In the past few weeks I have been privileged to speak in some beautiful and challenging churches. These churches were of various sizes and in various locations. Pastor Terry Arp is leading a very fine church (Emmanuel Baptist) in Newnan, Georgia. Pastor Gene Parker in Noblesville, Indiana, (near Indianapolis) has a successful church reaching his area in the ministry of Noblesville Baptist Church. Pastor Earl Sammons, Tri-State Baptist Temple, in South Point, Ohio supports scores of missionaries throughout the world.

It was a special joy to speak in mission conferences with three men who serve as trustees of Baptist International Missions. Dr. Paul Chappell, Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, California is taking the West Coast by storm with a congregation of 3,500 members. Dr. Scott Wendal, Valley Forge Baptist Temple, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, is making a tremendous impact in that area running over 900 in attendance. Dr. Lew Davis pastors Tri-County Baptist Church near Cincinnati, Ohio, a thriving and exciting congregation of 1,000. In a day when anything goes to build a church, these men are doing it RIGHT while at the same time building great missionary churches.

There are common threads that link these New Testament churches together. They are unashamedly BAPTIST. Second, they are clearly INDEPENDENT. Then, they are without apology FUNDAMENTAL, MISSIONARY and SOUL-WINNING. I watched hundreds of expressions in these churches as members listened eagerly to the Word of God. I listened as they lifted their voices with tones that resonated deep faith in the Word of God. Each congregation is represented by a great mixture of age groups with many young people and young couples. All the signals are clear and definite. Men and women need Christ and Christ needs men and women who will serve Him.

I thank God for New Testament driven churches. I thank God for over 8,000 such churches that support missionaries through Baptist International Missions.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jonathon & Mandy Crews -  BRAZIL
Joel C & Brooke Daku -  KIRIBATI
Paul W & Martha Daku -  FIJI ISLANDS