Volume 25 January Number 1 ~ February USPS 544-060 ~ 1985 ~ ~

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. . .'~. III ~ 0 Q A I lAllA I "The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists" AMBASSADOB Vola~ xxv. Nam"" 1 Jooa"y.F,b,~",.1985 . PROMOTIONAL DlRECTOR.EDITOR AltooE.l=,',~ P. 0. 80,07401 Colamba,. Oh;o 43207 ~ [;(irmJ cum3 [3!]Jii(ill] . EDITORIAl ASSISTANITS Phy]];,Gog,I.D"ol,l~"~ .MODERATOR R". W,od," Comb, 2206s.mlool,A~oa' Spoogfi,ld. Oh;o <5506 .ASSISTANT MODERATOR . CLERKD,'m"S..,k, This begins my eleventh year as Editor of work this last year was our growth in coopera. R,o.Woyo,F,~1 The Ambassador.; January 30th, my 30th year in tive giving. I am so glad many more of our 145<~oAo,..lo'.3 the Free Will Baptist ministry; and in August of churches have begun to tithe to our denomina. M,d",ol~b",. Oh;o 43044 . ASSISTANT ClERK 1985 I will complete 47 years 01life. tional work. This is the primary answer to our MIk,Slok" Time, where does it come from? And how denominational work. Not only have we seen .MASTER'SMENSENATOR does it disappear? The Scripture says it is like a increases here but also to our national quota as DooldB",ool well. Praise the Lord! . GENERAl BOARD vapor, here for a moment but soon vanished. H~,oo Adkl", (W",0"ba'9) (1986) Ohio Free WillBaptists have had a remark. Likewise many of our churches have already O~o,Bo~,"o(T"olty)'(l986) able past, and the present has been more than responded toward our State Office Land Fund. Ho"'rt Moyoo,d (Soolh C,ol..]) (1986) good to our State work. However, one thing At this printing, $4,800.00 has been given, and FI""d E",p (P..I,<) (1986) BI",o, Ert..llog (Pio, C..,k) (1986) bothers me at this time. Our growth numerically others have acknowledged their gifts are forth. J,~I, (Northw",m) (1986) C"O is down. We have about 2,000 less members in coming. One church has promised $1,000.00 W.E.Carlmoo(M"9,)(1986) Sunday school than ten years ago. Our member. this coming year. I know all our churches want [).,lmo,Mo,k,(Soolh..oOhlo) (1985) ship is not quite as bad but it is less. I hope that us to have our own property. I do! And I know MIk,SIOk" (Urtl,Mlomi) (1985) others do also. DoooyCllo'('-'~'o,,)(1985) every church will evaluate its local situation and EJ~, S.'m..' (J"k,oo) (1985) help turn around this shortage. I wish your church would start right away Joo Ro,., (G.." '-'",,) (1985) (F,ookllo)' (1985) Maybe conferences can form study commit. with a regular gift monthly to the Land Fund. Ed';' H"", . (1985) 0",1 J,ff,l" (Cayoho",.lo...) tees, and work to help your conference Whether it is small or farge, everything is 000 ffi,(C,ol,ol Ohio)' (1985) . churches. But more than this is our need to appreciated and needed. AI" m~""" 01E"cotlo, Comm".. evangelize and build up our area in the Lord. Be sure to carefully earmark your gift to the . BOARD OF DIRECTOHS On a state level, Wendell Combs, our State State Office Land Fund. HobartA,hby(199I) Do-d Boggo;(1990) Moderator, and I have discussed the situation Also, the State Mission Board needs our Ho"'rtPo,ho,d(I989) and feel a state.wide task force, to study our churches to help. underwrite Roy Roach in WiII"m Noo".J,. (1988) needs, should be formed and recommendations beginning this new work at Zanesville. If any of Hog.. ChUd", (1987) you have friends or family in that area, advise me Poal Wililom, (1986) presented so we can encourage as well as aid Cllff..d"'"(I985) where our needs are. or the Board. . STATE MISSION BOARD One primary reason for existence is reach. So much needs to be done in 1985, and the Poal Co]];", (1991) year is already one twelfth over. Churches need 0000 Boolh (1990) ingthelostforChris!. Ifwe have lost this desire, Go,,"odHoh,rt, (1989) perhaps we have no reason to remain. to be in every area of our state. Minister friend JIm H,od.."o (1988) lamaFree Will Baptistfor Christ's sake. To without a pastorate, allow the Lord to lead you F..d Datloo (1987) be a part of an organization with that purpose of into some city in Ohio near you, or seek His DoooyWlddI9(1986) leading in moving to start a new work. I will be K,oo"h (1985) winning all men to Chris!. . STATE CTSF'i"'"BOARD The State Association has one reason for happy to share whatever insight or knowledge I MortyB..~y(l99I) continuation: Bringing each district together, have of that city or area. Pray about i!. The field "',ho.. C..',II (1990) is wide open for service. The Lord called you to BillThomp"D (1989) forming greater strength in reaching Ohio for (1988) M"k l"o"d Jesus Christ. preach. Let's do itl (1987) ' Mo""o Swo"", The Home Mission Board has three works Our National Convention will celebrate 50 MIk, Fo".. (1986) years since its organization this year in its ""M,dWh..I..(1985) now helping to achieve that goal. Hamilton, . founding city, Nashville, Tennessee. I have been STATE NOMINATING COMMITTEE Lancaster, and the newest in Zanesville where MIk,Mooo"(l987) Roy Roach will be beginning a new work shortly. selected to speak on Tuesday evening. Please AI"DWilliom,.J,.(1986) Pray for Tom Dooley, Willie Booth, and Roy pray for me that the Lord wiDprovide insight and C,"..~,N_oo(1985) His Spirit for such an hour. . NATIONAl GENERAl BOARD MEMBER Roach as they begin or continue in their respec' D,lm"Spo,k,(l986) tive works. I love you all and am glad to be a part of such . MAIl STATE HOME MISSIONS GIFTS TO One of the most progressive areas of our a unified state. Aren't you? M,.Go,,"odHo"'rt, 849 "'~wood Colamh... Ohio 43207

