A brief follow-up to the report in our previous letter regarding the Faith Promise program as final commitments have been submitted: $8,200 (USD) has been pledged for the first year of HBC’s missions program! This was far above my faith and prayer but, yet again, Jeremiah 33:3 proves true.
We had requested your prayers for the Spring Revival with Evangelist Caleb Garraway last month. This was hosted by a sister church 45 minutes from us. The services began on a Saturday and ran through Wednesday. I missed the weekend meetings because of a preaching engagement in Wellington, however our church family took full advantage of it! On average, 25 of our church family made the effort to attend every service and our church has been greatly blessed as a result. Among the other churches attending, four men surrendered (or re-surrendered) to the ministry, and many other decisions were made, to God’s glory!
The following weekend, we made an intentional push for those who have not yet stepped into door to door outreach to get involved, as the final revival message was aimed at outreach. This is a big step for those who are only familiar with letterboxing (canvassing flyers). We had already taught through personal evangelism in depth as a church and had also equipped the church with New Testaments and other tools during the missions month. Since the revival, there have been five additional members who have started engaging with people during outreach! It has been exciting to gather after the organized outreach time and hear the testimonies of the gospel being shared, not just from the pastor or assistant pastor, but everyone.
Just a brief note about the meeting at Baptist Bible Church of Wellington. The church there is very tuned in to personal evangelism. Most of that Sunday was spent meeting new Christians, saved and baptized this year and being personally discipled. Praise the Lord! This is the vision for Heritage Baptist Church.
Another answer to prayer we’re experiencing is the college (high-school) outreach. Last month this was one of our prayer requests. Just as Bro. Eathan initiated the prayer stand many months ago, Bro. Andy has been burdened and has started distributing tracts outside the college. His philosophy is that if the college isn’t accepting spiritual help, and if the students aren’t getting spiritual help, can we reach enough of them from the outside to fuel the need for a solution? Last week as he distributed tracts, several teen guys requested tracts to distribute with him, and he’s been able to have regular conversations with a few students. God is at work!
At the end of the month, we hosted a children’s activity, focusing the attention of this time of year on the true Light of the world, Jesus. It was well attended with 16 kids. However, the greatest part was what we observed during the event. It was an idea suggested by one of the mothers. It was planned and run by a couple in the church. There were retirees present just to support and help. Teens were running the games. Older couples without little kids assisting too. The point is, many without “skin in the game” were involved.
Especially since the revival, but building for several months now, the unity of this church family has taken a turn upward. There is almost unanimous involvement across all ministries. There is a spirit that visiting Christians take note of. There is an agreement in doctrine that has taken much work and prayer to iron out. There is a zeal for outreach that is contagious. There is an eagerness and expectation for what God will do next.
We are humbled to serve our Lord. We are humbled by your support and prayers that God is using to His glory. “…not I, but Christ…”
Please pray for our visa renewal submission in November, for many visitors to attend HBC’s first anniversary service, and for Alyse as she is expecting our third child in April!
Thank you for praying and sacrificing for the gospel’s sake,
Josh, Alyse, Bentlee and Raelynn Szwarga