission.”

Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 28 present for Small Group, 35 for worship service, 4 first time visitors and offerings of $967.

“We have had an exciting week at Connection Point.  Last week Paul White and Jim Swinea were out knocking on doors, inviting people to our mission when they had the opportunity to lead two people to the Lord.  Then Sunday we had a great time at our preview service and were blessed to have several first time guests.

“One of my highlights from the week was seeing a Facebook video of one of our little ones singing a song she had learned in Children’s Worship that morning.  I am so grateful for all of our volunteers who work with our kids each week.”
Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 56 present for morning worship, 33 for evening worship, 1 first time visitor and offerings of $1,261.

“The fog was so bad around the lake area that many of our older people did not come. Bob Cockrum sang and played his guitar for us and blessed us all.

“Wow! People are finding their place here and giving of their time and talents. Please pray for us as we go out this week searching for the lost. Thank you for you love and support. We love you all.”

El Faro, Little Rock:  Jorge Vasquez reports 88 present for worship service and offerings of $2,000.

“We send greetings from El Faro Mission and give thanks to God for another week full of work and blessings.  On one hand we are seeing the fruits of the discipled for which we have been preparing. On the other hand some of our discipled are being attacked by the enemy. We trust God that in the trials they will be made stronger and more faithful.

“Since January we have been meeting on Fridays in the homes of those being discipled. We have at least seven groups that are meeting. Although Friday, January 27 is the official launch date for our discipleship program, about 40 people have already decided to commit themselves to grow spiritually.

“Thank you for your prayers for our ministry and mission. Please continue those prayers for us.”

El Sembrador, Warren:  Javier Gonzalez reports 10 present for worship service and offerings of $70.

Emmanuel, Hope:  Javier Gonzalez reports 27 present for Sunday School and worship service, 15 for Thursday night Bible Study, 1 first time visitor and offerings of $75.

EOT Trainer Jim Swinea writes: “In preparation for their preview service at Brookland, we went out in the community on Friday. We had the privilege of leading two people to Christ and contacted three other families who were looking for a church. There is nothing like that one on one contact with people who needs to hear the Gospel. The Lord told us that we are to go and tell. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14, KJV)  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17, KJV) From the pulpit through the pew we are all called to go and tell.
“Churches, please hear my plea. As your servant of the BMA I am more than willing to come as your EOT Trainer and present ‘Share your Faith’ ministry with your church.  As pastors, we have been called to train our people and I am more than willing to help in any way possible. Contact me at (870) 395-1282 and we can set up an appointment to take the fear out of witnessing.  We should be working for the Master until He comes.  I pray that God will bless as you prayerfully make you decision to reach the lost this year.”

Last week I had the pleasure to speak to our Master Builders during their retreat near Hot Springs.  I am convinced I received more than I gave.  As I sat back and looked across the room I was reminded that our love for God should far exceed any compensation, if any, this world has to give.  This group goes from job to job wanting only to be a help where they are working. They donate their time and talents for the glory of the Lord.  Do not be guilty of judging these experienced (a nice way to say older) Christians before you see them on the job. They do good work and they do it right. If you would like to be a blessing and feel you would have the time, check them out.  But, beware, they really do work.

Brotherhood
I was also privileged to be with the Southwest District Brotherhood. There was a good crowd and a wonderful meal.  I say a special thanks for the invitation and the generous love offering they received for state missions.

Mission Symposium
I hope you have made plans to attend the Mission Symposium.  God is working in all of our BMA mission efforts and I know it will be both encouraging and challenging.
From Our Missionaries    

Arkansas Hispanic Missions: Michael Hight writes “The last month has been one of the most exciting months of our ministry to date. We are launching a discipleship program that places personal discipleship as the priority of our mission. Within the last month we have had 15 people saved through the witnessing efforts of six different people. Four of these have been won and discipled by El Faro mission. We are witnessing third generation conversions and many of our members are taking seriously their responsibility to personally disciple someone else. Please pray that God will continue to guide Bro. Jorge and myself as we serve here in Central Arkansas.

“On another note, the continual need for leadership development is ever present. We are utilizing our Bible Institute to prepare leaders for the Lord’s work. In fact, our motto is ‘preparing leaders to do the work.’ Please keep us in your prayers as we develop strategies and curriculum to fill this need. I am absolutely convinced that it is pointless to pray for Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest if we will not be obedient to prepare them. We will never see a solid multiplication movement of churches within the Hispanic community unless we have leaders prepared to lead them. This is the passion of my heart and I thank you for the opportunity to invest time and resources into this area of ministry. If you would like to know more about how you can be involved in our Institute please call me.”
Charity, Ward:  Keith Lewis reports 62 present for Sunday School, 121 for morning worship, 60 for evening worship, 1 first time visitor and offerings of $3,351.

