Mr. Auctioneer

I served as "auctioneer" for a dessert auction at Union Correctional Institute in Raiford, Florida on 1-27-12.  The event was a fund-raiser for the Union County "Relay For Life".  Over $1500 was raised for the fight to cure cancer.  A chilli cook-ff was also a part of the festivities.  It was a lot of fun and all for a great cause!

Jesus and Duct Tape

The Back Pew

Revival and a Washing Machine

Forest Grove Baptist Ministry Team

I had a great time preaching revival services at Forest Grove Baptist Church this week.  The crowds were great and the Holy Spirit moved mightily.  God's people responded by coming to the Lord for repentance, encouragement and help with life decisions.  One of the members led someone to the Lord in their home on Tuesday.  The new believer had been present for the Sunday morning service.  I'm so thankful for the faithfulness of the church member to be about God's business by visiting and witnessing!!

I see eye-to-eye with some of the children.

On Wednesday I shared with the students at the church's school, Forest Grove Christian Academy, about our work in Ghana, West Africa.  The students asked some great questions and seemed to enjoy the various video clips from the mission trips. Pastor Warren Chesser, Associate Pastor Mark Spradley, the church and school staff, and all of the members made me feel right at home.  We had some wonderful times of fellowship.

James & Pastor Chesser with new washing machine.

The church was also very generous in investing in James Croft Evangelistic Association.  I was overwhelmed following the Wednesday service when they wheeled a brand-new front-loading washing machine down the aisle and presented it to me!  The pastor said the church wanted to be a blessing to me.  Apparently, a family member told them that a front-loader would be much easier for me to use than my "on-it's-last-leg" top-loader, which requires me to use a step-stool just to see in the machine!  The church had prayed for months about the blessing and the need was met by someone.  May God richly bless the donors and the church for being sensitive to not-always-seen needs.  I praise the Lord for the blessing and generosity!!!

If you live in the Alachua/High Springs area or are passing through, Pastor Warren Chesser and the members of Forest Grove Baptist Church would welcome you to worship with them.  The church is located at 22575 NW 94th Avenue near Alachua and High Springs, Florida.  For more information, service times, or directions call the church at (386) 462-3921.

NOTE: Additional photos are available on Facebook.

Why Evangelists?

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.

Twitter and Facebook

Follow Evangelist James Croft and the James Croft Evangelistic Association on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the images below.

James Croft Evangelistic Association on Facebook

James Croft

Create Your Badge

My first revival of 2012 begins Sunday!

Revival services begin at Forest Grove Baptist Church near Alachua, Florida this Sunday, January 22nd.  The services will begin at 10:15am and 7pm on Sunday, and continue at 7pm through Wednesday, January 25, 2012.  The church is located at 22575 NW 94th Avenue in Alachua, Florida.  For more information call Pastor Warren Chesser at (386) 462-3921.

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.

Forest Grove Baptist Revival Services Begin Jan. 22nd

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.

Chapel Hill on Sunday

I will be preaching on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Chapel Hill Baptist Church.  The service will begin at 10am.  The church meets in the Workforce Development Building at Tallahassee Community College at 444 Appleyard Drive in Tallahassee, Florida.  For more information or directions call the church office at (850) 222-6900.

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.

Postal Identity Theft??

Olustee Post Office

The end of last month not only ushered in a new year, but for me and many residents of Olustee, it ended an era in that we lost our post office.  Our post office was not one of those beautiful new buildings you see in larger communities, nor was it a stately historical building converted to distribute mail.  Our most recent post office was originally constructed as a voter precinct, and then a shelter was added so it could also be a fire station.  This location was preceded by other locations which all were destroyed by fire, but I digress. The Olustee Post Office was a "contract" branch of the Sanderson Post Office, which allowed rural communities to have a less costly postal operation.  Apparently it wasn't "less costly" enough.

Checking mail for the last time in Box 56.

Olustee box holders have now been switched to an existing rural route from Sanderson.  In the process we lost our own Zip Code, 32072, and our community name with the US Postal Service.  Our address now includes our 9-1-1 street address and "Sanderson, FL 32087".  But, I live in "Olustee".  Sanderson is ten miles down the road.  Go figure.  Now, I'm not saying that poor little Olustee is the only community suffering from "postal identity theft", but, hey, the stuck pig squeals the loudest, right?  And we are the ones being "stuck" right now.  We now join the ranks of our fellow county citizens in Taylor, Baxter, and other not-so-easily designated locations.

A new era begins.

Anyway, I now have a beautiful, not-so-stylish but functional mailbox on a short little post in front of my house.  I'm learning that that was the easy part.  The hard part is letting everyone know of the address change.  This is made more difficult when you consider mail received by my ministry comes from, well, everywhere!  I think I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

So, should you need to mail anything to me or James Croft Evangelistic Association, please send it to:

5214 Main Street

Sanderson, Florida 32087-2524

United States of America

And, just to make it more challenging, I'm phasing out my home telephone number.  You will find the proper number to use on my website's contact page.

You know, they say hindsight is 20-20, maybe I should have bought some of that "identity theft insurance."  8-)

2012 JOY Box Deadline is Thursday

The James Croft Evangelistic Association JOYBox Ministry for 2012 is drawing to a close.  The deadline for boxes and donations is this Thursday, January 12th.

We are continuing to collect plastic shoeboxes filled with small gift items for residents in Baker & Columbia Counties nursing homes.  The boxes may contain a variety of items including shampoo, body wash, puzzle book, magnifying glass, and socks.  We also place a copy of God’s Word in each box.  Last year churches of various denominations, individuals, businesses, school clubs and organizations shared “JOY” by preparing shoeboxes.

A section of the JCEA website offers full details of the ministry including a video explaining how you can participate.  If you are unable to prepare a box, but would like to contribute financially toward this ministry our website provides details for that too.

Drop-off locations for JOY Boxes are:

·        Davis Golf Carts, 126 South 5^th Street in Macclenny, FL.

·        BeulahBaptist Association, 189 NW Cali Drive in Lake City, FL.

Deadline for boxes is Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Your prayers & consideration of this ministry are greatly appreciated!

Gotta Share!! (The Musical)

Does this remind you of any churches?

Cool JOY Box Suggestion

This is a great JOY Box gift idea for ladies boxes. Remember the deadline for boxes is Thursday, January 12th.  For more information visit the JOY Box website.

Baker County JOY Box Drop-off

This message is for our JOY Box participants in Baker County, Florida.  If you have prepared JOY Boxes and need to deliver them this week, call us at (386) 867-3199. Our Macclenny drop-off location, Davis Golf Cart & Small Engine Repair, will be closed this week due to a death in their family.  Please remember the Ulys Davis Family in your prayers.

A section of the JCEA website offers full details of the ministry including a video explaining how you can participate.  If you are unable to prepare a box, but would like to contribute financially toward this ministry our website provides details for that too.

Drop-off locations for JOY Boxes are:

·        Davis Golf Carts, 126 South 5^th Street in Macclenny, FL.

·        Beulah Baptist Association, 189 NW Cali Drive in Lake City, FL.

Deadline for boxes is Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Your prayers & consideration of this ministry are greatly appreciated!

NOTE: The video below provides additional info about the JOY Box ministry.

Biblical Resolution?

The Back Pew