How time flies as stop #11 of 200 is now in the history books with 189 to go.
Each stop to date has been unique and the Capitol City of Des Moines Iowa is no exception.  I do have a question that I suppose I should ask a native and that is, what is that shiny gold coating on the roof of the capitol building? ( One never knows what I’m going to write about).

Poised to preach, Someone took the picture!

  This week I decided to wear my suit the day that I arrived in town and so I did.  Well for those that have been following along the journey with me may remember comments past about me introducing myself to several churches on the day of arrival which proved to be of no avail.  Guess what?  The very first church that I went to welcomed me with open arms.  I did not sleep in my truck or tent one day while here.  Instead the parsonage at Easton Baptist Church was all mine.  It gets even better, Pastor Ralph Cole Sr. is a preachers preacher.  There is no tolerance for strife and derision here.  They even practice church discipline.  Pastor Ralph took to the streets with me when I called.  He took time with me throughout the week to prepare me for the journey yet ahead.  He even taught me how to prepare a sermon which is good because I received a call on Saturday, was invited to have lunch with Pastor Lott and his family.  During lunch I was asked if I would preach to his congregation at Victory Baptist Church.  I accepted and put to use what Pastor Cole taught me about how to prepare a sermon.  Guess what it worked well.  I preached about Getting Out of The Boat.  My text was from Matthew 14: 22-33.  Just to spare you I won’t post the outline here but it is available upon request.  Besides what is it about, “Get Out of The Boat” that’s hard to understand? (I know that wasn’t the nicest way to ask but it is the shortest).

Cool huh?

  This week was low keyed as compared to last.  Just what I needed!  However I was determined to share Jesus with many and so the banner has been flown in the capitol of Iowa.  For the most part I followed the same motive of operation here and that is; going to Walmart parking lots, the mall and downtown proper.  One notable new experience was discovering tent camps along the river occupied by the homeless.  I actually had to travel a ways on foot and through chest high plants and weeds just to get there.  I recommend that you get a local guide if you decide to attempt this as there was a better way in.  (I’m a guy, and I usually read the instructions after two failed attempts).  I was well received in the urban jungle and was pleased to be able to recruit help to go back to the, “Jesus Truck” to get food to be shared with many.  Food to eat and spiritual food by way of gospel tracts and one on one witnessing.  So many were fed this way, more than 100 I suppose and all made possible by others prayers and sacrificial giving.  I thank you from me to you and from many whose names I do not know.  Together we are impacting the world for Christ.  I had to stop writing just now because of tears, it is in humility that I again express by sincere gratitude.

Said, "Yes to Jesus"

  Oh I received a call this week from someone that I met last week in Iowa City.  They called to say that if I was going anywhere near Clear Lake, Iowa on my journey that a lake house would be available for me to stay in.  Guess what, I was planning on going to Mason City which is about 8 miles from Clear Lake. (Sounds and looks like God providing to me)!  So for the first time I have a place before I go and this is the week prior to Minniapolis Minnisota.  I should be well prepared as I meet my brother Kris from Louisville to tag team Minniapolis for Christ!

  The week here draws to an end and as like the others past; The banner has been flown and the, “Gospel of JESUS Christ” has been shared with many.

  Now I make ready to travel to Clear Lake, Iowa.   The game plan is the same but with the experiences of this past week included I am hopeful that I may be better prepared to answer, “HIS Call”.  It is your prayers that I am very thankful for and continue to be in need of.  God willing I will update you about this time next week.

I close this letter with these words I penned 12-21-09 830pm

  “In humility it is, that one becomes smaller and smaller and Christ becomes larger and larger.  Thus we may continue on the narrow way saying, nothing in my hands I bring but simply to the cross I cling.  And so ones posture remains until at once we find our hands full.   Then looking up one may see, it is to the feet of The Lord that we now cling”!

