September/October '11
The last two months of the rainy season for us in Abuja were filled with much activity. In the middle of September, I had the rare occasion of going to a preaching engagement with my family [pictured with the village chif], and we took the opportunity to visit the relatives of our late assistant pastor, as his village is only about a two-hour drive from our home, and our meeting was only another two hours further. Since the beginning of our youth camp this year, we have been hosting an evangelist/intern from Pennsylvania. Our guest, Bro. Pete Cavanaugh [pictured partaking in some native food], has been a blessing especially to our new churches, and at the end of September he made the five-hour journey to Langtang, where he preached in schools, government offices, and at the church that was started newly in July. October brought 
along our fourth missions conference and another visit from our mission board founder, Dr. Mike Cox, and his wife [pictured below with the Maskey family, Joseph, and me]. After our meeting, I accompanied them to Port Harcourt, where Bro. Cox conducted the first-ever conference for Missionary David Maskey’s great church. The remainder of time in these two months has been packed with church activities, seminary teaching, counseling and visitation, and the development of our building plans for our house and the church auditorium. 
One unique church program that has seen much success recently in our church is what we simply call a “Soul Winning Day.” This year our ministry has enthusiastically started three churches that are within a 35-minute drive from our church. Now, once e
ach month, our soul-winners [pictured loading into our church van] gather on a Saturday at 11 a.m. to help one of the new churches with their time of evangelism. The infant church, that would normally have less than five faithful people giving out tracts, will on that day have over thirty people preaching the Gospel in their area. I call on those church members who cannot normally come each Saturday to plan especially for the Soul Winning Day, and we have seen an increase in each of the three times.As we plan for our furlough in December, we have some good reports and also a few needs. Sabrina’s appointments with her doctor here have been going well in preparation for our 4th child; and Joseph, Victoria, and Brian are already getting excited about seeing their grandparents and other relatives. I have taken some time to schedule several meetings and would be glad to set a date to visit any interested church. During our time in the U.S., I would like to present our seminary and corresponding church-planting efforts as a ministry for potential support. With those that have been trained in our ministry and/or ordained by our church, 16 churches have been started. As you pray for our family, and as many of you also financially support us regularly, would you in addition consider adding Providence Baptist College of Nigeria as a distinct ministry that you support? Also, please pray for us, as we need a cell phone and a vehicle for traveling through America with a growing family (a minivan-type that we could borrow or rent).
Finally, Dr. J. Stephen Crane, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, has a publication called “The Soul Winner.” He sent me questions for an interview in January of last year that he will feature in his paper. I removed some of the questions that were repetitive with our prayer letters, but I thought you might be interested in some of the things about which he inquired:
1. After completing four years of missionary service and church planting in Nigeria, West Africa, how is the overall morale of you and your family, and are you more excited than ever? Share a few new goals for your next term on the field.We are truly very thrilled about the ministry in which God has allowed us to serve. Over the last two years, my wife has been able to call the field “home,” and, of course, young children are very flexible and adjust well. Lord willing, the start of our next term will see the continuation and growth of our Bible college (beginning its 2nd semester upon our return), the Bible Institute (2nd graduation service this year), and our church (celebrating its 4th Anniversary in May). Other goals include the starting of a full DVD correspondence program that will be made available to all Bible-believing churches, the welcoming of two new full-time missionaries (currently on deputation), and the further development of our property and buildings. Long-term goals would be the starting of a Christian school and orphanage, along with the multiplication of our church-planting efforts.
2. Have you felt from the beginning that you have a great and effectual door opened unto you? What has been that great door of influence? Who have been your adversaries?I have told people often, when trying to explain my calling, that even if I did not believe that God was calling me to Nigeria, I would be interested in the place because of the seemingly endless opportunities. Muslim dominance in many areas, a corrupt government, and clashes over oil-rich lands all threaten to limit those opportunities or even completely close the door. I believe the greatest opening is the chance to work with and improve upon the results of 30 years of independent Baptist endeavors in Nigeria.
3. What is the cost to attend your Bible college, if any, and are churches helping to underwrite these programs?It costs a student less than $115 per year to attend PBC&S, but they do have to take care of their own meals. The fees simply allow me to cover the expenses of our two teachers, a part-time secretary, and the running of our generator. Our support absorbs the upkeep of the buildings and any materials needed for now. I have plans to ask our supporting churches to prayerfully consider adding our college to their missions program as an additional ministry that they support; the way that Temple Baptist Church has helped with our institute has given us that idea. About $50 per month could support a student through his training.
4. Church buildings and parsonages in the villages: How many thus far and what is the actual cost of each one?During the time that we worked with another missionary, we helped in the building of a couple of chapels in villages. Those can be built in virtually any village for $3000 to $5000. The most recent church started was in a small town where land was bought for $1000, and it will cost around $2200 for the building, close to $1000 for church supplies, and only $1000 to allow the pastor’s wife to have a business for a sustaining income.
5. What are the daily challenges of food preparation, home schooling, currency exchange, etc. that you and your family face that we never hear about?Day-to-day life is truly the greatest challenge in Nigeria: our electricity cuts off about five times each day, there are at least three months out of the year when it is difficult to get enough water, and general safety is a constant concern. We have three sources for power: electricity, generator (diesel-powered), and battery inverter (running mainly lights and fans). All foods must be prepared “from scratch” as packaged foods are either unavailable or unbelievably expensive. We have four modes of shopping: local markets, supermarkets (imported goods), wholesalers (butter, cheese, and chicken in bulk), and out-of-town orders (fruits and vegetables). Currency exchange has not been a problem, but we are paying about twice as much for many items compared to the time we first came to the country.
6. Any impending dangers that you have encountered or at least came close to facing while living in a third-world nation? Has your life ever been in danger?When people ask me for stories of adventure, I try to inform them in the best spirit that one’s sense of adventure changes as he is living in a third world country. “Adventure” in America is an exciting activity that may put the person’s life at risk; in Nigeria, life-risking activities are a daily occurrence, so escapades are to be avoided, as they may bring you closer to death. Simple city driving is often insane, and we have experienced two fairly serious collisions (not in the last 3 ½ years though). In my first year, I subjected myself often to the public transportation system of motorcycles, taxis, and buses, and had some unbelievable experiences there; now, I drive myself or fly to meetings……another adventure altogether! I’m sure my life has been in danger at times, but we have taken measures to steer clear of as many of those situations as possible.
7. How about your family (both sides)...have you had to go through any persecution because of taking such a giant leap of faith?I certainly would not call it persecution on either side. My wife’s family and relatives have more of a Baptist background, so they are more familiar with missions. When I first went to Hyles-Anderson College in 1996, none of my family or relatives knew anything about the school, so I’ve had almost a decade-and-a-half of getting accustomed to explaining myself! Our two years of deputation helped greatly, as we made it a point to visit relatives and spend time with them; we’ve also tried to keep in touch in different ways (e-mail, blog, Facebook, phone calls on furlough). Both sides of our family have been quite supportive.
