VIDEO- 'ARE YOU READY FOR SOME GOOD NEWS?'

BAPTISM- DANIEL HANSON

VIDEO- 'JESUS TALKS TO TRUE BELIEVERS'

VIDEO- 'HEAT IT UP'

VIDEO- 'FOR GOD SO LOVED'

VIDEO- 'ARE YOU THANKFUL ENOUGH?

VIDEO- 'DO YOU HAVE A LITTLE FAITH?'

VIDEO- YOUTH NIGHT AT REVIVAL 'K.N.O.W.'

VIDEO- 'IT'S TIME' (REVIVAL WITH GLEN CORNETT PREACHING)

VIDEO- 3 MORE BAPTISMS AND 'HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REVIVAL?'

VIDEO- 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH'

VIDEO- 'MARKS OF MATURE BELIEVERS'

VIDEO- 'GET READY TO CROSS OVER'

VIDEO- 3 BAPTISMS AND 'THE MEANING OF BAPTISM'

VIDEO- 'THE MEMBERSHIP COVENANT'

VIDEO- 'THE 5 PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH'

VIDEO- 'WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER?'

VIDEO- 'WHAT IS MEANINGFUL MEMBERSHIP?'

VIDEO- PASTOR MATTHEW SPANDLER-DAVISON IN THE PHILIPPINES

VIDEO- PASTOR GREG COCHRAN IN THE PHILIPPINES

VIDEO: 'HOW BIG IS GOD' 110821

VIDEO- 'TRUTH TRIO' MUSIC FROM OUR MISSIONS CELEBRATION SUNDAY

REFLECTIONS OF OUR FIRST MISSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR part 5

I asked the tamborine girls to sing with me during the worship service and since we sung 'Amazing Grace', we became the 'Amazing Grace Choir'.

Even Matthew looked tall in the Philippines!

One night, we had fish soup with our meal.  I don't know what it was really called but since it was a chunk of fish in a soup bowl of water, we called it fish soup.  Did I eat it?  No, I did not. But Greg smiled really big before he tried it.

The music was amazing... so lively and so God-honoring. Not only that, but the praise team members got along incredibly well.  That's unusual.  You know how musicians can be sometimes...

We took a ride to a 'spring' for those who wanted to go swimming on our 'day off'.  The scenery was beautiful as you can see in this photo.

We had "19" people in the van that we rode in.  They said "19" because they counted Aaron and me twice because of our size.

Another photo opp.  It seemed like everyone had a camera because we were always be asked to be in a picture.  But after all, don't all young people love Santa Claus?

This 'spring' was built in the middle of nowhere.  How come our 'springs' don't look like this??????????

I got to sit in the front seat since I was 'huge' and so I got to take this pic of our team.  They look so cozy.

This water buffalo is bigger than my car. 

This was our last evening meal at the camp before heading to Magpet.  The food was incredible each day.  The mangos were very soft and sweet.

These last two photos are from Magpet, which was the last day that Matthew and I were with the team.  We were ready to go home but at the same time, we really didn't want to leave our team and our new friends.

REFLECTIONS OF OUR FIRST MISSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR part 4

Greg Crenshaw and I were asked by this group of ladies for a photo.  Many people would stop us as we were walking and ask for a photo so not only did we pose for their cameras, we often got one on our cameras as well.

The scenery was incredible in the jungle with all of the plants, clouds, and the mountains in the distance.

This is one of the classes I taught.  These young men and women were such a joy to talk to.  I really enjoyed their participation in class as I asked questions and gave illustrations.

Greg Crenshaw, pastor of Vine Hill Baptist Church, taught one of his breakout sessions in the tabernacle.  When he finished his lesson, we had Q&A time and dealt with topics such as baptism, church membership and more.

Aaron Shipp, pastor of First Baptist of New Haven, played football with the youth during the break.  He was called 'Mr. Athletic'.  Matthew was called 'the spirit of Spurgeon'.  Did I get a nickname also?  Oh yeah, 'Santa Claus'!  Why?  Of course, my gray whiskers and my 'big belly'.  I told them that next time I come back, I would be smaller. Their reply?  "No, Pastor Bruce, we will miss your belly." so I answered, "I hope to miss my belly, too."

Aaron, Greg, and Matthew before the Sunday night service.  Matthew preached about the 'living stones' that God uses to build His church.