Grace!!!
David

Contact Email: david@hiscall888.com

For Ministry Information, Call Kris @ (502) 594-0451

  Oh my! Week #10 draws to an end and what a challenge it has been. I’m going to cut to the chase. Within 24 hours after my arrival here I was ready to shake the dust off my feet and move on. The mockery and the ridicule expressed time and time again as I drove through town in the JESUS Truck became more than I could bear. Add to this, the fact that my efforts to find a True Christian Place of Worship in more than 4 different denominations had proven to be futile.
  One example was a building that displayed the name of First Baptist Church, yet I found not even a resemblance of what I know Baptist to be. The bulletin board at the Starbucks proved to explain much in that the events advertised had to do with Yoga, Buddhism, Psychics and the upcoming gay pride parade and festival. Yet no Christian sponsored events. I decided to retreat to a nearby state park, hoping to be renewed by reading the promises of GOD. I must also confess that I was having a hard time believing that I could stay here and have compassion for such as were in this town. So I asked GOD to forgive me and to work in my heart that I may have compassion as I was ready to move on. So I set up camp only to find out that you can’t run from the problems of the world at least not unless it is to be with other Christians. What I mean is that at the camp ground I witnessed one lady get brutally beaten by another, with a 10 year old boy watching and a grown man who I later found out to be the father of the boy and the husband of the lady getting beaten just stand by and do nothing.  There was much more to follow that evening and night. So much for leaving the city to draw near to GOD!  Finally about 11:30 pm the police took out the trash and I was able to sleep. (I know that was harsh but it’s true and is the short story).

  So after a good nights sleep I went back in town and into the streets to share JESUS.  Later I had the pleasure of going to a prayer meeting at a church that reportedly has almost 2000 members.  There were about 8 in attendance.  Does this tell you something?  Though the number was small, they proved to be prayer warriors and I was honored and encouraged much in being with them.  This is where I met my brother Judd Johansen who invited me to come and stay with him and his family for the rest of my stay. So I hurried to the campsite packed up and moved. (GOD provided!)

  On Thursday Judd introduced me to a friend of his who quickly became my friend.  Jack is his name and we had much in common as we love to share the gospel.  Jack is as bold as I am, but Jack say’s it’s not even close. (See the picture).

Jack & His Banner!

  Now you may know somewhat what I mean.

  On Friday things got even better as I went to a Bible study in the a.m. where I met others with a thirst and hunger for GOD’S WORD!  Afterwards, all of them gathered around the, “JESUS” Truck to pray for me and over the truck. That’s pretty cool!  (See the picture.)

Pastor Ajai, Johansen's & Friends

  I was invited and later went to Pastor Ajai’s house at 7:00 pm for Fellowship and Bible study.  To date this was the most incredible in home fellowship that I’ve experienced.  The corporate praise and worship, Wow! GOD honored by filling that place with the presence of, “HIS HOLY SPIRIT”. I’m so thankful for the brothers and sisters that I met there and it is with much confidence that I write to you saying that if you happen to be anywhere near Iowa City, it would be well for you to call and connect with Pastor Ajai and the local church.                                                                                               Phone (319) 248-9791.   www.valleychurchia.com

Now Saturday came and the man that was ready to quit just a few days earlier had a whole new perspective on this city.  GOD provided the encouragement that I needed to have compassion for the people of this town.  So I hit the streets and arrived downtown just in time to see the gay pride parade, which I had forgotten about.  None the less I went on to share the gospel and did so in truth and love. I was able to hand out more than 200 gospel tracts and talk to many.  So I call that much success with all the GLORY to GOD!!!

  Sunday is the day to go to church and I was torn as to where I was to go.  So I went to 8:00 am service at Parkview Evangelical Church.  There I enjoyed a Father’s Day message.  Then on to Solid Rock Christian Church, yes solid rock church it is.  A strong biblical Christian Church, what a book end to this weeks adventure!

  So in closing as I prepare to move on to Des Moines, each stop to date has proven to be unique, that is they have been broad in challenges and rewards.  GOD has seen me through them all and has greatly rewarded my faith in trusting in HIM to provide.

 GOD willing, I’ll write to you again about this time next week.

Agape,  David

Contact Email: david@hiscall888.com

For Ministry Information, Call Kris @ (502) 594-0451

  Wow, how time flys as stop #9 of 200 is now in the history books with 191 to go.

  Each stop to date has been unique and Davenport Illinois is no exception. The back drop of this stop happened to be the Mississippi River. (I just now realized the value of learning; mi-ssi-ssi-ppi. If you didn’t get that I’m sorry.) The board walk along the river proved to be a great mission field. The bookends of this particular stretch was a baseball diamond and the other was a riverboat casino. In between were people fishing for their daily bread, those sight seeing and the homeless.

