Sunday

“Blessed be God,

who has not turned away my prayer,

nor His mercy from me!”

~Psalm 66:20~

Today, let’s especially pray for all those who would love to be in church, but who are unable to go.  This includes nursing home patients, hospital patients, home-bound, and those working.

Caring Bridge Sites

Week of Prayer for the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering

Day 8 – Friday Night Church, Morgan City

“… for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

FridayNigtChurch-pgGod not only has a desire for everyone to know Him through Jesus Christ, He also has a divine plan. His mission is to reach His world, which includes Louisiana, with the Gospel. Our one task is to reach the lost and unchurched for Christ.

Charles Gilder, retired pastor of Bayou Vista Baptist Church in Morgan City, and Marty Romero, pastor/church planter at Friday Night Church, have one task, and they share a vision to accomplish it. Their task: to reach persons in Morgan City who would not go to traditional churches and to make and disciple new believers, guiding them toward a church home.

The sponsoring church, Bayou Vista, takes its role seriously; many of the members attend services and help with music. Together Bro. Marty and Pastor Gilder find joy in reaching people who are discouraged and seeing them come and get excited about what God is doing. Marty says “sharing the Gospel is serious business, but at Friday Night Church people are reached where they are.”

This unique church plant model can be used elsewhere, too, according to Bro. Marty and Pastor Gilder. Unique approaches are needed if we are to reach Louisiana for Christ.

  • Pray for continued vision to reach people who might otherwise be overlooked with the Gospel.
  • Pray for disciples. Disciple making is a challenge when working with people accustomed to undisciplined lifestyle.
  • Thank God for assistance through Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering that enables church planters and missions pastors to focus more on ministry.
  • Pray for partnering churches.


Elaine Hilbun
(November 4, 1926 – September 19, 2009)

Died at 8:40AM on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Liberty Community Living Center in Liberty, MS. She was a native of Tangipahoa, LA and a resident of Osyka, MS. Age 82 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irwin. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by son, William Laine “Billy” Hilbun, Gloster, MS, sister, Helen Joyce Newsom Dykes, Kentwood, 3 grandchildren, William S. “Van” Hilbun, John Wesley Hilbun, and Daniel Laine Hilbun, 1 great-granddaughter, Johanna Laine Hilbun, numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by sister, Doris Newsom Kennon and brother, Ernest Donald Newsom.

Mrs. Lucille Pledger’s daughter, Melinda, is planning a big part for “Miss” Lucille’s 90th birthday on September 24th.  Let’s let her know Kentwood connected people still love and care for her.

Melinda’s address is:   Melinda Huss
2307 Western Drive
Decatur,  IL  62521

The truck will be in Kentwood to pick up the groceries we have given for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Fall Food Roundup.  Please leave your donations in the area at the base of the steps that lead to the church office.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
SOMETIMES GOD SEEMS to take forever…

You wait and wait and wait.  But when He finally moves, He does more in one hour and you could accomplish in a lifetime.  So it’s your choice: be busily consumed with your paltry attempts or wait on God until He moves in the fulness of His glory and purposes.  God’s sense of timing is like this: He waits forever and then moves suddenly and instantaneously.  There’s only one way to even begin to tune into God’s sense of timing, and that is through waiting.  Waiting transports us out of the temporal, out of our time-zone, and into His time-zone.

God can out-wait anybody.  He just waits and waits, while the crisis looms larger and larger, and He waits some more.  He waits until the crisis becomes an impossible predicament.  And then He waits some more!  Finally, when the remotest chance of escape is completely gone, God intervenes suddenly.  A good example of this is Abraham.

God promised Abraham a son when he was 75 years old, even though Sarah was baren.  And then God waits five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years.  By now it’s too late.  Even if Sarah were not barren, she is now too old, and so is Abraham.  Twenty-five years.  Count them.  Twenty-five interminable years.  Finally, when all natural hope was exhausted, God provided and Sarah became pregnant!  God is the king of wait.  (Bob Sorge)

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”
~Proverbs 37:7~

Honor God on His day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“God shall bless us,

and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.”

Psalm 67:7

Mason Carter’s surgery yesterday went well.  Pray the both Mason and Adam continue to get good reports.