8. Speaking of faith, I was talking to my son-in-law who is the youth pastor of one of your sponsoring churches in the States, and we both concur that we have never seen as much done by a single missionary family in such a short amount of time. Could you give us in a short description of how God unlocked some doors for you to have the liberty you have enjoyed?First of all, we are honored by the high compliment; ultimately we want to exalt Him for what He has done. We must give credit to the thorough training we received from our mission board, Fundamental Baptist Missions International, on the formula for a successful deputation and on how to get started on the field. My pastor, Bro. Carr, and my wife’s home pastor, Dr. B.G. Buchanan, were instrumental in giving us good contacts for raising support; we have an amazing sending church in Gulfport. Nothing did more to put us ahead of the curve than working with a veteran. We lived with another American missionary for six months, and partnered with him in ministry for a total of two years. He taught us things that could have taken us five years or more to learn by experience, and we had great access to his ministry and trusted people. Dr. Doug Kalapp and Dr. Mike Cox taught me while at HAC that what is successful in America, God can use on the mission field also. There are many others to whom we could point for the influence they have been in our lives. I truly don’t want to think that we are accomplishing anything special or unique here in Nigeria; we are simply carrying out what we have been trained and taught to do—and it works!
9. What cultural and spiritual differences have been the biggest problems as an American in an African country, if any? It seems from the outside that you are breezing through them, if you have had barriers.If it appears that we have had not had any trouble adjusting, then that can probably be attributed to the fact that I enjoy the challenges of learning new customs, culture, and languages. I want to love people, and to do that, I must learn how they think and what is accepted. We still have a long way to go in my eyes, but it is nice to know that people in Nigeria and America have noticed our efforts.
11. Do you have an armed guard, compound, and police dog around your home, as we have heard other Americans living in Africa do? If you do, is it awkward to be on guard constantly for the peace and tranquility of your home?No armed guard, but our house does have a six foot wall around it with razor wire on top and a large iron gate at the front. We have two Labrador Retrievers and constantly lock our doors. God placed us in a fairly peaceful neighborhood these first four years, and our city is better than most in Nigeria for security. Much like the electricity problems, security and safety is just one of those things that is constantly in the back of our minds in Nigeria and is nice to somewhat forget about when we are on furlough.
12. With Nigeria being the largest populated nation in Africa, how could this help you reach the whole of Africa, both practically and spiritually?Nigerians do seem to have more of a continent-wide influence than do the citizens of some other African countries, and we do have dreams of sending missionaries out of Nigeria to other countries in Africa.
What a privilege it is to testify about God’s goodness in our life and ministry.
July/August '11
Our 2nd Annual Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism was a great success in August. In this year’s youth camp, 120 teens 
and young adults were involved, conducting 19 Bible clubs where over 1300 children heard the Gospel! The mornings were busy with teaching, and the evenings were filled with special music and messages from our three American guests [one pictured with his Bible club]; the remainder of the time was eventful with Bible clubs, good food, and fun fellowship. I believe this year established the camp as an annual highlight amongst our independent Baptists.
The beginning of July was a “calm” before our guest preacher and youth camp “storm.” Our family delighted in welcoming Sabrina’s mother [pictured with us at a baby dedication] (traveling with a friend of our family) for a second visit. Joseph, Brian, and Victoria were thrilled to have their “Nana”
around for almost three weeks, and I was more than happy to open my ministry schedule for some needed family time, enjoyable sight-seeing, and relaxing recreation.
The end of July gave me the opportunity to make my first trip to Togo, as I accompanied a preacher [Bro. Jim Brown pictured shaking the hand of a convert] to the capital city of the West African nation that is very close in proximity to Nigeria. We preached for a national missionary and held programs for several of his church plants. The
week before, the guest evangelist spoke in our church, seminary, and monthly preachers’ meeting.
Sabrina and I are happy to publicly announce that we are expecting our 4th child (hopefully by mid-February)! As with Brian and Victoria, we will be in the U.S. for the birth; our plane tickets have been booked for December 14 through June 18. We should be traveling extensively during our furlough, so please let me know, pastors and other friends, if you want us to visit.
and young adults were involved, conducting 19 Bible clubs where over 1300 children heard the Gospel! The mornings were busy with teaching, and the evenings were filled with special music and messages from our three American guests [one pictured with his Bible club]; the remainder of the time was eventful with Bible clubs, good food, and fun fellowship. I believe this year established the camp as an annual highlight amongst our independent Baptists.
The beginning of July was a “calm” before our guest preacher and youth camp “storm.” Our family delighted in welcoming Sabrina’s mother [pictured with us at a baby dedication] (traveling with a friend of our family) for a second visit. Joseph, Brian, and Victoria were thrilled to have their “Nana”
around for almost three weeks, and I was more than happy to open my ministry schedule for some needed family time, enjoyable sight-seeing, and relaxing recreation.
The end of July gave me the opportunity to make my first trip to Togo, as I accompanied a preacher [Bro. Jim Brown pictured shaking the hand of a convert] to the capital city of the West African nation that is very close in proximity to Nigeria. We preached for a national missionary and held programs for several of his church plants. The
week before, the guest evangelist spoke in our church, seminary, and monthly preachers’ meeting.
Sabrina and I are happy to publicly announce that we are expecting our 4th child (hopefully by mid-February)! As with Brian and Victoria, we will be in the U.S. for the birth; our plane tickets have been booked for December 14 through June 18. We should be traveling extensively during our furlough, so please let me know, pastors and other friends, if you want us to visit.
May/June '11
May of this year was quite an eventful month as we wrapped up the 4th Semester of our Providence Baptist College & Seminary. On the 2nd Sunday, Truth Baptist Church celebrated its 5th Anniversary by canvassing eight areas to conduct outreach services, in addition to our regular meeting on the church property. Over 630 total people attended the assemblies; this number included the grand opening attendance for Christ Baptist Church of Karshi, now pastored by a soon-to-be seminary graduate. One of the outreach ministries rejoiced in reaching over 100 people on our anniversary Sunday; immediately we made plans with the people to start a church, and the next Sunday, the chief from a neighboring village attended service at the new church and asked for a work to be started in his area! The 3rd week of May saw us fill an 18 passenger van to attend a national pastors conference which was held an eight-hour drive away; most of our seminary students and several pastors from Abuja attended and were blessed by the preaching, fellowship, and special gifts. Our whole family had the opportunity to travel during the last week of May to Missionary David Maskey’s ministry for their ladies’ spectacular [the missionary speakers are pictured: Sabrina with Mrs. 
