The Sojourner program was a dream of Paul and Peggie Scott. Paul was a carreer Navy man and as such, had been in many places where the congregations of the Lord's people were small in number and struggling. It was his dream to do something to alleviate the situation by helping these congregations to become self-supporting and strengthen the Church.
While living in California they worked with congregations of all sizes and conducted workshops statewide. At the time he retired from the Navy, he was serving as an elder of the Pacific Beach Church of Christ in San Diego, California. He still had the dream and hope of a particular type of mission work, but had not fully decided just how this would be accomplished. They moved to Lubbock, TX and attended the Sunset School of Preaching to better prepare themselves. They worked for a short period in Wyoming and Kansas. While in Kansas, Richard and Georgie Jones joined them. They had a RV as did some others and an idea began to grow that this would be the way to accomplish what had become known as "Paul and Peggie's Dream".
The Conroe Church of Christ in Conroe, TX sent them to a mission field in South Carolina where they worked for three years. When they completed the work there, they went to Staten Island, NY for a 3-month mission effort before returning to Texas. Another couple shared in the dream with Paul and Peggie. They were Marvin and Linda Hall from San Diego where Marvin was serving as an elder with the Pacific Beach congregation. They left San Diego and attended the Sunset School of Preaching to participate in a study course for which Paul had made arrangements. In 1978 these two couples held the first workshop in Weslaco, TX. In January 1979 the group adopted their identifying name of NATIONAL EVANGELISM WITH SOJOURNERS. The number has continued to grow year after year. However, there are always more requests for help than there are Sojourners to do the work.
The congregation in Conroe, Texas sponsored the Sojourner program of work for 13 years. From 1991 to 2005 the work was under the oversight of the Elders of the Church of Christ in Burleson, TX . It was sponsored by the Eastern Hills Church of Christ in Marshall, TX for 2006. It is now back under the eldership of the Burleson Church of Christ in Burleson, TX. However, individuals are encouraged to remain under the oversight of their local elders, whenever possible. Every effort is made to maintain a scriptural mission of the Church of Christ and always do everything to the glory of God.
Above information is a reprint from the Sojourner web page http://www.sojourning.org
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Goodwood Church of Christ
Building Up the Faith
By Doug Burleson
Last week was one of those weeks when it was easy to count our blessings. We rejoiced that two souls were added to the Lord’s church through baptism. Sydney Rametta was baptized by David Gregor on Wednesday evening after Bible classes. Sydney did not come to class that night anticipating being baptized, but in Katie Hedglin’s high school girls’ class she was involved in a discussion on baptism and was convinced that she needed to have her sins washed away. We give thanks that Katie Gregor brought her friend to class and that Sydney responded to the Lord’s invitation. We also rejoice with Rickey Garrett who was baptized by Bob Bayham on Friday afternoon. Rickey grew up a preacher’s son in rural Alabama and through the study of God’s Word on Friday determined that he needed to be baptized. Isn’t God’s Word powerful? Let’s give thanks for the power of the message and the reality that when the seed of the Word is planted it will come to fruition. Let us make sure to welcome Sydney and Rickey to our church family.
As of Wednesday morning there are over 35 TEENS AND ADULTS heading to Camp Maywood this coming Sunday. I wish that all of you could see this beautiful campground operated by the churches of Christ in Northwest AL. Summer sessions of Camp Maywood have been going on there since 1965 and the camp has been expanded to hold up to 400 campers at once (three new girls cabins will welcome us this year!). But even more beautiful than the camp or the cabins is the Christian spirit that is evident when young people from all over the SE United States come together to grow in faith through the study of God’s Word. This year I will be teaching a morning Bible class, speaking on the summer series at the Hamilton Church of Christ on Wednesday evening, and speaking at the camp devotional on Thursday evening. I especially appreciate Brian Egerton (the summer youth intern), Marcine Lanier (member at Zachary), Terry Peeples, Nicholas Stacks (the preacher at Zachary), and of course Kristi and Eden for going with us this year. The group will leave at 6:00 AM on Sunday morning and return on Saturday evening, June 6.
