From the Pastor’s Heart…

 (April 18, 2010)

Galatians 6:10 teaches us, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all  [men], especially unto them who are of the household  of faith.

A few months ago, Tricia Seaman and I both received calls from Pastor Joe Samples.  Pastor Samples is a former pastor at Thompsontown Baptist and is now a pastor at a church in North Carolina. Joyce and I have had the privilege of singing and speaking in his church for a revival a couple of years ago.  His phone call was a request for Niemonds to provide a praise and worship team and speaker for a deeper life conference on Grace that they are having in June.  He wanted as many people as possible to come down and minister for a week of meetings and special events.

After much prayer, Tricia and Dan took the leadership position on this trip and began formulating a plan.  While we wish we could take everyone that sings or plays an instrument with us, there is limited housing space available.  It was a very difficult responsibility to make a list of folks and start going down it to see who would be available and who would not be. 

After several weeks of organization, the team is set.  Pastor will be the speaker and the praise team from Niemonds as well as a representation of the youth praise team and a few others will be going to minister from June 5^th through June 11^th.

Just like any missions or ministry opportunity, we would ask the church to be in prayer for this team.  The church that Pastor Joe serves has had its share of difficulties.  Pastor Art has been an advisor to Pastor Joe throughout the process, and we are praying that this time will be a time of seeing the healing grace of God in this church family.

Pray that we will be an effective witness, a Godly example and an encouragement to Pastor Joe and Mirela, their family, and the Salem Baptist church family throughout this week.

On a personal note, this trip was not a ministry or missions trip that we could open up to volunteers from the congregation.  It is an opportunity for a specific ministry which many in our congregation could have fulfilled, but do to space and limitations we could not take everyone.  Please do not feel ‘slighted’ if you were not asked, but please pray for this trip and for future ‘opportunities’.

It is a joy to be your pastor.