Maskey and Mrs. Carter] and church preaching conference. We have especially enjoyed fellowshipping with their wonderful family and being a part of their great work each year that we have been in Nigeria.
Exactly six years ago, Sabrina and Joseph and I arrived in Nigeria and began working with a veteran missionary. Ten months later, an assistant pastor of that missionary recommended someone that he could trust to work in our house. Shem Daniel [pictured with 2 of his children] became the “guard” in our compound, and promised our missionary friend that he would never run from any responsibility. I had the privilege
of baptizing Shem; by the third month of our new work, he was the children’s church preacher. During the inaugural year of Truth Baptist Church, Shem rejoiced in a new experience of winning a soul to Christ, labored to complete his initial Bible institute courses, and delighted in preaching his first sermon. Soon, he and the guard for the church compound became soul-winning partners; by the time the church was able to pay two staff members, there was no question as to who the pair would be. Pastor Shem became a very capable and respected Sunday School teacher, choir leader, church service moderator, outreach director, and seminary staff member. Sadly, Pastor Shem died of hepatitis on June 14 at the age of 30. In his life, Pastor Shem Daniel provided an example of thoroughness in evangelism, care in visitation, zeal in preaching, faithfulness in friendship, love to his wife, strength to his children, and confidence in God. He was to receive his degree during our first seminary graduation next May; we planned to ordain him this August, and his goal was to start a church at the beginning of next year. Please pray for family of Shem in their loss; pray for wisdom as our church seeks to care for his wife and children, and pray for strength as we continue with tears to grow the work that Shem was a vital part in starting.
Maskey and Mrs. Carter] and church preaching conference. We have especially enjoyed fellowshipping with their wonderful family and being a part of their great work each year that we have been in Nigeria.Exactly six years ago, Sabrina and Joseph and I arrived in Nigeria and began working with a veteran missionary. Ten months later, an assistant pastor of that missionary recommended someone that he could trust to work in our house. Shem Daniel [pictured with 2 of his children] became the “guard” in our compound, and promised our missionary friend that he would never run from any responsibility. I had the privilege
of baptizing Shem; by the third month of our new work, he was the children’s church preacher. During the inaugural year of Truth Baptist Church, Shem rejoiced in a new experience of winning a soul to Christ, labored to complete his initial Bible institute courses, and delighted in preaching his first sermon. Soon, he and the guard for the church compound became soul-winning partners; by the time the church was able to pay two staff members, there was no question as to who the pair would be. Pastor Shem became a very capable and respected Sunday School teacher, choir leader, church service moderator, outreach director, and seminary staff member. Sadly, Pastor Shem died of hepatitis on June 14 at the age of 30. In his life, Pastor Shem Daniel provided an example of thoroughness in evangelism, care in visitation, zeal in preaching, faithfulness in friendship, love to his wife, strength to his children, and confidence in God. He was to receive his degree during our first seminary graduation next May; we planned to ordain him this August, and his goal was to start a church at the beginning of next year. Please pray for family of Shem in their loss; pray for wisdom as our church seeks to care for his wife and children, and pray for strength as we continue with tears to grow the work that Shem was a vital part in starting.March/April '11
These two months have set a new standard for my being busy on all levels. Our church conducted two baby dedications (at one [pictured] we had a “non-big day” record attendance of 311), succeeded in having our first-ever banquet to focus on our building fund, hosted a missionary that
told us of his plans to start a church in another state, and helped two members in the planning of their weddings. The changes in our institute and Sunday evening services (mentioned in our last update) took effect during these two months, and six straight weeks of teaching daily in our seminary put me at the church more often than ever before. Outside of Truth Baptist Church, I preached for a special missions day at a nearby church, participated in an ordination, made a flight to be the guest speaker at a church’s 25th Anniversary (actually on February 20th), and planned our next five conferences and big days. Our busyness was not made easier by the fact that we had problems with our vehicle throughout both months, and the whole country was nervous about four straight Saturdays of national elections. Yet we could rejoice in the success of all the aforementioned activities, along with a couple of more that I want to feature now.
In the middle of April, Truth Baptist Church held its 3rd Spirit Renewal Week. This revival meeting closely followed the aforementioned banquet
where we unveiled our theme for the year, “Built upon the Rock,” from Matthew 7:24. Evangelist Dr. Dave Douglass [pictured preaching], who has started a church, school, and orphanage in a village near Nigeria’s largest city, thoroughly encouraged our people as we are entering a very crucial time of expansion and multiplication when our ministry especially needs strengthening. Bro. Douglass is currently in the U.S. to raise more needed support; please consider how you may help as you learn more about his ministry by visiting: www.makokoministry.blogspot.com.
On the 20th of March, Faith Baptist Church of Masaka was started with four families and an institute graduate from our church. Christ Baptist
Church of Karshi (which will have two families and a seminary graduate from our church) is planning to begin in May [both pastors of new churches on right side of picture], and a church in another state is preparing to launch in July. With the three new plants, it brings the total number of churches started by those trained in our institute, or ordained by our ministry, to 15!
I want to conclude by expressing my appreciation to the pastors who responded to the letter from my sending pastor [pictured below with his wife during their trip to Nigeria] with a gift, love offering, word of encouragement, or needed prayers. In April, we were able to buy land that is planned to be the site of a home for our family. Please continue to pray as we raise money for the project of building the house, and consider helping us financially as you read our pastor's letter:
1 March 2011
Dear Pastors:
Please allow me to introduce myself as the sending church pastor of Missionary Mark Holmes, who has been serving with his family in Nigeria for the past six years. For two years before Mark started deputation, I gladly employed him as the Ministries Director in our church, and it was a joy for Faith Baptist to help him and Sabrina get to West Africa. God has blessed the Holmes family with three children, a growing church, a full-time Bible college, and a part-time institute, whose graduates have already started 11 churches.
Obviously, they have been planted in Abuja, Nigeria for a purpose, and I would like to ask you to help them as they take the next step in solidifying their ministry in the capital city. Almost 5 years ago, the Holmes family was miraculously provided with the money to buy church property. Mark has recently been able to buy another plot of land in a secure area of the city for under $30,000. Now, they need about $45,000 in order to build a house for their family. The timing of this is crucial as property and rental prices continue to rise and the lease on their current house ends in May 2012.
As a pastor, you know how heartbreaking and frustrating it is to have a missionary come “home” from the field to which he was called. It is encouraging to me that Mark and Sabrina are doing obvious things to establish themselves more permanently in their place of service. Please help me to assist them in this needed endeavor by taking up an offering or sending a gift for the Holmes family. You may mail the donation to their mission board or directly to us here at Faith Baptist Church. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Because Jesus Lives!
