NOTES FROM ALL AROUND

Tim Osborn in Memphis, TN area has been battling cancer.  Larry Powell, Sandy, and I went down last week to visit Tim and Robyn and take them out to lunch.  His recent CAT Scan showed no more growth on the cancer.  Let's keep praying for more good news with his health.  Tim preaches every Sunday and the church is doing well.

Here is Tim showing Larry Powell the baptistery.

Robyn and Sandy look over the auditorium.  They have had to make more room for more people

OTHER HEALTH STORIES:

Melissa Lewis in Clarksville, TN - The doctor said that the cancer is not growing and she doesn't have to have any treatments for the foreseeable future.

Greg and Lea Floars in Marquette, MI - Both had surgery (Greg-knee and Lea-shoulder) right before the end of the year and are recovering.

Board member Ron Parker's grandson Pierce is having tests to decide on treatment for tumor in his leg.

FAMILY NEWS:

Congratulations to Kent and Jeanna Nelson on the birth of their new daughter - Corinna Jewel.

Congratulations to Allen and Jenny Hall on the adoption of their new son - Joshua Allen

CHURCH NEWS:

Jose Correa in Puerto Rico had 60 young people attend a youth retreat.

The home mission church in Suffolk, VA (David Sexton and Marc Neppl) had 311 visitors in 2012 with 23 people saved!

Daryl Grimes in Erie, PA took 8 men to the Ohio Men's Retreat.

Greenfield, CA church had 105 people attend their Wednesday night Christmas play - from home missionary Jim Kilgore.

GOODBYES:

 Dana and Betty Booth have left New York to minister in Alabama.
Here is Dana on the left and Betty is on the left in the picture below.

Dana is passing the baton to his Associate - Jim Martin
Jim and Sylvia are on the left.

We also say goodbye to the Crabtrees.  Their church in Fredericton, New Brunswick went self-supporting at the end of 2012.
Here's a picture of me and Jeff (R)

Here is Donna with her handbag.

My favorite picture of their church building.

We appreciate the dedication, hard work, and faithfulness of the Booths and Crabtrees.  It has been great to work with them!  I'm happy to call them my friends.
Remember - you are always a part of the home missions family!

CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE

The home missions church in Clarksville, TN was started by Clayton Hampton.  Clayton has moved to Michigan and passed the baton to Chad Kivette.  

Clarksville is a fast growing area and is located near Ft. Campbell.

As Sandy and I pulled into the parking lot yesterday, I immediately noticed the big signs.  Nobody driving by can miss the time for the Sunday morning service.

 

Chad makes sure he greets every one.  I think it is very important in a home mission church for the pastor to give people a warm welcome.  (That goes for other churches, too.)

Home Missions Board member, Bob Lewis, was at the service, along with his wife, Brenda.

Chad preached a good message on sacrifice and not just giving to God that which cost us nothing.

Here is a picture of the family - Chad and Paula with Kinsley (right) and Kylah (left).

Brian and Melissa Lewis also work as team members in the church.  Here is Brian and Melissa with Camden (right) and Rory (left).

The church owns land and is trying to find plans for a building of their own that they can afford.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Home Missions Board met on December 3 in Nashville.

Starting at the left front, they are Earl Hanna, Bob Lewis, Tim Stout, Randy Wright (Chairman), Ron Parker (Vice-Chairman), Bobby Shepherd, Bob Thebeau, and Jerry Atwell.  Director Larry Powell is standing.  Board Secretary Matt Upton could not attend.

The Home Missions Staff had their annual Christmas luncheon last week.

General Director Larry Powell and wife Wanda

Director of Development David Crowe and wife Kathey

Account Administrator Kathy Brown and husband Billy

CELF Account Administrator Sue Hayes and husband Mike

Publications Editor Ida Lewis and husband Ray

Administrative Assistant Teresa Womack and husband David with their grandson, Trevor

Tayla Roy and son Trevor - Tayla works part-time with David Crowe

Director of Missionary Assistance Richard Atwood (me) and wife Sandy

From the Board and Staff -
To all of our home missionaries and their families
and all of our home mission supporters:

We hope you will have a  MERRY CHRISTMAS!
And a WONDERFUL 2013!

Home Missionary News

Daryl Grimes in Erie, PA - "Praise God we have closed on our building! It was so exciting to stand before our people and hold the deed of the building in my hand. Only God could make this possible! In just a few days we should receive word that our loan has been paid in full. Keep in mind we have only been having weekly services since Easter of this year and we already own a building that is debt free! No payments, no
more rent, no setting up and tearing down. Only God could make this possible! In this building we now call our own I had the privilege to lead Marc to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He prayed a prayer of tearful repentance and faith in our prayer room. I felt like I was in the labor and delivery room as a new
child was born into the family of God. Only God could make this possible!

Another new building - Scott Warren in Salt Lake City had the dedication for their new building last week.  They will have a Grand Opening Service on October 7.

