Life in the Field

Croatian Christmas project underway!

2011-12-31T15:49:00.001+01:00

We've been back in Croatia and have been as busy as ever! It's been Christmas time and that is always a busy time for us. The Lord has been good and already we've had some saved! Praise the Lord!

Our biggest thing going now is our Christmas in Croatia project. Scott Holcomb and Kevin Brown raised money for food baskets and we were able to distribute them last week to many down and out families. What a blessing it was to so many, as strangers came to their door with a basket of food. I believe many contacts have been made through this ministry. We would covet your prayers on behalf of these people we've contacted.

We were also able to bring back many gifts for poor children on our container. The container did not arrive until a few days after Christmas, so we got a late start, but better late than never. Our team, The Telebar family, Sam Ward, The Holcomb family and the Brown family worked hard sorting everything and getting it all ready to be distributed. What a joy it has been distributing the many gifts, and scarfs that were in the container. We've brought smiles to many children and through this ministry they have seen the love of Christ.

We want to send a special thanks to all who have participated in sending money and gifts, which makes this all possible. God bless you and I hope you enjoy the few pictures below!

What a day!

2011-11-13T02:06:00.000+01:00

What a day! I'm not usually late to anything, but this morning we showed up late to soul-winning. It all started when I couldn't find a tie. It seems we've packed them all to send to Croatia. This started us late but no problem I always leave early, because you never know when your ties have been sent to Croatia. We're making good time until we get ready to get on 30 from 360; it seems they had the freeway shut down. No problem I know all the short cuts in Arlington. However, Every street I chose was shut down. Thanks Jerry Jones for building that big stadium right in the middle of Arlington. We're now 10 minutes late, but no problem we'll press on. I finally get around all the closed streets, and then look up in my rear view mirror and see red and blue flashing lights, no I was not speeding. I have no ideal why he is pulling me over, by now I think the devil must be in this thing. Come to find out I had no break lights they went out and the policeman almost hit me. He was kind and let me go, and I replaced the fuse that was blown and we were back in business. Finally made it, late though, and Tori and I were able to go through God's plan of Salvation with two people. They did not get saved, but the seed has been planted. Maybe the Lord was testing us to see if we would still go and witness for Him!

New Testaments have arrived!

2011-11-07T21:49:00.001+01:00

After waiting much our Bibles have finally arrived from Tennessee! We unloaded them today and Thursday will put them on a container bound for Croatia. We are so excited about it. There are 10,000 New Testaments with the Psalms! They were printed by Bible and Literature missionary foundation in Shelby, Tennessee. Beams out of Mississippi, put hard back covers on all 10,000 Bibles they look sharp and I can't wait to share them with the Croatian people! We are so thankful to Bible and Literature and to Beams for their great sacrifice!

Prayer Letter!

2011-09-08T16:16:00.000+02:00

July & August 2011

Dear Fellow Laborer,

Greetings to you from the state of Michigan! We are a little over half way through with our three month road trip. I think by now we are all road weary, and tired of living out of a suitcase. I guess it will make our arrival home to Croatia that much sweeter. Up here in Michigan it has turned cooler and the climate is much like Croatia. This has left us home sick and we are getting excited about returning home. There was a time we didn’t consider Croatia home, but after eleven years God has done something in us. He has knit our hearts with the people of Croatia; they have become like family to us. Praise the Lord for His work of grace in us!

The Gypsy Christmas program is going well. Many have responded to it and we are excited about this great work. We were just at Covenant Baptist Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan and they had 50 shoe boxes ready for us. We loaded them in our trailer to take back to Texas and then on to Croatia. We’ve also been in touch with Calvary Baptist Church in Mulshoe, Texas, and they are sending 100 packages for the Gypsy children. Praise the Lord for this and God bless all of you who have helped with this project.

We would like to give a special thanks to Pensacola Baptist Temple in Pensacola Florida, and also to Grace Baptist Church in Louisburg, North Carolina. Both of these churches gave what was needed to get our container shipped! Yes we do have the money for the container now! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to see our God once again answer prayer. I didn’t even have a meeting at Grace Baptist in North Carolina; we just dropped in on a Sunday morning. Brother Bailey gave me a few minutes to report, and while I was up there he asked me if we have any needs. I told him we still needed 1,000 dollars for the container. (We actually needed 1,500 I miss spoke.) Brother Bailey then began to raise money in that service for our container. By the end of the service they gave 1,500 for the container. I miss spoke, but God knew what we needed! It never ceases to amaze me when God shows up and answers prayers. All I can say is, Glory to God!

The Bible project continues forward. Brother Lemmon out of Tennessee has the New Testament and the Psalms and has begun printing them, all 10,000 copies. I’m planning on picking them up towards the end of October and then get them to Texas and place them on the container. Please pray with us that all will go smoothly as there will be much paper work to get done to get the Bibles into Croatia.

Brother Rich continues to translate while I’m in the States. Please pray for him as he translates that God will give him wisdom and grace. Also please pray for his health. He hurt his back moving a refrigerator, and is waiting for an MRI. He was told that he might have to have surgery.

I’m still getting good reports from the field. They are passing out many tracts and have had visitors in both churches. Brother Scott Holcomb has got a burden for the many surrounding villages around the cities where our churches are. He is led people from the church to put John and Romans and gospel tracts in each mail box of these villages! I know they have already covered several thousand homes. Praise the Lord for their faithfulness!

As I close, I want to thank you all for your love and support of our family! We are truly grateful to be a part of your missions program! Thank you for giving to the Lord!

Please remember to pray for:

1. The container, much paper work to be done, and possibly might have to pay 1,500 for taxes!

2. Safety as we travel!

3. Power as I preach!

4. Souls to be saved!

5. The money needed for a car in Croatia!

Because He Lives,

Johnny Leslie

Goober says, Hey!

2011-08-17T22:58:00.002+02:00

Well I've searched high and low looking for an old fashion barber shop, you know the kind where men would gather and talk while a man gave old fashion hair cuts. In Croatia this is still quite normal but here in the US of A it's been pretty hard to find. Many a time I thought I found what I was looking for only to find women on the inside cutting hair. Now don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against women and as a matter of fact I'm married to one and I kinda like her.

I guess I just like the old fashion ways, where men were men and they didn't go to get their hair styled but cut, and if it was messed up a little they didn't care that much about it because they weren't trying to be purty!

Well ladies and gentlemen, after searching for what seemed like forever I finally found what I was looking for in Mayberry, North Carolina, (ok it's not really called Mayberry it's Mount Airy, North Carolina) but it is the home town of Andy Griffith. Though it's not called Mayberry, it was the town that Mayberry was modeled after. And wouldn't you know it on Main Street there's a place called Floyd's Barber Shop! When I saw that sign I just knew I needed to get myself in there and get me there one of those haircuts. Boy was I surprised when I entered in because the real Floyd, whom the TV character was made after, was in there cutting hair. He was 85 years old and was Andy Griffith's childhood friend. I knew that I was going to get me a hair cut by a famous man. I went in and sat down in the chair and got me an old fashion haircut by an old fashion barber.

If you are ever looking for one of those old fashion barber shops let me recommend Floyd's to you. I would suggest you hurry up, after all he is 85!

' knew I'd fine 'em there

Goober says, Hey!

Life long Friends!

2011-08-09T14:52:00.001+02:00

Our family has been in NC now for a week or so. We are getting ready to head towards OH. We were blessed to stay with Bro. Shane Brantley and family. We met the Brantley's about 6 years ago in Croatia. Their family visited us in Croatia, because Brother Shane was seeking the Lord's will for his life. He wanted to be open to anything the Lord wanted him to do. God didn't lead his family to Croatia, but he did give us new friends in the Brantley's. We thank God for their friendship, and opening their home to our family!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:North Carolina!

The Simplicity of Salvation!

2011-07-22T18:35:00.000+02:00

I'm amazed how many preachers that have complicated salvation. They ridicule those who believe that salvation is simple and easy. Now, I'm not advocating that anyone who prays a prayer is saved, and to be honest with you I don't know anyone who does believe that.

It saddens me to see these Pharisees ridicule those who believe that salvation is simple! I've heard them judge their motives, by saying they only want to see more numbers. Like they can see into the heart of a man and know why he believes what he believes. It could be that those who preach a simple salvation, simply believe the Bible; they don't want to see folks die and go to hell so they tell more people about Jesus, and because of this they see more saved!

How easy is Salvation?

Well brother, it's as easy as walking through a door! Jesus said in John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

It's as easy as taking a drink of water! Jesus said in John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

It's as easy as eating bread! Jesus said in John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

It's as easy as believing! Jesus said in John 3:15-16 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Salvation is so easy that little children can get a hold of it! Salvation is so easy that people that live in the jungle can get a hold of it! Salvation is so easy that Gypsies in Croatia can get a hold of it!

Jesus said in John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

Let's stop trying to complicate God's simple plan of salvation and let's get out more and lift up Jesus!

Traveling On!

2011-07-19T20:57:00.003+02:00

We've made it to Jackson, AL. We are staying in a mission house provided by a dear couple in the church. We are so thankful for people of God who make it a whole lot easier on missionaries. We are enjoying our time here out in the country. We are surrounded by beautiful scenery and I've been able to get a lot of work done!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Jackson,AL

BEAMS

2011-07-17T23:24:00.001+02:00

I had the privileged this week to meet Dr. Freret, president of BEAMS. We had a great time at this ministry and my family got to help pack Bibles going to Africa! It was wonderful seeing this ministry and what they are doing for the Lord!

I was able to explain to Dr. Freret about our Croatian Bible project, and he's agreed to help us get it printed when we are finished! Praise God!

Dr. Freret also wants to help us get 3,000 of the New Testaments that are coming to Croatia, bound with a nice hard cover. We're excited about it because we know that BEAMS always does quality work.

We are looking forward to having a long time cooperation with BEAMS as we get the Word of God out to the Croatian people!

Going to try it again!

2011-07-17T21:42:00.002+02:00

We are still travelling and visiting churches! The Lord has been good to us, and we've been staying busy. One of the great blessings of being a missionary is getting to travel and meet so many of God's people. There are many churches and Christians out there that are still staying by the stuff and sticking to the old paths!

I want to try and be more faithful with this blog and let many of you know what is going on with our ministry!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Widow and her mites!

2011-03-21T15:03:00.000+01:00

As we travel the country reporting to churches we've had so many blessings. I've met people who pray for me regularly that I didn't even know were praying for me!

This week we've been in Council Bluffs Iowa at the Eastern Hills Baptist Church for their missions conference. The church has been supporting me for about 11 years now and this has been the first time that I've been able to return and show them what God has been doing in Croatia. Several years ago the church started sending $10 a month to our Croatian Bible project. I assumed the church read one of our letters and took the project on for support.

When I arrived the Pastor introduced me to Miss Straw, a widow in the church. He told me she read the letter and saw the need and wanted to get involved with getting the Croatian people the Word of God. He also said Miss Straw supports missions heavily. I immediately thought about the widow in Mark 12 who gave her two mites.

I was humbled and encouraged, because a little lady like this has decided to use her money in getting the Gospel around the world. I just wonder how many ladies like Miss Straw are out there in Churches all over this country, and they are doing more for the Lord than anyone knows. I'm sure as the Lord is passing out rewards many of us will be standing behind a host of widow ladies who gave what they had for the cause of Christ!

I was blessed and my life has been enriched because of Miss Straw! It is truly a good thing to be a servant of the Lord.

King James Bible conference!

2011-01-11T01:06:00.000+01:00

Wow, I can't believe that I haven't posted since October. I really want to be more faithful about it. God has done so much in our lives and there is so much to tell you about.

Well anyway enough of that. We are in the states for our furlough. Our oldest son will be staying behind this time and we'll begin a new phase in our lives.

Cody will be traveling with us awhile, and then he will be getting ready for Bible college.

Our family will be here about 11 months and then we will be back in Croatia. The work there is in very good hands with our missionary team!

This is the first furlough we've been able to take and be at peace about the work in Croatia.

We've got a full schedule ahead of us and I'm excited about the opportunities God has given me. This week we started a Bible conference on the KJB! I started preaching Sunday morning and it will close up Wednesday evening. I'm thrilled to get to be apart of this conference. The Bible is dear to my heart and the issue of which Bible is my passion!

