Revival Meeting

We started our Summer Revival Meeting this past Wednesday and so far it has been a refreshing time. Each night we have been enjoying great singing. Pictured to the left is the King's Quartet singing a special. We also have had great preaching by Dr. Steve Johnson the pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Aurora, CO. Each morning we had been going soul winning in the streets and have had 42 people saved so far this week. Praise God for every precious soul!

In the morning service there were several regulars missing. However, we still had a decent attendance day with several visitors. We also had 2 get saved and make public professions in Christ. I praise God for every chance we have to win another soul to Christ around here. I know this sounds a little bit like I am just repeating the same thing over and over again, but I guess I am just excited about getting to see souls saved. To quote my Preacher, Somebody say Amen! I spend much of my life being in churches where almost no one ever got saved. So I guess I never get tired of seeing another one come to to the Saviour.

Ordination Night

Brother and Mrs. Jonathan Painter

 We held our first ever ordination service this past Saturday night. We presented Jonathan Painter as a candidate before our Ordination Council and Church congregation. Our Council listened to Brother Jonathan Painter answer a few questions and then give his testimony and call to preach. The Council made a motion to recommend Brother Painter for Ordination to the Gospel Ministry. Brother Jager made the motion and it was then seconded by Brother Miller. The vote was unanimous by both the Council and the Congregation.

Brother Painter giving his testimony

We then had all the Council Members all lay hands on him and pray for him. He was then presented his certificate and of course one of the tools of our trade... a new King James Bible. I then preached the charge of "Seven Important Three's for Every Gospel Preacher."

Council Member Gaiser praying 

Council Member Miller praying

New Sunday School Class

This past Sunday we start some new Sunday school classes. One of them was an adult class called "College and Career." Here is a picture of the class on the first Sunday. They had nine in the class which is a good number. The teacher is Brother Joshua Looper (tall guy in the middle). It was a good start to a new class which will fit an age bracket that we had a need for.

We had a good day in attendance (Sunday) over all and had a few visitors attend. One of the visitors got saved at the invitation during the morning service. In the evening service I preached a message from Hosea chapter 10 and called it "Revival 101." There was a good response as I am trying to prepare our church for the start of our revival meeting Wednesday night. As I am writing this Dr. Steve Johnson is busy travelling here to preach for our service tonight. We are excited about hearing from him and excited to see some revival break out. Please come out and join us tonight for the start of our revival.

Newest Grandpa

At the top is pictured some new singing outfits that were worn by our "Ladies Quintet." Mrs. Faith Painter made them and did a really good job and so did the ladies singing this morning. Over all we had a good father's day service as we had good attendance and one baptized at the invitation. All father's received a Mr. Gooddad bar. It was a real treat for them. Thank God for good fathers in our church.


Right after the announcements this morning my son who is our assistant pastor jumped up to the pulpit to tell about "what a great father I have been to him" ha, ha.... Then he gave me this t-shirt I am sporting to the right. It says on the front of it #1 Grandpa. That means that Mrs. Faith Painter is going to be having a baby about next February! Now I am a grandpa. I told my wife that means she is a grandma. Then I told my mother that means she is a great grandma. We are all getting older in a hurry now! I thank God for the good day on all counts.

Nursery Worker Appreciation

 This past Tuesday night we had an appreciation dinner for all of our nursery workers. Then after the dinner, we held a meeting and I addressed the ladies thanking them for all their hard work in our nursery. Some of them have served in there for all twelve years of our church's existence. Then at the meeting I introduced our new nursery director, Mrs. Faith Painter.

 She then addressed the ladies and announced a few changes that we are making to our nursery. She also introduced a new smock uniform that we are going to be using for those while they work in the nursery. I really liked the new smocks and also liked the fact that the nursery director made them herself. She did a great job. I am looking forward to the future of our Noah's Ark Nursery.

 Wednesday night after the Bible study, I was walking out some of our fine folks when I had an opportunity to meet a man named Ramone who was passing by our church building. He was from Cuba and has lived in the United States for four years. He has lived in Lincoln for one year. I was able to lead him to Christ. I praise God for the opportunity to bring another soul to Jesus. Then Thursday night we had 31 soul winners out and had 20 people saved. Thank God for soul winning!

Never Ending Mission Field

Last Thursday night we went soul winning on the bus and had 28 soul winners out with 14 coming to the Saviour. I was pleased, because the middle class neighborhood we were working in seemed to be a little cold overall. Then Saturday while out visiting we had 6 saved in the morning and 4 more in the afternoon. Praise God for using such an unworthy people as us to spread His Gospel. I am very thankful to our dedicated teachers and workers that faithfully go out visiting and soul winning along the way.

Sunday morning while leaving the church building to go pick up some people for church, I heard this man in the alley way preaching to some people. He observed my wife and I heading to our vehicle and immediately came toward us with another man. He was very friendly and introduced himself to me as Huessein. I thought perhaps he was a new cleric in the neighborhood and mentioned it as he spoke. He wondered how come I would think that. I said, "Your dress is very charming, but hardly common place here in America." He smiled and shook my hand and told me he was a Mullah (someone learned in Islamic theology). I witnessed to him about Jesus Christ and asked him if he was going to Heaven. He told me of course he was going to Heaven. He said, "We are the same, completely the same." Then he told me how he had come over to discuss religion with me. I told him I had to go and pick up people for church. I asked him for a picture to which he shook my hand again and agreed. Everyday I am reminded of the mission field we live in here in Lincoln.

Graduation Night

 Last Night we had a graduation ceremony and celebration for Elizabeth Vasquez. She has graduated from Jager Baptist Home School. Her step father presented her with her diploma and we had a charge then given by me. Afterwards we celebrated with a piece of cake.

Anniversary Sunday

 Today we celebrated the 12 year anniversary of our church. It was started on June 2, 2002 with 18 people. God has blessed us over the years as we have labored to get the Gospel to every corner of the city. We have seen numerous souls saved and many of those follow the Lord in believer's baptism over the years. We had a decent number on hand for our services this morning and I was happy to have 20 in attendance for my Home and Family Class. We had one profession of faith made that is going to follow the Lord in baptism next week.

  After the morning service we had cake to celebrate. Mrs. Gaiser (pictured top) assisted us in serving the cake. Many came through and got a piece of cake afterwards. I was honored to receive a gift from the congregation for my years of service. I also had the Shining Lights Class give me a gift. I thank all who contributed to the gift. I have enjoyed the past 12 years. We have laughed together, cried together, and won souls together. I love every member of our church and thank you for being a part of our church.

 After the cake I took a moment to visit with a few of our kids from one of our two bus routes. I love these kids along with the numerous adults that come to our church. In a couple of weeks promotion Sunday will be coming and we will be starting some new Sunday school classes. One such class is going to be a College and Career Class. That will take us to three adult classes. I am excited to add another class that gives us another hook in the water for more souls and potential church members.