Our hope is that everyone has been enjoying the pictures and the blog entries we have posted this week. There are still more to come! Darren has been a real help throughout the week (he has taken most of the pictures). This blog has been a lot of work, but I hope it has helped you all keep up with what we are doing here in Mississippi.
Today provided a sense of real accomplishment. The walls went up today!!! It's a pretty cool feeling knowing that we started this house from the bottom and have worked our way up. Our group has worked very well together. I have said this before, but I am very proud of how they have served the Lord this week. Not everyone is the best at doing construction work, but on these trips that doesn't matter. All that matters is that everyone does the best they can at accomplishing a common goal. Tommorrow is going to be very exciting.
The Bible School continues to go very well. The kids have a real excitement about them that can be both tiring and contagious. Today they learned about how to use the Bible for their lives. My prayer is that these kids will somehow grab hold of the lessons and songs we have brought to them this week. Please be praying for us tommorrow at the Bible school as we close things out. The kids will be told the Gospel message and we pray hard tonight for those who may come to know Christ.
Jeremy
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
On day number three......
On the third day, God created......just kidding. Today was fun and exciting. The foundation has been completed and today we began putting down the floor at the house. Seeing the progress is very thrilling. I am so proud of our group. They have worked very hard and have complained very little. Each of them has shown a dedication and commitment to the Lord that should be admired. They serve the Lord with gladness, knowing that the public acknowledgment and reward is minimal.
At the construction site, today required alot of hammering and patience (of which sometimes I severely lack). Counting exactly how many nails we put into the structure is virtually impossible. But the task was completed because we all worked together and helped each other out.
The backyard Bible clubs continue to go well. My responsibilities have expanded to picking up kids and then dropping them off. Stable Baptist is building a new sanctuary which is being worked on this week during the same time we are there. It has been interesting to see the progress made on the new building. It is being constructed out of steel and the workers have to use cranes in order to place the steel beams correctly.
We have four different classes going from 9-11 (10-12 for you back home), split up into age groups. We are consistently have around the same number each day, but the ones who attend change each day.
It has been a blessing to see our workers bond with the kids who have been attending. In just 3 days the kids have started to trust and rely on our workers. We have enjoyed being able to tell Bible stories to the little ones, who have very little Bible knowledge. For example, few of them had ever heard of Zachaeus.
Continue to pray for us as we are very tired. But we will continue to press on.
For the pictures, click on the photo below!!!!!!!!
Jeremy
At the construction site, today required alot of hammering and patience (of which sometimes I severely lack). Counting exactly how many nails we put into the structure is virtually impossible. But the task was completed because we all worked together and helped each other out.
The backyard Bible clubs continue to go well. My responsibilities have expanded to picking up kids and then dropping them off. Stable Baptist is building a new sanctuary which is being worked on this week during the same time we are there. It has been interesting to see the progress made on the new building. It is being constructed out of steel and the workers have to use cranes in order to place the steel beams correctly.
We have four different classes going from 9-11 (10-12 for you back home), split up into age groups. We are consistently have around the same number each day, but the ones who attend change each day.
It has been a blessing to see our workers bond with the kids who have been attending. In just 3 days the kids have started to trust and rely on our workers. We have enjoyed being able to tell Bible stories to the little ones, who have very little Bible knowledge. For example, few of them had ever heard of Zachaeus.
Continue to pray for us as we are very tired. But we will continue to press on.
For the pictures, click on the photo below!!!!!!!!
Jeremy
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
On the second day...........
Today was a great day. On the construction site, the group accomplished many things. We have successfully finished the foundation. Concrete has been poured and everything is secure. The plan is to begin the framing part of the house. Hopefully by the time we leave on Saturday morning, there will be a roof on the house.
The weather has been hot! However today we were able to get some relief as a result of clouds and a breeze. It has been very exciting to see everyone participate and help with the construction efforts. This is a perfect picture of how the church should operate. Everyone helping, all working together for a common goal.
Our backyard Bible clubs continue to grow. Today we had more than yesterday and were able to make new contacts for Stable Baptist Church in Saucier. The enthusiasm in the church has found its way to the homes surrounding the congregation. Each day, the kids and students come ready and eager to learn and help. We only have the kids for 2 hours, so our time is valuable but it is well spent. Pray that we will be able to reach some of the students who have been attending. I have a pretty good idea that a couple of them are lost.
The service we did tonight at Robinson Road was tremendous. Our church should be very proud of how are young people (and adults) are serving the Lord on this trip. When we return to the church after a long hot day of work, everyone is exhausted. Yet, the students continue to push on and serve the Lord. It is really an inspiration to me. Keep praying for Squeak. He did another excellent job speaking tonight and he has one more to go. He is very excited about how God is using him.
