Answering God’s call is only the first step in a journey that will consist of many more; each taken not blindly but in faith. Those who have traveled this road before, will no doubt understand the changes that must unfold to make the transition from faithful Church member to missionary.
August was a month full of transitions. First was the physical move of our home. This was made easier by the flood which flowed through Columbus earlier in the summer. Then, for Wesley, the beginning of his sophomore year of HS found him downsizing schools. Sheridan HS has about as many students as his class at Columbus. That was a major transition. Next was a change from healthy to surgically impaired as I underwent a minor surgery; expedited to get it done while we had insurance. And then, for Julie there was the transition from employed to unemployed. This bringing with it the loss of our health insurance.
All these happened between the 9th and the 15th of August, leaving nearly three weeks for the worst part of any transition for me—waiting!
The Waiting Ends!!!
We moved, we unpacked, we set up the house and then we waited; and waited some more. At last I could contain myself no more. So on September 4th Julie and I loaded up and headed out to make some visits to the members of the mission family. We had some truly enjoyable time fellowshipping with our new family. Then, at last on Sunday the 7th the new missionary to Sheridan, Indiana presented his first official message.
Please pray for this work as we seek God’s will concerning a possible new location.
Also, we are in need of a small pulpit and a microphone. If you have a spare that you are not using, we would be blessed to have it.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
July Report
It is with great joy and praise to God that Landmark Baptist Church announces the calling of Brother Alan Schoeff as missionary to Sheridan, Indiana. Brother Schoeff was the Associate Pastor at Columbus Baptist Church in Columbus, Indiana. He held that position for the past three years. Brother Schoeff went in view of a call this past month to the mission. Our church was advised and saw the wisdom in including the mission members in the process of calling their missionary pastor. They have been involved with the process from the beginning, understanding that the final decision would rest with LBC. After having heard Brother Schoeff, the members at Sheridan called to ask that we go forward with the process of consideration. The core members have stayed faithful to attend services at Sheridan. They have my thanks and respect for their perseverance and determination to see a work established in Sheridan.
Brother Schoeff came to Landmark where he preached and was questioned by our church. He was unanimously called by our church to the work in Sheridan and will be on the field the first Sunday in September. This allows him to fulfill obligations and make the transition to the field. Things have fallen together in such a way that all involved see God's hand in it as affirmation. They have already found housing in Sheridan. Brother Schoeff is currently in his third year of studies at the Indiana Baptist Institute of Theology and Missions.
Alan and Julie have three children; two daughters who are attending Ball State University and a son who will be attending Sheridan High School. Please continue to pray for Brother Alan and his family as they embark in this new chapter in their lives and ministry. We want to thank all of those who have faithfully prayed for the work in Sheridan. We would also like to thank those who support the Sheridan work with their financial support. If you would like to schedule a time for Brother Schoeff to come and present the work to your church, please contact us at 765.649.3805
Thanks again for your faithful support. Praise God for this answer to prayer!
Brother Schoeff came to Landmark where he preached and was questioned by our church. He was unanimously called by our church to the work in Sheridan and will be on the field the first Sunday in September. This allows him to fulfill obligations and make the transition to the field. Things have fallen together in such a way that all involved see God's hand in it as affirmation. They have already found housing in Sheridan. Brother Schoeff is currently in his third year of studies at the Indiana Baptist Institute of Theology and Missions.
Alan and Julie have three children; two daughters who are attending Ball State University and a son who will be attending Sheridan High School. Please continue to pray for Brother Alan and his family as they embark in this new chapter in their lives and ministry. We want to thank all of those who have faithfully prayed for the work in Sheridan. We would also like to thank those who support the Sheridan work with their financial support. If you would like to schedule a time for Brother Schoeff to come and present the work to your church, please contact us at 765.649.3805
Thanks again for your faithful support. Praise God for this answer to prayer!
