Faith Bible Church Leadership/DuPont Bible Study

On Tuesday evening we had our monthly leadership meeting for Faith Bible Church. Bob sits on the team along with Dr. Roy Sprague, Minister at Large with N.I.C.E. and Chris VanLiew of Edgewood Bible Church. The other men are all involved in Faith Bible. The goal is to someday establish Elders from among the congregation. Pastor Tim Atkins leads us in a time in God's Word, prayer and discussion concerning aspects of ministry life, vision, goals, etc. of FBC. We always start with a delicious meal often created by Brenda Atikins and dessert provided by Elvia Sprague. Once the meeting begins the ladies head out for their Bible study at one of the women's house close by while the kids head up stairs to their rooms. We appreciate the ministry of the Atkins and ask for prayer as they continue to move forward in this church plant to reach the people of South Hill and Graham.

On another front, we were at the DuPont Bible Study Wednesday night for the second week in a row. A bit unusual for us but the calendar seems a bit more cooperative these days at the midweek point. Pastor Tim Atkins is leading us through the Gospel of John, but we always start with a couple songs; Brenda Atkins playing at the keyboard. There is a group of about a dozen or so that attend; although one of the faithful couples had their last night as they are getting more involved in the church they are attending in Olympia.

The goal is to turn the Bible study over to our new Church Planter, Mark and Tracy Wilson, once they move up from California in the late Fall. Mark will be working with Pastor Tim in a Church Residency Program for a year or so learning many aspects of Church Planting and giving help to Faith Bible Church. We are praying for a number of churches to help financially with the church plant and/or give assistance in a number of areas in the months ahead.

Wishkah Valley Community Church/Wagner Visit

Early morning coffee was the routine as we headed out Sunday morning for Wishkah Valley Community Church about 20 minutes north of Aberdeen. Of course the quiet hour of the morning is good for prayer together and chatting about family and ministry. Arriving in Aberdeen about 8:45am gave us the opportunity to stop for a "real" cup of coffee at Starbucks. After a short break we headed up to Wishkah for the 9:45am Worship Service; the first Sunday for the new summer schedule. It was great to see many familiar faces and greet some new folks. After a time of worship in song Pastor Jim led us in communion to celebrate the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. We sang a few more songs before Bob preached on "Living Holy & Godly in Light of the End Times" from 2 Peter 3:1-13. He stated seven facts raised by Peter and then spent some time on a major principle from verses 11-13, "Because the world will end in severe judgment by God, believers must live in such a way as to exemplify a holy and Godly life." He then developed two primary applications on Holy Conduct and Godliness.

Following the service time we viewed the newly finished Multi-Purpose Building which is lovely. It has a library, a few classrooms, bathrooms, kitchenette and a small multi-purpose area. We spent a couple minutes talking with Pastor Jim before heading out to lunch with a couple in the church. He needed to be at a funeral he was conducting in the afternoon and a baccalaureate at night so they were unable to host us this time.

On our way through Olympia we stopped at Denny's to meet John and Judy Wagner, retired missionaries with N.I.C.E. We had a great visit and enjoyed getting updated on what they are doing. They were a great asset for many years to George and Rita Williams and the Forks Bible Church. They have served in Alaska for many years and enjoy a trip now and then back to Fairbanks to visit their son and family who pastor a church and give oversight to a Christian school.

Then it was off to Faith Bible Church for their evening service at the Silver Creek Retirement Center and a time of fellowship and food at the Atikins home following.

Browning Wedding/Loomis C.C. Dedication

This weekend was another special time in our travels. Bob had the opportunity of conducting a wedding at Keyport Bible Church, along with Pastor Mike Chinn. Curt Browning was the Groom and Marilyn Curcio was the Bride. This was especially a blessing because Curt was one of Bob's Sunday School teachers growing up, as well as an elder while we pastored at Keyport Bible Church for many years. Bob and Curt have grown to have a special friendship over the years through various day hikes in the Olympic mountains, chats in the Pastor's Study, emails and still to this day they meet for breakfast whenever they get a chance. Rehearsal was Friday night with a small wedding party and a Saturday afternoon wedding in the main Sanctuary at 2pm and reception in the Multi-Purpose Building. It was also nice to visit with many of the folks we've known over the years.

Over the years Katherine has enjoyed being involved in the children's lives of various churches. Keyport Bible Church was one places she was adopted as "mom" by the Olsen daughters, Metasha and Melissa (Melissa is pictured on the right above).

