Welcome to Charleston WV 2012!

  After the week I had in Beckley I was wondering what was just ahead. So let me share with you a bit of 7 days in Charleston. 

  The night before I left, I did a Google search of churches and there where many but one stood out; Randolph Street Baptist Church. Sunday morning I set out for Charleston and wow the freshly clothed trees made the mountains so beautiful, that even the roar of the engine gulping fuel to cross them could not dim the majesty of God’s work.

  Safely arriving (after looking at the mountains more than the road) in the capitol city of West Virginia, what better way to start the week than to Praise God, Hear His Word and to Fellowship with the Body of Christ? Praise God, that’s exactly what took place! The corporate Worship, the Word preached in Love and Truth and afterwards the Fellowship gathering was so sweet. These brothers and sisters demonstrated the Love of Christ to me. Even more their passion of fulfilling The Great Commission, “All to the Glory of God” caused my spirit to rejoice. If you happen to live or travel near you would do well to experience God’s Spirit working here at Randolph Street Baptist Church. Please pray for this body of believers as they continue pursuing all things to The Praise and Glory of God. 

  Now to find a place to park would it be Wal-Mart again?  Two thoughts: Would God’s favor be extended again so that I could be there all week?  Second, I remembered the weight of living in a public parking lot.  But off to Wal-Mart and God’s favor was extended again. 

  Now what appeals could I make to the Lord about not staying here?  How about electricity?  Or, 24 hours a day vehicles are going by?  What about the people on foot and the one’s that seem to be parking and watching me?  Well a Church parking lot might be safer too!  Just then the Lord made me mindful of the numbers of people that could be impacted, how it’s much easier to gather in and around the church building.  The Lord really spoke to me; how we are all called to go out of our comfort zone trusting in Him to do the work. In this I understood a little more “The spirit is willing but the flesh is week”.  After all, how much faith does it take to gather in the building and parking lot of the church?  Okay Holy Spirit, with God all things are possible, the Wal-Mart parking lot it is. 

  Having set up and been here a week, the increased volume of traffic has been great.  The Lord has sent many to encourage me; I’ve been blessed to share my testimony, to hear the testimonies of others and to pray with many.  The Lord increased my faith so I was not so bothered by the spectator’s watching but not approaching.  A couple of evenings I opened the Cargo trailer ramp door and played Praise and Worship music.  Many stopped to voice their approval and the Lord provided some gas money (I know that God heard the roar of the engine crossing the mountains that He formed).  Thank you Lord for being so personally acquainted with your children!

  Thursday night I tailgated (sitting on the tailgate of the truck) and like at the drive in theater I watched The Gospel of John movie.  I know that must have appeared odd to those parking lot spies and what came to mind was; this is another way the Lord is preparing me to be Unashamed of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.   

  Oh, On Wednesday while serving the homeless at Union Mission Crossroads and sharing the gospel I witnessed God at work through me to bring a man to Godly sorrow which led to repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and eternal life!  Praise God!  In the excitement of this I did not tell him of the importance of Baptism.  In fact I was sharing this with my Brother Kris Salyer in Louisville, KY.  Kris asked if Russell had been baptized.  I felt a pit in my stomach, I had shared the gospel, told Russell about the importance of being in good bible believing church, of learning God’s Word and I had given Russell a Bible.  On Friday I went to Union Mission Crossroads and thank The Lord, Russell was there to greet me with a big smile and expressed excitement about Him going to the Lord and thanking Him for Eternal Life!  Again Praise God!  Now I was able to tell Russell about Baptism, the importance of indentifying with the Birth, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And how in Acts we see that is when people were added to the Church (The Body of Christ).  Russell said, “I want to, I need to be baptized then”.  I told him I would try to find out where we could go to do this, that I would be back shortly and off I went.  Just a few minutes later I approached the Pastor whose congregation was serving the evening meal.  Before I was able to ask the pastor about a place to baptize Russell, a lady approached and asked me a question and the conversation turned to the gospel.  She said that she had walked the isle years ago, I asked her if she had been baptized and was told no.  Well, I went on to explain to her just what I had to Russell and she was willing to be baptized.

 Wow that was so cool!  Two people right here and willing now!  Well then, I turned to the pastor who had heard this whole conversation, told him I was from out of town and asked how and where this baptism could be done.  His reply was, “I don’t know” and then he walked away!  Talk about being taken back!  “I don’t know”!  What does that mean?  Really, how can that be?  Am I to believe that He, as a pastor has no idea what to do or where to go when someone wants to be baptized into the body of Jesus Christ?  I’m sorry, but it’s easier for me to believe that he may not be saved.  Maybe this seems to be harsh but the fact that I didn’t go after and confront Him while I was upset took the power of the Holy Spirit!  As I see it, grace was extended to him.  Remaining calm in front of this lady and assuring her I would find out was entirely of the Lord.  So next I got Russell’s and this lady’s full name and address.  I contacted Randolph Street Baptist Church who assured me they would follow up with both of them.  So I told this to both of these dear friends and they were excited.  Praise God!  Again I say Praise God!  Amen. 

  Would you believe that just writing the last paragraph wore me out?  I mean, all the emotions which are attached are incredible at times.  I’m so glad the Lord renews our strength daily.  And to be able to share these things with you is beneficial to me, I doubt I’ll ever need a shrink (ha, ha, ha).

  This week has been rich in numerous ways.  I can’t count the beautiful people I meet this week having enjoyed conversations, hearing of testimonies, praying for needs and loved ones to be saved, giving and been given to, encouraging and being encouraged.  All this was God’s Spirit at work here in Charleston, WV.  Thank You: “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” Amen.

  Well it’s raining this Saturday evening and that’s right on time, a restful evening before the next town of Huntington, WV.  Please note that on a few occasions I have been told of the harsh environment just ahead.  So please pray for me and the people there that God would cause them to see the gospel of Jesus Christ as a Love Story. How God desires them to be saved from His Fierce, Righteous and Holy Wrath that we all deserve.  And how the work, Jesus accomplished on the Cross was God’s Love Demonstrated so we could have Eternal Life!

  God willing, I’ll write to you again next week about this time. Thank you for the prayers and support.  Be strong in the faith and step out of your comfort zone this week and see what God will do.  I’m sure you will be surprised and not disappointed. 

        In the Love of Christ, May you grow in His Graces.     Agape, David  

 P.S.  Sorry for the small Front hope to fix this Soon.