Jeff Cates in Canyon, TX says they are ready for the drywall in their new educational wing.  The church plans on going self-supporting next year.

Jose Correa in Puerto Rico reports that 6 people were baptized in August!

75 people attended the service and pig roast recently in Rochester, NY.  2 people were saved that day!  Dana Booth and Jim Martin minister there.

In nearby Buffalo, NY, Brian Williams said that two people were baptized last Sunday!

Larry Reynolds in Meridian, MS had 3 people saved there recently!

Tim Riggs in Mobile, AL had 3 people saved and 6 baptized in August!

David Sexton and Marc Neppl in Suffolk, VA had a Community Day at their church on a recent Saturday with 400 to 500 people attending!  David says he was hoping for more than the 154 that came on Sunday, but they did have 35 first-time visitors!

Talked to Jeff Goodman in Marana, AZ yesterday.  They had 93 people on Sunday with 4 people saved!  Then a man from their church went out that afternoon and led two more people to faith in Christ!
He and Josh Bennett have started 2 small groups in their homes.  Two important subjects - marriage now and finances coming in next 8 weeks.

Chad Kivette (going to Clarksville, TN) has had good success raising support.  He started in June and already has 80% of his goal!

MYSTERY SHOPPER

Our family used to be mystery shoppers.  Different restaurants would reimburse us for the cost of the meal if we filled out a form evaluating our experience.  Years ago, we had 4 children at home and didn't make much money, so we were happy to do it.  Eat out for free!
The restaurant wanted to know if the bathrooms were clean, how long we waited for our food, if the food was good, etc.  Why did they give us free meals?  To evaluate how they were doing.

If I was a church planter or pastor today, I would hire a mystery shopper.  Maybe you could give them a gift certificate to a restaurant if they visited your church and then answered some questions.
Here are some possible questions:

1. Was the church easy to find?
2. Was it easy to park your car?
3. Were there enough signs to let you know where to go?
4. Did church start on time?
5. Did you receive a friendly reception?
6. Tell what you thought about the service - the music, preaching, length.
7. What did you like?  What didn't you like?

You could come up with questions of your own.
None of us like criticism, but I think this would be easier because we are asking for feedback.
All of us have blind spots.  That's no sin.  But being too arrogant or lazy to try and do better may be.
Let's get some help in evaluating what we are doing.  Then hopefully we can improve.

Not only will people be more likely to come back a second time, but your regular people will be more likely to invite their friends!

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

A new church is getting started in Champaign, Urbana, Illinois - The Fields Church.

Church Planter Tyler Penn says the Fields Church name signified two thoughts -

all the corn fields around the towns

the fields near and far that he wants the church to reach.

The church meets in a photography studio.  It is close to downtown Urbana (and the University of Illinois) and the rent is cheap.

Sandy and I went to be with the Penns  last weekend for their 2nd preview service.
The chairs are all set up before the service.

Refreshments were available before church.  Most of the crowd was young people.

Kyle did a good job leading worship.

Here is Tyler as he starts to preach.  He started on the stool and would stand periodically.  His sermon was on Lost and Found and he did a good job.

Kellie (Tyler's wife in yellow sweater) helps to pack up after the service.  She taught the children during the service.

Almost everyone helped tear down and pack up after service.

The chairs didn't have to be loaded in the trailer, but almost everything else did.

Tyler took me out on Monday and showed me around the two cities of Champaign and Urbana.
Here is Tyler in front of the Quad at the University of Illinois.
The University of Illinois has over 40,000 students and thousands of them are from other countries.  Two of the biggest student groups are from China and India.  What an opportunity to reach young people in these countries that are closed to new missionaries!

Tyler, Kellie, Mason, Millie, and Madden

They would love to have people move there to help them in this exciting work.

MOBILE, ALABAMA

The 2nd weekend of September, Sandy and I went to Mobile, Alabama to visit the home mission church there.

Missionary pastor Tim Riggs took us to Lamberts Cafe - the home of the throwed rolls.

On the left beside Sandy is Andrew and Caleb Riggs.  The oldest son, Stephen, had to work

On the right is Tim and Angie Riggs in the forefront.  

Blake and Cassie Nance and their daughter also went with us.  Blake works with the youth.

Tim is trying to catch a roll.

Tim before church looking for those people to come.

Sandy and I spoke on marriage in the men's and women's SS classes.
Here is everyone gathering for church.
The building was about full with 111 people attending.

Blake leads the singing while Tim looks on.

After the service.

Tim and Angie at lunch.

The church had a Marriage Banquet in their gym on Sunday night.  Sandy and I spoke and did a skit.

Here is Tim eating again.

JL Gore and his wife, Dot, have retired and are living in south Mississippi.  They drive over to attend church in Mobile. The Gores were very successful church planters - starting 3 Free Will Baptist churches.

Tim and Angie Riggs and the folks there have done a great job in Mobile!