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by D,. Rage, C. Reeds Intermediates 9tol able to buy a nearby house to be used for Senior High 12 tal classrooms. At the present time you may be able How many Sunday school classes do you Young Adults.. 15tol to buy a house or two more cheaply than you have at you, chu'ch? There is a good reason for Adults 15.25tol can build. my asking. You see, there is strong evidence to Fourth, when you build in the future, build suppo,t the fact that the attendance at your Why bother with smaller classes? Large with the Sunday school in mind. Be sure that Sunday school is related to the numbe, of classes are unwieldy, especially on the lower you have more than adequate space for your classes that you have. Do you have four classes? levels. We must remember that we only have Sunday schooL As I travel around and visit our If you do, the'e is a good chance that your one hour or less on each Sunday morning. We Free Will Baptist churches, I find that our avecage attendance will be 40. Do you have six must do our best during that one hour. Smaller buildings hinder our growth as much as anything classes? Then your average attendance will be classes will help us do our best. I know. We just have not built with the Sunday 60. The idea then is that your attendance will If you divide your classes into lower quanti. school in mind. Many of our churches have average about ten for every class that you have. ties, you will accomplish several things. First, sizeable auditoriums but little classroom space. There is nothing strange or mystical about you willcreate job opportunities for your newly. It is small wonder that they do not grow. this. It is simply one of the laws of Sunday school trained teachers. Second, and most important, When you have established the basic nine growth. The law states that you will average ten you will have more effective teaching. During units, do not stop there! Ifyou wish your Sunday pupils for each class that you have. It is some. that one hour that we have on Sunda,' morning school to continue to grow, then you willhave to times called a worker.pupil ratio. That ratio is we are combating such things as the 35 hours provide more classes. Once you are past the usually 10 to I or ten pupils for each teacher that per week our children spend in the public basic nine classes you must continue to divide you have. schooL We are combating the 49 hours per your classes and provide more classes. A good When we have less than nine classes, it week that they spend watching television. We place to do this will be with the adults. Adults means that we must have a blending tngether of are combating other activities as well as peer can be grouped by ages too. In fact, most of your several classes into one class. Generally, we will group pressure. We had better be at our best adults willprefer to be divided by age groupings. group several of the childrens' levels into one and do our best in ourSundayschool hour. The I would also like to suggest that you not neglect class, or several of the teen levels into one class. evidence is that smaller classes will help us to the senior citizens. These dear people have This kind of practice actually hinders our growth. teach more effectively. basic needs that can be met in a Sunday school Every Free Will Baptist Sunday school ought Third, we divide our classes to provide for class that is especially designed for them. to strive to have at least the nine basic Sunday greater pupil participation. When we have a This is the story of the basic nine. Most school classes. Here is a list of the nine basic large class, we are usually limited to the lecture Sunday schools across our denomination aver. Sunday school classes: method. There can be very little class discussion. age between 30 and 60. By increasing our class With smaller classes, we can give more attention units to nine, we could easily bring that average Cradle Roll Birth.2 to the special needs 01 our pupils. up to 90. Once we have reached the 90 plateau, Nursery 2.3 Many of our churches are unable to divide we can go on to higher numbers. Continue to Preschool 4.5 classes because they do not have the room. multiply by dividingl Primary. 6.8 When you pour water into a bottle, it takes the Junior... 9.11 shape of the bottle. When you put a Sunday D,. Rage, C. Reeds is the Gene,ol Di,ecto, of Intermediate 12.14 school into a church building, it will take the the Sunday School and Chu,ch Teaining De. Senior High 15.17 shape of the building. po'tment of the Notional Association of F,ee Young Adult... 18.24 I would like to suggest thing, to do about Will Baptists. Adults.. .25.Up providing more space for more classes. First, use unused space. Do you have any classrooms ~. Any Free Will Baptist Sunday school that that you are not using? Many of our churches has the nine basic classes should be averaging at have classrooms that are used for storage. The least 90 in Sunday school. Lord would rather have your classrooms filled For many of our churches this will mean the with people than with relics. Clean out these \'; addition of several classes. In one sense you will classrooms and lill them with people. T be multiplying your attendance by addition. Or Second, let me suggest that you make better another way of looking at it would be to multiply use of what you have. You may have a small I your classes (increase the number of your class meeting in a large room. Divide that classes) by dividing some of your classes. classroom in two and have two classes. You I am in no way suggesting that every class may have to use the furnace room, the pastor's should strive for a 10 to I ratio. In fact, in the study, or the choir loft. You may have to hang lower levels the ratio should be smaller. Here is a some curtains or build some partitions. suggested class ratio: Third, you may be able to use another building that is nearby. If the parsonage is CradieRoll ... 3tol located next door to the church, it may be wise Nursery 4tol to vacate it and use it for classrooms. Of course Preschool 5tol you will have to buy another parsonage or give Juniors ...9tol the pastor a housing allowance. You may be Church News Front

attended Boyd, Lawrence, Kentucky, Porter, decorations were lovely. The ladies of the church held their annual NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE Tri.State, and Brotherhood, West Virginia. Bob Chaffins informed the conference that a Christmas party on December 11. Secret sisters course on parliamentary procedure was in the were revealed and new ones were drawn. Gifts process of being established at the Ohio Uni. were exchanged, games played, and food en- We met at the Charity Church, Sandusky, versity Branch, providing enough participants joyed. Ohio, October 21, 19B4. We had a wonderful responded. "Memories," our Christmas cantata, was worship service along with the blessings of the composed of favoritesongs from past cantatas. Holy Spirit. Two licensed ministers reported on their progress for the quarter. The arrangement and narration were written by We dismissed for lunch. A standing ovation The worship service opened with song, our pastor. The setting, a liveChristmas tree, was given for the fine meal and wonderful prayer, testimonies, and special singing. was made from scaffoldingand extended20-feet fellowship together again. Paul Cox and Forrest Dyer delivered the high and 40-feet wide and was covered with pine Allchurches reported by letter and delegates Word of God. Brother Cox read 1Thessalonians boughs. The adult and youth choirs were the live also. Normal routine of business took place. 5,1.3 and preached on "How we can know we bulbs that adorned the tree. A nativity scene Some discussion was on the floor over a tabled are saved." Brother Dyer read and spoke from was portrayed by preschoolers, and the junior item of business concerning one of our bylaws. It JeremiahB,20. "The harvest is past, the summer choir also added special songs. The cantata was was left as it was. presented December 15 and 16 with two per- Our next conference will be at the Blooming is ended, and we are not saved." We enjoyed the deliciousmealthe ladieshad formances nightly. Grove Church on State Route 97 between prepared. Our teenager's Christmas plays, "Tell Us the Lexington, Ohio, and Gallion, Ohio; Rev. Crate The afternoon session opened with a song Story Again," written by Carl Dunn, and "So Sparks is the pastor. The date is January 19. Much For Those Stereotype Christmases," Delman Rose, Cle,k and the assistant moderator in charge read Psalm 1. under the direction of Dale Reed and Sharon Danny Cline replaced a brother on the Cool, were enjoyed by all. ordaining council whose term had expired. Christmas Eve candlelight services helped us to remember the true meaning of Christmas. LAWRENCE CONFERENCE Brian Carmon from Mount Calvary was licensed to preach. David Schug was received into our We hope to carry that light in our hearts conference upon being examined. He was given throughout the new year. the right hand of fellowship and is from the Dailyville was responsible for the singing at The gracious and bountiful blessings from Woodland Chapel Church. the Incal combined watchnight service where our blessed Savior and Lord were bestowed Two items of business were lifted from the our pastor preached the opening message. upon us when He permitted our conference to table and voted upon. We stood in honor and On January 2-5, our pastor attended the convene for the 27Bth session with the Pine remembrance of three deceased members. Bible College's Church Growth Conference. Grove Church, November 3. We were blessed Our next conference will convene with the We are looking forward with excitement to to see the results of the work done on this Mount Calvary Church, Friday evening and our own Church Growth Conference March church by the congregation because God had Saturday, February 1 and2. On Friday evening, B.IO. Special preaching and teaching will be challenged and given them a mind to work for Jim Mick will preach. Ralph Webb will be the heard each day by Connie Cariker, JohnGibbs, the improvement of His house. He is also devotional leader and Fred Blagg the alternate. Trymon Messer, and Roy Thomas. All are bestowing His spiritual blessings in adding souls Amy L. Smith, Repo,te, invited to attend these special days. to His number. Cad Dunn, Pasta' Danny Cline moderated and Jimmie Kimble A,dith Henry, Repo,te, assisted. The Scripture reading was taken from Hebrews 10,19.25. We were thankful to have eight visitors who were given the right hand of DAIL YVILLE (Porter) fellowship and a welcome to be with us. The six visiting ministers introduced themselves and WESTERVILLE (Fraoklin) gave their conference. We finished our E.T.T.A. courses in No. The minutes, treasurers' report, and busi. vember and are looking forward to the next ness from the church letters were read and classes in January. We have enjoyed the many blessings of our given to the proper committees. We received On November 17, the District youth rally, Lord throughout the holiday season. The activi- conference reports from Pine Creek, Boyd, called "Wanderlust," was held at our church. ties were started with a senior citizens banquet Little Miami, and Porter. Our delegates had The devotion was on God's direction in the lives held December 8. Those of our church who are ofteenagers. One youth was saved and another sixty-years old and over enjoyed an evening of was rededicated. Dale Reed, our youth leader, good food and fellowship. not only gives his time in church but at home The children's Christmas program was De- also. He is a vital asset to our teens. cember 16 and the adult program December23. The ladies of the missionary prayer band A special Christmas Eve service was held to presented a beautiful thanksgiving service on help us remember, amidst all the hustle and Wednesday,November21. There were songs of bustle, the real meaning of Christmas. thanks, a small skit, and each missionary was We observed New Year's Eve with a com- remembered in prayer by individual ladies. munion and feet washing service. What a per- Communion and feet washing was shared on fect way to start the new year. November 25. Our cups surely ran over with Several people have recently been welcomed love. as new members. We look forward to worship- We received three new members into our ing with them. church in November. Our church recently celebrated its twenty- Lessons on soul winning are being can. fifth anniversary, October 21. The church was ducted by our pastor each Wednesday night. started by Delmar Sparks with the first meeting The annual Thanksgiving and Christmas held at the Westerville Armory. Much growth dinner was held on Saturday, December 1, in has taken place since then. our fellowship hall. The turkey, dressing, and The anniversary was celebrated with a ham were furnished by the church and prepared homecoming dinner. The preaching and special by the loving hands of Norma, Libby, and Bev. A music were enjoyed by all. Knee Pals covered dish was brought by each family. The The ladies from the Woman's Auxiliary Church News Front

