Victory Gospel Crusade

The first week of the Victory Gospel Crusade in Western Ohio is in the books.  To say that things were different from what we anticipated would be an understatement.  We had intended to meet in very public venues in which many lost could be in attendance.  Instead, we found our public place canceled and we spent much time relabeling tracts and doing our best to get them out.  In the end, we simply met in the Celina Baptist Temple with an emphasis on online attendance as well as in person.  The services were full every night, and a couple of nights were packed with extra seating having to be made available.  Anyone wishing to watch the services may do so at victorygospelcrusade.com, the VGC Facebook page, or at the VGC YouTube channel.  You will note the five-member quartet, the choir singing each night, and a special salvation testimony every night.  But most of all, you will notice preaching, with every message focusing on the Gospel.  I would urge everyone reading this to direct lost friends and loved ones to watch.  Each message focuses on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Three people that we know of trusted Christ as Savior last week, with at least 670 devices tuning in to the Facebook page alone.

Next week, beginning Sunday night, we will begin services at the Anchored Hope Baptist Church in Lima, Ohio.  Again, they will be available at the above mentioned websites.  Services are live tonight at 6 p.m. EDT and from Monday through Friday at 7 EDT each night.  Because Lima is a larger town than Celina, we will be involved in soul-winning every day next week as we seek to get the Gospel into the hands of people.  In light of COVID-19, we have had some naysayers berate us for handing out literature door to door.  For the most part, though, we have found people very receptive to our witnessing efforts.  They are eager, it seems, to be able to talk to anyone at their door, even if that person is initiating a religious conversation.

We would love to be able to hold open air services at a place called Robb Park in Lima.  Its location is very conducive to drawing crowds from the surrounding neighborhoods.  In February, we submitted all the necessary paperwork to obtain our permit to hold services in the park, but the local officials misplaced it.  Please pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of officials and in the weather to allow us to meet in the park, even if it is just in the afternoon.  Experience has shown that targeting areas of high foot traffic make for better results in giving the Gospel.

We are enjoying these days of ministering with Josiah.  Due to the nationwide reaction to COVID-19, his schedule with Neighborhood Bible Time was delayed one month, allowing him to be with us.  Not long after we return to Mississippi, he will board a plane and leave for Baltimore to begin the ministry that God has for him.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.  May God find us faithful to give the Gospel in these days of unprecedented turmoil.