“Sunday was a blessed day. Sunday morning I continued with the message from last week ‘Characteristics of a Godly Man.’ Our focus continues to be on the responsibilities of a father and the importance of family. Sunday night I shared with the church some of the video that was taken on my Bolivia mission trip during the summer. It was truly a blessed day.”
Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 45 present for Sunday School, 49 for morning worship, 5 first time visitors and offerings of $2,170.

“I stand amazed each week as I see and hear our people proclaim what the Lord is doing in their lives. I hear them praise God for His love, His grace and how He has changed their families. I am very excited to see our Lord adding to His church each week. A new member we gained by letter Sunday is Pete. He came during the invitation and told our folks he was excited to join us and be used of God. We also praise God for a man saved during our outreach last week. We are going to reach many more with the gospel. We were blessed by beautiful special music presented to us by Don Carter and Michelle Gilmore Sunday morning.

“Amber and I were invited to worship with the fine folks of Calvary, Heber Springs Sunday night to share about the mission. Bro. Kevin let me preach and I had the opportunity to thank them for helping us and being a part of planting this new mission. You will never know the difference you have made with your prayers and help until you step into eternity. We thank you BMA and ask that you continue to pray for us daily as we seek the Lord’s guidance.”
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 34 present for Small Group, 1 first time visitor and offerings of $245.

“It was a busy week at Connection Point. One of the highlights from my week was volunteering at Brookland Middle School for one day. I had the chance to meet many students and some of the faculty as well. However, an hour of kickball with some sixth graders almost did me in. (Man, I am getting old.)

“Sunday we had an incredible meeting with a house full of folks. We also started our new toddler class which gives us three children’s groups meeting each week. God continues to bless us every week. We are so grateful for all He has done.”
Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 76 present for morning worship, 35 for evening worship, 5 first time visitors and offerings of $929.

“Our sermon was on tomorrow and what we will do with it. There were many at the altar during the invitation. Sunday night we talked about hell. No matter what, we must get to the lost. Please pray for us that we will serve the Lord in the best way we can. Thank you for your prayers and support. We love you all.”
West Park, Ozark:  Troy Vaughn reports 88 present for Sunday School, 162 for morning worship, 70 for evening worship, 6 first time visitors and offerings of $3,300.

Darrin Smith, Missionary to Northwest Arkansas writes: “It has been an exciting transition from having a congregation back to starting one.  My family and I have been doing a lot of traveling up to Northwest Arkansas searching for the place the Lord is leading us to go.

“We have looked at many different areas and felt like Lowell, AR would be the place. As we tried to move in that direction, however, we felt like that was not the place for us to begin. After praying and searching out the Lord’s will we are now leaning toward the Fort Smith Metro area. This is a big area with over 300,000 people and we have only two churches and one mission. Over the past three weeks we have spent 11 days in this area.

“Over the weekend I spent all day in the Barling, AR area and met a lot of people. They were very encouraging. Continue to pray as the Lord leads us. We need to sell our home, and also find a home.  I know the Lord has a plan. Thank you for your prayers. If you would like to contact me, my phone number is (501) 317–0513, and my email is   thejourneyministries@live.com.”
El Sembrador, Warren:  Javier Gonzalez reports 12 present for worship service and offerings of $22.
Emmanuel, Hope:  Javier Gonzalez reports 22 present for Sunday School and worship service, 14 for Thursday night Bible Study, 2 first time visitors and offerings of $60.

From Our Missionaries    

Charity, Ward:  Keith Lewis reports 66 present for Sunday School, 137 for morning worship, 117 for evening worship and offerings of $2,455.

“The theme of both services Sunday dealt with the responsibilities of being a father and the importance of family. Sunday night we watched the movie ‘Courageous.’ God’s presence was felt in a powerful way and the truth of His Word was clearly presented. There were many individual commitments made. It was a very special Lord’s Day.”
Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 44 present for Sunday School, 46 for morning worship, 5 first time visitors and offerings of $807.

“This has been another busy week in Clinton reaching out to the area. We are making a lot of visits, inviting people to Jesus and church. By this we see how our Lord continues to bless us and add to the church. Joe, a man that we led to the Lord at a car lot where he works, came and brought his young son. During the invitation Joe came forward with tears in his eyes telling the church that the Lord had saved him the other day and he wanted to join us by baptism. Also, we had a few in the altar seeking God’s guidance in their lives.
“We truly want to be a light in this community and be the Great Commission church the Lord has commanded us to be. This is a very exciting time at CMBM; I wish you could hear our people as they talk about their love for the church. We are a growing body of believers, seeking our Lord’s direction in all that we do. We thank you and ask that you please continue to pray for us daily.”
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 33 present for Small Group, 2 first time visitors and offerings of $645.

