Stories from the Fields

We continue to see the mission field here. A lady called with questions about the church, so Suzanne and I met with her. She shared her life’s story and requested financial assistance, saying she’d already received some from two other churches. We prayed with her and invited her to become part of a church family, but let her know we could not provide financial assistance. She came to church! 

A 17-year-old young man, who came by the day we moved in, came back to ask questions. He’s not from a Christian home; in fact, his parents are hostile against any religion. He’s done a lot of research on his own, and I believe he has been converted. I answered most of his questions and gave him a Bible. He said he would be interested in coming to church if his parents allow. I pray he will be grounded in the Word and be freed to come to church. I stopped at a yard sale and met the entire family of a lady that attends our church.  Probably would’ve been a long time before I met them had it not been for a yard sale.

I’ve also joined the Chesterfield Fire Dept…they voted me in as a member and also appointed me Chaplain. I look forward to how the Lord will use me in this area.              

Aaron & Suzanne McNally

October has been a busy month of getting started on our 40^th year of Ecola, leading orientation for the students, and getting the staff established into their roles. We have 79 students in our first-year program, and 33 enrolled in our School of Ministry program. The school year got off to a good start, and although this is an abnormally small class, there seems to be a really good atmosphere amongst the student body. The students are enjoying classes and seem eager to learn. We’ve also been enjoying some wonderful and unusual weather.    David & Drenda Duff

I’ve been preaching through the book of Ephesians. On the Sunday that we began chapter 6, I decided to focus on the children. We sang children’s songs, the children shared special music, our son Aaron led our worship time, and the message was “Children Obey and Honor your parents.” The kids really enjoyed having a service for them. One adult commented how nice it was to do something different. Another person told me they’d never heard a whole message dedicated to children like that. It was a very good day.  Paul & Denise DeVall

If you would like to see some pictures of the ministry at Glendorado please click on this link

Prior to the worship service one week, a motorcyclist appeared at our church to say a fellow rider had crashed. Three from our congregation, who are with the Rescue Dept, responded, and I stayed to conduct the service. The rider had several broken ribs.

Following the service, a man appeared at the door to ask for help rescuing his dogs that had gone into an old mine after a bear. Along with the help of the Animal Control officer and Fire Dept. members, we were able to get the dogs out of the mine. Just a normal day of worship in Oriskany! 

David & Ninette Cox

Our local school has changed to a schedule of 4 days per week this year, with Friday usually being the day they are not in session. Several of the moms in our church were concerned that some of the kids wouldn’t have lunch if they weren’t in school, so we started a lunch & learning program (meeting in the park while the weather holds) to feed them physically and spiritually. We’ve met several new families through this outreach and are praying that they will be led by the Holy Spirit to accept God’s gift of salvation through Christ.  

Please be in prayer for Bill and Vicki as Bill battles cancer.  He has already lived much longer than the doctors predicted and continues to minister actively.  Please pray for a complete healing if God so wills and that God will sustain them during this trial.

Earlier this month we met with some fellow VMers; what an encouragement this was to both Leslie and me. 

The 15^th was my birthday, and Joe & Gina blessed us with our second grandson…little Joey, all 9 lbs and 22 inches of him! 

Then on Sunday afternoon I had the honor of baptizing a lady in our church. The water was freezing, but what a great time we had, singing and giving praise to the Lord. 

And, we continue to help in the relief work from the flood. In Pattersonville and Rotterdam Jct. over 60 houses have been condemned. As we travel through the Schoharie Valley, the devastation is just as bad if not worse. Please continue to pray for our area, and that we will be an effective witness during this time.

 Dennis & Leslie Burke

We had four great outdoor services last month. God used these services to bring unity to the congregation and a real hunger to submit to Him. Our three VBS programs over the summer brought the Gospel to communities away from the church. We saw many children receive Christ as their Savior. Family Fun Nights were also great times of fellowship for the church body. We averaged 125 adults, teens, and children. And, we had our first “Outflow” outreach ministry. We gave sodas away at three stoplights, and washed cars & windshields for free to demonstrate God’s love. Thirty people came out to help – it was a lot of fun. Matt & Tina Schnetz

I’m always struck with a little bit of wonder at who the Lord sends our way. One Sunday morning, a young man stopped by the church while I was changing a sprinkler. He’d just jumped off a boxcar as it passed through our community. 

 He was struggling with family issues in Spokane, and on a whim decided to jump a freight train bound for Montana. After he cleaned up, we talked for some time about his situation. He stayed for Sunday School and church; after church he told one of our men that God wanted him to get back to Spokane to take care of things. He also said he hoped to come back. I’m praying that our brief ministry to him will yield eternal results.   Ken & Kris Ainsworth

It is a great pleasure to be here in Westport. We’re getting to know the people better and getting to meet some of the people outside our church family as well. There are a lot of needs in this community. The “spiritual” need is paramount, but the financial and medical needs of this small population are far beyond “average.” Tim & Vicky Sander