Howdy folks!
Another weekend, another cowboy church service and another road trip. This past weekend, Suzann and I drove to Sherwood Park, Alberta (just outside of Edmonton) to The Cowboy Church. This is a very active cowboy church that meets every Friday night in a rented church facility. A near capacity crowd came out on a snowy evening to worship and praise the Lord in the cowboy way. The air rang with gospel songs, cowboy poetry and an old-fashioned, no frills gospel message. For the first time in our travels, I got a request to do one of my cowboy poems. Folks seem to respond to the message and, I'm always happy to respond to a request.
As I sit in the office on Monday morning, I've been pondering these weekend road trips and, our upcoming ministry trip to Idaho in April. Over the past year, I've been noticing that groups have been steadily coming of the road. For the most part, the reason given is the increasing cost of fuel for their vehicles. Some groups have even started to charge churches mileage in order to cover their travel expenses. Larger churches may have the financial resources to pay these expenses but, many of the small churches that Songs of Faith visits, would be hard pressed to come up with the necessary funds.
Well, increasing fuel prices are a reality for every traveling ministry and, ours is no exception. To date, the Lord has provided the means to keep us on the road and, until He tells us different we'll keep on traveling. Please pray for us as we travel, as well as for the other ministries that are on the road carrying and sharing the Gospel.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Monday, March 17, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Just Too Old Fashioned
Howdy Folks!
As most of you know, Songs of Faith Ministries has never made a pretense about our old fashioned presentation of the gospel. In all our promotional material and in our correspondence with pastors, we make it crystal clear that our program consists of a blend of traditional hymns and gospel songs, down-home singing, rhymes from the range and personal testimony. Over the past several years, feedback from pastors about Songs of Faith, after we have ministered to the folks in their congregations, has been enthusiastic and positive.
Imagine my surprise when I received a response from a pastor telling me that his was not a traditional church and the congregation would not be interested in our presentation. Reading between the lines, however, I suspect he was saying that we were just too old fashioned for the folks in his church. Well, if telling folks about the Saviour's love has become out of fashion, then I'll stay old fashioned. It reminds me of a couplet from one of my cowboy gospel poems: "The old fashioned gospel is in fashion yet today/And the only way to heaven is the old fashioned way."
Fortunately, there are still pastors who preach the Gospel and, congregations who still want to hear it. So, we still have work to do - the old fashioned way! Continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's leading for 2008.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
As most of you know, Songs of Faith Ministries has never made a pretense about our old fashioned presentation of the gospel. In all our promotional material and in our correspondence with pastors, we make it crystal clear that our program consists of a blend of traditional hymns and gospel songs, down-home singing, rhymes from the range and personal testimony. Over the past several years, feedback from pastors about Songs of Faith, after we have ministered to the folks in their congregations, has been enthusiastic and positive.
Imagine my surprise when I received a response from a pastor telling me that his was not a traditional church and the congregation would not be interested in our presentation. Reading between the lines, however, I suspect he was saying that we were just too old fashioned for the folks in his church. Well, if telling folks about the Saviour's love has become out of fashion, then I'll stay old fashioned. It reminds me of a couplet from one of my cowboy gospel poems: "The old fashioned gospel is in fashion yet today/And the only way to heaven is the old fashioned way."
Fortunately, there are still pastors who preach the Gospel and, congregations who still want to hear it. So, we still have work to do - the old fashioned way! Continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's leading for 2008.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
NO TIME FOR REST
Howdy Folks!
It's been a week since we completed the Experiencing God course. Now, we're heavily involved in organizing the Experiencing God Weekend Event at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Plans are shaping up and registration for the event is in progress.
Last Sunday, February 24th, Tom King the pastor of the Clearwater Cowboy Church made a presentation of his cowboy poetry at our morning worship service. I led the music, backed up by the Sagebrush Orchestra (some talented musicians from our church). It was a grand time of worshipping and praising the Lord cowboy style. Folks said the service reminded them of an old-fashioned tent meeting. Tom has MS and is raising funds to pay for an experimental drug, that has shown some promise in treating the disease. Needless to say, the folks at Cambrian Heights were very generous in their financial support for Tom.
Between our expanding church activities, Songs of Faith concerts and organizing our next US tour, it's been a busy few months. We're still waiting on the Lord to open doors in Canada for our ministry. While the response from the churches has been very slow, we are confident that there is work for us to do in Canada, particularly, in the many small rural communities. Join us as we pray for the Lord's leading in this matter.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
It's been a week since we completed the Experiencing God course. Now, we're heavily involved in organizing the Experiencing God Weekend Event at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Plans are shaping up and registration for the event is in progress.
