FBC Lake Butler Sunday Morning

I will be preaching in supply for my Pastor Jason Johns this Sunday morning, July 5th, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The services will begin at 9:30am and 11am. 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.

Rushing Wind Celebrates Anniversary

Rushing Wind, a Southern Gospel group, based in Macclenny, Florida celebrated 25 years in music ministry on Saturday night. The celebration gospel sing featured music by the group and from special guests Pure Heart of Jacksonville, Florida and His Four of Port Charlotte, Florida. I had the pleasure of serving as master of ceremonies for the evening. The event was hosted by Grace and Praise Ministries Church south of Lake City, Florida.

I remember when the group's leader Jimmy Hartley was with another Macclenny based group called The Kingdom Heirs. After they disbanded he formed Rushing Wind. I've had the pleasure of working with both of these groups dating way back before God called me to the evangelistic ministry. We've also been able to minister together since my ministry began in 1994. I remember traveling to Tallahassee, Florida on an October Sunday morning to preach a homecoming service at New Life Baptist Church. It was to be my first time preaching in that church and I didn't think I would know anyone. One of the first people to greet me was someone I had known for years, Jimmy Hartley. Rushing Wind was providing the special music for the service. Jimmy said, "if we had known you were coming you could have rode the bus over with us this morning." We both had a good laugh when I responded it would have been cheaper for me to ride their bus and saved my gas. Yes, my use of the word "pleasure" is certainly the appropriate description for our times ministering together.

Many singers have traveled with Rushing Wind over the years, many of these went on to sing with other groups, or in some cases to form a new group. One of the musicians lovingly described Rushing Wind as a "spin-off band" referencing how many of it's past members now lead other singing groups. The one constant in Rushing Wind has been Jimmy Hartley; although, I'm sure he would tell you that the Lord has been the "constant" and he has only been along for the ride.

In fact, Hartley stressed in a pre-sing prayer session and then again on stage that the night was all about glorifying God and the hope that a lost soul would be saved. This should be the purpose for every ministry undertaken by musicians, preachers and anyone else called by God to service. To be honest, I think that purpose is sometimes lost in a cloud of "busy" in ministry. I guess what I'm saying is, we can become so busy doing the Lord's work that we forget it is the LORD's work and not our own. We need to always be seeking God's "perfect will" for our ministry and life. If we are in His will, then our ministry focus will be too.

The celebration went well and who knows, we may do it again in 25 years. In the meantime, if you would like more information about Rushing Wind, call Jimmy Hartley at (904) 259-2344.

NOTE: Additional photos from the celebration may be viewed in this Rushing Wind photo gallery.

Giving For The 'Right' Reason

The Back Pew

John The Baptist With His Dad

The Back Pew

Adam's Excuse

Q: What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?

A: “Your mother ate us out of house and home.”

How Cool Is That?

New Oak Grove Baptist Sunday Night

I will be preaching at New Oak Grove Baptist Church this Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 6pm. This will be a special service following the Camp Sunrise Children's Camp. New Oak Grove Baptist Church is located at 18100 NW 262nd Ave. near Alachua, Florida.

Rushing Wind 25th Anniversary

The Southern Gospel singing group Rushing Wind from Macclenny, Florida will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of sharing Jesus in song on Saturday, June 27th. The celebration will be an open-air gospel sing at Grace and Praise Ministries Church near Lake City, Florida. I will be serving as the master of ceremonies for the free event that begins at 6pm. Two other groups will be joining Rushing Wind, Pure Heart and His 4. Food will be available for a donation to the church's youth group. The church is located on Highway 441 south of Lake City and north of High Springs near Ellisville. For more information call Jimmy Hartley at (904) 259-2344.

Camp Sonrise Underway

We had the first worship rally at Camp Sonrise last night and I know of at least one camper that was saved. Boy, is that exciting! I met with the campers this morning for a brief devotion. I will be speaking each day during the morning devotion and each night at the worship rally. This an annual children's camp sponsored by several churches in North and Central Florida. "Camp Sunrise" is being held at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground near Madison, Florida. We have approximately 120 2nd-6th graders and over 100 adults and youth also assisting with various camp activities..

The churches that participate in this camp are: New Oak Grove Baptist from Alachua, Antioch Baptist from Live Oak, Corinth Baptist from Madison, Sardis Baptist from Worthington Springs, Shady Grove Baptist from Live Oak, First Baptist of Orange City, and First Baptist of Dowling Park.

Please be in prayer for this week's activities and services.

Our Judeo-Christian Nation

Congressman Randy Forbes asks the questions "Did America ever consider itself a Judeo-Christian nation?" and "If America was once a Judeo-Christian nation, when did it cease to be?" on the floor of the US House.



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Sardis Baptist Service Canceled Tonight

Sardis Baptist Church in Worthington Springs, Florida has been struck by lightning. Minister of Youth Tim Rose told me there is no electricity in the entire building, so they will only hold a Bible study this evening and have postponed my preaching engagement. Please be in prayer as they begin the repair process.

