Church News
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:41
The event we are most excited to share with you is the baptism of my second daughter, Cassidy. We mentioned her salvation and enthusiasm about baptism in our last prayer letter. She never lost that enthusiasm...until the night before when I was filling the baptistery. The next morning she entered the waters with much fear and trepidation and a "little" prodding from my wife. I ask her the usual questions - Are you saved? Do you understand that baptism doesn't save you, but rather it's and outward expression of what has taken place in your heart. - To which she whispered her answer, "Yes". I dunked her and raised her up. She had a look of horror on her face. Afterward as the church came forward to congratulate her I heard her tell one of the ladies, "It wasn't scary at all!" We will have to work on the lesson of honesty pronto!
We have been having a steady stream of visitors including one gentleman whom I first invited almost four years ago showed up in church last week. I visited him, encouraged him, and did some Bible study with him in his home until he moved and we lost contact. A few weeks back I ran into his wife and kids at Wal-Mart. She asked about the times of the services. I told her. I was totally shocked when I saw him instead of her and the kids in church Sunday. She didn't come because she was ill. We are praying that we will see the whole family next week.
Last of all I will share with you that we had an unofficial work day on the grounds. A brother from another independent Baptist church in a neighboring town called and said he and "a few" fellows would be over to help me with some work that needed to be done on the property. I guess that by the time it was over 40 folks showed up! I guess because I stopped counting at about 25. They helped us cut down a fallen tree, fix our garage door, clean out the barn and fix a portion of its roof, and some ladies helped my wife clean the church. What a blessing! We are so thankful for wonderful friends in the ministry.
Prayer requests
1. Our family's good health and wellness to continue. My wife did have a severe sinus infection recently. Please keep her (and us all) in your prayers during this harvest season. The farmers have been hard at work which raises a lot of dust and allergens into the air.
2. Our church family to grow spiritually and numerically.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!
In His Service,
Pastor Raymond Beckles
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Newport, Arkansas