Friday, July 11, 2008
June 2008 Newsletter
Our hope is that you all are enjoying God’s blessings for all your labors in Christ. We rejoice in all that God is doing at the mission in Sheridan. The students at IBI have been well received by the mission members. I appreciate the students who have faithfully filled that pulpit while we search for the man God would have to lead the work. The core group of people have been faithful to attend and encourage each other during this process. God is using this time to test their resolve and commitment to the vision of planting a church in Sheridan. To their credit and God’s glory they have remained steadfast.
We are also thankful for our past and present supporters for the work in Sheridan. We pray that others will catch the vision for Indiana. We are trying to raise the support levels so that a man can come unto the field without having to supplement his income through secular work. Are you willing to partner with us?
Landmark too has faithfully prayed for the work. One of our deacons stepped up while the pastor was in Thailand and led out by asking for a commitment of the members to pray for the man God is sending to fill that position. Again, all this was done while the pastor was away showing the commitment of the sponsoring church to finish the work God led us to begin in Sheridan.
For those who have partnered with us in prayer and support, again we thank you. Please continue to remember all the mission works in Indiana as we strive to impact our state for Christ.
There is a man coming in view of a call the first Sunday in July. We pray that this is the answer to our prayers but are waiting on God’s timing and leading.
We are also thankful for our past and present supporters for the work in Sheridan. We pray that others will catch the vision for Indiana. We are trying to raise the support levels so that a man can come unto the field without having to supplement his income through secular work. Are you willing to partner with us?
Landmark too has faithfully prayed for the work. One of our deacons stepped up while the pastor was in Thailand and led out by asking for a commitment of the members to pray for the man God is sending to fill that position. Again, all this was done while the pastor was away showing the commitment of the sponsoring church to finish the work God led us to begin in Sheridan.
For those who have partnered with us in prayer and support, again we thank you. Please continue to remember all the mission works in Indiana as we strive to impact our state for Christ.
There is a man coming in view of a call the first Sunday in July. We pray that this is the answer to our prayers but are waiting on God’s timing and leading.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
May 2008 Newsletter
The mission core group continues to be faithful in their attendance. The monthly average for the mission members was eight. I am very thankful and appreciative of these faithful members who continue to come together for services and are praying for direction and the leader for the work in Sheridan. I am also thankful for those who have been willing to fill the pulpit there in Sheridan this past month.
Landmark Baptist Church of Anderson is very much behind this work both prayerfully and financially. Pastor Woodring is interviewing men who might consider coming to Sheridan in view of a call. Most contacted thus far do not believe that God is leading them. There is however one who is praying and considering being that man. Please continue to pray for the work and for the man that God would have to serve there as their missionary pastor.
The state churches also have shown a commitment to the work in Sheridan. We thank our sister churches for their prayerful support. We are continuing through the transition process. We appreciate your patience as we contact supporting churches to establish where the funds sent are to be designated. We would also humbly ask that you consider supporting the work in Sheridan. This area one of the fastest growing areas in our state and nation, yet there isn't a Baptist church in Sheridan. We firmly believe that God is in this effort and pray for partners in ministry who share our burden and vision.
For Christ in Sheridan,
Brother Gary Woodring
Sponsoring Pastor
Landmark Baptist Church of Anderson is very much behind this work both prayerfully and financially. Pastor Woodring is interviewing men who might consider coming to Sheridan in view of a call. Most contacted thus far do not believe that God is leading them. There is however one who is praying and considering being that man. Please continue to pray for the work and for the man that God would have to serve there as their missionary pastor.
The state churches also have shown a commitment to the work in Sheridan. We thank our sister churches for their prayerful support. We are continuing through the transition process. We appreciate your patience as we contact supporting churches to establish where the funds sent are to be designated. We would also humbly ask that you consider supporting the work in Sheridan. This area one of the fastest growing areas in our state and nation, yet there isn't a Baptist church in Sheridan. We firmly believe that God is in this effort and pray for partners in ministry who share our burden and vision.