Pastor Dan Carr
Galatians 6:9
told us of his plans to start a church in another state, and helped two members in the planning of their weddings. The changes in our institute and Sunday evening services (mentioned in our last update) took effect during these two months, and six straight weeks of teaching daily in our seminary put me at the church more often than ever before. Outside of Truth Baptist Church, I preached for a special missions day at a nearby church, participated in an ordination, made a flight to be the guest speaker at a church’s 25th Anniversary (actually on February 20th), and planned our next five conferences and big days. Our busyness was not made easier by the fact that we had problems with our vehicle throughout both months, and the whole country was nervous about four straight Saturdays of national elections. Yet we could rejoice in the success of all the aforementioned activities, along with a couple of more that I want to feature now.In the middle of April, Truth Baptist Church held its 3rd Spirit Renewal Week. This revival meeting closely followed the aforementioned banquet
where we unveiled our theme for the year, “Built upon the Rock,” from Matthew 7:24. Evangelist Dr. Dave Douglass [pictured preaching], who has started a church, school, and orphanage in a village near Nigeria’s largest city, thoroughly encouraged our people as we are entering a very crucial time of expansion and multiplication when our ministry especially needs strengthening. Bro. Douglass is currently in the U.S. to raise more needed support; please consider how you may help as you learn more about his ministry by visiting: www.makokoministry.blogspot.com.On the 20th of March, Faith Baptist Church of Masaka was started with four families and an institute graduate from our church. Christ Baptist
Church of Karshi (which will have two families and a seminary graduate from our church) is planning to begin in May [both pastors of new churches on right side of picture], and a church in another state is preparing to launch in July. With the three new plants, it brings the total number of churches started by those trained in our institute, or ordained by our ministry, to 15!I want to conclude by expressing my appreciation to the pastors who responded to the letter from my sending pastor [pictured below with his wife during their trip to Nigeria] with a gift, love offering, word of encouragement, or needed prayers. In April, we were able to buy land that is planned to be the site of a home for our family. Please continue to pray as we raise money for the project of building the house, and consider helping us financially as you read our pastor's letter:
1 March 2011Dear Pastors:
Please allow me to introduce myself as the sending church pastor of Missionary Mark Holmes, who has been serving with his family in Nigeria for the past six years. For two years before Mark started deputation, I gladly employed him as the Ministries Director in our church, and it was a joy for Faith Baptist to help him and Sabrina get to West Africa. God has blessed the Holmes family with three children, a growing church, a full-time Bible college, and a part-time institute, whose graduates have already started 11 churches.
Obviously, they have been planted in Abuja, Nigeria for a purpose, and I would like to ask you to help them as they take the next step in solidifying their ministry in the capital city. Almost 5 years ago, the Holmes family was miraculously provided with the money to buy church property. Mark has recently been able to buy another plot of land in a secure area of the city for under $30,000. Now, they need about $45,000 in order to build a house for their family. The timing of this is crucial as property and rental prices continue to rise and the lease on their current house ends in May 2012.
As a pastor, you know how heartbreaking and frustrating it is to have a missionary come “home” from the field to which he was called. It is encouraging to me that Mark and Sabrina are doing obvious things to establish themselves more permanently in their place of service. Please help me to assist them in this needed endeavor by taking up an offering or sending a gift for the Holmes family. You may mail the donation to their mission board or directly to us here at Faith Baptist Church. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Because Jesus Lives!
Pastor Dan Carr
Galatians 6:9
January/February '11
The New Year has ushered in several changes to our church schedule as we seek to get more of our members involved in our regular services and institute training. The Temple Baptist Institute recently completed its first round of the full three-year curriculum, which means that several of our original students no longer need to attend. To make the ministry training school more accessible to some of our interested churchgoers, we moved the classes from Monday and Tuesday to Saturday only. Now we meet four hours on one day for five weeks, and the sixth week is our exam. We have been pleased to see at least 15 new students in classes so far. Also, in our mid-week prayer meeting, where I am teaching a series on “Reaching the Next Generation,” attendance has increased as we moved the service time back 30 minutes to make 
provision for the increased weekday traffic coming from town towards our church. Our Sunday evening service is also undergoing the following changes: starting in March, two Sundays a month will be devoted to “Family Time” when each of our fellowships (men, ladies, singles [pictured at an outing], teens, and children’s club) will meet for one hour, the first Sunday of each month will be Lord’s Supper, and the third Sunday will be devoted to a special visitation program. I will still take time each Sunday evening to continue our preaching series on “Character Traits.”
A phenomenon that has been a joy to observe over the years has become more obvious recently: our people have increasingly devoted more attention to the financing of our ministry. Last year our men’s fellowship (among several other functions) raised money to replace our bus engine, provide electrical
wiring for our new generator, and begin the outside plastering of our present auditorium [pictured is our men's fellowship leader with his daughter]. Our ladies fellowship has now taken over providing the food and doing the cooking for each of our conferences and the church anniversary; last year, they held a fundraising dinner so that various needs within our membership could be met, and seven of our ladies attended an out-of-town women’s conference, which filled them with many more ideas. We have recently formed a business men’s fellowship that is going to focus more on generating funds within our church and helping our members with job opportunities and job skills, allowing our men’s fellowship to keep its original focus on visiting families, meeting prayer needs, and improving the church.
Our single lady missionary, Ms. Pat Hamburg, has been quite a blessing to our church and my family. Since her arrival in August 2009, she has faithfully taught the ladies Sunday School class, ladies Bi
ble Institute classes [students pictured with Ms. Pat], and an English class open to all in our church. She secured a house of her own close to the church at the beginning of last year and is very involved in visiting with and being a help to our ladies. Ms. Pat has very little financial support, so I know she would be quite appreciative for your prayers on her behalf.
provision for the increased weekday traffic coming from town towards our church. Our Sunday evening service is also undergoing the following changes: starting in March, two Sundays a month will be devoted to “Family Time” when each of our fellowships (men, ladies, singles [pictured at an outing], teens, and children’s club) will meet for one hour, the first Sunday of each month will be Lord’s Supper, and the third Sunday will be devoted to a special visitation program. I will still take time each Sunday evening to continue our preaching series on “Character Traits.” A phenomenon that has been a joy to observe over the years has become more obvious recently: our people have increasingly devoted more attention to the financing of our ministry. Last year our men’s fellowship (among several other functions) raised money to replace our bus engine, provide electrical
wiring for our new generator, and begin the outside plastering of our present auditorium [pictured is our men's fellowship leader with his daughter]. Our ladies fellowship has now taken over providing the food and doing the cooking for each of our conferences and the church anniversary; last year, they held a fundraising dinner so that various needs within our membership could be met, and seven of our ladies attended an out-of-town women’s conference, which filled them with many more ideas. We have recently formed a business men’s fellowship that is going to focus more on generating funds within our church and helping our members with job opportunities and job skills, allowing our men’s fellowship to keep its original focus on visiting families, meeting prayer needs, and improving the church. Our single lady missionary, Ms. Pat Hamburg, has been quite a blessing to our church and my family. Since her arrival in August 2009, she has faithfully taught the ladies Sunday School class, ladies Bi
ble Institute classes [students pictured with Ms. Pat], and an English class open to all in our church. She secured a house of her own close to the church at the beginning of last year and is very involved in visiting with and being a help to our ladies. Ms. Pat has very little financial support, so I know she would be quite appreciative for your prayers on her behalf.