I hope to be more faithful about posting and let you know what God is doing in our lives!

Ministry update!

2010-10-25T17:55:00.000+02:00

Praise God for a great Sunday! Our Gypsy work is going great with the kids. For the last 5 weeks we have averaged about 85 kids. It has been such a joy to work with these children and show them the love of Christ. So many of these children just need someone to love them.

It is turning cold, so pray for this work. As you will see in the pictures below there are no doors or windows in the building we are meeting in. That hasn't been a problem for now, but winter is coming and it can get cold in Croatia.

We also had Harvest Sunday in our church in Cakovec. God blessed with a full house and we had many visitors. Bro. Rich preached a great message about God's harvest. There was food and fellowship following the service which is what all good Baptist know how to do.

By the end of the day our team was pretty exhausted. But no one was complaining for everything that was done was done for our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ!

My Daddy's the Pilot!

2010-09-23T09:50:00.003+02:00

Some one sent this to me and it was a blessing! I pray it will be for you too!

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences.. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your Seat Belts.

Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke . . .

The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the dar kening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her.. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.

When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

God answers prayer!

2010-09-13T21:32:00.001+02:00

A few weeks ago we had one of the biggest problems with our bus ministry that we've ever had. Bro. Sam and I took two vans out to a village called Trnovec. When we got there we saw a mob of children running toward the vans. There had to have been about 70 kids there, and we only had places for 18. We packed what we could in the vans, and we're heartbroken because of all the kids left behind. We began to pray fervently for God to do something about this need. I told the people to pray that God would give us a place close to the village or better still in the village. We were willing to rent something, though we had no idea how we could afford another building.

That week one of our men said he had a cousin in the village who had a building and would probably rent it to us. We set up a time to meet, and were surprised when we learned that this man was saved several years ago. He said we could use his place and the rent would be nothing. He wanted to help spread God's Word to his people.

Last Sunday we had our very first meeting there, and God really blessed. I was told there were over 100 that showed up. We had a program for the kids and I preached about Jesus! We took many pictures and they are here for you to enjoy!

Next to me you will see Bro. Dean. He came and translated me into Gypsy. I preached in Croatia and he put it all in Gypsy.

Tori is talking to many of these woman. Most of them were surprised that she would talk to them.

No I'm not trying to lay hands on anyone. I'm praying and trying to get the kids quite at the same time.

Bibles have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-30T17:28:00.001+02:00

Praise the Lord, our Bibles have finally arrived! A few days ago we were able to go and pick up 4,500 New Testaments from Zagreb, Croatia.

We have been able to pass them out to our people and many of the bus kids who come. Everyone received a Bible on Sunday! It was a joy using it on Sunday knowing that all had the same Bible as I did. For the new converts in Church we were able to even say, turn to page so and so and they could find the text and read a long with us.

I want to say thank you to all who have given to this project, and ask you all to pray as we continue onward with the Old Testament!

Waiting for our Bibles!

Bro. Sam Ward and Scott Holcomb

Bro. Kevin Brown, he arrived to Croatia the week before!

Pastor Rajko Telebar

Our new vans - So far they have brought children to church, they have taken Christian's around the country to pass out tracts, and now they are bringing the Word of God home!

We are enjoying the days reward. You can see that we are suffering for Jesus over here!

Špancirfest - update!

2010-08-25T07:43:00.003+02:00

The festival is still going on and we have been there most every night. So far we have passed out about 12,000 tracts. We have got to talk to several people about the Lord and our presence has been made known there. Every night we come home tired, but it's a good tired. The kind where you know you have stood up for Jesus in the midst of darkness.

The festival will continue through the weekend and we will continue to stand in between heaven and hell for these precious souls!

Špancirfest!

2010-08-22T08:06:00.001+02:00

Every year in the city of Varaždin they hold what they call Špancirfest. This is a big festival and they estimate that in 10 days there will be over 250,000 people walk through the streets of our city. There are booths and food vendors set up all along the city streets. There are concerts and shows for the people who attend. It is a very festive time for all who come to Špancierfest.

For us it's much, much more than just a festival. It is an opportunity to pass out 1,000's of tracts. It opened Friday night and we were able to pass out 2,000 tracts. Then we were there Saturday morning and passed out another 2,700 tracts. Then once again Saturday night we were able to pass out 2,200 tracts. We are going to try and be there each evening to stand in between heaven and hell for these people.

Please be in prayer for us as we try and keep some of these people from the fires of hell!!!!!!!!

More than a bus ministry!

2010-08-16T14:14:00.001+02:00

Not to long ago we were able to purchase two 9 passenger vans for our bus ministry. These vans have not only doubled our bus ministry, but they have helped us to reach out to other cities in Croatia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Last Saturday we took 27 people to the far south east side of Croatia to a town called Osijek. This is the 3rd largest town in Croatia. It is in an area that was hit really hard by the war. God allowed us to stand up in this town and declare that there is one who can save any soul. We were able to pass out about 5,000 tracts and around 1,000 John and Romans. We are still waiting to hear the official total from Bro. Sam.

A really big blessing was that we had a new family come with us and they passed out way over 500 tracts! We are excited that they are learning that it is their responsibility to stand up for Jesus, and reach the lost!

Brother Rich had two saved! Praise God! That's two more people who will not taste of the flames of hell!

After we passed out tracts and witnessed we went to Vukovar. This town was one of the hardest hit during the war. Many people were killed here, and there were many mass graves found near this town. We were able to visit many places that were constructed to remember those who were killed. I couldn't help to think about how many of these people dies and went to hell.

The Croats placed their flag on top of this tower and the Serbs tried to shoot it off.

Bro. Rich's children having fun!

New vehicle for our bus ministry!

The cutes little girl in Croatia! She will catch your heart real quick!

I think some needs to explain to Mathew how that thing is supposed to work?

After Vukovar we headed home and arrived about 10:30. Everyone was tired and worn out, but we can say that it was worth it all. Heaven will reveal one day of how many people were saved because of a Gospel tract that they received.

Thank you all for praying for the ministry in Croatia!

Name that car!

2010-08-07T08:52:00.004+02:00

Last week at the festival they started with an old timer car show. Now these are European old timers, you have probably never seen some them before. Some of these cars look like they were in the circus used for the clown act.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and that you can name that car!

I have no ideal what this is, but the owner looked like he was driving in style!

How would you like to be in this driving down the highway next to a Hummer?

This is definitely the economy mode. I was really waiting for a bunch of clowns to jump out!

Okay! Everyone knows this one!

This is a European Corvette!

This one is space age. A true visionary designed this car!

One thing you see a lot of in Croatia is Mercedes!

See! I told you so!

The other car you see a lot of is Volkswagen. They are everywhere.

I just had to include these old timer motorcycles.

Festival!

2010-08-04T10:58:00.001+02:00

After 7,000 tracts, 1,200 John and Romans, and several hours standing in town I'm officially tired. But I can say that it's a good tired. We had such a wonderful time standing in town and being a witness for our Lord and Savior. After three days in town our presence was certainly known. Many people now have a chance to escape the fires and torments of hell. I'm so encouraged by all of our people who came to stand in their home town to let people know that their is a Savior who loves them.

There was nobody saved that we know of, but so many were reading the tracts and John and Romans, and I'm sure somebody's going to get saved!

Ministry update!

2010-07-31T08:22:00.000+02:00

OK I know I haven't blogged in a really long time, and I'm really sorry about that! I want to get back in the habit so I thought I would start with a ministry update. Lately I have been really busy and I praise the Lord for it.

We have officially moved the church plant in Varazdin into another building. We have found a place to rent in a very good location. The landlords want to sale the place and they have given us the option to buy it. They even said we could pay it off within two years. This is not usually an option in Croatia. For now I told them we will wait and see what God will do.

Since we have been in the new building there have been visitors almost every service. The landlords have also attended almost every service and they told me that we were an answer to prayer. They have been searching for truth and they believe God sent us to them. I believe God just may be involved in this move.

We opened the building up with Friend Day, and we had many visitors and dinner on the grounds. It was a great service and wonderful way to open the new building up!

Our Church has literally flooded this town with Gospel tracts. Every Thursday and Saturday we are in the square witnessing and distributing literature. It's almost comical now how many people pass by and say, I've already got one, some even say I've already got several of those at home. We are all excited that we are here and making a difference in Varazdin!

The Church in Cakovec is also doing well. We have had a new family come consistently and our vans have been full. Many of you know that a dear Brother in California purchased two vans for our ministry. They are already full and quite possibly we will be running a van and a mini van to one of the villages. Many of the kids want to bring their friends!

This week they are having a festival in Cakovec, and we will be there several hours a day witnessing and passing out tracts. I'll try and keep you all informed of how it goes.

Thank you all for praying for our family and the work in Croatia!

Thank God for good friends!

2010-06-02T17:41:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I checked my e-mail and was blessed by my good friend James Rasbeary. We have been in Croatia 10 years and he wrote this poem about our 10 year mark. I don't feel worthy of it, but it was a blessing to me to have such a good friend! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

TEN YEARS IN CROATIA

By James Rasbeary

June 1, 2010

Nigh onto twenty years ago,

The saving grace of God did find

A man whom sin so long did blind,

And made him a new creature;

And by that same grace he did grow

And felt God's call to others go

As His own gospel preacher.

In God's will this new man did go,

But God did not send him alone

To face and brave the storms unknown;

A sweet help meet for His man

God's loving grace did also make,

His own cup of life to partake,

As they pursued God's plan.

Some fields are cold and hard; e'en so,

God sends strong men to work therein;

The Lord needs someone to begin

To plow the hard, fallow ground;

It oft takes years of faithful pain

'Fore the harvest of golden grain

And we bring our sheaves in bound.

Ten years - it seems so long ago

When they flew to that far off place

With trembl'ng heart and tear-stained face;

What a journey they began!

Their work has been divinely blessed

And other men have joined their quest-

A team compiled in God's plan.

We are proud of our friends, although

'Tis hard to be so far away.

Still, we want them to faithful stay

In their own appointed place.

A nation of souls needs them more;

We have eternity in store

When we have finished our race.

Please Pray!

2010-05-31T21:58:00.001+02:00

Dear praying Friends,

I just got word from Brother Dean, the Gypssy man that I'm working with, he wants to take us into a village tomorrow that nobody has been too before with the Gospel.

Please pray for us tommorrow that God will give us power to stand up for him! Also pray that many will be saved.

After this village we will return to Bro. Dean's village to preach there and begin teaching those who were saved last week!

It will be a busy day and we will need God's help and your prayers!

Because of Jesus,

Bro. Johnny Leslie

Ministry update!

2010-05-26T11:02:00.001+02:00

Dear Praying Friends,

What a great few weeks we have had! We have seen several call upon the name of the Lord, and we have passed out several 1000 Gospel tracts. Last Saturday we, as a Church took 20 people to a town called Velika Gorica. This town is the 8th largest town in Croatia. By God's grace we were able to pass out 3,000 Gospel tracts and 1,000 John and Romans. We also saw two people glouriously saved and at least another six people heard a clear presentation of the Gospel! Brother Rich, the national pastor, was so excited because he had a group of about 7 people around him and he was able to preach to them. We are greatly rejoicing that the Gospel was able to shine through us in this town!

On Monday Bro. Sam, Bro. Scott and I went to Zagreb, the capitol of Croatia, to buy Bro. Sam a car. God led us to the perfect car for Bro. Sam, and while waited for the man to do the paper work we went into the town of Zagreb armed with Gospel tracts. We three men stood infront of the main train station for three hours and passed out several hundred Gospel tracts. Each one of us had the priveldge to win someone to Christ! What a great day it was!

However, the day was not finished! On our way home we stopped by the Gypssy village where we have been wanting to start a Church. We have had some set backs there and it looks like we have fixed the problem. One of the men in this village spread lies about us, so Bro. Dean was angry at us. This same man spread lies about Bro. Dean to us. It looks like the devil was using this man to destroy something of God. Well we worked it all out, and brother Dean brought me a man from the village named Joseph. Dean wanted me to tell him of Jesus, which I did and Joseph was glouriously and eternaly saved. After talking to Joseph I heard what sounded like preaching from out side the house. Bro. Sam and Bro. Scott had gathered a crowd and one Gzppsy boy was trying to translate Bro. Sam while he preached to this crowd. I came outside a took over the translation work and Bro. Sam cut loose with the Gospel. There was a crowd of Children, men and women who heard the glourious Gospel of Jesus Christ! When Bro. Sam was finished we gave them an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior! I'm not sure how many prayed, but it must have been at least 15. I then told them we would be back next week to teach them the Bible, so that they could learn more of Jesus. They said they would come back and they wanted to know exactly when we would be back. What a day it was! We trully felt refreshed in the Lord.

