::Great Lakes Conference News

Conference President's Update

2008-02-07T17:24:00.000-02:00

Mark Your Calendar (Dates are on the back of your "Conference Minutes")

Great Lakes Conference -Thursday, July 10, 2008

Camp Meeting 2008 -July 11-20, 2008

Evangelists -Dr. Paul Kaufman, Rev. Daniel Stetler

Singers -Daniel Edwards Family

Children's Workers -Gene and Angie Davis

NEW CONFERENCE WEB PAGE

www.biblemethodist.org

-Please e-mail the corrections and updates to me.

-If your church has its own web page, please let me know so that the link can be made from our church's list to your web page.

Revival Announcements

Greenville --- Youth Weekend Revival -February 29-March 2

-Saturday activities and afternoon service are planned.

-Rev. Joey Kretoski will be the speaker.

Concord --- Revival Services

-March 9-12 (Sunday through Wednesday)

-Rev. John Parker is to be the evangelist.

Please let me know what you have planned.

Conference President's Visits

Saundy and I ministered at the Greenville Church on January 20th. We enjoyed the fellowship of the Johnsons and their wonderful church family. The Greenville area has been struggling through some difficult economic setbacks. God has been faithful to the Greenville Bible Methodist Church family during these days and is giving spiritual victory! Byron Reynolds, one of the church laymen, has started his own business selling kitchen cabinets. I have been praying that God will pour out his blessings on this new, Christian business.

Trudy Kelley, who lived in the trailer by the tabernacle, passed away and her funeral was January 26, here at the Rock Lake Church. That was a wonderful Christian funeral!

Last weekend, we traveled to Westfield, Indiana, to speak at a restaurant couples meeting planned by the MOPS group that is lead by Roanna Lindahl. We stayed in the home of Rev. and Mrs. Monte Stetler and preached at Village Park on Sunday morning. That was exciting for us, since we got to see Valerie (Krohn) Gross and her family. Valerie grew up in our Dawn Valley Church. Leland and Roanna had us to their home for Sunday dinner. We are so proud of this young couple and their faithfulness to Jesus and music ministry. Sunday evening found us at our Ironwood Bible Methodist Church to share the evening message there. After service the church family shared an evening soup, sandwich and dessert carry-in. We spent the night at Bro. and Sis. Sam Lindahl's and enjoyed visiting with them. Kevin Robinson is leading the services and preaching at the present time.

God has blessed Rock Lake with a growing church family. We are doing the detailed work in preparation to build a new sanctuary on the existing chapel building. That is to begin in May as the Lord helps us.

Last night, with the winter storm, we cancelled prayer meeting. Today, the sun is trying to shine and the snow is hanging beautifully on the trees.

God bless you all.

Blake and Saundy Jones

Update on Logan Sankey from Melodie

2008-02-02T12:28:00.000-02:00

"Hi, everyone. Here's the latest on Logan. The second pathology report from the biopsy revealed a fungal component mixed with the what-had-been infectious material behind and beside his eye.

Knowing this and seeing as how the week of steroids he just took didn't help the proptosis/eye bulging, as of today the Infectious Disease doctor has decided to "shift gears" and target the fungus that he apparently has in his ethmoid sinus extending into the orbit of the eye. She has put him on VERY expensive anti-fungal therapy for an indefinite amount of time. He starts that new medicine tomorrow; he is still taking the Vancomycin by PICC line at least until the middle of February. He is to be tested for tuberculosis, have a chest x-ray taken, and more blood drawn to pinpoint the kind of fungus present - all in the next few days.

The good news is that fungus is treatable, even though it is "slow to grow, slow to go". We do know that he has chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps - basically what the ENT called sinus disease. It could be the case that all of this caused the fungus to grow/develop even over a long period of time - we don't know how long.

The proptosis is beginning to cause Logan some pain - more than before. We are really in hopes that treating the fungus will allow the inflammation to recede, thus allowing the eye to fall back into its normal orbit.

But due to how the situation seems to be stabilizing at least for a couple weeks, Marc is planning to keep his commitment to Sea Breeze Camp 2008 in Hobe Sound, Florida as one of the main evangelists and he will be flying out a week from today. Jordan and Cameron are SO excited, because they get to go with him! Logan and I will stay here and "get better" - we hope and pray. We'll definitely be logging on to as many services as we possibly can.

Logan turns 9 a week from tomorrow - he's coming up with his plan to celebrate! Just so it includes being tied to an IV pole every few hours....

Thanks for your prayers for all of us.

Melodie

More updates to come!

2008-01-30T14:08:00.001-02:00

Just a quick note to let you the reader know that more updates will be coming shortly now that the new Bible Methodist web site is up and running.

Sept. 1 Update from Blake Jones

2007-09-01T14:04:00.000-02:00

Pastors, please note:

1. Family Retreat - September 28-29 on the Rock Lake Camp Ground

-Friday night Rally Speaker -- Rev. Phil Arnold

-Time - 7:30 p.m.

-hot dog roast

-stay in dorms

-requested donation - $10 per family

-Saturday --

-one session with Rev. and Mrs. Arnold (if she can arrange her work schedule)

-group activities

-each family provides for their own breakfast and lunch

2. September --- begins new theme --- THE HARVEST AND THE CHURCH

-This quarter is an emphasis on the doctrine of heart holiness. Live it. Preach it. Urge it!

3. Thought you might like to check these sites out: www.pastorsretreatnetwork.org www.PastorResources.com

HAVE A WONDERFUL LORD'S DAY!

Blake Jones

Conference President Update - August 27

2007-08-29T10:58:00.000-02:00

Great Lakes Conference

Bible Methodist Church

BEHOLD THE HARVEST
Blake E. Jones, Conference President

The Harvest and the Church

1st Quarter -Heralding Heart Holiness

-The Spirit's infilling, core doctrines...