  From the very first day the rolling JESUS billboard and the cross were met with approval and then in large part it stirred many to express opposition, especially around the casino. Those that know me will not find it hard to believe that I continued on despite the opposition. I went into the casino on many occasions, not to Gamble although I did have a few drinks on the house. (Coffee, I’m not backsliding!) I stopped to talk to the patrons there just long enough offer them a million dollar bill which has the gospel message on the back. This worked well for days as I was very discrete about it. But with cameras every where security caught me and it was made very clear to me that I was not to hand out anymore, so I agreed and went back to my truck to consider the next move. After some thought and a call to my brother Kris from Louisville I dawned the bright yellow t-shirt with the cross front and back just like the one on the truck and I headed back to have a few more drinks while making my way slowly through the three floors of slot machines and the like. Oh, and the wording under the cross reads;
JESUS died for You! Repent and Believe the Gospel! Bold witness I am and in case you did’nt know, that is the name of my Bible fellowship class at my home church. (Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Virginia). And no one said a word but I bet they were watching all the while. So one could say that I did gamble! Okay I gambled and did not lose a dime nor land in jail. Thank GOD!!!

David @ Casino, what will people think?

  More about the boardwalk; I met a few hundred people over the course of my stay and was able to ditribute gospel tracts, encourage, pray for and even open air preach the gospel. Oh and the grilled hot dogs were well received by the homeless and passers by alike! I want to thank; Gathering Grounds Ministry of Chester, Virginia for the gas grill and my dad Wilber Banton for his monthly pledge to help feed the hungry. I will be bold yet again and ask you if you would consider a monthly pledge to help with the cost of reaching people to share the gospel of JESUS Christ? The slogan at my home church is; Impacting the World for Christ! Together we can do just that. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

  Now for something you don’t see everyday; Here is the news article that was published in the local paper on Saturday June 12th, 2010.Missionary drives a ‘Ram of God’

Hit the Link below to see the printed article along with the pictures!!!

http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/print_display.php?id=496800

  Pretty cool, yes?  So we are impacting our world for Christ!

Brothers I met @ Walmart.

  This week I met many Christians that encouraged me along the way here I make mention of just a few; Brother Dean who invited to his home for fellowship, food and a place to catch a much needed nap. Brother Dwayne whom I met the week prior at Edgwood Baptist Church in Rock Island, Illinois. Dwayne was bold enough to follow me into the casino as mentioned above to hand out tracts. Brother Dwayne also blessed me by providing me with hundreds of beautiful tracks to go. Also I had the pleasure of more fellowship with Sister Kristi whom I also met the preceding week in Moline, Illinois. As you can see the contacts that were made last week carried over to this week as Moline and Rock Island IL is only about 6 miles away from Davenport Iowa. My first day in Davenport I introduced myself at 4 churches of different denominations but none of them followed up with me so all the more it is that I’m thankful for the above mentioned.

  So as for this week Edgewood Baptist Church in Rock Island was by home-base for service to Davenport Iowa. I was made welcome by the staff and members alike. I had the pleasure of attending Wednesday night, Saturday night and Sunday’s 8:00am service. This church body are very dear to me as I have seen first hand there demonstrated Love for others come to JESUS and then there dedication to nurture and grow Disciples of JESUS Christ!!!
Additionally per the invitation of two different people in separate areas of town within one hour of the other I went to Rock Island First Church of the Nazarene for Sunday school and 11:00 service. I was received with open arms and was even given the opportunity to teach Sunday School. Talk about being put on the spot and how much did I need to be a Bold witness yet again. There was no Sunday school book per say, more like a open mic if you will. So thank GOD, that HE gave me the words to encourage my brothers and sisters to share JESUS with others. (You just got the short version but upon request I’ll be more than happy to share it all with you as I wouldn’t want anyone to feel left out).

Nazarene Children in the Rain!

  The week here has come and gone and as like the others past; The banner has been flown and the Gospel of JESUS Christ has been shared with many people.

  Now I am already at my the next stop which is Iowa City, Iowa. The game plan is the same but with the experiences of this past week included I am hopeful that I may be better prepared to answer, “HIS Call”. It is your prayers that I am very thankful for and continue to be in need of. God willing I will update you about this time next week.

I close this letter with these words for you to ponder:
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 16:22-25 King James Version.