Following the wedding we headed to Bainbridge Island and got on the Ferry for Seattle for our trip to Loomis. It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride, which Bob had given to Katherine as part of her birthday present. It has been a long time since we've had this type of opportunity.

We arrived in Loomis about 10:30pm and stayed with Pastor Vern and Ann, who were gracious enough to wait up for us. After spending some time in fellowship we all retired to bed knowing the Lord's Day would come soon with a full day.

After breakfast the next day we headed over for Sunday School. Loomis Community Church continues each Sunday with an Opening for all classes, which is something you don't find in many churches these days. Pastor Vern teaches the Adult Class and is currently working through Dispensationalism, Covenant/Reformed Theology and Hyper-Dispensationalism. It was a good class discussing various aspects of Covenant Theology and the distinction between Israel and the Church and the fact that God will bring Israel back into the land God promised in the future.

This was a momentous occasion for Loomis Community Church as they celebrated the addition of their new Sanctuary. What used to be the old Sanctuary is now the Foyer with a small library, a couple small tables and sink/counter top, plus room now to visit and fellowship (the addition is right of the steeple). Five of the older men were involved in the main process of building the church addition (pictured on the right below). There was a few moments to share a little gift with the men in appreciation.

We are pictured here with some of the folks who were part of the original church back in 1954, that met in a local school building (the gal below on the left in the back row was the wife of a former pastor). The Worship Service was longer than normal with various singing special's, testimonies and stories. Before preaching, Bob was asked by the church folks to honor, with some gifts, the Pastor and Board members for their guidance and spiritual help.

He then preached out of Nehemiah 12 and the Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem. His topic was "From Joyful Celebration to Faithful Ministry." He concentrated on four characteristics of dedication in the Lord's work which involves: An Act of Purification/Cleansing, A Time of Celebration, A Commitment to Ministry and A Submission of Obedience to the Word. He concluded as he started; that the dedication of the wall in Nehemiah's day had no meaning without the dedication of the people for God's glory. In reality, we dedicate ourselves first, and then we can rightly dedicate other things, such as church buildings & our homes for God's use.

We had beautiful weather, great fellowship, safety on the roads and time for plenty of conversation with each other. We continue to Praise God for the ministry of imparting our lives and God's Word to others.

Foster Silver Anniversary & Ministry to Deary Community Bible Church

This past weekend we had the privilege of participating in Tom and Linda Foster's 25th Wedding Anniversary in Deary, Idaho. Linda is Katherine's sister. It was a wonderful time of celebration with some family members and numerous folks from the church. Katherine helped out with the decorations along with her mother and niece Naphtali. Katherine and Naphtali had planned out a number of things through email and phone prior to the big event. Bob put the slide show together. Bob, Andrew and some others helped to set up tables and chairs.

On Sunday we went to Deary Community Bible Church, starting with Sunday School taught by a former missionary who is helping the church out as they are without a pastor at this point. Bob gave the message from Philippians 4. Following church we enjoyed a barbecue lunch celebrating Tom's 49th birthday. About 3:30pm we loaded up and headed home arriving around 9:30pm. Our prayers are with Deary Community Bible Church, about 30 minutes outside of Moscow, Idaho, as they seek a pastor for their church. We were just part of their new building dedication a number of months back. It is a great facility that is being used for the glory of God.

EBC Bible Conference

Edgewood Bible Church had their annual Bible Conference Sunday morning through Wednesday evening. We were only able to participate Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The featured speaker was Dr. Paul Benware who is on faculty at Southwestern College in Phoenix, Arizona. Before that he was on staff at what was then called Los Angeles Baptist College, now Master's College and also Moody Bible Institute and Philadelphia Biblical University.

Dr. Benware is author of seven books and surveys of both the Old and New Testament. Recently he published a commentary on Daniel. His series this past week was titled, "Experiencing God - or Maybe Not" dealing with the Emergent Church, Contemplative Prayer and Prophetical areas; including "The Church Is Not Israel." We appreciated the challenge from God's Word related to our Christian lives as we anticipate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. On Tuesday evening Dr. Benware spoke on "The Believer's Coming Payday" in which he preached about the "Bema Seat" Judgment of rewards for the believer. On Wednesday evening he began by answering a number of questions from the congregation and then spoke on the Day of the Lord, specifically in the area of the Tribulation.

Grace Brethren Ladies Retreat & Bellingham Ordination

This past weekend Katherine had the wonderful privilege of being the speaker in Mabton, Washington at a Ladies Retreat for the Grace Brethren Church. The pastor and his wife were on staff at Grace Community Church a number of years ago. One day he felt God calling them to be involved in a small community somewhere and the door opened in the small town of Mabton in the Tri-Cities of Washington. Katherine stayed with an older couple who owned a farm house with a large wheat farm.