2nd Quarter -Revival in the Church

-Humbling, Healing, Harmony

3rd Quarter -Locking Arms in Membership

-Discipleship, Commitment, Responsibility...

4th Quarter -Looking Beyond the Core

-Reaching to fringe people

Next month begins the new sub-theme, "The Harvest and the Church". The lovely posters for this year were handed out at camp meeting. The year begins with a quarter focused on teaching the doctrine of holiness in the church. Please let me know how you and your church are helping to prepare for and reach the harvest.

FAMILY RETREAT

The fall Family Retreat will be held on the Rock Lake Camp Grounds, the last weekend of September. Rev. and Mrs. Hilling, and Rev. and Mrs. Wetherald are leading this enjoyable activity.

The "Bible Methodist" Subscription Drive

Rev. Sams will be sending me posters for the subscription drive. I will be sending those to you. We will plan for an October push for Bible Methodist subscriptions.

Note: --- Pastoral Leadership Conference

School of the Prophets and Aldersate Forum will be hosting a Pastoral Leadership Conference at GBS. The dates are October 30 - November 1, 2007. H.B. London will be a guest speaker. Other speakers include, Dr. Allan Brown, Rev. P.D. Wolfe, and Rev. Chris Cravens.

Conference Updates

Rev. and Mrs. Hobbs accepted the pastorate of a church in PA. Please pray for their family as they make this adjustment.

Rev. David Ward has accepted the call of the Evart Church to return as their pastor. He will assume his duties in September.

Evart's Daystar Academy begins classes this week.

Rev. Sam Lindahl has resigned the Ironwood Church. Please pray for the dear folks in Frankton as they seek God's will for a new pastor.

Pray for the children that have been ministered to during our church's Vacation Bible Schools.

Conference President's Schedule

Since camp meeting it has been my privilege to visit the Remus and Petersburg camps. Rev. Darrell Stetler spoke the eveing I attended the Wesleyan Holiness Camp. What a great melting and bonding in Christ we enjoyed in that service. I spoke in two of the morning services the first weekend of the Lower Lights Camp. We had great fellowship with our friends there. Bro. Parker and Bro. Tim Cole were the evangelists.

I spoke in a Sunday evening service at Garfield and then our whole family enjoyed Monday and Tuesday together. We held the new babies and rejoiced together. Then Saundy and I went off to Traverse City and hid for three days. This summer has been nigh unto impossible to figure out a family vacation. On our way back we stopped in at Garfield's closing VBS service since Titus and Cherie were the VBS leaders.

A couple of Sundays ago I preached at Evart as a fill-in until the Wards arrive.

Yesterday was Daron and Amber's little baby's dedication. We crammed 128 into the Rock Lake Church. By the way, the Rock Lake Church just voted to build a sanctuary on to the front of the present chapel building. We will be taking 6 month pledges in a couple of weeks and we will look for what God will do for us in the Spring.

GOD BLESS EACH OFYOU!

2007-01-18T17:24:00.000-02:00

Prayer Request

2007-01-18T17:28:00.000-02:00

Dear Bible Methodist Prayer Partners:

Rev. Ray McCrary Sr. and his dear wife Pansy are ministering to our Pastors and leaders in the Shepherd's Seminar there on the Campus at Villasis, along with Pastor Rob Cravens. God is truly Blessing! Bro. Tim Keep told me by e-mail this morning........ "We're truly having a great time. Today's lectures by Mac and me were blessed by the Lord, and tonight Brendel preached an anointed message on soul winning. Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow A.M. is Rob's turn." As I write this at 8:37pm..... the Shepherd's Seminar is underway for Wednesday morning.... (they are 13 hours ahead of us there). Let's cover them in prayer!

The URGENT prayer request I have is for the McCrarys! Sis. Pansy McCrary's sister, Carol has just passed away today! Sis. McCrary has just received that word this evening (Wed. morning there)! Bro. Tim Keep has written asking for special prayer for Sis. McCrary! She is very broken over this! Let's lift her in prayer. This may mean that they will need to come home early! That will be a challenge getting flights changed, etc. Please pray that the Lord will work all this out!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

FOCUSED ON THE HARVEST

John D. Parker - Bible Methodist Missions

Conference Update - Aug. 30

2006-08-31T11:07:00.000-02:00

News Updates

Ravenna --- Pastor Joey Kretoski has accepted the call from the Whispering Pines Worship Center to serve as their pastor. He is excited and ready to move into that big parsonage. Please lift Pastor Kretoski and his ministry to God in prayer.

Concord --- Pastor Rosa will move in this week and his first Sunday at Hilltop will be September 3. God bless the Rosas and the Concord people.

Rock Lake -- Pastor Joey Ratcliff will be moving to Rock Lake in mid September. He and his wife Andrea have a little boy, Ethan. Actually, today, their second little boy is to discover America by way of C-section surgery. Please pray for this family.

Hey, Everybody --- send Bro. Watters a "hello"! jonathan.watters@us.army.mil

Human Sexuality Statement --- for addition to "The Discipline"

Churches that have responded: Vandercook, Ironwood, Dawn Valley, Rock Lake
Waiting to hear from: Greenville Concord Evart Ravenna Garfield Stanton

God bless each of you.

Blake E. Jones

Sankey's August Missionary Newsletter

2006-08-31T11:03:00.000-02:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello from the incredibly hot Rio Grande Valley! This is the heat we were told about when we moved here in November of last year. Nobody was stretching the truth! The temperature reached at least 102 degrees today and that has been the norm for several months now. However, we are well and enjoying our life here at Rio Grande Bible Institute and Missionary Language School.

