Marblemount Chapel

On Saturday afternoon I was speaking with the wife (Betty) of one of our Missionary Pastor's (Bob Dillard). He had had a stroke the precious day or two before and was in the hospital. The reality was he would not be preaching on Sunday so as I talked with her I volunteered for us to come up and fill the pulpit if they needed someone. She thought that was a great idea and invited us to come and stay for the potluck afterwards. So we headed out early Sunday morning meandering up I-5 and then heading east through Burlington, Sedro Woolley, Concrete and arriving at Marblemount on the North Cascade Highway. Marblemount Chapel is an AMF (American Missionary Fellowship) ministry; formerly the American Sunday School Union.

We joined the small group of folks for Sunday School and since no one had prepared for a lesson we sang hymns most of the time. Then they turned the Worship Service time over to me and I preached from Colossians 1:9-12 on The Deliberated Priority of Prayer for Others. Following the service we enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and great cooking. Then we headed down the road following Betty to the Skagit Valley Medical Hospital to visit Bob for a few moments. After a short visit we turned our direction toward home arriving about 4:30pm. We're praying that God gives Bob strength to continue his ministry as Pastor and ability to preach the Word in the days ahead.

Faith Bible Church & Silver Creek Retirement Center

After arriving home for about an hour to visit with our daughter and son, we headed up to South Hill, Puyallup to be a part of Faith Bible Church's Evening Service at the Silver Creek Retirement Center. Pastor Tim Atkins led us in worship through singing various hymns. Then after a time of prayer, he continued his series of messages from the Psalms on the 96th Psalm.

It was a blessing to see a number of folks from Faith Bible Church and a number of the residents. We were challenged from Psalm 96 in the area of our worship in light of the fact that the King is coming again to judge the earth; Singing a New Song tot he Lord because He is our Great God, Giving the Offering to the Lord because He is our Holy King, and Rejoicing before the Lord because He is the Coming Judge. Following our time of worship many of us went to the Atkins home for a delicious meal, fellowship and time of reflecting on the morning and evening messages.

North to Alaska

Dutch Harbor! Known better to most by the PBS production "Deadliest Catch" which ports out of DH, Unalaska. Unalaska is an island on the Aleutian Chain, approximately 800 miles southwest of Anchorge. Many remnants of World War II can still be seen on the island. A number of canneries still operate sending crab, polluck and a variety of other seafood around the world. You'll find no McDonald's, Burger King, Walmarts, Penny's or Macy's. A couple multi-purpose, or what we used to call "merchantile" type stores, provide necessary items. The internet helps tremendously for purchasing needed items not found on the island. A couple small restaurants dot the island for those times when you just don't want to cook a meal. A number of events keep the island a close community like music recitals, ball games at the local schools and Recreation Center, annual Soap Box Derby (the only course in the world with a turn), Roller Blade Hockey, etc. The docks keep busy with barges and ships coming and going. A couple times a year there are Cruise Ships that drop anchor for a short tour.

The weather can be windy and cold with snow in the winter (but not as cold or as bad as Anchorage & Fairbanks) and a few nice sunny days in the summer. A number of churches line the streets of Unalaska; Russian Orthodox, LDS, Bahai', Methodist, Catholic and a couple Evangelical churches (Aleutian Bible Church being one). For an island of around 4,000 there is still a desperate need for the gospel to be spread. Aleutian Bible Church joined the IFCA a couple years back and are seeking to be a Godly testimony to the island folks. They are without a pastor at this point, but praying diligently and hoping for God's provision. Many people ask when we're planning to go back up to Dutch Harbor. Only the Lord knows although we'd love to get back up to see the folks. They are a great encouragement and blessing of faithfulness and perseverance to us. Who knows, if schedules and details work out maybe we'll make it an adventure and pop up late summer using some of our frequent miles. We've never been there in the summer, so this would be a treat. Keep praying with us for the folks at Aleutian Bible Church.

DuPont Church Plant

DuPont, Washington is a planned city snuggled alongside the I-5 corridor. It is growing rapidly with new businesses and housing. The population is expected to continue to do so over the next 10-15 years, and with only four churches established in the city limits, as Dr. Roy Sprague so eloquently states, “It is not a matter of if churches will be planted, but who will plant the churches.” Therefore, we are targeting, by God’s grace and leading, the fall of 2010 to see a new, independent Bible church started in DuPont. It seems the door is opening wider as we move forward to reach the people with the gospel of Christ in the DuPont area; in realizing the wider direction of the IFCA Vision America Church Planting efforts. We have termed the work in DuPont as Vision America South Sound. Our vision, purpose and goals are stated below:

VISION
To see a working cooperation of Pastors/Churches united toward the implementing of an independent, Biblically sound church in DuPont, Washington.

PURPOSE
To develop a new church work that reaches the growing population of DuPont with the Gospel of Christ. To be a part of the growing church plant ministries associated with IFCA Vision America.

GOALS

• To identify the specific needs found within the community of DuPont.
• To identify a key church contact to oversee and give help in the process of development.
• To identify associate Church Partners that will minister as time and resources allow.
• To identify a core Bible study group to be the foundation for the church plant.
• To identify a Church Planter/Team who will eventually take over the work at DuPont.
  

Last October a Bible study began in the Forza Coffee shop with Pastor Tim Atkins of Faith Bible Church leading the study. The Bible study has since moved to the Liberty Inn Motel for more space and fellowship. A Church Planter Residency Program has been established with the potential goal of interviewing candidates for the position of Church Planter. We've already had three men respond to the initial information sent out. Bob and Pastor Tim have one man scheduled for an interview at the Shepherd's Conference the first of March.

Rock Island Community Church/Wenatchee Valley Bible Church

In our recent travels this past weekend we had the privilege of enjoying a wonderful Valentine meal at Rock Island Community Church put on by the men. They did a great job and the women were impressed. About 50 people, plus a number of children in another room, gathered in the converted sanctuary for a time of food, fellowship and games. Pastor Dennis Stark shared a short devotional from 1 Corinthians 13 encouraging our hearts toward Godly love expressed in tangible ways. We stayed overnight with the Starks and after breakfast headed next door for Worship. To our delight, and the answer to many people's prayer over the years, 58 people were in the service. It seems they've been averaging around 50 the last few weeks. Dennis and Lori are thrilled, not only with the attendance, but the ladies "New Believers" Bible Study, Youth Group attendance and overall positive attitude in the church. Praise the Lord!

Sunday afternoon found Bob at Dan & Donna Bong's residence for the Wenatchee Valley Bible Church Board meeting. Then around 5pm we joined with a few of the folks from the church to share the ministry of N.I.C.E. and the IFCA International and even answered some questions. Following this time Bob shared from Romans 8:31-39 and God's Incredible Love. The Bong's continue to reach out to the ethnic community of Wenatchee with a diversity of Hispanics and one young Russian couple. Even with Donna's physical limitations of MS, she continues to minister to the Care Givers and provides a cheerful attitude & smile. Praise the Lord!