Didn't you enjoy the Youth service Sunday night? We had a great crowd present. The Praise band was "rockin'. " I liked that fifth-grader bass player, Jason Hall. Of course, Patty and I were very proud of grandsons Nathan and Jared. In the future, I hope that we can have two or three more Youth nights during this year with different programs. I believe it greatly helps our young people.

Friday night at 6:30 PM, Dr. Bill Tolar will be with us to lead our January Bible study from the book of Romans. He has been with us many times before, and our Sunday School workers have used his videos in the Wednesday night worker's meetings. He will also teach on Saturday night beginning at 6:30 PM and preach for us on Sunday in both services.

Our missionary group is having a great time in Cordoba, Mexico. Mike Stowell preached in the Belen church in Cordoba Sunday morning, and seven persons accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Bro. Harry was to preach in the Lecumbre Church, and in the evening the group was to go to Ebenezer church, which is located in the Torch. The Ebenezer church started in a small home located on the muddiest street you can imagine. Approximately eight people were present besides the three or four of us from Emmanuel as I preached in one of the very first services of the beginning church. The house was a single small room with a lean-to kitchen on the outside. There were two double beds pushed against the side walls and a small space between them. People sat on the beds as Dr. Worley and Bob Griffin gave testimonies. A small dog (and maybe a small pig) wandered in and out of the service. The locals did not notice those unusual guests, but we North Americans did. It was a beautiful time. Later, on another trip, Dan took us back to the Torch. There was a small lot that the church was wanting to purchase. I remember how we got on our knees and prayed that God would provide the lot and that a great church would be there one day. Well, the church is there now, and it is strong. I have not been able to go back and visit it, but they are doing great. Many other churches besides Emmanuel have helped as well. However, by and large, the Ebenezer church family gave the money and did the labor to build a beautiful building from which they present the gospel to the poor, poor people of the Torch. Pray for our group there this week that God will use them and bring all of them home safely on Saturday.

Also, continue praying for the Search Committee that God will lead them. They are a very conscientious committee seeking God's will for our church. We need to have patience as they work, giving them time to find the person God desires for our fellowship.

Let me repeat how deeply, deeply appreciative I am of the Sunday School classes coming to the prayer rails to pray during the invitation. It touches my heart. God is going to bless us. Nothing else in all the world will do what prayer will do in a church family. When your class has its turn, join the other members coming to pray. You can slip out and start praying during the invitation prayer. I love how you come and humbly bow your knees before the Lord. Amen and amen!

Plan to be with us in the Bible study starting Friday night. The book of Romans is one of the greatest books ever written. I love all of you and will you see you then.