We have many things to share with you today. First of all let me
share with you regarding my recent 2nd trip to Oaxaca, the
southernmost state of Mexico. On Wednesday, August 2nd I began
preaching my first all-Spanish revival at our Bible Methodist Church in Oaxaca City where Hermano Jose Cruz is the pastor. This was only possible because of the HOURS of translation work from my father; thank you, Dad. What an experience it was to stand in front of those dear people and try to minister in their language. It is truly like starting over: sweaty palms, shaky voice, dry mouth and all! However, the Lord helped me in a wonderful way and I trust that through my halting use of the Spanish language, the people were able to hear the Word of the Lord and be ministered to. I stayed again in the home of the Braulius Family and enjoyed the interaction with them as well as Bro. Homero Luna and Bro. Florencio Balderas who traveled with me to
Oaxaca.

On the following Monday, I left for visits to our church in San
Gabriel and the surrounding mountain churches. It was a pleasure
again to visit with our pastors and people there - they are friendly
and warm and I believe they possess a true heart of love for the
Lord. I participated in another baptismal service there and dedicated several babies as well as preaching in Spanish in the churches. Thursday morning was spent visiting our two new churches in Puerto Escondido, RIGHT on the Pacific Ocean. Church planting is in full swing in Oaxaca, thank the Lord. Please pray for these new church plants and for Bro. Desiderio Lopez, the pastor at San Gabriel, and his pastoral team as they lead the charge in church planting.

Thanks to a generous offering from the Junior Church Department of the Burlington BIble Methodist Church, I was able to purchase and take to Oaxaca many wonderful resources for the Mexican people: Children's Bible stories and corresponding workbooks to color, etc., several continued stories, a large illustrated story card set for the entire Christmas season, several Bibles, New Testaments, some tracts for children, several "plan of salvation" booklets, etc. Their joy was evident as they looked at these items designed especially for Hispanic children. Thank you, Burlington, for your vision to help the children in Oaxaca.

Thursday afternoon found me on an airplane heading for Saltillo,
Coahuila, Mexico where I was to preach the weekend of their
campmeeting there. I returned to the border to pick up Melodie and the boys and we arrived at the home of Jose and Anna Correa for our stay in Saltillo. The Lord's presence was felt in every service of the campmeeting there as our family sang in Spanish and I preached 4 times in Spanish also. Needless to say, mistakes were made but the people were gracious and supportive and we left encouraged to press forward with our study of the language. As in Oaxaca, our Bible Methodist people in Saltillo are warm, receptive, and patient with us as we endeavor to communicate and minister among them. It was a pleasure again to fellowship with Pastor Dolores and Sylvia Hernandez and with the Correa Family.

Yesterday I proceeded through the Registration and Orientation
process for my 2nd semester of language study here at RGBI and today was a full day of classes and study. This semester promises already to be quite intense and fast-paced. Please remember me in prayer that I will do well and rapidly learn this beautiful language. Melodie also began her 2nd level of Spanish study using Rosetta Stone today and our boys began homeschool in grades 6, 4, and 2. What a day! We are thoroughly enjoying the Christian fellowship here with the Hispanic Bible Institute students as well as fellow missionary families.

Our Bible Institute President, Eli Balderas and family have moved to Salamanca as of this week and are busy settling in, getting
acclimated to the city and beginning student recruitment for our new Bible Institute, opening August 2007. We would ask for your prayers for them during this time of adjustment and planning for the new Institute. Our plans are to join them in Salamanca in mid-December when our language classes here are finished. Recently, missionaries under appointment Steve and Beth Stetler and their children: Kent and Maria, were able to travel with us to Salamanca to visit the HIM building, the adjacent property that BMMissions now owns and the corner property and house that we are trying to purchase. We all feel that it was extremely profitable for not only all of us personally but for BMMissions as well. There was much discussion about the HIM building and our proposed building in which Steve's talents and abilities were absolutely invaluable - exactly what we need!

We are continuing to make contact with the owner of the large corner property in Salamanca and praying that the doors will open for Bible Methodist Missions to purchase this lot and the house it includes. If you would, please add this to your prayer request list - we are leaving it in the Lord's hands and want to proceed in His timing. We will be helping make some repairs/renovations in the HIM building during this next year to make it ready for the Institute to be functional: able to house students, staff and be suitable for classes, etc. If you have interest in helping in this type of short term misison work, it's not too early to "get your name in" (one church already has) - to make plans to join us next spring and summer for some very necessary manual labor. We need you! I know many of you are not able to make the trip there - however, if you would like to
make a donation to help cover the cost of getting the building ready for the students, it would be such a blessing. Please make your contribution through your local Bible Methodist Church. If that is not possible, please contact us and we will help you contribute through the proper avenue.

I have uploaded some pictures of my Oaxaca trip to the Photos section of this website. Please take a moment to view them if you are able.

Thank you for your interest in our family and Bible Methodist
Missions in Mexico. Your cards, emails, letters, phone calls saying
that you are praying for us mean more than we could say. May God richly bless each one of you as we work together in His kingdom.

Blessings,
Marc, Melodie, Jordan, Cameron, and Logan Sankey
Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico
msankey@...
melodiesankey@...
www.bmmissions.org

Behold the Harvest Theme

2006-08-25T11:29:00.000-02:00

BEHOLD THE HARVEST

Please note that the following items are available through Rev. Henry Miller. hj2miller@juno.com

At annual Conference Sis. Brenda Tiede was elected to be the "Theme Co-ordinator". Her address is bdt10188@copper.net

The following items all have "Behold the Harvest" on them.
Here is what is available:

Item # 1- Banners - 2'X5' = $ 50.00

3'X5' = $ 58.00

4'X10' = $120.00

Item # 2 - Buttons -per dozen = $ 3.50

Item # 3 - Mug - each = $ 2.50

Item # 4 - Signs - each = $ 5.00

Item # 5 - Power Point = $ 5.00

Also, there will need to be a 15% add on for Shipping/Handling to each
order.