made a beautiful quilt and presented it to sale at the church December 8. December 14, Our Sunday schoo] had a "Turkey of the De]mar and Anna Lee for a job well done. they traveled to Beechmont, Ohio, to the Poor Year" contest with Wayne Coriell receiving the DefmarSparks, Pastor Fo]ks Restaurant for an evening of fellowship most votes. He istheSundayschoo]teacher for Nancy Chandler, Reporter and good food. At that time they revealed their the junior class. The total amount received was secret sisters which they had for a year. We $308.03 for all the officers who were running. thank God for still blessing the church. We have This sum was used for needy families at Christ. ,A!> seen five saved, eight baptized, and one to take mas. . ~{j membership. Our church has purchased a new van. As a v.5I, .J2.., Our Christmas program was presented on result, our attendance in Sunday schoo] is ,-- Sunday evening, December 16, a musical called increasing, but most of all may it be instrumental ,./' t~' "Two Nights Before Christmas" presented by in winning the lost to Christ by getting them in , the young adults and adults. There also were church to hear the gospel. .~~ . 0f; i recitations by the preschool, primary, and junior The young people put on the Christmas - \ classes. cantata, "Born to Die." The younger group gave We are having a contest for attendance recitations. The young people had a hayride a ~ ""'1.i record between the Sunday schoo] department few days before Christmas and gave baskets to II ~~ and for Wednesday night prayer meeting ser. the shut.ins and sang Christmas carp]s for them. ~ vices. At the present time, the Sunday schoo] Howard Kimble, Pastor average is 173, prayer meeting is 15O. Bertie Miller, Reporter Qui]t presented to Pastor and Mrs. Sparks Keith Perkins, Pastor Alden Davis, Reporter BETHEL (Wayne.hnrg)

ISLAND ROAD (Cuyahoga-Lorain) COLUMBUS FIRST (Franklin) Robert McKinney our assistant pastor, has been very ill and was hospitalized but is home now and recuperating with the help of the Lord. We want to thank and praise God for We are thankful that God is continuing to We had our church picnic in September and another new year. May we all doour very best to bless our church. had a wonderful time enjoying the blessings of be obedient to Him and to stay in the center of We were privileged to have Dr. Roger Reeds the Lord. His holy will. Our prayers are to see more souls with us on November 9 and 10 for a Sunday September 29, the men o/the church cooked added to His glorious kingdom. schoo] revival. It was a weekend of challenge. dinner for the ladies. The food was excellent. We had a weekend fellowship revival onNew We had services on Friday and Saturday nights. A monthly singing was held on October 13 Year's weekend including am watch service. He conducted seminars on "Components of with the Gubb family and Freddie Ray from the Different preachers and singers were heard Teaching" and "Methods in Teaching" an Sat. Divine Church. It was a very special time singing each night. urday. He preached during the Sunday morning Ken Dieb]er has been teaching us about aI]of God's praises and rejocing in our salvation. worship service. He also taught an adultSunday The Ladies Aid is very busy. They earned the various cults during the Wednesday night schoo] class. ] think all of us were very enthused money to buy food for the needy at Christmas. services. He has done a fine job and has taught about Sunday schoo] after the weekend with Dc. We have had one saved. We pray for her us many interesting facts regarding the cults' Reeds. Pray that we willreach am goal of"85" in growth in the Lord and that her mate will soon teachings compared with our plan of salvation 85. be saved. from Jesus. Ken will be leaving us for the Air Our annual Christmas program was held on We had a New Year's Eve service. Force soon. He will be greatly missed. Please December 23, Sunday night. It was conducted pray for him that he can be a light to the lost Our church is growing, and we request your by Alan and Apri] Castle and Lynn Skaggs. They prayers for its continual growth for the glory of wherever he goes. put a lot of effort into it. our Lord. At this writing, the youth of the church are The youth group at am church sponsored busy rehearsing their parts for the upcoming "Where there is no vision, the people perish: an old.fashioned dinner the Saturday before but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" Christmas play for December 15. They are Thanksgiving. They did a wonderfu] job. It was a (Proverbs 29:18). dedicated to making this year's play one of our wonderful evening of fellowship. Harvey Mar/ow, Pastor best ever. The youth choir was invited to sing at The youth enjoyed several Christmas activi. Peggy Bentley, Reporter the revival in LaGrange on December 7. Their ties. They went caroling, had parties, etc. eagerness to serve God in so many ways The Ladies Auxi]iary made baskets for needy inspires our whole congregation. families at Christmas time. God has blessed our Ed Kennedy, Pastor efforts year after year to help those in need. May UNITY (Cuyahoga Lorain) Susan Jo Snyder, Reporter we always give Him the praise for everything. Edwin Hayes, Pastor Oretha Rose, Reporter The church had a great missionary confer- ence. The blessings of the Lord were upon those UNION (Pine Creek) services, and it is our prayer that God will bless the work of each of them. The turn-out for each HILLSBORO (Central Ohio) service was good, and we thank the congrega. On October 14, we were privileged to have tion for their support. young women ITom the Free Will Baptist Bib]e We had a Christmas programDecember23. We are thankful for what the Lord has done College for a song service and Frank Breeden The young people worked hard to make it a for us here at the church. The November 3 from the college bringing the message. success. Continue to pray for our young people. conference we hosted was asuccess. Carl Dunn Oscar Wiget, a Gideon, spoke at our Wed. God is working in many of their lives, and we ITomthe Dai]yville Church preached a wonderful nesday evening service October 17 about their pray that those that are not Christians will message. Jim Perry of our church received his work. become Christians. license. On Sunday morning, November 18, we Jeff McKenzie ITom Jamaica spoke for us Our pastor has completed two revivals in had the McKinney family from West Liberty, December 2. Each one did a very good job. West Virginia, and God blessed his labor. We Kentucky, to sing for us. They were marvelous There have been two saved or rededicated are thankful that God has blessed us with a singers. The Ladies Aid had a bazaar and bake and fom members have been added by ]ettec. dedicated and concerned pastor. We pray for Church News Front

