First Day of Vacation Bible School

The church buildings were filled with lots of noise today, VBS has begun. The fun and the worship were very loud in the worship center (over 400 people, most children, can easily make a lot of noise in one room). The halls were filled with laughter and chatter as the kids moved from one activity to the next. The gym was packed with excited, screaming kids running and playing (praise God for an air conditioned gym).

But noise is not all the church was filled with today, the place was filled with love. The kids were all eager to give high-fives, hugs, or smiles as they passed you in the halls. They somehow know that when they come on to the property and enter the buildings that the halls and rooms are filled with the love of God - because the hearts of all the people are filled with God's love. I enjoyed watching the youth serve snacks, help with crafts, or carry a little one who just wanted someone to carry them (for many it was there first VBS, and their first time away from Mom in a new place).

I watched our leaders carefully teach the truth of God's word to the children, knowing that God's word would never return void - that it would change their lives. I saw the results of many hours of preparation, as the rooms were decorated with great imagery. I saw smiles on the faces of the adults as they willingly gave of their time, money, and love to care for these kids and hopefully make a difference in their lives, - - - if even for just one day.

I look forward to the rest of the week, to see what all God is going to fill this place with each day.

Adam's Surgery

Adam will be having surgery on his eyes July 15th in Corpus Christi.  He was born with a problem that causes his eyes to have tremors, a rather common health issue that most children outgrow by age 9.  Adam is almost 12 and has not outgrown it, so the doctor plans to operate on both eyes to perform a procedure that usually helps to alleviate this problem.  

The doctor will do the same procedure on both eyes in the same surgery.  He will stretch the muscle on one side of the eye and will then cut the muscle on the other side of the eye and then sew it back together.  Apparently severing the nerve often reduces the amount of tremors the nerve produces in the eye.

Adam will be under anesthesia for the operation that is suppose to take about 4 hours.  We will be in Corpus for three days and will then return home.  (day before surgery, day of, and day after).  This is considered an out patient procedure, we will take him to the hotel room with us that evening, and we will return home the day after the procedure.  The nurse said Adam should be ready for normal life (except swimming for two weeks) the day after surgery.

We appreciate all who will pray.  Please know that Adam is not nervous at all, he is rather excited that his vision will hopefully improve.  His faith in God is very strong, as he reminds us daily that God has this all under control.

Thank you for praying,

Bro. Wade (a thankful dad)

Block Party - Loving Harlingen

Imagine with me . . . a city block covered in people from the community, drawn to this block by the Holy Spirit.  The body of Christ finding ways to love the people who come by serving them in various ways, encouraging them, praying over them, and sharing the good news of Christ with them.  This was the dream the Lord laid on my heart a few months ago and this past Sunday we saw the dream come true.

The Body of Christ went door to door Sunday morning in the downtown area of Harlingen, passing out fliers and personally inviting our neighbors to come to a block party.  Several Christian friends from another church had gone around the neighborhood the evening before inviting all who were home to the block party as well - the body of Christ drawn together in unity as we love Harlingen together.  

The set up went rather quickly as so many volunteers came to help.  What a joy to watch so many servants from FBC Harlingen come together for a common purpose.  They worked tirelessly, loved so passionately, stayed to clean up and spoke often of their desire to see this event happen again.  

The large tent for eating (the 856 hot dogs, 800 bags of chips, and 1000 drinks were all consumed), the Edge (35 feet tall double slide) and the other inflatables were all visible draws for the crowd.  The antique cars, motorcycles, and fire truck were all great conversation starters, allowing many witnessing opportunities.  The dunking booth, fall festival games, and basketball hoops allowed the children to test their skills and have some athletic fun.  The pony rides and hay ride were something out of the ordinary that the kids and parents all loved.   The snow cone tent, the balloon animal tent, and the health fair tent were all widely attended and appreciated by all who participated.  The fishing boat casting-center sponsored by the IronMen ministry developed the potential anglers in the crowd.  Everything was a complete success!!!

We were blessed to prayer walk the block, to pray with many who shared their troubles with us, and to love on many.  I remember the couple whose house is being condemned by the end of this month and who were looking for a new place to rent.  I remember the autistic boy who did not speak, but who smiled big to have a cherry flavored snow cone to eat.  I remember the families who came to thank us for a hot dog meal - that cost us a dollar (how humbling it was).  I remember the smiles on the children's faces that seemed to never stop; that is until they had to leave for home.

The weather was suppose to be hot and humid, but God blessed us with cloud cover and a great breeze that made the day cool enjoyable.  God kept the rain away all afternoon, but brought the temperature down for a day that would draw the crowds out of their homes.

The entire day was seen by all as a miraculous day where the Lord expressed his sovereignty, and revealed his love to the world through the church.  Like many others, I am just thankful that the Lord used me in such a great endeavor.

Loving Harlingen every day,

Bro. Wade

Passion for Prayer

T.W. Hunt has been such a blessing in my life over the years, but spending a weekend with him during our prayer conference was a wonderful highlight that I will cherish for many years.  T.W.  has a unique passion for the Lord that translates into his prayer life.  While around him throughout a day, his passion and his prayer life are a contagious experience.  I found myself wanting to stop and pray even more than usual.  I was quicker to name the blessings of God, as they were like neon signs in front of me.  I was also overwhelmed with the people the Lord put in our path, it was if evangelism was the obvious result of a life that was so focused on Christ.   I must confess that I would only hope that one day I could be a person of influence like the man I was blessed to pray, worship, and witness alongside of this weekend.