Please pray for these who have excepted Jesus as their Saviour!

Because of Jesus,

Bro. Johnny Leslie

Friend Day!

2010-05-18T07:47:00.005+02:00

We had a great Friend Day, with 39 in attendance and three visitors! We did not set any records, but it was a great day! One of the visitors was a first time visitor. In Croatia it is always a victory when you get a first time visitor.

There was a good spirit in the church and Bro. Rich preached a great message! A personal blessing to me was hearing my son sing a special in Croatian. Brother Scott has encouraged him to sing and I am grateful that he has.

Thank you all for praying for this special day!

Cody singing!

I'm still here!

2010-05-16T08:35:00.002+02:00

I just wanted to post something quick, and let all of you know we are still out here. God has been good as always and we have seen many come to Christ.

Today we are having Friend Day, and we are all waiting to see what God is going to do. We have worked hard, prayed and fasted and now we leave everything in our Saviors hands!

I'll be trying to post more frequently so that you all may know what is going on in Croatia!

Until then,

Bro. Johnny

Mormon soul-winner!

2010-04-15T21:56:00.004+02:00

I thought I have seen everything, but tonight I saw something new! A Mormon soul-winner! Last week we had a man drop in on our services. After the service I presented the Gospel to him, and when I ask him if he wanted to receive Christ, he said he's already done that at the Mormon church. It was then I realized he was a Mormon. We began to debate awhile and he finally left.

Tonight he showed up again, but this time he brought someone with him. After the service, I and some other men in the church led the Mormon's friend to the Lord! Amen! I later learned that the Mormon came back to try and debate with me more. Boy was he surprised as his friend got gloriously saved, and he again heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ! So I guess God can even use Mormon's to bring people to Jesus!

We had a great day today. There was a total of 4 saved! Praise Almighty God!

God's good!

2010-04-05T17:42:00.002+02:00

Well Glory! We finished our conference yesterday, all I can say is that God is good! The Lord saved three Croatian souls! Bro Smith was used in a great way. Our hearts were stirred and we all got closer to God. In the afternoon he taught on Beholding His Glory! It was a great blessing to be reminded that we need to focus on Jesus, and less on self! I'm looking forward to seeing what God is going to do for our Church as we continue to serve the Lord!

Great start!

2010-04-01T07:16:00.002+02:00

We kicked off both conferences yesterday and heaven came down! Brother Smith did an excellent job and my heart was really blessed. I'm looking forward to what will happen today.

In the morning we are having sessions for missionaries, and the theme is behold His Glory! I know in my life I need to behold His glory and not try to live for my glory! Brother Smith painted a wonderful picture of the glory of Christ!

In the evenings we are having a revival for our church here. The theme is about the end of the world. Last night Brother Smith preached on earthquakes, and everyone was looking for Jesus, after they heard that message! My heart was stirred to do more for Jesus, for He really could come back today!

We also had a first time visitor show up, named Vladamir. He was glorious saved last night!

Just wanted to thank all of you for praying! Please continue to do so, we hope even greater things will happen tonight!

Brother Scott leading the singing! He has a servants heart and has really been a blessing to me along with his entire family!

Brother Smith teaching us in the morning session!

Brother Pranger, missionary in Budapest, singing a special in English and Russian!

Brother Smith, being translated by Bro. Rich, shucking the corn! He was getting after it!

Men's trip to Krk!

2010-03-31T07:15:00.007+02:00

We are getting ready to kick off our conference with Brother Smith! Our theme this year is, Is the end of the world near? Brother Smith will be preaching every night about the return of Jesus Christ! Brother Smith is an old time preacher who still believes the book, the blood and the blessed hope! He has been coming to Croatia every year for the last four years. Usually when he comes he never has time to see any of the beauty of Croatia, because the conference usually starts immediately when he arrives. This year I wanted to take him down to the coast, so that he could see a little of Croatia. Yesterday we took a group of men, with tracts in our hands and took the three and half hour drive to Krk. For you that may not know Krk is an Island of the Croatian coast, and it is simply beautiful. We had a great time of fellowship as we enjoyed God's creation, and the old Mediterranean cities along the way! Below you will find a few few pictures of our trip!

Brother Smith, he is our special speaker this week!

Me and Cody, How did he ever get taller than me!

Brother Rich under the Croatian flag, he loves his country!

Brother Scott with a handful of tracts and John and Romans!

Croatian countryside!

Me and Brother Rich, we have stood together for 10 years reaching the Croatian people for the Lord!

Brother Scott and Brother Rich doing what Baptist do best, they were looking at the menu of a local restaurant!

Brother Sam with tracts in hand and no one will get by him!

Blessings and battles!

2010-03-28T20:35:00.005+02:00

Boy have we been busy here! I'm not complaining I enjoy the fact that God has kept me busy in the field. Just today we had two saved and one baptized!!!! Last week we had one baptized!!! These are great victories for us!

Yesterday I picked up Bro. Sam Ward from the airport. Many of you may know that Brother Sam comes to Croatia to help with our soul-winning conferences. This time he came and had a one way ticket! Glory to God!

Brother Holcomb's family seems to be settling in just fine. They are busy in the Church and are learning the language.

I have learned in ministry when you have great victories then great problems usually follow. Tonight while trying to pick people up for church, our van broke a belt that left it crippled. It made it hard to pick up everybody for Church, but praise the Lord Brother Scott came through. Then also tonight the lady that got Baptized had something stolen from her in Church. She is pretty upset about it, and we pray that the devil doesn't use it for a stumbling block against her. Please pray for Nina.

Tomorrow we head to Budapest to pick up Brother Smith, who will be preaching a conference for us this coming week.

I know this is kinda of a scattered post, but I wanted you all to know what was going on with us here!

So funny!

2010-03-22T19:22:00.002+01:00

My good friend, pastor Bob Wallace, sent this to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Another great Sunday!

2010-03-15T20:54:00.003+01:00

We had a great Sunday in both church plants. In Varazdin we had a visitor which is always good to have in Croatia. There was a good spirit in the church. In Cakovec we had 3 visitors and one saved. Two of the visitors got saved last week and they are going to be baptized next week!

Brother Scott and I took them for coffee Saturday night and was able to answer their questions. Boy did they have a lot of questions, but to me that is a good thing. They are thinking about the things of God and wanted to know more.

All in all it was a great Sunday, and I'm just praising the Lord for His goodness!

Great week of preperation!

2010-03-13T20:59:00.005+01:00

We had a great week of preparation for Sunday! We passed out a lot of tracts, talked with some, visited others, and just did all that we could for Sunday! We can say that we worked as if all depended on our efforts to have a successful Sunday. However, we know that all does not depend on us or our efforts. So, now we will pray and seek God for we know that all truly depends on Him. Jesus said, for without me ye can do nothing! I'm excited to see what the Lord will do tomorrow!

As we worked for the Lord this past week I rejoiced that Brother Scott and his family are here to help us. It is so nice having someone here with us as we work together to reach this dark country for the Lord! The Bible is so true, as it always is, when it said that iron sharpeneth iron!

I believe God!

2010-03-09T17:08:00.003+01:00

Open Letter to: Rush Limbaugh

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: May 7, 2009
Posted: March 8, 2010

Dear Rush,

Mega-dittos from a long time listener! I enjoyed your program from May 6, 2009, as I do most of them, but… I have a suggestion to help eliminate the confusion caused by the likes of Chris Matthews. You played some sound bites of him in the third hour at about 2:10 EST. The issues were creation vs. evolution and C02 emissions.

First, as a fifteen-year veteran high school biology teacher, with an extra dose of Midwest common sense, I can tell you that plants thrive on extra C02. Greenhouses often add C02 to increase plant growth and fruiting capacity. The more C02 we pump into the atmosphere, the faster all plants in the surrounding area will grow and absorb it. I don’t think it is possible for man to upset the balance. Capturing C02 and pumping it into the ground as is currently planned will result in diminished plant growth and less crop yield. Numerous experiments have shown that increasing C02 by 50% from the normal .06% to .09% will typically give a 200% increase in fruit produced. Please, please, please keep driving that SUV to help save the planet!

Second, I loved your comment, “I’m not against science. I’m against lies.” I agree. For twenty years, I have been traveling full-time speaking on creation vs evolutionism. (By the way, the “ism” goes on evolutionism not creation!☺☺ One subtle trick of “the left” is to not clearly define terms used in the debate. You have covered this well on many topics, but you seem to have missed it on the evolution topic.

There are six different and unrelated meanings of evolution, only the last of which is really part of science. The first five are never observed and are part of the religion of humanism—which you often refer to as liberalism. These first five only take place in the imagination. The definitions are:
1. Cosmic Evolution—the origin of time, space, and matter from nothing in the big bang
2. Chemical Evolution—the origin of all ninety-two elements from hydrogen
3. Stellar Evolution—the formation of stars and galaxies from gas clouds
4. Organic Evolution—the origin of life from non-living chemicals
5. Macroevolution—the changing of one kind of plant or animal into another kind of plant or animal—slowly (or quickly if you are from Harvard)
6. Microevolution—changes within the same kind—like wolves, coyotes, and dogs being related to a common ancestor

Having debated over one hundred evolutionists and atheists at universities all over America, and having spoken on this topic over seven hundred times each year for twenty years, I can assure you that once the word “evolution” is clearly defined like this, the argument is over for the evolutionist. Watch some of the videos of these debates on www.drdino.com and you will see for yourself.

Evolutionists will give scores of examples of micro-evolution (#6) and then lead students or congressmen to believe that this evidence magically proves the first five as well. It is a classic example of bait and switch. Next time someone asks if you believe in evolution, ask them what they mean by that word. They will say “Things change.” You should say, “I believe that things change too, but the changes have limits.”

Besides not defining the term, evolutionists are great at using long-disproved “evidences” for evolution. It’s no surprise that they lie! I cover fifty of these lies in my Creation Seminar Series, Part 4—“Lies in the Textbooks.” See www.drdino.com for more information. Our ministry in Pensacola would be glad to donate a set if you or your staff are interested. We have produced about two million of them in twenty-five languages. We have always allowed people to copy them freely, so there is no telling how many are actually in circulation.

Chris Matthews said that conservatives “don’t accept science.” Nothing could be further from the truth. I, for one, love science and the thousands of advancements it has brought us. The problem is that they want to include evolution as part of science. Beer is often sold at football games. Beer has nothing to do with football and beer does not make the players better athletes. If someone said, “I don’t like beer,” would it be logical to respond, “Oh, you don’t like sports?” It is true that evolution is often included in science books, but that does not make it scientific by association.

On your show you said, “Evolution does not explain creation.” I agree, but you need to better define the terms. Micro-evolution happens and does explain how animals can adapt to a wide range of climates. They are still the same kind of animal though. Every farmer on planet earth uses micro-evolution to get crops or animals that are best suited for his area, but he also counts on the first five types of evolution not happening! When he plants corn, he expects and gets corn. I’m from central Illinois where they have a good work ethic and know a lot about corn!

Next time, don’t let Chris Matthews or other liberals get by with not defining their terms. Dogs and wolves probably have a common ancestor. That is not evidence that dogs and bananas are related. He is welcome to believe that they are related, but that is part of his religion—not science! He should not expect all taxpayers to pay for his religion to be promoted in schools, parks, or museums.

The issue is bigger than “conservative” vs “liberal.” The real issue goes back to the question, “Is there a Creator?” If there is a God, then He decides what is right and wrong. If there is no God, then man decides what is right and wrong—humanism. Scores of issues like abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, genetically modified foods, stem cell research, big versus small government, as well as other moral issues, cannot be decided until it is first decided how we decide! Evolutionists have no set standard to measure truth. I have often asked atheists, “If evolution is true, how do you tell right from wrong?” They can never answer. One told me, “There are no absolutes!” I said, “Are you absolutely sure?” That’s why talking with them is frustrating. It’s like trying to nail Jello to the wall!

