Midway 2006



"Real glory springs from the conquest of ourselves."
Joseph P. Thompson


Stephanie

April 19th my youngest daughter, Stephanie, went into Cleveland Clinic to have a tumor removed from her pancreas. Several nights I sat near her bedside in the hospital while she recovered. My eyes still mist up when I think about her saying to me, "Thanks for being here dad. I din't know what I would do without you." So many times I wasn't there for her, but this time, praise God, I was! She is still in the recovery mode, but she is cancer free! Thank you for your cards and prayers. God is so good!


Deputation

We are still in need of support churches, as well as individual support. We are making progress along these lines, but the ministry is growing faster than I can get out and add to our support base. This is a very good problem to have. I am also in need of volunteers. I know the Lord will provide, and if He is working in your life to lend a hand or to make a financial donation, please do.


Ireland

Speaking of God's provision, I wish to thank New Hebron Baptist Church (West Blocton, Alabama) for making it possible financially for me to go to Ireland, enabling me to help missionaries Alan and Rosemary Armstrong with a Gospel outreach to the community there. Also, I want to thank my church (First Baptist Church of Spencer and Harvest Baptist Church (Millbrook, Alabama) for helping me meet expenses once I got there! God is good!

Along with several other volunteers and John Schmid of Common Ground Ministries, I helped pass out tracts and DVDs in the predominantly Catholic region of Dunfanaghy with the goal of establishing household Bible studies in neighboring villages. Since people thought we were Jehovah Witnesses or some other cult, I didn't hold out too much hope for success; but, while driving me to the airport in Belfast for my return trip home, Alan told me they had received a phone message saying, "Thank ou for the literature you left in my mail slot. I would like to talk to you about my spiritual life..." This was the first such call they had received in two yers!

John Schmid's "Country Gospel" concerts were also welcomed by the locals. Johnny Cash is still big in Ireland, and to quote John's newsletter:

"I soon learned that if I sing Cash songs, I could say whatever I wanted to about the gospel, and they will listen. Larry Skrant was with us, and each night after I sang a few prison songs and explained that I am a prison minister, he would give his testimony of being transformed from a three-time convicted felon to an ordained minister and the founder of Changed Lives Ministries. Hearts were touched as he gave credence to the message of the songs. The local missionaries were thrilled with the response and the contacts that were made... This is an area of beautiful people; an area that is "religious" but in need of an understanding of the true Gospel."
Alan has emailed me since and informed me the community is already talking about next year! We're invited back! If anyone would like me to visity your church or group with a slide presentation of the trip, please call me toll free at 877-379-5422. I promise you will be blessed!


Pure Life Ministries

Steve Gallagher, the founder and president of Pure Life Ministries has dedicated his life to helping people overcome sexual sin through the application of God's Word and a passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ. Steve has appeared on radio, TV, and has authored several books. His is recognized the world over as the leading ministry in this field. Steve also has a burden for inmates, and when he learned that I was using his book, At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, to teach and disciple inmates, he emailed asking me if he could help. He offered to give me the textbooks I needed free, and then he and Jack Ruth, also of Pure Life Ministries, visited me for four days and took part in three juvenile services, three prison services, and one church service! God is good! Pray for us as we seek other joint opportunities to share God's Word and to lead others to Christ.


Bro. Larry Skrant