Old Providence Meeting Begins Sunday

I will preach revival services at Old Providence Baptist Church beginning Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am and 6pm.  The services will continue Monday-Wednesday, May 7-9, 2012 at 7pm nightly.  The church is located at 9316 NW CR245 near Lake Butler and south of Lake City, Florida.  For more information call Pastor Philip Williams at (386) 755-1648.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Change of Address

In December the post office in Olustee, Florida closed and residents were placed on a route from Sanderson.  Now the James Croft Evangelistic Association has a new mailing address.  All correspondence (business, donations and personal) should now be mailed to:

5214 Main Street

Sanderson, Florida 32087-2524

Please update your records accordingly.

Donations to the ministry may also be made online by following the link below.

JCEA Donation
Click this button to make a donation to be used as needed.

NOTE: 

The James Croft Evangelistic Association is registered with the IRS as a 501(C)(3) corporation and all donations are ta

Full Custody

How about this sign?

MC for Baker Co. Relay for Life Saturday

I will be one of the MC's (Master of Ceremonies) during the annual Baker County Relay for Life activities this weekend.  The event begins at 6pm this Friday and concludes at noon on Saturday at the Baker County High School track in Glen St. Mary.  I will be introducing the events and performers from 10am-12pm Saturday.

All donations received from this event goes to the American Cancer Society for the fight against cancer.  You can also donate online at this site.

For more information or to participate call the Baker County event coordinator, Kristie Fletcher, at (904) 708-9013.

NOTE: What is Relay?

FBC Lake Butler on Wednesday

I will be preaching in supply for my pastor, Jason Johns, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler Wednesday, April 18, 2012.  The service will begin at 6:30pm.  The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.  For more information or directions call the church at (386) 496-3704.

As Titanic sank, he pleaded, 'believe in the Lord Jesus!'

Posted on Baptist Press, Apr 13, 2012 | by Douglas W. Mize

John Harper

Editor's note: Sunday (April 15) is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

TAYLORS, S.C. (BP) -- It has been 100 years since Titanic, the greatest ship of its time, sank on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 passengers. The "unsinkable ship" had done just that, and on the tragedy's centennial we stand captivated by the story. Many movies, documentaries and books have familiarized us with some of the passengers, such as entrepreneur John Jacob Astor IV or the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown. Yet one of the supreme stories of the Titanic involves a heroic pastor and his passion to save lives and souls.

When pastor and preacher John Harper and six year old daughter boarded the Titanic it was for the privilege of preaching at one of the greatest churches in America, Moody Church in Chicago, named for its famous founder Dwight L. Moody. The church was anxiously awaiting his arrival not only because of the pending services, but to meet their next pastor, as Harper planned to accept their invitation. Harper was known as an engaging preacher and had pastored two churches in Glasgow and London. His preaching style was suited for an evangelist as testified by the words of another local pastor. "He was a great open-air preacher and could always command large and appreciative audiences. ... He could deal with all kinds of interrupters, his great and intelligent grasp of Bible truths enabling him to successfully combat all assailants."

When the Titanic hit the iceberg, Harper successfully led his daughter to a lifeboat. Being a widower he may have been allowed to join her but instead forsook his own rescue, choosing to provide the masses with one more chance to know Christ. Harper ran person to person, passionately telling others about Christ. As the water began to submerge the "unsinkable" ship, Harper was heard shouting, "women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats." Rebuffed by a certain man at the offer of salvation Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, "you need this more than I do." Up until the last moment on the ship Harper pleaded with people to give their lives to Jesus.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

An Internal Audit

The Back Pew

Open Doors

Our Daily Bread

Read: 1 Corinthians 16:1-12

For a great and effective door has opened to me. —1 Corinthians 16:9

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) wrote: “If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but . . . for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible.”

The apostle Paul saw some great ministry possibilities in his life situations. He used the open doors God provided to witness for Christ. When he was arrested in Jerusalem and appeared before Governor Felix, he used the opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Acts 24:24). While he and Silas were in prison, they shared the gospel with the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34). And later Paul used his imprisonment in Rome as an opportunity to encourage the Philippian believers in their faith (Phil. 1:12-18).

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul told the believers he wanted to visit and spend some time with them, but that he needed to stay in Ephesus because of an opportunity for ministry: “I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). And Paul also involved others by asking them to pray for open doors so he could speak clearly about Christ (Col. 4:3).

Ask God to show you possible open doors of service. You might be surprised at what you see.

Jesus said to one and all:
“Take your cross and follow Me.”
When you sense the Spirit’s call,
Seize the opportunity! —Hess

 

God writes opportunity on one side of the door and responsibility on the other.

Union County Sunday Night

I will be preaching in supply for my pastor, Jason Johns, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler Sunday, evening, April 15, 2012.  The service will begin at 6pm.  The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.  For more information or directions call the church at (386) 496-3704.

NOTE: For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of the JCEA ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.

Old Providence Meeting in May

Click to enlarge

I will preach revival services at Old Providence Baptist Church beginning Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am and 6pm.  The services will continue Monday-Wednesday, May 7-9, 2012 at 7pm nightly.  The church is located at 9316 NW CR245 near Lake Butler and south of Lake City, Florida.  For more information call Pastor Philip Williams at (386) 755-1648.