November/December '10
For the third time since last November, I had the privilege of visiting Calabar (a historic Nigerian city in the southeastern part of the country, ministry area of missionary great Mary Slessor) towards the end of 2010. The ordination of a pastor friend was the premise for this particular trip. Eight pastors [pictured below] joined me for the ceremony on Sunday morning, and the church recorded a new attendance high; there was a wonderful spirit among the ministers, members, visitors, and the candidate’s family. Another such service in mid-December for two pastors in Abuja capped off a wonderful year in which several men have started new churches and ministries.
Other new beginnings have been celebrated as our church has rejoiced in the birth of eleven babies in the last four months alone! These blessed arrivals command much attention from our ministry: our staff makes every effort possible to be at the hospital for the birth or at least before the mother returns home, our ladies fellowship visits the mother with a gift, I normally conduct a naming ceremony within seven days, and we set a date for some of the families to 
participate together in a baby dedication service at the church. Baby dedication [Brian's pictured from 3 years ago] always sees an increase in visitors as many relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited; usually there is a sweet time of fellowship with testimonies and refreshments at the close of these services.
The month of December gave our family some time to “catch our breath.” Since arriving in Nigeria from furlough on the Saturday before Easter, we have located a suitable house, secured a lease, and moved all our belongings; our church has hosted four major conferences in addition to my “regular” duties and travels as pastor and missionary, and we’ve conducted two seminary semesters in a row while I’ve also taught three courses in the Bible institute. From December 10th until January 10th our semester and institute were put on break, and I celebrated! Our family
took advantage of a holiday deal in an Abuja hotel and filled four days with games for our children, family time, good food, and relaxation. Friends and relatives in the U.S. gave our children a great Christmas by sending lots of presents by postal mail [our children pictured with some of their "stash"]. Yet, our favorite gift was one purchased by a Nigerian family who was a neighbor to us in our previous location; they bought a full-month membership for us to join a family club where our children could play basketball, soccer, water games, tennis, and ping-pong. We are now refreshed and ready for a year where we hope to see the graduation of several students, the beginning work on a church auditorium, and a number of new church plants.
Other new beginnings have been celebrated as our church has rejoiced in the birth of eleven babies in the last four months alone! These blessed arrivals command much attention from our ministry: our staff makes every effort possible to be at the hospital for the birth or at least before the mother returns home, our ladies fellowship visits the mother with a gift, I normally conduct a naming ceremony within seven days, and we set a date for some of the families to 
participate together in a baby dedication service at the church. Baby dedication [Brian's pictured from 3 years ago] always sees an increase in visitors as many relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited; usually there is a sweet time of fellowship with testimonies and refreshments at the close of these services.The month of December gave our family some time to “catch our breath.” Since arriving in Nigeria from furlough on the Saturday before Easter, we have located a suitable house, secured a lease, and moved all our belongings; our church has hosted four major conferences in addition to my “regular” duties and travels as pastor and missionary, and we’ve conducted two seminary semesters in a row while I’ve also taught three courses in the Bible institute. From December 10th until January 10th our semester and institute were put on break, and I celebrated! Our family
took advantage of a holiday deal in an Abuja hotel and filled four days with games for our children, family time, good food, and relaxation. Friends and relatives in the U.S. gave our children a great Christmas by sending lots of presents by postal mail [our children pictured with some of their "stash"]. Yet, our favorite gift was one purchased by a Nigerian family who was a neighbor to us in our previous location; they bought a full-month membership for us to join a family club where our children could play basketball, soccer, water games, tennis, and ping-pong. We are now refreshed and ready for a year where we hope to see the graduation of several students, the beginning work on a church auditorium, and a number of new church plants.
September/October '10
Since February of 2008, except for times when our church is hosting a conference, every month I have responded 
to an invitation for preaching in one of our 85 independent Baptist churches. Another opportunity to be a blessing was in the middle of October, when I preached the 6th Anniversary of Lighthouse Independent Bible Baptist Church [the pastor's family is pictured with Ms. Pat], one of the three churches in which I’ve ministered at least once every year since we’ve started our church. It is rewarding to watch this church mature, fulfilling to see them start a Temple Baptist Institute, and stirring to learn the pastor’s vision for future ministries.
Early in October, as a kickoff for the third semester in the seminary,
we hosted our first Open House. Our 20 students [several pictured] had a chance to fellowship with 10 area independent Baptist pastors; we enjoyed breakfast, a special chapel service, some testimony time, and a snack while the pastors’ wives had a tea fellowship with my wife. We plan to conduct a similar meeting each semester. At the end of the month, Dr. Darrell Moore, the director of our mission board, honored us by visiting for our 3rd Annual Great Commission Conference. He not only preached each day for the missions meeting, but he also taught a compelling series on church multiplication to our seminary. Truth Baptist Church helps to support seven different ministries, and, as I write this, our members’ faith promise missions giving has more than tripled!
We are thrilled that the Nigerian Basic Education Board (NBEB) has recently accepted a ministry that we presented to
them. Virtually every government (public) school in Nigeria allows religious programs during their week. However, in the past, anytime we wished to represent our church during such a time, we were forced to go through the Pentecostal/Charismatic-dominated Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS); the only other fellowships allowed are Catholic or Muslim (Nigeria’s population is half-Muslim). Just three months ago, the NBEB approved our new Bible Proclaimers Student Fellowship, a ministry of Truth Baptist Church, so that it now carries the same authorization as the FCS, and is permitted to go into any government school of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja area). Our seminary students are currently trying to reach as many areas as possible, taking part in the schools’ allotted religious program times [my wife is pictured doing a Bible club at such a time]. This new ministry would also serve as a great opportunity for any visitor who would like to be a part in helping us reach our city’s students.
