Archive for the 'Stories from the Fields' Category

I shared Christ with a gentleman that was in the church, but not in the usual situation – he came during the week to tune the piano. He claimed to be a Unitarian Universalist but said he was looking for a church to attend. I shared with him briefly what we believe about Jesus Christ being our only way of Salvation from sin. He listened intently but did not have much to say in reply. I left him with a devotional to read. I was ready to leave a few minutes before that, but just couldn’t for some reason. After I spoke to him about Christ, it was like I could leave then, because I had done what the Spirit was leading me to do.  What better place to share the message God has given than right there on the platform, with the man sitting at the piano! Aaron & Suzanne McNally

The most exciting thing that’s happened lately was being able to baptize two young men in their twenties.  One of them was baptized before he was saved, so he really wanted to “do it right.”  As we went over my short baptism class, his excitement was just awesome.  He even wanted to get baptized that night!  The other guy is a neat story too.  I baptized his wife last year, and as I met with her, he sat there with arms crossed and a totally uninterested face.  Then, this spring he made some bad decisions, but they resulted in him truly accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior!  So when he told me recently that he wanted to be baptized, I was thrilled! I baptized them in the river in front of our place, and then we had a big picnic. It was a special day.  Since then, a lady who got saved last summer also requested to be baptized. These are exciting times!  Dean & Rochelle Denlinger

Despite car problems, we had a wonderful time camping in the Redwoods. We were grateful for the family time before we begin a hectic school year. We’re now in preparation for Awana which will start September 10^th.  We will also begin a program once a week for middle school kids called Trek.  We plan to use the school Release Time for this program.  Oregon allows students to leave school grounds for religious training for one class period once a week.  Josh & Xio Gard

What a blessing! We held our Vacation Bible School the week of July 21^st – 25^th. The church was alive every night of the week with activity. The real blessing came on the final night. We had a special presentation with the children reciting their memory verses and singing the songs they had learned during the week. Then I gave a gospel presentation and asked if there were any who would like to pray and ask Jesus into their heart; 12 children raised their hands and I led them in a prayer to receive Christ. Moments like that really recharge your batteries and give you a glimpse into the heart of GOD! Clarence & Marinda Blessard

Eight baptisms! One Sunday I baptized Nicole (age 10). While visiting Grandma here in February, she had raised her hand to receive Christ one Sunday morning. She spent most of the summer in Azalea and wanted to be baptized before returning home. Her mom was here for the baptism! Another baptism for 7 people is scheduled for August 24; our annual church picnic will be at Fir Point Bible Camp, and we’ll use their swimming pool. We also have 3 new church members. After 3 funerals in 2 months, we were worn out and a bit discouraged…what an encouragement these baptisms and memberships have been! Don & Vicki Stevens

We had the largest VBS ever, and seven children came to Christ! We also had a baptism for three adults and eight children. What a blessing it is to see people be obedient to the Lord. There were three sisters, a father & son, and others. One person’s mother had prayed for some years that this would happen, and it did. God is so good! Stephen & Karen McNally

A prayer request came forth, and after asking for deacons, deaconesses, and others with “elder” hearts to come and pray, nearly a dozen people came forward to lay hands upon this person and believe God for an outpouring of grace and mercy.  While enjoying a cup of coffee after the service, a visitor came to me and exclaimed what a testimony of faith that was, that people would spontaneously assemble around a needing saint and pray.  They said it was a powerful witness of God at work in the body. Since then, at least four have been prompted to reaffirm their faith and have prayed to trust Christ with their eternal lives; I have also had the chance to pray with another one to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.  Marty & Cindy Cole

This year we took a different approach to VBS. A year ago several of us attended a conference on Creation. At the same time, Candi wrote a few children’s songs on that topic. We discussed and prayed about writing our own VBS curriculum on God’s creation, but “the pieces weren’t all in place.” This year we considered doing it because our church finances had been tight; we looked to God and He turned on the “creative juices.” A couple of ladies spent several days redecorating our church. Candi & I recorded the songs and developed PowerPoint for them and about a dozen other songs. We put together a curriculum guide with lesson outlines, Creation themes, subjects, goals, and memory verses for each day. The Lord provided teachers who took the challenge and developed their lessons and crafts. Then God raised up support staff – kitchen help, a recreation leader and helpers, and classroom helpers.  The Lord gave us kids – it was the largest VBS in recent years! And the program was so fun; the kids showed how much they enjoyed VBS and how much they had learned, and the parents could tell.  Several told us this was the best VBS and VBS program ever! Three children trusted Christ and several others made rededications – Praise God!  Stephen & Candace Hill

Things are going well in Kettle Falls. A great mentoring relationship has formed between Tony (Pinkham) and me. Under his guidance, I have been able to do several things. I’ve gone on calls with Tony, helped with the music worship of the church, led in prayer on several occasions, and led communion one Sunday. I’ve also had opportunity to preach one Sunday. The time has been good to build relationships and rapport, so that I can minister more effectively in the future. Travis Cochran, Intern

God has been blessing here in some very special ways. A young couple asked me to marry them. In our first session together I shared the gospel with them, and they both trusted in Christ as their Savior & Lord. One Sunday in June, we had a church picnic and baptism. Fifty people attended and five people were baptized. I had personally led four of them to the Lord, and one had just trusted in Christ that morning. It was a wonderful time of sharing in God’s grace and mercy. Tom & Karen Douglass