I think you are now up to speed and this update is getting lengthy, so thanks for catching up and for your continued prayers and support. Until next time…
Disclaimer: Yes, this is the second update that we’ve posted for this week. We know how much you love hearing from us, so we thought we would treat you this week! Actually we have been without an internet connection for the past week, so we are playing catch up. Since our meetings in Albuquerque we have been living in the desert wilderness. It has been a unique experience thus far (in fact the most unique trip we’ve had to date), but we have met some wonderful people, and we’ve also had the opportunity to be in three different churches. From Tuesday to Friday last week we ventured out to the middle of nowhere to stay with the Vincent’s who have been serving as missionaries to the Navajos for nearly 35 years. Their property is roughly (and when I say roughly, I mean bumpy, sandy, hoping we make it, wondering where in the world are these directions taking us to, rough) 14 miles off the highway in the New Mexico desert. As interesting as it was to get out there, it was more interesting getting to know the Vincent’s and to hear the stories of how God has used them there for so many years to be a gospel light in this seemingly forgotten part of our country. It is hard to put into words what we saw there, but we are thankful that we had the chance to experience such a different way life than what we have ever known, and feel very blessed to have met these faithful servants of God. On Wednesday night last week we were able to visit Bible Baptist Church in Aztec, NM. We didn’t have a meeting schedule there, but Pastor Quinn graciously allowed us to share our vision and ministry with his church folks. We enjoyed getting to meet some wonderful people there, as well as the opportunity to get to know the pastor a little. This past Saturday and Sunday we had the opportunity to visit the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church located somewhere in New Mexico. I’m not even sure what the name of the community is where we were at, but it was far, far away from anything and everything. (I’m realizing that seems to be the case with every place here!) While there, we were blessed to meet the Herndon family and stay in their home. The Herndon’s along with the Aaron family started this church about 8 years ago. We shared a unique experience with the Herndon’s on Sunday when we discovered around 6:00 in the morning that a water line under their kitchen sink had burst and nearly the entire house was flooded. We spent the next 2 hours mopping, sopping, and vacuuming up water, moving furniture, and tearing up carpet. The only reason we didn’t work longer was because it was Sunday morning and we had to get ready for church. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church We enjoyed a wonderful time at church though with God’s people, in spite of the devil’s attempt to ruin the day. Justin was able to teach Sunday school and also preach in the morning service, and I had the privilege to play the piano. Following the morning service and after grabbing a bite to eat, we were able to be a part of an afternoon service that was held for the folks that they picked up on a bus. It was a blessing for us to see what God is doing there and to meet the faithful people who are serving Him knowing they are exactly where God wants them to be. For the past few days we have been staying with our good friends, John and Alecia Vincent, at their home church, College Heights Baptist Church, in Farmington, NM. It has been a fun time because this week is Vacation Bible School here, and we’ve been able to participate. Justin has been teaching the adult class and I’ve been helping out where needed. This coming Sunday we will be able to share our presentation with the church, but we’ve been enjoying the chance to get to know the folks throughout the week.
I think you are now up to speed and this update is getting lengthy, so thanks for catching up and for your continued prayers and support. Until next time…
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Beautiful New Mexico mountain scenery
I just love being able to start off our updates with reports of new supporting churches! This past Sunday morning as we were getting ready, we received a phone call from Pastor Tidwell at the Little Coweta Baptist Church in Eufaula, OK. He was calling to let us know that the church had decided to take us on for financial support. Thank you, Church, for choosing to invest in us and the church planting vision in the northern Dallas area. Talk about a great start to the day! The blessings of the day didn’t stop there though. For the Sunday morning service we had the privilege to be at the newly formed Liberty Baptist Church in Albuquerque, NM pastored by Bro. Orlando Pineda. (This is the church that Justin’s dad had a part in getting started back in March.) Justin met Bro. Pineda for the first time on Saturday morning when he had the opportunity to join them for their soulwinning time. Justin & his soulwinning partner were able to see a lady, Julia, who had been raised Catholic, realize that Christ was her only hope for heaven and accept Him as her personal Saviour. That evening the Pineda’s invited us over to their home for supper. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting this sweet family and getting to know them a little. Before we left for the evening Bro. Pineda asked if we would share our presentation with his folks the next morning and also if Justin would preach. We always love being a part of a new church. LBC will only be 3 months old at the end of June, so they are still very young. They are able to meet in a former church’s facility which is a stand-alone building with an adjacent space for the Sunday schools. It’s a great location for a new church. It was so exciting seeing what God is doing there. We know He has some great things planned for this young church, and it will be a joy to hear the good reports in the coming weeks and months. Gospel Light Baptist Church * Albuquerque, NM On Sunday evening, we had a meeting scheduled with Gospel Light Baptist Church and Pastor Lenentine. One thing we’ve discovered on deputation is that no two churches are the same. Gospel Light is an established, thriving church that is celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year. They recently completed phase 3 of their building project and now have a beautiful, welcoming entrance and auditorium. God’s hand of blessing on this hard-working church is certainly evident. Again we enjoyed the opportunity to meet several of the folks there. We even met a lady who lived in Frisco several years ago right as the growth was beginning to happen. We especially appreciated meeting and getting to know Pastor & Mrs. Lenentine following the service. Bro. Lenentine has also has a vision for church planting and recognizes his church’s responsibility to reproduce other churches. It is such a blessing to fellowship with pastor’s who are serious about getting churches started here in America. We have a few more meetings scheduled here in New Mexico. Once this trip is completed we’ll be heading back toward Oklahoma and basing out of there until we make the move to Texas in August. We are planning on spending the weekends in July in Texas in an effort to secure a location for the church to meet as well as housing for our family. Exciting, busy days are ahead, and we covet your prayers for all that needs to be accomplished. Thank you for your faithful support! Until next week…
