March 4, 2010 - We are suppose to hear from Wells Fargo Bank tomorrow March 5th. The process was delayed by the loan officer who was in meetings and did not submit our application until this past Tuesday. We are in continual prayer that God would work and we will have the loan approved.

           We are at the Dennis
Brown Memorial Home Missions Conference at First Baptist Church of Englewood, Co. We have had our hearts challenged from God's word in each message.

           We are allowed to share our need for the Perry church and we ask for help with funds for the renovation. We thank the Lord that we received promies and fund in the amount of $2049.00! We also have one man from Salt Lake who has promised to come and help with the renovations.

           At the conference a lady who attends FBC in Englewood gave us her sister's name says she has just moved to Perry last month! Wonderful. Saturday we have a meeting with a couple who have called. The wife is a Baptist and the husband a Mormon. Please pray for them.

           We serve a wonderful Savior!! Thank you for your continued prayers.

           February 12, 2010 - I met this morning with Wells Fargo Bank in Ogden, Utah and took him our information. He said the issue with the building being a manufactured building was not an issue with them. I will meet the loan officer Monday morning (15th) and complete the loan application. They said our credit would take seven days to be approved and then they would do the apprasial followed in two weeks to three weeks with completion of loan process. The loan officer was very positive. We continue to pray that the Lord would work all this out. I talked to the property owner and explained we could possibly close in five weeks and he said this was aggreeable with him. So we patiently wait on the Lord trusting in His provision.

           February 12, 2010 We received an additional funds toward the downpayment:

1. Couple from Mesquite, NV sent an additional $300.00
2. Friends from Liberty Bapt., Brookfield, MO an additional $370.00
3. Friend widower, Ripplemead, VA an additional $ 500.00
4. Couple from Perry Bapt. Church $ 500.00
5. Union Baptist Church, an additional $ 135.00
6. Community Bapt. Church, Enfield, NC $ 100.00

           As of today we have received $36,273.62. We have another $1000.00 that was promised but has not been received. We are thanking the Lord for His providing these monies towards the downpayment and praying that we will be able to have $40,000.00 by our closing date about five weeks from now.

           February 7, 2010 - We had a wonderful service with twenty in attendance (14 adults, 6 children with 1 new visitors). Snow was forecast, but the weather remained good. Preached our third Sunday morning message on "The Biblical Basis of a New Testament Church." At the invitation I asked if those who planned to be a part of establishing this new church would raise their hands. All but one hand went up.

           It is humbling to see how the Lord works in people's hearts and He guides His people. How much we depend on your prayers for this new church. Certainly, the Lord is good.

          "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalms 27:14)

          "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." (Psalms 34:8)

          "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalms 84:11)

           February 5, 2010 - I am continuing to work and getting the financing for purchasing the property. We have been promised $35,243.62 and of that $33,768.62 has come in. I personally talked with the owner this past Monday and he has tentatively offered of finance the property for us but is asking for terms that are not reasonable. He wants us to pay off the loan in three years with a balloon payment or lease the property with us paying the our down payment with an option to buy in three years. Of course this is unreasonable, so I am still seeking financing. He still may finance it and said he would consider our offer. I have in the last three days gone to three local banks seeking financing. Each have been very courteous and seemed genuinely interested seeing if they could help us. One of the loan officers, Bank of Utah, is a Christian and a Baptist said he would do all he could to for us. Wells Fargo, said they may be able to finance the property if we can provide the information from the manufacturers tag. This morning my grandson and myself will crawl under the building and see if we can find this tag.

           I still remain very encouraged and confident that God is guiding us into getting the financing that in accord with his will and will be the best for us.

