"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 It's hard to believe this year has come and gone already, and that 2015 is literally right around the corner. We have had a wonderful year. Another year of changes, but a wonderful year none the less. New great grand babies (and 2 more on the way), new jobs and new ministry opportunities. And for all of these things, we are truly grateful and blessed. One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season (that's different than the Christmas Story), is listening to all of the Christmas songs, from the traditional choir carols to the latest arrangement sung by the newest acapella group. Ever get a line, just one line, from a song that gets stuck in your head and you walk around for days singing that same line over and over again in your head? Sometimes you sing out loud when you think you're all alone and no one is watching (or listening)? Sometimes you hum or wh...

Warmest Season's Greetings from the Great White North... I (Mark) got home from this last trip to Romania and Kenya just in time for Turkey Dinner. Wow! What a trip! Much as I wish it didn't, jet lag always gets the better part of me for the first week I'm home. I'll have a more detailed report next month, but here's a quick rundown of the trip: Romania We had a wonderful meeting with Pastor Adi. We were in agreement for virtually every thing concerning the School of Ministry. We will start putting together the curriculum after the holidays. Kenya A lady named Eunis saved and set free from alcoholism Young  lady healed of breast cancer, doctor verified. She had been ill for 2 years. Young lady healed of malaria symptoms. About 30 salvations. Established a working relationship with Pastor Mathew. Preached 8 times in his church, and revival has taken hold according to the reports I've received. Praise God!!! Remember the word I had in India f...

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus. I trust all is well with you and yours and that you are enjoying the rich blessings of the Lord. It’s November again, and I am already counting the blessings that have come my way in this past year. Two of the most recent blessings took place last month. Part of the ministry to the women in my home church, Wings of Faith Fellowship, Ocala, Florida, is to conduct special bible study times in the spring and fall of each year. This year I was invited to be on the teaching team for the fall event. Watching the ladies being refreshed in the presence of the Lord, seeing them come alive with better understanding as God’s word was being taught, and witnessing relationships being made and strengthened during our times of fellowship brought great joy to my heart. This event was a huge success, and to be one of the team was a ...

Greetings from the Great Not-Quite White North, Here we are, the end of October and no snow on the ground yet. But it’s coming. The “termination dust” is on the mountains and coming down fast. Here in South East Alaska we expect snow in October, early November at the latest. Winter preparations are about done and it’s time to focus on Romania and Kenya. As I write this I have 8 days ‘till lift off! The check list is done and I’m ready and rarin’ to go. All the meetings and ministry are set, housing, transportation, messages, check. The only duck that’s not in the row is money. We still haven’t seen all of the expense money come in. But God is faithful, and He’ll come through. He always does! I will try to keep you updated via our blog or, if you’re on Facebook, you can see the news there. Please keep this trip in prayer. The Romania leg is crucial for getting the school of ministry started right. The Kenya portion is a chance to join forces with an existing ministry and begin t...

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 It’s hard to believe that 8 years have passed since Bud went home to his heavenly reward. Yet here we are, still working. Still carrying the torch of Truth. Still lighting other torches. Church was Bud’s life. His whole life. And I don’t mean just what he did as an adult. I mean since he was 3 years old. As a child in Michigan, he used to have baptismal services with his sister and their friends, baptizing them over the arm of the couch; but only after he had preached a salvation sermon to them. Ironically, while he was practicing his preaching, I was somewhere in Texas lining up my dolls in my bedroom and teaching them. Funny how God puts into each of us “that thing” that will be our heartbeat. That thing that people will remember us for long  after we are gone.  Bud’s heart for training up the next generation ...

Greetings from the Fall Colored North, Yep, it’s fall here already. In fact, fall usually begins here at the end of August. We talk to folks from “down south” and it’s still summer, they’re still battling heat and wishing for rain while we’re seeing winds of 40+mph, lots of rain and getting our cars winterized. But there the up side… the Coho’s are here, duck season is upon us and deer season is in full swing.  Can we talk about Romania? It lacks the romance, the allure of Africa or India. It’s Europe, for crying out loud. How bad off can the Church there really be? The Gospel has been on the continent for many hundreds of years; there are churches, there are preachers. Why Romania? Because the truth is that generations of communist rule and isolation has crippled the Church there. Romania actually ranks below India in standard of living and quality of life. Atheism is still the dominant world view. The isolation that the Church suffered has created a dearth of leade...

Jesus said, “ We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4 ESV Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I trust your hearts are filled with the peace of God that passes all understanding in spite of all the terrible things that are going on in the world today. We should not be surprised by these things. Jesus said they would come. He also told us to lift up our heads when these things happen, because it simply means the completion of our redemption is coming closer and closer to its appointed day. Peter put it this way: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be re...