By Doug Burleson
Last week was one of those weeks when it was easy to count our blessings. We rejoiced that two souls were added to the Lord’s church through baptism. Sydney Rametta was baptized by David Gregor on Wednesday evening after Bible classes. Sydney did not come to class that night anticipating being baptized, but in Katie Hedglin’s high school girls’ class she was involved in a discussion on baptism and was convinced that she needed to have her sins washed away. We give thanks that Katie Gregor brought her friend to class and that Sydney responded to the Lord’s invitation. We also rejoice with Rickey Garrett who was baptized by Bob Bayham on Friday afternoon. Rickey grew up a preacher’s son in rural Alabama and through the study of God’s Word on Friday determined that he needed to be baptized. Isn’t God’s Word powerful? Let’s give thanks for the power of the message and the reality that when the seed of the Word is planted it will come to fruition. Let us make sure to welcome Sydney and Rickey to our church family.
As of Wednesday morning there are over 35 TEENS AND ADULTS heading to Camp Maywood this coming Sunday. I wish that all of you could see this beautiful campground operated by the churches of Christ in Northwest AL. Summer sessions of Camp Maywood have been going on there since 1965 and the camp has been expanded to hold up to 400 campers at once (three new girls cabins will welcome us this year!). But even more beautiful than the camp or the cabins is the Christian spirit that is evident when young people from all over the SE United States come together to grow in faith through the study of God’s Word. This year I will be teaching a morning Bible class, speaking on the summer series at the Hamilton Church of Christ on Wednesday evening, and speaking at the camp devotional on Thursday evening. I especially appreciate Brian Egerton (the summer youth intern), Marcine Lanier (member at Zachary), Terry Peeples, Nicholas Stacks (the preacher at Zachary), and of course Kristi and Eden for going with us this year. The group will leave at 6:00 AM on Sunday morning and return on Saturday evening, June 6.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Update from Don
"Disaster Assistance" has just completed a short mission with the Hemly Rd. Church of Christ in Bayou La Batre, Al. Just a couple of weeks, ago Brs. Dave Neal and Doug Oaks from the Somerset Church in Somerset, Ohio spent time in BLB. There they taught and baptized 5 people. A call came to us, to come and help teach these new converts as well as several new Christians more about the doctrine of Christ. This church does not have a regular preacher. Thanks to your support in these spiritual matters, we were able to go there and really be a big help to this young growing church. As you may recall, prior to hurricane Katrina, the only congregation in BLB had ceased to meet some 2 yrs before the hurricane. When "Katrina" came to BLB, shortly thereafter, several Christan's came there to help. Out of this help, the church began to meet again, Christians bought another building, have a dynamic outreach program, are now a center of activity in the community and this past Sun. had 80 people in worship service. Your help greatly aided in the development and growth of this congregation. Br. Mike Baumgartner, Director of "Disaster Assistance", with the help of Rosemary and others cooked and fixed some really good meals, 460. The church invited the community in and was the community ever impressed by the friendliness of this church? We inter mingled with them and talked them about the Church of Christ at the supper time meal. We invited them to worship with us Sunday.Several of them who had not visited the church before came to worship that Sunday morning and I personally know some that have expressed an interest in studying God's word. This was an excellent outreach project that you helped make possible. With our spiritual outreach arm of "Disaster Assistance", while there we had 21 in attendance during 12 different bible studies. Now while our effort there was to help "ground" new Christians, one was baptized and I believe two more will be baptized shortly. We left the Hemly Rd. Church of Christ with a renewed appreciation for the outreach of this church, esp. with young people. Of the 80 people who were in attendance at worship Sun. I believe over half of them were young people. I went around to the Sunday School classes Sun. morn. and was deeply impressed with the dedication of the teachers. Sun. Ev. we went to the Creekwood Congregation in Mobile. Br. David Sargent had an excellent lesson on Christian's caring We had an opportunity to renew old acquaintances there from our work in Katrina.
