Keyport Bible Church/Elma Christmas Cantata

This past Sunday we headed over to Keyport Bible Church (Bob's home church) for Sunday School and Worship. We sat in on Curt Browning's Adult class in which we covered Zechariah 13. Curt was Bob's Junior High Sunday School teacher, former Elder, hiking partner and continuing mentor. Pastor Mike Chinn preached from Luke 9 on a "Glimpse of Glory! Back to Present Reality." It was a good time to get to know a few new people and fellowship with many we've know for years. We had a nice lunch with Curt and Marilyn Browning following church. There are already a couple others who want to spend time with us next go round.

After lunch we headed south across the Narrow's Bridge toward Elma, west of Olympia. We took a short detour to the Tacoma Mall for a few items. It also gave us time to contemplate where we go on to Elma considering the snowy situation on the road. We decided to make the trip which went fine. Arriving a bit early we decided to stop in at Saginaw's Cafe for coffee and dessert. Then we made our way to the High School for a Christmas Cantata. Grace Community Church, where NICE Missionaries Ken & Ruth Davis serve as Pastor, were one of five churches involved. Pastor Ken was given the privilege of sharing some thoughts following the concert. The musical was called The Promise of Light which had a great Christmas gospel message.

EBC Men's Retreat-Rock Island-Wenatchee Valley Bible

This past weekend was a busy weekend. On Saturday morning, while Katherine, Sarah Joy, Kimberly and Emma (daughter-in-law and granddaughter), went to "TEA" in Sumner, I headed out to the Edgewood Bible Church Men's Retreat in Ravensdale. This was my first time to Lake Retreat and was an enjoyable time. Our speaker was Steve Janho who is the College Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue. Steve used to be the Men's Ministry Leader when he and his family attended Valley Bible Church before his current role. Besides the main sessions there was opportunity for Frisbee Golf and a Basketball Freethrow contest. Katherine picked me up in the early afternoon and we headed to Rock Island where we spent the evening with Dennis and Lori Stark, pastor of the Community Church. The Starks have been at this ministry now for about four years. While we didn't see any children for Sunday School this particular Sunday, there were a dozen or so adults looking through Ephesians 3. Dennis preached from a few different passages on the subject of Thanksgiving. We were tickled to see over 55 people in the Worship service followed by a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. Boy was it crowded. I told one of the men they need to get the kitchen done and if they keep growing they may have to begin building an addition. It is encouraging to see new faces attending, being baptized, becoming new members and taking on ministry roles. Following our time of fellowship we headed over to the Bong's house so I could participate in the Wenatchee Valley Bible Church Board meeting. I serve in this capacity along with Pastor Dan and three other men. Katherine and Charlottee (wife of the Treasurer) went for coffee and hang out together during the meeting. In the Evening Service I shared from a variety of passages, via Powerpoint, on the subject of Thanksgiving. I began with Philippians 2:14 sharing concerning the subject of not complaining and disputing about the situations of life. After a time of fellowship and goodies we made our way over Blewett and Snoqualmie Pass which saw lots of deer but thankfully not a lot of snow. Unfortunately one deer had been hit in the hindquarters and was still on the road. The hazards of this time of year.

Moody Northwest Mission's Conference

Katherine and I got back last night, more specifically 12:30am this morning, from the Moody Northwest Mission's Conference in Spokane. The Conference was held at Fourth Memorial Bible Church which doubles for the Bible Institute. We began Sunday afternoon with Orientation, setting up the display and a Chili-Potato Bake. This gave us the opportunity to begin touching base with many of the students. There are a little over 300 students at Moody this year which is an increase over last year. We met up with our Inland Northwest Field Director, Roger and Karen Hayden that evening as they drove up after ministering in their church at Cambridge. On Monday morning the Conference officially began with the first General Session. The main speaker was Rev. Abraham Thomas from India who founded Agape Royal Ministries. He spoke for three of the four main sessions. Dr. Gerald W. Peterman, Chair of the Bible department at Moody Bible Institute, spoke for one session. During the main sessions there was a worship time. There was a number of seminars throughout the two days. Roger Hayden taught one seminar titled, "Is Your Church a Lighthouse?" He focused on the "first" impressions churches give when people come to the church and walk through the doors. We had a great time of fellowship with the Hayden's and a number of conversations with other displayers and students. Following the conference we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and fellowship with John & Janet Johnson at a local restaurant in downtown Spokane. We first met John years ago when he would fly into Hailey as a corporate pilot. They also spent a few years at Ravensdale Bible Church as they are related to Matt & Terri Sconce, former N.I.C.E. Missionaries who now live in Minnesota.

