STATE MISSIONS: Important Meeting

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Missionary Committee meeting on Thursday, Feb. 10 as our association will be considering two men to serve as state missionaries. I pray we will have a crowd to vote and, hopefully, welcome these men. The meeting will be at South City Church in Little Rock, next to the BMA State Office, at 10 a.m.

Heavy-Hearted 

Being from a family of seven boys and one girl made her special. After Mother passed, she became the hub of the wheel. Sadly, Friday morning my sister suffered a massive stroke and went to be with Jesus just a few hours later. She will truly be missed by her family and the remaining three brothers. Heaven is getting sweeter all the time as she was the third sibling I have lost in three years. Thank you, Jesus, for the promise that we will all be together again soon. Once, when leaving a cemetery, Jewel McCrackin said to me, “I just realized that I have more friends in Heaven than I do here on Earth.” I am beginning to know what he meant.

Close-By Blessing 

I want to publicly thank Jeff Herring and Allan Eakin for their never-ending help with the State Missions’ computers and such. It is great to be able to call for one of them in an emergency. I keep them sharp, seeing as I can do things to a computer no one else has ever done — really, just ask them. Thanks, guys, I really appreciate your willingness and expertise in helping. Their help also converts into savings for the office.

From Our Missionaries

Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Due to the winter storm, Wednesday’s discipleship meetings were held by Zoom, but the other meetings were held as usual without changes in the format.

“Sunday, I had the opportunity to support Pastor Ali Velasquez, from Sherwood’s Bethel Baptist Church, who recently had major surgery, by going to preach at his church. My wife, Sayra and the entire Sunday discipleship group accompanied me — a total of 11 people. It was extremely nice to have the presence and support of my discipleship group during the preaching. I thank God for the lives of these brothers and sisters. I would appreciate prayers for the members of the discipleship group, for the recovery of Pastor Velasquez and for Bethel Church.

“In our Sunday meeting, we continued with our series of studies of the book of Proverbs, in this case with chapter 11. God bless your lives.”

Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “When we have the Berean Groups (cells) active, they make a big difference in the mood of the congregation. This week, we had the group on Monday and Wednesday active; but on Thursday, due to bad weather, it was suspended. It was a joy to meet again, have fellowship and grow in the Word of God.

“Last week in the ‘Despierta AD’ training, we were able to identify those labels that people give us, some good (golden stars) or some bad (gray dots). But how does God see me? What is my identity which comes from Him?

“We only had online service Sunday. When I went to the temple in Chenal, although many of the roads were clear of ice, there were areas with patches of ice. I streamed the service from my computer. The brothers were overjoyed that, although they had not been able to go out, God did not allow the electricity or the water to go out.

“This week I begin with the ‘First Fruits.’ It is a time that each novo.org missionary sets aside to pray and give those first fruits of intimacy with God. We set aside every first Monday of the month for that purpose.

“This week, I have to renew my affiliation to the Baseball Chapel. Pray for each ministry in which I serve. To God be the glory!”

The Table, Springdale: Clinton Morris writes, “It’s been a crazy two weeks. I took some of the last two weeks off because of the new addition to the Morris Family. Foxlynn Jane arrived, and she is doing well. She is the cutest hiccup monster you could ever see. We are all a bit sleep-deprived.

“Things are going amazingly well with the plant. I had some quality conversations with an engaged college couple who has started visiting the mission. We have a single father who is also visiting, and he has been such a blessing.”