Pastors and wives fellowship

About 50 pastors and wives gathered at First Baptist Church in Milltown for our annual Pastors and Wives' Retreat on Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16. Pastor Walter Olsen gave four sessions on the pastor's heart, challenging us about our walk with God as well as our message and ministry and our home. Interspersed with the messages were a time of singing, testimonies, prayer and some great fellowship along with wonderful food.

Pastor Mielke and his people did a great job of hosting us for this occasion. They provided two meals and a some entertainment as well. We are thankful for their hospitality and sacrifice in our behalf.

Sunday evening February 14th we were ministering at First Baptist Church in Woodville. Dennis Tapp is the pastor of this church ministry. Carole provided keyboard assistance for the service and I presented a report of our ministry as well as preaching for the evening service. Following the service we had a lunch fellowship in the fellowship hall.

First Baptist Church is currently in the process of constructing at new church facility. The building is located out close to Interstate 94. They plan to be in that building sometime this spring. A wing of the building will have its interior completed as the Lord provides funds to do so. First Baptist has experiencing limited space and are in need of this new facility, so the completion will be a real blessing to the congregation.

We opened our February ministry at First Baptist Church in Campbellsport on Sunday February 7th. Dave Nothem is the pastor of this local church ministry. Carole provided musical assistance on the piano accompanying Carl on the organ. We also provided a special number for the service. I gave a report of our ministry, sharing our new DVD presentation.

First Baptist Church has faced some recent challenges as a ministry. An internal church action has resulted in the loss of some families to the ministry. Also the pastor and his wife are out of work at this time, adding to some financial pressure. Along with a number of our pastors, Dave Nothem must work to support his ministry. We must continue to uphold these bi-vocational pastors as they labor in the work of ministry while working an outside job. Their sacrifice is a real indicator of their full commitment to the work of the gospel ministry.

Lakewood Baptismal Service

On Sunday January 31st Lakewood Baptist Church officially organized into an independent Baptist church. Thirty-four people signed the charter statement and constituted a local church. They accepted the articles of faith, constitution and covenant as a basis for their organization. Dave Marriott was officially called as the pastor of this new church, and church officers were elected including deacons and treasurer.

The services included a Sunday School challenge by Dr. Marty Marriott, father of the pastor and newly called president of Maranatha College in Watertown. Dr. Robert Loggans preached a challenge to the church and to the new pastor. Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown during the past year has operated as the reproducing church providing support and help for the formation of Lakewood Baptist Church. Those present enjoyed a delicious lunch at the church following the charter service. The congregation adjourned to the Holiday Inn Express for a baptismal service in their pool, where seven were baptized and added to the church charter.

Lakewood Baptist Church has been enjoying a strong attendance around 100 for the past two weeks. Sunday's charter service saw 137 attending. Our prayers are for a growing local church ministry in the Lake Country area. Also pray for God's direction and provision for a permanent location. The church is currently meeting at the Cushing School on Cty Hwy C just north of Interstate 94.