Dear Pastor and Praying Friends,                                                         May 1, 2013

We continue to praise God for his goodness to us here in Newport, Arkansas and thank Him that Spring is finally here. Along with the beauty and growth we see around us outside, we are seeing growth in our church numerically and spiritually.  Our members have increased their giving and have begun to enthusiastically invite friends and family to church. 

This past Sunday we celebrated our church’s sixth anniversary.  For months we have been praying and preparing for this event and the Lord truly did bless.  We were praying for fifty souls to attend and forty-seven showed up. One of the forty-seven walked the aisle and trusted Christ as his Savior!  This gentleman is a mechanic and is the man responsible for keeping this preacher’s vehicle on the road.  I had invited him several times and am glad that he chose to attend our anniversary service. 

After the service we enjoyed a time of food, fellowship, and a slide presentation to remind us of what God has done over the years.  Everyone must have been enjoying themselves because about two hours later I had to usher some people out the door- in Christian love of course!

On Resurrection Sunday we truly had a blessed time!  I would like to say it was due to the power of God being manifested during my wonderful message; but I am afraid that would not be the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  The youth of our church sang and put on a little skit about the resurrection of Jesus.  I am proud to say they did a wonderful job; I am also proud to tell you that many friends and family members came to see their performance. These visitors were present to see the children perform, to hear the whole and true Gospel message, and to experience the blessing of being at Lighthouse Baptist Church on Sunday morning.  Several of them have returned since and others promise to do so soon.

On a personal note :  Our family is doing well.  My two girls continue to grow like sunflowers and we continue to anticipate the coming of a new little one in September.  Last week my wife had an ultrasound and the doctor said everything looks great, when she ask if we wanted to know the sex of the baby I said no; but my wife said yes!  She found out; but  promised to keep it a secret until the baby comes.  Two of us (myself and Cassidy) are hoping for a boy; but two of us (my wife and Aaliyah) are hoping for a girl. Half of us will be disappointed; but I trust the disappointed half will get over it quickly.

I would now like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.  Without which we would not be able to carry out the Great Commission in Newport, Arkansas.  

                                                                                    In Christ,

Pastor Raymond Beckles