Today we are blessed to have Donnie Bates and his family with us. Donnie will be giving us a report on his work with the Extension Schools of Bear Valley. It is wonderful how many men in other countries are being taught and trained to preach God’s word by means of these Extension programs. Donnie will give us his report this morning during our Bible class period and then will preach for us during our worship time. I have been privileged to know Donnie, his wife Noma and their daughter, Jessica for a long time. I had not been at Broken Bow very long when Donnie and his family moved to work with the church in Hugo which is not all that far from Broken Bow. We became good friends and worked on a lot of different projects together including some mission works. I am excited to get to spend some time with him and his family today.
Brethren, as Donnie is giving his report remember, this is NOT just something “Donnie” is doing, this is something “we” are doing with him. This is a work we are involved in by our being able to help support this work financially. Bear Valley is doing a great thing by putting all this work together but, they could not get it done without the support of their sister congregations throughout the U.S. All of the men who work in this effort could not do what they are doing if they were not supported by their brethren. Essentially, what it comes down to is that all these various congregations are trying their best to work together to do what the apostle Paul described in several of his letters to the churches. Here are some of what Paul said about supporting those who dedicate their lives to serving God.
“ So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
“And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.” (Galatians 6:6).
I am very proud to be a part of the Wagoner congregation and the great effort you are putting into trying to help spread the gospel of Christ by helping all the various men we are helping of which, Donnie Bates, is one. How many souls will be saved and congregations established as a direct result of the men being taught in the extension schools Donnie is working with? How many will be converted to Christ, how many wayward Christians returned to Christ because of the preaching and teaching of the two men we are helping go to school to learn to preach? How many people have been moved to inquire about the church of Christ and learned and studied to become Christians directly because of the SEARCH TV program we help support?
Brethren, for every soul saved by one of these efforts, we played a part in it, we are a part of that success. May we never stop thanking our God for giving us the wonderful opportunity and the means to be a part of these wonderful works in His Kingdom.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Brethren, as Donnie is giving his report remember, this is NOT just something “Donnie” is doing, this is something “we” are doing with him. This is a work we are involved in by our being able to help support this work financially. Bear Valley is doing a great thing by putting all this work together but, they could not get it done without the support of their sister congregations throughout the U.S. All of the men who work in this effort could not do what they are doing if they were not supported by their brethren. Essentially, what it comes down to is that all these various congregations are trying their best to work together to do what the apostle Paul described in several of his letters to the churches. Here are some of what Paul said about supporting those who dedicate their lives to serving God.
“ So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
“And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.” (Galatians 6:6).
I am very proud to be a part of the Wagoner congregation and the great effort you are putting into trying to help spread the gospel of Christ by helping all the various men we are helping of which, Donnie Bates, is one. How many souls will be saved and congregations established as a direct result of the men being taught in the extension schools Donnie is working with? How many will be converted to Christ, how many wayward Christians returned to Christ because of the preaching and teaching of the two men we are helping go to school to learn to preach? How many people have been moved to inquire about the church of Christ and learned and studied to become Christians directly because of the SEARCH TV program we help support?
Brethren, for every soul saved by one of these efforts, we played a part in it, we are a part of that success. May we never stop thanking our God for giving us the wonderful opportunity and the means to be a part of these wonderful works in His Kingdom.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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