The fall months have featured more than just change of seasons here in our ministry at Eternal Truth Ministries. Life has been happening fast and at times it is challenging to stay proactive in our schedules rather than reactive. The need for intentional quiet time, prayer and meditation in the Word, and intentional times of rest have been key to maintaining an effective ministry. Through it all the Lord has blessed the work we have been a part of, as we see real change and growth in a number of areas.
Our work with The Rock Community Church in Ducktown, Tennessee, continues. We are soon to be finished in a series on 1 Peter, and are working on our next series. The church's pastoral search is underway, and we pray for wisdom as their pastoral search team seeks a pastor. Meanwhile, we have seen exciting growth among the elders. They are learning how to lead together and what it means to shepherd the flock among them. Sarah and I have also had the opportunity to join a life group every Sunday immediately following morning worship. There, we share a meal together and discuss the sermon. Over the past few months, we have seen God working in powerful ways as He continues to teach and grow the members of this church.
At Robbinsville First Baptist Church, this year's life groups kicked off at the beginning of October. I am a facillitator of a group that meets on Thursday evenings. We look forward to the Lord growing the relationships with the people in that group throughout the coming months. RFBC's annual "Aim" sermon series finished on October 2nd, and they are now in the book of James as we study how to respond to trials with Godly wisdom.
Over October 20-22, I was able to attend RFBC's annual Men's Ministry Camping Trip. The weather featured lows in the 20s, but we stayed reasonably warm and enjoyed good food, great fellowship, and a special time together as we studied what it means to be iron men (Proverbs 27:17). The time was special, and men came from as far away as St. Louis, Indianapolis, and North Dakota to worship the Lord in the woods of western North Carolina alongside the men from RFBC (pictured above).
The apostolic vision of ETM means there are many moving parts in our day to day lives. In line with the sermon series' of 1 Peter at the Rock and James at RFBC, we have experienced trials over the past couple months aimed at distracting us from our mission of making churches healthy through discipleship of church leaders. Whether it is our internet going out for several days at a time, water issues, or greater trials, the team at ETM remains focused and committed to serving the local church.
To that end, ETM's president, Vali Tent, is making a trip to Romania in November to meet and disciple local pastors who have asked that he come. We pray for safe travels, profitable meetings, and long term relationships that result in these Romanian pastors groiwng into disciple makers of their local churches.
In all the busyness of ministry, Sarah is doing well. She is now in her second trimester of pregnancy, and is able to continue her secretarial and hospitality work at ETM, while also working with a homeschool group on Tuesdays, volunteering in RFBC's youth ministry, and even substitute teaching when her schedule allows.
This ministry we have been given is heavy, but it is full of joy as we see God working in the lives of inidividuals in local churches in our region, throughout our nation, and even around the world.
Thank you for your steadfast support of our ministry - for your prayers, encouragement, and your financial contributions. We would love to hear from you, so if you would like just send us an email, text, or give us a call. We thank the Lord for your support.