In my seminar, I also point out the connection between evolution and communism, socialism, Nazism, racism, and the New World Order. It appears that this material put me on a hit list. So, in typical liberal style, where your enemies are eliminated rather than answered, I was dragged into a long and frustrating battle with the IRS. I lost round one and am currently in prison fighting through the appeals process to have all charges overturned. Details of the case are on www.drdino.com if you are interested.

Keep up the great work!

Dr. Kent Hovind
Creation Science Evangelism
29 Cummings Road
Pensacola, FL 32503
850-479-3466
www.drdino.com

If you believe in evolution there is no need to respond to this post. Your comments will not be posted!

On a personal note I'm not endorsing Rush Limbaugh.

Great Sunday!

2010-03-08T07:41:00.004+01:00

Well God blessed our weekend with souls saved! It is always great when we see visitors in Church. Bro. Daniel brought three friends with him yesterday, and they all three got saved! Praise God!

Another great blessing was my son Cody. He sang his first special in Church, by himself, yesterday! He sang the song "He touched me" and did an outstanding job.

The children's ministries were great, and the spirit in the church was excellent! We are just praising God for another great Sunday! I'll never know why He is so good to me!

I'm still a Baptist!

2010-03-05T16:52:00.004+01:00

I'm a Baptist by conviction! I'm not a Baptist by convenience, but rather I chose to be a Baptist. By the way let me say that I'm not ashamed that I'm a Baptist. We still have the word Baptist on our Church signs, on our tracts and even on the books we pass out. I was married in a Baptist Church, called to preach in a Baptist Church, and learned how to go soul-winning in a Baptist Church. I was not born a Baptist, but by God's grace I'll die a Baptist!

We live in a day of compromising Preachers who are slowly taken the name Baptist of of their Church signs. This preacher will not fall into the sea of compromise. When people ask me what kind of Christian are you? My reply will be I'm a Baptist Christian.

Living in Croatia we have had to suffer just a little for the name Baptist, but we do it joyfully. I remember our first year here, my son Cody was playing with a little boy who could speak English. When the little boy learned that Cody was a Baptist, he said I can't play with you, because you are a Baptist. There are times when we couldn't rent property here because we are Baptist. But praise God that's alright, because there is coming a day when the King of Kings will give me a mansion.

Just today we learned that the property we found to possibly rent for our church plant will no longer be available to us. Why? You guessed it, no Baptist churches allowed! The funny thing is the people renting it now are from China and they have some kind of Eastern acupuncture massage pallor there. There is room for them, but not for the Baptist!

One day we will live under the rule of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we will all be Baptist!

Great weekend!

2010-03-03T09:49:00.005+01:00

We had a great time in the Lord this past weekend! Saturday our church went to the capitol of Croatia to pass out tracts, books, etc.

There were several saved and the fellowship with our people was great. Everyone was encouraged and lifted up.

Every Church needs fellowship among it's people. We've found that some of the best fellowship you can have within your church is out soul-winning. We worked from 10-1, and then we all had a picnic in the park together. Then we started working again to about 4. It was a great day in the Lord!

Bro. Dean and a new convert named Kerso went with us for the first time. They were such a blessing to me.

These two men were out passing out the John and Roman's like they had been doing it their whole lives! I like to see new Christians immediately get involved with the Soul-winning ministries of the Church.

Sunday we had great services in both churches! Bro. Kreso got baptized along with Jasmin, Bro. Dean's oldest son! We also had two saved! One man, Sinasa who was Kreso's brother got saved, and also a friend that Bro. Kreso brought got saved!

What a great weekend! I hope they all get that way. Nothing creates excitement in a church more than seeing people saved and the waters stirred!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

2010-02-11T16:26:00.004+01:00

I grew up in Texas and this is all new to me! This is the most snow I've seen at one time in my life! Yesterday it started snowing here and it hasn't stopped yet. It was suppose to stop today, but they have changed the forecast and have extended it through tomorrow!

You may be asking, why is he showing us this? Well, My good friend Dr. Raz told me I needed to start blogging again! I thought to myself what should I blog about, and I then looked outside and remembered all this snow!

I do want to be more faithful in my blogging, and this is just a starting point! Much has been happening here, although we have slowed down because of the snow, and I hope to share it all with you soon! Thanks for praying for our ministry here! God is so good!

A Great open door!

2010-01-10T07:09:00.007+01:00

God never ceases to amaze me! He always does so much more than we can even comprehend. Many of you may remember Dean who got saved some time ago. Last night I was able to visit his home, with Brother Scott. Last night his wife got gloriously saved!

I have seen a lot since I've been in Croatia, but I must say that yesterday mine eye effected mine heart! Brother Dean lives in a little 8x8 one room house, no toilet. He has 7 children and one on the way. I know there are more people like him living this way all around me. However, it's so easy to forget just how good God has been to me!

Bro. Dean seems to really be growing in the Lord. He is catching a burden for his people. Yesterday we went out to his village to look at a little two room house that we can start renting. Bro. Dean is wanting us to start a church and try to reach his people for Christ.

I'm so excited because of this great open door! Who knows what God can do through us when we follow Him! To our eternal God be glory and glory forever!!!!!!!!!!

This and that!

2010-01-04T07:27:00.004+01:00

Well I haven't been the most faithful bloger lately, so I thought I would post a little about a lot that's been happening in our lives.

First: We had a great Christmas program with a few first time visitors. Our children sang a few songs and we had a small play about John 3:16. It was a straight forward Gospel message. After words Brother Rich preached and gave an invitation.

Second: The week of Christmas our family bought gifts for the children in our Sunday School class. Many of these are Gypsy children, and we went around to their houses to distribute the gifts. There wasn't much in them but it was what we could do. It was a joy to be giving and that is what Christmas is about. It was so much better to give than to receive. We were surprised when Tori asked some of the children, the following Sunday, what did you get for Christmas. They begin to tell her and for many of them they only got what we gave them.

Thirdly: We celebrated the New year with our church family. The Holcomb's were with us and we had a great time. Brother Rich preached, Brother Scott sang, and I ate! This was our first watch night service and it was a success! We had a good attendance, with a few visitors!

The New year is now here and we are ready to get to work! I am so looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in Croatia in the year 2010!

Help is arriving!

2009-12-29T07:45:00.002+01:00

For years we have been the only Independent Baptist missionaries in Croatia. Well Thursday that will change! Brother and Sister Holcomb and their kiddos will be arriving. My family is getting so excited. We are all going to pick them up at the airport, and we are so looking forward to this new chapter of the work in Croatia. We have been faithful sowing a lot of seed, and I really have a great feeling that this will be the year that we get to reap some of that seed! We are placing it all in the Lord's hands. He is still God and still on His throne. We are so thankful to Him for sending the Holcombs to Croatia!

We're not in Kansas anymore! #5

2009-12-07T09:56:00.006+01:00

Yesterday we stopped in the store after church and as we walked in we were greeted by a man in a funny hat and red suit. He is called Saint Nicholas.

In Croatia they don't have the American Santa Claus, but rather around the first week of December Saint Nicholas shows up to give out candy to the little children.

Usually he has a side kick with him called Krampus. Krampus is the devil and he gives out switches to all the bad children.

Many times Krampus will take the children and Saint Nicholas must come and rescue them from him. This makes Saint Nicholas some kind of Savior instead of Jesus!

This is just another reminder to me that we must get busy and tell people of the true and living Savior who defeated death, the grave and the devil!

I'm saved, I'm saved!

2009-12-06T06:33:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I had a great blessing out Soul-winning. First let me say it was not easy to go. My soul-winning partner called and could not make it, so that left me and my boys to stand alone in the streets of Varazdin to witness for our Lord. After fighting the devil a little I made my self go. My boys and I made our way to town and began passing out tracts. The more I passed out the more boldness I started to get. It's amazing how it works out that way! When we go God seems to give us what we need. After about 45 minutes a man passed by and took a tract. He stopped and looked at it and then said to me, "If I'm good enough I'll go to heaven". I begin to tell him that no one is good enough and that we all needed God's Savior! Then he kind of shocked me, because he quoted John 3:16. That's very unsuall for a Catholic man to quote any scripture.

He then began to tell me that he saw an american preacher on television and he asked his congregation, "ARE YOU SAVED?" they shouted back, "WE ARE SAVED, WE ARE SAVED". The man then asked me how he could know that he's saved? I then opened the tract up and begin to show him how to be saved! When I read him the scriptures about God's free gift he began to say, very loudly and remember we are in the midle of the town there are people all around us, "I'M SAVED, I'M SAVED!" He said I believe that Jesus is my Savior so I'm saved!

To think I had trouble going soul-winning! Sometimes we must make ourselves go and God can do great things through us. Please pray for Horvje, I was so excited that I forgot to get his phone number. I did explain to him where our church is, and he said he would try to come. He goes to the Catholic church faithfully. Please pray that God would tear down the tradition that holds him there!

Great Sunday!

2009-11-23T07:39:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we had a great service! Many of the children came back to church from the Gypsy village.

I was afraid we lost many of them, so it was so good to see them back in church. I believe I counted 21 bus kids, and we praise the Lord for them.

Also we baptized one last night. Dean who was saved through the efforts of our Soul-winning marathon followed the Lord in believers baptism!

He brought four of his kids with him, and hopefully his wife will come soon! All in all it was a great day!

Bible update!

2009-11-18T06:43:00.003+01:00

Well last week we officially finished the New Testament! It has now been sent to Myra Noel. She will format it for us and make it look like a Bible. Myra helped us with the John and Romans and she did a great job. It is amazing how God put her in our path. A few years ago we were on furlough and just finished up the John and Romans. I had been praying about what to do next. I was going to start formatting it myself, but I don't think that would have been such a good ideal. We happened to be in a missions conference in Texas and Myra saw our presentation, and that we were translating the Bible. After the service she gave me her card and said that she helps get Bibles ready for print. She also told me that she would be willing to help us! Wow, God is so good! Just at the right time he put someone in our path that could do what we could not do! We are so thankful to our Lord for Myra. She has been able to contact our printer and get all the needed information so that she will prepare our Bible and it will be print ready!

Bro. Rich and I have begun the Old Testament. To this date we have already translated: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, the Psalms and most of the minor prophets. This week we will begin to go over the Psalms and fix anything that might need fixing!

We are all getting excited here for very soon we will have the New Testament in our hands!

Back, From Budapest!

2009-11-14T19:09:00.003+01:00

The last few days I've been in Budapest, Hungary. Brother Rich and I were invited to participate in the missions conference of Bible Baptist Church. This church has been supporting brother Rich's ministry for some time now. Thursday night Brother Rich preached in English and he did an outstanding job. I preached Friday night and I really felt the presence of God.

Brother Pranger has taken over this work and he is doing a great job. I really enjoy being around him. He is a man that walks with God and he rubs off on you.

We enjoyed the time in Budapest, but it is so nice to be home. We are both refreshed and ready to get back to work.

America's President!

2009-11-08T06:34:00.002+01:00

Sorry this post has been removed!

Wikipedia vs. The Book of Life

2009-11-06T08:16:00.005+01:00

Anonymous said...

Well, I believe bringing the Bible to others and teaching them about Jesus is a good thing. But according to Wikipedia, a census in Croatia in the year 2001 has shown that about 93 % of the population are Christians. So the Word of the Lord has already been spread to them. How come you still use the term "needy country", talking about Croatia as a "dark place" when the light of Jesus already shines there? Then what about Saudi-Arabia, China or Turkey, where there are less then 1 % Christians who even are persecuted?
Blessings to you and your family

Johnny said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for commenting on my blog. The Word Christian today is used very lightly. Croatia claims to be 91% Roman Catholic. However, being a Roman Catholic does not make anyone a Christian. I have lived in this country for 9 years and I have asked 1000's of people if they would go to heaven when they die. Overwhelmingly the answer has been I don't know. Many of them wanted to go to heaven, but had no clue how to get there. After talking to them further they would tell me, "I'm trying to be good or I'm a good Cathoilic so maybe I'll go."