Forks Bible Church

Well, I had a wonderful trip over to Forks this past weekend. The only thing that would have made it better was to have my wife along, but she was unable to attend. Our hope is for the two of us to head back to Forks sometime the first of the year. For those who don't know, the once "log" booming town of Forks has now regained popularity due to the "Twilight" books and movie. Not necessarily a bragging point for the church folks of Forks. Some of you know that this is my "annual" trek to Forks Bible Church to touch base with the folks through Worship and Fellowship. However, many say my main reason for going is to fish for Salmon and Steelhead. I arrived on Saturday night and visited with Pastor George and Rita Williams, who are always wonderful hosts. Even though Forks & the Forks Bible Church are small, they continue to be busy as a couple with many ministries: Sunday Services in the am & pm, mid-week Bible studies, community outreach, helping in the restoration of the church building, etc. I preached on Sunday morning from James 1 which was interesting since the Adult Sunday School class was going through the same text. However, a number of folks said it was a subject that needed "double" attention. This was followed by a Soup & Bread dinner and skit by the Pastor & three Elders, with costumes and all. Sunday night Pastor George continued a series through Exodus which was a good study. Monday morning found me and George on the river bank bright and early at 7am, along with about 10 other men. We started out for a few hours catching nothing (unusual for George), while everyone else below us was catching fish. Eventually we moved down river and limited out with our 4 Coho (Silver) Salmon each. The conditions were perfect and the expectation on a great amount of fish going through. We were really the sight carrying our four fish each tied to our backpacks, averaging around 10lbs each, up the trail. We headed out again Tuesday morning and I banked the first silver but not much was happening so we went to another location and George brought in two and the guys next to us had brought in three. We've tried to convince our wives that this is work, not play; that we are "providing" for our families. They're not so easily swayed to our thinking. Oh well. All in all it was a good trip and I enjoyed it immensely as always.

Southern Washington Ministry

Katherine and I took off late Saturday afternoon to Oregon for an overnighter at our daughter and son-in-laws. Elizabeth prepared a roast beef dinner and afterwards we all did some bowling - wii bowling that is. Sunday morning, after a bright and early breakfast at 6:30am, we headed out for Carson Bible Church across the river from Cascade Locks. Dave and Glenda West, Missionaries with N.I.C.E. have served there as pastor for 16 years. Even though a smaller church, they have two serves so I had the opportunity to preach a couple times. My sermon topic was "Responding to the Test of Faith in Life" from James 1:2-8. I started with two as the foundation: 1) Trials are the means God uses in testing the character of our faith (vs2-4), and 2) Godly wisdom is from a spiritual dimension, not human cleverness or insight (vs5-8). Then I shared four responses God expects from us: The Response of Joy in Trials (v2), The Response of Endurance (vs3-4), The Response of Prayer (v5), and The Response of Confidence (vs6-8). We enjoyed Sunday School in between the services. The Adult Teacher is working through the book of Genesis and discussed part of the Fall in chapter 3. Following church we had lunch with Pastor Dave and Glenda at the house and enjoyed a time of fellowship. On our way home we met for dinner with Don & Jody Wantland, Missionaries with N.I.C.E. who live in Castle Rock. We always enjoy our visit and chats about ministry and family. Don always has some great thoughts or usually has a theological question he has been pondering that he throws out.

