April in a Nutshell (May, too)

Wow! April was a great month!

I was busy, but I really had a blast. The month started with some old friends in Cainsville, MO. The revival actually started in March and finished on April 1st. A young lady came forward to make public her profession of faith in Jesus as her Savior. She was baptized two weeks later. Pastor Richard Rogers and all of Zion Baptist, it was great to see you all again. Call me when you make your annual pilgrimage to Branson.

Easter weekend found me in Mountain Home, AR. This was another return visit. The folks at East Side Baptist Church go all out for their kids. I know that everybody had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt, in spite of the freezing temps. If you're looking to see a kids' program that is drawing kids in and ministering to families, make arrangements to visit them at East Side. I'm sure that Ms. Lora would love to show off her kids!

The weekend following Easter I was up near the Iowa border once again. This time it was Pastor Lewis Rogers (father to Richard) and the Medicine Valley Community Ministries. I learned quite a bit from Pastor Lewis and really enjoyed my time there. The weekend had a new believer, a candidate for baptism and several new members for the church.

My friends at First Baptist, Browning MO were my hosts for the following weekend. Pastor Rusty Abbott enjoys a healthy church that is well positioned to do some great ministry work in the community. I look forward to hearing the stories that will be coming out of that fellowship of believers. God will do a great work through them. Sunday morning had an older man rededicating his life to Jesus. Sunday night he brought his wife and she also rededicated her life to Jesus.

The month ended back at my home church, Hopedale Baptist in Ozark. As much as I enjoy visiting other churches, there is no place like home. The people at Hopedale are so much more that friends--even more than family. Hopedale is my home. I am looking forward to Community Day, May 6th. It turns out that I will have a small part in the program. Really it's the best part. I get to use some magic and I get to share the message of Hope--the message of Salvation in Jesus!

I will also have a small part at the HYPE (Hopedale Youth, Project Eternity) Summer Kick-off Concert on the 11th of May. I'll be in Otterville MO for a revival the 18-20, and closing on our soon-to-be new home on the 30th.

Aaron graduates on the 10th and Hannah is out on the 24th.

Just 4 years, 8 months and 4 days and time will become much less of a factor in this busy life!

John