The theme of the retreat was Growing in God's Fragrant Beauty from 2 Peter 3:18 & Ephesians 5:2. Katherine chose as her topics: "Growing in Grace & Knowledge" which dealt with growing in awareness of God's blessings in our lives beginning with salvation, as well as in the knowledge of God through God's Word and prayer. From Ephesians 5:2 she shared on "Walking in a Christ-like Love" in which she dealt with loving in sacrificial ways. She also spent time talking about the subject of forgiveness and our responsibility according to God's Word. Many of the women were moved by her teaching as they felt the Lord dealing with their hearts in a number of areas.

The ladies did a great job of decorating in a Victorian theme and providing delightful meals as well as fun crafts. Even though the crafts were simple Katherine tends to be "craft-challenged" but found it a good time anyway.

The drive home was NOT uneventful but reminded her of God's protection as she made the three and one half hour trip. She went from 70 to an immediate stop to avoid a herd of elk (twice), backing up vehicles behind her. She was truly thankful for God's grace and care.

This past Monday Bob had the privilege of being a member of an Ordination Council for the Assistant Pastor of Evergreen Community Church in Ferndale just outside of Bellingham. He rode up and back with Earl Brubaker, Executive Director of N.I.C.E. and former director Dr. Roy Sprague; both of whom were also on the Council. Steve Finkbonner has been involved with ECC for about 17 years and had been preparing for his ordination for a couple years. About 10 men participated in the questioning time. We began with lunch provided by the church and then a hymn and prayer. Then Pastor Steve Vanvleck addressed the steps leading up to the Ordination. Once a moderator was chosen (Earl) and a clerk (Pastor Steve) the examination began.
There was an oral examination period consisting of Steve's Christian experience and Ordination Standards: call to ministry, training, reasons for seeking ordination, and personal qualifications for spiritual leadership. This led to the primary Oral examination where we had time to ask Steve about his doctrinal statement and questions related to various areas of doctrine. Following this was a time of examination of church history and polity with more questions. After a short break there was a time for a couple men, who had reviewed the written documents ahead of time, to share about the Doctrinal statement, Exegetical study and Sermon manuscript.

We finished the Council time with discussion among ourselves indicating areas to share with Steve that he needs to fine tune in doctrine and current issues. The advice was then to recommend to Evergreen Community Church to ordain Steve Finkbonner. We all gathered around Steve and closed in a prayer of dedication. for him.

Anchor of Hope Fellowship/Goshen Community Church

Anchor of Hope Fellowship began a few years back in Ferndale, just outside of Bellingham. Larry & Jeanette Larson give leadership to the church which now meets in the VFW Hall in a beautiful country setting south of Lynden. Katherine had the opportunity to share God's Word and fellowship with the ladies at a retreat that met at the Cedar Springs Campground. Katherine shared three lessons: "A Life that Qualifies" from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Obedience: No Excuses" from 1 Samuel 15, and "Finishing Well" from Daniel 6 & 2 Timothy 4. While Katherine and Jeanette attended the retreat, Bob & Larry spent time together encouraging one another. They had dinner in Lynden Friday night chatting about ministry and then spent the evening watching the Mariner's ballgame. Saturday morning was breakfast at IHOP and then a golf outing with a couple men in the church at a Par 3, nine hole course not far from Larry's house. While there were a few sprinkles of rain, the weather held and it was a good time of fellowship on the course. After dinner on Saturday night, we enjoyed talking more about ministry and family with Larry and Jeanette. On Sunday morning we headed out to church where Bob preached a message on Philippians 4:4-9, "Three Cures for the Disease of Anxieties in Life." First, The Disease of Anxieties is Treated by "Developing a Consistent Spirit of Joy"; second, by "Practicing the Goal of Praying Thankfully" and third, by "Cultivating the Mind to Think Biblically." He had a fourth point but knew he wouldn't get through it in time. Pastor Larry ended the service with a time in communion. Following a time of fellowship after the service, eight of us headed to Applebee's for lunch. Then we drove up the road to the Woods Coffee shop to meet with our missionary couple from Goshen Community Church, Bill & Sharilyn Peter's. We viewed pictures of both our grandchildren and discussed various aspects of family situations and how ministry is going. Bob will be speaking at Goshen in July while the Peter's head to New York to celebrate their 30th Wedding Anniversary and visit with relatives. While it was a long weekend it was definitely profitable and enjoyable.