Remembering

Every year I am thankful for the time we spend remembering those who have gone before us; those who have won and preserved our freedoms. I have three uncles who each served for over 20 years in the military, and I am thankful for their service that continues to bless my family. I remember having such a high respect for my grandfather as he reflected on his service during WWII. I grew up admiring and appreciating our soldiers who sacrificed so much for me and others. I know that my maternal grandmother's first husband, and the father of my eldest uncle, gave his life during WWII. This truth has never left me when I reflect on those who are serving our nation so faithfully now.

Let us remember to praise the Lord for those who have served and sacrificed so much for us. And let us remember to pray for those who are making the same commitment to us today.

During this time of remembering those who stand as soldiers for our nation, I must also remember those who stand as soldiers for the kingdom of God. I appreciate the many missionaries and ministers who have gone before us. I am thankful for those who carried the gospel into all the world years before I was born. I appreciate those who served as ministers, laboring for years in anonymity. (Not everyone is named Billy Graham)

I remember the Sunday School teachers, the Vacation Bible School leaders, the van drivers, the Children's Church workers, and of course the Pastors I have been blessed with during my life. I am so thankful for each of them. I must admit the names are getting harder to remember as I get older, but I know the Lord knows their names (He has already called some of them to be at home with Him). Those who shared Jesus with us are some of the most important people in our lives. Please join me in praising the Lord for those who have stood in the gap for us and share Christ with us.
Let us pray for those who labor in the harvest today. Let us pray for the missionaries and ministers who have given their lives to the Lord for His ministry in this world. Let us join them in sharing Christ with the world around us daily.

Let us remember, praise the Lord, and pray for those who give of themselves today.

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you." Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Remembering thankfully,
Bro. Wade

Planting God's Word in the Next Generation

Wednesday evening's AWANA Award Night was so great to watch. I enjoyed hearing the names of so many children called as they were acknowledged for their efforts in memorizing and learning the Word of God this past year. It was great to think about how many lives and families will be changed for years to come by the word that was planted in this young generation. Knowing that somehow we had a part in what God was doing this year to change the lives of these young people (and their parents) was so humbling and yet amazing at the same time. Our church is blessed to have this opportunity - each year!

When we recognized all the volunteers who serve so faithfully in AWANAs, I found my heart filled with so much appreciation. My three children take part in this wonderful ministry each week and my family is blessed by these volunteers. So many of them work hard all day and rush to the church to make Wednesday happen at FBC Harlingen. I could never begin to thank them enough for what they do for the Lord, for so many children, and for my family.

I look forward to a great Summer of ministry to children and youth. I find myself praying for the leaders, volunteers, students, and their families. I can only imagine all that God is going to do.

Planting the Word with you,
Bro. Wade

P.S. Just to let you know, we will be presenting a minister to the church as a candidate for our Children and Discipleship Minister on June 10. We will vote during both services. Be praying.

IMAGINE - a great team

IMAGINE: The Power of Everyone - the name of our capital campaign; it says more than it first seems. We look forward to the future as we attempt to imagine all that God can do through his people when we are united in spirit and purpose. During the initial stages of the campaign, we have formed a leadership team that is working diligently. Their labor, the quality of their work, their unified spirit, and the joy in the service are proof that the name of the campaign is more than a slogan, it is a reality in First Baptist Church Harlingen.

I am so excited about the campaign, and that is very much due to the excitement and passion of the leadership team. Each week we meet and hear how God has spoken to members of the group and how everything is coming together in ways that are beyond our control. The team is a small example of what we hope to see in the church as a whole. People who are praying passionately, who are sacrficing for a great goal, who are in love with a great God, and who are united in heart and mind.

Please join me in praying for this wonderful adventure that lies ahead of FBC Harlingen.

Imagining,
Bro. Wade

People on Mission

When a church is on mission with God, you can see it in many little ways. This past week there were so many ways FBC Harlingen evidenced it is on mission with God.

Four men travelled through Mexico for a week, three of them riding motorcycles, and they were used by God to travel over 1,200 miles to see 50 people come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. This was a great trip and I look forward to our church hearing about it this Sunday in the morning services; pray for Randy Rister as he shares this great testimony.

Randy also did a chalk drawing on Wednesday evening for our AWANA ministry. During this service God shared the gospel through Randy and 3 children accepted Christ as Savior and 3 others committed to be baptized. This Sunday morning we will see the testimony of some of those children and celebrate with their families. One of these children is celebrating her birthday this Sunday and she looks forward to being baptized on that special day.

Bro. Frank shared with our church the opportunity we had to minister to those in Eagle Pass whose lives had been changed by the tornadoes. We have seen our church family respond in love by purchasing items and giving financially to see these families cared for during this difficult time. The group leaves Saturday morning to carry the items to Eagle Pass, we pray for their safe travel.

This next week we have the privilege of helping a new family to our church to load their belongings into a moving van and head for Colorado. We will help them load, send them off with prayer and thank the Lord for the short time we had them in our earthly family, and praise the Lord we will see them again some day.

What a great week!!! What a great Lord!!!!! What a privilege to see him serve through us!!!

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" Matthew 9:37-38

Calling all to the Mission,
Bro. Wade