IDF

IDF is a military term meaning "Indirect Fire". It is a situation where the enemy is firing morter rounds in your general direction without knowing your exact coordinates. The idea I get from talking with soldiers is that when you are taking IDF, you often hear the rounds explode in the distance, and often close to the base, sometimes too close, but rarely do you actually suffer a direct hit.

Granted, I am no expert on military matters, but soldiers I know that have been to Iraq told me that they could take IDF two-to-three times per week, sometimes daily. I never heard them discuss getting hit, though. In fact, the U.S. Army still didn't require their soldiers to wear body armor unless they were leaving base.

The reason I bring this up is that Mission: Brownwood has been taking IDF from satan's forces since May of this year, when we began the final preparations to move to Brownwood. Satan would seek to stir conflict in mine and Jessica's marriage via miscommunication. He would try to drive a wedge between me and my sponsoring church via miscommunication. Once on the field, he would attack through various people we met on the field.

Satan's attacks in these instances amount to IDF, in my opinion, because my family and ministry have been directly attacked by satan in the past. In various places in my ministry, I feel like he brought on an all-out attack. These attacks ranged from temptations to false accusations, to attempts to assassinate my ministry through the false accusations and rumors started by other preachers, to all-out rebellion by the members of the body of Christ where I ministered. I remember thinking in some instances that these attacks would literally kill me. Once, it almost did, but that's a whole other story altogether.

No, in comparison to previous experiences, these attacks have been mild... hence they are IDF.

The IDF we are experiencing right now comes from the apartment communities where my wife works, where I also minister. There are those there who love us and want us to continue ministering to them. Then, there are those who live there and would rather Jessica and I fall off the face of the planet. Neither these people, nor these complexes have ties to our mission-church, Grace Pointe. However, they still oppose our ministry.

So far, the attacks have been limited to lies, false accusations and rumor-mongering which has gained no traction with the ownership of the apartment communities, or the company for which my wife works. Still, it is annoying and is having a draining effect on my wife. (One courageous man boldly confronted my wife while she was alone in an elevator... yes, we have elevators in Brownwood). Others have also vandalized property.

Our plan is to stay the course. When God calls us to a ministry, we also understand that He calls us to a battlefield. Satan has no respect for God's people, or His creation, and will oppose the spread of God's word everywhere he can. We understand that. We just covet your prayers.

Last night, we had 10 at our Wednesday evening services at Market Place. Four were out of town at a funeral, one was having surgery, one was recovering from surgery and one was tending to her mother who just returned from surgery.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Oh, and things at Brownwood Apts. II are still going well. This will be where we build the core group (which is already taking shape) and be able to organize and launch the church.

Mission: Brownwood November 2008 report

Mission: Brownwood starts Grace Pointe Missionary Baptist Church

Grace Pointe Missionary Baptist Church (mission status sponsored by Rocky Springs MBC) held its first Sunday worship services Nov. 2 at the community room of the Brownwood Apts. Phase II community room. Only three were in attendance, but we felt encouraged by the Lord to continue. We had five the following Sunday, then saw 20 join us for services on Nov. 16. We experienced our first additions Nov. 23 (four by statement, one on promise of Baptism) and collected our first offering Nov. 30 ($365).

Our plans for Dec. 7 are to establish a missions budget, an operations budget, and begin plans to implement our youth program. We hope to have youth programs established by mid-January.

We expect this congregation to grow as we have a decent meeting place and have been canvassing the area weekly since the beginning of November.

Market Place rolls on

Our ministry at the Market Place apartments continues to build momentum, with new people attending and the weekly faithful hanging on. High attendance was 18 on Nov. 19, low attendance was 13 on Nov. 5.

Missionary Acker approved by the messengers of the MBA of Texas

It was an incredibly humbling experience to stand before the messengers of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas as they stood and approved our request for half-salary. Seeing a full house stand at Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson was truly encouraging, and I thank you for your support.

Finances

Income: MBA of Texas $955.50; Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $150; Northcrest BC (Andrews, TX) $450; Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $200; John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25; Beacon BC (San Angelo, TX) $150; Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50; Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $99.97; Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX) $293.13; East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100; Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40; Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $400; Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50; Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock, TX) $100; White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100; Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland, TX) $50; 58th Ave. MBC (Amarillo) $144.90; Bassett Road BC (Palestine, TX) $75.

Expenditures: Salary $1000; Housing $740; Vehicle repair $644.71; Printing $61.20; Fuel $50.20.

Another good Sunday

We had 13 in morning worship Sunday, down a little, but it was a holiday weekend and there were illnesses. The core is sticking together, though. My new colleague, Jeremy, brought a message on Bringing Children up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. He will eventually step into the role of Children's minister at Grace Pointe.

We collected a good offering, and will decide how to budget our finances next Sunday. Top-of-the-list is missions. One of our goals is to be sending out missionaries in all phases of mission work within the next six years (local, state, interstate and foreign).

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a Merry Christmas season. I just love this time of the year.

Wednesday night at Market Place, we had 15 people present, with several of our regulars being out visiting family.

Thursday, we enjoyed Thanksgiving with one of our families in the mission, and watched the Cowboys beat up on the Seahawks. Later, I watched the Texas-TAMU massacre.

We're looking forward to good services on Monday. Jeremy will bring a message on bringing children up in the nurture and admonition of hte Lord. God bless you. Merry Christmas.