Please add Ray Ydarraga to your prayer list.  He has been undergoing and continues to be undergoing some medical tests.

CaringBridge sites

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coltonfrazier

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal

Baptist Press

September 18, 2009

FLORIDA–Principal, A.D. avoid jail time for prayer. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31282

NEW MEXICO–Economic woes increase demand on hunger ministries across U.S. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31283

TENNESSEE–TRUSTEES: ERLC board commits to pray for SBC task force. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31284

FLORIDA–IMB appoints 60 new missionaries. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31285

NORTH CAROLINA–Directors of missions nurture their unity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31286

WASHINGTON–LIFE DIGEST: Abortion funding in health care hurts support. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31287

WASHINGTON–Care denied for preemie. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31288

TEXAS–Texas board: Keep Christmas in textbooks. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31289

MAINE–Poll: Gay marriage opponents lead in Maine. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31290

MISSOURI–Church mourns loss of youth pastor. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31291

GEORGIA–FIRST-PERSON (part 5) (Mike Licona): Why were the four N.T. Gospels selected and not others? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31292

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Kelly Boggs): More evidence of media bias. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31293

Georgia Barnette Mission Offering for Louisiana

Day 7 – Forest Hispanic Mission

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

ForestHispanic-pgThe last phrase of Matthew 28:19-20, “…lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world,” reminds us that we are not alone as we take our part in the Great Commission. Paul uses the word “together” to remind us that we do not work alone.

Two reasons Pastor Isidro Hernandez and Director of Missions Jay Morgan serve at Forest Hispanic Mission are the growing Hispanic population in our state and their love for the Lord’s people.

The work at Forest began as a ministry to a large group of Hispanic farm workers, and it grew into a church plant. There are needs for Bible studies, programs for women and children, equipment, materials and supplies. Discipleship is important because the people come for a while, then they often go to a job in another state or even to another country.

Bro. Hernandez and the people of Bayou Macon and Madison associations know the importance of “together” in this ministry. Louisiana Baptists, through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering are part of this partnership also. While our gifts are important to this and other language works, so are volunteering and praying.

  • Thank God for those who serve Hispanic congregations throughout our state.
  • Pray for the lost people to come and for many opportunities to teach and disciple.
  • Pray for the economic situations that tend to have priority in the lives of people who need ministry at Forest. Pray that as their needs are met, there will be opportunities to share Christ.

As a person who sometimes worries too much, I got both a reminder and a laugh from this:

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
“I HAVE A mountain of credit card debt,” one man told another…

“I have lost my job.  My car is being repossessed and our house is in foreclosure, but I am not worried about it,” exclaimed his friend.  “I’ve hired a professional worrier.  He does all of my worrying for me, and that way I don’t have to think about it.”

“That’s fantastic!  How much does your professional worrier charge for his services?”

“$50,000 a year,” he replied.

“$50,000 a year?!  Where are you going to get that kind of money?!”

“I don’t know,” came the reply.  “That’s his worry…”

“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
Matthew 6:27
Have a good day as you prepare physically and spiritually for the Lord’s Day.  Thank-you for “tuning in” to The Prayer Link.  May it always be a blessing to others and useful ministry for God’s glory!
Anna Lee

Friday

“And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalms 23:1-6 NLT

*Adrianna Cavanagh’s CaringBridge page:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh/journal

*I know that many people know Elaine Stewart. She is at North Oaks Rehab Hospital. Elaine had a fractured hip and had three rods and two screws put in her hip. It will be a long process, so please pray for her recovery.

Esther Rodriguez

*Chance O’Hern had his heart cauterization yesterday.  All went well.  Thank God for a good report.

*Mason Carter’s surgery is today, not yesterday.  Extra prayers are not a problem!

*Jimmy Schwartz will be having knee surgery in less than two weeks.  Please be in prayer for him.

*Pray for Wayne and Cora Morris.  Wayne is not doing well.

*Pray for the people where Holly K. is in western Africa.  There’s much flooding there.

Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana missions

Day 6 – Directors of Missions

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

DOM-pgLaborers, with a job to do, work at it until it is done. Paul taught that the labor is as important as the goal; “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men.” (Colossians 3:22). The labor is not for us; it is for God.