The prayer conference was indeed life-changing for many and I rejoice with each one.  I hope that the fellowship of First Baptist Church Harlingen will not lose the impact of this past weekend for many generations to come.  We rejoice with the many who filled the altar during both services on Sunday morning following the challenge that God brought through T.W. Hunt.  We believe that each person will continue their commitment to step forward in the battle and assume the role of intercessor and pray for the powerful moving of God in our nation and world.  

God bless each one as we stay true to the commitment to pray daily in the power of the Holy Spirit; and may we all become people of great influence as we grow more passionately in love with God.

Praying passionately,

Bro. Wade

Not about politics

One of the saddest comments I have read in a while was published in today's media.  When the restriction on embryonic stem-cell research was lifted by the President, the scientific community responded by saying they are glad that "ideology" is no longer leading our decisions as a nation.

I was swept to my knees to pray for a nation that has clearly lost its way in the world and has taken the word of God and respect for God's creation out of our decisions.  It is so alarming to know that those who reject God are celebrating the decisions of a president who professes Christ as Savior because he is not allowing Christian convictions to lead his decision making.

This is not a political statement, I am not a Republican or Democrat, my trust is not in men.  I am just worried for our nation.  Yes, I said worried.  God has made it clear what will happen to a nation that ignores the word of God - and since I am part of that nation, the truth is clear, we will face the punishment.

Please join me in praying for a spiritual renewal to sweep our nation, for the church to rise up; not just in political circles, but to take the gospel to our nation.  God's plan for the church in our nation has been for us to reach our nation with the gospel, not to simply take political stands.  When we focus on politics, we appear to be against people.  When we share the gospel we appear to be for people.

Rise Up, Oh Church of God!!!

fearful of the wrath of our living God,

Bro. Wade

Merida Missions

The Merida, Mexico Mission Team experienced a great amount of love on our trip.  We were blessed to be in Merida during Valentines Day and were asked to speak at the Valentine's banquets for two different churches.  Sunday morning was a special opportunity to preach in the service and to teach about men's ministry during Sunday School.  The evenings were spent leading a church leadership conference, one of the main reasons for the trip.  Bro. Craig Blakeslee spoke each night to the leaders of children's ministry in the churches and then I spoke to the whole group about issues concerning vision, unity, values, discipleship, conflict resolution, and small groups.  We appreciate the Lord's work in bringing us together with ministers from across Merida and allowing us a brief time to disciple them.

We also led in a few evangelistic services where we saw the Lord strengthen small churches and reach several who accepted the Lord as their Savior.  Praise the Lord for each one and for the many who heard the word.

We were blessed with great weather, safe travel, and wonderful food.  Thank you to all who prayed for us and for the Lord to work through us.

On Mission Daily,

Bro. Wade

FOCUS'09 - Reviving God's People

God's abundant grace and power have been manifested in the people of First Baptist Church Harlingen.  

During our week of meetings, God changed many lives.  Many rededicated their lives to the Lord, several prayed to accept Christ in their lives and be saved from their sin and its consequences, others were freed from the bondage of doubt concerning their relationship with the Father, and many filled the aisles and alter area bowing before the Lord.  It was an overwhelming experience each and every service.

Bro. Jon Randalls was such a blessing as he proclaimed the word of the Lord to us with passion and purpose.  Jon was quick in his speech, bold in his tone, and caring in his agenda.  He was the chosen vessel of the Lord for the season of revival meetings the Lord had planned for longer than a year.

Bro. David Whittington stood before us and the Lord at the same time, and as he worshipped the Lord with all his heart, he led us into the very presence of God so we too could worship God passionately.  We appreciate how clearly his heart was turned toward God and how he was concerned about our engagement in praise and worship of the God who deserves the best in our hearts.

However, what we experienced during the week of FOCUS'09 was not the result of these men coming, nor was it the result of our efforts done this week.  God moved as a clear result of His desire to do so (PERIOD) - so He receives all the praise and glory and honor.  He was freed to move (or worded according to the Scripture, the Holy Spirit was not quenched) in our hearts, as a result of earnest prayer, brokenness in our attitudes, and the crucifixion of pride.  We allowed God to do what he wanted to do (although I believe he has not even shown us all he wants to do, for not all of us have given Him the freedom He needs in our hearts).  We gave Him the opportunity to change us and those around us, and He fulfilled His promises to us.

The revival, renewal, and refreshing we long for began many weeks, months, and years ago as the people of God fell to their knees to pray and seek God together.  The results we have seen this week are the result of God's choice, and the prayers of God's people,  a partnership that leads to blessing, healing, and an abundant power that changes lives.

So, don't stop praying just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop spending extra time with God, just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop passionately seeking and following God just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop now - too much is at stake, too much is needed.

Don't stop the revival in your heart - the four quarters ended on Wednesday - but overtime is up to you.

Amazed, Awed, and Anticipating,

Bro. Wade