That's all for now, keep praying for us because the evil one is hard at work. If we let our guard down the slightest bit, discension and division will creep in. All for God's glory!!
sola fidei
Jeremy
The weather has been hot! However today we were able to get some relief as a result of clouds and a breeze. It has been very exciting to see everyone participate and help with the construction efforts. This is a perfect picture of how the church should operate. Everyone helping, all working together for a common goal.
Our backyard Bible clubs continue to grow. Today we had more than yesterday and were able to make new contacts for Stable Baptist Church in Saucier. The enthusiasm in the church has found its way to the homes surrounding the congregation. Each day, the kids and students come ready and eager to learn and help. We only have the kids for 2 hours, so our time is valuable but it is well spent. Pray that we will be able to reach some of the students who have been attending. I have a pretty good idea that a couple of them are lost.
The service we did tonight at Robinson Road was tremendous. Our church should be very proud of how are young people (and adults) are serving the Lord on this trip. When we return to the church after a long hot day of work, everyone is exhausted. Yet, the students continue to push on and serve the Lord. It is really an inspiration to me. Keep praying for Squeak. He did another excellent job speaking tonight and he has one more to go. He is very excited about how God is using him.
That's all for now, keep praying for us because the evil one is hard at work. If we let our guard down the slightest bit, discension and division will creep in. All for God's glory!!
sola fidei
Jeremy
Monday, June 16, 2008
Day #1
Today was crazy. Most first days normally are. Our group is doing construction and backyard Bible clubs in 2 different locations. At the construction site, we placed 18 10x10x16 stilts into a 4 ft. hole. As you can imagine, this is not easy (even with the help of a tractor). If all goes well, we should be laying a floor tommorrow morning and then pouring concrete in the afternoon. We also encountered some road blocks while digging the holes which slowed things down somewhat.
At the backyard Bible club (located at St able Baptist), we had over twenty for the first day. To my surprise there were 6 teenagers who came to help. Everything went well and we are anticipating another great day the kids.
Squeak did a great job in his first message tonight. He was nervous, but did well. I look forward to seeing him develop in this area as he continues to grow in ministry. Spoken For, the puppets, and the band led our first Family night service at Robinson Road. I am very proud of everything we accomplished on the first day, and I look forward to tommorrow!!
See the post below for the Mission Trip pictures
Jeremy
At the backyard Bible club (located at St able Baptist), we had over twenty for the first day. To my surprise there were 6 teenagers who came to help. Everything went well and we are anticipating another great day the kids.
Squeak did a great job in his first message tonight. He was nervous, but did well. I look forward to seeing him develop in this area as he continues to grow in ministry. Spoken For, the puppets, and the band led our first Family night service at Robinson Road. I am very proud of everything we accomplished on the first day, and I look forward to tommorrow!!
See the post below for the Mission Trip pictures
Jeremy
Sunday, June 15, 2008
We are here!!!
It is currently Sunday afternoon and we are just now settling in at Robinson Road Baptist Church. As you can imagine, most of us are tired (except for Sharon Whitehead and Kathy Neely who show a never ending engergy). This trip comes with much anticipation and excitement. Thanks to all of you back home at Niles Ferry who are praying for our mission trip this week.
Today we attended church services at Robinson Road and at Stable Baptist Church (the place where we are going to be doing the Backyard Bible Clubs). It was a very humbling experience for me listening to the church members offering praises to a holy and just God. It is even more sobering when you realize everything the residents in this area have been through since Katrina almost 3 years ago.
Since we left last June and October, progress has been made. The foundations we completed now have homes setting on top of them. The lot we cleared out, now has a house on it---yet the weeds and brush have all come back! However, despite the great progress much still needs to be done. Some places have not been touched since Katrina, as the eye catching red x's on some buildings tell a story.
Currently some are at Wal-Mart (imagine that), some are sleeping, some are being teenagers doing teenage stuff (yikes!), and some are getting ready for tommorrow---construction and Bible clubs. Me....well I'm taking it all in right now and reflecting.
I am reflecting on seeing an elderly lady that we had helped last year with her house, who was overwhelmed with joy when she saw familiar faces from Niles Ferry. She invited all of us into her house, so she could show it off. As we left, she stood from her deck and waved and waved with a huge smile on her face. I believe God sometimes rewards us in life for our efforts. Seeing that woman smile and wave to people who had touched her life was indeed one of those times.
Then there is JD. Last year JD was saved through the witnessing of our students. We tried to track JD down today, wondering what he would be like and if he would remember us. We learned that JD was not at home because he has gone to Montgomery and is participating in the Job Corps program while finishing his GED. Knowing that you had an impact on someone's life is a gratifying feeling. But no credit to us, ALL GLORY to the God of the universe who desires for us all to be used in HIS Kingdom despite our failures.
