Dear Pastor and friends, May and June
The Blessing ...
The last 10 weeks have been such a blessing to us as Majesty Baptist Church still develops and grows.
The Scriptures says of the early church "…and the Lord added unto the church daily..". I'm so happy to say that each day we become aware new people … families that call or come out to services. We are visiting, witnessing, preaching and teaching the wonderful truth of God's Word. We are having the time of our lives as we challenge the liberal mind set which has turned God away. Just this week we visited in a home where the man said he was a student of the Bible , "I've read the Bible through many times.." He proceeded to tell us that he doubted that ".. our church could draw his attention!" So I being a Baptist preacher … decided to examine the "intellect of this one who was so arrogant
and so versed in the Bible. " so I asked him a simple question, Sir, if I had 5 minutes to live and that's all and I knew it …. What could you tell me that would get me into Heaven?" He looked at me and laughed … and then said, "Well, it's too late for you! … you've waited too long!" The trouble is that I've heard that answer too many times … and too often from those who claim they know God .. But know nothing of Salvation! I have told them, "I'm glad I don't serve the same God that you do … because my Lord looked to a thief dying next to him on the cross and said to him "TODAY thou shalt be with ME in
Paradise." I left that man with the thought of what was said …. as he refused even to accept our gospel literature. People need to be challenged … and we intend to do that. God has also put us in touch with people who are searching … folks who are not sure but wanting to know more. Just yesterday our next door neighbor said "preacher we need to talk .." they will be away for a few days but when they get back he wants to meet. With me … he has questions and I know God has the answers. Church planting is all about these kinds of encounters meeting with people .. Hearing their needs and questions and then bring them to Christ. That is what the scriptures teach us is sowing, watering, and reaping. We want to do the reaping … but we don't like the sowing, and watering part … the breaking up of fallowed ground so that the seed of the Word can take root. Thank you for being a part of the process by caring and sharing , by giving so this church planter can be on the field doing want has to be done to accomplish the task of planting a New Testament Baptist Church.
The Family
Sandy and I are doing well … we both have had our bough's with illness … and have been through some illness .. But we are still at it . Something for you to pray about … our daughter Deborah will be having their first child on July 19th. Lord willing. As many of you know this is a high risk pregnancy. Deborah had gamma knife surgery in 2009 to correct a view and artery problem deep inside her brain. By God's Grace she came through the procedure just fine … and He has continued to bless her through out this healing process which the doctors said would be all of two years. But now with the child coming we again need you to pray. Her condition is such that a normal delivery will not be possible because of the pressure that would be involved with the labor. So the c section will take place July 19th … please pray that all will be well.
The Additional Laborers
The Lord said we should pray that God would "send forth labourers into his harvest…" and indeed we have! God has answered and many of you have Helped! Brother Deaunoe gave us 5000 John and Romans free … our Home Church and Pastor Folger sent $300 + dollars to pay for the shipping … North Columbus Baptist Church Gave up their secretary ( Our Daughter Deborah) for a week so she could set up our books and get our house in order…. Still other have taken up the cause to support us … in prayer and financially. The Lord is so good!
Challenges
If I have given you the idea that everything is going "fantastic" please understand … it is! I have often been quoted when asked how are you? "Oh! I'm Great, Fantastic, Super, and Colossal!" Many laugh and say you couldn't mean that … but I do! In Christ Jesus I am that and so much more! That is not to say that we haven't faced a fight against Satan and the "powers and principalities" … we certainly are!
Extra costs , break downs, one of our $200.00 signs was stolen, personal sorrows and health problems both in our lives and the lives of those who have joined with us. The battle to stay up when others are down and to stay true … when others are throwing in the towel. But as Paul once said "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
Act 20:24 So, I'm Still "Great, Fantastic, Super, and Colossal!"
Living the Life,
Virl and Sandy
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March 22, 2010
Dear Pastors and Friends,
Our First Sunday
PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Our first morning service was held Sunday March 14th!!!! We have long awaited this day and what a joy it was as we met with 14 in attendance
Three Families
We have been privileged to have 3 “Baptist” families join with us in the start of this work. For those of you who have started a church you understand the value of people who already know how to help!
Hitting the Streets
The past two Saturdays we have begun to visit in the area where York Elementary School is located. We are making ready with “John and Romans” to hand out and additional tracts are being printed. As we go forth we are praying that God will open the hearts of those in the area that they might hear and believe.
Preparations
The work has begun such as: printing of tracts, buying printed signs, working with sound systems, setting up the key board, packing up song books, buying and setting up computer software, and getting the car packed for the services. We have no storage at the school so everything has to be brought in and taken out! Oh, and making sure my message is ready to deliver! We will need a trailer to transport and store everything in to make transportation more efficient. (Something to pray about!) It’s Great! The Lord is so very GOOD!