For ten years, as Director of Missions in Northwest Baptist Association, Eddie DeHondt (recently retired) encouraged churches and pastors to be involved in missions. Everything about this labor excites him – seeing individuals’ lives change as they come to know the Lord as Savior and then mature, taking their places as disciples and leaders. Churches sponsoring mission work share this excitement as they experience blessings and renewed vision.

Bro. Eddie is representative of twenty-one other Directors of Missions in Louisiana whose role in missions may be much like that of Timothy when he was sent to Athens, “…to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” (1Thessalonians 3:2).

Bro. Eddie says a mission may often “feel like orphans, children with hopes, dreams and goals, but no one to guide them. The Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering helps mission churches, church plants and ministries to have hopes, dreams and goals.”

  • Pray Mark 9:35-39 for workers to be called out.
  • Pray for the mission pastors serving in your association by name.
  • Pray for ministry and evangelism projects and mission building projects in the associations.

Vernon Shelton Pulliam “Hoss”

//
Vernon Pulliam, 46, born March 23, 1962, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. He is survived by his wife, Emily Rae Wing Pulliam. Hoss and Emily were married on Feb. 25, 2006. Also surviving are his mother, Marie Lanier Pulliam; brother and sister-in-law, Charles K. Pulliam and Susan Sharp Pulliam; two nephews, Reggie Pulliam and Chase Pulliam; sister and brother-in-law, Roxanne Pulliam Sumrall and Perry Sumrall; and niece, Elizabeth Marie Sumrall. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Shelton Pulliam. Memorial services are scheduled in Topeka for Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. under the direction of Davidson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at Amite Church of Christ at a later date yet to be determined. Hoss met his final days with courage. He knew that as a Christian, he would joyfully meet Jesus and find peace and relief from his suffering. May the Lord send comfort to his family and friends.
THE PASSING OF TIME

The rules at a particular university were such that if the professor were not present in the classroom by 15 minutes past the hour, the class was considered a “walk” and the students were free to leave — with no penalties for missing a class.  The rooms were equipped with the type wall clocks which “jumped” ahead each minute, in a very noticeable fashion.  These clocks were also not of the most sophisticated construction.  Some enterprising student discovered that if one were to hit the clock with chalkboard erasers, it would cause the clock to “jump” ahead one minute.

So, it became almost daily routine for these students to take target practice at the clock (as it would have it, this particular professor was not the most punctual).  A few well-aimed erasers, and lo, 15 minutes were passed, and class dismissed itself.

When the day for the next exam rolled around, the professor strolled into the room, passed out the exams, and told them “You have one hour to complete it.”

The professor then proceeded to collect the erasers from around the room and gleefully took aim at the clock.  When he had successfully “jumped” the clock forward one hour, he closed the class and collected the exam papers.

We’ll all been in situations where we would like for time to jump ahead and move faster than it does.  But, as we get older, we become aware than time is moving quite fast enough on its own, without any help!

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle…” (Job 2:6)

“Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away….They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey.” (Job 9:25-26)

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14b)

The Bible speaks often about how quickly life passes, not to depress us, but to bring us to the realization that we had better be preparing now for the eternity that lies beyond this life.

If you find yourself watching the clock at work today, wishing the time would pass faster, be careful!  It will be gone before you know it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thanks for reading and praying today.
Anna Lee

Thursday

“And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

~Psalms 23:6 NLT~


Just want to let everyone know that we have a beautiful new grandson.  Henry Steele Backus arrived Sept. 14 weighing in at 8 lbs. 6 oz., son of Rebecca and Aaron Backus.  All are doing well.

Frank and Mary Alice


Pray for Chance O’Hern as he has a heart catharization at Oschsner’s today.  Pray for the medical staff and the family was you pray for Chance.

Pray for Mason Carter as he has sinus surgery again today.  Pray it is effective.


Tiffany Bankston Currier got another good report.  Thank God for the progress she has made in the last three months.


Cathy Stringer continues to have serious medical problems as a result of her heart failure.  Pray for the family as they sit by her side and pray.