him, and we know God is blessing his life. sometimes, but the Lord always makes a way for land, and we know He will provide our other We seem to have hit a deadend in acquiring us to meet our expenses. needs as well. that alley from the city of Cleveland. Please Our pastor and his wife are expecting a new Cecil Jesse, Pastor continue to pray that God will help us in this baby in February. Weare looking forward to this Karen Fields, Reporter effort. event. Please pray for them. Their efforts for the We have seen several souls saved at the church are appreciated, and we love them. church, and there are many who are challenged Please pray with us for a great stirring revival by the message but fail to move forward. in the community. Many folks here need the EASTMONT (Little Miami) "And let the peace of God rule in your Lord, and we as a church need a greater zeal hearts, to the which also ye are called in one and vision. body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:15). Tillson Greene, Pastor Watch out, 19851 IfourLord tarries,ourlittle Lester McMahan, Pastor Barb Conley, Reporter church is going to go all out to spread the gospel Dale McMahan, Pastor and witness of His coming. This past month has brought us four new members. We thank God for each of them and the work they will do for His service. TRINITY (Franklin) SPRINGFIELD FIRST (Little Miami) Geneva Trimble got the kids all fired up, and we had a wonderful Christmas play. While having play practice on Wednesday nights, a special service to God isstillblessinginevery service. We have On October 14, we held Geneva discovered that the kids enjoy having had two saved. We also had a very good honor Willard Bayes. He has been a deacon of something special to do during the week, so our church for 20 years. He is doing an excellent homecoming with Merlin Teets preaching and we're continuing special projects on Wednesday job, and he is an inspiration to us. the Temple Bells and the Etter familysinging. nights for the kids. We held a singing service on October 18with We had a weekend service November 2.4 with Our pastor will celebrate his first anniversary the Spencer family, our guest singers, along with Calvin Evans preaching, and also we had a with us this month, and we love him very much. revival November 25 to December 1 with Merlin our own group, the Gospel Sound. What a Pray for him and our church that we'll see more blessing as we saw two people saved. Teets preaching. We didn't seeanyonesaved, lost souls saved. but we really enjoyed the blessings of God and At this writing we are getting ready for the Don Hix, Pastor feel that we have grown through the very holidays. Sometimes we get so caught up in the Mary Davenport, Reporter inspiring messages. At the time of this writing, Christmas rush that we forget the true meaning our pastor is preaching a revival at the Rosedale of Christmas, so we are decorating our Christ. Church, and we are praying for souls to be mas tree with special gifts to God. We are also saved. having a Christmas play December 22 and We had a watch. night service New Year's communion and feet washing servince on De. PLEASANT VALLEY (Lawrence) Eve with the Gracemen Quartet singing. God cember 23. We pray that everyone wiil remem. also answered a wonderful prayer for us. He ber why there is a Christmas holiday. made a way that we might be able to buy our After the holidays, we are planning a revival We want to thank the Lord for our church, from January 6.13. Our guest speaker wiil be church building which we have been renting pastor, and our many young people that take with option for the past year. We really praise Oscar Baldwin. part in the church. God for this prayer that was answered. With Wayne Frost, Pasfor Debbie Ross, Reporter Dave Schug preached a revival for us. Nine "man" it seemed impossible, but with God all were saved and two rededicated their lives the things are possible. "Man's failures are God's day of our homecoming. opportunities." There were three baptized that evening, and Clifford Ball, Pastor Doris Ball, Reporter a week later ten were baptized. It was such a MANSFIELD (Cuyahoga-Lorain) blessing to see the young man walk to the water's edge on his walker to be baptized. Then laternine took membership with the church. We WAKEFIELD (Poder) We thank the Lord for His blessings on our thank God for them all. church. Our attendance has average 190, and We had a nice group for our communion and we praise the Lord for 50 souls that have been feet washing service. Larry Joseph preached a We've had several souls saved and rededi- saved in the year of 1984. At this writing, many of wonderful message that night. Meredith Settle, Pastor cated. We're thankful for each one. our people are practicing for special singing of At this writing, we are anticipating our praises to our Lord on December 23. We will Eliza Stamper, Reporter communion and feet washing December 16 and have a play on that Sunday evening. our Christmas dinner and play December 23. Pray for our church. Pray for God's com. We enjoyed Mike Dowdy preaching for us plete willto be done and for Christians' hearts to one evening and also enjoyed the preaching one be revived. eveningofDave Cox, a young licensed preacher Freddy Dutton, Pastor WELLINGTON (Cuyahoga-Lorain) from Dailyville. Let's lift up these young preach. Pam Dysinger, Reporter ers in prayer. Our Ladies Auxiliary has been sending sup. Our church is happy to report that God still port for a young boy in India. Our funds get low blesses when we give of ourselves to those less fortunate. We have especially found this to be CHARITY (Northeastern) true as we visit our neighborhood nursing home and the givingof food baskets to the needy. BAPTISTRIES We had a Christmas play entitled "The Inn HEATERS. PUMPS The Sunday school held a gift exchange for Keeper's Children." FACfORY DlRECf Christmas. A film was shown. We had a good Our church has witnessed the healing from TOLL FREE 1-800-251-0679 time in the Lord. cancer of two sisters. Weare surely gladGod is TN CALL COLLECT 615-875-0679 We ask everyone to remember the church in the same yesterday, today, and forever. FIBERGLASS BAPTISTRY CO prayer that we may begin construction on a new Morgan Bates, Pastor 3511 HIXSONPIKEoCHATTANOOGA,TN3"'5 building in the spring. The Lord has provided the Joann White, Reporter Church News Front

