One Awesome Day! These three words are the best way I know to describe the events of Sunday at the Levy Church of Christ in North Little Rock. I really do not know how to express adequately my love and appreciation for this wonderful congregation of the Lord’s people. Over the past twenty years the relationship Sheryl and I have developed with this congregation has grown and every year our love for them grows deeper.
The Levy congregation is one of the most, if not the most involved congregation I know in mission work. Every year in October they host what is called “Harvest Sunday.” On this special day, the congregation comes together to worship God and take up a special contribution for their mission work. Each year the mission’s committee challenges the congregation with greater goals. Each year the congregation responds with the greatest expression of love and generosity I have ever seen. I do not know how to express the atmosphere of this day. The Lord’s people in this place understand the joy of giving to the Lord for the work of missions in ways beyond description.
The goal this year was set at $250,000. During the potluck, which followed our worship, Mark Vest, one of the mission’s committee members, announced to the group that the initial contribution for the morning was just over $257,000. More was expected to be committed later. Keep in mind, this figure was given after the congregation had already met the regular weekly budget.
The congregation at Levy has been a great friend and contributor to our work with the Bear Valley Bible Institute. I was privileged to speak during the Bible class hour about the work of the Bear Valley Bible Institute and the Extension program. I want to express my gratitude to the Levy shepherds, mission’s committee, and the congregation for the wonderful example set for all of us when it comes to demonstrating a great love for the Lord in seeing the gospel proclaimed around the world. I pray God will continue to bless you richly as you serve the cause of Christ.
Along with the overwhelming magnitude of this event, God also had plans for Sheryl and myself in visiting North Little Rock. My brother, and his wife, Jamie, live in North Little Rock as well. We always stay with them when we attend Harvest Sunday and this year was special. Jamie expressed her desire to be baptized into Christ. I told her I had been praying for this moment for 20 years. Saturday night she confessed her faith in Christ and put the Lord on in baptism.
You could say it was an incredible trip and you would be right! Our God is the great and awesome God. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of the Kingdom and to share in this wonderful work.
Coordinator Updates
Reports from the coordinators are now located on the website, under Staff Reports. The address is /extension-schools/
Donnie Bates and Denton Landon are teaching in the Chimala Bible Institute this week. Read more about their trip in Donnie’s latest report.
Extension Reports
In The Midst Of Sorrow, Great Joy: With the death of one of the students in Cameroon, there is great joy in the growth of the work. God gives the increase.
The Established Church: Chann Lork explains the beginning of the church in Siem Reap and the growth it has experienced.
Cooperation Strengthens The Church in Uganda: The congregations working together will bring growth to the work in Uganda.
House To House: The staff and students of the Chimala Bible Institute are reaching out to the people of Tanzania one house at a time.
In The Ghetto: The description of a newborn child found by shepherd boys in a ravine reveals more about the challenges of the work in Arusha, Tanzania.
Final Thoughts
After the last few days, I am not really sure how to express my final thoughts. I am writing while sitting on a plane, flying back to Denver to begin classes Monday morning. There is such a sense of peace and calm having shared in the events of the past 48 hours.
Again, I want to thank the congregation at Levy for the opportunity to be with them and share in the special occasion of Harvest Sunday. I want to encourage all of us to learn from their example and challenge the Lord’s people everywhere to think more about how to have a better focus on the importance of missions and how we can reach greater heights of involvement.
With this in mind, I want to simply say thank you to all of you who read the weekly report. I know you are interested in mission work, or you would not read this report. I also know that most, if not all, of you are helping in this effort in many ways. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, investment of time, and financial help. Without you, we could not serve God in this way.
You are a blessing to my life!
God bless
Bob