Since The Last Post...

April 9, 2024

Since the last time I updated the blog, we have had a lot going on!  You can read the March 2024 report by following this LINK, which will give you an overview of all that I've been doing.

To the right of this text, you can follow one of the links to see other monthly reports, pictures and videos.  Recent posts to the blog can also be found to the right by scrolling down to the "Blog Archive".

Speaking engagements and deputation for the month were as follows:

• On Sunday, March 3rd, I had the privilege to present SIMBSS and deliver the morning message at the Oak Hill MBC in Hot Springs, AR.
• The 3rd Annual "Bridge Conference", sponsored by Antioch Baptist Church in Little Rock, was held March 4-6 at the Missionary Baptist Seminary and I was invited to present one of the sessions. 
• Saturday, March 9th, the "Defenders Conference" was held at our sponsoring church, Second Baptist Church in Malvern, AR.  Once again, I was able to share about discipleship and disciple-making in two different sessions.

You can read more about Oak Hill, the Bridge Conference & the Defenders Conference by following this LINK.

On Sunday evening, March 10th, I departed for Iquitos, Peru with Blake Parsley and John Chandler, both from our sponsoring church, where we would hold the very first SIMBSS Peru teaching module, 24T1p.  Details, pictures and some videos (coming soon) from the Peru teaching module can be found by following this LINK.

I returned from Peru on March 16th, and my departure date for the Solomon Islands for 24T2s was March 25th.  I returned from that teaching module on April 7th. You can read about 24T2s and see some pics and videos by following this LINK. 

As of right now, I don't have any trips scheduled until time to depart for Peru near the end of May.  I'm looking forward to being home for a while and getting some down time.  When I am home, I am meeting with two D-Groups of men and trying to help where I can in the ministry of our local church.  I am also promoting the LCTM (Local Church Teaching Modules) among the churches, trying to schedule deputation appointments, and trying to just be available to the Lord and everyone else so I can do what I can to help in any area.

If you need me, please don't hesitate to reach out,

Doug

December & January

It has been an action-packed couple of months!  We started right away with a Local Church Teaching Module (LCTM) December 5-8 with Green Mountain MBC in Rutland, VT.  There's a pic below, but you can see more by following this link. Pastor Bill Crouse, his wife Kelli, and the entire church were great hosts, and we feel we had a productive time with them.  My pastor, Joey McDermott, joined me, John Chandler (Associate/Youth @ Second Baptist) and Jerry Grimes (Pastor @ Living Faith in Fort Smith) and we taught lessons on Church Administration, Youth Ministry, Discipleship & Disciple-Making and The Kingdom.  We prepared dinner each evening, which is part of what we do for the local churches who invite us to conduct a LCTM.

To see the December report, follow these links p1 p2

The end of December 2023 brought a close to our 12th year of working in and with the people of the Solomon Islands.  As January 2024 came into view, we began a new 4-year cycle of instruction with the remaining students, began making preparations for a 2-year cycle of instruction for the graduates and also began the transition in earnest to see the seminary in the Solomon Islands become an indigenous self-supporting work. This has been our goal all along and we are excited to see and know that it is soon to be a reality.  Soon is, of course, relative to the 12 years already spent working there.  Barring any major disturbance, we anticipate them being able to fully handle the entirety of the responsibilities associated with keeping the school functioning and solvent within the next 2 years!  They still have much to learn, but if we're honest, the rest of us are in the same boat!

The teaching module held this month began with the normal flight delays and setbacks.  It has become so commonplace, that I almost expect it to happen!  I made it to the Solomon Islands only one day later than I'd planned, so that is a plus. On this trip, I was blessed to have Nathan Luellen and Joseph Stacks join me and serve as instructors.  For Nathan, it was his first trip to the Solomon Islands, and I think he had a great time.  I know the students and graduates were very glad to meet him and he did a great job during the week.  He was also an asset to me, and the work as a whole.  Nathan is the pastor of the Stockwell Road Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA.  Joseph is the pastor of Forest Grove MBC in Taylor, AR and this was his 3rd trip to help.  As always, Joseph was a blessing to have on the trip and he was also a blessing to have along. The students always enjoy him being along and benefit greatly from his service to them.

To see the January report, click HERE and to see more pics of the trip follow this link