to an invitation for preaching in one of our 85 independent Baptist churches. Another opportunity to be a blessing was in the middle of October, when I preached the 6th Anniversary of Lighthouse Independent Bible Baptist Church [the pastor's family is pictured with Ms. Pat], one of the three churches in which I’ve ministered at least once every year since we’ve started our church. It is rewarding to watch this church mature, fulfilling to see them start a Temple Baptist Institute, and stirring to learn the pastor’s vision for future ministries.Early in October, as a kickoff for the third semester in the seminary,
we hosted our first Open House. Our 20 students [several pictured] had a chance to fellowship with 10 area independent Baptist pastors; we enjoyed breakfast, a special chapel service, some testimony time, and a snack while the pastors’ wives had a tea fellowship with my wife. We plan to conduct a similar meeting each semester. At the end of the month, Dr. Darrell Moore, the director of our mission board, honored us by visiting for our 3rd Annual Great Commission Conference. He not only preached each day for the missions meeting, but he also taught a compelling series on church multiplication to our seminary. Truth Baptist Church helps to support seven different ministries, and, as I write this, our members’ faith promise missions giving has more than tripled!We are thrilled that the Nigerian Basic Education Board (NBEB) has recently accepted a ministry that we presented to
them. Virtually every government (public) school in Nigeria allows religious programs during their week. However, in the past, anytime we wished to represent our church during such a time, we were forced to go through the Pentecostal/Charismatic-dominated Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS); the only other fellowships allowed are Catholic or Muslim (Nigeria’s population is half-Muslim). Just three months ago, the NBEB approved our new Bible Proclaimers Student Fellowship, a ministry of Truth Baptist Church, so that it now carries the same authorization as the FCS, and is permitted to go into any government school of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja area). Our seminary students are currently trying to reach as many areas as possible, taking part in the schools’ allotted religious program times [my wife is pictured doing a Bible club at such a time]. This new ministry would also serve as a great opportunity for any visitor who would like to be a part in helping us reach our city’s students.
July/August '10
For 33 years, the Summer Missionary Institute for Training and Evangelism (S.M.I.T.E.) has been used by God to gather teenagers and youth workers from throughout the southeast region of the U.S. and equip them to make a difference in their respective churches. My wife was a part of the youth meeting in both Baton Rouge and Natchez for 12 years, and the first time I actually met Sabrina was at a S.M.I.T.E. evening service. For these reasons and many more, we were more than thrilled when Evangelist Jerry Purtell [pictured with our kids], a missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship and founder of S.M.I.T.E., also a member of my wife’s home.jpg)
church in Baton Rouge and a close family friend, agreed to bring his ideas, resources, and training to Nigeria. He was joined by “missionary-in-training” Stephen Bedwell and Pastor Sonny McGuffee, who brought seven young men with him to do a Bible club and school crusade for us in Abuja over three years ago.
The uniqueness of our Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism is that the “campers” [pictured] not only hear preaching, but also receive teaching that.jpg)
prepares them to reach others with the gospel; they then have opportunity to practice what they have been taught. During the 23rd through the 27th of August, we had classes from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on these subjects: conducting Bible clubs, winning children to Christ, teaching a Bible story, showing a missionary story, memorizing Bible verses, leading a group in songs, and using evangelism tools, including the “wordless book”. In the afternoons, every teenager participated in conducting children’s Bible clubs [pictured below] throughout areas around our church with our seminary students as the leaders; the evenings were filled with spirited singing from the youth groups and great preaching from our American visitors. Our ministry was glad to welcome 70 teenagers from 15 churches, and the Bible clubs yielded over 2000 children enrolled and over 1500 people receiving Christ as Saviour! 
Independent Baptist churches in Nigeria have need for improvement, namely in the lack of Bible institutes to train their members and missions programs to support ministries outside of their churches; we have attempted to address these needs in our Soul-Winning and Leadership Conferences. In addition, most of our Bible-believing works have never included a youth or teenage ministry in their programs. There is very little focus on raising young people to serve the Lord. I believe that our annual youth meeting can have a major part in developing a new generation of people who will eventually reach their own nation. Many of the young people who attended S.M.I.T.E. believe that God wants them to give their lives to serve Him in the ministry. With the training and resources they received during the week, they can return to their various churches and help their pastors establish effective youth groups that reach others with the Gospel. These programs will inspire their teenagers to eventually come to our Bible college, attend the other seminary in Ogbomoso, or be trained in Bible institutes that pastors are being motivated to develop. As churches also build up missions programs, the young people training for the ministry will be encouraged by the prospect of being supported by their church and others to start ministries throughout Nigeria. We have “a great door and effectual” open for us to influence the movement of independent Baptists!
.jpg)
church in Baton Rouge and a close family friend, agreed to bring his ideas, resources, and training to Nigeria. He was joined by “missionary-in-training” Stephen Bedwell and Pastor Sonny McGuffee, who brought seven young men with him to do a Bible club and school crusade for us in Abuja over three years ago.The uniqueness of our Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism is that the “campers” [pictured] not only hear preaching, but also receive teaching that
.jpg)
prepares them to reach others with the gospel; they then have opportunity to practice what they have been taught. During the 23rd through the 27th of August, we had classes from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on these subjects: conducting Bible clubs, winning children to Christ, teaching a Bible story, showing a missionary story, memorizing Bible verses, leading a group in songs, and using evangelism tools, including the “wordless book”. In the afternoons, every teenager participated in conducting children’s Bible clubs [pictured below] throughout areas around our church with our seminary students as the leaders; the evenings were filled with spirited singing from the youth groups and great preaching from our American visitors. Our ministry was glad to welcome 70 teenagers from 15 churches, and the Bible clubs yielded over 2000 children enrolled and over 1500 people receiving Christ as Saviour! Independent Baptist churches in Nigeria have need for improvement, namely in the lack of Bible institutes to train their members and missions programs to support ministries outside of their churches; we have attempted to address these needs in our Soul-Winning and Leadership Conferences. In addition, most of our Bible-believing works have never included a youth or teenage ministry in their programs. There is very little focus on raising young people to serve the Lord. I believe that our annual youth meeting can have a major part in developing a new generation of people who will eventually reach their own nation. Many of the young people who attended S.M.I.T.E. believe that God wants them to give their lives to serve Him in the ministry. With the training and resources they received during the week, they can return to their various churches and help their pastors establish effective youth groups that reach others with the Gospel. These programs will inspire their teenagers to eventually come to our Bible college, attend the other seminary in Ogbomoso, or be trained in Bible institutes that pastors are being motivated to develop. As churches also build up missions programs, the young people training for the ministry will be encouraged by the prospect of being supported by their church and others to start ministries throughout Nigeria. We have “a great door and effectual” open for us to influence the movement of independent Baptists!