Blessings

We have been having great turnout at Grace Pointe. We had 17 last Sunday, 20 the Sunday before, several that are about to join on statement, and one who will join by Baptism. I got an EIN today for Grace Pointe, and we will open up a bank account tomorrow. The members/attendees are already asking about tithing and giving to missions.

I can't wait to see what God does next.

Sunday report

We had 17 in services this morning at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II. One came forward to join by Baptism.

Market Place recap

We had 18 in Wednesday night services last night at the Market Place Apartments. I continued the Faith Hall of Fame series with a sermon on Abel.

An amazing end to an amazing week

This week has been totally awesome. Here are a few reasons why:

• I was approved for state missions support.
• We had 17 on Wednesday evening at Market Place.
• We had 20 in our Sunday services at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II.
• I have sold a personal record amount of advertising this week, despite being absent 2 1/2 days.
• I think we are about to have our first additions.

Concerning the group at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II, they are already getting excited about getting involved. One lady wants to bring cakes and coffee for Sunday mornings, while several others want to start a children's ministry. Some even asked about tithing.

Last night, I preached at Northcrest MBC in Andrews, TX. I'm really excited about the work God is doing there as well. They have offered support in getting our children's Bible clubs started.

Spiritual Food

Bro. Cory Page, one of my classmates from seminary and one of the most passionate men of God you will find anywhere, has written a wonderful piece on what should motivate us in ministry. You can read that post here.

Bro. Page and I spoke about this subject Tuesday night after the opening session of the state meeting. What he had to say about his personal walk with God in this issue was very convicting to me.

Good News

Mission: Brownwood is now an official state missions project as I was approved for half-salary by the messengers of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas today.

In other news, Market Place had 17 in my absence with Bro. John Kight preaching a message on Jesus walking on the water.

Sunday Services Report

We had five in attendance at our Sunday services this morning at the Brownwood Apartments Phase II Community Room. We canvassed both Phase I and Phase II Saturday, but still only had our family in services this morning.

None-the-less, I still feel optimistic. Jessica and I are planning a backyard bash at the complex to get to know the residents, plus we are planning to canvass the surrounding neighborhoods and explore the possibility of doing Discovery Club in lieu of Sunday School. Despite our slow start, I feel like we can build a work here.

I preached on Isaiah 1:18.

Oct. 2008 Report

Mission: Brownwood expands outreach

October was a busy month for Mission: Brownwood. We secured a meeting place for Sunday morning services at the Brownwood Apartments Phase II Addition (pictured here). We will be using their community room. Upon securing the meeting place, we began canvassing the Brownwood Apartments complexes, working mostly in the phase II addition. Plans for November are to expand our canvassing efforts to Phase I. These two complexes are similar in size to the Brownwood Housing Authority, where we held VBS over the summer, and are located less than half a mile from the housing authority.

We sponsored a fall festival at Market Place Apartments in Brownwood. We had a great turnout and generated a lot of interest in our services there.

We averaged five in attendance on Sundays in my home studies, 15 in attendance at our Wednesday services at the Market Place. Current plans are to continue canvassing these complexes and build up our services there.

Finances

Support: Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $571.45; 58th Ave. MBC (Amarillo) $117.66; Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland, TX) $300; Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50; Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock) $100; East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100; Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50; Westwood BC (Odessa) $300; RidgeCrest MBC (Levelland, TX) 75; Wyndrock MBC (Abilene) $40; Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $111.37. White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $300; Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $200; John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25; Faith MBC (Round Rock, TX) $200; North Side BC (Snyder, TX) $200.

Expenditures: Salary - $1,000; Housing - $740; Travel - $68.81; Printing - $86.40; Promotional - $78.77; Cleaning supplies for meeting facility - $13.48; Angel Food - $49.

Market Place update

We had 13 in services tonight. We are maintaining the same group at Market Place. Current series is the Hebrews Hall of Fame from Hebrews 11.

Heading to Market Place

I'm expecting a down night tonight as my wife and kids are sidelined by illness and there has been another round of controversy at Market Place. Satan just seems to be attacking on all fronts. Tonight, I'm preaching on why we need faith from Hebrews 11:1-3. You can read my sermon outline here. Of course, you can catch up on all my primer articles and devotionals here.

Getting active online

I have begun posting sermon outlines and previews, as well as supplemental materials on one of my other blogs, Grace Pointe MBC. This will be the official blog of the new church, and will be used for announcements, study helps, and teaching supplement. It will be promoted during worship services. Feel free to visit, then come back here and let me know what you think.

In the days ahead, I plan to reactivate my other blog, MyFaith.com, but probably under a new name. The purpose of this blog will be to promote the Gospel and the truth of God's Word to anyone who reads it. I will be adding other online services as well.

MySpace is a tool that I will use to invite people to church. Hopefully, these added efforts will give us an edge.

Well, It's a start!

We had three in our first Sunday Service at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II Community Room. Aside from the low attendance, we were able to witness to several people in the complex over the weekend, with one possible salvation.

Ramping up for Sunday morning

We are out canvassing the Brownwood Apts. Phase II today, hopefully, we'll have some people attend services tomorrow morning.

I'm really nervous about this. So far, we have had success in apartment communities. Hopefully, God will continue to bless that.