(Please note: I have purchased 500 buttons to be shared throughout the conference. The will be available for the pastors at our fall pastor's retreat. B. J. )

Also, here are some ideas from Bro. Darrel Stetler, Jr. -----

Some plans we have for "Behold the Harvest" Launch:

Main "Behold the Harvest" Program:
> "INVEST AND INVITE" - I'm using "Behold the Harvest" to launch a simple plan for personal evangelism that I found in an excellent little book, "The 7 Practices of Effective Ministry" by Andy Stanley. Every week, I will find some way to encourage my people to "Invest and Invite" -- Invest in someone's life, and invite someone to church. Beginning with the "Behold the Harvest" launch, we will have reminders:
* Personal testimonies
* Spotlight people who are actively inviting.
* Giving practical hints for investing in the lives of non-Christian friends.
* Handing out small business-card sized invitations to people for an upcoming event. (Available at www.outreach.com.)
* Quarterly baptisms on Sunday AM. (If I can raise the money to buy a portable baptistry!)

"Behold the Harvest" WORSHIP SERVICE:
> "BEHOLD THE HARVEST" Powerpoint presentation.
> "INVITING TREE" - (Following the Powerpoint) - Everyone who comes to the service will be given a candle. We will black out the windows, and I will light a candle. I will ask a lady who I invited about three years ago to come up, and I will light her candle... She invited her daughter and son-in-law, so they will come up and light their candles. This will continue until as many people as possible are at the front. At the conclusion, I will invite everyone whose candle is not lit to the front to light theirs, and I will talk about spreading the Light of the Gospel.
> SPECIAL MUSIC - "Go Light Your World"
> TIME OF COMMITMENT - I will ask everyone to commit to "invest and invite" each week, and come back the next week for a special Sunday of training on how to "invest and invite."

These are some of the things we have planned, along with using the promotional pins, etc. ------ Darrell Lee

YOURS FOR THE HARVEST,

Blake E. Jones

Sam Lindahl update...

2006-08-25T11:28:00.000-02:00

I tried to call Bro. Lindahl today but did not make contact. I did talk to Leland and he said the perhaps Bro. Sam could come home today. There has not been any really conclusive declaration of what caused the pains in his chest.

The family was to enjoy a vacation the last of this month. Would you ask our Heavenly Father to make that possible if it would please Him.

Thank you for your prayers.

Blake E. Jones

::Great Lakes Conference News for Aug. 21

2006-08-21T21:58:00.000-02:00

Dear Update Readers,

Rev. Sam Lindahl was taken to the hospital yesterday (Sunday) with a blood clot in his lung. Please, please lift him and Sis. Lindahl to the Lord in prayer. These are very stressful days for each of them. Jason, their son, has been doing some of the preaching at Ironwood for Bro. Lindahl after Sam's fall at camp meeting. We certainly appreciate what God is doing in Jason's life!

Please remember that the resolution on Human Sexuality, given to us from General Conference, needs to be ratified by each of our churches. After taking the vote in your church the form that was handed out at our annual conference needs to be returned to me. Let's see if every church can respond before September 1st.

Please pray for the Rock Lake Church's planned outreach on this Saturday. It is called Camp Rodeo and will replace a VBS for this year. It will last from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. We are intensely interested in reaching the children of our community with the message of Jesus Christ.

Also, the Evart church is participating in a special city thrust that is to impact Evart with the Gospel. May God flood that city with His presence on Saturday until God transforms the area with revival fire!

Vandercook has recently dedicated their new church ramp to God and Kingdom work. Bro. Johnson was able to attend the dedication service and speak for them.

Bro. and Sis. Albert Lowe came to the camp ground last week and stayed three nights in the dorm. They painted, replaced broken windows, switched doors around and were a wonderfu blessing! Thank you, Lowes!

Concord is fixing up their parsonage in anticipation of Bro. and Sis. Rosa arriving in early September. Please pray for the Rosa's as they finish up their teaching responsibilities in Korea. We welcome them to the Great Lakes Conference!

The Garfield church held a VBS a couple of weeks ago and they are excited. The church family participated in calling, then VBS skits and support. May the Spirit of God water the seeds that have been planted!

Bro. Johnson is working hard to help his son, Doug, work on his house. This has involved hours and hours of labor. May God bless the Greenville people as they support the Johnson family at this time with their help and love.

Rev. Joel Byer, pastor of the Dawn Valley church, has just started a series of messages, the first of which was on the Trinity. May God bless truth to that church family. Also, Allan and Cindy Langstaff's son, Edward, was just married --- and so life marches on!!!!!

The Ravenna Church will be voting on a pastor next Sunday. Please pray for them and the people they are working with.

Actually, Rock Lake will be voting on a new assistant pastor Wednesday evening. I will let you know the outcome of these votes very shortly!

Continue to lift the Faulkners to the Lord as they work in Kentucky. Their son Greg desperately needs the Lord. Will you fervently pray for his salvation!

The Lepage family had visitors from Rock Lake last weekend. Nate and Nancy Deshong took a few days vacation and headed North. The Church extension committee is seeking a pastor for Sault Ste. Marie. May God lead them in their continued search.

As I understand at this time, the retreat committee will not be hosting a Family Retreat this fall. Instead, they are bringing the pastors together to better understand the direction and needs that their people are experiencing so that the future retreats will be better focused and, more profoundly impact our people's lives.

Saundy and I are staying more closely tied to Rock Lake until an assistant pastor is secured. Thanks for understanding.

September marks the first quarter for our "Behold the Harvest" theme. Sis. Brenda Tiede will be co-ordinating some of the theme material. Let's give ourselves to the passion of the harvest.

God bless you all.

Blake E. Jones

"BEHOLD THE HARVEST"

Newsletter from the Blacks - July 24

2006-07-25T13:41:00.000-02:00

We hope this letter finds you all well and happy. We try to remember to pray for you daily. Thank you for praying for us.