May/June '10
Since arriving back to Nigeria the first week of April, our time has been absolutely full of activity. During the same month, our family relocated to a rental house closer to our church, and in the middle of April, our college family began its 2nd semester of classes. Next, on May 16th, our church family celebrated its 4th Anniversary of existence. Though not a new concept, we introduced something innovative for Truth Baptist Church, as church services were held at six different areas, in addition to the church property, on the same day. This was accomplished by teaming our seminary students with the preachers that filled the pulpit during our furlough. Each team of four men worked to find suitable locations for a preaching station in places where we already had a bus route, children’s Bible club, or a member who could gather many people. Goals were set, flyers were printed, resources were organized, John & Romans books were gathered, visitors’ letters and cards were made ready, refreshments were prepared, and prayer was made for the big day. With 25 of my best men conducting meetings elsewhere, I was more than a little nervous about how many would come to our main preaching service, but numerous people brought visitors, and our auditorium was packed! Our 1st Abuja Area Outreach recorded 518 total in attendance, with 98 people receiving Christ as their Saviour! The evening service on that day was a rewarding occasion where we heard testimonies from every outreach preacher about the way that God helped them and blessed their efforts. .jpg)
There was no time to rest after the anniversary, as planning immediately commenced for our 3rd Annual Soul-Winning and Leadership Conference, scheduled for June 28th through July 1st. With the growing influence of this meeting, our young church now has the honor of hosting the largest gathering of independent Baptist pastors in all of Nigeria; about 40 represented their churches this year. The delegates [pictured above] were glad to hear preaching from Dr. Ken Shinn (pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church—Columbia, Mississippi), who was making his third visit, and Dr. Mike Cox (founder of our mission board, Fundamental Baptist Missions International), whose wonderful wife taught ladies’ sessions for us. Both men were 
able to minister in 12 government schools [1 pictured] during the conference days; they preached to over 3500 students and teachers, and 2670 professed salvation!
There was no time to rest after the anniversary, as planning immediately commenced for our 3rd Annual Soul-Winning and Leadership Conference, scheduled for June 28th through July 1st. With the growing influence of this meeting, our young church now has the honor of hosting the largest gathering of independent Baptist pastors in all of Nigeria; about 40 represented their churches this year. The delegates [pictured above] were glad to hear preaching from Dr. Ken Shinn (pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church—Columbia, Mississippi), who was making his third visit, and Dr. Mike Cox (founder of our mission board, Fundamental Baptist Missions International), whose wonderful wife taught ladies’ sessions for us. Both men were 
able to minister in 12 government schools [1 pictured] during the conference days; they preached to over 3500 students and teachers, and 2670 professed salvation!A big “thank you” goes to those of you who sent extra support for the feeding of our visitors during the conference. Truth Baptist Church raised the remainder of the money needed, and our ladies fellowship worked day and night to make sure that everyone was satisfied. Another show of appreciation is 
due to the Bible Education And Missionary Service (BEAMS) ministry, who made it possible for us to give out over 1000 Bibles (a box of 25 to each church represented) to help our Bible-believing ministries [pastors pictured with boxes of Bibles]. BEAMS (P.O. Box 10200; Gulfport, MS 39505; beamsbibles.com) is a ministry of our sending church, and is more than worthy of support. Just in case you think that things slowed down, we have already begun preparations for our first-ever Student Missions Institute for Training in Evangelism (S.M.I.T.E.), a unique youth camp that I will describe in our next update.
March/April '10
Our family arrived safely back to Abuja on April 3rd, in time to have a wonderful Easter
service at Truth Baptist Church, which was full of people eager to welcome us back to Nigeria. Before we even finished unpacking, I became extremely busy finding, securing, and renting for two years a larger house that is closer to the church and better for our family. We all are very thankful for a fulfilling furlough and, with the successful move-in to our new home at the end of April, a triumphant return to the field.
The second semester of our Bible College got underway on April 19. With an increase in our student body, there are now 20 people involved in this full-time ministry training. Each of our six interns returned with fantastic testimonies of how the Lord worked through them at different independent Baptist churches. I would like to include a testimony and prayer request for one of our Bible college students, Isaac Samson [pictured middle]. On the way
to enroll in our school last year, the taxi in which he was riding experienced a terrible accident. Isaac woke up in a police office as the lone survivor of the crash in which the driver and three others died. He had some serious cuts and his money was gone, but he still did everything possible to be in class for opening day. He has healed well and is a blessing to our college. We ask that you pray for him as he has many upcoming decisions, not related to the accident, that require great wisdom on his part.
Please allow me to end with an appeal to our supporters. At the end of June, we will host our 3rd Annual Abuja Pastors’ School. This Soul-Winning & Leadership Conference will feature at least two guest preachers from the U.S., and has the potential of drawing more than sixty of the eighty independent Baptist pastors in Nigeria. Several pastors that attended our first two meetings have told me that it is the greatest thing happening amongst our Bible-believing churches, and many have remarked that it is the best conference of which they have ever been a part. Beyond the preaching,
teaching, music, and resources that we make available, our church also delights in taking care of the visiting men of God, their families, and the church members that accompany them. We use as much space as possible on our property for beds, and our ladies [pictured cooking] provide breakfast, a late lunch, and an evening snack to every person who comes from outside of Abuja. Last year, it cost us more than $1,200 to feed everyone for the 3½ day gathering. Would you prayerfully consider contributing to what will be the biggest and most influential event in Truth Baptist Church this year? Please earmark your donation for “Pastors Conference.”
service at Truth Baptist Church, which was full of people eager to welcome us back to Nigeria. Before we even finished unpacking, I became extremely busy finding, securing, and renting for two years a larger house that is closer to the church and better for our family. We all are very thankful for a fulfilling furlough and, with the successful move-in to our new home at the end of April, a triumphant return to the field.The second semester of our Bible College got underway on April 19. With an increase in our student body, there are now 20 people involved in this full-time ministry training. Each of our six interns returned with fantastic testimonies of how the Lord worked through them at different independent Baptist churches. I would like to include a testimony and prayer request for one of our Bible college students, Isaac Samson [pictured middle]. On the way
to enroll in our school last year, the taxi in which he was riding experienced a terrible accident. Isaac woke up in a police office as the lone survivor of the crash in which the driver and three others died. He had some serious cuts and his money was gone, but he still did everything possible to be in class for opening day. He has healed well and is a blessing to our college. We ask that you pray for him as he has many upcoming decisions, not related to the accident, that require great wisdom on his part.Please allow me to end with an appeal to our supporters. At the end of June, we will host our 3rd Annual Abuja Pastors’ School. This Soul-Winning & Leadership Conference will feature at least two guest preachers from the U.S., and has the potential of drawing more than sixty of the eighty independent Baptist pastors in Nigeria. Several pastors that attended our first two meetings have told me that it is the greatest thing happening amongst our Bible-believing churches, and many have remarked that it is the best conference of which they have ever been a part. Beyond the preaching,
teaching, music, and resources that we make available, our church also delights in taking care of the visiting men of God, their families, and the church members that accompany them. We use as much space as possible on our property for beds, and our ladies [pictured cooking] provide breakfast, a late lunch, and an evening snack to every person who comes from outside of Abuja. Last year, it cost us more than $1,200 to feed everyone for the 3½ day gathering. Would you prayerfully consider contributing to what will be the biggest and most influential event in Truth Baptist Church this year? Please earmark your donation for “Pastors Conference.”