with Homer Brooks. One young man was saved FIRST DAYTON (Little Miami) in his seat as Brother Brooks was bringing the message. POWELLSVILLE (Pine Creek) Roy Hutchinson, Pastor Nellie Campbell, Reporter Dueing the past two months the Lord has We had a communion and feet washing blessed us with an average attendance of 278 service Thanksgiving evening. Our church plus He has added to our church four new Christmas dinner and passing party was De- members, and we have seen seven new converts FOREST VALLEY (Franklin) cember 9 with a lot of good food, love, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism. fellowship. We were privileged to have Patsy Vanhook On December 16 the teens and adults put on from France to share her testimony with us and October 21 was our rally day service. Don "The Nativity Scene," written and directed by to speak in junior church on what G ad is doing in Patty Deerfield. It was enjoyed by all. On France. Neil Gilliland was also with us on Williams was thereto sing and preach for us. We broke our old record attendance of 222 with a December 23, our preschool, primary, and November 18 to tell how God is working in the junior classes put on a musical entitled "Jesus' Ivory Coast and to bring us a message from the wonderful number 01267 people. Delmar Sparks came and preached revival Birthday," written and directed. by Donna Word of God. Knapp. It too was very good. Several of our ladies attended the prayer services November 15.17. The last part of November we had a bap We had a New Year's Eve service with Pine retreat at Big Prairie and have reported on how Creek, Dogwood Ridge, and Sacred Mission much they enjoyed the good Bible study and tismal service with one man baptized. Eight people took membership with the churches. fellowship with other sisters in Christ. We are praying lor a revival. Oue youth attended a youth retreat at Tar church on December 2. Robert Mead, Pastor Hershel Salyers, Pastor Hollow and were blessed and encouraged to Juanita Schafer, Reporter continue in the Lord. Linda Picklesimer, Reporter We have just finished a week's revival with six of our own ministers in which we were refreshed, uplifted, and blessed in the Word of LIBERTY (Cuyahogan-Lorain) God. The Lord is so good and gracious, and we SOUTH COLUMBUS (Trinity) . are thankful for His blessings upon us. Our church had a Christmas cantata. It was Hobert Ashby, Pastor We are happy to report victory once more. a blessing to those present. Barbara Lester, Reporter We want to take this opportunity to thank God We Iost adear lady, Wilma Carte, November for the blessings He bestowed upon us through 29. She was a faithful member for many years the past year. We've noticed our Sunday school and willbe missed by all. Gerald Kelley, who was attendance has grown, but we especially thank also her pastor for many years, assisted Johnny Castle in the funeral. BEATTY (Little Miami) God for letting us enjoy so many old.fashioned, spirit-filled services. I speak for all of us when I FredLovelilrom the Cranberry Community say we truly thank God for giving us this church Church in Bradley, West Virginia, preached our New Year's Eve service. The Journeymen sang. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus in which to work. We want to challenge each of our fellow John Castle, Pastor Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Beth Casteele, Reporter At this writing we are looking forward to our members to work even harder in this new year. annual Christmas dinner which will be Decem. We all have family members and friends who ber 22 and the giving of gifts one to another. need the Lord, and it's up to us to encourage them to come out to church to hear the gospel We were happy to have John and the WOODSTOCK Revelators with us in our Sunday morning preached. We want to welcome everyone to our service, November 11. They truly blessed our services: Sunday school at 10 a.m., followed by souls with their singing. church service at 11 a.m., Sunday evening service at 6 p.m., and Wednesday evening at 7 We are happy to report that we are having We now have our pews padded. We are good services, and the Lard is still answering happy to say that God blessed us and all the p.m. prayers. seats were paid for in donations. Richard Hensley, Pastor Lois Calhoun, Reporter We are thrilled that we have raised enough We have had four to be baptized. We want to money to pad our pews and to put in new give God the praise for all that He has done carpeting. A lot of time and work went into during this past year. redoing the sanctuary in the past few months. Forest Dyer, Pastor We thank the Lord for all who gave time and Helen Murray, Reporter money. BLACKFORK (Pine Creek) We just finished a week's meeting with the Worthington twins. The house was full every night. They certainly blessed us with singing, F AIRBORN (Little Miami) We are thankful to report we had a wonder- teaching, and preaching. Thanks to the churches ful revival in November with Luther Dingess of who supported the meeting. Fort Gay, West Virginia. We heard wonderful On a recent Sunday night, John Muncie of Our Thanksgiving program under the direc. preaching, and the church was blessed and tion of Tammy Combs was a huge success. several came back to the Lord. When the invitation was given, five people came We are now in the busy Christmas season. forward and rededicated their lives to God. At this writing we are working on our Christmas Pray for our young people as they continue program, visitation to the rest home, and deliver. CORNERSTONE RAPTISTRY CO. to give of their time and talents to the Lord. ing fruit baskets to the sick in the community. Carl Hartman and Lee Coler left the latter Pray with us that we might see our church part of December for military duty. We are truly grow and our pastor might see souls saved lor HO""O"B."..~",.pom" thankful for these two young Christians who His labor. CALL COU.CT fa. fREE COg'.. .ad Prim have made their choice to serve our country. Eddie DePriest, Pastor "", "4-8666 At the time of this report, we are in revival Betty Bowles, Reporter 6O65R.""'R'..N s.""", "'0.".GA3O328 Church News Front

Miamisburg spoke to us on "Rock Music and We've added new speakers and micro. Satan." The church was overflowing. He cer. phones to our sound system, making the sound NORTH (Franklin) tainly presented a powerful and frightening much better in our services. Speaking of sound, message. It really made us stop and take a look we have a great choir who love to sing. They at what Satan is presenting to our kids. sang at the community Thanksgiving service We have had six people to join the church. We have had several visiting ministers on and were enjoyed by everyone there. We thank God for each one of them. Sunday evening. Pray for Arnold Moore who June Ruth and wife Kay have moved back to We had our Christmas program December has been in the hospital. our area from Columbus, Ohio, and we are glad 23 entitled "Tinsel or Treasure." George Prince Bonnie Pock, Repo,te, to have them back. Two other new additions are was the director. a new daughter of George and Brenda Cade and December 15 we had a fellowship dinner and a new son of Walter and Kathy DePriest. honored the elderly of our church. We appreci. The Lord is doing great things for us and we ate and enjoy their presence with us each and RITTMAN (Cuyahoga-Lorain) are huly thankful. every service. Emil Ca,'ee, Pasto' William Chadwick, Pasta' Betty Ca,tee, Repo,te, Eugene Justice, Repo,te, God has really blessed our church the past year. He blessed our "Big Day Sunday" in October with a record attendance of 170. God blessed us all in our revival in October FAITH SAMANTHA (Franklin) with our pastor and Lester McMahan giving us spirit filled messages each night. God has let us open a "Clothes Closet for Although the weather has turned bad, our We surely want to thank the Lord for all His the Needy" every Thursday from 11 to 1.Weare attendance is still high. We thank the Lord for many blessings. He surely does bless our church, going to be working with the Sterling Church this. and we don't want to fail to praise His holy name. with their "Store House of Love." We will be We Me thankful to report four souls saved, We collected food for the needy for Christmas. helping with clothing and Sterling with food. one of them in a Sunday school class. Our Christmas programs were December 16 Raymond Bake" Pasta, We have had four rededications, two bap. and 23. Hannah Johnson, Repe,te, tisms, and one joined the church. We had our business meeting in December. We had 124 in attendance at our October Dave Sibole was elected our new Sunday school youth rally and 104 in our November rally. superintendent. Dick Cannon was elected our The night before Thanksgiving we had a very new trustee. We purchased a 1973 Chevy van, ZION special service. Every person in the church so now we have two nice vans to work with. stood and told of the things they were thankful Wetook in two new members. Our midweek for. The Lord is good to His children. service has averaged 83 and our Sunday school We have had several hymn sings these past Mo,k Bailey, Pasta, 143. The Lord has certainly blessed spiritually few months. They have been a blessing. We left Do,thea Poccish, Repo,t", and financially. the old year in a great communion and feet On January 12, John Biche and the Layman washing service. The Lord surely does bless Trio will be here for a songfest, and March 9, these services. We heard three ministers and Avonelle and the Royal Heirs will be with us. two groups of singers. Bill Pettyjohn has worked getting our choir Our attendance is down a little. FAITH (Cuyahoga Loraio) together on Friday night for practice, and they Eddie Boye" Pasta, are doing a real good job. They have had special Nancy Kennedy, Repe,te, songs, and we have really enjoyed them. We would like to thank the Lord for His Wylie Pe,kins, Pasta' many blessings. We have had many different Connie Cannan, Reporte, preachers visiting with us. Many good sermons have been sent out. MOUNT CALVARY (Lawrence) Our church gave to many of the needy during the holiday season. LAGRANGE (Northeastern) Our youth adults have a new child to span. The Lord is still blessing. Numerical growth sarin the Free Will Baptist Home for Children in is at a standstill, but the spiritual growth is going Tennessee. Please ,.member to pray for those Our church just ended revival with Larry young children. on and on in the younger men and woman who Cochran from West Virginia bringing the Word. have taken teaching jobs in the Sunday school Robe't Nelson, Posta, Souls were revived and souls were saved. We department. There are also many in the church Potty Mazzola, Repo,te, praise the Lord for all of this. who seem to have a greater desire to study and Help us pray to see our number in Sunday discuss the Word of God. school grow. Brian Carman has been called to preach, We all need to be on fire for the Lord. and we at the church are very proud of him. He Revelation 3:16 says, "Because thou art luke. is doing a great job. LIBERTY (Northwestern) warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Othie Kimble, Pasta' Our church is being blessed. We had a Liz Kimble, Repo,te, revival in October. Five people were saved. Nine women from our church went to the retreat and were truly blessed. The people of our church have been working WILIAMS ROAD (Franklin) hard doing a lot of visiting and preparing for a bazaar they had the first of December. Pray for our pastor as he had been ill. We are rejoicingin God's sweet HolySpirit. William Naves, Posta, We have had two saved and baptized. Pam F.-ye, Repo'te, Our youth choir sang at Hillview Church on Church News Front