  In the name of JESUS! Amen.

Agape, David

Contact Email: david@hiscall888.com

For Ministry Information, Call Kris @ (502) 594-0451

Wow! The journey continues as I’m close to completing the 8th stop of 200 with this one ending Monday 6-7-2010.

On 5-31-2010 I left Chicago with no regrets. I will miss my newly found family members but I did not have to say goodbye but rather until we meet again. As I traveled on Monday I happened on a very interesting site at the Petro Truck Stop in Rochelle, IL. That was a Tractor Trailer that has been converted into a chapel and is open 24/7. Hey that’s pretty cool. It at least made me feel a little bit better about being radical. Please don’t get me wrong because I know for sure that I was made by GOD to be just that RADICAL and even though it may not look like it at times it is very challenging. I thank GOD that HE is providing for me all the way. So it is that I have no regrets and much hope for what is to come now and in the future as I strive to answer HIS call.

So on to Moline, Illionois. On Tuesday I went to the mall and over the speaker I heard, David Banton come to the mall office. Or did I hear right was my thought. So I went to the mall office and was told that I needed to report to my vehicle. So I did and upon arrival I was greeted by mall security and was told that I had to take the Cross off my truck or leave. First of all thats not going to happen. So after about 15 minutes of respectfully and delicate discussion I was granted permission to park at the mall that day and any day for the next 6 days that I may want to come back. This with the stipulation presented but not agreed to that I would not talk about JESUS while at the mall. I know what you must be thinking. What about Constitutional Rights and all. Exactly my thoughts, its just that I’ve learned to hold my tongue as to be as the Bible says, “we are to be as wise as serpents and as gental as doves”. Make no mistake about it as I will take a direct stand for the rights that generations have fought for in this country.

Set up downtown in Rock Island, Illinois

Later on tuesday a young man approached me while I was sitting in my truck outside of the Walmart. Wow what a pleasent surpise as he was one of 6 evangelist from Wisconsin. They were in town at Grace Baptist Church for the express purpose of training others in instructing youth to share the gospel. So thats how I came to be invited to participate in fellowship and then to go with them in the evenings door to door and then we went into the streets to preach. The wisdom and the dedication that these young adults displayed was truely inspiring to me.

Baptist Evangelist Team from Wisconsin

Oh and for the first time in this journey Two things happened; The gospel was preached from the back of The Jesus Truck and many were fed at the same time. (See picture).

Preaching & Feeding from the, "JESUS" Truck!

I also had the honor or spending time with Pastor Chris of Grace Baptist Church who actually took to the streets going door to door in an effort to lead others to JESUS. Much I learned from him and members of Grace Baptist Church. Now I know better the value of whats called; Evangelical Church. I think all churchs should place such an emphasis on evangelism for the sake of winning souls many times over increasing the membership numbers. (Ouch).

I now make mention of a couple local businesses that have blessed me here;
The staff at Starbucks, Denny’s and Family Christian Book Store (Especially Kristi who gave sacrificially and invited me to Saturday and Sunday Services at Edgewood Baptist Church).

Saturday service was remarkedly special as to the praise and worship was awesome and the message was about being bold for JESUS! Anyone who knows much of me will know that I would appreciate this service. Oh and the average age of those attending was about 21years old.

Sunday service proved to be just as special so I say that if you happen to be near Moline, Illinois stop and pay a visit at either or both Grace Baptist Church in Moline, and Edgewood Baptist Church in Rock Island, Illinois.

In closing, I have been made welcome by many in the towns of Moline and Rock Island. As I reflect on many of the things that I have expierenced in the State of Illinois, I would not trade them as I have no regrets. The hard occurrences and blessings alike have made me better able to demonstrate the Love of Jesus and this to iinclude how to stand strong in spiritual warfare.

Please that I may encourage you with the passage from Zec. 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. So it is that we depend on the Lord everyday and in doing so we still will be ehausted at times.
So then another passage comes to mind, Matt. 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

So now, God willing I move on to the State of Iowa and will be updating you all about next week at this time.

Thank you all for your prayers as I believe that because of them I have recieved from God the strength to continue on. We go together on this journey, sharing JESUS with many, all to the Glory of GOD!!!

Agape, david

Contact Email: david@hiscall888.com

For Ministry Information, Call Kris @ (502) 594-0451