September 2013 Newsletter

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

P.O. Box 170, Eagle Butte, SD 57625

(605) 964-3617 (Office) / (605) 891-1704 (Pastor’s Cell)

September 11, 2013

 Dear Friends,

I am very sorry to have taken so long with this recent newsletter.  So much has been going on up here that I have scarcely had time to write about it all!            

Summertime in Eagle Butte is absolutely beautiful.  We have had good rain lately, and all the crops have taken advantage of this opportunity to grow tall and strong.  The sunsets were breathtaking, as they gave off the appearance of a rainbow that had laid down on the horizon for a nap.  And of course, as always, the fourth of July was celebrated in grand style. It gives one a real feeling of peace, to look out on an endless field of grass, gently wafting in the breeze, or on a field of sunflowers, their faces turned to meet the dawn.  I love this place!

Vacation Bible School comes to the Reservation

Vacation Bible School is always a joy here on the reservation, as those who teach it know that some of the children present will be hearing about Jesus for the very first time.  Likewise, some stories about Noah, the Garden of Eden, and Daniel in the Lions’ Den-stories that are commonplace to many parts of the country-are fresh and new to some of these children.  But Vacation Bible School presents unique challenges here, as well.  The Cheyenne River reservation consists of 13 small settlements spread over 9,000 square miles.  Many of the people who live here stay in remote locations, that are difficult to reach with traditional Vacation Bible Schools. 

 It is for this reason that we were so grateful to be blessed with visits from three different churches in recent weeks, each of whom sought to bringVacation Bible School to Eagle Butte and the Outlying communities.  With the help of Sevier Heights Baptist Church of Tennessee, Resurrection Life Baptist Church of Mississippi, and Calvary Baptist Chapel of North Carolina, we were able to host Vacation Bible Schools in the communities of Eagle Butte, Red Scaffold, Iron Lightning, Thunder Butte and Bear Creek.  I was taken aback by one particular week, during which we had five VBS’s going on in five different communities at the same time!

Some of these communities had not had any sort of VBS in a very long time.  In fact, some of them were unaccustomed to the idea of anything happening in them at all!  When I went to the community of Iron Lightning, for example, I asked a man where the community center was, and told him what I wanted it for.  His response was very enlightening:  “You’ve got to be putting me on!  Nobody ever does anything in Iron Lightning! Ever!”  Needless to say, his children were in VBS the following week.

If you will look at the photo directly above these paragraphs, you will see one of the most precious moments of VBS this year.  After a week of assorted games, songs, and stories from the Bible, The group from Sevier Heights asked the children of Red Scaffold to sit down on the floor in groups of about 2 or 3 each.  Then one of the youth of Sevier Heights sat in each group and shared the gospel with them while the adults prayed.  The children listened closely to everything the young adults had to say, and I rejoice to know that Christ was glorified on that day!

                                  Windswept Academy Expanded

Those of you who are familiar with Windswept Academy, our local Christian school, know that one of their most persistent problems has been a lack of space (a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless).  Last year, they were absolutely full, with 42 students, and had to turn many children away because they could not legally have any more people in the building.  Because of this, Windswept has made it a priority to find ways to expand, and this summer they received some much-needed help.  Covenant Baptist Church Maryville, Tennessee, and First Baptist Church of Del Mont, West Virginia worked in conjunction with one another to come down for a week and build on to Windswept Academy. 

In the above pictures, you may see some of the fruits of their labors.  What was once our school cafeteria is now a brand new classroom.  What was once an abandoned garage is now a new library.  Doorways have been added to the school to make for better transitions between classes, and classrooms have been expanded.  Overall, this makes our local Christian School capable of educating 56 students-a 33% increase from last year!  I can’t wait to start teaching chapel to the students, both old and new!

An Army of Evangelists

Gospel Light Baptist Church of North Carolina arrived near the end of the summer, and performed a missions activity that was absolutely indispensible.  Forming groups of two or three, they went from house to house in the community, inviting the people to church and the children to Sunday School!  Whole neighborhoods were canvassed, and a positive witness was made to the community for Christ.  With the right follow-up from our church, This could prove to e invaluable in the future.

Christians Linked Across Many Miles

David Platt, famed theologian and Christian speaker, hosted a simulcast this month on the topic of the persecuted church.  He broadcast from Israel, and sent his signal all over the world.  Due to the marvels of the internet, First Baptist Church was able to participate in this great teaching session, free of charge.  It was a beautiful evening.

