Dear Brethren,
Spurgeon wrote in his devotional book, Morning and Evening, for February 11, “A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ…but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people…A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion…Imitate Him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly…Imitate Jesus in His holiness. Was He zealous for His master?…Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest?…Was He devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had He deference to His Father’s will? So submit yourselves to Him. Was He patient; so learn to endure. And…as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as He did…Be godlike, then; in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.”
Several faithful warriors associated with our fellowship have been promoted to heaven since my last report. Brother Joe Charles, a ministerial member of the FFBC living in South Dakota, leaves behind his wife, Michele. Lucy (Dottie) Lowdon, widow of Pastor Elwood Lowden and sister to Pastor James McCoy, was a long time resident at McCoy Manor on the campus of Tri-State. Grace English Wilson was a devoted friend of our fellowship and camp. She was the mother of Ardie Racite and grandmother to the treasurer of the FFBC, Pastor Stephen Racite. Please pray for their loved ones at this time.
My own mother, Elizabeth F. Smith, answered His summons on February 11 at the age of 98. Her funeral was held on Monday, February 16, in Salem, NJ. God allowed her entire family to attend the service and rejoice in her home going. We praise the Lord for the expressions of sympathy and prayer from many in our fellowship and our own church family.
Two spring banquets are scheduled for Tri-State Bible Camp. The first one will be held on March 13 at the camp, starting at 7 PM. Gary Myers from Biblical Baptist Church in Meshoppen, PA is the speaker. The second banquet is set for March 21 at 6 PM in the Hardingville Bible Church. Terry Smith, National Representative of the FFBC, will speak. While there is no cost for the dinner, an offering will be received to assist with the septic project at the camp. Pray for your personal participation in this special opportunity to financially support Tri-State.
The Executive Committee Meeting will convene at Tri-State on April 3 at 7 PM. Dinner will precede the meeting at 6. Please call Chris with your dinner reservations. Attendees are also encouraged to stay over for the work retreat on Saturday. Let’s mark the calendar: plan, prepare, and pray for a good meeting.
After a four month medical leave, Mark Franklin returned to his study at Hardingville on January 12 and preached his first Sunday sermon on January 18. The church family is grateful to the Lord for answered prayer and God’s enablement for him to resume his ministry so quickly after major surgery, there was great unity and cooperation among the congregation, staff, and deacons during this special time.
The FFBC will celebrate its 70th anniversary at the Annual Conference from August 10-13. Pastors, please send Glenn Doughty information and pictures of your church for this historic observance.
Serving Christ together,
Terry R. Smith – National Representative
Filed under: Around the FFBC, Reports, Terry Smith
