As I review all the opportunities of ministry on the road since my last writing, I am amazed, humbled, and blessed that the Lord would use me.
On The Road In September
I have stayed busy these past autumn months. In September I once again filled in for Pastor Nick Stelzig at Community Baptist Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts, which is a bilingual church. Pastor Stelzig is learning Spanish and practicing it in his preaching. It is always a blessing to be there and see what the Lord has been doing with the Spanish and English- speaking brethren there. I appreciate that Pastor Stelzig is diligently discipling the church family on Sunday afternoons on basic Bible teaching for both Spanish and English believers.
Pastor Doug Conley asked me to direct the singing and provide special music at the First Baptist Church in Webster, Massachusetts, in mid- September for the New England Baptist Fellowship meeting. I arrived the Sunday night before the meeting and was able to provide special music for the evening service. The following Sunday after the meeting, I filled in for Pastor Joshua Barnes at the Second Baptist Church in Palmero, Maine, which is another one of my supporting churches. The last Sunday in September I preached at New Life Baptist Church in Jay, Maine. There was a good response from God’s people, and we enjoyed sweet fellowship.
On The Road In October
The first Sunday of October found me at a missions’ conference at Tabernacle Baptist Church in New Britain, Connecticut, where Pastor Chris Shafer is the pastor. This church has been supporting me for a long while now and I was glad to be there to update the church. I was able to lead the congregational singing, provide special music, and preach to start the conference for the week. The following Sunday I was once again preaching at New Life Baptist Church in Jay, Maine, and had another great time with the church family there.
I went down to Curtis Corner Baptist Church in Wakefield, Rhode Island, the Sunday before our Save New England Conference to help Pastor Paul Chapman with the fall conference. What a blessing and spiritual challenge we received from Evangelist Ray Nichols and Pastor John Wilkerson! The evening services were spiritually uplifting and challenging! The day sessions on Tuesday were practical and timely for the pastors that attended. I appreciated all the preparation, work, and investment made by Pastor Chapman and the church family that made the conference a great encouragement and spiritual “shot in the arm”.
After the conference I filled in for Pastor Dave Bowman up in Jackman, Maine, at the First Baptist Church. The following weekend I was out to a missions’ conference at Lakeside Baptist Church in Backus, Minnesota, where Pastor Greg Stine is the pastor. This church took me on for support at the beginning of 2023. My first time there was the year before at their missions’ conference. Pastor Stine invited me back and I was able to update the church.
I also was able to lead the congregational music, lead the choir, and provide special music. I preached twice during the conference, and I enjoyed my time with the church family and my long-time friend, Pastor Greg Stine. We served together in the ministry in Connecticut for several years in the past.
On The Road In November
Next, I was at Central Baptist Church. Pastor Jim Townsley had me come to help with a special outreach to the Spanish- speaking people that are in the area. They already have Spanish-speaking believers that are attending the church in Southington, Connecticut. On Sunday morning, I spoke in the Spanish adult Sunday School class, and then preached bilingually in the main service. There were ten that attended the Sunday School class and one of these was a Spanish- speaking visitor. What a blessing it was to be reunited with three of the Spanish folks that were reached when I was a Spanish pastor in Wallingford, Connecticut! I preached in the English service on Sunday evening and then had an interview with Pastor Townsley on his podcast. The following Sunday I updated and preached at Grace Baptist Church in Pepperell, Massachusetts, and had a time of fellowship with Pastor Montel Wilder and his wife after the morning service. This church has been supporting me for several years as well.
On the Road In December
In December, I had the unusual opportunity to be in two churches outside of New England during the Christmas weekend. Most churches do not plan to have guest speakers on or during the Christmas season. However, I was asked once again to be a part of a Christmas concert at Harvest Baptist Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, on the Friday night before Christmas. Pastor Steve Rogers wanted this to be an evangelistic outreach for the church. Special music was presented of which I had a part, and then I preached a simple Gospel message. We prayed that if there were any in attendance without Christ that they would have the Gospel seed planted in their hearts. On Christmas Eve Sunday I spoke to the adult Sunday School class and then sang special music in the morning service.
After the morning service, I traveled on the road to Gettysburg Bible Baptist Church, one of my supporting churches, to sing and preach a Gospel message in their candlelight service. I was told that there were unsaved in the service, and I am glad they had an opportunity to hear the Gospel. On Christmas Day I stayed in Gettysburg and was blessed to spend the afternoon with Pastor David Mitchel and his family for Christmas dinner. The family was so gracious and kind, blessing me with their fellowship and gifts. On my way back home, I stopped by Heritage Baptist Church in Wallingford, Connecticut, where I served on staff for many years. I was glad to “catch up” with Pastor Tom Bish and then sing a special later in their Wednesday night service by the pastor’s request.
On the last Sunday of 2023, I was asked to fill in for Pastor David Peterman at Open Bible Baptist Church in Ascutney, Vermont. It worked out well since it was on my way home from my meetings in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The response from God’s people there was good. Please pray for this church and Pastor Peterman. This area of Vermont and New Hampshire is a very needy area of New England that needs a strong and proactive evangelistic church. There are many people in this area that need to hear the Gospel on both sides of the Connecticut River.
On The Road In January
In recent days I had the opportunity to fill in for Pastor Steve Christner. He is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Turner, Maine. This faithful pastor has been there for 40 years! I had the opportunity to teach in the adult Sunday School class, lead singing, and preach in the morning and evening services. I believe the Lord worked in hearts as His Word was preached.
I am glad to have had a couple of Sundays off the road to lead singing in my home church, Gospel Light Baptist Church in New Vineyard, Maine. I am still involved in leading singing on Sunday nights at Heritage Baptist Church in Waterville, Maine, and going with Pastor Jacob Berry to get the Gospel out door-to-door. Please continue praying for this new church plant. We have seen people come to know the Lord and are now being discipled!
I was honored to preach to the Spanish at Solid Rock Baptist Church in Berlin, New Jersey, in February. I have been asked to speak at a men’s retreat in northern Maine in late June. Also, I look forward to being one of the preachers participating at a tent meeting in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in July! I still some open dates in March and April.. Pastor Paul Chapman, director of Save New England Ministries, and I are planning more opportunities to help local churches in New England in their efforts to get the Gospel out in their areas.
I believe that the Bible admonition in these last days is to do more of what we already know to do. In Hebrews 10:25 we are challenged to do “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” in respect to our church attendance. We can apply this teaching to every aspect of our Christian life. In these days, as we see the decline of our nation morally and spiritually, let us not “back off” but let us “step up” to grow spiritually and get the Gospel out proactively! Pastors, as always, if we can partner with you to reach your Jerusalem on any level, let us know!
Please pray for us! Thank you again so much for your faithful support that makes possible my being able to do my ministry of evangelism—to mature the saints of local churches for the work of the ministry and to bring the Gospel to the lost!