April 7, 2004

Ezekiel 34:26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. 

Here we find the Lord speaking to the sheep of Israel or in other words the children of God.  I like the phrase "I will" found here, that speaks of God's Power.  Next we see the word "them", that speaks of God's People.  I am so glad I'm one of His!  Finally we see the phrase "my hill", which speaks of God's Place.  When we as God's People get in God's Place we will see God's Power!  Now that's good preaching even if I am typing it!?!?!

The old adage goes "April showers bring May flowers", that may well be true but I'd like to submit to you that "April showers show God's power"!!!  Now I'm not just talking about nature, I'm speaking of His mighty hand at work in our lives.  During the month of March we were blessed with many opportunities to share God's Word in music and message (Kelly handles the music while I try to take care of the message!)  We were at Maranatha Baptist in Dallas, NC several Sundays this month.  We were also privileged to preach at New Testament Baptist in Ellenwood, GA (just outside Atlanta) with a group from the college on March 17.  The church took up an offering for us that fed 12 hungry college students at Sonny's BBQ and still had a generous offering to give to the college!  We also had the opportunity to preach at Garden City Rescue Mission in Augusta on March 24 with a group from our SS class, Coupled with Christ. I also celebrated my birthday a few days ago...I'm 15 years old now! Fifteen in the Lord, that is. He just gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. We have now been 'sand lappers' for one year! I cannot believe how fast time goes by. The campmeeting will be here in less than a month, and we'll officially be Sophomores. We'll be graduating before you know it! 

I am so excited about our future.  This month God has allowed us to begin a radio ministry with two other college preachers, Derek Anglin and Brent Carr.  The program is called "Voices of Victory"; it is an outreach ministry of the college.  As such, it will feature college preachers as well as chapel preachers along with Dr. Hurte and Dr. Brown.  We will also feature many of the talented singing groups at Victory and give important announcements and ministry updates.  The program will air each Friday at 9:30am EST on AM 1560 in Dobson, NC and world-wide over the internet at www.wyzd.org. 

Finally, God has also blessed me with the awesome responsibility of being the editor of the college newsletter.  "The Victory Encourager" is a monthly periodical along the lines of "Revival Fires", "The Baptist Vision" and "The Sword of the Lord".  "The Victory Encourager" is published by Victory Baptist College for pastors and students. If you'd like to receive "The Victory Encourager" contact the church office at 803-278-2138 or www.victorybc.com. 

To God Be The Glory,

Great Things He Hath Done!

Chris & Kelly

p.s. We got our grades back from our mid-terms and we both (by God's AMAZING Grace) did great.

p.s.s. Where's the 'important announcement' you ask? It's the last sentence...the mid-term grades...and what were you thinking?!?!? Gotcha!!!

March 5, 2004

Hebrews 11:24-25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

We find this month's text in "The Hall of Faith." Moses had a decision to make, would he go along with the ways of the Egyptians and the things of the world or would he go with God?  Of course, we know he forsook the things of the world and went God's way; friend aren't you glad for that day when you said NO to sin, NO to satan, NO to the world and YES to the Savior!!!  Sure, you may have given up a little pleasure for a season, but one of these days we're going to a land where there is no time.  Why, over yonder there are no seasons, no more rain, no cloudy days, no ice storms, no snow storms, no hail storms, there will not even be a sun in the sky because the SON is the light over there.  There will be no more sickness, no more death, no more pain, no more rest homes, no more hospitals, no more funeral homes.  Over yonder there will be no more 40 hour work weeks, no more power bills, no more phone bills, no more credit card bills, no more car payments and Thank God Hallelujah, no more house payments!!!  In fact, I'm moving into a brand new mansion that I'll never have to vacuum, dust or clean and the best part is it's already paid for and waiting for me! I'm going to a supper where I'll sit at a table that stretches from sky to sky, eat food prepared in Heaven's kitchen, it has no fat, no calories or carbs. I'll eat off the finest plates, drink new wine out of crystal clear goblets, wipe my mouth with the finest linens and will not have to worry about washing the dishes or paying the check...it's been paid for! But that's not the best part, I'm going to a supper where the Lord himself, Jesus Christ, will gird himself and serve the children of God. Then, when all that's over, I'll go to a meeting that was conceived in the heart of God, orchestrated by the Holy Ghost and paid for by Jesus' precious blood. The heavenly choir has been practicing singing Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty for thousands of years but they'll have to bow their heads when The Redeemed march in and begin to sing that new song...maybe it'll go something like this, "He came to me, He came to me, when I could not come to where He was He came to me!" HAL...LA...LU...YER!!! Bless His Holy name, ain't you glad He came to you!   

Since the last time we wrote, we've been cold, hungry and homeless!!!  Just Kidding, during the last week of January we had an ice storm that knocked our power out for 5 days!!!  But, Praise the Lord, we were able to stay with Scott & Heather Campbell.  It was actually kind of fun, like a campout!?!?!  I sure am thankful for good friends.  We have been blessed with the opportunity to preach at Maranatha Baptist Church in Dallas, NC on several occasions and be a blessing to them.  I am looking forward to seeing where God will use us next.  We will be taking Mid-Terms next week.  Can you believe that our freshman year is almost over?  They always said, "Time flies when you're having fun."  I've said this before, but it bears repeating; there is no better place to be than in the middle of God's will.  I am SO glad we followed God's leadership, picked up and moved to the BEST Bible College in the world!!! 

To God Be The Glory,

Great Things He Hath Done!

Chris & Kelly

January 30, 2004

1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 

In this text we find that Israel has just defeated the Philistines by the power of God.  Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance or a testimony telling the world that up until this point God has been faithful and helped us.  As Kenny Townsend put it in Chapel the other week, I don't know what tomorrow holds but I do know about yesterday and it's been God all the way. 

Well, we had a great holiday season and time of rest during the holidays but it's time to get back to our busy schedule.  Spring semester began January 12 and we are so excited about the subjects we'll be studying and about what God is going to do in our lives this year. 

On December 7, 2003 we were privileged to preach at Maranatha Baptist Church in Aiken, SC during the evening service along with Brother CT Townsend.  We were also blessed to share the Word of God in our Sunday School class, "Coupled for Christ", on December 14, 2003.  We were blessed to be with Derek Anglin, Brent Carr, Joey Wampler and Chris Carr at the Glory Baptist Church New Year's Jubilee on December 31, 2003 in Buffalo, SC.  The church was such a blessing to us by providing us a room at a fine hotel, I felt like a "flaming evangelist"!!!  On January 11, 2004 we began a rest home ministry with Scott Campbell and his family at the NHC rest home in North Augusta, SC.  What a blessing it was to see those patients faces glow when we sang the praises of God and preached the promises of God.  We thank God for the open doors He has provided and I can hardly wait to see where God will use us next!!!

Think about this, In Mark chapter five, the disciples get off the ship on the other side (where Jesus told them they were going) and run into the maniac.  I can't say for sure but I'm just persuaded that the one of the disciples may have looked at that man and said, "Sir, you look like a hard case, there's a possibility that He can't help you, I'm not 100% sure what He can do on land but He works miracles on the water!"  Hallelujah!!!  Remember, when the waves are above your head they are still under His feet!

Because God Will,

Chris & Kelly

Archived Prayer Letters

2003