As we are back home now for awhile, I think, we have a lot of activity planned this summer at the Howel Church where I preach and which sends and supports Rosemary and I on these various home missionary trips. Our gospel meeting is in June, I am in a meeting at the Mc Burg Church in July, we have our Super Sat. Bible School in July and then there is the upcoming Sycamore Bible Bowl in Cookeville, Tn. in early Sept. then I speak at the Heritage Christian Un. Lecturship in late Sept. In between all of these activities, "Disaster Assistance " remains ready to "Drive at Dawn"to help organize and work for the local church should disaster strike. We can always use volunteers "at the ready". I must tell you, this is work. We start early in the morning and it is usually nearly dark, when we finish. That's 7 days a week, with time off to go to worship. While it's work, it has, I believe, the greatest reward of all on this earth, the knowledge that you helped make a difference in someone's life physically and you also and at the same time had and used the opportunity to show and teach people about Jesus. If you would like to be a part of this Home Mission Work, email me or call me at 931 659 6643 cell 931 698 3150 or email Mike at disasterassistance@gmail.com
As we are back home now for awhile, I think, we have a lot of activity planned this summer at the Howel Church where I preach and which sends and supports Rosemary and I on these various home missionary trips. Our gospel meeting is in June, I am in a meeting at the Mc Burg Church in July, we have our Super Sat. Bible School in July and then there is the upcoming Sycamore Bible Bowl in Cookeville, Tn. in early Sept. then I speak at the Heritage Christian Un. Lecturship in late Sept. In between all of these activities, "Disaster Assistance " remains ready to "Drive at Dawn"to help organize and work for the local church should disaster strike. We can always use volunteers "at the ready". I must tell you, this is work. We start early in the morning and it is usually nearly dark, when we finish. That's 7 days a week, with time off to go to worship. While it's work, it has, I believe, the greatest reward of all on this earth, the knowledge that you helped make a difference in someone's life physically and you also and at the same time had and used the opportunity to show and teach people about Jesus. If you would like to be a part of this Home Mission Work, email me or call me at 931 659 6643 cell 931 698 3150 or email Mike at disasterassistance@gmail.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bayou La Batre Mission Trip Recap
1 Baptism, 21 attended bible studies and 460 meals were served. We also attended church services at Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile Sunday night. Don gave a good presentation to the congregation about Disaster Assistance.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday 3 more attended Bible studies and 44 meals for dinner
Members of Hemly Road Church of Christ went to Mobile today to work at the local food bank. They help unload trucks from 2 until 5. Because they were gone we only had one bus picking up kids so our total number of meals served was down.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Update from Bayou La Batre
We arrived at Hemley Road Church of Christ on Tuesday. Yesterday Don had Bible studies in the AM and PM with a total of 8 involved. We served 107 meals last night and 75 to 80 stayed for singing. Above photos are of the meal and the singing.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Update from Dave Neal
Tuesday April 21
Doug and I left Tuesday morning about 7:00am and drove to mid-Alabama before stopping for the night. It was a lot of windshield time for us to talk about almost anything you can imagine. It was an easy drive, but yes long. As we entered northern Alabama Chris called us about Rosemary’s request to be baptized. This was great news. Doug and I called Larry’s cell following the baptism and congratulated her.
Wednesday
We talked with Daphne on Tuesday and decided to be at the Church building by 9:30 to help with food distribution though their pantry. What a program they have in place as an outreach. Lord willing, you will hear much more about this when we return home. We drove to the food bank just north of Bayou La Batre and purchased food for distribution at the Church building. Wednesday through Saturday, we distributed approximately 500 pounds of food to the community. While people were waiting for their food to be packed, we asked them about having Bible studies.
