NEWSLETTER

MAY 2004

In the spring of this year, Miss Bessie Millican completes 60 years of ministry among the Mexican people.  At this writing she is in very critical condition in the hospital in Tampico, Mexico.  She has been in failing health for the past several months and took a turn for the worse around April 15, 2004.  She did not want to return to the U. S. for medical care, but wishes to remain in her beloved Mexico for the rest of her life.  Pray for her that the Lord’s will be done, and that if it is His will that she will recover from this illness and be able to continue to serve the Lord and the people she loves so much.  In this modern day when there seems to be such a lack of long-term commitment, it is a joy to see someone like Miss Millican who surrendered her life to the Lord as a young teenager and who has served Him so faithfully through these many years.  In so doing, she willingly gave up what most would consider to be a “normal” life, but she has had a very blessed life.  She never attained earthly riches, but she has laid up a treasure in Heaven.  We have many other missionaries who, like Miss Millican, have given the Lord their entire lives and who have now spent many years on their fields of service.  The World Baptist Fellowship owes a debt of gratitude and honor to these faithful servants.  The best way to pay that debt is to dedicate ourselves to the Lord and serve Him as faithfully as they have served Him.  God is still calling people into His service.  He is still speaking with that still small voice.  We must hear Him and surrender to His call. 

It will soon be time for the 65^th annual World Baptist Fellowship Meeting at Arlington Baptist College.  The dates are May 17-20, 2004.  The meeting will begin with a banquet on Monday evening, May 17, and will conclude with the Graduation services for the class of 2004 on Thursday evening, May 20.  Do your best to be present at this meeting.  There will be great preaching, interesting workshops and wonderful fellowship. 

Mark you calendar as well for the 2004 Fall Meeting which will be held September 26-29, 2004 at the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  This will be a combined meeting of the World Baptist Fellowship, the Southwide Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist Bible Fellowship and other groups.  There will be preachers on the program representing each Fellowship.  WBF preachers on the program will be Dr. Wayne Martin, Dr. David Bryant and Rev. Danny Moody.  On Tuesday morning, September 28, 2004 each Fellowship will hold its individual meeting followed by a great Missionary Rally. 

Alan and Kathy Hart have returned to the field of Portugal following their furlough.  Pray for them as they get settled down and back into the work there.  Bradley and Ronda Hastings will return to New Zealand in May.  Pray for them as they begin a new work in a suburb of the capitol city of Wellington.

Please continue to pray for Bro. Jack Weaver in his battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).  He is doing as well as could be expected at this time.  Other missionaries who need your prayers for health problems are:  Sandy Janky, Debi Harris, Monnie Bacon, Gloria Higgins, Mary Gagnon, Lanny Wood, Joe Hawkins, Cecil Henderson.

Your faithfulness in prayer and financial support of our missionaries and the General Fund is appreciated.  We are truly co-laborers together with God in the great work of world evangelization.  Thank you for all you do in support of our missionaries.

Tommy Raley