Jesus said that no one will go to heaven unless they are born again! (John 3,3)He also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14,6)To be a Christian one must except God's free gift of Salvation! (Romans 6,23 and Ephesians 2, 8-9) You must receive Jesus plus nothing and minus nothing. The Croatian people for the most part believe that Jesus existed, but they do not believe for the most part that He is the only Savior! They take Jesus plus Mary or Jesus plus their good works! Jesus said I am the only way!

I'm sure that at Wikipedia the Croatian people are considered Christian. However, on Judgment Day God is not going to open the book of Wikipedia, but rather He is going to open the book of life and if their names are not found there they will be cast into the lake of fire!

My question to you is: Is your name written in the book of life?

"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20, 14-15)

If you are not sure if your name is there, why don't you right now fall on your knees and ask Jesus to be your Savior! He loves you and wants to save you!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3,16)

God answers prayer! Really!

2009-11-05T06:43:00.007+01:00

For years we have been praying for workers to come and help us stand in the gap for the people of Croatia. As many of you know the Holcomb family have answered God's call and they will join us in January! We are rejoicing at the possibilities the New Year will bring!

I was very glad that God answered my prayer for workers, but one thing that I forgot is that God always does more than we ask!

Three or four years ago Bro. Sam Ward came to Croatia on a missions trip. God really moved on his first trip in a mighty way. I believe there were about 15 to 20 saved, and our church was on fire. God really used him to be an encouragement to our people and to me personally! I believe on that first trip something happened to Bro. Sam, and that was the fact that Croatia and it's people got into his heart! He told me then, I don't want to leave I want to stay in Croatia! However, the timing was not God's timing, but Croatia never left his heart and he continued to pray that God would open a door for him to come and join us in the fight for souls in this needy country.

Since that first trip he has returned just about every year and we have had soul-winning marathons. Each time his burden grew stronger for this country, and each time he was a tremendous encouragement to our people and to me personally. Every time he left we were on fire for God! For me it was so nice having someone to stand with me as I fought for the souls of these people.

Now I hope you are sitting down! I got a call from Bro. Sam and he said my boss wants to retire me and his company is going to pay him to be in Croatia for two years! Did you get that? His company a secular company is going to pay him to be in Croatia for two years!

He wants to spend his life here, and he is leaving all behind to follow God's open door! God can do anything! Bro. Sam wants to stay here his whole life, and he has put that in God's hands! Please pray for him! He does have MD, and requires medication which we are checking into! He has many excuses why he shouldn't come, and yet he has said yes to God's call!

He wants to be here by January or sooner. He must sell his house and get some things squared away! Please pray for him, and the work here! I believe God is getting ready to do something big in this country for the glory of God!

Pesky little critters!

2009-10-28T12:02:00.002+01:00

For a year our yard has been taken over by moles! We've tried everything to get rid of them. OK maybe not everything, but we want these little critters out of our yard. Today we decided to turn to the internet for help. You know everything on the internet must be true. Boy were we surprised to see all the methods of getting rid of moles. I thought we were at a red-neck convention or something.

Here are a few of my favorites, so sit back and enjoy.

Caution: children do not try these without parental supervision.

This is my personal favorite!

This guy has got to be from Texas!

When nothing else works just blow'em up!

Definitely not the best ideal!

Glory to God!

2009-10-26T07:47:00.004+01:00

We had a great day yesterday in both churches! On Sunday mornings the new Church plant meets in Varazdin. We had a first time visitor show up, and he got gloriously saved! He is fruit from the soul-winning marathon. He actually did not get a tract from us, but a friend of his got a tract from us, and gave it to him! God is so amazing how he can work! Pray for him, his name is Dean, and he is an ex-drugatic. He said he's been clean for 18 months and he knows he needs God in his life. Dean told us that he enjoyed the service and asked me if he could come back. I don't think I have to tell you my response.

Sunday evening we meet at the other Church in Cakovec. We had a great meeting there with one visitor. Brother Alen used to come to our church, but he hasn't been in awhile. The people were really happy to see him in church. Also many of our kids came back!

Thank you all who pray for this work. Please continue to do so! We believe that through prayer this wall of religion will come tumbling down!

We're not in Kansas anymore! #4

2009-10-23T06:40:00.007+02:00

Last night Cody and I went to visit Brother Alen in the hospital. He is there for therapy due to recent back surgery. He's been there a weak and has two more to go; Cody and I wanted to encourage him. Together we took the short drive through some beautiful country. We had a great time with Brother Alen. He was able to walk with us so he showed us a little of the town. It sets up in the mountains and it is known for its hot springs.

As we were walking back to the hospital, Brother Alen decided to show us one of the hot springs. As we entered the little park area I was amazed at what I saw. There were 2,000 year old Roman ruins everywhere. Apparently it was an excavation sight and it was amazing to see. I've seen a lot since being here, but this place was pretty amazing. I knew that I wasn't in Kansas anymore. How many times do we make a hospital call in the States and then find ourselves in a 2,000 year old museum. What a joy it is to serve God!

I hope you enjoy the pictures. They don't do the place justice, but they'll give you and ideal of what it was like there!

This is what it used to look like or so they think?

This is the main spring. The water is 136.4 degrees at it's main source. I was able to put my finger in here and it was hot!

These are two soul-winners enjoying the day! In case you don't know Cody is on the left, he's my son, Brother Alen is on the right.

The roof over it was built recently to protect everything. In case Christy , my sister, sees this; the Romans did not build the roof!

We are standing in what would have been one of the main temples.

Finaly a visitor?

2009-10-22T06:44:00.004+02:00

Well last night we had our first visitor from all the soul-winning efforts. This guy wanted to come to church so bad that he couldn't wait for us to open it up, so he decided to break the window. The good thing is he didn't get through the second pane of glass. This is the first time that someone has tried to break into the church that we know of. Praise the Lord that he wasn't able to get in and do more damage.

I've been in the ministry long enough to know that anytime you win great victories the devil gets mad and starts attacking. It's been a difficult week for us, but God is still on His throne and we are mindful of the devil's devices.

Last night we had a good meeting. God is blessing and I'm looking forward to seeing what He is going to do on Sunday!

Final Report!

2009-10-19T16:29:00.004+02:00

The two weeks of soul-winning came to an end, and we praise God for all that was accomplished! Sunday we were expecting great things to happen, and it did not turn out like we hoped it would. After all the work we had not one visitor in either church. At first I was pretty discouraged, but then I remembered were I was. Croatia is a dark place that has been bound by religion. It is going to take time to see something happen here. I am going to cling to Galatians 6,9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. God's holy word is still true, and I still believe it!

We did have some positive things. One man called me on Sunday wanting directions to the Church. He did not show up, but maybe next Sunday he will. Today another lady called. She received a tract and wants more information. This shows me that God is still speaking to people through the tracts that we passed out.

Again I want to thank all of you who prayed! So many great things happened, and I know they happened because of your prayers. I want to ask you to continue to pray for Croatia. Pray that God will turn these precious people from darkness to light!

Day #12 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-18T06:20:00.003+02:00

Well Glory! Yesterday we finished our last day of the soul-winning marathon! Many tracts were passed out and there was one saved! Cody led another one to the Lord! Yes I'm grinning from ear to ear! This brings our total to 78 souls saved!

All we can do is rejoice in God our Savior! God was so good to us. I know towards the end of the soul-winning marathon we were definitely standing in His strength alone.

We rejoice in the 78 souls saved, but God did so much more this week. There were so many people who heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. Many people told us they would go home and ask Jesus to save them. Only heaven will reveal how many people really got saved. Not only did many hear the Gospel, but so many more saw a Church in town who believes the Bible! I think we left a good testimony, because each city we spent time in, always at the end people would walk by and say I already got the tract. Some would even walk by and show us their tract, as if to say I have my toll can I please pass!

What a great two weeks we had. Thank you all who took the time to pray! Today is Sunday, and I'm looking forward to seeing God do something today. Whatever happens we will give Him the glory!

Day #11 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-17T07:17:00.003+02:00

We had another great day yesterday! It seemed like nothing was going to happen, because there weren't that many people in town. Then as we walked a little further people started getting saved! Before lunch 6 people called on the name of the Lord! After lunch a young man named Manuel excepted Jesus as his Savior! Even though it was cold and it looked like nothing was going to happen, God still showed up and 7 people were gloriously saved! This brings our total to 77 souls saved!

Saturday we will have the last day of our soul-winning marathon. Twelve days have come and gone so quickly! I've talked to so many people that I can't remember them all. I don't know how many heard the gospel, which did not pray with us in the park, but I do know it was a lot!

Tomorrow we will be ending the two weeks of evangelism. I'm praying folks will come to church., and many people said they would be there. I have been praying all week that God would not let them sleep until they go to church.

I want to thank all of you who have faithfully prayed for the last 12 days or so. Your prayers have made the difference!

Day #10 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-16T06:29:00.003+02:00

Now I remember why we call it a soul-winning marathon! We have two days left and I'm beat. After talking to people for several hours a day, 9 days straight it begins to wear on you. I'm so glad the Bible says that in our weakest moments God has His strongest moments in our lives! II Corinthians 12:10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

We had another good day yesterday. There were 4 saved which brings us to 70 souls saved! Joshua had two! Way to go Joshua! It is still cold here, although God gave us lots of sunshine. I think the weather has some factor because there are not as many people walking around the square. When we do find them they are in a hurry to get out of the cold. I do think they must know that we believe in what we are doing. Who else would stand in the cold all day? It is good that the people of Croatia see that someone really believes that the Bible is true!

Please keep praying! We really need your prayers. The work we are doing is a spiritual one and we are fighting a spiritual battle. Pray specifically for the services on Sunday. I'm really hoping that we will have many visitors in both churches. Catholicism runs deep in many people here and we need God to break down the wall of religion.

Day #9 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-15T07:03:00.004+02:00

Yes God can save people when it's cold! Yesterday it was in the 40's with a strong north wind. After living here 9 years you would think that I'm used to it by now, but I'm not. Brother Sam and I stood out in the park and watched 6 people call on the name of the Lord, and many more that stood and listened to God's plan of Salvation! This brings us to 66 souls saved! We just want to give God all the glory! He is so good to us! What a privilege to serve Him!

Please continue to pray; we have 3 more days of the soul-winning marathon!

Day #8 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-14T06:30:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we left Zagreb with a burden in our hearts! In the capitol city there are 1,000,000 people and not one Independent Fundamental Baptist Church! We spent the day passing out tracts and witnessing! I don't know how many tracts we passed out, but it was close to 3,000. We also brought a suit case full of John and Romans. These went so quick that I had people asking me for them. God's Holy Word was sown in a big way yesterday! All I can say is praise God for allowing me to be in the ministry.

The Gospel was presented many times as well! There were 9 saved, which brings the grand total to 60 souls saved! Cody was able to lead two and I don't know how many times Joshua presented the Gospel, but it was a lot! Brother Rich, the national pastor, gave out the Gospel so many times that I thought he was going to loose his voice. I praise God for a Croatian pastor who is a soul-winner! Brother Sam was a blessing as he pleaded with as many people as he could find that spoke English to get saved!

The soul-winning team had a great day of fellowship as we worked for the King of Kings! We want to thank you all for praying! Prayer still works! Today we will be returning to Varazdin. Please pray that many will get saved there and that we will gain many contacts for our church plant in this city!

Day #7 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-13T06:42:00.003+02:00

Today we started our week in Varazdin! I'm hopeful that many will be saved and that many new contacts will be gained for the new church plant there.

God has been given us unusually great weather! Croatia can be a very cold place, but it has been in the 70's until today! A cold front arrived and with it lots of rain! Bro. Sam and I decided that we needed to trust God so we went soul-winning inspite of the rain. When we arrived to Varazdin it was barely sprinkling; so we got out of the car and headed to the park. About 100 yards away from the car the rain began to get stronger; so we headed back for shelter. However, God had other plans! Around 20 feet from the car we saw two men walking who needed to be saved. After stopping them they were so excited to hear that God loves them and does not want them to go to hell. Two men in the rain under a tree got glorious saved! While I was talking to them Bro. Sam stopped a young man who decided to wait in line to get saved. After dealing with the first two men I turned to the young man who was waiting in line, what a joy it was to tell him of a Savior who could save anyone in any kind of weather. After lunch two girls were saved, which made 5 for the day! This brings our total to 51 souls saved!