New Developments for Off-the-Wall; Big Ones

As part of our Off-the-Wall ministry, our primary goal has been to give the young men and women of the community something to do on Friday nights, within a safe, Christian context.  Our commitment to this remains the same.  However, we have also been increasingly looking to share the Gospel with them in a more direct fashion.  Our latest attempt at doing this is the brainchild of our own Clint Holley, and has enjoyed some real success.

Every week, we serve food at the church to the young people of Off-the-Wall.  Clint made a new rule, whereby the food would only be available for half an hour.  So instead of nibbling on food continuously throughout the night, they gathered together and sat down for a meal together.  And while they were eating, Clint shared his testimony!  No one got up and walked out; how could they?  They couldn’t miss out on the food!  And with every week that has passed since then, they have become more patient and willing to listen as we share the truths of God with them.

Late this summer, with the help of Gospel Light Baptist Church, we even hosted an Off-the-Wall VBS at the church.  For years, we have been doing this ministry, without a single convert.  But this week, the most amazing thing happened:  SIX YOUNG PEOPLE PRAYED TO RECEIVE CHRIST!  WHAT A BLESSING!  We cannot wait to see what the future holds for these young people and the others of Eagle Butte.

Plans for the Future

As I have already mentioned, Windswept Academy was expanded this summer, but its expansion is not yet complete.  Construction has begun on a new building, which will serve as the school’s new cafeteria/chapel.  Construction is set to be completed within the next month, And I am anxious to tell you all about it when it is completed.

 First Baptist church is on the verge of moving into the 21^st century, with the creation of a church website.  I cannot wait to show it to you, as many ideas are being tossed around about how to use the website for the good of our members, as well as those who want to keep abreast of the things the church is doing.  As soon as my friend, Bill Gates, gets finished setting up the particulars, I’ll be telling you guys all about it.

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. 

Financial gifts were made this month in honor of Claude Grady and Maureen Johnson.

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 

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

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Ben Farrar

Pastor

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

July 2013 Newsletter

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

P.O. Box 170, Eagle Butte, SD 57625

(605) 964-3617 (Office) / (605) 891-1704 (Pastor’s Cell)

July 12, 2013

Dear Friends,

After many months of waiting, Spring has arrived and transformed gloriously into Summer!  Though the winters here can be harsh, the winds can be forceful and the weather conditions extreme, there are few things that can match the beauty of a lush, green prairie in the heart of summertime.  Our sunsets now resemble giant rainbows that have laid down on the horizon for a rest, sunflowers grow wild in every ditch, and all the countryside seems to throb with the heartbeat of God’s glorious creation! 

One night, without warning, my house was struck by an intense hailstorm.  I was showering at the time, and the sound made me think the cats were running down the hall.  Then the sound intensified, and I thought that someone had broken into the house.  Then it got heavier still, and I thought we were under attack by Hottentots!  When I finally grasped what was happening, I went outside and picked up a handful of the freshly-fallen hailstones.  Considering their size, I was lucky to have only one broken window!

Working Shoulder-to-Shoulder with Friends from Far Away

This month, our church played host to a group of fellow-believers from Hamilton Baptist Church in Virginia, as well as some of their partner churches.  Through the concerted efforts of the nearly 30 group members, they partnered with our church to do some pretty fantastic work in the greater community.

The work they did began on a Sunday afternoon, when they hosted a block party in the church’s side yard.  There was face painting, snow cones, and even a couple of bouncy houses.  They registered many children to come to VBS, and learned where they needed to be picked up.

  

On Monday morning, Vacation Bible School started off at full pace, with Bible classes for five different age groups, crafts, music, games, and more.  Unlike previous years, VBS ran for five days in a row, instead of the usual four.  The children loved it!  And in addition to the regular Bible study lessons of each day, I had the opportunity to go to each class and share the Gospel with them all.  Two young girls, named Daisy and Sunny, even placed their faith in Jesus!  Boy, do I love my job!

But the ministry opportunities did not end there.  Children’s VBS ended at midday, but after lunch there was a whole other Vacation Bible School, designed for teenagers.  This was headed up by our own Clint and Amy Holley, and included a lesson from the scriptures for each day, with a showing of the Jesus film on the final day. 

