Thursday, April 21, 2016

Newsletter April 2016


Baptist Church of Eagle Butte
P.O. Box 170, Eagle Butte, SD 57625
(605) 891-1704 (Pastor’s Cell)/ www.fbceaglebutte.com (Website)

April 20, 2016

Dear Friends,

It has been long since last we talked, and so much has happened in that time?  I can't wait to tell you all about it.



Now at last, winter's chill is finally lifting from our part of the country.  We are entering a confusing period, in which the weather is frequently warm and sunny, but a blizzard could come through at any time.  We even had a powerful windstorm that ripped one of the largest limbs from a tree, next to my house.  That's okay, though; nothing was damaged.  Besides, it's fun when God keeps you guessing about what's around the next corner.

Special Guests bring the Gospel

  




First Baptist Church had the honor, together with other local churches, of hosting the Todd Becker Foundation.  This organization was founded in memory of Todd Becker, a young man who made a series of choices that destroyed his life, culminating in his death from a drunk driving accident.  His brother, grieving for the loss, made it his goal to travel to high schools across America and convince young people to avoid the choices that destroyed Todd Becker.  The program is Christ-centered and Gospel-focused, based on the idea that no decision could be more sound than following the Lord Jesus Christ.  And in January, they came to Eagle Butte.
They put on two presentations at our local high school.  The first was during normal school hours, and was primarily about choosing to follow the right road in life.  The second meeting took place that evening, and because it was after school hours, the law allowed it to be more explicitly Christ-oriented.  Hundreds of young people were motivated to omake different choices in their lives that day, and several made professions of faith in Christ.  It was a good day.

A New Ministry, from a Fresh Face

  




During the past few months, I have become acquainted with a remarkable young man named Tyrone Sudden Brave.  A Hunkpapa Lakota by birth, he grew up in poverty and became involved with gangs and drug culture.  But God saved him out of that lifestyle, and he now uses every opportunity available to him to tell others about Jesus.  He has traveled around the country, ministering on no fewer than 78 different Native American reservations.  Now he has returned to South Dakota, where he has founded a ministry in the nearby community of Cherry Creek.  It is primarily designed for the youth, and is focused on winning their trust through basketball.  As often and as vigorously as possible, Tyrone shares his testimony and the Gospel.
Tyrone requested that he be allowed to speak at First Baptist Church, and I accepted.  Clint Holley of Windswept Academy soon requested that he do the same at the school.  The result was two beautiful presentations in which Christ was exalted and the transformative power of God was shown.  We look forward to many more years of partnership with Tyrone’s ministry, “On Eagle's Wings- CC”. 

Girls’ Night Out

  

Love, ladies and gentlemen.  Love can never be synthesized, can never be replaced, and can never be underestimated.  There are few ministries greater than that of simply showing others that you love and care about them.  And that is why the ladies at our church decided to partner with some of the women from other area churches to organize a “girls’ night out” for the girls of Windswept Academy.  They showed these girls that they loved them by doing a series of fun activities with them, and giving them lots of attention. 
The evening began with a progressive dinner, where the girls traveled from one ladies’ house to another, eating a different course at each house (my wife handled the appetizers).  They then went to Windswept Academy, where they had dessert and watched movies until 2:00am!  Then they grabbed a few quick hours of sleep.  But it wasn’t over. 
The next morning, the ladies brought all of the girls to First Baptist Church.  Working together, they prepared lunch for the local community, and invited anyone who was hungry to come inside and eat.  It was a perfect conclusion to the festivities, since the best thing you can do with love is to give it to others!

Youth Sunday!

  


In an effort to involve the youth in church life, we experimented with the idea of a “youth Sunday”, in which the young people of our church would participate in portions of the service normally reserved for adults.  They took up the offering.  They offered prayers.  They formed a choir and sang.  It was a beautiful thing to see, since I know that these same people will be running the church in fifty years, when I am too weak to lead.  These are the people that God will use to bring His church into the future.  God bless them.

A Visit from Friends in Tennessee

  

In my time at First Baptist Church, I’ve seen a lot of strange things.  I’ve seen a blizzard in May.  I’ve seen a tipi decked out in Christmas lights.  I’ve even called 911 to report a group of escaped horses, running down Main Street.  But I’ve never seen a visit from Merryville Christian School that didn’t end in happiness.  And this time was certainly no exception.  A small, devoted group of students from that school actually sacrificed their spring break for the opportunity to come up her and serve.  And serve they did.  For some days, they fixed everything at Windswept Academy that was broken, and assisted in the classrooms in various ways.  And on the last night they were here, they participated in First Baptist Church’s Off-the-Wall activity.  They had fun with the kids, and shared their testimonies with them.  It was a beautiful night.  We can’t wait to see these dear friends again!

Giveaway!


Early this year, we had received enough donations of clothing and other miscellaneous items from all over the country to enable us to have a giveaway!  All of your donations were placed on tables throughout the fellowship hall, and were given away to anyone who was in need.  There are a great many people who stayed a little bit warmer this winter because of your generosity!



So perhaps you are wondering how you can become a partner with us in our ministry here in Eagle Butte?  If so, then we are happy to tell you, since we welcome assistance from the body of Christ. Here is what we need the most:
Prayer.  It may be true that our church is getting along very well at the moment, and that God is doing great things here.  But it is precisely when a church is being used by God that Satan does all in his power to destroy it.  So please pray, my brothers and sisters.  Pray that our leadership will keep their hearts pure and humble, and that we will live at peace with each other.  Pray that we will be protected from the power of the enemy, and that God’s Holy Spirit will shine through in our lives.  Pray that the Lakotas in the community will come to know the Lord, and that the commitment they make will not be a superficial group of words, but a real change in their Spirits that will alter the course of their lives for eternity. 
E-mail addresses.  For those of you who have e-mail addresses, please send them to me.  That way, these monthly newsletters can be forwarded to everyone in your church who wants one!  Just send your name and e-mail address to me at benfarrar777@hotmail.com, and I’ll make sure you receive this newsletter as often as it comes out.
Financial Assistance.  Our church is fortunate to have members who are generous in their giving. But some of our most generous members are, nevertheless, very poor.  We have long been blessed with assistance from outside churches and individuals, and we try to use those gifts wisely and well. 

If any one of you wishes to bless the church with a financial gift, you may send it to:

 First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte
P.O. Box 170
Eagle Butte, SD 57625 

Since the last newsletter, a financial contribution was made in honor of Catherine P. Farrar.

May God bless you all, and draw you closer to Himself each and every day.

Yours in Christ,



Ben Farrar
Pastor

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

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