           We continue to witness one on one with the people we are meeting. This past Sunday even with a heavy snow fall early Sunday morning we had ten in our service. We also had our first cottage prayer meeting last night. I was able to witness to two young Mormon ladies when Michael our grandson and I went to get hair cuts Tuesday. The Lord worked it out that no one else was there. They asked many questions and were genuinely interested as we explain God's plan of salvation. They seemed particularly interested when I explain that God gave us the absolutely assurance of salvation when we by faith trusted in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Mormon's have no assurance of heaven when they died even if they are devout. I told them we would be back and they said they were looking forward to it. Oh, how I wish we had a church building where they could come and hear the Gospel. Of course we invited them to attend our services in the Senior Center, but they then did not seem to interested. I told the we were trying to purchase property for a church and I asked them to attend our first service there and they said they would! I think you can see how important it is for us to get a building soon. Carolyn and I talked to another young LDS woman who a checkout clerk in a store. We briefly witnessed to her and she said she would come also. Carolyn knows her and she is having a really hard time. I am discussing the Bible with a local postal employee who is asking good questions and have also been able share the Gospel with him. It is interesting that twice now I have been in the post office and no one else was there giving us a few minutes to talk. I know with all my heart that God wants this church here and to see souls saved, and in spite of the difficulty we are having it is simply a matter of waiting for God's timing and His will to be done.

           May God bless each of you who are praying for us.

           January 21, 2010 - We covet your prayers as we begin our new church here in the Perry/Willard/Brigham City, Utah area on this Sunday, January 24th. Our first service will be held in the Brigham City Senior Citizens Center, 24 North 300 West, Brigham City, UT 84302-2030. (Click here for directions)

          Sunday School begins at 9:30 AM and the morning service at 10:30 AM. Evening service is at 6:30 PM. We will announce the time and place of the Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting. Thank you for your prayers that the Lord will lead our every step, that many souls will be reached for Christ and that in all things He will be honored.

           January 18, 2010 - I am still pursuing getting a loan on the property. Zion's Bank had agreed to finance the property, but only 50% of the selling price. That means we must put $66,000.00 down. At the present we have $35,243.62.

           One of friends at Liberty Baptist Church in Brookfield, MO called and said their church is sending $1000.00, plus several individuals were also including another $400.00! Central Baptist Church, Hampton, VA has sent another $423.50! What a wonderful response we have had from God's people. I cannot say how encouraging everyone has been to us.

           We are earnestly praying continually each waking hour and pursuing two possible sources of financing or that the Lord would provide $29,756.38 which would enable us to use the offered financing. The banks are closed today, but we will be contacting several tomorrow. This is in the Lord's capable hands and we absolutely trust in His provision. We need your prayers.

           January 11, 2010 - While in NC (January 6) we received word that the loan company was not able to provide the loan we need, but things are continuing to move forward. I am reminded that we must, "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." (Psalms 2:11) This has caused a delay in getting the loan on the property. The building on the property was listed by the real estate company as a single family residence. But when the deed was researched it was listed as a modular structure and the loan company informed us they do not make loans on this type of building. The actual construction is standard framing like a residence. So I called a friend at Zion's Bank who helped us finance the building in Tremonton and ask could he help? He replied I had an impeccable standing with Zion's Bank and they would help. I met with him and another loan officer this morning and they said Zion's would handle the financing. They were going by the property today and said they would work out the details and let me know tomorrow. This will delay the actual closing on the property for forty five days maximum, but they do not see any problem with handling the loan. This may be a good thing in that the loan will possibly cost less and we will begin renovations in warmer weather. Currently, the temperatures are in the ten's and twenties. So what seems like a set back could actually be the Lord's hand at work. It is a clear reminder of how much we are dependent on the Lord and of His guidance. The Lord directs our steps as we trust Him and move forward.

           The real estate agent is contacting the property owner today and seeking a forty five day extension. I would appreciate your prayers that this too will go well. We were suppose to close on the 15th. We continue to trust in the Lord to intervene.

           GREAT NEWS is that we have now $33,420.12 promised towards the purchase and of that $32,320.00 is at Calvary in King. This will give any church or individual that did not have time to help by January 8th to be able to have a part in the next month.

           We received contributions from the following:

- People's Missionary Baptist Church, Rocky Mount,NC $1000.00
- West View Baptist Church, Rocky Mount increased their contribution by $3000.00 to a total of $5000.00
- A couple in Grafton, VA has sent $500.00
- A couple from Windsor, VA who attend Calvary Baptist, Suffolk sent $600.00

           We are rejoicing in the wonderful response we have had thus far. I am always amazed at how the Lord works things out. Thank you for your continued prayers.

