Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     Joyce and I have been cooperating with God lately. This cooperation has included the use of machines, hand tools and physical energies. Our efforts have landed us at various stores and we have experienced a few aches and pains from our efforts. The end result is that some of our vegetable and flower garden is now planted. This planting includes purchased seedlings, transplanted seedlings, seeds planted, and lots of cow manure. If it bothers you that many of the vegetables that we grow receive nutrients form such a source as manure, just pass on the wonderful vine ripened tomatoes that will be available this summer. When I first started to garden along side of my father-in-law, a real life farmer from the Midwest, I noticed much effort and planning. At the end of each row of preparing soil and planting, he would stop and pray for the Lord to bless these cooperative efforts. Believe me, God blessed in very abundant ways. There were cabbage that would not fit into the pot, corn on the cob that would make an entire meal with just two ears, tomatoes that would cover a single slice of bread with one cross cut through the middle, beans and peas picked by the grocery bag, squash and cucumbers brought in by the wheelbarrow. They used to gather well over 200 quarts of strawberries and blackberries. And all this growth did not include the beautiful roses, marigolds, peonies, and assorted wild flowers. We have the enormous privilege of cooperating with God. This effort can be as insignificant and fun as planting a garden of vegetables and flowers. I would encourage everyone to find a place with plenty of sun, come by my house for a little fertilizer (manure), mix a little soil, and plant at least one nice tomato plant. What a joy to pick the first one. Sometimes this first pick does not even make it into the house before it is consumed.

     Matthew 28:18-20 tells us of a great privilege that we have as we cooperate with God. We are told to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and then to teach them. What a joy to witness the life-changing response to the planting of the gospel in the life of an individual who becomes another part of God's eternal harvest. What joy is experienced as we watch the Spirit of God begin to work in this progression of sanctification that conforms us to the image of Christ. I can't accomplish anything for eternity without God, and God chooses to accomplish many eternal results as we cooperate with Him. So…..watch out, stay alert, be on the look out, God is looking for a few good men and women who are willing to live their lives in cooperation with God and His eternal purposes. I remember in very vivid detail the day that a young man whom God had brought across my path came into my office and with joy on his face and tears in his eyes told me that he had just introduced a student under his leadership to a place of understanding and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. I don't think I find much greater joy than this, someone being introduced to Jesus Christ in a life-altering way. PTL!

      Pastor Paul

Grace Christian Academy & Preschool

"Excellence in Education"

Open registration for the 2009/2010 school year begins April 1. New this year is a 25% tuition discount for members of Grace Baptist Church. For more information, stop by or call the school office at 674-7210.

April Showers

Come join the celebration!
Baby Shower for A Woman’s Friend
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Meet promptly at 9:30 AM in the Gym

     God is heartbroken when another abortion takes place. Join us to support the work of A Woman’s Friend. Bring a wrapped baby gift for a child, birth to nine months. These baby items are used to help the mothers who decided to carry their babies full-term. See your Sunday bulletin for a list of needed items. If you are unable to make the shower but would like to donate an item, please bring your gift to the church office by Friday, April 3.

Operation Christmas Child Update

     Thanks to compassionate people like you, many more hurting children and their families will hear the Good News of the Savior. “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” Matthew 1:21b

OCC boxes brought smiles to many children including those in war-torn Georgia, the slums in the Middle East, poor farming families in Latin America, the outcast in Asia and orphans in Africa. Thank you Grace Baptist Church, Grace Christian Academy and Preschool for your time, sacrifice and support.

Missionary News

Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries - March 2009
Just arrived home from a week of ministering to caregivers and children in Liberia. God has moved the hearts of people to join in the care of children He has entrusted to us. We are in the process of trying to obtain an emergency medical visa for a 19 month old who has been at the BCH/ACCF foster home almost from birth. His name is Nyenelleh and he has a condition called hydrocephalus. A medical missions group in Ohio has agreed to evaluate and provide treatment to Nye in the U.S. Pray that the needed documents would be provided so this young child may receive the services he needs. -Jim Geurink

Mike & Neva Bardon - March 2009
CHURCH PLANTING and EVANGELISM - Thank you for praying for the missions trip to Mexico. The Lord protected us as we traveled about 300 miles South of the boarder to work with other missionaries in Navajoa. What a blessing it was to help with preaching and testimonies and to work on building projects. CAMP - We are still working to obtain easements for running the electric line. We are still short of the needed funds to complete this project. MORMONSIM - An article in the Salt Lake Tribune by Dawn House is titled “Utah is No. 1 - for Online Pornography Consumption”. Several excuses are suggested as to why this might be so in a predominantly Mormon State. Pray for Mormons to turn from their false prophets and gods and trust in the Christ of the Bible alone for salvation before it is too late. -Mike Bardon

Easter Schedule

• April 2
       Preschool Program - 7:00PM
  
  
• April 6 - 10
       No School for GCA & PS
  
  
• April 7
       No Youth Group Meeting
  
  
• April 8
       No WOL Meeting
  
  
• April 10
       Church Office Closed
  
  
• April 12
       No Sunday School Hour
       AM Service Begins at 10:00AM
       No PM Service