Caring Bridge sites to read and children to pray for today

Dr. Jerry Rankin will retire from the IMB.  I’m thankful to know one date on his calendar in these last months will be speaking/sharing/encouraging in Kentwood.  Pray for the Rankins as they prepare for the next step God has planned for their lives.
Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer for Louisiana missions

Day 5 – Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministry

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

ToledoBend-pgIn I Corinthians 3:5-8, Paul points out that each person involved in farming has a necessary role. “One plants, one waters, but God brings the growth.” We each have a role in reaching the lost in Louisiana for Christ.

Missionary Mary Gore and Associate Missionary Lee McClintock at Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministry understand that being “laborers together” involves many others. Along with three other recreational and vacation-type ministries in Louisiana, they find ways to bring worship experiences to people on vacation.

Typical ministries at Toledo Bend include Backyard Bible Clubs, day camps, puppet shows, concerts and worship services at the marinas; the ministry has expanded to include work in local apartment complexes, schools, block parties and festivals. The goal at Toledo Bend and other resort ministries is to provide every person with whom they make contact an opportunity to make a decision for Christ.

The churches that make up the five associations in “District 8” are partners, as is the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Mary Gore is an appointed North American missionary; making them another partner.

  • Thank God for continued support from Louisiana Baptists through state missions giving and volunteering.
  • Pray always. Mary Gore says if “we would all pray, we would give; and if we would all give, we would meet our mission needs.”
  • Pray for volunteers that come not just in the summer, but throughout the year.
  • Pray for the fall ministries at Toledo Bend and opportunities to present the Gospel to persons at fairs and festivals.
KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

A STORY IS told about a man who came face to face with the dangers of worry…
Death was walking toward a city one morning and a man asked, “What are you going to do?”  “I’m going to take 100 people,” Death replied.  “That’s horrible!” the man said.  “That’s the way it is,” Death said.  “That’s what I do.”  The man hurried to warn everyone he could about Death’s plan.  As evening fell, he met Death again.  “You told me you were going to take 100 people,” the man said.  “Why did 1,000 die?!”  “I kept my word,” Death responded.  “I only took 100 people.  Worry took the others.”

“An anxious heart weighs a man down.”
~Proverbs 12:25~
Don’t forget the food, fellowship, and devotional time at the Cabin tonight at 6:30.  I hope to see you.

Have a terrific Thursday!
Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Surely your . . . unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life.”

~Psalms 23:6 NLT~

CaringBridge sites

Mrs. Lucille Pledger‘s daughter, Melinda, is planning a big part for “Miss” Lucille’s 90th birthday on September 24th.  Let’s let her know Kentwood connected people still love and care for her.

Melinda’s address is:

Melinda Huss
2307 Western Drive
Decatur,  IL  62521

There will be a share group meeting at the cabin Thursday at 6:30.  Feel free to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional.

Stephen and Melissa Muse of Magnolia, TX celebrated the birth of Sydney Elizabeth Muse at 6:24 p.m. on 9/14/09. She weighed 7 lbs. and 3 oz. and was 19 1/2″ long. She will be welcomed home by big brother Brayden. Her grandparents are Jimmy and Norma Muse of Kentwood, Ron and Mickie Taylor of Corpus Christi, TX and Robyn Love of Magnolia, TX.

Week of Prayer for the Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana Missions

Day 4 – Still Water Church, Hammond

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

StillWater-pgIn 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul identifies two persons, each working toward a common goal, each with a specific task; Paul planted, Apollos watered. They planted and watered because God directed; the blessings came because of the power and will of God. God is the Source, the Power that enables us to work together.

Lonnie Tucker, pastor/church planter at Still Water Church in Hammond, would agree. “God has shown himself strong in many ways through our church.” He has provided materially – a building for this church – and spiritually, giving many opportunities to win people to Christ and to disciple them. God has provided sponsorship through Woodland Park Baptist Church, a church that feels blessed because they are able to be part of making God’s glory known in the community, according to Matt Jones, youth minister.

Still Water Church, like other church plants, networks with other pastors and churches to share resources and explore ways to be more evangelistic and missional. Pastor Lonnie Tucker, like other church planters, balances pastoral responsibilities with family and a secular job – all through God’s guidance.