How can I begin to express the emotion and appreciation for what the Bayou La Batre Church is doing? Bottom line, the Lord must be so pleased with their dedication and commitment to the lost. I am humbled beyond expression. This small group of faithful followers of our Lord, work where extreme poverty abounds. Yet, we see the attitude of Jesus in these faithful Christians that compels me to do more. Hemley Road church of Christ is truly that City on a Hill, that Light to the world that cannot be hidden. Let me give you an example of a new convert since I was here last year. I know only a little of her past but she answers the question daily of “What Would Jesus Do?” She has had a difficult life to say the least. Last summer she came in contact with this Church who led her to Jesus. She works at the building it seems every day, calling people to invite them to church, cleaning the building, driving the church bus, contacting people who need food, whatever the need, this lady is there. I gave her a break from driving the church bus this evening. She went with me to find all the homes of probably 35 kids and all the while I was driving, she was calling people inviting them to Church.
With Daphne’s help, we visited (4) families late in the afternoon inviting them to Church and set up two Bible studies for Thursday.
Wednesday night Church was challenging because there were more non-Christian than Christians (what a “great” opportunity). I have so much admiration for the leadership of this congregation. Surrounded in Bayou La Batre by unemployment, hunger, and human suffering brings me to my knees, yet they are certainly focused on the objective of Heaven and leading people to Jesus rather than the obstacles. I have a Bible study scheduled for Thursday morning.
Just when we thought the day was over, Daphne called and asked me to turn-on the heater for the baptistery because she is expecting a baptism on Thursday.
Thursday
Pictures are worth a thousand words: two new sisters in Christ. Both studies were set-up by the congregation (thank you), not Doug or I. These were the first of five baptisms this week.
Praise God and the power of the scriptures (Rom 1:16) for these two new sisters. You also need to know the effort made by the congregation here to set up the studies. Church members here are regularly calling people to come to Church or setting up a Bible study. When other Christians work like this, the actual study of God’s Word becomes much easier.
This evening, we had an adult Bible study with 22 people. Church, this was a Thursday evening after we already had the regular Wednesday evening study. Daphne and others (I helped a little too-made ice tea and opened cans of food-big help ha ha) cooked dinner before the study with the understanding that a Bible study would follow. People were very eager to study. That’s when the sister (above right) asked to be baptized.
Well, today is gone and we now look with anticipation for more Bible studies on Friday followed at 6:00pm by a meal and devo with the teens. Doug and I miss you very much, but are also praising God for this opportunity: our spirits are full tonight. Hopefully you can see why we continue to be excited about the work at Bayou La Batre! By-the-way, the Church here is planning TWO vacation Bible schools THIS year. More tomorrow.
Friday
Something I didn’t mention in Thursday’s brief is that one of the above ladies baptized was lead to Jesus by her daughter. Needless to say, it was a great day.
Friday night was teen night: food and devo. I am not as young as I used to be, but don’t tell anyone. Leslie, does this bring back memories?
We went to the food bank earlier today to get more food for distribution at the church building. What a great outreach program. I hope we can duplicate it at home. Some of the BLB members went door knocking to invite people to our Super Saturday. With the invitation to Super Saturday came a pastry. The picture below is our load of pastries purchased for this purpose.
We had one Bible study today. She is coming back for more study tomorrow with her husband: expect both to be baptized. A third study is also scheduled for tomorrow. That’s all for today.
Saturday
Friday afternoon, Billy, Daphne, Doug, and I made a schedule for today. This is what Billy and Daphne usually do every Saturday over breakfast. This one went something like this: check-on this person who is in need of help, arrange a ride to church for a sister, deliver a tool trailer to a group of volunteers working on a house, schedule people to pass out flyers for the Super Saturday event this evening (Gospel sing and meal for those attending- an outreach program), schedule Bible studies (There are 3 people scheduled), and cook/clean for the sing this evening. These Christians have a zeal for teaching the lost. It’s 6:35am as I write this update. Doug and I will be leaving soon to meet Billy and Daphne for breakfast to confirm the schedule for today. We are excited about what is planned for the day, but we look forward to tomorrow worship and starting our trip home.