Pastor & Mrs. Wolverton
We’re excited to report this week of two more churches that have chosen to take us on for financial support: Lighthouse Baptist Church of Lehighton, PA and also the Bible Baptist Church of Jacksonville, AR. With this new support coming in we will be at 54% of the amount we’re trying to raise. It is such an awesome thing to sit back and watch God work and provide for our needs. Bible Baptist Church For those of you who are members of these two churches, we want to say thank you! We are humbled that would chose to invest in our church planting endeavor in north Dallas, and we’re equally excited that you will have a part in all that God has planned in the coming months and years. New Heights Baptist Church As mentioned in our previous update, we are currently basing out of New Mexico for the next couple of weeks. Presently we are actually house-sitting for Pastor Reyes in Albuquerque while he and his family are away for several days. We had the opportunity to be at his church, New Heights Baptist Church, this past Sunday. Because Pastor Reyes was out of town, Justin was able to preach both the morning and evening service. Following the evening service, we were graciously invited to get to know a few of the folks in their home. I’ve said this before, but being able to meet and get to know people we would have never known this side of Heaven has definitely been one of the greatest blessings of this deputation experience. We have been busy this week working on the many facets of actually getting the church started: this includes getting estimates from moving companies to get our belongings and the 75 chairs that have been given to us moved to Frisco, locating housing, finding a location for the church, getting the church website assembled, designing brochures and literature, and the list goes on and on. All that being said, we would especially appreciate your prayers specifically for the following things: - wisdom in the decisions and plans that are being made - housing (we are looking to rent and want something under $1,000) - location for the church to meet (again, price is a big factor and it will have to be of God to get something that is in our desired price range) - the finances that we have deliberately saved and raised to be blessed It’s starting to get exciting as we see the end to the beginning approaching. We’re looking forward to sharing the increasingly exciting updates in the coming months. Until next week...
Lighthouse Baptist Church, Mustang, OK
We recently heard a sermon about a story found in 2 Samuel of a time when David was asked why he was praying for his child who God had condemned to death as a result of David's sin. David responded with a simple answer of "who can tell whether God will be gracious to me?..." Much of the motivation for which any Christian prays and allows himself to be lead of God to do anything is because of that phrase, "who can tell?" We had the tremendous privilege this past Sunday to visit Lighthouse Baptist Church pastored by Bro. Rick Carter who started this church 11 years ago. What an exciting, thriving church. Although Pastor Carter was out of town, the folks just carried on the services with a joyful and energetic spirit. In his absence, Pastor Carter asked Justin to fill his pulpit for the Sunday school hour as well as both the morning and evening services. LBC is located in Mustang, OK and is not too far from Moore, OK where the devastating tornado went through a couple weeks ago. Just two days before we arrived, another tornado had hit the Mustang/OKC area. In fact the electricity had just come back one at the church building Saturday evening. The folks that had us over to their house for lunch were still operating on a generator. It was amazing to see some of the damaged areas - electric poles snapped in half as if they were toothpicks, trees uprooted like a weed, and metal buildings crumpled like a wad a tinfoil. In the midst of all this destruction it was humbling to hear the testimonies of the people who were claiming the promises of God and living in His peace. Can you imagine how overwhelming it must be for those who don't have the security and comfort of the Heavenly Father? Site of Grace Bible Baptist Church, Scott City, KS Although it was a blessing to be at this church, for me (Amber - in case you didn't know) it was extra special for this reason... Bro. Carter has been used of God to start several churches. The first church that he planted was in a little farm town in western Kansas called Scott City, his hometown. The church was started sometime in the mid1970's. It never ran more than 50 people, and sadly the doors to this little church were closed around 1995. Although the Grace Bible Baptist Church no longer exist, it is the place where my Grandma attend, where both my parents were led to the Lord and learned how to have a Christian home, and where I trusted Christ as my Saviour as a 5 year old little girl. Who can tell the influence that a little church located just south of nowhere can have. Who can tell the lives that can be changed. Who can tell what God can do? Not that I am anything special, but I humbly recognize, with my human eyes that, I may not be where I am today, doing what God is allowing me to do, with the family I have, if it were not for the vision of Bro. Rick Carter in starting that church. I am thrilled to know that he and his wife are still faithfully serving the Lord. What a great example to follow! Bible Baptist College & Camp Hope On Monday through Wednesday of this week we had the opportunity to attend a camp meeting hosted by the Bible Baptist Church of Jacksonville, AR. We were joined by about 16 other missionary families and several local pastors. We heard some great preaching from Evangelist Craig Bryan out of North Carolina. The schedule was grueling, but the preaching was encouraging with a strong emphasis on soulwinning. We enjoyed making some new friends as well as catching up with several people we attended college with. As I write this we are on the road traveling across the Texas panhandle toward Albuquerque, NM. We will be in New Mexico for the next several weeks, so you can look forward to hearing updates from our time hear. Until then... |
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December 2014
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