We went from Clovis to Farmington, NM, for Wednesday through Resurrection Sunday.  Pastor Burson Corley has been faithfully fighting the good fight of faith for several years now and the Lord has blessed his dependence upon the Lord in the harvest field as well as among the church families.  This was our third time being with the Corleys and as usual, we enjoyed them greatly.  They have become like family to us and we appreciate them dearly.  During our brief time, we witnessed the Lord meeting with us in providing His revival presence and power.  On Sunday, the church saw its largest attendance ever with six or seven saved.   Pastor Corley has rescheduled to have an eight-day meeting in 2011.

We headed to Clovis, NM to conduct the first weeklong meeting for Pastor Tunnell.  Some were skeptical about having a weeklong event since all they were use to having been “family emphasis” or “mission’s emphasis” and an occasional evangelist to come for a few days but never a weeklong revival meeting.  This phenomenon is common among many churches today and only reflects the gross misunderstanding about revival.  If a church is truly concerned about the family and missions then the glaring need for the church and home IS revival (normal Christianity)! 

God did do a great work but not without opposition from the Evil One.  I felt that I was under a cloud for the first part of the week and could not seem to break through the spiritual opposition.  On Wednesday night, I preached a critical message entitled “Honor the Holy Spirit or Hinder Revival.”  God did give liberty and I personally experienced a break through.  We had an “after-meeting” that night for those who wanted to stay and could stay for a season of revival praying.  I was truly shocked to see that nearly half of the church stayed.  That prayer meeting proved to be the breaking point for the entire meeting.  Spiritually speaking we shifted gears and went to a greater level. 

Many of those praying came to convincement and claimed their inheritance in Christ believing God to do the “greater works.”  The pastor later said that there were people praying and getting right with God that he had never hear pray or publicly respond before.  Throughout the remainder of the week the church gave testimony of how God had led them in that “after-meeting” to witness to specific people whereby God granted their request, giving them necessary boldness and liberty to do so.  (To my knowledge not one person in the church experienced a negative response in any of these divine appointments they witnessed to.)

The following Sunday was “Friend Day.”  We saw a number of first time visitors come and several were saved (seven I believe) including a 91-year-old man.  On that Sunday night, which was to be the final service, the pastor was convinced to continue the meeting at least two more nights.  This did allow us to go a little further in the areas of personal victory and lay a more solid foundation as to how to make their decisions for the Lord last. 

Several “firsts” took place for this church, which I believe, vindicate both the very truth of revival and the importance of having a meeting for its cause.  The pastor said that for the first time in having a meeting, their attendance did not drop from what we had on the first Sunday night.  In fact, some of the services were greater in attendance than the first Sunday evening and definitely exceeded their average.  (When God shows up, He is indeed attractive)!  Another first was the love offering.  Pastor Tunnell said that he has always set a certain amount that he would give the speaker regardless of whether the people give this amount.  However, for the first time ever the people exceeded the set amount.  This was a great blessing to the pastor regarding his people.  Not only did the church imbibe and embrace these truths but also they wished to have an ongoing part in our ministry for the cause of both revival and evangelism by taking us on for monthly support.  What a shock and blessing this was for us considering how the subject of finances is mute topic of discussion in our ministry with pastors and churches.

This year’s Bible Conference celebrated the 20th year of Ambassador Baptist College’s existence as a preacher’s training school.  Founded in 1989 by Evangelist Ron Comfort, Ambassador has not swayed or compromised from its foundation and intended focus.  This year also marked the changing of leadership as Alton Beal will succeed Dr. Comfort as president upon graduation this May. 

The preaching was unsuprisingly outstanding and can be heard by going to Ambassador’s website http://ambassadors.edu/OnlineSermons/current.php 

During the week different staff members were honored for their service throughout these past twenty years.  Among those recognized was Dr. and Mrs. Childs, who are also my adopted parents.

We had a very special Sunday at Peachtree Road Baptist Church, Suwanee, GA.  I was scheduled to preach only on Sunday but Pastor Preston Moore, under the Lord’s direction, extended the meeting until Wednesday.  Preacher Moore has pastored this church for nearly 44 years and has had 48 different men come out of his ministry to other full time ministries.  What a blessing to have been in this environment and to see a genuine breaking and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The following Sunday morning I preached a simple gospel message and six souls were saved.

We ended our trip to Illinois in Burbank.  The Lord really met with us during the week.  So much that the meeting extended into the following Wednesday.  What a blessing to see these people soak up the Truths that the Lord was teaching them and to watch them apply the Truths was such an encouragement.  We left the week and half encouraged and refreshed.  What a blessing.

Christy picked me up from the Nashville airport and we hit the ground ‘driving’ to North Carolina for a meeting.  But first we had to cross the Mt Eagle mountain between Manchester and Chattanooga and we did this unbeknownst to us, without brakes.  This was quite a scare as Christy doesn’t care for pulling the trailer over mountains and this just topped it off.  So, once again, we are VERY thankful for travelling mercies.  We can’t say it enough, that we are grateful to those who pray for our safetly in travelling.  We were able to take the trailer into a Camping World to have it fixed.  (This proved to be a huge blessing as well, because the brakes went out again in September.) 

We were in Huntersville, NC with dear friends Pastor and Mrs. Powell. (Joy played the piano on Christy’s cd).  We really enjoyed this time together.  The church is going through a trial with city regulations and we met in a local hall.  We had a great response and trust the Lord will continue to break through.

The week ended with a Revival Conference with Dr. Rick Flander’s and Dr. John Van Gelderen.  What an honor for Christy and I to join up with these men.

After our quick drive from Oklahoma, we parked our trailer at the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, TN.  From here I flew out on a 5 week, multiple destination flight.  From West Virginia to California to Michigan then back to Tennessee, the Lord really blessed.  I was able to leave Christy safe at the Ranch while travelling and that was a blessing.  Another highlight from this trip was preaching with Dr. Milford Biddle.  Christy had grown up hearing him preach and had said a number of great things about him, but once I met him I was deeply challenged.  Here was an 84 year old preacher with his PDA on his hip, bluetooth in ear flying all over America with a great passion for preaching the Word.  What a blessing and encouragement.