November 26. They went Christmas caroling October 28 to November 4 at Burl Gambill's church. There were five people who gave their and delivered fruit baskets to the senior citizens HARRISON (Porter) on December 10 and II. heart to the Lord, and he went back the next We enjoyed both Christmas plays put on: week and baptized one of them. We want to thank God for all this. one by the children on December 16 and the The Lord has been so good to us. youth and adults put on a live nativity December We had a spaghetti supper November 9. We We have had real good services, and attend- want to thank all who came out. 14, 15, and 16. ance is good. Our Ladies Auxiliary sent Cindy Costlow a Charles Trusty, Pastor We have loved ones in the hospitals and De/ma Ridenour, Repcrter care box for Christmas. She is in the service in nursing homes, and we ask you to pray forthem. Mississippi. May we all start the new year with a new The Spencers sang for us on December 9. hope to do more this year than last. James Blair, Pastor Daniel Widdig, Pastor Brenda Kinser, Reporter Martha Brame, Reporter WELLSTON (Jackson)

We were privileged to have Gary Whittley MT. STERLING (Trinity) from Peebles, Ohio, to hold a revival December PICKERING TON (Franklin) 2. We had a Christmas program, and many As I write, we are enjoying the fruits of avery other activities went on during the holiday We would like to thank James Thacker for season. bringing us a revival in November. Many souls successful revival. Not only was the church spiritually revived, but we are pleased to report Our Sunday school attendance is up. Praise were blessed with his messages. that one soul was saved and one rededicated. the Lord! There has been some sickness in the Our pastor has been in the hospital. He is church. home now, but he is not feeling too well. Please We truly praise God for these two souls and for all the blessings of life He gives. One of our faithful visitors who means a lot uplift him and his wife in your prayers. to us has been away helping his brother at his The ladies of the church helped make Christ. We just elected officers for the upcoming year, and we are still privileged to have Jesse church. Praise the Lord, we need more who will mas for several in a nearby nursing home. Blankenship as our pastor and Willie Ooten as answer the call for help. The annual Christmas dinner was held De- Richard Bishop, Pastor cember 15 at Shades Restaurant. our assistant. Jesse Blankenship, Pastor Hazel Montgomery, Reporter Alton and Delois Loveless were welcome Gerri Williams, Reporter visitors on November 25. His message blessed all of us. They are dear friends to our church. December 2, Roger Childers from the Ur. PETREA (Jack.on) bana Church was our guest and brought us a much needed sermon. He and his family were FRIENDLY (Franklin) members here before taking the Urbana Church. We thank the Lord for His wonderful bless. It was a pleasure to have them with us. ings. Paul Collins, Pastor We praise the Lord for His many blessings. We had a good songfest on November 10 Mary Johnson, Reperter Through His grace we were able to raise the with the Messengers. money we needed to carpet our fellowship hall. We have a new family coming. Sunday night, November 25, our youth Aaron was baptized. group held a youth service. They led the con- We were glad to have Elmer Sizemore with gregational singing, and the service was led by us on November 25 to bring the evening mes- REYNOLDSBURG (Franklin) ten-year old Gary Thomas Dunn. It was a spirit- sage. filled service with Wendell Johnson from Oak We are presently saddened by the loss of a Hill doing the preaching and the Saved Singers dear sister, Gladys Stewart. We know that she is We recently had a wonderful revival with from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, doing the at home with the Lord. Clovis Vanover. Our sincere thanks to all the special singing. We have broken ground for a new shelter churches and singing groups that joined us Sunday night, December 2, the youth group house, and we thank God for a growing church. during this revival. The Lord truly blessed. had a Bible Bowl at the beginning of the church We thank God for the love and unity in the We had two saved and one baptized in service. They were given questions on the first church. November. We have had five new babies born six chapters of Matthew. Everyone was really We have an active youth group. recently. Our congratulations to Tammy and proud of them. We had a Christmas dinner on December 20 Van Casebolt, Bryan and Tina Hutchinson, Theyouth group leaders are doing a wonder- and program December 23. Karen and Jeff Smith, Vickie and Rick Vanover, ful job, and we thank the Lord for them. "The LORD is my light and my salvation; and Wayne and Nelva Carruthers. We are all We invite you to come and worship with us whom shall I fear?" (psalm 27:1). thankful for these precious gifts. and remember our songfests the fourth Satur- Marvin Markin, Pastor Our thanks to Joyce Curnutte, the youth day of each month. Betty Jarvis, Reporter group, and everyone that helped with ourChrist. Marvin Booth, Pastor mas program. I'm sure a lot of hearts were Ellen Mills, Repcrter touched. Weare looking forward to this new year with APPLETON CHRISTIAN (Franklin) great expectations. We are praying that our lost loved ones will give their lives to the Lord. We ELM TREE (Trinity) are working to build up our attendance. We are We are happy that we have grown in size. also working toward a debt-free church. With We had a revival fromOctober31 to November prayer and work, we know all these things are We had a brother and sister in our church to 3. We expected a great time in the Lord, and possible. dedicate their baby to the Lord. that's exactly what we had. There were different Phil Wiley, Pastor Our pastor had a week and a half revival in singers each night, and we had communion and Gloria Hutchinson, Reperter Tennessee in October. He had another revival feet washing after services on Saturday night. Church News Front

