April Stepping Stones

Smith Stepping Stones
Psalm 37:23-"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way."

“IMPACT THROUGH INTERCESSION.”

April 12, 2010

Dear Friends,

We praise Lord that He continues to provide members for our Prayer Force. We are so thankful to have 280 people who are praying for us daily, and we look forward to reaching our goal of at least 300 soon. We are so encouraged and strengthened when we realize every morning that so many people are praying for us. Jerry is sending out a daily prayer request on Twitter and Facebook as a reminder to pray. If you would like to become a part of our prayer team, just let us know. If you do not get the daily prayer requests and would like them, let us know that too.

Our travels in March were full of rich blessings in ministry and fellowship. We began the month in California where we really enjoyed spending time with our co-workers at Commission on Compassion and had opportunities to talk with many pastors, as well as minister in three churches. Amy celebrated a birthday while we were there and we took several day trips with our granddaughter, Cara. It was fun to visit San Juan Capistrano Mission and some beautiful flower fields in Carlsbad, CA. After California we had a great time in a mission conference at Mandeville Bible Church in Mandeville, LA. We were back at the BMW office on March 18,19 for the Prof’s Summit. Missions professors from 7 Bible Colleges met together for two days with administrators from BMW. It was an excellent time of valuable discussions as we exchanged ideas and learned how to work together to train and encourage more people to get involved in missions.

On March 22-23 we met with the Atlantic Southeast IFCA Regional at Family Bible Church in Martinez, GA. This was a great meeting with good attendance. Four of the church planters we work with in the Southeast USA were our speakers and each of them shared about their ministry and also something from the Word. They were a great encouragement. We are praying that we will find some churches or individuals to help support these church planters. One of our IFCA chaplains, Jason Peters, was also able to attend one day.

We spent the last week of March in Pennsylvania teaching a workshop and speaking at Bethany Chapel in Marion Springs, PA. On Monday, March 29, we met with a group of pastors and helped them reactivate the Western Pennsylvania IFCA Regional. We are excited to see this regional become active again.

We also spent five days in Lancaster, PA and enjoyed good fellowship with Steve and Becky Cornell at Millersville Bible Church. Jerry spoke at MBC at a Good Friday Service and we enjoyed hearing Steve preach on Easter Sunday. We have known Steve and Becky since they were students at Citadel Bible College and it is a great encouragement to see how God has blessed them in ministry over the years. They took us to see the musical, Joseph, at Sight and Sound Theater while we were there and that was a special treat. We also enjoyed a visit with several retired BMW missionary friends who live at Calvary Homes.

On our way home to Lawrenceville, we stopped in Richmond, VA and spent two days with Jerry’s sister, Pat, and her husband, John. We love spending time with our family. When we got home Jerry was unloading the car and someone asked if he needed some help. It was Susan who had come down on her Spring Break to surprise us! It was special to have all three of our girls together for a few days.

Thank you for praying for us,

Serving with Joy,


Jerry and Amy

PRAISE:

1) For 280 people in our Prayer Force.
2) For the blessing of teaching God’s Word.
3) For God’s continual provision financially even during economic hard times.
4) For our wonderful family and friends.
5) Amy’s sister, Stephanie, has had no episodes of irregular heartbeat for about two months.
6) We will be great grandparents in November. Thanks, Eric and Sarah!

PRAYER:

1) For the Lord to bring us 300 prayer partners to pray for us daily.
2) For a break in travel to get some projects done at home.
3) For some churches and individuals to support our present church planters in the Southeast.
4) For several more couples to do church planting in the Southeast.
5) For more opportunities to teach the Change Workshops.
6) For our own walk with the Lord and growth in our spiritual lives.
7) For all of our grandchildren to love God and follow after Truth.
8) For good results from the two workshops Jerry will teach this month.
9) For needed employment for our Son-in-law Todd.
10) For wisdom and planning for events we are trying to schedule in September.

SCHEDULE:

April
13-14 ---- Drive to Kansas City
16 ---- Chapel at Calvary Bible College
16 ---- Drive to Jerseyville, IL
16-17 ---- Workshop, Grace Community Baptist Church
18 ---- Grace Community Baptist Church, Jerseyville, IL
19-21 ---- Pastors Conference, RHMA, Morton, IL
22-23 ---- Drive to Maryland
23-24 ---- Workshop, Faith Bible Church, Elkridge, MD
25 ---- AM Calvary Bible Church, Lusby, MD
25 ---- PM Camp Springs Community Church, Camp Springs, MD
26-27 ---- with Sam Martz, Frederick, MD
28-30 ---- with sister, Laurette Brunner, Virginia Beach, VA
39 ---- Meet Chaplain Dale Parker
May
1 ---- drive to North Carolina
2 ---- Golden Valley Memorial Service, NC
3 ---- Drive Home
3-31 ---- At Home
June
2 ---- Drive to Tennessee
6 ---- Lambert Community Church, Lambert, TN
8 ---- Drive home
10 ---- Drive to Columbia, SC, Dinner with Chaplains
11-12 ---- Workshop at The Church at Fayetteville
13 ---- The Church at Fayetteville, Drive home
14-18 ---- Synergy at BMW office
25 ---- Drive to IL
26-28 ---- IFCA Church Extension, Springfield, IL
28-30 ---- IFCA Convention, Springfield, IL