Open Dates

I currently have several open dates on my preaching calendar through the end of this year.  A list of these dates are available on my ministry calendar viewable at this link.  I am always ready to serve our Lord's Church through preaching, teaching, and special programs for all ages.  Please let me know if I may serve your church or group.

Why use an evangelist??

 
The Biblical office of evangelist is often one of the most overlooked and underutilized resources that God has presented in and through the local church to reach the world for Christ.  Why use evangelists?

• Evangelists are called by God to specifically reach the lost.
• Evangelists are able to communicate a direct Biblical message with a passion and zeal.
• Evangelists cooperate with the ongoing work of local churches to reach their communities for Christ.
• Evangelists encourage Christians in their daily zeal for soulwinning and discipleship.
• Evangelists help churches culminate their long-term evangelistic efforts in harvesting the fields "white unto harvest".
• Evangelists affirm the work of the local church pastor and the vision God has for his ministry through the local church.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

The James Croft Evangelistic Association (JCEA) led by 3'10" tall evangelist James Croft of Olustee, Florida is working to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.  This ministry utilizes various means to win lost souls, to stir revival fires in believers, to educate Christians on Biblical and social issues, and to be an encouragement to all.  These methods include James' preaching ministry, foreign and local missions, and use of the internet utilizing podcasting and videos.

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire?

The Back Pew

Artist Thomas Kinkade dies in California at age 54

"Sunrise, a Prayer of Hope for the Millenium"

SAN FRANCISCO –  Artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches have been big sellers for dealers across the United States, died Friday, a family spokesman said.

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the San Francisco Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment. He claimed to be the nation's most collected living artist, and his paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States.

Read more on FOX News.

NOTE: The painting shown, "Sunrise, a Prayer of Hope for the Millenium", was described by Kinkade this way: "As we approach the year 2000, I feel compelled as an artist to celebrate not the passing of the old millennium but the beginning of the new millennium.  To me the new millennium represents a pivotal point in human-history—a chance to change the world for the better."

I thought this was an appropriate painting and description with tomorrow being Easter Sunday.

It's Friday... but Sunday's comin'!!!

No Greater Love

Our Daily Bread

Read: John 15:1-13

 

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13

 

Bill and his wife were driving through the Rocky Mountains when a near-miss with a truck caused their car to swerve off the road and plunge into the Colorado River. After scrambling out of their sinking vehicle, they frantically treaded water in the swift current. A truckdriver, who had seen the accident, ran ahead along the shore and threw a rope to them. Bill swam behind his wife and pushed her to where she could grab the rope—and the man pulled her out. Bill, however, was carried downstream and didn’t survive. He had given his life for the woman he loved.

To give your life so another person can live is the ultimate proof of love. During the night that Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples of His intention to give His life in exchange for mankind. He told them: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And then He set the ultimate example of self-sacrifice by going to the cross.

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that Jesus did that for you—that He died in your place? In so doing, He not only proved His love for you, but He also made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins and to have an eternal home in heaven.

He who gave Himself to save me,
Now will keep me to the end;
In His care securely resting
On His promise I depend. —Bosch

 

Christ’s sacrifice was what God desired and our sin required.

Golden Years

The Back Pew

The Story of Easter Told Through Social Networking

The Story of Easter Told Through Social Networking from neids on GodTube.

Great Week at Cudd

Pastor Danny Garrett with Eli

I preached a four-day revival meeting at Cudd Memorial Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina last week.  It was great to return to the church I first visited in March of last year.  I had a great time of fellowship with Pastor Danny Garrett & his family, the rest of the ministry staff, and members I met last year.  I also made some new friends too.

Two things stand out in my mind about this revival meeting.  One is that we didn't have anyone to be "born again", that we know of, but we had a "new birth".  The pastor became a grandpa for the second time on Tuesday as one of his daughters delivered a healthy baby boy!  (See photo above)  I was able to visit with them in the hospital before returning home.

The second awesome event took place during Tuesday night's service.  I had struggled all day with a decision between two messages for that night.  Finally, about an hour before the service I settled upon the sermon I felt the Lord was leading me to.  Upon arrival at the church I viewed the schedule for the night and noticed that the special music just before the message was a perfect fit for the sermon!  The Lord certainly used the song and message in a mighty way because "He showed up and showed out" during the Time of Decision!!  The altar filled with people taking up business with God, so much so that the invitation went on for approximately thirty minutes!  Brother Danny even stated that the Lord would need to dismiss the service and left it to each person to exit quietly as they felt led by the Lord.  As folks were leaving, others were still praying all over the sanctuary.  It was truly an awesome service.

A member of Cudd Memorial Baptist described the service in a Facebook post.

"Wow is all I can say about the moving of the Holy Spirit in tonight's Revival service. James Croft's message was from Jeremiah 29, The Message paraphrase - God's word on the subject. He is on time and He will deliver you in His time. A remarkable response followed the message. Just amazing. Wow."

I praise the Lord for speaking to the hearts of the congregation and myself too!

If you live in the Spartanburg/Boiling Springs area or are passing through, Pastor Danny Garrett and the members of Cudd Memorial Baptist Church would welcome you to worship with them.  The church is located at 1301 Boiling Springs Road in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  For more information or directions call the church at (864) 542-0908.

NOTE: View photos from Cudd Memorial Baptist 2012.

Temporary Baptistry

The Back Pew