We got everything moved to Brownwood Friday and got the UHAUL unloaded successfully. After doing a little unpacking, Jessica, the kids and I loaded up in our van and drove to Colorado Springs, Colo. to visit her (Jessica's) family. We'll be here till later this week.
In the meantime, I have family watching over the new house in Brownwood. More details on our activities later.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Slow blogging
I apologize for the slowdown in my blogging activities. While I have had time to read other blogs, I have not had much time to form new devotionals to share, or really put together anything worth reading. The series on Gideon will resume ASAP, though.
My goal for this blog is not to be a daily journal of my feelings, etc. It is intended to be a day-to-day reporting of how God is blessing the work in Brownwood and present that information from the viewpoint of a bivocational missionary (as long as I am bivocational). With the transition taking place, blogging will slow down over the next couple of weeks. Once we are settled in my blogging will resume to its normal pace.
Last weekend, I took the family away for a couple of days of peace and relaxation in Galveston. This week, we have been frantically packing our things in anticipation of the big move Friday and Saturday. We have a trip to see Jessica's family in Colorado Springs planned following our big move. Our evangelical work will begin June 2, with our first in-home service being June 8. My secular job begins July 15. I'll be training with the man I am replacing before going full time Aug. 1.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Welcome Memorial MBC!!!!
In their regular monthly business meeting, Memorial MBC of Rusk, TX, voted to support Mission: Brownwood on a monthly basis at a rate of $50 per month. Memorial MBC is a good church pastored by Bro. Odis Bryan. Bro. Bryan pastored Alto MBC when they were the sending church for Robert Blume in Romania, and makes frequent mission trips to various fields.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Are you a Gideon?
No, I'm not asking if you give away free Bibles to everyone, I'm asking if you are similar to the man, Gideon, from the book of Judges.
The closer I get to beginning the work in Brownwood, the more I can identify with Gideon.
Gideon was called of God to:
Let's take mission work for instance. Why aren't more churches sponsoring missionaries? Because most churches believe that they can not afford to send a missionary out onto a field. They have it in their minds that if they send a missionary out, their finances will be overwhelmed and the church will go broke.
Why aren't more missionaries answering the call to go to the mission field? Because the financial and emotional task of uprooting one's family and moving to a strange new city or country frightens most people back into their comfort zone. I've seen families begging for a missionary to come to their town and establish a work. Recently, there was one such family in Olive Branch, Miss. There are currently families in Omaha, Neb. and Corpus Christi, Tex. who are in need of a missionary to work with them in establishing a church. Hey, Omaha can't be all bad, and how cool would it be to live on a South Texas beach?
Why can't we get missionaries to answer these calls and head out to the fields? Where are the sponsoring churches? They are busy counting the costs and deciding they don't have enough. When Jesus told us to count the costs, He only meant to teach us that discipleship will cost us everything. He didn't mean to discourage us from the work He commissioned us to do.
If God provided Israel with a full army to overthrow the Midianites, Israel would have put their faith in and glorified the army for the victory. If God provides churches and missionaries with ample revenue in advance of a mission project, churches and missionaries will tend toward putting their faith in that bank balance and glorifying the supporting churches for any successful project. God wants His people to trust Him, even when it all doesn't add up. He wants us to glorify Him for accomplishing through us what we can't do ourselves.
My experience with God in the Mission: Brownwood work is that He has given me just enough to keep me encouraged, but not enough that I get comfortable. He wants me to continue to turn to Him for provisions and on-field victories. That's what He wants to do with you, too.
So, what has God called you to do that can only be accomplished by His grace and provision. Maybe He is leading you to a mission work. Maybe He has called you to revive a dying church. Perhaps He is keeping you in seminary, though the money may be running out and the tests aren't getting easier. Or maybe you've got a friend or family member that needs to be reached, but seems unreachable.
Whatever He has called you to do, He will provide for it, even if it is at the last minute. Be a Gideon, go boldly forward, knowing God has called you, and be willing to step out on faith. And, if your faith is short, it's okay to ask for more. After all, if Gideon can play games with a fleece, surely God will give you what you need for your faith to be increased.
I have lots of thoughts on Gideon. Lord willing, I'll be able to share some of them with you in the coming days.
The closer I get to beginning the work in Brownwood, the more I can identify with Gideon.
