I believe this was our fourth year to be with my good friend Pastor Bob Nogalski and the folks at Victory Baptist Church for their annual winter revival. Evangelist Bob Foltz from Toledo (Ohio), Evangelist Mark McGaughey from Pell City (Alabama) and I were the preachers. It is always a great time being with the Nogalski Family - they sure know how to spoil their guests. There was a good spirit in the services and we saw a few visitors during the week.
On Wednesday morning we left the house at 4:30am and drove to Columbus, Ohio to attend the funeral of one of my heroes - Pastor Jimmy Hood. It was a blessing to be able to be there. Many preacher friends from around the country were in attendance and Pastor Jobe Beechler preached a great message. The whole service was a tribute to what the Lord can do in a man's life. We left immediately afterwards and made it back to Michigan just in time for the service.
FIRST MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH - Franklin, Indiana
It was planned over a year ago for us to be home around the Christmas/New Year's holidays in order for me to give my preacher (Pastor Kent Kirchmeyer) a break. We enjoyed being home for Christmas. I believe the services went well and it was my desire to preach some messages that would be a help to our church. I was able to see the Lord do a couple of miraculous things and it meant so much to me. We are very thankful for the dear folks here at our home church.
NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH - Cape Coral, Florida
On Monday, January 4th I got to the Indianapolis Airport to catch an early morning flight to southwest Florida. We did not make the camp meeting at New Testament Baptist Church last year and so it was good to be back with Pastor Bill Roan and this church. It was also good to see some friends from around the country at this meeting such as Pastor Mike Keenan from Pennsylvania and Pete Guadagno from Old Time Baptist Church in Hamburg, New York. Bro. Pete did a great job leading the singing.
SHADY ACRES BAPTIST CHURCH - Houston, Texas
I flew from Florida to Houston for the camp meeting at Shady Acres. I stayed with my buddy - Evangelist Gary Lutrick and we always have a good time together. His dear wife, Stephanie, was in the hospital for the first 3 days I was there but she did come home and even ended up going to the last 4 nights of the meeting. I was at this meeting about 10 years ago and have always wanted to get back. God was in all of the services but really moved in a big way on Thursday and Friday night. Thursday night was one of those "you just had to be there" services. The glory of God got pretty thick in there for over an hour at the end of the service. There were waves and waves of people flooding the altars. What a great time!
BACK HOME - FIRST MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH - Franklin, Indiana
The day before I got back from Texas my preacher was admitted to the hospital with meningitis, MRSA and a double ear infection. As I was landing in Indianapolis he was having a seizure and he spent the next four days in the hospital. I preached the next two Sunday's and Wednesday's while he was recovering at home. I know that many dear saints of God around the country have been praying for him and I know that he appreciates it and so does our church. This past Sunday he was determined to preach and the Lord helped him preach both the morning and evening services. He paid a physical price of exhaustion and pounding headaches but he still did it. The Lord really gave him the strength to get back in his pulpit.
UPDATE ON PASTOR KIRCHMEYER'S HEALTH:
In addition to the above health issues that I mentioned he has a severe sinus infection that is going to require surgery to correct. He goes to a specialist next Monday and we are all praying the surgery is scheduled soon so he can get some relief from these issues. Once again - thank you all for praying and I ask that you please keep it up!