           December 25, 2009 - Merry Christmas! - I received word from Pastor Broyhill, Calvary Baptist Church in King, NC that they will be giving $5000.00 toward the purchase of the Perry property. That brings our total to $28,270.12! We continue to pray as others seek the Lord's direction about their part in this new work.

           We are near Nebraska City, Neb. stranded in a blizzard. I checked the weather forecast Tuesday and which predicted partly cloud weather across the mid-west. We left Wednesday afternoon, but Wednesday night they closed I 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne WY and we spend the night in Laramie, WY. However, we were able to leave Thursday morning, but the weather turned nasty and now we are strained near Nebraska City, Neb in a blizzard.. It is snowing heavily and with visibility about a 1/4 mile and temperatures below zero. After seeing the good forecast on Tuesday, I believe that Al Gore is now in charge now of weather forecasting!

           Thank you for your prayers for our safety. We do wish each of you a wonderful Christmas!!

           December 20, 2009 - We are thanking the Lord a local couple from Tremonton who sent us a $100.00 toward purchasing the property in Perry. That brings our total to $23,270.12! We are still praying for more funds to come in which will bring the monthly payment down on the loan. Please pray with us that others would be used of the Lord toward establishing a new Gospel preaching church in the Perry, Willard, and Brigham City area.

           We have secured permission to us the Brigham City Senior Citizen Center to begin meetings on Sunday, January 24th. Plans are to continue to meet there until the renovations are complete hopefully by April.

           Thank you for your prayers. The architect has not finished the plans yet and several other things are pending. Your prayers will be great appreciated that things will continue to move forward.

           December 17, 2009 - What a blessing to hear that we received $1200.12 from two sisters from one of our supporting churches. They have for a long time had a burden to see the Gospel preached among the Mormons. We now have $23,170.00 promised towards the down payment. Carolyn and I meet with the finance on Friday to sign the loan application. The actual loan amount will be determined when we close on the property on January 15th. We continue to pray that other churches would be able to help us with the funds needed to purchase the property. We are asking that if a church cannot make the January 8th dead line but plans to send funds later to let us know. We will try to make arrangements to include their amount in the down payment. We wish to thank each of you who are helping and who are praying for us and the Lord's work in Perry. This is certainly a wonderful Christmas.

           December 10, 2009 - I received an e-mail this morning notifying us that Union Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC had sent us $2500.00. Carolyn grew up at Union and I was saved and called to preach there. It is a wonderful missions minded church and we have so many dear friends there. Also a couple who are wonderful people and long time friends from Riverview Baptist church has sent $1000.00. WHAT A BLESSING!!! We have $21,970.00 now promised!! This puts us at 16.4 percent of the $132,000.00 which is the cost of the property. The Lord certainly honors all our faith and always provides for His work. We are so grateful to each of you who are helping found this new Bible believing church.

           I cannot express how wonderful it is to know and work with such wonderful Christian people. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking in what I call the "Elijah syndrome." It seems the devil is having a hay day in nation and winning almost every battle. It is easy to become discouraged, but like the Lord told Elijah, He had 7000 souls who had not bowed their knee to Baal. How encouraging to see God's people being faithful, loving Him, His word and the lost He came to save.

           I put up the Perry Baptist Church web site a few days ago, which explains a who and what kind of church are. I will be using the web site in our ads in the local paper and on all our literature. This is already a wonderful Christmas.

           Our hearts are warm even though it is very cold outside. With sub zero temperatures all our water lines are frozen and I will be trying to thaw them out today. Our water lines are under the floor and I am not sure how to access them so I can put heat tapes on...but I have asked the Lord for wisdom.

           Thank you for all your prayers and the wonderful response you are giving. "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:5)

           December 8, 2009 - Our total now has reached $18470.00. One couple from Mesquite, Nev. who planned to send $500 said they able to send sent $1000. Another couple sent $20.00. I have all the forms needed to submit to the Planning commission and building inspector. Things continue to fall in place. We thank the Lord for the wonderful way the Lord is blessing and the way people and churches are responding.