Gideon was called of God to:
- Turn the people away from idolatry (Judges 6:25)
- To free the Israelites from the Midianites (Judges 6:16)
- To face insurmountable obstacles, and succeed! (Judges 7:12)
- To rely totally on God (Judges 7:2)
You can imagine, faced with the task of taking on the powerful Midianite army, that Gideon was a little nervous about the outcome of his undertaking (and probably fearing he would need an undertaker). His fear resulted in his testing of God at the end of Judges 6. Now, we often criticize Gideon's "timidness" here, but I don't see any of us lining up to take on the Midianites.
So, Gideon has an army together, and he's gearing up for a big fight with the powerful Midianite army (which is inumerable, like a bunch of grasshoppers in a field.) At the end of Judges 6, he was unsure if engaging the Midianite army with his army was a wise thing to do. God confirmed His instructions to Gideon, but then told Gideon to do the unthinkable, send the Israelite army home.
God said in Judges 7:2:
What do we learn from this? God does not want us relying on our own resources when it comes to doing His work. If we rely on our own resources, we are often tempted to take credit for what He has done.
The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
Let's take mission work for instance. Why aren't more churches sponsoring missionaries? Because most churches believe that they can not afford to send a missionary out onto a field. They have it in their minds that if they send a missionary out, their finances will be overwhelmed and the church will go broke.
Why aren't more missionaries answering the call to go to the mission field? Because the financial and emotional task of uprooting one's family and moving to a strange new city or country frightens most people back into their comfort zone. I've seen families begging for a missionary to come to their town and establish a work. Recently, there was one such family in Olive Branch, Miss. There are currently families in Omaha, Neb. and Corpus Christi, Tex. who are in need of a missionary to work with them in establishing a church. Hey, Omaha can't be all bad, and how cool would it be to live on a South Texas beach?
Why can't we get missionaries to answer these calls and head out to the fields? Where are the sponsoring churches? They are busy counting the costs and deciding they don't have enough. When Jesus told us to count the costs, He only meant to teach us that discipleship will cost us everything. He didn't mean to discourage us from the work He commissioned us to do.
If God provided Israel with a full army to overthrow the Midianites, Israel would have put their faith in and glorified the army for the victory. If God provides churches and missionaries with ample revenue in advance of a mission project, churches and missionaries will tend toward putting their faith in that bank balance and glorifying the supporting churches for any successful project. God wants His people to trust Him, even when it all doesn't add up. He wants us to glorify Him for accomplishing through us what we can't do ourselves.
My experience with God in the Mission: Brownwood work is that He has given me just enough to keep me encouraged, but not enough that I get comfortable. He wants me to continue to turn to Him for provisions and on-field victories. That's what He wants to do with you, too.
So, what has God called you to do that can only be accomplished by His grace and provision. Maybe He is leading you to a mission work. Maybe He has called you to revive a dying church. Perhaps He is keeping you in seminary, though the money may be running out and the tests aren't getting easier. Or maybe you've got a friend or family member that needs to be reached, but seems unreachable.
Whatever He has called you to do, He will provide for it, even if it is at the last minute. Be a Gideon, go boldly forward, knowing God has called you, and be willing to step out on faith. And, if your faith is short, it's okay to ask for more. After all, if Gideon can play games with a fleece, surely God will give you what you need for your faith to be increased.
I have lots of thoughts on Gideon. Lord willing, I'll be able to share some of them with you in the coming days.
Mission: Brownwood update
Things have been hectic around the Acker household as we prepare for our move to Brownwood. Here are some highlights.
1. Weekend in Brownwood. Jessica, the kids and I spent last weekend at our new house in Brownwood, getting things moved over and getting familiar with our surroundings. A Sunday morning observation is that most of our neighbors did not go to church. We met one neighbor, and his children, who were walking their dog as we were walking ours. I think this man is a strong prospect.
We also held a family worship service in our new home. We sang praises to God, and my little family makes a pretty good choir, if I say so myself. The kids really got into it, as did Jessica and I.
2. Moving day update. Bro. Charles Swilling, pastor of Rocky Springs MBC (my sponsor) will reserve a 24' UHAUL truck this week. We will load it May 23, and move it May 24. Hopefully, all we'll need to move then will be the washer and dryer, couches and bedding.
3. Future plans. After we get moved May 24, we will take some special family time to recoup from the long transition we have just endured. Since November, we have faced the prospect of finding employment and getting relocated. Getting the job at Wendlee solidified our moving date, as did securing the lease on this house. However, the "limbo" period has taken its toll on my wife and kids. We need this, because it will be the last breather we will be able to take for a while. We have only one year to assemble a solid core group of believers who are committed to becoming a self-supporting, missions-oriented New Testament church.