The rain has finally paused a little and the sun is shining through the clouds now and then. Typhoon Florita stalled over the Philippines dumping a lot of water and causing many landslides and massive flooding in places. Thank the Lord we were spared the worst of it in our area. We did experience some flooding in the nearby city of Urdaneta. The main highway into the city, at one place, was turned into a literal river which we had to drive through to get into town. The good news is that the campus did not flood as it has in the past.

The seven teens, along with Brad Hawn, who visited here recently, were such an encouragement! They came to us through the Touching Lives for Christ ministry out of Hobe Sound, Florida. Roanna loved having them here! They gave her hours and hours of great American fellowship. The Filipinos admired the team’s hard work in the hot summer sun. The TLC kids painted the front of our school building and

cleaned up some areas on the campus that desperately needed attention.

Thirteen of us traveled all around and gave out children’s books about Jesus, held children’s services and youth rallies. The team had skits, stories, songs, and games ready for each service. Those American young people were really affected by all they saw here and were especially touched by the needy children.

We went so far into the remote part of the country that one of the villages we visited wasn’t even named…it just had a number. It thrilled me to think that a small village, which the government didn’t find important enough to name, is full of people Jesus knows personally. Thanks Mark Potter and TLC for sending such a good team!

This new Academy school year is off to a good start. We have proudly framed and put on display in the office the permit from the government which allows us to now operate a high school! We have a nice group of upper grade students enrolled and Christina is enjoying teaching

them their Bible class.

We have included some pictures in this newsletter of our elementary school children showing off some of their new toys donated by Hobe Sound Christian Academy. Filipino children don’t have a room at home overflowing with toys, so these are pretty special to them! Thank you, American children, for selling some of your own so you could share with us!

David has spent hours helping organize the new modular program for this college year. The teachers and students are quite excited about it. The Lord has given Mrs. Castro, our college administrator, a physical touch. She is enjoying better health. Thank you for praying for her.

We recently went up to check on the Alibagu project and were again amazed by the professional level of the work that is taking place there. It is a beautiful facility! Thanks again to all who continue giving to this worthy endeavor!

Newsletter from the Blacks

2006-05-16T11:44:00.000-02:00

Camp meeting and General Conference 2006 is over. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. There were hundreds of people all over the campus. They slept in the dorms, classrooms and even on the church floor!

We had between 86 and 122 kids in the six children’s services Christina conducted. One morning one of Christina’s child evangelism students was teaching about the cross and the death of Jesus. The children were so moved upon we had to stop and give them time to pray. The boys and girls sat on the floor in a cramped library room where it was 95 degrees or more. Those normally rowdy children were still and quiet everyday as they listened to the lessons taken from our general camp meeting theme: “The Beauty of Holiness”.

David preached a couple of times during the camp as did all the missionaries, but in one session they asked him to speak about family matters and the Lord helped in such a special way. The people really responded. We had a counseling session today and another one two days ago. Both sessions were follow-ups of that service. Please, pray for us. We need more wisdom than we have in the human. Some of our people are dealing with rebellious teens and child discipline issues in a country where most people do not discipline their children at all!

The general conference was one of the best in recent history. The business went smoothly and God had His hand upon all the proceedings. We give Him thanks for his blessings and direction.

After camp and conference, we missionaries along with John Parker and Deron Fourman made the hike up to “the top of the world” to a place called, Latbong. It took us over 7 hours to climb the mountain. When we reached the top we were joyfully greeted by Sister Alice and several of the church people. We held four services and had a church building dedication. Each service was marked by a special sense of God’s presence. The people were so responsive and open to the Word.

The children in Latbong really touched our hearts. They had very little clothing and were obviously hungry. However, it was thrilling to see the changes that the gospel has brought to that remote mountain village. Bro. Gale is the only other general missions’ secretary who has ever hiked there. I think they said he was 70 years old. David has his hat off to him! It took Bro. Gale three days because he hurt his ankle. It is a very tough hike. David has done several hikes, but said this was by far the most challenging.

Preparations are under way for a new school year in both the Academy and the College. Thanks to the generosity of the Findlay church new flooring is being put down in the main learning center. In the college, we are busy preparing curriculum and schedules for the new school year. We ask special prayer for our college. (It has been renamed a “college” again by the National leadership for legal reasons.)

It is such a privilege to help train our future pastors, teachers, Christian workers and leaders, but we need God’s help.

Pray for us as we work on the new modular curriculum and train the teachers to teach in a new style that is very different for them. The Academy and College will open in June. Please, keep these institutions in your thoughts and prayers.

On a more personal note, a business man heard about our family’s difficult separation, with Robert staying in the states to go to Bible College. He sent Robert enough money for a ticket for a short visit home before he starts quartet tour for HSBC this summer. We will pick him up in Manila on May 21^st. Please, pray for his safe trip. He will travel with Christina’s mother. It will be so very, very good to see both of them!

We appreciate your prayers, love offerings, share support and communication with us…more than just English words can express! So we will use a Tagalog word to help describe our feelings …

Salamat! (Thank You! We are full of gratitude.)

“The Blacks”

President's Update - May 15

2006-05-15T18:20:00.000-02:00

Dear Update Readers,

Saundy and I will be leaving today for a revival in West Virginia with Rev. Troy Bolens. May I request your prayer support through this week.

Also, some pastoral changes are in the works for this year and we need God's leadership in the securing of new preachers. Please make this a matter of prayer as well.

God bless each of you!

In Christ,

Blake E. Jones

Conference President's Update for Apr. 1

2006-04-01T21:28:00.000-02:00

Dear Update Readers,

Blessings to each of you as we approach the holy Easter season! May the victory of Christ be more real to you than ever before!