At 10:00am I started a Bible that one of the members scheduled. The lady had been encouraged by one of the members to study and had the desire to learn. Within a few hours of study, she was ready to be baptized: it was my privilege as pictured below.
Two more Bible studies were held-one a continuation from the night before. The study was with a husband and wife (Doug taught the study) who decided to be baptized during the Sunday worship.
The sing was well attended. We had a great fellowship.
Praise God! Another great day of service.
Sunday
I taught the Bible study and Doug had the sermon. Worship was great accented by the baptism of the husband and wife pictured below.
We started our journey back to Ohio following the AM service. One regret, we learned Sunday about another request for a Bible study. My God forgive us that we couldn’t get to it. But here is what we have planned. I talked with Don Hudson about a follow-up trip to BLB. Don and Rosemary along with Mike Baungatner are planning to go to BLB next week to follow-up with additional Bible studies with the new Christians and hopefully conduct new Bible studies. Follow-up for the new converts is critical and the focus of the next week. I know that the congregation in BLB does follow-up, but it is small and they are limited in time and people with all the work they do. As I said earlier, this congregation is truly a Light to the community. It is a blessing to us to know them and learn from them.
Doug and I left Tuesday morning about 7:00am and drove to mid-Alabama before stopping for the night. It was a lot of windshield time for us to talk about almost anything you can imagine. It was an easy drive, but yes long. As we entered northern Alabama Chris called us about Rosemary’s request to be baptized. This was great news. Doug and I called Larry’s cell following the baptism and congratulated her.
Wednesday
We talked with Daphne on Tuesday and decided to be at the Church building by 9:30 to help with food distribution though their pantry. What a program they have in place as an outreach. Lord willing, you will hear much more about this when we return home. We drove to the food bank just north of Bayou La Batre and purchased food for distribution at the Church building. Wednesday through Saturday, we distributed approximately 500 pounds of food to the community. While people were waiting for their food to be packed, we asked them about having Bible studies.
How can I begin to express the emotion and appreciation for what the Bayou La Batre Church is doing? Bottom line, the Lord must be so pleased with their dedication and commitment to the lost. I am humbled beyond expression. This small group of faithful followers of our Lord, work where extreme poverty abounds. Yet, we see the attitude of Jesus in these faithful Christians that compels me to do more. Hemley Road church of Christ is truly that City on a Hill, that Light to the world that cannot be hidden. Let me give you an example of a new convert since I was here last year. I know only a little of her past but she answers the question daily of “What Would Jesus Do?” She has had a difficult life to say the least. Last summer she came in contact with this Church who led her to Jesus. She works at the building it seems every day, calling people to invite them to church, cleaning the building, driving the church bus, contacting people who need food, whatever the need, this lady is there. I gave her a break from driving the church bus this evening. She went with me to find all the homes of probably 35 kids and all the while I was driving, she was calling people inviting them to Church.
With Daphne’s help, we visited (4) families late in the afternoon inviting them to Church and set up two Bible studies for Thursday.
Wednesday night Church was challenging because there were more non-Christian than Christians (what a “great” opportunity). I have so much admiration for the leadership of this congregation. Surrounded in Bayou La Batre by unemployment, hunger, and human suffering brings me to my knees, yet they are certainly focused on the objective of Heaven and leading people to Jesus rather than the obstacles. I have a Bible study scheduled for Thursday morning.
Just when we thought the day was over, Daphne called and asked me to turn-on the heater for the baptistery because she is expecting a baptism on Thursday.
Thursday
Pictures are worth a thousand words: two new sisters in Christ. Both studies were set-up by the congregation (thank you), not Doug or I. These were the first of five baptisms this week.