REFLECTIONS OF OUR FIRST MISSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR part 3

I asked Greg to take this photo of me in front of Bethany Hall where I would be teaching a morning session with him. What is really funny about the people in the Philippines is when you point a camera at some one, everyone in the surrounding area will rush together to be in the picture with you.  These three photos are only seconds apart. :)

Greg and I had a game plan going into this break-out session... I would do the first half and then turn it over to him for the second half.  Again, I said that was the game plan.  I was told that I didn't need a translator so I started teaching.  About half way through, I am told that they do need an interpretor so I backtrack in the lesson to get them caught up. When I was done with what I had set out to do, I checked my watch and was surprised to see that I didn't fill the first half like I thought I would.  So I am thinking, "I bet Greg thinks I didn't teach very long..." but what actually happened was my watch had lost about twenty minutes so Greg was actually thinking something like "Bruce isn't leaving me much time to teach.".



Our topic that morning was 'What Is The Gospel?' and Pastor Jose was helping the pastors understand what the Bible says about the gospel and how that differs from what the world says about the gospel.  Greg taught them about some 'false gospels' such as 'God promises to make you rich'.  The Q&A time was very informative concerning what they know and where they need help.

I enjoy listening to Greg teach because of his style... he is very smooth in his delivery and is able to ask the questions that the congregation wants someone to ask and then he answers it.  He had a great question from one man and Greg's answer came out so fast, he didn't leave time for Jonathon to interpret for him.  When I got his attention, I asked him, "Can you go back and allow Jonathon to catch up with you?"  They both laughed and Greg replied "I don't think so."

As the music started in the tabernacle and the people started coming in, you could feel the energy level building up.  I was so impressed with the many people who used their musical gifts to lead us in worship.  People of all ages... even little kids who looked like they could barely hold a guitar, much less play it, but yet they had an opportunity to play in their own praise team during one of the services.

In this photo, Pastor Lito and I are preaching the morning service.  It was 10:30am Sunday morning at the camp but my church family was praying for me at that same time (which was actually 10:30 pm Saturday night).  I am so grateful for my church family who not only encouraged me to go on this trip but also helped raise the money.  Thank you, RFBC.

REFLECTIONS OF OUR FIRST MISSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR part 2

Matthew and I waiting for the evening worship. He was a late addition to the trip. He was supposed to go on another trip but it got cancelled so I asked him to go with us.  I am so glad that God made it happen.

 Before the worship service, we had our supper together. The food was prepared over open fires and the food was amazing.  Our meal times were filled with great fellowship and special memories.

Greg and Vickie Cochran poses for a quick photo at supper.  Greg is our team leader and was very encouraging to us, especially since four of us had never been to the Philippines.

Hannah Cochran and Daniel Wilson work so well together.  They minister each week as part of the praise team at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Shepherdsville.

"Home away from home": this housing unit was built by missionairies years ago and we were very thankful to have such provisions in the middle of the jungle.  I roomed with Aaron Shipp and Matthew Spandler-Davison and we have a great time together... we had so many laughs no matter what time of the day!

Ligaya can sing so amazingly.  Such as sweet voice and during one of the worship services, she sung a duet with her mother, Juliet, and it was totally amazing.

Pastor Lito and I have so much in common, I think we are twins.  His sense of humor proved to be quite entertaining... during one of the worship services, when they were giving us a string of wooden beads as a gift, he gave me mine as he laughed and said, "You are worthy of my holy kiss."  How can you not laugh at that when he says that right in the middle of the service???

Here is the tabernacle as we approached it that Sunday morning.  Pastor Lito interpretted for me as I preached the message that morning.  And I loved to hear him sing.  His voice was so full and powerful.

REFLECTIONS OF OUR FIRST MISSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR part 1

Here I am taking care of all of the luggage while the rest of the team has coffee or something enjoyable. But not me, I am stuck with all of this stuff! (Bless my heart. I know you feel my pain.)

Our team gathers for a quick photo before heading to Mt. Carmel for the conference. Left to right, Hannah Cochran, Aaron Shipp, Matthew Spandler-Davison, Vickie Cochran, Greg Crenshaw, Daniel Wilson, Greg Cochran, and myself.

Here we are visiting the tabernacle to see where our worship services would be held.  Each service was a true blessing to experience. We had different worship teams lead us each service and everyone was so supportive of us.

One song that was sung during the invitation was in cebuano and even though I could not understand the words to the song, I could definitely recognize the power of adoration for God in it. GOD IS AWESOME IN ANY LANGUAGE! AMEN? 

Here is a close-up view of the banner behind the pulpit area. By the way, we got to hear some Southern Baptists from the Philippines sing Southern Gospel songs that I have known for years. That was lots of fun!

Here is Greg Cochran with two men from the camp's conference. The man on the right is Pastor Nelson whose father was one of the first Filipino converts to Southern Baptists about 50 years ago.

VIDEO- 'WHAT AM I DOING'

VIDEO- 'IT DOES MATTER WHAT THEY THINK'

VIDEO- VBS 2011

VIDEO- 'ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?'