Bro. Johnson, Bro. Bailey, Bro. Bullock and I traveled to GBS on Tuesday to join the GBS bus group going to Bro. Agan's funeral. We left about 4 a.m. Wednesday morning and arrived in Pell City about an hour before the funeral. The Collingsworths shared in special music as well a one grand daughter and a whole group of grandchildren. Bro. Hedstrom, Bro. Leonard Sankey, Bro. Marc Sankey and Bro. Darell Stetler, Jr. spoke about Bro. Agan's life and ministry. Rev. Daniel Stetler brought the funeral message. Let me tell you, it was worth hearing! "Precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints!"

Actually, here is some info about the funeral that I found after I got home:

- - - -

Rev. Scott Pyle plans to have the memorial service for Rev. V.O. Agan live on the Internet, Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

Address holinessonline.com

Memorials for Rev. V.O. Agan- If you are interested in responding to a memorial fund for Rev. V.O. Agan instead of purchasing flowers, you may give to Bible Methodist Missions to help cover the cost of flying Marc and Melody Sankey's family to the funeral from Texas. The tickets are going to exceed $2600.00. This will keep Marc Sankey from missing too many classes of language school. Gifts that exceed the amount of the tickets will be used for a special project in Mexico in memory of Rev. V.O. Agan. Rev. V.O. Agan was responsible for bringing the Mexico work into the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches.

- - - - -

On Monday morning, Saundy and I will be flying to Alaska to speak at the IHC there at North Pole. Please pray that God will make us a blessing to those we fellowship with and pray for God's anointing on my ministry. How much I need the Spirit's fresh infilling for effective ministry. As I have said, it is not so much what I have to say, but the keen working of the Spirit within me that is so important. Thank you for your prayers!

While I am in Alaska, Bro. Johnson will be available if you have questions. As well, he may be working with the Concord church family regarding a preacher for Easter Sunday. Bro. Miller's last Sunday there will be Palm Sunday and we covet your prayers for God's leadership in the pastoral search.

Also, the Lock-in for the Youth is planned for April 7th at Evart. Bro. Mark Potter, director of TLC, is to be speaking. Let's make this a very special time!

Some of our churches are planning an Easter egg hunt. Actually, Rock Lake is going to hide about 5000 eggs on the grounds. We have five bikes donated from businesses so far to give away. The eggs and bikes are not the issue! The story of Jesus is what's real and new contacts for the church is what this is all about. May God, Himself, pour out His blessing on the children who have never heard the message of Jesus!!!

God bless each of you!

Bro. Agan's funeral to be broadcast online

2006-03-28T17:30:00.000-02:00

(Picture taken from www.jonearls.blogspot.com)

Click here at www.Holiness.cc for more details

Details on Bro. Agan's Funeral

2006-03-27T23:20:00.000-02:00

Dear Update Readers,

Below is Bro. Hedstrom's announcement of Bro. Agan's passing to glory. We will miss his welcome smile and faithful leadership.

GBS is planning to take its bus to the funeral in Pell City and some from Great Lakes are planning to travel along. Please contact me or Rev. Jack Hooker (GBS) if your are needing more information.

Please lift the Agan family to the Lord for these days.

B. Jones

Dr. V.O. Agan made his journey to heaven, 1:01 p.m. Saturday, March 25,
2006.

Arrangements

Visitation is scheduled at the Agan Tabernacle at the Alabama Bible
Methodist Campgrounds-1355 Chula Vista Dr. Pell City, Alabama
Tuesday March 28th 6-9
Wednesday 12:00 noon-1:00 visitation
Memorial Service 1:00 p.m. Wednesday March 29, at the Agan Tabernacle

Florists in Pell City
Pell City Florist- 205-338-2226
Alines Flowers 205-338-9481

Lodging will be provided for the friends and relatives of Dr. V.O. Agan
on the Alabama Bible Methodist Campgrounds by contacting camp hostess,
Brenda Bartolomeo 205-338-2340. It will be important to make
reservations to insure lodging on the campgrounds. We will do our best
to accommodate the maximum number of people attending the memorial
service. We have a limited amount of linens, if you can bring your own
linens it will be helpful. A visitor's guide will be provided for you
concerning restaurants and etc.

Motels available in Pell City
Ramada Inn
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn Express

Verlon Jr., Janan and Regina appreciate your prayers with the loss of
their father.

Directions to Alabama Bible Methodist Campgrounds- follow I-20 to exit
153 Chula Vista Exit- just south of I-20 look for Chula Vista Drive and
follow Chula Vista Drive one mile which enters the Alabama Bible
Methodist Campgrounds

In His Service,

Rev. Walter Hedstrom
Conference President

Newsletter from the Blacks (March 27)

2006-03-27T23:11:00.000-02:00

We left on January 21^st this year to return to a land of different sights, climate and language. Again we hear the honking horns, loud music, smell the roasting fish, and baking rice cakes mixed with the fumes of diesel. It is very good to be home!

For many of you this is your first newsletter from us. Thank you for giving us your addresses and for making your share support pledges to support us until we return to the states for the fall of 2008.

Somewhere in the midst of a busy life of ministry, unpacking our shipments and suitcases as they have arrived from their long boat journeys, and repairing our house, we have entered each of your names and information into our data base. It took all three of us using our spare time to get it done! We are now communicating with hundreds of more people and we are very thrilled to know that it means a lot more prayer support and we do need and appreciate that!

David has gone to the mountains to attend the graduation ceremony of Bro. Yucaddi’s son. It is a joy to be a part of the lives of these precious people.

Next Friday Christina will be giving the address for our own graduation here in the Academy. We have six beautiful children graduating from elementary level and anticipate holding our first high school graduation in March of 2008.

Last week an official from the government came to visit our school and was so impressed he is talking about giving us permission to operate all levels next year and we only asked for two years of high school at a time…. No doubt, through your prayers and ours God touched the hearts of those in authority who were threatening just days earlier (no doubt out of jealousy) to close us down.