Praise God and the power of the scriptures (Rom 1:16) for these two new sisters. You also need to know the effort made by the congregation here to set up the studies. Church members here are regularly calling people to come to Church or setting up a Bible study. When other Christians work like this, the actual study of God’s Word becomes much easier.
This evening, we had an adult Bible study with 22 people. Church, this was a Thursday evening after we already had the regular Wednesday evening study. Daphne and others (I helped a little too-made ice tea and opened cans of food-big help ha ha) cooked dinner before the study with the understanding that a Bible study would follow. People were very eager to study. That’s when the sister (above right) asked to be baptized.
Well, today is gone and we now look with anticipation for more Bible studies on Friday followed at 6:00pm by a meal and devo with the teens. Doug and I miss you very much, but are also praising God for this opportunity: our spirits are full tonight. Hopefully you can see why we continue to be excited about the work at Bayou La Batre! By-the-way, the Church here is planning TWO vacation Bible schools THIS year. More tomorrow.
Friday
Something I didn’t mention in Thursday’s brief is that one of the above ladies baptized was lead to Jesus by her daughter. Needless to say, it was a great day.
Friday night was teen night: food and devo. I am not as young as I used to be, but don’t tell anyone. Leslie, does this bring back memories?
We went to the food bank earlier today to get more food for distribution at the church building. What a great outreach program. I hope we can duplicate it at home. Some of the BLB members went door knocking to invite people to our Super Saturday. With the invitation to Super Saturday came a pastry. The picture below is our load of pastries purchased for this purpose.
We had one Bible study today. She is coming back for more study tomorrow with her husband: expect both to be baptized. A third study is also scheduled for tomorrow. That’s all for today.
Saturday
Friday afternoon, Billy, Daphne, Doug, and I made a schedule for today. This is what Billy and Daphne usually do every Saturday over breakfast. This one went something like this: check-on this person who is in need of help, arrange a ride to church for a sister, deliver a tool trailer to a group of volunteers working on a house, schedule people to pass out flyers for the Super Saturday event this evening (Gospel sing and meal for those attending- an outreach program), schedule Bible studies (There are 3 people scheduled), and cook/clean for the sing this evening. These Christians have a zeal for teaching the lost. It’s 6:35am as I write this update. Doug and I will be leaving soon to meet Billy and Daphne for breakfast to confirm the schedule for today. We are excited about what is planned for the day, but we look forward to tomorrow worship and starting our trip home.
At 10:00am I started a Bible that one of the members scheduled. The lady had been encouraged by one of the members to study and had the desire to learn. Within a few hours of study, she was ready to be baptized: it was my privilege as pictured below.
Two more Bible studies were held-one a continuation from the night before. The study was with a husband and wife (Doug taught the study) who decided to be baptized during the Sunday worship.
The sing was well attended. We had a great fellowship.
Praise God! Another great day of service.
Sunday
I taught the Bible study and Doug had the sermon. Worship was great accented by the baptism of the husband and wife pictured below.
We started our journey back to Ohio following the AM service. One regret, we learned Sunday about another request for a Bible study. My God forgive us that we couldn’t get to it. But here is what we have planned. I talked with Don Hudson about a follow-up trip to BLB. Don and Rosemary along with Mike Baungatner are planning to go to BLB next week to follow-up with additional Bible studies with the new Christians and hopefully conduct new Bible studies. Follow-up for the new converts is critical and the focus of the next week. I know that the congregation in BLB does follow-up, but it is small and they are limited in time and people with all the work they do. As I said earlier, this congregation is truly a Light to the community. It is a blessing to us to know them and learn from them.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Disaster Assistance's Director of Evangelism Don Hudson will be speaking at Heritage Christian University's 38th Annual Evangelism Workshop
Don will speak on Wednesday morning September 23 at 10:30 AM. If you are planning to attend the workshop or in the area please stop by and say hi to Don.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
