JULY 2008
COMMUNITY: I was reminded today in my devotion when Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The Spirit desires to use us in sharing the gospel so other can experience that second birth! And so, this is what we experienced this month here in Yellowstone. You prayed and we prayed for salvation and God received the glory when 5 young people from various international countries prayed to receive Christ at Old Faithful!
This month, I conducted a memorial service for a “homestead” couple of Big Sky. Ken & Ladora McBride had been a part of the Big Sky community when there was no “community” and only a lot of open country. They lived life up to 95 years old and died within a couple of months of each other and I was humbled that I was able to present the gospel at their memorial service on July 5th. I conducted the wedding ceremony for a Ski Patroller couple, Jason & Lenya VanderWeit on July 9/10th. On July 11th, we conducted our 4th Innovator/Park Employee/Picnic Fellowship at Lake Yellowstone with approx. 65 in attendance and I also had a surprise visit from my former HMB resort supervisor/mentor- Bill & Teena Lee on July 13th at Old Faithful. We had a productive church meeting at Big Sky Christian Fellowship in Big Sky with a presentation of the Treasure State Assoc., MTSBC and the SBC by Steve Fowler on July 14th. On July 18/19th conducted the wedding of fellow Big Sky Firefighter, Bart & Mara Mitchell. On July 20th, I was able to pray the Pre-race Prayer for the Nissan Xterra Triathlon race in Bozeman (4th consecutive year) at Hylite Reservoir. On July 21-24th, I participated in Black Church Week and was the Missionary representative & speaker for NAMB. This was my first time at Ridgecrest, EVER! I grew up going to Glorieta, NM for several events. We conducted our final Innovator/Park Employee picnic fellowship at Grant Village on July 25th with approx. 75 in attendance and our final Innovator weekend on July 27-28th at Cliff Lake near West Yellowstone. YELLOWSTONE INNOVATORS: The Bible studies were well attended at all the 5 locations in Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Village, Lake Yellowstone, Grant Village and Old Faithful. We had 2 Innovator/Park Employee Picnic Fellowships both at Lake Yellowstone (11th) with 65 attending and Grant Village on Juy 25th with 75 attending. We conducted our Midsummer Retreat on June 29-30th in the Beartooth Mountains and it was a fantastic time of fellowship and spiritual rejuvenation! We also treated the Innovators to their last time of recreation together as a team at Cliff & Wade Lakes near West Yellowstone, MT. Our biggest thrill was the professions of faith that were a “team effort” of both our Innovators and Campus Crusade at Old Faithful. God is good, all the time out here! Our “Ministry Parents” are – Ed & Brenda Geiger; Jean & Liz Page; and Ellwood & JoAnn Marsh (sister/brother-in-law of Geiger’s) of Pulaski, TN. We have a full team of 20 Innovators, 1 Semester Missionary, and 3 sets of Missionary Parents. This summer’s dates are May 22 - August 3rd, a full 10 weeks! Check our SUMMER CALENDAR at http://www.yellowstoneinnovators.com
SEMESTER MISSIONS: Jordan Graham is continuing to serve as our Semester Missionary and doing an excellent job of helping to supervise and nurture each of these 20 student missionaries. There is a LOT of driving involved with this ministry. The gas prices have not been kind to us, but we continue to travel quite a lot to visit the Bible studies, conduct the Park employee picnics, listen to the concerns, be available to counsel the Innovators or go on day hikes and overnight backpack trips. It’s a LOT of work for any number of people and I am grateful and blest to have someone like Jordan. It has made a tremendous difference to have someone who is passionate and caring for this ministry and has been where these young missionaries are today as a Yellowstone Christian Innovator. Jordan will be completing his term as Semester Missionary on August 4th and will be returning south to attend seminary, probably at a SBC seminary. He plans to return each summer to Yellowstone and serve this ministry while in seminary. I hope that God will allow this to happen as well. It’s been a blessing to have Jordan here!
Tell us a story of how God changed someone’s life or made it better because of what you do.
Serving as Missionaries: We had 5 young people to pray and receive Christ over this past month! There are countless numbers of people who come in contact with or is being challenged in their faith because of the Innovators being in Yellowstone. As well, our efforts are complimented with two other ministries in Yellowstone: Campus Crusaders at Old Faithful and “A Christian Ministry in the Nat’l Parks” at all of the locations. I am more than honored and privileged to be a part of something that will go beyond this Nat’l Park borders. It is going out to the WORLD because of the many international young people who are also a part of our ministries efforts as well! This July 31st of 2008 marks my 18th year of ministry here in Montana and Yellowstone Nat’l Park.
Describe what specific ways NAMB/State Convention can assist you.
CONCERNS OR NEEDS AT THIS TIME
As Yellowstone Christian Innovators continues to grow in it’s effectives, the ministry at FBC, West Yellowstone is as well. Space in this tiny church (built in the 70’s) is becoming a concern. Pray for the operational financial support to continue with this ministry in Yellowstone & Big Sky in the midst of the rising costs on the economy. Our summer’s budget is well over $4,000 for this summer already. Continue to pray with us about the future of Yellowstone Christian Innovators along with FBC, West Yellowstone! There is an empty lot that is next to the church, that was once a bank and then a pharmacy that is for sale (we hear now it’s down to $275,000). It would be nice to dream of one day owning this property to build a Yellowstone Ministry Center next to and part of the church in West Yellowstone. Your constant prayers specifically for the safety, health, emotional and spiritual direction of each person involved with these ministry efforts.
How have you connected with your community this month? What plans do you have for community connection?
NEXT MONTH'S PLANNED ACTIVITY
For August 2008, we will be concluding summer ministry on Monday, August 4th and will have Missionary debriefing on Aug. 2-3rd. I will conduct 2 weddings: August 2 and August 15th. I am speaking to a church group on Aug. 5th in West Yellowstone. I will also be conducting (Aug. 10th) the baptism of a young man, Brock Short, Jr. (25), whose parents are a part of our church in Big Sky. I will complete my required Fire Dept. trainings and “on call” shifts. Will also have a scheduled trip in Yellowstone on Aug. 22-24th and also attend the MTSBC staff retreat in Billings on Aug. 25-27th.
SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for salvation of those “seekers” in Yellowstone Nat’l Park and the ministry with our young adults in Big Sky! For the hearts of our young adults who served the Lord as Yellowstone Innovators this summer; for our Ministry Parents’ health and safety as they continue to help us conclude this summer ministry, keep this group fed, nurtured and healthy as they prepare to return home and to college.
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