On Wednesday morning a giant in the faith died. Billy Graham, at the age of 99, went to his eternal home. I asked during a church meeting one time, how many knew Billy Graham. I was surprised to learn that many people in our first generation church had never heard of him. There is probably no one who influenced the church as dramatically as Billy Graham did in this century. Yet his influence has all but vanished in our modern world.
I attended a Billy Graham seminar where Billy Graham was in attendance. He spoke, and I was absolutely impressed. He shared his life story, his philosophy, and his commitment to the gospel. It inspired me to do well. At the end of the session he shook my hand. I did not wash my hand for a week.
Interestingly, I have shaken hands with two former Prime Ministers of Canada, four different Premiers of British Columbia, and countless highly influential people in the world; but none influence me as mightily as that one meeting with Billy Graham. No longer will we be able to meet him in person, but we can still learn from him. I read his autobiography “Just as I am” a number of years ago and would highly recommend it to you.
We all can’t be a “Billy Graham” but we all can be everything God has called us to be. That is what Billy did; he lived out his life as God called him. He lived it out with integrity, never compromising his faith or his calling. He didn’t sell his soul for fame, convenience, prestige or privilege. I want to be like that.
He served God faithfully with his gift. He was an evangelist and did it well. He knew what his gift was, developed it to its very best and never wavered from his mission. The Bible says, “do not grow weary in well doing.” (Galatians 6:9) I want to do that.
We live in a day where men of every societal position are being accused and are found wanting. Situational ethics is rampant in the church and our culture. Yet Billy Graham can say along with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) That is my goal too.
What an impact Christians would make if everyone one of us lived out our faith like a Billy Graham of old. And then we too, along with Billy, will experience this exciting promise which immediately follows the verse above. (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Me too. I am looking for that crown of righteousness. And my deepest desire and prayer for everyone who reads this blog, is that one day we will all be standing there together; proudly displaying our own “crown of righteousness.”
This Sunday Trevor and I will be heading out to Haiti. The Jefferys will be taking us to the Spokane Airport on Sunday February 25th. On March 2-4 we will be conducting an outdoor crusade in the hope of establishing a church in the Les Cayes community. Please pray that an Apostolic anointing will fall on us and the attendees for salvations, healings and miracles. Pray for protection of harm, diseases and accidents while we are away. And lastly, pray for Doreen as she remains behind, our Church family while I am away, and that all the needs will be met here at home.
We return on March 14th. A big thank you in advance to all those that will step up to fill the gap our departure will leave.
This Sunday Sharon Verishine will be continuing our Living Faith series and will present on Faith and Provision. God wants to provide for us, you can believe it and trust it to be so. This will be an encouraging message for us all.
Haiti Mission
Trevor and I will be heading out to do our mission work in Haiti. We will be gone until March 14th. Please start praying now for the following:
Safety in the travel and ministry time.
Physical health and spiritual protection.
A moving of God’s spirit as we preach in the open air service.
We can be a blessing to the Haitians.
All our needs will be met at home and in Haiti.
During my absence, Sharon Verishine, Anne-Marie Haynes, and Brad Wilson respectively will be providing the teaching while I am away.
I am sure they would welcome your prayers too.
Clearwater Bible College on Tour
On Sunday, March 25th @ 10:30am Clearwater College students will be visiting us on their ministry tour. This year’s theme is Fight the Good Fight. Please consider bringing a friend to this faith building event.
Billets are needed for the wonderful young people, 5 men, and 4 women. If you are interested in billeting please contact the KCF office as soon as possible at 250.352.1722.
Growth Groups
Growth group is a wonderful opportunity to grow in God and with each other.
Registration time for the next start-up is now underway.
Group gatherings will begin on Thursday, April 5 and will run until June 14.
Contact the KCF office to register.
For those that are interested in following along with the sermon study, but are not able to come out to Growth Groups on Thursday evenings, we invite you to visit our website and click on the Growth Group tab. There you will find the study questions. Sermons are also posted under the Sermons Tab by Wed mornings each week. Here are the direct links for your convenience.
http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/images/2018-02/living-faith--faith-and-works.pdf
http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/?w=kcf-sermons
Our Daily Bread
Most days at ODB, quality donated fresh vegetables and fruit as well as bread etc. is available to take home for free. Firstly, we welcome you to come and select from this abundance of food. Secondly, people often require plastic bags to take this food home in, and so we have an ongoing need for plastic bags. If you have extra plastic bags that are overflowing in your closet or cupboard, please keep ODB in mind and drop them off anytime during our open hours or on Sunday mornings.
S.H.A.R.E. Nelson
Want to know how to get a good deal on some great items? Follow the S.H.A.R.E. Nelson Facebook page and don’t miss out on any sales.
S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities. Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire. Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! Check out FB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Pastor Jim
Feb 22, 2018
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5