When the older kids were not learning about the scriptures, they were participating in games and sports that were too advanced for the younger children.  These included such classics as “build an inverted pyramid out of paper cups”, “run while holding a water balloon between you and your partner’s forehead”, and “let’s pick up litter all around the city”. 

Of course, the adults were not left out, either.  Each evening, Pastor Glen McGlaughlin would host an adult Bible study in the sanctuary, where he did in-depth study of the scriptures with the community’s more mature residents.  It was an exciting and fun week for people of all ages.

But the Hamilton group was not satisfied to merely help us with these things.  They brought with them a team of basketball players who hosted not one, but two basketball camps-one in Cherry Creek and the other in Eagle Butte-complete with drills, full-court games, and of course, devotionals. 

They also brought with them a team of men who were great with their hands, and they fixed many things at the church-things that I did not even realize were broken!  They replaced two windows, replaced a fence post, repaired two gates, installed three thermostats, renovated our janitor’s closet, reinforced our screen door, and did several other things that I am probably forgetting.  One of the more notable things they did was to cut our back fence down to half its previous height, thus increasing our church’s security tenfold.  You see, prior to this summer, our back fence was so high that anyone could go behind our church without being seen.  This might be one reason why we were targeted for a break-in earlier this year.  With the back fence now at its new, lower height, the police chief says he can see everything in our back yard, and the church is in a more secure place.

Our church’s warmest thanks go out to Hamilton Baptist Church and to all those who assisted in making this June an unforgettable experience.  May God bless you all!

Emily

Some of you may remember a few months ago, when I said that we had an intern on her way up here, who was anxious to learn the ins and outs of ministering to Native Americans.  Well, that intern has arrived, and her name is Emily.  She has demonstrated great willingness to learn and develop her skills, and we look forward to working with her in the coming months.  She has already learned a good deal about the community and its people, assisted the Hamilton group, run numerous errands for me around town, and constructed a church library.  Pray for her, though, as she has developed a violent allergy to Sage-a plant that is as common in this part of the country as dirt.  This causes terrible sneezing and coughing, as well as a feeling of weakness that resembles the flu.  Pray that her body will adjust to it, and that the medication she is currently taking will keep the allergy under control.

Native American Christian Art

Some time ago, I mentioned that while the Lakotas tend to be very gifted artists, and that there is no shortage of art in this area, there is precious little Native American Christian art.  For this reason, our church commissioned one of our own members, Bryson Dupris, to paint a series of paintings illustrating the unfolding of salvation history.  He worked at this job for some months, and has just finished.  Now, in our church hallway, we have a series of paintings that show the Creation, the Fall, The Ten Commandments, The Depravity of Man, The Nativity, The Sermon on The Mount, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection, The Second Coming, and The Last Judgment.  Now anyone, whether they can read or not, can see the history of God’s relationship with His people unfolding visually every time they walk down the hallway!

A New Church Library

This Spring, I set up a church event called “The Day of Stuff”, in which we sorted through all the cabinets and drawers in the church and organized whatever stuff we found there.  Everyone needs a day like that every now and then.  But when the Day of Stuff arrived, we were amazed at the number of books that we had stashed away!  A book is useless unless it can be put to some use, so I gave Emily the task of constructing some bookshelves in the back room of the church and using these to make a church library.  In the photo above, you can see the result.  I am very happy that we can find all our books now, and that we can put these to good use for the Kingdom of our Lord.

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.  We have a particular need, due to a city sidewalk project that is coming past the church, for which they intend to charge us about $4700. 

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 

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

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Ben Farrar

Pastor

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

May 2013 Newsletter

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte

P.O. Box 170, Eagle Butte, SD 57625

(605) 964-3617 (Office) / (605) 891-1704 (Pastor’s Cell) 

May 18, 2013 

Dear Friends,

 

In South Dakota, it is sometimes said that we have four seasons: Winter, Still Winter, Almost Winter, and Summer.  Well, I am happy to report that Summer is here at last, and everyone is enjoying the warm weather to the fullest!  In the picture above, you can see the students of Windswept Academy participating in their annual field day.  The tug-of-war event was a Battle For The Ages, but it was eventually won by the proud warriors on the left side of the picture. 