We really had a great time and one soul was by all. We had some singers for the month of saved. September. The E]more Singers were the singers ALTOONA (Jackson) We received a new member and youth for the month of October. Everyone had a good leader in our church this month; Vicky Nelson. time in the Lord. She has been a great inspiration to all of us, and We had a young couple take membership in Our Sunday school attendance is growing. we would like to thank her for all of her help and October. We praise the Lord for them. We averaged "50" this past two months which is support. We gathered canned goods and non.perish- something we are very pleased with. We had a hot dog sa]e November 17, and the abies for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets We want to congratulate our newlyweds, youth group sold over 300 hot dogs. It was a that we gave to the needy. Leonard and Angie Carter. We wish for them to great success. Our Ladies Auxifiary had a craft sale at have many, many years of happiness together. We also had old-fashioned day November Eastwood Mall in Niles October 31 and Fairborn Remember, "the family that prays together 25. After regular services we had dinner. Every- School on November 4. stays together." one enjoyed a lot of good food and fellowship. Gene Snuffer, Pastor Our deepest sympathies are extended to Then we ended the month with another week- Shirley Stiles, Reporter VadaEssman who lost her dear companion last end revival from November 28 to December 1. October. Sister Vada, we are praying for you. Timothy Kerwood, Pastor We've had two brethren in and out of the Kellie Hattery, Reporter hospital recently; Jim Seymour and John Canter. We still have several members out due to poor MT. HOPE (Pine Creek) health, and we desire your prayers fOl them. GOOD SHEPHERD (Trinity) We had a wonderful evening of fine food and fellowship December 15, our annual Christmas We really had a wonderful time in the Lord in dinner. Our Christmas program was December We thank the Lord our church is growing. the revival in October with Amos Smith. We are 20. We have had three saved, two baptized, and proud to say that a mother and her daughter Richard Moore, Pastor four to take membership. were saved. Praise God! Kathryn Carter, Reporter The church was deeply saddened over the On October 7 we had our homecoming. loss of two of our members, Leora Evans and Kenny Klaiber brought the message and David Lur]ine Adams. Widdig taught from the pulpit. We had severa] We really appreciate Bill Hayes from the groups to sing. That night we had the Gaspe] SOUTH CHARLESTON (Little Miami) ThirdAvenue Church forlillingin for our pastor Starlighters to sing for us, and Ronnie Lutz while he was on vacation. We enjoyed his preached for us. They were a rea] bfessing to us. preaching very much. On Sunday morning, November 4, the Kings We thank and praise God for the marvelous Our Ladies Aid has been working hard, and Messengers sang for us. We praise God for all blessings He has bestowed upon our church. the Lord has blessed them enough that they the singers who came to help us during our We have been having souls saved and baptized. donated $1,800.00 toward the church payment. homecoming, revival, and other times. We had a We had 11 new converts take membership. Sturgill McCarty, Pastor gaspe] sing December 8. Tony Dyer preached a We had our regular monthly songfest De- Vickie Crosby, Reporter wonderful message on November 25. He is cember 1 with the Daiton Gang from Win- young, but he sure does preach the truth. chester, Ohio. They were very good. We took in two new members; E]mer and Our Sunday schoo] has increased22 percent, Mary Sizemore. We praise the Lord for their and we have been having very good crowds on HILLVIEW (Franklin) coming our way. Sunday nights and midweek services. We give If you want a recipe for revival, try reading 2 God all the glory. Chronicles 7;14. We are putting a baptistry in our church. We have finished the blacktopping of our Jack Henry, Pastor We have a nice group of young folks in the parking lot. We're so thankful. We received Edith Rollins, Reporter youth choir. donations for this project. Homer Brooks, Pastor Our business meeting was November 17. Mary Colegrove, Reporter We elected all the officers for 1985. At this writing we are having a youth revival. Two young preachers are doing the preaching; ANTIOCH (Pine Creek) Wade Newsome and Burly Muncy. I hope we LONG RUN (Porter) can have some good news to -tell about the results in our next report. We love our youth We had a revival in October with Bill Rose and they need your prayers. preaching. One person was saved, and another Our homecoming was celebrated October 7 We had communion and feet washing De- one was saved at home. with Alton Loveless as guest speaker. The cember 15, also, a candlelight service December We had a costume Halloween party for the Revelators from Callettsburg, Kentucky, sang. 31. The Zion Hill Singers and the Saved By youth and the church. All hadawonderfu] day in the Lord and p]entyof Grace Singers sang. We had Steve Thacker and Tony Dyer good food. On January 12 the Zion Hill Singers will sing preaching in our church. The messages were A week's revival was held November 12 at our songfest. Our songfests are every month very spiritual and edified the church. through the 17 with Willie Booth from Lan- on the second Saturday at 7 p.m. Everyone is Our communion and feet washing service caster, Ohio, preaching each night. Our church welcome. was November 25 with the Christian Trave]ers chair and singing from our own groups provided Joy Pete Justice, Pastor as special singers. We had one who rededicated the music. We met each morning a week before Rose Baldwin, Reporter his life to the Lord. the revival for special prayer for our lost loved Ella Lewis, a dear sister, passed away No- ones and for our community and also during the vember 15. She will be missed by all. revival each night at seven. God richly blessed We had our Christmas play December 23. our service with two souls saved and one BRISTOL VILLE (Cuyahoga Lorain) We had watch-night service with Brian Carmen rededicated. and Tony Dyer preaching; special singing by A choir of yaung married adults has been Christian Trave]ers and others. formed under the direction of Betty Conkle. We had our Sunday schoo] picnic in Sep- Gary Caldwell, Pastor Maggie Perry plays the piano for them. Please tember. A good time of fellowship was enjoyed Geraldine Henry, Reporter pray for these young people.

