As hard as it is to believe, we are entering the final months of 2022. Summer is nearing an end, and already we can feel the cool air in the mornings and evenings, as well as hints of changing colors in the leaves. This summer has remained a busy time at Eternal Truth Ministries, from property maintenance, the transition to a new president, and the opportunity to host several different men who have come for training, as well as some surprising ways that we would not have expected even two months ago.
In July, ETM was asked to help a church in Ducktown, Tennessee, that is hurting. The church has suffered through some change and reached out to ETM to help it recover. Already, we have gotten to have multiple meetings with the leaders of the church, see elders affirmed for the first time in the church, and watch them learn how to shepherd the flock. I have been given the responsibility of filling the pulpit on Sundays, and have developed a sermon schedule, begun preaching, and coordinated with other ETM team members to come and speak. Our time with our family at Robbinsville First Baptist Church on Sunday mornings will be severely missed while we minister in Ducktown, but we were thankful for a commissioning from RFBC that sent us out in rejoicing at how the Lord is using RFBC to help other churches.
Sarah and I will be able to continue living in Robbinsville at ETM's campus and drive to Ducktown on the weekends to preach and worship with the church. Already, we have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the Body of Christ in Ducktown.
Our sermon series is in the book of 1 Peter, a book all about living holy in the midst of suffering because of the eternal hope that we have through Christ. Our prayer is for the elders at Ducktown to be unified, shepherd the flock well, and grow the church in a love for God that leads to changed lives. It is our joy to be given the opportunity to serve alongside them in that process. Would you commit to praying for this church with us?
In addition to ministering to the church in Ducktown, our regular ministry responsibilities continue. The 2022-23 school year has started, and with it so has our regular youth group meetings (both Sunday and Wednesday nights) at RFBC. To kick off the school year, we had our annual CRAGS Youth Overnighter, where the new students moving into youth group get introduced to CRAGS by staying up all night playing games and eating lots of junk food. It is always physically taxing, especially the day after, but also well worth it to connect and begin relationships with teenagers who have never interacted with church in this way. I am grateful for the youth volunteer leaders who sacrificed their weekend for such a time!
The past two months have also provided opportunities to see how God is working in other churches where ETM has contacts. In July, I traveled to Kinston, NC, to visit David Thacker, Frank Cline, and their families. Colin was given the opportunity to speak at Immanuel Baptist Church and we left encouraged by how the Lord is growing the church.
We ask that you would pray with us that the Lord would work through these ministry opportunities to disciple others who will then disciple others. Sarah and I are excited for this new season of ministry but feel the weight of the task as well. Your prayers and your financial support are much appreciated as we seek to follow the Lord wherever He is leading. Thank you for partnering with us in this work.