Thank You
Thank you and God bless each and every one of you who has helped us financially and prayerfully over the holidays and in the beginning of this new year!!!!! We Praise God for the faithful pastors, churches, and friends HE has given us these past twenty months of deputation!!!!!!
Now In Vancouver,
Virl & Sandy
Support address: Cleveland Baptist Church, 4431 Tiedeman Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44144
Field Address: Majesty Baptist Church, P.O. Box 821787, Vancouver,Washington, 98682, (360-687-8538)
E-Mail: Please send us your Church e-mail address if you would like to help us cut the costs of postage and receive your letter by e-mail…..thank you!!!!
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September / October 09
Greetings From Vancouver, Washington,
The Need
We have been busy traveling to and fro raising our support from churches across America. Our travels have taken us into some really great churches. We have met many people with a heart for God who have a burden for their Jerusalem desiring that folks would get saved, but many are concerned because the world seems to be so hard and indifferent to the Gospel message. The Heart of our God must prevail. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. These words remind us that God's agenda has not changed. These words were written concerning our time "…in the last days.." 2 Peter 3:3
when the scoffer comes challenging our faith. But God still is not willing that any should perish.. The mission has not changed … but I think we have. We have not succeeded in reaching the lost so we've tried to rationalize by claiming the hardness of hearts, or that we are 'in the last days' … but the Lord is still not willing "..that any should perish." May we rekindle our efforts … and fervently pray for a revival in our midst that we might see the 'any' saved!
The Task
We were able to spend a little over a week in Vancouver during which we did some of the preparatory work that was wont to be done: the setting up of a post office box (Our box number is P.O. Box 821787 Vancouver, WA 98682.); searching for a meeting place; contacting people in the area that we had heard of or meeting with those who have contacted us. We have chosen a name, Majesty Baptist Church and we have chosen a verse; Psalms 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
The Opportunity
If you will give us the time and the tools, we will invest the treasure in this "earthen vessel" to accomplish the task to which God has called us. Time? … we ask for your time in prayer asking the Lord our God for the power, mercy, grace ,wisdom and timing we need in the planting of this church. Tools?... materials we will need to present ourselves to the community. Printing needs to be done, tracts need to be obtained, advertisements need to be presented, hymnals purchased, a pulpit (something portable) , web site set up, yellow pages ad, portable key board, program for setting up bulletins and other church projects, financial support to keep me on the field. Treasure? … the truth of the gospel that God has put in me .. and my life .. every moment of it invested in the people of Vancouver and the surrounding areas who have little chance of hearing the gospel. The planting a of local New Testament Baptist Church requires a great deal of prayer, financial assistance, equipment, and plain old- fashioned hard work … but think of the benefit …souls saved for all eternity!
Thank you for your help,
The Stalnakers Romans 8:28
Support address: Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Rd Cleveland, OH 44144
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July – August 2009
The Warfare of Prayer
The engagement of the enemy took on a personal aspect as our grandson, Josiah, was smitten with a tumor on the brain. I cannot fully express the toll it has taken on Jason and Suzie, (our daughter and son-in-law), myself, my wife and the rest of the family and friends. We can honestly say ".. we didn't see it coming." Days and weeks were spent trying to save this little four year old boy who is the apple of our eyes! With all the care we feel in trying to start the church .. this care was added… but not without purpose from God. Truly the Lord our God has had purpose in driving us to our knees in our petitions for little Josiah Lee Herring. Prayer became more important to us as we searched for healing in a desperate time. God’s answer came just 55 days after Josiah first went to the hospital… God took our precious grandson HOME! I’m so glad he had a home to go to! The lessons we have learned about prayer, friendships, God’s Word, and the importance of Faith have been invaluable. Thank you is due all of you who prayed, fasted, and journeyed with us through this difficult trial.
The Battle for Support
More meetings and more support is needed so we can be about the task of building a church to the Glory of God. With times being what they are it is difficult to raise support. Though the need is great, so too is the Greatness of our GOD! We started full time deputation in July of 2008 and at this point are just over half in our support level. Please pray for new meetings and that our support might increase.
The Advancing of Our Faith
Local Church Planting requires a willingness on our part to advance for the cause of our faith. The lines are being drawn as we see and hear of more attacks against the faithful. Yet, I am reminded that to this fight we are called … it is for this purpose that I have been sent forth to fight , to labor, and through the power of the Living God to be Victorious! The conflict is not new to the Christian of years gone by .. but I think it is new for those of us who have had it relatively easy up to now. We must now know what we believe and why we believe it …we must be practiced in the use of the Scriptures as a weapon to fight off the attacks of those who hate our Lord. The days of allowing someone else to carry the load of study and of putting on the whole armor of God… those days are gone. Let us rise up in prayer and do all that we can to secure the Victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
On The Battle Field,
The Stalnakers
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