Shovels, Sidewalks, and the Gospel

Praying Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are grateful for how the Lord is at work and encouraged by the fruit we are seeing.

A couple weeks ago we got almost 2 feet of snow in one storm. The tight roads and crowded parking can make dealing with the snow a miserable experience for everyone. I spent about 8 hours doing snow removal at my house and the church. However, it also means that everyone in the neighborhood is outside shoveling snow. It is a great chance to connect and reconnect with neighbors who we only see in the winter. We take the opportunity to help our neighbors with clearing their sidewalks and driveways. I was able to connect with an older gentleman in our neighborhood named Dennis. We spent some time talking about his time in Korea and Vietnam and his relationship with his family. It seems that the Lord is softening Dennis’ heart. Would you join us in praying for Dennis? He and I are planning to catch up again sometime and I am praying there would be a clear opening for the gospel. 

We are praising the Lord for answered prayer. The man I had been meeting with in an evangelistic Bible study trusted Christ! He is continuing on in discipleship, and is eager to learn. Because of his work schedule, it has been difficult for him to attend our Sunday services. Please pray that the Lord would change his schedule so that he would be able to attend services more faithfully. I am currently meeting weekly in another evangelistic Bible study with a different gentleman. Please pray that the Lord would work in his heart and bring him to saving faith. We are also hopeful that Lindsey will soon be able to begin an evangelistic Bible study with a lady who has visited our church several times. Pray that the Lord would open the door for this to take place.

At the end of this month, we will host our third neighborhood meeting at the church. These meetings have been a great help in establishing relationships with our neighbors and city officials. Please continue to pray that the Lord would use these gatherings to develop redemptive relationships and gospel conversations.

Please continue to pray for the police chaplaincy ministry. We are moving forward with the municipal police in Lawrence, and in the coming weeks the captain I am working with will be making introductions to the department. We are thankful to Fellowship Baptist Church in Mt. Joy, PA for a financial gift that covered the cost of the uniform and equipment (a significant expense). I have already had opportunities to connect with and minister to officers in the Lawrence Police Department. Please pray for an officer whose mother recently passed away. I was able to pray with her and share the gospel when she was very close to passing. Please pray for this officer and his family, and for continued gospel opportunities with law enforcement officers.

I also continue to serve as a member of the Massachusetts State Police Volunteer Chaplain Corps. Things move more slowly with the State Police, and connections can be more difficult to make, but I had a meeting this week that appears to have opened some doors. Please pray that the Lord would continue to give opportunities for gospel ministry.

Since the beginning of the new year, I have been emphasizing the importance of “one another” ministry in our church. We have established what we are calling Connection Groups, which are long-term, one-on-one discipleship relationships. Our goal is to obey Christ’s command to make disciples and to teach “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” It has been encouraging to see church members discipling one another outside of the normal service schedule. Please pray that others would get involved as well. Several have expressed interest but have struggled to make schedules work. Lindsey is currently meeting with ladies twice a week, and I am trying to meet with four men each week. Pray for wisdom, strength, and good stewardship of time for our family.

Thank you for praying for us and standing with us. We are grateful for your prayers and support. We could not do what we are doing here in Lawrence without it.