           December 3, 2009 - More great news! The week we arrived in Perry we requested the use of the Senior Center in Brigham City. The director was very helpful and referred us to the City Administrator. He too was very helpful but said it has been the city policy not to allow the use of the Center on Sundays. He set up for me to meet the City Council on Nov. 5th and I made our request. The mayor read the policy statement to me in the counsel meeting and then the city administrator took the stand and made several statements in our behalf. The Council tabled the request for their private session. They met last week and the Center Director said we were given a highly complimentary recommendation from one council member and they voted unanimously to approve our request. We have at least one family who will be attending and one individual and we plan to start services the middle of January. We are praying we will make contact with more people. The Lord is so good to us.

           Associate Pastor Wilmur Wegner called from Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead, Virginia and said they would be sending at least $1000.00 toward the purchase of the property and probably more. That puts our total now at $17,950.00 which is 13.60% of the purchase price. It is a humbling and wonderful experience to the how the Lord is working.

           December 2, 2009 - It is such a privilge to see the Lord work in such marvelous ways. I received an e-mail saying we have received $150.00 from a member of the church where Carolyn and I saved. She lost her husband some years ago. What an encouragement to witness her faithfulness to the Lord all these years and letting the Lord use her in being a part of new church here.

           This morning I received a call from Pastor John Chambers, New Haven Baptist Church, Floyd, Va informing us that they will be sending $5000.00 after the first of the year. That brings our total to $16,650.00!.

           Darrell Richardson, Faith Baptist Church, Layton is coming up today to look at the property. He is going to help us work on the lot with his backhoe and pour the concrete for the handicap parking.

           Isn't it amazing how the Lord brings people together to do His work! I will file the application with the Perry City Building and Planning Commission today to meet with them on January 7, 2010 which is their next meeting. The secretary said she could see no problems in getting the property approved to be used as a church and it would go right through.

           I am working on a web site for Perry Baptist Church. The link will be http://perrybaptistchurch.org. It should be posted and working today.

           "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalms 68:19)

           November 30,2009 - I received a call from Pastor Sturgess, Boiling Springs Baptist Church, Fletcher, NC saying that they were sending $1000.00 toward the purchase of the property! That brings our total to $11,500.00 so far. Also Pastor Luethy, Grace Baptist Church, Hampton, VA is giving us 100 some nice hymnals. We rejoice in God's provision and we are happy for the privilege to be a part His work.

           November 26,2009 - John Huffman, Jr. and Senior from Faith Baptist in Layton, Utah brought their transit and we did the elevations on the property Friday morning. They gave me some great advice on making renovations to the building and for future expansion. The way we will change the inside of the building should comfortably accommodate 60 people. Monday I will give these plans to the Architect. Calvary Baptist Church now has the account set up to receive funds for the purchase of the property and checks are coming in. We remain at $10,500.00 committed so far and are praying that the Lord would touch more hearts to help. I think about those this church will reach for Christ and wish we could begin to work immediately. I am having to learn patience in waiting on the Lord's perfect timing.

           We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. We have been given several names to contact in our area.

           November 22,2009 - I met with Kevin Lunberg, from Grace Baptist church who is a wielder and he has volunteered to make the railings on the front of the church building. Yesterday, I talked with John Huffman and he and his dad are coming to Perry on Friday to survey and mark the elevations on the property. We will then summit them to the architect for his review. The Lord has directed us to an architect in Garland, Utah who will review and do the final work on the plans that Bridgerland Tech has drawn for us. I will meet with him this week at the property.

           Central Baptist Church of Yorktown, VA, Brother Thornton Hall has sent $500.00 towards the project bringing our total to $10,500.00. Union Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, where Carolyn and I were saved is taking a special offering on two Sunday's for the work.

           Brother Mark Butcher, Unita Baptist Church, Evanston, WY wrote and said he has nice pulpit we can have.

           Thank you for your continued prayers! Certainly the Lord is answering our prayers.

           November 17,2009 - Great News! We now have $10,000.00 committed. Pastor Mark Smith, Faith Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA has committed $1000.00 plus help with printing and publication materials, building or vehicle signage, Bibles and personalized New Testaments. Further we have two individuals who have promised $500.00 each. I received three e-mails from pastors today who are praying with us and are excited about the wonderful opportunity we have.