We will begin holding services in our home June 8, and will launch the Parents of Purpose group shortly thereafter. We plan on holding a Vacation Bible School in our "backyard" (We don't really have a backyard, we have two side yards) sometime in July. Watch these boards for development on those two projects.
The purpose of Parents of Purpose and Backyard Bible School are to engage prospects to disciple and bring into our core group. We can always use volunteers, so if you are interested, call me at (903) 625-1005, or email gracepointembc@aol.com. I think it would be good to be able to hold a public launch the first Sunday in January (New year, new beginning, new church). A lot of evangelism and discipleship has to happen between now and then.
4. Availability. I have been asked to speak at a couple of churches in June. I plan on committing to holding services in my home on Sunday mornings in June, however, I will be available for deputation on Sunday evenings as long as you are within 5 hours of Brownwood. I am also available on Wednesday evenings in June only. I begin my new job in July, rendering Wednesday evening appointment unfeasible.
5. Building program. While Victory Life backed out of the lease agreement and sale contracts, they are still open to selling us the building at $180,000. (Basically, they don't want to committ to anything in writing until they see the color of the money, which is understandable in this day and time.) That being said, I will continue to seek funds for the purchase of the building. Should they sell it before we have the money raised, then I'll be at peace knowing God's will is done. There are two other church properties for sell in Brownwood at this current time. All three are good for new churches with good location, so we'll have options.
The Dec. 1 deadline is no longer in effect, and supporting churches now will be able to take time to observe how God builds the congregation in Brownwood before investing in them. This also allows the new congregation an opportunity to play a role in the acquisition of property. I still maintain, however, that once we get a congregation, if we are able to secure a building and pay for it quickly, it will serve as a testimony that God is working in our church.
So, "The Big Challenge" continues, just not with a Dec. 1 deadline, or a committment in writing. Please send offerings to the Mission: Brownwood building project c/o Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX 75766.
I know the trend in church planting is toward portability (not having a facility, renting a temporary facility and setting up every week). While I don't mind launching as a portable church, my observation of some of the other church planters in Brownwood is that prolonged portability can actually have a detrimental impact on the church.
1. Weekend in Brownwood. Jessica, the kids and I spent last weekend at our new house in Brownwood, getting things moved over and getting familiar with our surroundings. A Sunday morning observation is that most of our neighbors did not go to church. We met one neighbor, and his children, who were walking their dog as we were walking ours. I think this man is a strong prospect.
We also held a family worship service in our new home. We sang praises to God, and my little family makes a pretty good choir, if I say so myself. The kids really got into it, as did Jessica and I.
2. Moving day update. Bro. Charles Swilling, pastor of Rocky Springs MBC (my sponsor) will reserve a 24' UHAUL truck this week. We will load it May 23, and move it May 24. Hopefully, all we'll need to move then will be the washer and dryer, couches and bedding.
3. Future plans. After we get moved May 24, we will take some special family time to recoup from the long transition we have just endured. Since November, we have faced the prospect of finding employment and getting relocated. Getting the job at Wendlee solidified our moving date, as did securing the lease on this house. However, the "limbo" period has taken its toll on my wife and kids. We need this, because it will be the last breather we will be able to take for a while. We have only one year to assemble a solid core group of believers who are committed to becoming a self-supporting, missions-oriented New Testament church.
We will begin holding services in our home June 8, and will launch the Parents of Purpose group shortly thereafter. We plan on holding a Vacation Bible School in our "backyard" (We don't really have a backyard, we have two side yards) sometime in July. Watch these boards for development on those two projects.
The purpose of Parents of Purpose and Backyard Bible School are to engage prospects to disciple and bring into our core group. We can always use volunteers, so if you are interested, call me at (903) 625-1005, or email gracepointembc@aol.com. I think it would be good to be able to hold a public launch the first Sunday in January (New year, new beginning, new church). A lot of evangelism and discipleship has to happen between now and then.
4. Availability. I have been asked to speak at a couple of churches in June. I plan on committing to holding services in my home on Sunday mornings in June, however, I will be available for deputation on Sunday evenings as long as you are within 5 hours of Brownwood. I am also available on Wednesday evenings in June only. I begin my new job in July, rendering Wednesday evening appointment unfeasible.
5. Building program. While Victory Life backed out of the lease agreement and sale contracts, they are still open to selling us the building at $180,000. (Basically, they don't want to committ to anything in writing until they see the color of the money, which is understandable in this day and time.) That being said, I will continue to seek funds for the purchase of the building. Should they sell it before we have the money raised, then I'll be at peace knowing God's will is done. There are two other church properties for sell in Brownwood at this current time. All three are good for new churches with good location, so we'll have options.