  • Thank God that assistance from the state missions offering enabled the purchase of their first building, a building which they have already outgrown.
  • Pray for even more opportunities to interact with the lost and unchurched which leads to time of sharing Christ.
  • Pray for awareness of God’s continued presence and guidance. Matt Jones reminds us that “the enemy doesn’t like new starts.”

Annual Fall Food Roundup for Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home

  • Pickup at FBC, Kentwood Monday morning
  • Place items in stairwell at office entrance


Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

~Psalms 23:4 NLT~

Caring Bridge sites for you to read today:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cheyennehartman

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coltonfrazier

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmyandretiadukes

Pray for Elizabeth Hughes Cooper as she has surgery today.  Her mom came home to be with her for a while.  I know that will help Elizabeth get well that much quicker.

Continue to pray for our service men and women as they serve day and night seven days a week for us.

Clyde Alexander Davidson
(April 28, 1947 – September 10, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 9:25 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, LA. He was a resident of Metairie, LA. Age 62 years. He was a veteran of Viet Nam. Survived by mother, Yvonne S. Porter, Roseland, 2 brothers, Don Davidson, Fischer, TX and Keith Porter, Roseland, sister, Brenda Pierce and her husband, Jack, Amite, Preceded in death by, father, Ivy Thomas Davidson, sister, Sandra Osborn. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Georgia Barnette Week of Pray for Louisiana Missions

Day 3 – Christian Women’s Job Corps, Beauregard Assn.

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

CWJC-pg“Together” is a word that on its own says we are not alone. It is important to be reminded that we are fellow workers, partners, team, serving alongside one another to reach the lost and unchurched for Christ.

Mary Koehn, director of Beauregard CWJC in DeRidder, along with other volunteers, looks forward to seeing change in the lives of those who participate, knowing that change will happen in all lives. Every part of CWJC is geared toward helping a client grow spiritually whether it is through Bible study, job skills instruction in the classroom or one-on-one mentoring. The fact that three women made professions of faith during the past semester helps to keep the volunteers focused on the purpose.

Eva, a graduate of Beauregard CWJC, says that CWJC “is a place of encouragement and everything needed – because it’s backed up by God’s Word.”

Louisiana WMU is involved, providing training expenses through an allocation from the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. CWJC (and Christian Men’s Job Corps) is a ministry of WMU, so there are “sister-sites” in Louisiana and other states, too. There are three operating sites in Louisiana and other sites in progress.

  • Pray for the spiritual growth of the participants. This is the overall purpose of CWJC.
  • Pray that leaders and volunteers would always be sensitive to how God wants to meet the needs of people.
  • Pray for adequate meeting space and equipment.
  • Pray for the development of a CMJC site, providing life skills and job skills training for men in a Bible-based context.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”  Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

WHEN GOD TELLS us in the Bible not to worry, it isn’t a suggestion…

It’s a command.  Worry and/or anxiety is specifically mentioned twenty-five times in the New Testament alone as something we should avoid.

The words used most often for worry and anxiety in the New Testament come from the same Greek word, meridzoe, which means “to be divided, to be pulled in opposite directions, to choke.”  (Perhaps we wear anxiety around our necks after all.)

In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures.”  These people have accepted the Word of God, Jesus says, but “they do not mature.”  Grasping for spiritual breath, worry-bound, thorny-ground Christians may survive, but they never truly thrive.

The Old English word for worry meant “to gnaw.”  Like a dog with a bone, a worrier chews on his problem all day long.

Why is the Bible so adamant about our avoiding fear and worry?  Because God knows worry short-circuits our relationship with him.  It fixes our eyes on our situation rather than on our Savior.  It works a little like thick London fog–the kind of fog that is legendary.  Why, it wouldn’t be a Sherlock Holmes without fog to obscure the villain and allow him to get away.  “Thick as pea soup,” Londoners describe it.  “Can’t see your hand in front of your face,” they say.  Joanna Weaver

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25

I thought we might all need that reminder today.

Anna Lee

Monday

“But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

~Psalm 66:19~

Pray for Elizabeth Hughes Cooper as she has more surgery tomorrow to continue her recovery from her baseball injury received last summer.