Today we are going to the capitol city! We are praying that God will do big things there! Thank you all who have faithfully prayed! Please continue to do so!

Sunday blessings!

2009-10-12T06:54:00.002+02:00

The services on Sunday weren't everything we hoped for, but we know that God is in control. He will do things on His time table and not ours.

Sunday morning brother Sam preached for me in our church plant in Varazdin. We had no visitors but God blessed anyway. The sermon was exactly what we needed. God moved in a mighty way! God spoke to our hearts, and it was good to be in the house of the Lord!

Sunday night Brother Rich had Sam preach for him. Again we had no visitors, which we were all disappointed because of all the work that we put into this city! However, God is still God and Croatia is not America. We are in a battle here to get Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches started all over this land. By the way I still believe God and His Word! One day on God's time table I believe that there will be Bible believing Churches all over this land!

In spite of no visitors we had a great service! There was a good spirit in the church. God touched many hearts, and for this we are truly thankful to the King of Kings!

Please continue to pray for us! We still have a week ahead of us! Monday we will be going to Varazdin and working there all week. We are in prayer that God will move in a mighty way and that souls will be saved and that lives will be changed! I need all of you to join with us in prayer!

Day #6 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-12T06:33:00.004+02:00

Saturday we spent the morning in Cakovec passing out tracts and witnessing! I took a few children from our church and it was a blessing seeing them pass out gospel tracts; they even tried to talk to people. Bro. Sam and Cody each had one saved which brings our total to 46 souls saved! Cody is turning into a real soul-winner.

When we arrived to town I was approached by a JW. I quickly learned that they had a booth set up in town and there were about 8 of them spreading their heresy. It seems they saw us in town all week and so now they are going to try it. I pointed them out to brother Rich and he said, "What a shame that they are copying what we are doing." He then said, "why aren't the other Baptist in this town copying us? Where are they?"

We have definitely stirred this town up! Many are talking and know that there is one church in town that believes what the Bible says!

Day #5 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-10T06:43:00.004+02:00

Day 5 of our soul-winning marathon was another tremendous day! All I can do is praise Almighty God! He has been so good to us this week. Yesterday we had a total of 15 saved, which brings our grand total to 44 souls saved! If there is anybody out there already saying did they mean it when they accepted Christ, let me say to you, "Why don't you go suck your pacifier and go and read somebody elses blog!" Now that that is off my chest let me tell you some of the things that God did, and I do emphasize the fact that God did everything!

First let me say way to go Joshua! He has been trying so hard to lead someone to Christ. He is like my dad, because he's not scared of anything or anyone. Joshua has been talking to everyone about Christ. I don't know how many times he shared the gospel with people this week. He's probably shared the gospel this week more than most Christians do in their life time. Yesterday He got one! He was so excited that he had to call his mom on the phone and tell her. That is what soul-winning will do to your Christianity. It will put a fire of excitement in it! As a dad I was so proud of my boy!

Another great victory, and by the way I'm still shouting about it, was the salvation of Brother Rich's mom. For you that may not know brother Rich is the national pastor of the church here! He has been praying for so long for his mom to get saved. He's witnessed to her in the past, but of course it's a little difficult because it is his mom. He asked brother Sam and I to go and witness to her. We were delighted to do this. This visit was bathed in prayer, and I don't know if I've ever felt the Holy Spirit working through me as I did yesterday. The words just seem to flow, and she listened so closely. Then she bowed her head and received Jesus as her Savior! Well glory!!!!!!!! Brother Rich was so excited and so were we!

Before we went to our big meeting Friday night, brother Sam and I were walking towards the meeting place after a few hours of soul-winning! As we were walking we saw a group of young people and gave them some tracts. They were 16 to 18 and there were 5 of them. I begin talking to them and they listened so closely to what I was preaching. Now we are on the sidewalk and they are in a half cirlce around me listening to the gospel. Folks were having to go around us. When I get about half way through the plan two more people walk up to the group. I thought a revival was getting ready to break out in the park! I quickly learned that the two that just walked up were saved. They just wanted to listen. After giving the gospel 4 of the 5 prayed to receive Christ! The 2 that were already saved stayed around and wanted to know where our church was so that they could come to one of our meetings! God was so good! I left rejoicing in the Lord!

Finally I must give you a negative. Our meeting last night was not a success in the eyes of the world or maybe in the eyes of other Christians. We had no one show up and it was a little discouraging. However, many of our own people came, and this encouraged me. Maybe they are growing and beginning to care about others!

Please pray for Sunday! Our main service is Sunday night. We are hoping to get some visitors in the service. Yesterday reminded me that Croatia is not America. The gospel has not been here for years. We are in a battle with slew foot! He does not want an Independent, Hell hating, Jesus loving, Soul-winning Baptist church! But we know someone who does want that kind of Church in Croatia and that is our lord Jesus Christ!

Thank you all for praying, and please continue to do so for we have a whole week ahead of us!

Day #4 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-08T07:19:00.004+02:00

We spent another 5 hours yesterday telling people that Jesus loves them! One girl was wearing a shirt that said I need somebody to love me. What a joy it was to tell her about the Savior who truly loves her. It was a joy when she bowed her head and received Jesus Christ as her Savior!

God was good again, He always is! We had 8 saved yesterday; this brings our total to 29 souls saved!

Thank you for encouraging Cody. He is turning into a soul-winning machine. Yesterday he led a woman to the Lord in her 70's! Joshua hasn't led one yet, but he has more boldness than anyone out there. He was talking to everyone about Jesus! As a dad I'm swelling with pride. My boys have never played on a baseball team or football team. They've never hit a home run or scored a touchdown, but glory to God they are learning to be soul-winners! To me that is better than the home run or touch down!

Today which is Thursday is a holiday. We will not be going out today, but tomorrow we will hit the streets again. Please pray for Friday night. We are hoping to have a good meeting with these converts!

Day #3 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-07T06:43:00.004+02:00

Glory to Almighty God! We had another tremendous day. There were 8 souls saved which brings our total to 21. In the last three days about 50 other people have heard a clear presentation of the gospel. They did not want to pray with us in the park, but many of them promised to do this at home. Only heaven knows how many more have been saved that we don't even know about. God has been moving in such a mighty way. It is so exciting to be a part of this.

We received many blessings yesterday, but there is one in particular that I want to share with you. After my boys finished school they went with us into town. Both of them had such a desire to win somebody to the Lord. My oldest son Cody was able to lead his first soul to the Lord in the Croatian language! I watched the whole thing and I about had a shouting fit in the park! God has been so good to us this week. We believe it is because so many of you are praying! Please keep praying! We want God to shake this town this week for the glory of Almighty God!

Day #2 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-06T06:46:00.002+02:00

Well all I can say is glory to God!!!!!!!!!! Day 2 of our Soul-winning marathon started out difficult. For me it was a little discouraging. It seemed as if there was a satanic depression in the air. I'm sure there was for he certainly was not happy about what we were trying to do. In the morning we did have two saved before lunch and many many more heard a gospel presentation.

However, after lunch was a completely different story. It did start out a little slow, but after we had a prayer meeting in the park, God came down in a mighty way. Discouragement turned into encouragement as I saw God move through each of us! Before the day was over 12 precious souls received Jesus Christ! Glory to the living God!

We want to ask all you to continue praying for us this week, especially for this Friday. We have rented a building in the center of town. Friday night we are trying to get all of the converts that we have this week to come to this meeting. We hope to get them into church through this effort. Thank you all for your prayers!

Day #1 Soul-winning marathon!

2009-10-04T06:31:00.005+02:00

We had a glorious day today. It is so good to be in service for the King of kings. Brother Alen, my two boys and I started the day in Varazdin. We passed out close to a 1,000 tracts in about an 1 and a half. I was able to preach the Gospel 3 different times. Marko, a 17 year old young man, got gloriously saved!

From Varazdin we headed to the airport to pick up Brother Sam. Praise the Lord he was on time with all of his luggage - that's a miracle in itself. Then we went to the main train station where there is always people and we passed out another 1,000 tracts. We were able to share the gospel 8 times, but we had no one saved! We were not discouraged because 8 people heard how they could escape the flames of hell.

Monday we will officially start our soul-winning marathon. Today we wanted to break the ice a little. Please be in prayer for us. Croatia is a dark place, and we have got to have the Holy Spirit of God working!

Tools are needed!

2009-10-02T07:32:00.005+02:00

Tools are used to help accomplish tasks. A builder would have a hard time building without tools. A mechanic would have a hard time repairing a car without tools. Most every profession requires some kind of tool to accomplish the job. I believe that God has given us a task to accomplish. All around us there are souls perishing. God wants us in the business of soul-winning! As I prepare for our soul-winning marathon, I've been thinking about the tools that we will be needing to accomplish the task God has given us.

Tool #1 is God's power. I know that maybe it's difficult to think of God's power as a tool. However, we need to remember that a tool helps us to accomplish a task. I've learned that without God's power we can do nothing. Without this tool we will be ineffective soul-winners. I've been soul-winning too many times without this tool. My witnessing was dry and ineffective. Then there were other times that I went with God's power. The words seemed to flow out of my mouth directly into the heart of the one listening. This week I will be emphasizing this to all who go out with us. We must go with God's power!

Tool #2 is our New Testament. I know this seems elementary, but it is definitely the Word of God that does the working. It is not all of our polished illustrations and humor. It is God's Word that gets right into the heart of the one listening to us.

Tool #3 is a soul-winning partner. I know you can win someone to Christ by yourself. However, I believe there was a reason our Lord sent His followers out two by two. I can win souls by myself, but when someone is with me I have more boldness than I do alone. Soul-winning partners can strengthen one another.

Tool #4 is something practical that I made up this year. I remember Dr. Carl Hatch used to carry a soul-winning card in his pocket. This year I decided to make one for all of our soul-winners. On one side it contains the plan of salvation, on the other side it contains verses about Christian growth. I hope this can be used to help our soul-winners get more people into church and baptized.

Tool # 5 is also practical; a pen and convert slips. They may seem insignificant but they are very important. Winning people is only the first part of our task. We need to do our best to follow up on our converts and get them into the water and on to the pew! We have done a poor job of this in the past, but we are working on it!

I am sure there are many more tools that can be used to help us in our God given task. Maybe you know of few tools that are not listed here. Feel free to add them to the comment list. The tools you add may help us all to accomplish our God given task of winning the lost!

Well Glory!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-01T15:49:00.004+02:00

After much work, I just read the last Amen in the book of Revelation! I thought I was going to have a shouting fit! For you that have no ideal what I'm talking about let me explain. For the last three years we have been translating the New Testament into the Croatian language. We are close to finishing it, and the excitement around here is growing. We are all working hard to proof it a final time to weed out any mistakes that might be. The last two months I've been busy listening to the KJV online while reading the Croatian text. This has helped me to compare it with God's Holy Word! This method has proven very fruitful. I've been able to find many problems and get them fixed. Well about 10 minutes ago I started Revelation chapter 22. The closer I got to the end the more excited I got. When John said the last amen, I shouted amen right along with him. Praise Almighty God!

We have a total of two weeks left on the project. Brother Rich and his wife are reading it one final time to get rid of any grammatical mistakes! On November the 1st we will send it to Myra Noel in Texas. She will format it for us and make it look like a Bible. Then off to India it goes. Yes you heard right India! There Brother Treadwell out of Heritage Baptist Church will print it for us! I can not describe what it feels like, after 9 years to almost have the Word of God in the Croatian language in our hands!

All I can say is, Weeeeeeellllllllll Glory!!!!!

Soul-winning marathon!

2009-09-30T10:19:00.007+02:00

In three days our soul-winning marathon will begin! Our good friend Sam Ward will be returning to Croatia for 16 days. I'll pick him up at the airport at 2:00 on Saturday. He told me, "brother Johnny bring some tracts while we are in the capitol because I want to spend a few hours to get started." I guess jet lag and all we will begin the marathon on Saturday!

Last year God did incredible things! We had a total of 76 saved in 10 days. When brother Sam left, the church here was on fire! We are all excited about what God is going to do. We have a goal to see 100 people saved and 10 baptized! For Europe that seems impossible, but we know nothing is impossible for our God.

I know I have not blogged in awhile. I hope to be more faithful about it in the future. I'll be giving updates through out our soul-winning marathon. Please be praying for this. Brother Sam and I will spend 5-7 hours a day soul-winning. We need God's power and we need your prayers!

