Nursing Home Ministries

One of the joys of our week is going to the Care homes in our community.  In Newport there are two.  One my wife goes to weekly to read scripture and sing to the residents.  On occasion I preach there also.  The other our whole family attends.  I preach, Tinyla plays and sings, and the girls provide entertainment and therapy for everyone.  Here are a few photos from one of the facilities.

This week the nurse asked Aaliyah to favor them with a special.  She sang "Jesus Loves Me."  I was surprised that she sang all of verse one and the Chorus.  I didn't know she knew it that well.  Children are truly a blessing from the Lord.

January-February Prayer letter

28 February 2012

Dear Pastor and Praying Friends,

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” Psalm 122:1           

We are excited to begin a new year in the ministry here in Newport, Arkansas.  Recently our church had its first ever conference entitled the “Faith, Love, and Family Conference”.  The purpose of this conference was to provide the people in our community and around us with sound biblical teaching about Faith in the Lord, Love for Christ and others, and proper relationships with those in our family.  Pastor Ted Patterson began the conference and Pastor Clenton Patterson closed it out.  Several local people visited as well as others from other Independent Baptist Churches in neighboring cities.  The preaching was great as well as the music and fellowship.  We consider our first meeting a success and look forward to next year’s Faith, Love and Family Conference.

The Saturday after the conference I was invited to preach at a youth rally in a neighboring town. I intended only to bring a few children with me; but ended up with a van FULL of children and even a couple of parents.  What a blessed time we had.

The next day,  Sunday,  was our church’s five year anniversary!  Although our family has only been here for just shy of two years; it is exciting to celebrate Lighthouse Baptist Church of Newport’s fifth year in existence.  I preach to our people all the time that every Sunday the doors are opened at this church it is a victory over the devil. Well, on our anniversary service we had over 70 people in attendance! (It’s more of a victory when people come, Amen!?!)  Our van was FULLY loaded with children who wanted to come and help us eat...(oops) I mean celebrate the church’s special day.  When you have services in which every seat is filled it gives you a glimpse of what the Lord desires and can do in this ministry.  Some day our “due season” will appear and the pews of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Newport will be full every Sunday; but until then we will continue to work and pray.  We don’t want to rush the Lord; but we are praying that day appears soon! Either way, we praise God for the opportunity to be involved in this ministry.

Prayer requests:

We want to thank the Lord for the vast improvement of the health of one of our charter members.  You may remember the young lady we have mentioned in letters past who suffered kidney failure.  She also has diabetes and lost most of her vision; but her vision seems to be improving all the time.  Please continue to pray for her and her family.  We are also asking the Lord for a house for our family to move into this year. Please pray with us for the Lord’s guidance and direction regarding a home.  One last thing we would ask you to join with us in prayer about is safety as we travel to various churches in an effort to raise more support for the ministry.  Thank the Lord for his safety and provision, thus far; but we ask that it would continue.  Thank you for your prayers and monthly financial support.  God Bless You. 

Until next time,

Pastor Raymond Beckles