Meanwhile, at First Baptist Church, we recently celebrated Mother’s Day in a special service last Sunday Morning.  I preached on the Fourth Commandment: to honor your Father and your Mother, and emphasized that we must do this for our mothers even when we think they are wrong.  After all, if our mothers always acted rightly, why would it be necessary for God to command us to honor them?  I also preached to mothers, telling them that they had both the God-given right and the God-given duty to expect honor from their children.  Finally, I told them that this commandment extended to aunts, grandmothers, cousins, or even older sisters who took on the role of mother when they saw that there was a need.  The Mothers in the service seemed pleased, and I hope that God was, too.

 

Each Sunday morning, while the adults are in their own Bible Study, the children are bused in from all over town for Children’s Sunday School.  Rachel Cowan, one of the newer members of our church, has taken up the practice of telling the children stories (out of her own imagination) that illustrate biblical truth.  Some of these stories are, in my opinion, suitable to become children’s books in their own right, and they have the desirable effect of taking the biblical passages that the children learn in Sunday School and applying them to the children’s everyday lives.  I am very happy about this new development that God is bringing about here.

 

 

Hospital Outreach Project

Last year, First Baptist Church did an outreach project in which we provided a meal to the staff of our local hospital, as a means of thanking them for the good they do in our community.  The project was so well-received that we decided to try it again.  Many people of the church brought food to make the outreach event special.  Amanda Benson brought her special loose-leaf teas and coffee cake.  Amy Holley made some sausage balls.  Darla Shupick made a breakfast casserole.  My wife, Tiffany, brewed the coffee and made an apple spice dessert.  I brought bagels.  The hospital staff stayed longer this time, and talked with us for a long while.  They left feeling valued and appreciated, and we had all had the privilege of sharing God’s love with our greater community.  I love it when we all work together as a team to do things like this!

 

 

 

Sunday School Bowling!

All this year, we have allowed our Sunday School children to accumulate points by coming to Sunday School, bringing their Bibles, and learning Bible verses.  For those who accumulated enough points, we rewarded them this month by taking them bowling in Pierre (the closest city that has a bowling alley, roughly an hour and a half away).  About twenty children earned the trip, and we were able to get a group discount for them at the bowling alley.  It turned out great!  Everyone had a wonderful time, and there was some good bonding between the children and the Sunday School teachers.  I helped chaperone the trip, and I’m happy to say that even though I’m a terrible bowler, I was still better than the fourth graders who were on my lane.  “Wow, Pastor Ben!” they said.  “You bowled an 87!  You’re really good!”  Yeah, boys, you keep right on thinking that.

 

 

 

Graduation!

 

 

 

The month of May, of course, marks the graduation ceremonies of both Windswept Academy and Noah’s Ark Preschool, two local Christian institutions at which I have the privilege of serving as chaplain.  Windswept Academy boasted its largest class ever to finish an academic year-41 students!  You can see these students in the first picture above  Six of them were graduating kindergarteners, who made great strides this year in both reading and mathematics.  You can see them in the second picture.  But perhaps the most distinguishing feature of Windswept Academy’s graduation was a school play, put on by the third and fourth graders.  It was a parody of the cinematic classic, “Back to the Future”, and it emphasized the importance of learning.  At the school’s request, I played the character of “Doc Ben” in the play, while wearing a goofy wig.  You can see a scene from that play in the third picture above.  All the kids’ relatives were entertained, and very proud of their children’s academic accomplishments.  

 

 

 

At the graduation for Noah’s Ark Preschool and Day Care, parents and assorted relatives from all over the community gathered together and celebrated the maturing of their young children.  During their time at preschool they learned their numbers, and their colors, and their shapes, and their three bears, and how to get along with other people.  But also, they learned their Ten Commandments and received instruction in some basic Bible teaching.  It is my sincere hope that this will plant a seed in these children’s hearts which will one day cause them to grow into mighty servants of our Lord.

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.

Pray especially for the people of this community as we move into the summer months.  It is when the weather is warmest that violence is at its highest around here.  In the winter, the crime rate plummets, because it is too cold to do anything too violent.  But now, fighting is on the increase, and I many fear for the people’s safety.  Pray that God will send His Holy Spirit to bring peace to this city.  Pray also that God will give the policemen sound minds and bodies to keep order here.  

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.  We have a particular need, due to a city sidewalk project that is coming past the church, for which they intend to charge us about $4700. 

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 

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

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Ben Farrar

Pastor

First Baptist Church of Eagle Butte