10 Church News Front

Two souls were baptized at Rocky Fork mother at 76 years of age accepted the Lord as Creek recently. her Savior. PLEASANT HILL (Ceotral Ohio) Donald Patrick, Pastor We saw an elderly man in the church give his Edith Proctor, Reporter life to the Lord. Our Sunday night service now starts at 6 The Lord continues to bless us. We have p.m. been having good attendance on Sunday morn. In this new year we pray that every church ings and evenings as well as on Wednesday BLOOM (Pioe Creek) will band together and have more fellowship evenings. with each other and see more saved. The pastor has been preaching under the The church is selling cookbooks, $4.00 each, anointing of the Holy Spirit and teaching us to We have started ajunior church. Jenny Baer to pad our pews and fix the parking lot. Anyone live holy and lay aside the things of the world. is the director, and she is doing a fine job. The interested in a cookbook may contact June Pitts We have a young man in the church who has youth really enjoy this program. We have had at 614443.3706. been called to preach. He helps the pastor some George Grive, Tony Dyer, and Mark Price to Bill Pitts, Pastor and does real good. We have another preacher speak in our junior church. June Pitts, Reporter in the church who preaches some for us. October 21 our church celebrated old.fash. Our Sunday school had dropped some. We ioned day. We certainly appreciate the fellow. have had some trouble in the bus ministry. ship and the fun that were provided on this day. One of our members, Olga Preston, 71, In November we were glad to welcome DOGWOOD RIDGE (Pioe Creek) passed away December2. She had been in poor Danny Baer and his family who were home health for some time. visiting their relatives. We enjoyed Rev. Baer's Lucian Baker, Pastor message on the "Normal Christian Life," and we We are happy to report Cindy Green reo Alice Hague, Reporter heard him again December 30 in our communion newed her covenant; Vada Green made every. and feet washing service. thing right with the Lord. Connie and Pat Risner On February 3 we will be having Frank both made a decision to follow Jesus. Thank Breeden and the Victorymen Quartet from the God for them all. Roger and Charles baptized DIVINE (Woyo...hnrg) Free Will Baptist Bible College. Stephanie McClintic, Brandon Davis, Mandy Paul Williams, Pastor Green, and Lou Zuhars and of course Sister Paula Williams, Reporter Green and Brother Risner. We had a wonderful revival with Earl Burgess The ladies of our circle had an outing at of Branchland, West Virginia, from October 22. Shawnee Lodge, and I can personally testify that 28. Eight souls were saved andwe thank God for we all had a great time of fellowship. We them. We appreciate Brother Burgess for his PORTER (Porler) prepared fruitbaskets for Thanksgiving and de. sizzling messages from the Lord. livered them to nine shut.ins. The Lord truly November 4 we had appreciation day for our blessed. pastor. We thank God for him and are glad that Our church continues to enjoy the blessings We had a communion and feet washing we have him to guide our church and preach the of the Lord. service November 21. bread of life to us. We lost one of our long. time members We had a Christmas play withSherrie Queen The Ladies Auxiliary had a hot dog sale December 3, Lois Bobst. as director. October 16, 17. Our total earnings were $642.00. Many have been sick and in the hospital. Brother and Sister Smith went to Germany We have purchased new folding tables and a The choir and young people put on a Christ. Hollow to work. We miss them. baptistry for our church. The Lord has really mas program for us. We have some new families coming: the blessed us. We really thank Him for everything Upstreamers and Seekers, two of our young Cunninghams, the Phillips, and Debbie Vinson. He has done for us. peoples classes, gave a dinner for the Winners We had a watch service at Powellsville. Our Christmas play was December 16. We class that has been in the church for 68 years of Sister Eicklaub's son and Sister Jenkins' had plays for the little children. Some of the which I am a charter member. brother, "Rabbit," passed away. We extend our younger girls did a scene called "The Old We had Neil and Sheila Gilliland at our sympathies to them. Rugged Cross." church December 16. They returned to the Roger Lavender, Pastor November 8 some from our church attended Ivory Coast December 26. Charlene Spradlin, Reporter the circus. A nice time was had by all. We have We have had some work done on our some kind of activity the first Monday of every church: new carpet laid and padded the pews. month for all the children that come to Sunday Pray for Henry Hawkins as he has been ill. school three Sundays out of four. Our pastor and wife attended the Missionary OAK HILL (Pine Creek) We thank God for our adult Sunday school Conference and visited their daughter in Flor. teacher, Lenny Coplay. We learn so much from ence, Alabama. his great teachings. Our class is studying the Forrest Chamberlin, Pastor We are glad to report the salvation of this Book of Romans. Beatrice Bradbury, Reporter reporter's sister.in.law who became our sister in We have added five new members to our Christ. Ada Allen was saved at Blackfark Free church and three new members to our Ladies Will Baptist Church at their Wednesday night Auxiliary. prayer meeting under the preaching of Tim We lost a brother in our church and rejoice GREATER COLUMBUS (Fraoldio) Simpson, a member of our church. She was for his going home for "life is eternal" (John baptized on October 17 by our pastor, Danny 17:3). Boggs, and deacon Vion Johnson. Hansford Reed, Pastor The Lord is still blessing our church. We are sad to report the loss of an elder, Cynthia Freeman, Reporter We ask your prayers for Margaret Loar who Mary Kiser. We thank God for the elders. will be 80 in March and George Olson who is 84. We had a revival December 3 with Dave They are our oldest members and both have Shug preaching, been sick. They are a blessing to everyone, and We thank God for answered prayer. ESPYVILLE (Sonthem Ohio) we thank God for them. We thank God for the quick recovery of We ask you to pray for Clyde and Pat Fred Aldridge who had a stroke. Gearheart. Clyde just lost his brother and Pat Danny Boggs, Pastor The Lord has surely blessed us. Attendance lost her mother. We thank God that Pat's Betty Sharp, Reporter has tripled in our Sunday school. We have seen

11 THE AMBASSADOR SECOND CLASS P. O. Box 07401 POSTAGE Columbus, Ohio 43207 PAID AT CO LUMBUS. OHIO AND AT ADDITONAL MAILING OFFICES

25 souls saved since August and baptized 12. Several have taken membership. We give God OHIO LAND DONATIONS COMING EVENTS all the glory. Kenny Lanier and Herb Jordan have been set aside to be deacons. We thank Antioch loo.oo January 26, Jackson Conference God for them. Porter 100.00 February 2, Lawrence Conference. We had a special candle.light service De. LongRun loo.oo Mount Calvary cember IS with the Yeary family singing and TickRidge IOO.oo Febrnary 5-7, Ministers Retreat Fred Buckner preaching. RoyAdams 5.oo February 9, South Central Conference Our Christmas play was December 22. Sargents loo.oo Febrnary 16, Porter Conference, Minnie Lanier was in charge and did a very good Jackson Conference. . . . . Wakefield job...... 100.00 Bloom 100.00 February23, Pine Creek Conference Our church conference is the third weekend Cleveland 100.00 March 2, Meigs Conference in January at the Sargents church in Waverly. South Charleston 100.00 March 2, Little Miami Conference Delmar Marks. Pastor Glen & Susan Haidet, Jr. 100.00 March 8, 9, Franklin Conference, North Cressie Adams, Reporter Woodland Chapel :' 100.00 March 16, Central Ohio Conference StoneyRun 25.oo March 16, Trinity Conference Faith.Cleveland 2oo.oo March 21, Heritage Temple, Book. STERLING (Great Lakes) ChillicotheFirst 100.00 store's Vacation Bible School Preview Hillsboro 100.00 Oak Hill 100.00 We have had much sickness in the church, Beatty.. 100.00 but God is still blessing us with wonderful services. We had good attendance at our singings. In October the Jones family sang for us. The Newman Quartet and Singing Testimonials were with us in November. We will resume our monthly singings in the spring on the fourth By Delois Loveless Saturday of each month. We just finished revival with Gary Dheel ,~ preaching. We had good attendance almost every night. Several people made commitments .~- to the Lord and the church was revived. .d.\iI~ ..... December 2 was our regular feet washing ~(D)~ .. ~.. and communion service. Billy Joe White preached. Two of our young people were saved. Praise the Lord! The young people worked hard on the The 1984 Ohio Women's Retreat has come The Shawer of Blessings was a blessing not Christmas program, "A Bright Star Shining," to an end, but the blessing will stay with us all only to Patsy, but to us as well. It certainly is presented December 23. They have been selling year. It seems that each year d gets better and more of a blessing to give than to receive. Patsy candles and boxes of memo paper to raise better. This was our biggest retreat ever. We received beautiful clothes, jewelry, purses, and money to purchase something for the church. had 165 women from all over the state. about $450.00 in cash. On the last day of the The Ladies Auxiliary have compiled cook. The retreat started with each lady giving her retreat, our treasurer presented Patsy with a books for each family in the church. They hold name and personal testimony. It was such a $700.00 check. It was truly a wonderful way to services each month at the Crestview Nursing blessing to hear all the prayers that God had eed the retreat. Home. answered throughout the year. This time of Our president, Joann Sizemore, closed the The "Storehouse of Love" continues to help sharing helped allof us to get to know each other retreat by having the 15 prayer captains to come the needy with food. We are open every Thurs. and to draw closer in the Lord. forward and share with us some of the prayer day, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Rittman Church Nine ladies shared with uson the Fruit o!the requests in their individual groups, and they hosted a benefit singing for the storehouse in Spirit. They all had something that each of us each closed in prayer. November. We are tpankful for their support. could relate to our own lives, and helped to We missed a lot of you this year, but we hope We have a new pastor, Paul Daniels, elected encourage us to be more Christ.like. to see you next year. Ladies, don't forget your on October 3. Jerry Jackworth resigned in Our missionary was Patsy Vanhook from prayer bookmarkers. Keep them in your Bibles, September after feeling God leading him to a France. Patsy shared with us about the work pray for the requests, and bring them back next new work. We pray God will bless him and his she is doing. She showed several slides and year. family wherever they may go. answered numerous questions. She also taught Make plans now to come September 20, 21, Paul Daniels, Pastor us, or at least tried to, some words in French. 1985. May the Lord bless you. Carl Daniels, Reporter However, I think we all have along way to go yet. Linda Combs, Secretary

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