Last Sunday, February 24th, Tom King the pastor of the Clearwater Cowboy Church made a presentation of his cowboy poetry at our morning worship service. I led the music, backed up by the Sagebrush Orchestra (some talented musicians from our church). It was a grand time of worshipping and praising the Lord cowboy style. Folks said the service reminded them of an old-fashioned tent meeting. Tom has MS and is raising funds to pay for an experimental drug, that has shown some promise in treating the disease. Needless to say, the folks at Cambrian Heights were very generous in their financial support for Tom.
Between our expanding church activities, Songs of Faith concerts and organizing our next US tour, it's been a busy few months. We're still waiting on the Lord to open doors in Canada for our ministry. While the response from the churches has been very slow, we are confident that there is work for us to do in Canada, particularly, in the many small rural communities. Join us as we pray for the Lord's leading in this matter.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
ABOUT OLD HYMNS
Howdy folks!
In this day of new praise and worship music and video projectors, the old hymns are becoming an endangered species. But as we sing these new songs to the Lord, let's not forget the old ones. It's the sturdy old hymns of the faith that strengthen and steady us when we're weary and worn. They're the ones we sing when we face adversity and uncertainty or, when rising troubled in the night. Because many of these hymns are chock full of theology, they fill our souls with the timeless truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures. They enable us to pray and give us a pulpit for preaching to others. As we join our voices to sing these hymns composed by believers from every era and branch of Christendom, we connect with generations now gone in a united anthem of praise to the Lord.
Well, in the last week, we've had an opportunity to sing many of the old hymns and gospel songs. Since the Hymn Jams had outgrown our house, we moved to our local church. About thirty folks gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, last Friday night (Feb. 15th), to sing and fellowship in the old-fashioned way. Stories were told about favourite hymn and, as we sang. memories brought on a few tears. Amid the laughter and tears, we had a great time praising the Lord.
Then, on Sunday (Feb. 17), Suzann and I travelled to Evansburg, Alberta, for a cowboy gospel concert. A near capacity crowd of town folks, local ranchers and farmers and, even some cowboys, joined us at the Evansburg Baptist Church for a time of down-home singing, rhymes from the range and a no-frills gospel message. What a time we had in the Lord as we sang, the old hymns, laughed and remembered. Again, there were a lot of smiles and even a few tears, as folks joined in and sang the night away.
We look forward to each of these opportunities. No church is too small or isolated. Every door that opens is another chance to encourage God's people and win the lost to Christ.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Songs of Faith Ministries
In this day of new praise and worship music and video projectors, the old hymns are becoming an endangered species. But as we sing these new songs to the Lord, let's not forget the old ones. It's the sturdy old hymns of the faith that strengthen and steady us when we're weary and worn. They're the ones we sing when we face adversity and uncertainty or, when rising troubled in the night. Because many of these hymns are chock full of theology, they fill our souls with the timeless truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures. They enable us to pray and give us a pulpit for preaching to others. As we join our voices to sing these hymns composed by believers from every era and branch of Christendom, we connect with generations now gone in a united anthem of praise to the Lord.
Well, in the last week, we've had an opportunity to sing many of the old hymns and gospel songs. Since the Hymn Jams had outgrown our house, we moved to our local church. About thirty folks gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, last Friday night (Feb. 15th), to sing and fellowship in the old-fashioned way. Stories were told about favourite hymn and, as we sang. memories brought on a few tears. Amid the laughter and tears, we had a great time praising the Lord.
Then, on Sunday (Feb. 17), Suzann and I travelled to Evansburg, Alberta, for a cowboy gospel concert. A near capacity crowd of town folks, local ranchers and farmers and, even some cowboys, joined us at the Evansburg Baptist Church for a time of down-home singing, rhymes from the range and a no-frills gospel message. What a time we had in the Lord as we sang, the old hymns, laughed and remembered. Again, there were a lot of smiles and even a few tears, as folks joined in and sang the night away.
We look forward to each of these opportunities. No church is too small or isolated. Every door that opens is another chance to encourage God's people and win the lost to Christ.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Songs of Faith Ministries
Thursday, January 31, 2008
WINTERING IN!
Howdy folks!