Thank you for the faithful way you have supported this arm of the ministry here. Some of you have sent money to Bro. Monte for flooring for the school, for learning center toys and activities, special offerings for us and our teachers and more! We know you can not out give the Lord and He will bless you!

The Lord is also blessing our weekend ministries. The children and adult outstation (village) gatherings are growing and as our Filipino co-workers say “Becoming fruitful once

more”. We also are enjoying being in the churches with our brothers and sisters here and sharing the Word of God and pointing out God’s grace and love through music.

We spend some time in our home and offices too of course, in fact if you dropped in at the right time of day you might think all we ever do over here is wash dishes, cook, and do laundry. But eternal business happens inside these mission houses daily! We listen patiently to our neighbors as they communicate their hearts in faltering English and if we feel confident enough with the sentence we have chosen we answer in faltering Ilocano…just so they know that we care enough to try!

Thank you for remembering us…..we need you. ~ “The Blacks”

Conference News Update - Mar. 20

2006-03-20T19:33:00.000-02:00

Great Lakes Conference

Bible Methodist Church

Blake E. Jones, Conference President

PH. (989) 427-3178

E-mail bejones@nethawk.com

Revivals -Greeenville Bible Methodist Church --- March 21-26

Rev. McCrary, Evangelist

-Rock Lake Bible Methodist Church --- March 21-26

Rev. Joel Byer, Evangelist

- Dawn Valley Bible Methodist Church - April 7-9
Joe Krohn, Mike Mater, Titus Byer: Youth Evangelists

-Please share your revival dates with our readers.

Michigan IHC

God has certainly blessed us with His presence in the Michigan IHC. We have missed this great event for the last few years. Thank you, Pilgrim Bible Church, for hosting IHC.

General Conference Delegates

The following is a listing of those elected to serve as delegates at General Conference. Unless your name appears on the alternate list, please respond to this e-mail with your intentions for June's conference in Pell City, Alabama.

Elders Lay Delegates

Rev. Blake Jones Dewey Murray

Rev. Dennis Johnson Nate Burley

Rev. Kim Hough Paul Derscheid

Rev. Jeff Sumner Linda Kelley

Rev. Daniel Hobbs Doug Derscheid

Rev. Jon Watters Saundy Jones

Rev. Tim Keep Joanie Johnson

Alternate Alternate

Rev. Joel Byer Paul Hallett

Rev. Ed Durham John Beardslee

Rev. George Kelley Connie Troyer

Rev. Brian Bailey Becky Keep

John Langstaff

Dayton IHC

April 18- 20, 2006

Conference President Schedule

I was privileged to share in the preaching responsibilities with Bro. Sankey during IHC. My heart was refreshed in the presence of the Lord.

Yesterday my family and I worshiped at Concord where I preached in the morning and evening. Saundy and I were entertained for the afternoon at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Tom Miller. We enjoyed the lovely meal and wonderful fellowship with their family. Pastor Tom is presently serving as the interim pastor at Concord.

This week the Joel Byer family will be staying with us for revival meetings at Rock Lake.

Please continue to lift my family and me to the Lord. May God grant us wisdom and insight that only comes from Him!

B. Jones

Update on Bro. Agan from Sis. Sams

2006-03-09T01:13:00.000-02:00

Dear friends,

Please ask your church and friends to pray for Bro. Agan. Clair just called and Bro. Agan is very low. The Dr. is going to try another procedure soon but is not sure he will be able to survive the procedure. Please remember him and the family in prayer.

Melba Sams

Prayer Request for Bro. Agan

2006-03-07T21:28:00.000-02:00

Dear Friends,

I just received this note from Bro. Sams. Please lift Bro. Agan in prayer.

This is to request prayer for Bro. Agan. He is in the hospital in Birmingham. He is having some heart related problems and needs our prayers. God bless you as you lift him to the throne of grace.

Thank you.

Blake E. Jones

Various Mission Prayer Requests

2006-02-22T16:45:00.000-02:00

Dear Update Readers,

Bro. Parker is in South Africa and would greatly appreciate your prayer support. Also, here are lists of prayer needs from the Philippines and Mexico. Please share them with your church family.

B. Jones.

From the Philippines:

We face some challenges much to big for us right now and would really appreciate being lifted before the throne of grace. I can't give details now, but here are some general needs:

1. An influencial pastor needs our prayers.

2. Pray for wisdom for the National leaders as we work through this. Pray for courage, the fear of God, mercy, and Godly love.

3. Pray for 3 pioneering churches. Pray for souls to be saved and completely established in their faith. Pray for their sanctification.

4. Pray for some big financial challenges concerning the National Conference/ Camp/ Training Center Project in Alibagu. Pray that the pledges will all come in.

5. Pray for your weak missionaries. Pray that we will place our whole confidence in a strong Savior. Pray for our steadfastness. Pray for our hearts to be filled with love in spite of the pressures of the journey.

6. Pray for our pastors and their families as well as our Institute and Academy teachers. Pray for their faith.

7. Pray for pastor Jimmy who just today hit a little five year old boy with his motorcycle. The boy is in surgery. And pray for the unsaved father of the boy.

8. Pray for our April campmeeting and General Conference and for John Parker and his team (including your husband) as they come to minister to us.

More grace to you,
Tim Keep

From Mexico:

Here are some prayer concerns for Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico:

A serious concern right now is the continuing physical condition of
Bro. Santiago Hernandez, pastor at Rio Bravo. He is still wheelchair- bound, in therapy and facing a mountain of medical expense. He and his wife have expressed that they are trusting the Lord for healing and their financial needs.

The financial needs of the Institute are also something that we
would especially request prayer for. God knows what we are facing but we know He will supply the needs.

Please pray for the families of Bro. Eli Balderas and Bro. Bernardo
Riviera - they have both recently experienced the death of a family member.

