Ministry Update, 3rd Quarter 2016

This quarter was filled with both amazing and devastating experiences, but the Lord was here through it all.

Guyana Trip

In July, I went on my 5th short term trip to Guyana. Each time I’ve traveled to Guyana, God has taught me about some overwhelming theme during the trip, such as trust, encouragement, and power. This trip was no different. The theme was faithfulness: God’s faithfulness to us. Throughout the trip, God repeatedly pointed out flaws and shortcomings in my life and, yes, sins also. Pastors and missionaries sin? Yes, we surely do. But, God took this opportunity to show me that even though I fall short, He is ever faithful. He is constantly chipping away like a master sculptor, taking away parts of me that don’t look like Him. I’m so thankful we serve a faithful God who doesn’t throw the clay away. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” ~Phillipians 1:6.

In addition to my personal lessons, God also blessed in that I was able to travel with Greg Mann and preach in several villages. Greg and I are excited about the growth of the ministries as the Lord blesses. We are committed to helping national pastors grow as they lead their families and ministries. During the trip, nearly all of the national pastors and church leaders were able to gather together for a series of teaching sessions during which I taught lessons on prayer and fasting, and Greg taught lessons on church planting and church growth. Their desire to learn and grow is encouraging. Greg and I have determined that the ongoing teaching and training of existing pastors and leaders will be one of my primary tasks when I reach the field full-time.

The Great Flood

In mid August, Louisiana was devastated by a historic flood. Areas which have never been considered flood zones suffered catastrophic damage. Over two feet of rain in a short amount of time caused eight rivers to reach record level flooding. As an example, the Amite River, which is at flood stage at 29 feet, crested at 46.2 feet. Among the affected areas, Livingston Parish (county) suffered the greatest amount of damage. 90% of homes suffered damage, and 75% of the parish was considered a total loss.

My sending church, Open Door Baptist Church, is located in Livingston Parish. With 6 feet of water on our property and 3 feet of water inside our main church building, we suffered a lot of damage. Several in my church family lost nearly all they own. However, even through this great difficulty, God has shown Himself faithful. Churches and individuals from all over the country have donated money, supplies, food, etc. to see that the people of our community are taken care of. Teams have traveled from as far as New York to help with demolition and cleaning in our church/school buildings as well as in homes. One of the greatest blessings of this disaster is being able to see people loving one another regardless of differences. Civilians with boats volunteered to help police, fire departments, and national guard with rescue efforts. These civilians became affectionately known as The Cajun Navy. While the rest of the country argued over politics, race, and a host of other topics, the people of south Louisiana were simply loving each other as Christ calls us to love our neighbors. I saw it first hand; it was incredible. There is still a lot of work to do, so please be in prayer for my church and the surrounding communities. Some post-flood pictures of ODBC are below.

Praise the Lord, we now have sheetrock, the walls are primed and ready for paint, and we have temporary seating. There is still much to do in our church and community, so please continue to pray for us!

Prayer Requests

• Wisdom in preparing for ministry in Guyana
• Growth in financial support (I'm currently at 15%)
• Growth in my personal Christian walk
• Provision for Louisiana flood victims
• Wisdom for the Guyanese pastors and leaders

Ministry Update, June 2016

Dear Friends,

I pray this update finds you strong in the Lord, and ever seeking His presence. Thank you so much for your prayers over the previous weeks; our Father certainly is faithful to answer them. When I wrote my last update, I was beginning a week long training seminar at Global Faith Mission Agency. The seminar proved to be a tremendous blessing as several men and women of God with decades of missions experience shared Godly knowledge and wisdom with several of us who are just beginning our adventure. I’m also thankful that God has already given me the opportunity to share what I learned that week with my dear friend who will soon be leaving on a nine month trip to serve and learn in Uganda. I love how the Lord teaches us, so we can teach and help others.

I was grateful, also, to be able to visit my good friend, Pastor Denver Ayres and preach and share the Guyana ministry with the people of New Haven Baptist Church in Oneida, TN. Shortly after returning to LA, I was able to help with VBS and a teen rally at my home church. It’s always a blessing to see children and teens learning about Christ, and I’m thankful to say we saw several souls saved at those events!

I’m excited to travel back to Guyana on July 9th for a week of teaching and preaching with Pastor Greg Mann. I will also be discussing my long term plans and strategy with several nationals during the trip. I have one dilemma, however: I hurt my back very badly last week. I’m currently under the care of a doctor and a physical therapist who believe that with medicine and the right stretches/exercises, I will be well enough in time for the trip. 

Here is how you can pray in the coming weeks. Pray that my back heals in time for the trip. Pray for the Lord to lead as Greg and I teach and preach in Guyana and as I discuss my long term goals. Pray for the Lord to go before us preparing hearts. Pray for the Lord’s provision as I am only 10% funded. Pray for my friend, Elizabeth, as she prepares to serve in Uganda.

Thank you for your faithfulness to pray and give. May you continue to seek His presence and not take one step without Him.

“If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” ~Exodus 33:15

Ministry Update, May 2016

Dear Friends,

We surely serve a faithful God, and I pray this finds you abounding in His love and grace, seeking Him. When last I wrote, I was preparing for a trip to Jacksonville, FL where I was privileged to be part of missions conference at my alma mater, Trinity Baptist College/Trinity Baptist Church as well as present our ministry to my good friends at Oak Ridge Baptist Church where I served as youth pastor for four years. That trip was the beginning of a new phase into which God would lead me. The Lord has since led me into the new experience of preaching and presenting our ministry in several faithful churches around my home in Louisiana, and so far, two of them have committed to take me on for monthly support.

Tonight, I’m writing from Chattanooga, TN in one of my favorite places here, Coolidge Park. I’m in Chattanooga for a missionary training seminar with Global Faith Mission Agency in which veteran missionaries are seeking to impart some of the wisdom God has granted them into brand new field laborers as myself. I’m very thankful for the faithfulness of men like Roy Seals, Greg Mann and others to sacrifice their time to teach young missionaries like myself. Please be in prayer that this week will be a profitable time of growth and learning.

As I sit here in the park gazing into the river beneath an almost full moon, I’m reminded that the God who spoke all of this into existence loves us immensely, and He is faithful to lead us in our calling. My prayer is that I will be faithful to follow.

Please pray for me as I continue to learn to balance deputation and a full-time job. Pray that I will be Spirit-filled. Pray the Spirit will lead in my week long trip to Guyana this July. And, pray that God will continue to provide for me as well as many of my friends who are also preparing for the mission field. The great thing about our God being so faithful is we can pray confidently. He surely does hear and answer His little ones.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. ~1Thes 5:24

~Nick~