The Dec. 1 deadline is no longer in effect, and supporting churches now will be able to take time to observe how God builds the congregation in Brownwood before investing in them. This also allows the new congregation an opportunity to play a role in the acquisition of property. I still maintain, however, that once we get a congregation, if we are able to secure a building and pay for it quickly, it will serve as a testimony that God is working in our church.
So, "The Big Challenge" continues, just not with a Dec. 1 deadline, or a committment in writing. Please send offerings to the Mission: Brownwood building project c/o Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX 75766.
I know the trend in church planting is toward portability (not having a facility, renting a temporary facility and setting up every week). While I don't mind launching as a portable church, my observation of some of the other church planters in Brownwood is that prolonged portability can actually have a detrimental impact on the church.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
What a good pastor says
I called Bro. Charles Swilling, pastor of my sponsoring church, Rocky Springs MBC in Jacksonville, and told him about the building deal falling through, and apologized for making such a big deal about it.
His response, "I wouldn't trade your zeal for anything."
Though the news of the building deal falling through lifted a weight off my shoulders, I still felt like an idiot at the time. Bro. Swilling's words encouraged me, and I will keep my zeal for the work in Brownwood.
Anyhow, I just wanted to brag about what a good, supportive pastor I have.
His response, "I wouldn't trade your zeal for anything."
Though the news of the building deal falling through lifted a weight off my shoulders, I still felt like an idiot at the time. Bro. Swilling's words encouraged me, and I will keep my zeal for the work in Brownwood.
Anyhow, I just wanted to brag about what a good, supportive pastor I have.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
New job offered, accepted.
I have accepted the position of station manager for KSTA-AM in Coleman, TX, a small town approximately 25 miles outside of Brownwood. I will do the morning show from 6-9 AM, and the noon news, selling advertising in between. This job will allow me to go home sooner, thus facilitating after-work evangelism, Bible studies and outreach ministries. Weekends are free, so I can attend Southwest Assoc. mission rallies and preach freely on Sundays.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS!!!! HE HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS!
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS!!!! HE HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS!
Building deal off
I got a call from the real estate agent who told me that Victory Life is backing out of the deal. We will not be able to lease the building, but are still welcome to purchase the building at $180,000. I feel that it is time to get back to the original vision the Lord laid on my heart concerning evangelism and discipleship. The December deadline is no longer in effect. I felt that God was leading me to take a shot at the building, but in the end the door closed. I can't explain it, but God is God and Mission: Brownwood will come together accoring to His will.
Thank you so much for your prayers, support and encouragement.
Thank you so much for your prayers, support and encouragement.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Mission: Brownwood building challenge
The front of the property
View from the sanctuary entrance
View from the pulpit
Fellowship hall viewMission: Brownwood has been presented a one-of-a-kind opportunity. The Woodcreek Baptist Church of Brownwood, TX, recently merged with the Victory Life Church. Victory Life is now selling Woodcreek's old building. The asking price was $250,000, but the church decided to offer it to Jessica and me for only $180,000. We have until Dec. 1, 2008, to either (a) raise the funds, or (b) secure financing. In the meantime, they have agreed to a six-month lease with us at $1,000 per month beginning July 1. If we fail to raise the $180,000, or obtain financing between now and Dec. 1, the deal is off and our lease will terminate Dec. 30, forcing us to relocate the congregation.
The property includes a sanctuary that will seat 120 or more, a fellowship hall that divides into three classrooms, two additional classrooms, a nursery, mens and womens bathrooms, a covered drop-off/pick-up area and five acres of land.
This property is located across from Brownwood Middle School on Calvert Street in Brownwood, nestled comfortably between the school and the Camp Bowie Sports Complex, which is also home to Gordon Wood Stadium.
It is also located in the Southside neighborhood, the largest residential area in Brownwood.
This price is far below the cost of buying property and building a church building. This is a good deal. I am calling on all churches and individuals who feel so led to help us raise the $180,000 it will take to purchase this property.
Please send offerings designated to Mission: Brownwood building,
C/O Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX, 75766.
If we are successful in raising these funds, I believe God will be glorified. I also believe that God will establish His church in Brownwood, and will be glorified through the souls reached by this new church. Jessica and I have prayed over this for weeks, and believe this is the Lord's will.
Thank you, and God bless you,
Leland Acker
p.s. Jessica and I have stepped out on faith in this venture and know this is a door God opened. Several other groups have approached Victory Life with similar offers, only to be turned down. Victory Life agreed to this arrangement with us, saying they felt that God was in it.
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