“It was another good week here at Connection Point. God blessed us with a great meeting Sunday. We had six guests this week with two folks attending for the first time and a family of four was back after attending one of our preview services.

“On a somber note, the past several weeks we have experienced quite a bit of loss around our group. While it has been difficult and sometimes even tragic, I have been blessed to see our people step up and minister to others and pray together for those who are suffering.  Occasionally the worst of times brings out the best of people. God has used these situations to strengthen our faith and deepen our love for one another.”
Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 76 present for morning worship, 40 for evening worship, 4 first time visitors and offerings of $1.694.

“Paul and Vicki White visited with us Sunday morning and what a blessing it was to hear him preach. Wow, he can still preach! Many came to the altar during the invitation. Little did I know I would be sick when I asked him to preach. Just goes to show us that the Lord does supply. I can still see the gleam in Vicki’s eyes as she sees the little children in church. What a blessing she is in children’s ministry wherever she is.

“Our EE teams are going out on OJT and just a few more weeks we will have four more trained. Sunday night we had a man ask his sweetheart to marry him in front of the church. How wonderful to see a future family start off right.

“I am still amazed to see how God is blessing the State Missions Department with all the good work. Please continue to pray for all of your missionaries and our director.

“Thank you and we love you all.”
West Park, Ozark:  Troy Vaughn reports 85 present for Sunday School, 140 for morning worship, 4 first time visitors and offerings of $2,350.

El Faro, Little Rock:  Jorge Vasquez reports 89 present for worship 4 first time visitors and offerings of $462.

“Our vision at El Faro Baptist Church is to provide a place for family worship and also serve as a light to the world.

“We have defined the year 2012 as the year for spiritual multiplication. We plan to do this by obeying the command given in Matthew 28:18-20. Our desire is that each member of El Faro will be converted into a soul winner and disciple maker. It is our goal that each member be involved in discipling, either being discipled or doing the discipling, and both teaching and spreading the Word to win others with the goal of discipling them.

“We thank God for busy weeks. We have already seen seven professions of faith this year. Four of these are already in discipleship training. Pray that God will use us to reach others.

“Sunday our service was tremendously blessed. We had several visitors from the Church Without Walls in Guayama, Puerto Rico. Some of them ministered to us in song and Bro. David Dickson preached for us. The message was about being careful with the sin of being too independent. Rather, as children of God we should depend 100% on Him to help us follow Him and do only His will in our lives.

“Thank you for your support and we pray that in this new year God will prosper every area of your life.”

At State Missions we are grateful to all those who support this work through your prayers and offerings. I want to welcome those churches on board who have added us to their budget over the past year. It is my prayer that other churches will consider helping to support this tremendously important part of God’s work. We promise to be good stewards of what you send.  God is truly working through your missionaries as precious souls are being reached almost on a daily basis. My wish is that everyone would have a part in the fruits of this ministry.
As a ball player I wanted to be active in the game even if it was only for an inning. Having given something, I was able to join in the victory (if and when they came) with the rest of the team.  Sitting on the bench and not having contributed anything is somewhat like the pig, the duck and the cat in the story of the Little Red Hen. They could only sit and watch as she enjoyed the fruit of her labor.

Please remember to pray for your missionaries as we seek to do the Father’s will.

Happy New Year

From Our Missionaries     

Charity, Ward:  Keith Lewis reports 50 present for Sunday School, 92 for morning worship, 52 for evening worship and offerings of $2,736.33.

“Friday night we attended an all-night lock-in held at West Race in Searcy. This event was sponsored by the Mt. Calvary Association and we had a blast.

“Our first Sunday of the New Year was a blessing. It is wonderful to know that we serve a God of grace that allows us the opportunity to have a fresh start and a new beginning. May we start the New Year right with our Lord and may we finish well for His glory.”
Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 32 for morning worship, 4 first time visitors, 2 professions of faith and offerings of $512.

“This has been another week of utmost excitement at CMBC. We continue to reach out to the lost of the world. We had two men saved and another lady was given assurance of her salvation. One of the men that was saved brought his family Sunday morning to worship with us. The Holy Spirit could be felt moving during the services. During the invitation people began to respond to Jesus. A lady came forward to rededicate her life, another one came forward who had been saved and wanted to join by baptism. After these two came, the altar began filling up with people crying out to Jesus for their loved ones. Then the Lord moved upon the man that had been saved and his wife and they came forward. The man joined by baptism. You should have heard him cry out to Jesus asking Him to make him the man that He wanted him to be. Then his wife joined by letter, but before she joined, she wanted to rededicate her life. And she did so right there in the altar. Several of our folks who have been in church for many years said they have never experienced anything like we are experiencing at CMBM.

