 It is our desire as a team to see God work in each church we come in contact with. When we see that it is God that does a work through our lives, we grasp the big picture of what our ministry is. This week at Hillsdale Baptist Church, we saw God do a great work. Our team was able join in ministry with Pastor Travis Smith at a men's night where the gospel was preached to over 80 members and guests. Over 80 teenagers came out to our Cola War, 24 of which were counseled about salvation, and many children in our Battle for Truth sessions made professions of faith.
Wednesday night may have seemed like a discouragement at first, but the Lord was definitely at work. The power went out at the church and the surrounding area for about 45 minutes during our pre-session. The staff at the church decided to cancel the meeting, but through that, Will was able to talk to a man he had been sharing the gospel with for several days. And that night, while the power was out, Will was able to lead him to the Lord.
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This semester has already felt more intense than all of last semester. Don't ask me why, maybe just being on the east coast does something to your blood. Tighter spaces, less sky, sulfur water, and the winter weather all seem to play a small role. Our time here in southern Florida has been fast, but God has already done so much, not only in the churches that we have been in but also in my own heart. The team has been going through a book for team devotions on the topic of fear. From the first page to last chapter that I read this book has been an honest description of how I live the majority of life. Walking around thinking fearful thoughts, feeling fearful, and then speaking fearful words. This could make it sound like I'm living timidly, sure sometimes I'm not too confident and I do get nervous when I have to play music in front of people, but for me living in fear comes out in my life when I turn flippant and speak carelessly. It is easy for me to speak quick and sarcastically with my friends when I'm choosing fear over perfect love, or just choosing little effort in case of failure. One point from the book that has stuck with me is the idea that whatever you are fearing has control over you. To hear that is a bit scary for me. I don't like the idea that I would put myself in the place of letting something control me. Lately it has been difficult for me to know exactly how to conquer this sin when so much of my life is filled with it. One thought that I have had recently is that if I actually fear the Lord I can be controlled by him, instead of my fears. It is an encouraging thing when a phrase used so many times in the Bible is brought to a place of greater understanding. I still have much fear in my life, but through God's grace I don't have to be controlled by my fears if I choose to love and fear the Lord.
-Stephen Pettit
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Walking in the Spirit (updated) |
 This study on Galatians 5 is a challenge for all Christians not to use liberty for the purpose of our flesh, but rather to walk in the Spirit and serve others. This is an updated version of Will's walking in the spirit notes. Click here to download the PDF.
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 We (the girls) had the awesome privilege of staying at the Vance household for 2 weeks. The Coffeys and the Galkins were parked outside, so there were 21 of us staying on the Vance property! It made for a very festive time while we were there.
Grandma (Mrs.) Vance adopted us all while we were there, making countless meals and constantly cleaning. Pastor Vance took the girls out on the Rhino. A Rhino is kind of like a golf cart that is made for off-roading. We loaded up and went mudding, and it started raining while we were out, which just added to the adventure.
We also had many late night excursions with John Vance and Sam Grippo. They introduced us to the late night sport of gigging. Gigging involves a boat, a light, an 8-14 ft. pole with a 4 prong spear on the end, and fish. You get the picture. I (Elise) caught a 30 lb monster. It took 3 tries, but I finally got him. We had a blast stabbing fish in the canals of Florida.
William, Anna Grace, Lilly, and David all loved scooter and Rhino rides across the property. The rope swing was a big hit as well. They really appreciated the extra room to run and play.
We had many fun times at the Vance household, and our times there will not be easily forgotten.
-Elise Lafferty
Check out picures from Gunnery Road on facebook!
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