I anticipate a great week and I hope you will continue to pray for us. We will update the blog daily and hopefully post some pictures; stay tune. We know God is with us and that He will bless our efforts. Our hope this week is the same as the Southern Baptist Convention's this past week in Indianapolis, May God "LET IT RAIN" (That is let His Spirit rain down upon us)
sola fidei
Jeremy
Today we attended church services at Robinson Road and at Stable Baptist Church (the place where we are going to be doing the Backyard Bible Clubs). It was a very humbling experience for me listening to the church members offering praises to a holy and just God. It is even more sobering when you realize everything the residents in this area have been through since Katrina almost 3 years ago.
Since we left last June and October, progress has been made. The foundations we completed now have homes setting on top of them. The lot we cleared out, now has a house on it---yet the weeds and brush have all come back! However, despite the great progress much still needs to be done. Some places have not been touched since Katrina, as the eye catching red x's on some buildings tell a story.
Currently some are at Wal-Mart (imagine that), some are sleeping, some are being teenagers doing teenage stuff (yikes!), and some are getting ready for tommorrow---construction and Bible clubs. Me....well I'm taking it all in right now and reflecting.
I am reflecting on seeing an elderly lady that we had helped last year with her house, who was overwhelmed with joy when she saw familiar faces from Niles Ferry. She invited all of us into her house, so she could show it off. As we left, she stood from her deck and waved and waved with a huge smile on her face. I believe God sometimes rewards us in life for our efforts. Seeing that woman smile and wave to people who had touched her life was indeed one of those times.
Then there is JD. Last year JD was saved through the witnessing of our students. We tried to track JD down today, wondering what he would be like and if he would remember us. We learned that JD was not at home because he has gone to Montgomery and is participating in the Job Corps program while finishing his GED. Knowing that you had an impact on someone's life is a gratifying feeling. But no credit to us, ALL GLORY to the God of the universe who desires for us all to be used in HIS Kingdom despite our failures.
I anticipate a great week and I hope you will continue to pray for us. We will update the blog daily and hopefully post some pictures; stay tune. We know God is with us and that He will bless our efforts. Our hope this week is the same as the Southern Baptist Convention's this past week in Indianapolis, May God "LET IT RAIN" (That is let His Spirit rain down upon us)
sola fidei
Jeremy
Monday, June 9, 2008
Honorary Service
It is an exciting time at Niles Ferry Baptist Church. The summer brings many things, such as vacations, sports activities, crazy schedules, swimming, fishing, and of course---mission trips. This Saturday our church mission team will head once again to the Gulf Coast in Mississippi to bring ultimately the Gospel message.
Mission trips are hard work and require a lot of patience and flexibility of those who give a week of their time to serve the Lord. Think of the greatness and the mystery in which we, fallen sinners redeemed by God's grace, have the opportunity and priviledge to be used by a holy God in accomplishing His church's mission. If you dwell upon this for any amount of time, the truth becomes overwhelming. Why would God want to use individuals such as us? The answer is simple...it is for our benefit and growth. What an awesome God we serve!
As a pastor I am humbled and grateful for the nearly thirty individuals from my church who are going to be serving in Mississippi. Many of our members will be sacrificing their vacations from work to do the Lord's work. What an awesome offering up to the Lord that is. My encouragement to them is that God will reward them in some way for this act of obedience. I ask your prayers for us as we go. Without question the evil one is not happy with our commitment and obedience in serving this upcoming week. He will try to distract us and keep some from going who need to go. I am elated with the ones who are going. In ministry it seems as if you can get bogged down on getting more people to do things in a never ending attempt to promote trips and bible studies. However, in this case I am humbled by the response of those who wish to serve. We want God's will to be done in all things and we recognize that some are destined to serve on this mission trip and some are destined to serve the mission team by remaining home. To those who are unable to go, please understand that your contribution to the mission trip is as equal to those who are hammering, painting, and doing other type of construction work. Your contribution is through prayer and encouragement.
During our trip, I will keep this blog up to date daily. Hopefully we can post prayer requests, pictures, and even videos so that our progress can be known.
All glory to Him who ransomed my soul
sola fidei, sola scriptura
Jeremy
Mission trips are hard work and require a lot of patience and flexibility of those who give a week of their time to serve the Lord. Think of the greatness and the mystery in which we, fallen sinners redeemed by God's grace, have the opportunity and priviledge to be used by a holy God in accomplishing His church's mission. If you dwell upon this for any amount of time, the truth becomes overwhelming. Why would God want to use individuals such as us? The answer is simple...it is for our benefit and growth. What an awesome God we serve!
