Headed home...

As we return home and reflect on the entire summer, we are overwhelmed at how our Lord has blessed us. He has taught us many lessons and has used many of His people to encourage and bless us. It is amazing to see what the Lord is doing through His people! Yet, it is staggering to see the need and the work still to be done in our own country and neighboring Canada. Over the summer, we have grown to love each other and thank the Lord for the bond that He gave us early on. We are grateful to Pastor and Mrs. Sexton for sending us out west this summer and we thank others who have helped us prepare: Mr. Gordon, Bro. Gray, Mrs. Sengmany and Bro. Cheney. We have enjoyed serving our Savior together and pray that He will continue to use our lives for His glory and honor. Please pray for the Morlans as they embark on a new season of ministry in their lives. We thank all of you- friends and family who have kept up with us and prayed for us. May God bless you.

Second Baptist Church

Pastor Gary Satterfield
Festus, MO

Sunday evening's service was very bittersweet for our group. After 12 weeks of traveling across the northwest United States and southwest Canada, we have come to the end of the summer. At our last service we were welcomed by the pastor and members of the church. Several Crown students have called this church home, and we were glad to also meet some who are planning on attending this fall. We're so thankful for the Spirit of the Lord that is so evident here. We hope that this ministry will continue to do great things for God in Festus.

Lighthouse Baptist Church

Pastor Hylton Lawrence
Independance, MO

As we arrived at Lighthouse Baptist, we were greeted by Pastor Lawrence, who instantly made us feel right at home. Pastor Lawrence actually used to be Hannah's pastor in West Virginia when she was a little girl. We joined the Lawrence family for a meal at Cracker Barrel, where Pastor had everyone sing happy birthday to Hannah, who turned 19 the day before.

The Lord has given this church such a great spirit, and we were put right at ease by the pastor. Bro. Derrick preached in the Sunday School hour and was greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm of the people. The church is approaching its 7th anniversary and has seen great growth in the lives of its members. God has blessed us through Pastor Lawrence and we were so thankful that we were able to have our last morning service at this church.

Everyone "shakes hands" at Lighthouse Baptist

First Baptist Church

Medicine Lodge, KS
Pastor Matt Wilkerson

We have been looking forward to this church for quite some time. The Wilkersons, who are good friends of Crown College and Temple Baptist Church, came to Medicine Lodge 3 years ago to pastor this church. Since then, they have seen many converts and been able to help many young Christians. We had services on Thursday and Friday night and Pastor Wilkerson was encouraged by the attendance of the young Christians and their eagerness for the things of God.

Friday we helped out around the church, painting and remodeling. We painted a classroom and the church foyer, while Bro. Derrick and the Wilkerson boys worked on tiling the foyer. We had a great day few days with the Wilkersons and are so thankful for what the Lord is doing through their church. It is so exciting to see the young families that are on fire for the Lord there! We pray that they continue in their steadfastness!

West Omaha Baptist Church

Omaha, NE

Pastor Doug Robertson

We were so pleased to be with this young church during its very first Vacation Bible School. We arrived for the Monday night program and were able to stay through Wednesday night. Their theme was "Following in the Footsteps of Jesus" and the program was taking the kids through the promised land to different "locations" important in Jesus' earthly life and ministry. We were able to sing some songs with the kids, aid in the lesson time, and even helped perform the skits each night. We had such a great time interacting with the kids as well as enjoying the fellowship of the Pastor, his family, and all the church members who worked each night. We were so encouraged not only by the turnout of children each night, but also the involvement of the church family in this endeavor to reach families for Christ. The church was so excited by how many children were attending and learning about the Lord.

Mrs. Jamie Robertson is Kelly Radank's sister and their mother, Mrs. Chamberlain lives with the Robertsons and she works at a nearby assisted living facility. On Wednesday, we went to sing for several of the folks who live there. We had such a good time sharing our testimonies, singing and playing and had time afterward to spend getting to know them. We called out Bingo, helped with crafts, and enjoyed talking with them over a delicious bowl of peaches and cream. It was a lovely afternoon and we thoroughly enjoyed talking and visiting with them. Thank you, Mrs. Chamberlain for letting us minister to these wonderful people.

We would like to say a special "thank you" to Pastor Robertson and his wonderful family for allowing us to stay in their home for three nights and for taking care of us so well. We had a wonderful time fellowshipping with you and we will be praying for your family and ministry.

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle

Rapid City, SD
Pastor Wayne Williams

We were especially privileged to be in the Sunday night service of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle. This warm and loving church is the home of Mr. Bob Dustman, Sr. and his son Jack and family. We were able to stay with "Grandpa" Dustman on the ranch, as Bri's group did last year and we enjoyed it immensely. We were only sad we could not stay longer. After enjoying a wonderful weekend around Rapid City and the Dustman ranch (we went to see Mt. Rushmore on Saturday), we had a great service in Liberty on Sunday night. We know just from being there one service that the spirit of the Lord is working in this church and we thank God for Pastor Williams and his wife and their faithful service in this church for thirty years. After the service, we enjoyed a lovely meal with the Williams' and the Dustmans and we are so thankful for all the kindness and hospitality shown to us in Rapid City. May God continue to bless this growing church.

Bible Believer's Baptist Church

Custer, SD
Matt Furse
We had a great Lord's day this week, as the Lord continues to show Himself mighty through the churches of the American West. Pastor Matt Furse and the people of the Bible Believer's Baptist Church could not have been more welcoming and we praise the Lord for the great morning that we had with them. It was so encouraging to see so many families in the church and could not help but notice the emphasis placed on soul-winning and discipleship. Pastor Furse is actually teaching his adult Sunday School class through Pastor Sexton's Following Christ and Fishing For Men Material and this theme was continued with a great message about bringing others to Christ. After the service, we all went to a nearby park for a picnic. It was beautiful weather and we enjoyed all of the food and just chatting with some of the church families. We were so glad to be with this church and see how the Lord is expanding their numbers providing for their needs. We pray that the Lord would will to bless them and that they will to glorify Him through their ministry.