Last week, a bunch of us were out of town for the LA Missions Trip. We spent time with Anchor Baptist Church in Covina, Solid Rock Baptist Tabernacle in LA, and Bible Baptist Church in Gardena; and we visited the Emmanuel Baptist Rescue Mission. It was an eye-opening trip for those of us who went, and I appreciated the spirit of the group.
If you were here last week, our class was dramatically smaller in size, for sure. We’re sort of back to normal now as we launch headlong into summer. With the first big thing behind us (the missions trip), we are now looking ahead to the Yard Sale, Comedy Night, and camp! Before going on the trip, I was bummed that it was coming before camp instead of after. But now I’m fired up for the summer and SUPER glad we did it early in the summer. God’s timing is always best.
One thing about being back…the door-knocking is a lot different here than it is in LA! Out there, we met SO many friendly people, but I was back to Temecula yesterday and most people were back to their cold, rich, Temecula selves. Praise God for those of you who went out door-knocking yesterday. I’m preaching on the “Obedience Factor” tonight—that it’s not about the results, but about obeying God and watching Him bring the increase.
I love you all, and I’m glad we’re back home. Let’s make the most of today.
-Bro. Ryan
Bro. Michael’s Note
When I surrendered to full-time ministry, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have a hard time putting my finger on a specific time when God called me. My “call” came about through a series of circumstances and going to church faithfully, where God placed burdens and desires in my heart. Before I get ahead of myself, here are the preceding events to my surrender to God.
Before my surrender, I was out of church for about 2 ½ years. I started going again sometime in December of 2011. I went faithfully and listened to the preaching with the intent to apply it to my life. Though I was still in the process of coming back to God, He began to place a burden for the lost in my heart and a strong desire to preach. So about 6-7 months later, I went to Indian Creek Youth Camp! The preaching was very pointed and focused on surrendering to God–so I surrendered! It was there when I finally let God have full control of the direction of my life. I was still light years away from being the young person God wanted me to be, but I knew God wanted to use me. Little did I know that I surrendering to God would lead me to Bible College to study missions and to serve here at Calvary Baptist Church!
My “surrender story,” in my opinion, is an example of Psalm 37:4-5. My desires were born out of my delight in the Lord, so He gave them to me! Though there is not a particular time when God tapped my shoulder and said, “PREACH,” I know He called me to because of how God has worked in my heart through the years.