Kid's Day 2009

2009-09-06T16:51:00.005+02:00

Today we had a program for children, which we simply called kids day. Tomorrow all of the children will go back to school, so we wanted to give one last try at reaching some of them for Christ. I can say God blessed and we had 54 in attendance. I had over 30 in my 9 passenger van. When I took them home I did it in two trips. Several prayed to receive Christ and all of them heard a good message from Pastor Rich about being fishers of men. Brother Rich organized most of it and he did a great job. It makes me feel great to see him take charge of something and do a good job at it.

This and That!

2009-08-17T06:14:00.008+02:00

I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I would just tell you a little bit of whats been going on around here.

First: We have had our 1st teen meeting at our church. This has been an area of weakness for us here, because until lately we've had no teens. However, now that we are picking up the kids from the different villages we have quickly gained kids from all age groups including teens.

Last Friday night we had our first meeting with them, and God blessed in a great way. We had 18 teens present and 4 were saved!

My wife did a great job with gathering a few silly games for them. It turned out to be a blast. After singing and games we had preaching.

During the invitation several came to the platform so I could pray with them, and 4 others came to receive Jesus!

We then had pizza and a boxing tournament. Ok not a real boxing tournament it was with the Nintendo Wii. We gave the winner some boxing gloves, I bet their parents are happy. We look forward to working further with this age group.

Second: We continue to press forward with Soul-winning. I'm really trying to emphasis Soul-warning. This Sunday I told our people that it is the job of our Church to warn everyone in our county of the judgement to come. I hope they will take the challenge and join me in Soul-warning.

Third: We are leaving today for a family vacation. Our land-lord has an apartment on the coast and he is allowing us to stay their for free! We are so excited. Once again God did something big for our family.

I'm not sure if I'll have e-mail so you may not hear from me for two weeks. When we return I'll post lots of pictures.

God bless!

Truth!

2009-08-08T20:59:00.003+02:00

Proverbs 23:23 says, buy the truth, and sell it not;... I'm so glad that I had people in my life to tell me the truth. Last Thursday we were getting ready for our prayer meeting and we had the front door of the church open. I was looking out the door when I noticed a young man, in his early twenties walk by the door. He was looking inside as if he wanted to go in but was scared to. I watched him walk off, but then he turned around for a second look. It was then I went to him and introduced myself. On my invitation he came inside the church for a look. After talking to him for a while I learned that he was saved but went to the local pentecostal church down the road from ours. He was a very nice young man and you could see that he was very sincere and that he loved the Lord. However, I could also see that he did not have the same opportunity that I had of learning the truth. No doubt he was taught many things that were untrue. In my short talk with him I tried to give him some truth. Hopefully he will come back and hear more.

I began to think this week how blessed I am to have the truth. How true the above Proverb is, buy the truth and sell it not. Once we have the truth don't give it up. Baptist today are not selling the truth they are giving it away. Truth is to precious for us to sell or give away. I have been challenged more than ever to stand for truth! This world needs the truth of the Word of the Living God!

Dear Christian in this age of compromise let us preach the truth more than ever! Croatia, America and everywhere else needs the truth!

encouragement from discouragement!

2009-07-30T06:56:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we had another problem with our children's ministries. It seems as if every week there is some problem. I know the devil does not want this ministry to continue so he fights very hard to discourage it.

After the problem I arrive with the children at Church and I'm explaining to some of the people the events that just took place. I begin to tell them how much the devil does not want us working with the children. I then tell the folks how the devil has fought every step of the way. Before I'm finished with my story I'm sure they are now as discouraged as I am.

Then Brother Alen says, "Doesn't he (the devil) know that he's already lost the war!" The moment this satement was made my discouragement, as well as everyone else that was listening, turned to encouragement! One minute we were all focusing on how strong the devil is, which always brings discouragement. The next minute we were focusing on the Savior and the vivtory He has given to us all!

Too many times I have focused on the enemy instead of the Victor! Brother Alen taught me to focus more on Jesus and less on the devil! Jesus has already won the victory! My discouragement quickly turned into encouragement all because of Jesus!

Working in a Catholic country

2009-07-26T08:01:00.004+02:00

Last week some of our bus kids came to me and said, we can't come next Sunday our sister, which is one of our kids, is going to be baptized. What? Where and by whom? The answer, the Catholic Church. The little girl is probably about 6, and I was very disturbed by this. They will throw a big party today after her baptism. They love every opportunity to party and get drunk. I think they will baptize her mainly so they can party.

This is just one more reminder for me of where I'm at. This is a country that is a strong hold for the devil. He has these people bound by religion. I pray that through the preaching of the Gospel many of these people will be set free!

The older sister of this little girl wants to be baptized in our Baptist Church. She has been saved and I will try to get her mom and dad's permission. Please pray that God will open their hearts and allow their little girl to obey God.

I'm back!

2009-07-21T16:11:00.004+02:00

Our group from the States are gone. I took a day off and now I'm back in the swing of life in Croatia. We've been having great services. Usually we are way down in the summer and we pray for the fall. This summer has been really good. I pray it continues.

I spent 10 hours yesterday putting in two ceiling fans in our church. If you are wondering why it took so long, it's because I had no idea what I was doing. So far the Church hasn't burnt down. If it doesn't burn before Sunday then I call my work a success.

These fans are going to be a blessing. It's been very hot here lately and it's hard for people to sit in 90 degree weather.

Souls saved in Zagreb!

2009-07-15T09:16:00.006+02:00

The vbs and revival are officially over, but the work is not. Monday I took the group to the capital for site seeing and soul-winning. We spent the day there and saw 14 souls call upon the Lord Jesus! That was an exciting day. I led 5 to the Lord myself! This brings our total to 24 souls saved. I was so excited, yet so burdened because there is not an independent Baptist Church in Zagreb. There are 1,000,000 people there and not 1 Independent Baptist Church. Please join me in praying for a laborer to go to this city!

Revival - day #4

2009-07-13T07:05:00.003+02:00

Sunday we ended our revival! We were at Varazdin for the morning service. We had one first time visitor. The service was great and Bro. Jeff did a great job.

That evening we finished in Cakovec. We had 34 Croatians there. Bro. Jeff preached to the adults and I preached to the kids. I had 22 kids. We packed both vans out and it was great. My wife has been going to another Gypsy village and picking up kids there. I think she had 9 in here 7 passenger van and I had the rest in a 9 passenger van. We had kids sitting on top of each other.

There was an excitement in the Church and I think that this week was a great blessing to our people.

Soul-winning and Saturday picnic #3

2009-07-13T06:41:00.004+02:00

Saturday we spent the morning soul-winning. I took half our group to Varazdin and Bro. Rich took the other half to Cakovec. Both groups passed out many tracts and there was one saved.

After Soul-winning we all met at the church and headed to the river for fellowship and food. This is what all Baptist in every country have in common. Picnics at the river in Croatia are like the old fashion picnics in America. There are no modern facilities, and you are basically away from civilization.

Everyone had a great spirit and we had a lot of fun. It was nice watching the group from Ohio playing with the Croatian kids. It was so funny watching them trying to communicate with them. The children did not mind the language barrier. I could tell they were really enjoying themselves.

As we left the river we provided a story for this group that they will be able to share with their church back home. The river has been flooding because of all the rain so on all the main entrances they have piles of dirt to keep people out and to keep the water from getting to their crops. Well a little dirt does not stop Croatians from a picnic. They told me Brother Johnny we can make it over the hill with our vans, and we did. However, They said nothing about how we could get out. It was a lot steeper on the other side of the hill. As we were leaving I lead the way and I made it over the hill. Brother Jason was driving the rent a van and he was not as lucky as I was. Let's just say he almost made it. I looked back to check on him and his van was at a strong angle and it looked like it might tip. We all ran to them and got them out. Then we were able to get the van off the hill and by God's grace we found another way out of that place.

All in all it was a great day! God blessed and protected!

Vbs and revival day #3

2009-07-11T06:44:00.001+02:00

Just a quick note to say the Vbs ended great. The kids have been so excited. This will be a big boost to our children s ministries at the Church.

We spent another day out soul-winning. So far 10 people have trusted Christ. Many have said they will be at the Church on Sunday.

I am anxiously waiting to see what God is going to do!

Vbs and revival day #2

2009-07-10T06:11:00.006+02:00

We had another great day yesterday! The day started with VBS. There was about 33 kids present, and they all had a great time with the program. It started with a big puppet show. It was really neat, the group of Americans that are with us worked the puppets and some of our people did the voices. I don't know how, but it all worked out.

The group also spent a lot of time in town passing out tracts and witnessing to people. Bro. Bartlet, the pastor, won a lady to the Lord today. He and I were both so excited about it!

The day ended with our revival meeting, and it was out standing! Brother Cox preached a great message on God's grace. It was exactly what our people needed. Also we had a much better crowd tonight. Many of the people we had lost recently were there. Following the service there was much fellowship. This was a blessing to me.

One little girl in the church said, I think I'm going to cry when they leave.

A Great Start!

2009-07-09T06:00:00.005+02:00

We had a great start to our VBS and revival meeting. Our guest, 15 Americans arrived on Tuesday from Toledo Baptist Temple. We have hit off great and the Lord has already blessed the time they have been with us. Their ladies are organizing our VBS. They brought a lot of things from America with them, and the kids had a blast. There were about 35 kids show up for the first day. For Croatians standards this is great. Most Croatian parents would not let their children go to a Baptist Church and especially not with out them.

While the ladies were handling the VBS I took a group of their men into town for Soul winning. We had 5 saved! Praise the Lord!

That night we started our revival meeting and Brother Jeff Cox from Kansas City preached. He did a great job. We are looking forward to tonight's service. Please keep this week in your prayers that many more souls will be saved!

I Pledge Allegiance!

2009-07-06T21:20:00.002+02:00

I came across this on another blog and really enjoyed it, hope you do as well!

People, People, People!

2009-07-05T07:50:00.003+02:00

Why do people have to be people? I heard one preacher say, "I'd be a great Pastor if it weren't for people." I think as a missionary sometimes I feel that way. This week has been rather difficult. Most of the problems have stemmed from people. We are almost finished with the New Testament in the translation that we are doing. My good friend James Rasbeary said to me, " get ready for a fight from the devil." How prophetic he was, after he made that statement it seems everything has went wrong.

Just yesterday I called one of two sisters that come to the church in Varazdin to see why they haven't come lately. They informed me that they are taking a break from Church. They said that since they have been coming to Church they have had problems in their lives. Who doesn't have problems? I tried to inform them that their decision was a bad one and a dangerous one. They both have been coming to our church for about 7 years. We have spent much time an energy on them, trying to help them to grow. Tori was good friends with one of them. It amazes me how people can be faithful to church for 7 years and have friends there, then they quit and not even tell anybody.

At first I was a little angry, but then I realized this must have been a little of what the Lord felt. The difference between Him and I is that He is perfect! Isn't it wonderful that the Lord loves people! No matter how difficult or strange they may be He loves them. Isn't it wonderful that He wants to use you and I to love them as well. He wants to love people through us!

I don't understand people! I probably never will, but I do know that we are to allow the Lord to love them through us. The normal ones and even the strange ones!

We're not in Kansas anymore! #3

2009-07-03T06:14:00.005+02:00

Yesterday I spent my morning at the dentist office. She told me I had a few teeth to fix, and my insurance here covers it, so I said why not. Big mistake! I go in, sit in the chair, and brace for the worse. Then I begin to here the drill, and she says open wide. Wait a minute, I think she forgot a step. Wasn't she suppose to give me a shot or something to deaden my mouth? I don't have a lot of practice at this. But I do remember 18 years ago going to the dentist and he gave me a shot before he drilled. For a minute I thought maybe she was communist and hated Americans. Maybe this was her way of getting a little revenge for the Berlin wall thing.

Well I embraced for the worse. At first not much pain, but then I think she was hitting something that she was not supposed to. As a natural reflex I tried to stop the drill with my tongue. After all it was my only defense. The dentist just said don't do that sir. My response was, It hurts. She said, just a little longer. I think what she meant was buck up and be a man.

She finally finished, and honestly it wasn't that bad. I might even go back and have my other tooth fixed.