VIDEO- 'WHEN GOD DOESN'T REMOVE THE THORN'

VIDEO- 'WE MUST BE AWARE'

VIDEO- 'THE RIGHT MOTIVE'

VIDEO- 'GOD OF ALL COMFORT'

VIDEO- 'WHAT IS CONVERSION?'

VIDEO- 'WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?'

Learning Evangelism from Jesus

Learning Evangelism from Jesus

What can we learn from the way that Jesus reached out to the people He ministered to? Read this article and you will be better prepared to share the Gospel when the opportunities arise...

What About the Issues Scripture Doesn’t Address?

What About the Issues Scripture Doesn’t Address?

Click on the link above to read a great article to help you answer questions about what you should and should not do... you will be glad you did!

VIDEO- 'DID JESUS REALLY RISE FROM THE DEAD?'

AUDIO- 'THE PERFECT SACRIFICE'

http://rollingforkbaptistchurch.com/650025
No video this week, so I invite you to our church's website and listen to today's message.

DEVELOPING THE ACTS 1:8 CHALLENGE

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)

Another prayer was answered today... we have already partnered with local churches to make a bigger impact in the New Haven area.  We have already partnered with a large group of pastors in the Philippines.  But what about our 'Samaria'?

Welcome to Pittsburgh.  Pictured above are Beth and Barry Whitworth with James Hogan, all ministering in the Pittsburgh area.  They are planting churches and changing the climate of their city through prayer and team work.

So I invite you to pray for Barry and all of his partners in Pittsburgh as they try to raise the spiritual level of the 'Steel City'.  Such a great need is being met by such a great desire and such a great Provider.  Thank You, Jesus, for You are doing in Pittsburgh through people like Beth, Barry and James.

VIDEO- 'WAS JESUS ALL GOD?'

VIDEO- 'TEMPTATION PLUS HESITATION EQUALS PARTICIPATION'

VIDEO- 'IN THE BEGINNING'

VIDEO- 'HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?'

VIDEO- 'WHY IS THE BIBLE SO IMPORTANT?'

VIDEO- 'WE ARE ON A MISSION FROM GOD'

VIDEO- 'THE POWER OF COMMUNITY'

VIDEO- 'HOW CAN I TRULY WORSHIP GOD?'

ARE YOU SEEING DOORS OPEN TO SHARE GOD'S WORD?

Today, we visit verse 3 of this passage...

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:2-6 (ESV)

What a timely request for prayer!  Just as Paul asked for prayer support in his ministry, so am I... and not just for me but for all of our pastors and teachers so that we would be able to say what God wants us to say in the way that He wants us to say it and when He wants it said.  He said 'pray for us' showing his awareness of self limitations when it comes to knowing what it takes to reach people for Jesus Christ.  Yes, he knew the scriptures and yes, he had experience, but just because one approach worked with one person doesn't mean it will work with the next person.  And not only that, he was reaching CROWDS of people at the same time with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Years ago, I heard of the 'Three Open Prayer' that you and I should use each day.
1. 'Lord, open the door for me to share Your good news about Jesus.'
2. 'Lord, open my mouth that I was say what you want said.'
3. 'Lord, open their hearts to receive what you have for me to say.'

Be faithful to God because He is already been so faithful to us.  I want to close this post with the chorus of a great hymn...
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed, Thy hands have provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto Thee.

VIDEO- 'WHAT IS RELATIONAL INTENTIONALITY?'

WOULD YOU?

Would you?  Would you love Jesus enough to do whatever He wanted you to do?  Even if it meant leaving your homeland and your parents, grandparents, and friends to relocate to the other side of the world?  Would you do it?

People like this man would.  In fact, he IS.  Meet Jacob Brothers.  To hear Jacob talk or preach or pray, you can't help but notice his love for Jesus.  And now he is showing that love in another step of faith... a BIG step.  Leaving a small county town that only has one traffic light to Scotland to pastor a church because Jesus wanted him to go.  That's love. 

But then again, who has shown more love than Jesus Christ?  Nobody but Jesus could have and DID die for you and me so that we wouldn't have to go to hell when we die.  If we will put our trust in Jesus by asking Him to forgive us of our sins and by asking Him to take control of our lives so that we can please God in our thoughts, words, and actions, then when we die, we will spend eternity in heaven with God, Jesus, and all of the saints.

So today, I ask you to pray for my friend and fellow pastor, Jacob.  Pray that he and family are safe as they travel and that God is glorified in their lives as they start this new chapter in their lives.

2 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. 3 Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. 4 Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them. 5 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. 6 Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Col 4:2-6 (MSG)