Pray for Mason Carter as he has sinus surgery again on Friday.

Pray for Frances Gay as she still faces shoulder surgery.

Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering Week of Prayer

State Goal: $1,650,000

FBC, Kentwood Goal: $8,000

Day 1 – Main Street Mission, Pineville

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

MainStreetMission-pgPaul uses the word “we” inclusively, bringing every believer into the picture. He addresses all believers with a heart for making a difference. Believers have the responsibility to be on mission to spread God’s Good News of salvation and eternal life to the lost and unchurched in Louisiana.

At 3:00 on a hot July Thursday, the last thing a mission pastor wants to hear is the “clank, clank, clank,” of an air conditioner fan as it slowly quits turning or to discover a ceiling leak after an extremely bad thunderstorm. He whispers a prayer plea – “Who do I call now, Lord?”

We Louisiana Baptists meet this type of need through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Ask Herb Cady of Pineville’s Main Street Mission. An emergency grant, matched by funds from the sponsoring church, First Baptist, Pineville and North Rapides Baptist Association helped replace their leaking roof two summers ago.

This is only one of the many mission churches to receive emergency assistance. When you pray today, bringing Herb Cady’s prayer requests to the throne of the One who knows our every need, pray that we will recognize the importance of faithful giving to meet emergencies.

  • Thank God for the fact that emergency needs and equipment needs can be and are met.
  • Pray that children and their families will hear the Gospel and respond to God’s offer of salvation as Herb Cady and others work with them.
  • Pray that volunteers will hear and respond to God calling them and answer as Isaiah did, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).

Day 2 – Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs

“…for we are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

ChristsCommunity-pgA laborer is a skilled worker, one who has learned and is perfecting a particular skill for a specific purpose. Paul’s farming analogy refers to skilled laborers, persons who know their role in the process and who understand the importance of that role in meeting the goal.

Church planters Willis and Shannon Easley at Christ’s Community Church in Denham Springs know their role in the process and the importance of this church plant, as does partner church, Judson Baptist Church in Walker and its pastor, Merlin McCon.

Christ’s Community is not a new church plant and has experienced several moves as it has grown. In June 2009, it moved again, this time to a vacant church building near property that already has been purchased by a grant from the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.

Helping families to relocate and settle gives this church an opportunity to share Christ while meeting needs. Creative, unique ministries are as important as traditional methods like Backyard Bible Clubs, VBS, Bible study, seasonal events and sports camp. The constant encouragement, support and involvement of the partnering church and LBC Missions and Ministry helps the pastor to be focused on reaching lost and unchurched families for Christ.

  • Thank God for property purchased with assistance from the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.
  • Pray that churches, healthy and hurting alike, will become so Kingdom-focused that they will help build the Kingdom of God by sponsoring a mission.
  • Pray that church planters, like Willis and Shannon Easley,will not lose sight of reaching the lost wherever they are.


Have a great day and a great week.

Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon

Ora Lee Wilson requests prayer for her daugher-in-law, Trisha Wilson.  Trisha has been having joint problems since her return from the mission trip.  She has been to several specialists, but no diagnosis.  Trisha is having problems getting around and caring for her family.  Please keep the Wilsons in your prayers.

Colton Frazier

Sunday, September 13, 2009 11:00 AM, CDT

Hello everyone.  Had some computer problems, but back running again.  Colton had a progressive day yesterday.  He sat up in the chair twice, and stood up for a second, of course with all our help, but hey thats another baby step up the latter.  He really moved around in his bed a lot.  His Temperture has been normal so far this morning, hopefully it will stay that way.  He is resting good now.   Will update again later.

Sunday Morning Addition

Debbie Crawford called to request prayer for sixteen year old Cassie Cole of Brookhaven.  She was seriously injured in an accident Thursday night.  Your prayers will be appreciated by the family and friends.

I failed to mention five coaches from Inedpendence High School were involved in an accident early Saturday morning as they returned from a football game in north Louisiana.  The accident happened near Brookhaven.  Three of the five are still hospitalized.  Please pray as they recover from the cuts and broken bones.  Thankfully, they will all recover.    You can find articles in the area newspapers and news sites to keep you updated.