For Christ in Sheridan,
Brother Gary Woodring
Sponsoring Pastor
Thursday, May 1, 2008
May Mission News
The final transition is in process as we seek the missionary God would have for the work in Sheridan. The Barnetts are in the process of moving. Their new sponsoring church is in Arkansas. Their pastor is Brother Joel Dillahunty.
El Dorado MBC
PO Box 1027
El Dorado, AR 71730
870-310-1400
For those wishing to continue supporting Brother Barnett to his new field in Belize, checks should be sent to his new sponsoring church.
Our prayer and hope is that our monthly supporters will continue to support the work in Sheridan. Currently we are in the process of finding the right man for the position. Our desire is that we will have sufficient funds built back up to allow us to move the man or team to the field. We also hope to have enough in the account to sustain the missionary and allow him to focus on deputation to raise awareness of the work as well as any remainder of funds needed so that the work can be full time.
Presently there is an average of 10 who have been meeting during the month of April. This core group has shown a faithful commitment to the work and is praying for the right man to fill the position of missionary pastor. Personally, I have been very thankful for their resolve and commitment to see a church established in Sheridan, Indiana.
One man was heard in view one of a call and other men have filled the pulpit for the remainder of this past month. Many of these are students at Indiana Baptist Institute. My thanks for their willingness to help out.
We at LBC and First Baptist Church of Sheridan covet your prayers and support as we strive, with God's help, to see a vibrant and viable work in Sheridan, Indiana. Please don't hesitate to call should you have any questions.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Gary Woodring
El Dorado MBC
PO Box 1027
El Dorado, AR 71730
870-310-1400
For those wishing to continue supporting Brother Barnett to his new field in Belize, checks should be sent to his new sponsoring church.
Our prayer and hope is that our monthly supporters will continue to support the work in Sheridan. Currently we are in the process of finding the right man for the position. Our desire is that we will have sufficient funds built back up to allow us to move the man or team to the field. We also hope to have enough in the account to sustain the missionary and allow him to focus on deputation to raise awareness of the work as well as any remainder of funds needed so that the work can be full time.
Presently there is an average of 10 who have been meeting during the month of April. This core group has shown a faithful commitment to the work and is praying for the right man to fill the position of missionary pastor. Personally, I have been very thankful for their resolve and commitment to see a church established in Sheridan, Indiana.
One man was heard in view one of a call and other men have filled the pulpit for the remainder of this past month. Many of these are students at Indiana Baptist Institute. My thanks for their willingness to help out.
We at LBC and First Baptist Church of Sheridan covet your prayers and support as we strive, with God's help, to see a vibrant and viable work in Sheridan, Indiana. Please don't hesitate to call should you have any questions.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Gary Woodring
Friday, April 4, 2008
FBC Sheridan News
Brother Nicky and Beverly Barnett are burdened to go back to the foreign field. It has been our privilege to have them as our missionaries to Sheridan, Indiana. They began the work with Landmark Baptist Church in Anderson as missionaries to Thailand and helped get the work started in Sheridan.
Landmark Baptist Church, as well as the mission church members and the Barnetts believe that Sheridan is the right town to establish a work in and that it is the right time. Our prayers go with Brother Nicky and Beverly as they look toward their new field.
Things at the mission church will continue to go forward. We are in the process of finding the team God would have to take this work to the next level. The growth in this area is coming quickly, even in a lagging economy. The prospects for new families moving into Hamilton and Boone counties are great. Please continue to pray and partner with us as we seek to establish a sound self supporting Baptist Church in Sheridan, Indiana.
Landmark Baptist Church, as well as the mission church members and the Barnetts believe that Sheridan is the right town to establish a work in and that it is the right time. Our prayers go with Brother Nicky and Beverly as they look toward their new field.
Things at the mission church will continue to go forward. We are in the process of finding the team God would have to take this work to the next level. The growth in this area is coming quickly, even in a lagging economy. The prospects for new families moving into Hamilton and Boone counties are great. Please continue to pray and partner with us as we seek to establish a sound self supporting Baptist Church in Sheridan, Indiana.
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