Happy Anniversary!

2009-06-29T03:00:00.002+02:00

How do two people know they love each other? You could say that if you stay together 18 years that means you love each other, but that wouldn't prove anything. Commitment and duty could hold two people together even without love. So how can you tell that two people love one another? I think the answer is you stay together 18 years and you still desire to be close to that person. I think when you feel incomplete when that person is not near. I think, no I know this is what Tori and I have. Today is our anniversary. We have been married 18 years today. Today Tori has lived with me as long as she lived with her mom and dad without me. I can honestly say we have true love. For when we are apart we long to be together. Tori is my completer and I am truly incomplete without her. Outside of the Lord Jesus she is the love of my life. I don't tell her enough that I love her! She is my friend, helper and completer! She is a gift from God to me! People talk about a match made in heaven, and I can say that we are! God knew what He was doing when He put us together. Tori is a proverbs 31 woman. She has followed her husband to the ends of the earth as I try to follow God! She does not complain. She is committed to the will of God! I love her and today I want to wish her a happy 18th anniversary!

I wrote this song for her on Valentines day. I'm not a song writer, but it expresses how I feel about her.

New Hobby!

2009-06-25T18:29:00.003+02:00

Well I gave up on rollerblading. I'm to old to take those falls. It was hurting to bad. Golf didn't work out, because it is way too expensive in Europe. Then I tried tennis, and realized my knees really are bad. So now I have taking up fishing. I can say that this sport is my speed. I sat and waited and ate. Boy I like that. My wife thought it was funny because I took more food with me than fishing equipment. It was nice out at a small pound, very quite and peaceful day. I even caught my first fish! Well when I was a boy I went all the time and caught many fish. Let's just say this is my first fish in Croatia. I would have done this sooner, but it takes and act of congress to get a fishing license in this country. You actually have to take a test to get a license. However, I was able to bypass the bureaucracy and i finally got a license.

Today was my big fishing day. It's a good thing that the stores are still open because if they were not my family would have starved. I did catch a fish. In the picture he looks big, but in reality he's about 3 inches long. He swallowed my hook, and I'm not happy about that. I had to perform an operation to save the hook. The operation was a success, but the patient died. Sorry if there are any fish lovers out there. Well 3 inches today maybe 4 tomorrow!

Almost Finished!

2009-06-24T07:23:00.004+02:00

For over two years now we have been translating the New Testament into the Croatian language! Yesterday, Bro. Rich and I met, as we do every Teusday, to go over the text that has been translated. We were able to cover the last 4 chapters of Revelation! When we read the last Amen, we just stopped and praised the Lord!

We have one more step in this process. He will begin to read the new translation at home, and I will do the same. This will be done fairly quickly. Then we will get together to fix anything we find. It then will be sent to Myra Noel and she will format it for us and get it ready to print. Then Bro. Treadwell in India will print it for us!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are! Our people need a Bible that they can trust! Just yesterday Brother Rich and I found a major mistake in the other two Bibles that are supposed to be translated from the correct Greek text. In Revelation 19:8 the KJV says, "for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints". In the two Croatian Bibles and I might add the American Standard version they read: " for the fine linen is the righteous acts(works) of the saints."

My robe is because of His righteousness, not because of my righteous works!

This is one verse out of many to illustrate to you the need of a Croatian Bible. It will not be long now and we will have a Bible in the hands of our people to emphasise Jesus' righteousness and not man's righteousness!

Camping fun!

2009-06-17T08:24:00.004+02:00

We have three children, and have been married almost 18 years and we have never been camping, until now. Yes for the first time in our marriage we went camping. I must say it was really a lot of fun, well kinda? I didn't like sleeping on the ground, or listening to our dog cry all night, but other than that we had a blast.

We only stayed a day and a night, but for us that was enough. We spent our first camping experience on the river Mura. This was a beautiful spot, out in the middle of nowhere.

We tried our hand at fishing. Didn't catch anything, but I was able to loose about 15 hooks. I'm not sure why we didn't catch anything. It could have been the can corn I was using for bait, yes we forgot to buy bait or it could have been our dog who couldn't stay out of the water. I knew we should have got a chihuahua.

I can say we had a great time and we'll probably go back sometime in the next 18 years!

If you are wondering why there are no pictures of Tori it's because she wouldn't let me post any.

Praise the Lord!

2009-06-11T14:54:00.009+02:00

Last night I got a call at 3:30 in the morning. Whenever the phone rings in the middle of the night you always think the worse. So I stumble around looking for the phone, and my good friend James Rasbeary was on the line. For you that don't know him he is the Pastor of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Wylie, Texas.

Anyhow he told me that we don't need to worry about our rent payment on the church building! Their Church raised it all and then some! He can call me at 3:30 every morning with that kind of news. He told me before that he was going to try and help with 500.00 of our payment, but his giving people had other plans! Thank you, Thank you Lighthouse Baptist Church!

I might say Brother James was not trying to wake me up at 3:30 in the morning, normally the phone is down stairs, and he was going to leave a message.

All I can say is praise the Lord! Last week I was in the valley today on the mountain top. I can honestly say that I thank the Lord for both places. The mountain tops wouldn't be so great if there were not valleys!

A little success!

2009-06-09T19:46:00.003+02:00

I guess there are many ways to judge success. Today I got a little taste of success and it was so nice! The day has been a little difficult. I've got a 1,500 rent payment do on the church plant in Varazdin. I thought I still had a month or so, but I was badly mistaken. This must be paid by Monday, and because of these burdens I was a little down, and found myself walling in self pity. By the way that's a bad place to be.

Being Tuesday it is soul-winning night for brother Rich and brother Alen. I go on Thursday's and Saturday's with brother Alen. This week brother Rich is on vacation and I'm watching both works. About 3:30 I get a call from brother Alen asking if I'm going soul-winning with him. Now I wasn't planning on it, and to be honest I didn't feel like doing much of anything. But now here I am with Brother Alen on the line, who by the way I trained to be a soul-winner, pleading with me to go soul-winning. How could I say no? I couldn't say no, so I went.

There was a time I had to encourage him to go, and now he was encouraging me to go! This was my taste of success! When your converts have grown to this level then you know that you have succeeded somewhat in the ministry. On my way home I just praised the Lord about it! For He is good! By the way I still don't know how we're going to pay the rent, but the depression was gone! Amen! And Hallelujah!

Baptized 3!

2009-06-08T06:51:00.009+02:00

Last night was a great service at our church. We had two scheduled to be baptized and ended up with three!

Two months ago I led Emil and Nikolina to the Lord, and Nikolina agreed to be baptized this Sunday. Emil said he was not sure about the whole thing but he would think about it. As we prepared to baptize Nikolina, Emil said I want to be baptized. Later he told me that his chest began to pound and when he surrendered to obey God he had peace. I explained to him that that pounding is called conviction, because the Holy Spirit lives in him now. What a joy it was to baptize them.

The other man, Andeko, has never been to our church. He called out of the blue this week and said I want to be baptized! Brother Rich met with him led him to the Lord, and he was baptized this Sunday. He's asked me not to place pictures on the internet yet, because of his family. He is in his 3o's and lives at home. Please pray for him as he grows in grace. He said he would be back at church on Sunday!

The joy of the whole thing was that Nikolina decided to obey God and because of her obedience two more obeyed. It was a joy sharing this truth with her!

All I can say to the whole thing is praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why are the kids laughing? For many of them this is the first time that they'd ever seen anybody get baptized without sprinkling. They were tickled to death. Now all of them want to get baptized. Some of them have been saved, and we will try to get their parents permission so they too can follow the Lord!

This is sister Nikolina! Thank God she obeyed the Lord!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-06-07T08:29:00.004+02:00

Today is my dad's birthday! This is when the mission field gets a little difficult. I'd like to be with my dad today to celebrate his birthday with him. I'm just glad my dad is a good christian man who loves the Lord! He knows why we are here, and stands behind us in what we are trying to do for the Lord. We both know that in heaven we will have much time for fellowship as we have all eternity there.

I just want to use this post to say Happy birthday to my dad. I don't tell him enough, but I love him and I'm so thankful for him. He taught me much while I was growing up. I learned how to be a man from him. I must say he is a man, not a sissy. I learned character from him as well. Many times I remember him getting up early to go to work and put food on our table. He worked a hard job as a welder and in Texas that's doubly hard because of the heat. But he always worked, and did not live on welfare.

While I was a teenager, he got right with God and started going to church. What a great decision that was. It wasn't long until the whole family got right with God, and now I'm on the mission field!

Well I thank God for my dad. Happy birthday daddy!

Full time Soul-winner!

2009-06-02T06:45:00.006+02:00

In Europe most towns have a square where people go to shop or drink coffee. Our town is no different, and the square has been a great place to pass out tracts and witness to anyone who will listen. In the town, close to the square, you will find big display cases on the side of the buildings. It has been my desire for sometime to use one of these for our Church. Well praise the Lord God opened a door so we could use one of these display cases.

This case will be a full time soul-winner! Yesterday my wife prepared a beautiful graphic, and we had it printed at a local photo shop. It looks great! The graphic says, God's gift for you and then it goes into God's wonderful plan of Salvation!

The location of our soul-winner is equally impressive. It's one building down from the main Catholic Church, and it's on the path directly to the big Catholic book store. It almost looks like God knew what He was doing.

Next to our full time soul-winner we are going to put a nice graphic with information about our Church. It will be great advertisement. People will see every time they walk by that there is another church in town!

God is so good! All I can do is praise Him for opening this door for us.

Great Sunday!

2009-06-01T06:36:00.005+02:00

Yesterday we ended our 10 week program for the children, and God blessed. Many kids where there and two of their moms showed up. This has been one of my goals from the beginning. I'm praying we can reach some of these Gypsy families through their children. Ljubica, Rich's wife, did a great job organizing everything. The children sang, and recited the verses they've learned. It was such a joy to see them up on the platform singing and quoting God's Word! Who knows the next Gypsy Smith may have been up there.

Our work with the Children will not stop here. I'll begin leading a children's church for them next Sunday.

Since we have begin working with these children it has been a battle all the way. Many of you that follow this blog know what I mean. One little girl in the van asked me last night, "Can we stay an extra hour." I wish adults had that attitude for church.

What does the Bible mean to you?

2009-05-28T20:09:00.003+02:00

Tonight my lovely wife and I visited the new family we had on Friend day. Both of them were saved, I led them to the Lord about a month ago. As we were sitting around their table talking we were enjoying a great time of fellowship. We talked about the Lord, and how He loved them so much. Nikolina has had a really hard life. Her childhood was very unpleasant and her husband beat her and her children. How sweet it was to hear her talk about Jesus and her love for Him. She told me that through this dark time in her life she read the Bible and reached out to the Lord for help. It was a joy to tell her that the Lord sent me directly to her so that she could hear about the Savior.

We continued to talk and I explained to her that she needed to be baptized, and she said she already decided that she wanted to follow the Lord in baptism. We set a date and I'm so excited about it.

Nikolina then asked me sheepishly if I had an extra Bible that she could borrow. She wanted to read God's Word and she did not have a copy of it. Tori remembered that we had a an extra Bible in the car, so as we said our goodbyes they walked us out to the car so I could give her a New Testament. As I handed her the Bible I told her that she could have it. You should have seen the look on her face. She said, this better than a million dollars! She held the Bible with both hands close to her and was smiling from ear to ear.

I thought to myself, what does the Bible mean to me? Many times we take it for granted, but what if we did not have it? What does the Bible mean to you? Is it more precious than a million dollars? I pray to God that I'll have a great love for God and His Word!

Friend Day!

2009-05-26T06:19:00.004+02:00

Sunday was our first ever friend Day in Varazdin! We had 25 in attendance with one first time visiting family!There was a good spirit and the preaching was excellent. Brother Pranger did a great job.

This new church plant has been trying on me personally. Over the last year not many visitors have showed up. Yesterday was such a blessing to have this new family. They were converts of mine, and it was so good to see them at church.

Thank you all for praying!

Tommorow, Friend Day!

2009-05-23T13:04:00.003+02:00

Tomorrow is the big Day! We will have our first ever Friend Day in Varazdin. Today we spent 2 hours passing out tracts and fliers. We've visited and prayed much. Everything is in God's hands, and we are praying for a day of victory!