Please pray for Stephanie Velke. We got a call last night a little after 2 am saying that her dad had just died. He was born again so we trust that He is in Heaven. These next few days are going to be very hard for Stephanie so please pray for her. David and Stephanie are students in the Our Generation Training Center and plan to be missionaries in the future.
Betty and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina today to be with Stephanie Velke. As you know her dad is dying. She is one of our members, wife to David Velke, and future missionaries. I had been out of town on the Pastor’s Retreat that we led, then Jeremy Hall’s ordination. This was the only time that I could get away to come.
We took her out to eat and tried to encourage her and give her some special time tonight. I ask you to be praying for her in this very difficult times.
Also tomorrow Jeremy and Bekkah Hall will leave the USA on their way to Peru, their field of service. God bless them.
This morning when John Pearson arrived to teach a class and work on church projects at 5:45 am he found the church quite damaged and some articles stolen. He called 911. Here are some pictures of the damage.
It appears that our insurance is not going to cover much. We lost about $800 on the window replacement, the flat screen TV in the corner at the entrance and Ronald Tubillas’ computer from the Spanish Auditorium.
Makes me feel like we are back in Peru. Robberies at the church. God will work in this and we will see that He uses even this for His honor and glory.
Trent Cornwell is preaching his granddad’s funeral today in Kentucky. Though he was saved and 90 years old it will be obviously a difficult time.
Charles Gardner, my dad, is at the doctor right now getting tests run. His heart beat is at only 42 per minute. They do not know why and will be running tests for the next 5 hours.
Stephanie Velke is in South Carolina beside the bed of her dad who is dying. This is a very difficult time for her. Her dad is a young man and she is very young. Please pray for her. Betty and I will be leaving in a few minutes to go and be with Stephanie. Please pray.
Hugh Watson is having problems with his heart and is in the hospital. His heart beat had gotten up to 200 a minute. It could be the medication but we ask that you please be praying.
Please let me ask you to pray as our staff hosts a Pastor’s Retreat in Pigeon Forge from now until Wednesday morning. God has blessed with pastors and missionaries that are interested in being with us.
We want to talk about World Evangelism and Discipleship. I am a local church man. I believe that we can carry out the Great Commission in our lifetime. I do not believe that He has commanded us to do something that we can not do.
Will you pray as we meet together and share our hearts and beg God to use all of us to get the gospel to the world.
We have about 30 men coming together for these three days. Please pray.
While Trent and Stephanie Cornwell were away on their anniversary celebration their car died. I mean died and they had to be picked up and brought home. It will cost more to fix the car than it is worth.
So I would like to ask you to pray for them. On their limited budget they just took a big hit. Pray that God will open the door for them to get a car. Trent and Stephanie pick up our teens and serve so many with their vehicle.
They have had tons of problems with their cars since we started the church. I remember those days when I was young, had no money, and my car would die. I am praying that some of God’s people step in and help them.
I would like to thank God for those that pray regularly for me. Yesterday morning before the service a visiting friend prayed with me. Last night David Lundy came by and we prayed together.
After church I found a note on my desk where 4 young ladies are going to meet before each service and pray for me. What a blessing!
I would like to ask you to pray that God would use me. Pray that He would give me wisdom, love, power, and all that I need to pastor like I should. I will also mention on here several prayer requests that I need you to remember in prayer if you will.
I would love to get an email or a comment here telling me that you will be praying. It will encourage me greatly.
Yesterday on twitter Trent Cornwell said he was praying for me. All of this means so much.
I got a note from somewhere on email yesterday that blessed me greatly. I got a text message on my phone. I save all of the emails and letters. They are the most precious gifts I can imagine getting. Please pray for me.
I have a Pastor’s Retreat coming it. It is costing me financially big time. Pray for me that God will provide for that. Pray that He will give me wisdom in all that should be taught and discussed. I will be working on this non stop until next Monday when it starts.
This has to be the poorest country that I have ever visited. David Lundy is filming here and it isn’t the best but it will give you an idea of what things look like within blocks of Keith Shumaker’s house and church. Please pray for them.
The missionary that I just visited in Morocco, Aaron just sent out this request. Please be in prayer for them.
I want to ask you all to pray for little baby Jenna tomorrow. Saturday
night just after Bro. Gardner left my wife noticed a large bulge under her
belly. We took her to the emergency room and found out it was a hernia and
it would need surgery to correct sometime in the next month or two. We
went to see the surgeon today to set a date, he did a ecography and told
us it was urgent that we fix it so the surgery is tomorrow at 11 am.
So of course mom and dad are a little worried about their 4 month old
angel so please pray for that. Thanks.