January/February '10
Our sixth year in Nigeria will begin in June, and, as mentioned in our last letter, I would like to give a summary of our time on the field. Any company in which you invest will usually mail an annual report of how your contributions are faring; they tend to be very detailed, full of numbers, and quite boring. I hope that you will see our details as a depiction of our efforts to be accountable, the numbers as representations of souls and churches, and the report as an encouraging description of the return on your investments in our ministry:
* Mark and Sabrina, both graduates of Hyles-Anderson College, were married in 2001 and now have three children
; as newlyweds, they served for two years in their sending church, Faith Baptist Church, in the bus ministry, Sunday Schools, junior churches, youth and music departments, and prison ministry. In 2002, they were appointed to serve with Fundamental Baptist Missions International; a 24-month deputation followed with 211 meetings in 193 churches to raise financial support. June of 2005 began their first term on the field; and the first several months were spent with a veteran missionary.
* Truth Baptist Church, with an opening attendance of 95, will soon celebrate its 4th Anniversary and is currently averaging about 200 in attendance, composed of more than 30 families. The Sunday evening Bible study (including children’s choir) and the Thursday prayer meeting (counting children’s Bible club) each average about 70 people.
* Over 20,000 people have professed faith in Christ through the outreach ministries, including 7,000 during an 11-day Bible Club crusade. Over 100,000 tracts have been printed and distributed, and more than 300 converts have been baptized. At least 20 members have been called into the ministry.
* Their 15 Sunday Schools consist of 2 assemblies each for married adults, singles, teens, local languages, discipleship (new member and soul-winners’ training), and 5 classes for children who then gather for a children’s church during the time that the adults have the morning service in the auditorium. Virtually every class has a teacher, assistant, and secretary.
* Other ministries include soul-winning
times for men, ladies, and church-wide; choirs for adult [pictured], youth, and children; fellowship groups for men, ladies, singles, and youth; male ushers and female greeters; a library with books, music, and sermons; a bus ministry running one church-owned van and two rental vans weekly; and a youth drama group.
* The church officers consist of an assistant pastor, a treasurer, 2 ordained deacons, and 2 trustees, along with 2 other men, considered junior staff, who go out for soul-winning and visitation every day.
* The ministry owns 1 ½ acres of land in a suburb of the capital city; already on the property were 2 buildings designed to be a hotel that are now used for the church, institute, and college. A foundation on the other part of the property will be used for a future auditorium, and other space could hold a future Christian day school building and a house for the missionary family.
* Temple Baptist Institute meets twice weekly in 3 churches and has enrolled more than 80 students. Last July, the 1st graduation was held for 9 who completed the 3-year curriculum. So far, the graduates have started 5 churches.
* Providence Baptist College & Seminary opened last August with 15 full-time students from 9 churches who live on the church property and attend daily classes and chapel. 1-year certificates, 2-year diplomas, and 4-year degrees are being offered. 2 national pastors are teaching alongside the missionary, and 2 new American missionaries are expected within the next year.
* The Holmes family has hosted 32 American visitors; many have taken part in the annual special church meetings.
* As a result of 2 missions conferences, Truth Baptist Church is now helping 9 Nigerian ministries, including a Nigerian missionary in Ghana and 4 new church plants, by giving a total of more than $300 per month.
* More than 50 of the 80 total independent Baptist pastors in Nigeria have attended the annual Soul-Winning & Leadership Conference in 2 years. Mark has preached in 26 of those churches thus far, and currently travels out to preach every month.
* Mark and Sabrina, both graduates of Hyles-Anderson College, were married in 2001 and now have three children
; as newlyweds, they served for two years in their sending church, Faith Baptist Church, in the bus ministry, Sunday Schools, junior churches, youth and music departments, and prison ministry. In 2002, they were appointed to serve with Fundamental Baptist Missions International; a 24-month deputation followed with 211 meetings in 193 churches to raise financial support. June of 2005 began their first term on the field; and the first several months were spent with a veteran missionary.* Truth Baptist Church, with an opening attendance of 95, will soon celebrate its 4th Anniversary and is currently averaging about 200 in attendance, composed of more than 30 families. The Sunday evening Bible study (including children’s choir) and the Thursday prayer meeting (counting children’s Bible club) each average about 70 people.
* Over 20,000 people have professed faith in Christ through the outreach ministries, including 7,000 during an 11-day Bible Club crusade. Over 100,000 tracts have been printed and distributed, and more than 300 converts have been baptized. At least 20 members have been called into the ministry.
* Their 15 Sunday Schools consist of 2 assemblies each for married adults, singles, teens, local languages, discipleship (new member and soul-winners’ training), and 5 classes for children who then gather for a children’s church during the time that the adults have the morning service in the auditorium. Virtually every class has a teacher, assistant, and secretary.
* Other ministries include soul-winning
times for men, ladies, and church-wide; choirs for adult [pictured], youth, and children; fellowship groups for men, ladies, singles, and youth; male ushers and female greeters; a library with books, music, and sermons; a bus ministry running one church-owned van and two rental vans weekly; and a youth drama group.* The church officers consist of an assistant pastor, a treasurer, 2 ordained deacons, and 2 trustees, along with 2 other men, considered junior staff, who go out for soul-winning and visitation every day.
* The ministry owns 1 ½ acres of land in a suburb of the capital city; already on the property were 2 buildings designed to be a hotel that are now used for the church, institute, and college. A foundation on the other part of the property will be used for a future auditorium, and other space could hold a future Christian day school building and a house for the missionary family.
* Temple Baptist Institute meets twice weekly in 3 churches and has enrolled more than 80 students. Last July, the 1st graduation was held for 9 who completed the 3-year curriculum. So far, the graduates have started 5 churches.
* Providence Baptist College & Seminary opened last August with 15 full-time students from 9 churches who live on the church property and attend daily classes and chapel. 1-year certificates, 2-year diplomas, and 4-year degrees are being offered. 2 national pastors are teaching alongside the missionary, and 2 new American missionaries are expected within the next year.
* The Holmes family has hosted 32 American visitors; many have taken part in the annual special church meetings.
* As a result of 2 missions conferences, Truth Baptist Church is now helping 9 Nigerian ministries, including a Nigerian missionary in Ghana and 4 new church plants, by giving a total of more than $300 per month.
* More than 50 of the 80 total independent Baptist pastors in Nigeria have attended the annual Soul-Winning & Leadership Conference in 2 years. Mark has preached in 26 of those churches thus far, and currently travels out to preach every month.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