IFCA Regional

Monday through Wednesday this past week was our semi-annual IFCA Regional Conference. We met at Faith Community Bible Church in Bremerton, pastored by Dan Wilson. The folks of FCBC did an outstanding job of hosting us, not only as the site for the Conference but in providing us with great meals and snacks.

Four of our own men spoke from the book of Philippians in our Main Sessions. Pastor Jay Mosser of Sunset Bible Church in University Place spoke from Chapter one. Pastor Tim Walton from Alderwood Manor Church in Lynwood delivered a message from Chapter two. Pastor Mike Jones, Shepherd of Independent Bible Church in Port Angeles preached from Chapter three. Dan Wilson, Host Pastor wrapped the book up speaking from Chapter four.

The ladies had a wonderful time on Saturday with Elizabeth George, speaker and author of numerous books. Elizabeth did two main sessions with them. At the last meeting on Wednesday the board introduced their new appointee as President, Katherine Rodgers. Sadly her predecessor Birtha Richards passed away a few months ago. Judi Allen, former President, had been filling in until a new President could be appointed. The men participated in a number of workshops.

At the Tuesday night dinner time, which reflects on the ministry of Northwest Independent Church Extension, Earl Brubaker, Executive Director, announced his resignation which will be effective at the end of September next year. The Board is beginning the process of looking for a new Director during this time period and would appreciate prayer.

Our next Conference will be in February next year at Edgewood Bible Church in Edgewood. It will be followed by their annual Mission's Conference. Paul Seger, Executive Director of Biblical Ministries Worldwide will be the speaker for both Conferences.

FBC Picnic & Baptism

What a privilege for Katherine and I to attend Faith Bible Church as they joined together for a picnic and baptism last weekend. We began the picnic by singing a few songs down by the water. Then Pastor Tim shared a few verses and thoughts concerning baptism from Romans 6. Following his comments, Jessica Shipman gave her testimony and then Ben Dort followed sharing his story of coming to Christ. It was a wonderful act of obedience by these two in following the ordinance of baptism as Pastor Tim led them in the process of believer's baptism in the lake. The weather was great and we had plenty of food. A couple of the men barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs and many of the gals brought various salads and desserts. The kids had an opportunity to play in the water while some of the guys threw the football around or tossed the frisbee while others just visited.

Rural Home Mission's Conference

I recently attended, along with Bob Allen, Church Team Missionary with N.I.C.E., the Rural Home Mission's Conference at Frontier School of the Bible in Southeastern Wyoming. It was Bob's first time in this neck of the "frontier" and my second. This was a great opportunity for about five different organizations to share their ministries in Church Planting, Restoration, Youth Ministry and Camping. I taught a workshop called, "Keeping Hope Alive in Small Town America: The Challenges & Blessings of Rural Ministry." Bob taught "Country Church Meets City Folks: The Impact of the Migration of the City Mindset Into the Country Church." I also shared a multi-media presentation on the ministry of Northwest Independent Church Extension in one of the chapel times. We spent a majority of time answering questions and getting to know students around the table at the various meal times. We hopefully have a couple possibly candidates for ministering with NICE. We also had the opportunity to attend a few classes with the students. One sideline opportunity was a trip to Scott's Bluff in Nebraska, about an hour from the school, where we went to Monument Rock. This is one of the areas that the Oregon Trail passes through that the pioneers used. Frontier School of the Bible seems to be a solid, biblical school that has a unique ministry for those planning to obtain their BA degree. The students must be involved in an internship program their fourth year; either with a pastor, missionary, camp director, etc. It is definitely set in the frontier in the town of Lagrange, Wyoming. Outside of a local store-cafe, auto shop and a tavern, the school pretty much is the town. They have great facilities and a brand new chapel. Part of our time there was evaluations and discussions with Will Fellows, the Mission's teacher and organizer of the conference. Bob and I enjoyed the trip and spending some quality time getting to know each other better but also participating in the ministry of encouraging the students to seriously consider planting a church or being part of a revitalizing ministry in a church that needs help.