Raise Your Hand

The Back Pew

Camp Sonrise Begins Monday

I will be speaking each day during an annual children's camp sponsored by several churches in North and Central Florida June 15-18, 2009. "Camp Sunrise" will be held at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground near Madison, Florida. I will be leading devotions in the morning and preaching each night for over 120 2nd-6th graders. There will be over 100 adults and youth also assisting with various camp activities, so 222 total participants.

The churches that participate in this camp are: New Oak Grove Baptist from Alachua, Antioch Baptist from Live Oak, Corinth Baptist from Madison, Sardis Baptist from Worthington Springs, Shady Grove Baptist from Live Oak, First Baptist of Orange City, and First Baptist of Dowling Park.

Please be in prayer for this opportunity.

Sardis Baptist Sunday Night

I will be preaching at Sardis Baptist Church on Sunday,June 14, 2009 at 6pm. The service will serve as a "kick-off" for Camp Sonrise Children's Camp beginning the next day. Sardis Baptist Church is located on State Road 121 in Worthington Springs, Florida. For more information call Pastor Paul O'Steen or Minister of Youth Tim Rose at (386) 496-3685.

Bedtime Prayer

The Back Pew

FBC Lake Butler Tomorrow Night

I will be preaching in supply for my Pastor Jason Johns on tomorrow, June 10th, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. 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.

The Offering Diet

The Back Pew

Boomerang Express Day 5, Tallahassee, FL

We had had a great week of Vacation Bible School this week at Meggs Farm in Tallahassee, Florida. The most important news of the week is that 3 boys and one girl were saved during the week. One of the boys, a 16 year old, was saved on the last day. We had a total of 25 children, 2 years to 6th grade, enrolled for the week. The Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School was a ministry of Chapel Hill Baptist Church. The church had a greaat number of adult and youth workers on hand each day and everything went smoothly, even when we had rain on Thursday. I really had a great time and am greatful to share in this ministry as the Bible study leader, excuse me, I mean as "Boomerang Express Engineer".

You can view photos from this week by clicking the Boomerang Express Photo Gallery image below. The church also has videos from each day online at Vimeo.com. The latest video, from Friday, is embedded below.

If you don't have a church home or will be visiting the Tallahassee area, I encourage you to visit Chapel Hill Baptist Church. The church is located at 224 Chapel Drive in Tallahassee, Florida. For more information or directions call the church at (850) 222-6900.

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express

VBS - Day 5 Recap from Chapel Hill Baptist Church on Vimeo.
VBS - June 5, 2009 at Meggs Farm - sponsored by Chapel Hill Baptist. www.chapelhillbaptist.org

Boomerang Express Day 4, Tallahassee, FL

We had one 7th grade boy to be saved this morning during the Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School at Megg's Farm. I've added more photos to the Boomerang Express photo gallery. You can view these and previous day's photos by clicking the image below. The church also has videos from each day online at Vimeo.com. The latest video is embedded below. The VBS will continue through tomorrow 10am-12pm. For more information or directions call Chapel Hill Baptist Church at (850) 222-6900.

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express

VBS - Day Four Recap from Chapel Hill Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Boomerang Express Day 3, Tallahassee, FL

We had an exciting day at the Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School at Megg's Farm today. Two of the children, a boy and girl, accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I've added more photos to the Boomerang Express photo gallery. You can view these and previous day's photos by clicking the image below. The church also has videos from each day online at Vimeo.com. I've embedded the first three videos below. The VBS will continue through Friday 10am-12pm. For more information or directions call Chapel Hill Baptist Church at (850) 222-6900.

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express

VBS - Day 1 Recap from Chapel Hill Baptist Church on Vimeo.

VBS - Day 2 Recap from Chapel Hill Baptist Church on Vimeo.

VBS: Day 3 Recap from Chapel Hill Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Boomerang Express Day 2, Tallahassee, FL

This was the second day of Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School at Megg's Farm in Tallahassee, Florida. A total of 23 students got on board today, that's 2 more than yesterday! I've added more photos to the Boomerang Express photo gallery. You can view these and yesterday's photos by clicking the image below. The VBS will continue through Friday 10am-12pm. For more information or directions call Chapel Hill Baptist Church at (850) 222-6900.

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express Underway

The Boomerang Express pulled into Megg's Barn today in Tallahassee, Florida. This was the first day of Vacation Bible School for Chapel Hill Baptist Church. Twenty-one children got on aboard for music, crafts, recreation, snacks and Bible study. I'm serving as the "engineer" for the week leading the Bible study. You can check back here each day for new photos from the event. The VBS will continue through Friday 10am-12pm. For more information or directions call the church at (850) 222-6900.

Click the image below to visit the Boomerang Express photo gallery.

Chapel Hill Boomerang Express

Home Church June 10th

I will be preaching in supply for my Pastor Jason Johns on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. 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.