As a pastor I am humbled and grateful for the nearly thirty individuals from my church who are going to be serving in Mississippi. Many of our members will be sacrificing their vacations from work to do the Lord's work. What an awesome offering up to the Lord that is. My encouragement to them is that God will reward them in some way for this act of obedience. I ask your prayers for us as we go. Without question the evil one is not happy with our commitment and obedience in serving this upcoming week. He will try to distract us and keep some from going who need to go. I am elated with the ones who are going. In ministry it seems as if you can get bogged down on getting more people to do things in a never ending attempt to promote trips and bible studies. However, in this case I am humbled by the response of those who wish to serve. We want God's will to be done in all things and we recognize that some are destined to serve on this mission trip and some are destined to serve the mission team by remaining home. To those who are unable to go, please understand that your contribution to the mission trip is as equal to those who are hammering, painting, and doing other type of construction work. Your contribution is through prayer and encouragement.
During our trip, I will keep this blog up to date daily. Hopefully we can post prayer requests, pictures, and even videos so that our progress can be known.
All glory to Him who ransomed my soul
sola fidei, sola scriptura
Jeremy
Monday, June 2, 2008
Rev Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleager
If you have been watching the news recently during this election year, you probably have heard of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleager. Both of these men have connections to Sen. Obama's church in Chicago. I don't want to focus on the political remarks and contributions that these "ministers" have made recently. My concern and focus, from an Evangelical perspective, is regarding remarks made from behind the pulpit as God's representative to their congregation.
Both Wright and Pfleager have been politically active for Obama and both have made controversial remarks during the campaign. However the most outrageous aspects of their remarks has nothing to do with politics; rather their conduct (or lack there of) as a minister behind the pulpit. In their controversial "sermons" both have cursed as part of their message and seem to have no problem with their rants.
When I was attending seminary at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, expositional preaching was engrained into our minds from day one. Thus when a preacher deviates from Scripture in his preaching, I cringe at the lack of biblical content. But these two go an extra mile in the realms of inappropriate preaching. No only are they sinning behind the pulpit, but they are leading their congregations in sinning as well!!!
My question is where is the evangelical protestant backlash from this form of heresy? Have we as biblical Christians not had enough of twisted preaching? Our contentment and comfort level has allowed this type of false preaching to impact society. I believe the time is now for biblical churches to come forward and battle false preachers such as these men.
The ultimate concern is the purity and edification of the church. The comments by Wright and Pfleager were divisive and in no way did they edify (build up) the church. I'm sure both were very entertaining and enthusiastic, but in no way did they reflect the grace of God found through His Son Jesus Christ. Is entertainment and enthusiasm all that is required to be a minister or to preach a good sermon? Are we as biblical Christians, going to allow false preachers such as these two men, to proclaim a false gospel without countering it with the truth?
Remember the truth remains despite our views toward it. Long after Wright and Pfleager have stopped preaching the truth will march forward. Be thankful for those preachers who stand up on Sundays not to proclaim their own agendas but to proclaim the everlasting truth that is found in the Scriptures.
Both Wright and Pfleager have been politically active for Obama and both have made controversial remarks during the campaign. However the most outrageous aspects of their remarks has nothing to do with politics; rather their conduct (or lack there of) as a minister behind the pulpit. In their controversial "sermons" both have cursed as part of their message and seem to have no problem with their rants.
When I was attending seminary at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, expositional preaching was engrained into our minds from day one. Thus when a preacher deviates from Scripture in his preaching, I cringe at the lack of biblical content. But these two go an extra mile in the realms of inappropriate preaching. No only are they sinning behind the pulpit, but they are leading their congregations in sinning as well!!!
My question is where is the evangelical protestant backlash from this form of heresy? Have we as biblical Christians not had enough of twisted preaching? Our contentment and comfort level has allowed this type of false preaching to impact society. I believe the time is now for biblical churches to come forward and battle false preachers such as these men.
The ultimate concern is the purity and edification of the church. The comments by Wright and Pfleager were divisive and in no way did they edify (build up) the church. I'm sure both were very entertaining and enthusiastic, but in no way did they reflect the grace of God found through His Son Jesus Christ. Is entertainment and enthusiasm all that is required to be a minister or to preach a good sermon? Are we as biblical Christians, going to allow false preachers such as these two men, to proclaim a false gospel without countering it with the truth?
Remember the truth remains despite our views toward it. Long after Wright and Pfleager have stopped preaching the truth will march forward. Be thankful for those preachers who stand up on Sundays not to proclaim their own agendas but to proclaim the everlasting truth that is found in the Scriptures.
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