Pray for Marc as he continues his language studies - after 6 weeks
in language school, he's starting to know just how much he has to
learn! He is enjoying it, though and is doing well. I am working my
way through the Rosetta Stone program - making progress - still have a LONG way to go!

Thanks for passing on these requests - we are so thankful for the
prayers of God's people. So many times in the 3 and 1/2 months we've been here, we have felt those prayers lift us up and we've known someone was remembering to pray for us.

Thanks again.
Blessings,
Melodie Sankey

Missions Update from John Parker

2006-02-22T16:42:00.000-02:00

Dear Bible Methodist Missions Supporters / Prayer Partners:

Marc Sankey our new missionary to Mexico shared with me yesterday that the funds for the operation of the Bible Institute in Mexico have been completely depleted. This is a result of the decline of Student Aid support which was approximately half of the funding for the Mexico Bible
Institute. For several years the support for this program has been
decreasing year by year and in keeping with our policy of not spending more than what comes in the Missions Board has directed our Missions Treasurer to only send what comes in. The amount coming in is not nearly sufficient for the needs there.

Please pray that God will touch the hearts of those who have given for the Student Aid program and perhaps even new supporters for the Mexico Bible Methodist Institute. Exciting developments are in the works for this vital part of the Mexico work! I look forward to sharing this wonderful news as soon as possible! It is critical that we keep those such as our dear Institute President (a former graduate of the Bible Institute) Rev. Eliazar Balderas and his family encouraged as we transition into an exciting new phase of the work!

Perhaps some church would want to sponsor a student at the Institute.
Contact Bro. Marc Sankey for information on the costs involved.

We need some who will "Stand in the Gap" with us during this time of need! Changes are being made that will remedy this problem in the future. Let's do our part in keeping the Institute going until the needs and challenges have been met.

I leave in a few hours for a 12 day trip to South Africa and a couple
Holiness Conventions as well as a visit to the other Bible Methodist
Missionaries that are laboring there in South Africa and Lesotho. I will appreciate your prayers!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

SEEKING HIS KINGDOM FIRST
John D. Parker - Bible Methodist Missions
JPARKER@BMMISSIONS.ORG

Rev. Blake Jones' conference news - Feb.1

2006-02-01T18:17:00.000-02:00

Contact info: bejones@nethawk.com OR (989) 427-3178

Prayer and Praise

Please lift Bro. Mike Hobbs in prayer as he adjusts to life without his dear wife, Joann. You can e-mail him at happyhobbs@juno.com Also, please pray for his family as they grieve.

The Evart Missions Team is safely home after ministering in the Philippines. Thank you for your prayers.

Sis. Linda Kelley will be having hip surgery and she will appreciate our prayers.

Pastor Jon Watters will be returning to the military and will be pursuing Army Chaplaincy. Please pray for the Concord Church at this time of transition.

Rev. and Mrs. Bailey are expecting the arrival of another little Bailey this month. Please pray for Sis. Lisa.

Herb and Christen Woolworth (Concord) are the proud parents of baby Ella Mae.

The Rock Lake Church has expanded its sanctuary and now is being challenged to reach others to fill the new space.

Revenna Whispering Pines Worship Center (Sparta/Muskegon) has some new people attending and Bro. Jeff has started a discipleship class.

Wedding bells are ringing that will bless the Garfield Church with a new young couple. Steve Hough and Lynnette Troyer are planning an April wedding. Also, the Garfield lady that was in the truck accident has recently be able to return to church and bring the brand new baby. Praise the Lord.

Fifth Sunday Rally was a warm time of Christian fellowship. God helped Bro. Patrick Murray share from the Word.

Dr. Keaton seems to be making some improvements physically. He has resigned as General Chairman, making Daniel Stetler the from vice-chairman, our general leader as we finish out the last few months of this quadrenium. Dr. Keaton is serving a four month interim pastorship in Idaho.

March ---Bible Methodist Prayer Month

The Pray around the World Day is set for March 12 at 4 p.m. Please make plans to join Bible Methodists at home and abroad as we seek the face of God together.

Michigan IHC

Cedar Springs will be hosting IHC on March 13-15. Please note that the closing service is a Wednesday evening. Please consider lifting your prayer service to attend.

Conference President's Schedule

Saundy and I met with Bro. and Sis. Parker, and the other conference presidents and their wives in Kentucky where we worked to develop a mission's handbook and policy. We listened to Bro. Parker's goals and mission dreams. Each of us has brought home an assignment to work on as we develop our handbook.

While we were travelling we got word that Sis. Joann Hobbs had passed away. How our hearts ached for Bro. Mike and for Pastor Daniel who was in the Philippines.

Our visit with Bro. Scobie was cancelled for the Sunday after our missions meeting so we attended the Burlington church with Cherie and Titus for the day.

On Monday I spoke in chapel at GBS and then spent the afternoon in a General Conference subcommittee. How good it was to be with Bro. Chris Cravens, Bro. Hooker and Bro. Miles. My life is enriched by these great Bible Methodist men. In the evening we drove up to Dayton to attend the viewing and second funeral for Sis. Hobbs. We stayed with Sams that night and enjoyed their lovely hospitality and beautiful home.

Tuesday was the set day for Sis. Hobbs burial and we were honored to stand by the family during that traumatic time. They sang and praised the Lord and then the family wept in their own little huddle.

We got home to remodelling work that was in full swing at the Rock Lake Church. Some walls have been removed and this week the platform is being centered in the sanctuary as well as other cosmetic touches. Please pray that God will build His kingdom here.

Saturday is to be a work day at Jay and Amy Janofski's new girls home. God has lead them on a new venture and we are so excited to see what God is doing in their lives.

Sunday we are to be with the Greenville Bible Methodist Church family.

Thank you for your prayers for our family.

GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!

Please call anytime!

B. Jones