           November 13,2009 - Pastor Bill Coffey, Westview Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC called and their church would be voting on giving $2000.00 and in addition making us their Christmas missions project. An individual who lives in the area has committed $500.00 toward the purchase! This brings the total today to $8500.00... To God be the glory.

           Today I am asking the real estate agent to file an addendum to the contract and move the closing date to January 15, 1010 which will give churches more time in order to participate in this project. The real estate agent said he has talked with the selling agent and this should not present a problem.

           November 12, 2009 - I met with the real estate agent today and finished signing the contract. The owner is giving us access to the property so we can do measurements and make a list of materials needed for the renovations. I also met our neighbor whose home is next to the property. He was very pleased about having a church next door. He was raised LDS, but doesn't attend because of bad experiences with other Mormons. Please pray for him.

           Bridgerland Tech drafting students sent the prints to the architectural engineer today. He will go over them, meet with Perry City and complete the plans. As soon as he finishes the plans I will meet with the city Building and Planning Commission and apply for the building permit.

           November 10, 2009 - Today we sent our second letter out to our supporting churches reporting on the progress of the work. You may read it at http://bible-truth.org/PerryNovLtr.html

           November 8, 2009 - We visited Victory Baptist Church in Orem and their new missionary Kevin Brooks. While at a fellowship after the service I met brother Mike Mullineaux, of Harvest Baptist Church in Riverton, Utah. He asked me to come and preach for him in the evening service. That afternoon on the way to his church Brother Lynn Stanworth, Calvary Baptist Church, Suffolk, Virginia called said they had voted to give $2000.00 towards purchasing the property!! Once again we praise the Lord for His answering our prayers. We now have $6000.00 committed and others have stated their churches are considering how much they will give toward the project. What a blessing to see others who have the vision to see what a wonderful opportunity the Lord has given us. Our vision includes seeing the property purchased, the building renovated and many souls in Mormon country believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. How wonderful it is to be a part of all this.

           Also while at Harvest Baptist a licensed electrician volunteered to help us with the electrical work we will need! All we need now is to purchase the property and find a licensed plumber and get to work. As you can see the Lord is bring things together and we are praying the money needed to buy the property.

           November 7, 2009 - Pastor David George called and said Calvary in Tremonton was giving $500 towards the building purchase and that it may be more!! Praise the Lord for His provision.

           November 5, 2009 - I have found an architect who will take our building prints and go over them making sure they are up to code. He also putting his architect stamp on them so we can submit them to Perry City. His price is very reasonable and much less than the three other architects I contacted.

           November 4, 2009 - While attending services at Faith Baptist in Layton Pastor Beickel introduced me to a general contractor who has agreed to help us in getting the permits will need to renovation the building. The youth pastor, Brother Hall says he will bring his teens up and help with canvassing the area.

           November 3, 2009 - Bridgerland Tech students gave me the preliminary prints for the building. They look great. I will meet them tomorrow to measure the perimeter of the property for the plot map. I went by the city offices and made an appointment with the building inspector to make any recommendations he might have. The architect who is helping us said to send the prints to him and he will also look them over. I put a new slide presentation on my web site of pictures of the property. http://bible-truth.org/PerrySlidePresentation.wmv We continue to pray for God's provision.

           November 2, 2009 - Great News....Another dear friend from Virginia e-mailed this morning saying how excited she was about the work in Perry and has committed $1000.00 to help purchase the property. We are waiting this morning to received the signed papers from the owner. We continue to pray with you as the Lord continues to work!! We serve a wonderful Savior...what a privilege to be a part of what He is doing here.

           October 28, 2009 - Carolyn made contact with a lady near here who has made a firm commitment to attend services. We have several other contacts as well.

Pastor Stonehouse of Grace Baptist in Logan called yesterday and said his church would help us with canvassing and also he would help with the renovations.
A friend in Boise,ID called this morning and said his church maybe would help and will have me come up and present the work to them.
I talked with the draftsmen (actually one man and three women) who are drawing the prints for the building and they report things are going well. I will meet with them Friday or Monday to go over what they have so far.
The Lord is clearly working and things are moving along. The contract date for closing on the property is December 18th. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!