“Sunday night I was invited to First Baptist in Damascus to preach and tell about the Mission in Clinton. Several of our folks came. We had a great time with them and thanked them for their prayers and support. We are seeking the Lord’s direction in all that we do at CMBM. Pray for us as we grow together. Because of the fine folks of the BMA giving to the Lord’s mission we are able to make a difference in the lives of many.”
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 28 present for Small Group and offerings of $3,041.

“It was wonderful to start the New Year off with the folks at Connection Point.  Just think, one year ago, Connection Point was only a dream; today we are a growing group of people who have come together to make disciples of the people in our area and our world.  I am so humbled when I think of all that God has done for us over these past several months.  I am also excited when I think of the amazing things He has planned for us over this next year.  I can hardly wait to see where we will be this time next year… only God knows.  On behalf of all the members of our mission and all the lives who have been touched by our ministry, I want to say ‘Thank You’ for helping to make our church plant possible.
Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 67 present for morning worship, 42 for evening worship, 5 first time visitors and offerings of $1,911.

“Happy New Year!!!

“I visited with two men at an iron salvage yard last week and won them to the Lord after they helped me with a piece of metal.

“Saturday night our youth met at the church and welcomed 2012 in the right way with good Christian fun and food. Our services Sunday morning ended with circle prayer for this coming year. What a closeness we have here with united hearts praying for the lost and un-churched.  Thank you for your support. May 2012 be a blessed year of winning souls and training them.”

Charity, Ward:  Keith Lewis reports 59 present for Sunday School, 121 for morning worship, 92 for evening worship, 3 first time visitors and offerings of $3,187.

“Last Sunday night our junior youth presented several Christmas songs along with the reciting of verses from the Christmas Story. It is always great to see young people using their talents for the Lord. The program truly was a special blessing. Sunday our adults performed a special music presentation. It was a very special service.”
Clinton Missionary, Clinton:  Bobby Gilmore reports 33 for morning worship, 2 first time visitors and offerings of $265.

“Last week we rejoiced as we saw one profession of faith and two others come for baptism.

“This week we were very excited to be celebrating our Savior coming to the world in the flesh. Our Lord is making His glory known every week here at CMBC by the presence of His Holy Spirit. We enjoyed our Christmas dinner Wednesday night. We thank Becky Hall and our children for bringing an M & M Christmas program after our dinner.

“Tuesday morning I received a call from our good friend, Shelia Snowden, about a call she had just received from a friend. Her friend told her about a family member in the Clinton hospital that was very sick. The Lord had revealed to this friend that I was to visit this sick lady. So I did. As I visited with her, I talked to her about eternity. She wanted to know how she could have eternal life. I shared the gospel with her and she was saved right there in the hospital bed. This lady passed away Friday, but because of our mission planted in Clinton she went to spend eternity with Jesus. Another man was saved as we continued to reach out into the community. Please pray for us as we continue to grow together and seek the Lord’s direction in all that we do. We love you all and do appreciate the fine folks of the BMA.”

Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White reports 27 present for Small Group, 61 for morning worship, 22 first time visitors and offerings of $475.

“What an incredible Sunday we had at Connection Point last Sunday.  We had a house full for a wonderful Christmas Worship Celebration. Our Children’s Ministry put on an incredible musical program called ‘Shepherds, Sheep, and a Savior.’  We set a record attendance with so many family members coming to watch the little ones on stage.  Sunday night we continued the celebration with a Christmas Carnival for the kids.  (I think the adults had as much fun as the kids did.)  I am so blessed to have this amazing group of people to serve with.
Norfork Lake, Mountain Home:  Hershel Conley reports 44 present for morning worship, 18 for evening worship, 1 first time visitor and offerings of $538.

“What better day than Christ’s birthday to worship our King. We had a blessed time in our worship services. Even with only 18 Sunday night, it seemed a special time of closeness. We all gathered in a circle and prayed for the next year to be the most soul winning year ever and that we would grow in His Word. How wonderful to be a part of this mission. To all of you who have helped with your prayers and support we say thank you and we pray the Lord will bless you beyond measure this coming year. May next year be one we can all look back at and say, ‘Thank you Lord for giving us the strength to carry on your work diligently.’ We love you all.
West Park, Ozark:  Troy Vaughn reports 200 present for morning worship, 10 first time visitors and offerings of $2,800.

“We were open for Christmas and had a full house. I asked all the kids as they came in if I could borrow the toys they got for Christmas. I got a unanimous ‘NO.’ One little girl did give me a candy cane.

“We went from the manger to the cross and rejoiced for life everlasting.  It was a grand way to close out for the year.”