It's been a long time since I provided folks with an update of our activities. For the most part, we are sticking close to home. If you've been following the weather in Alberta, you know it's been bitterly cold and hiway travel is not recommended. Nevertheless, we set out for the Cowboy Church in St. Albert, Alberta, last Saturday (January 26th). Since we couldn't make the trip in November as planned, this was our first visit to the Church. Over 90 people showed up for the service that night and we had a blessed time of fellowship singing the old hymns and gospel songs, enjoying cowboy poetry and eating. The later seems to be a regular feature of Cowboy Churches on both sides of the border. It turns out that this was the official launch of the their Cowboy Church and, from the show of support, it is off and running.
On Sunday morning we presented some special music and cowboy poetry at Grace Family Church in St. Albert. Attendance was down because of more nasty weather. That didn't stop the folks from singing along and enjoying the cowboy poetry. I was able to introduce my new cowboy poem to a very receptive audience. Our trip home took 2 days, as we got weathered-in when we reached Wetaskiwan, Alberta. By Tuesday, however, the roads were bare and we made it back to Cochrane without incident.
Now, we are looking forward to having several weeks at home before hitting the road again. Evansburg Baptist Church, Evansburg, Alberta, has invited us to present a cowboy gospel concert on Sunday evening February 17th. Hopefully, the weather and the roads will be better for travel. In the meantime, we'll keep busy at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, where we now serve as a deacon family.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
It's been a long time since I provided folks with an update of our activities. For the most part, we are sticking close to home. If you've been following the weather in Alberta, you know it's been bitterly cold and hiway travel is not recommended. Nevertheless, we set out for the Cowboy Church in St. Albert, Alberta, last Saturday (January 26th). Since we couldn't make the trip in November as planned, this was our first visit to the Church. Over 90 people showed up for the service that night and we had a blessed time of fellowship singing the old hymns and gospel songs, enjoying cowboy poetry and eating. The later seems to be a regular feature of Cowboy Churches on both sides of the border. It turns out that this was the official launch of the their Cowboy Church and, from the show of support, it is off and running.
On Sunday morning we presented some special music and cowboy poetry at Grace Family Church in St. Albert. Attendance was down because of more nasty weather. That didn't stop the folks from singing along and enjoying the cowboy poetry. I was able to introduce my new cowboy poem to a very receptive audience. Our trip home took 2 days, as we got weathered-in when we reached Wetaskiwan, Alberta. By Tuesday, however, the roads were bare and we made it back to Cochrane without incident.
Now, we are looking forward to having several weeks at home before hitting the road again. Evansburg Baptist Church, Evansburg, Alberta, has invited us to present a cowboy gospel concert on Sunday evening February 17th. Hopefully, the weather and the roads will be better for travel. In the meantime, we'll keep busy at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, where we now serve as a deacon family.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Keepin' Busy
Howdy folks!
Finally, we're getting caught up with the work around the house. The yard is cleaned up for the winter and all the outdoor furniture has been put away until next year. Why, we've even started painting the inside of the house. I know it won't be finished by Christmas, but it's a good start. So, things are sure shaping up around the old home place.
We've integrated back into Cambrian Heights, our home church. Singing and playing with the worship teams and helping out wherever and whenever we can. It's sure good to be back on familiar range. Over the winter, we try to stay close to Cochrane with the ministry. This month (November) we will be presenting special music at the Clearwater Cowboy Church, Caroline, Alberta, anniversary service. Also, we've been invited to present a program of cowboy gospel music and poetry at the cowboy church in St. Albert, Alberta.
Our 2008 tours are now in the works. We've had contact with a number of pastors in the U.S. and, continue to look to the Lord to open the doors for the ministry. Pray with us that His will be done in our lives.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Finally, we're getting caught up with the work around the house. The yard is cleaned up for the winter and all the outdoor furniture has been put away until next year. Why, we've even started painting the inside of the house. I know it won't be finished by Christmas, but it's a good start. So, things are sure shaping up around the old home place.
We've integrated back into Cambrian Heights, our home church. Singing and playing with the worship teams and helping out wherever and whenever we can. It's sure good to be back on familiar range. Over the winter, we try to stay close to Cochrane with the ministry. This month (November) we will be presenting special music at the Clearwater Cowboy Church, Caroline, Alberta, anniversary service. Also, we've been invited to present a program of cowboy gospel music and poetry at the cowboy church in St. Albert, Alberta.
Our 2008 tours are now in the works. We've had contact with a number of pastors in the U.S. and, continue to look to the Lord to open the doors for the ministry. Pray with us that His will be done in our lives.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann
Monday, November 5, 2007
From the Home Office
Howdy folks;
It's been a couple of weeks since my last entry. Today I'm sitting in the home office looking out the window at the first snowfall of the season. The sun is shining on the mountains, which are white with snow. What a beautiful sight. In the past weeks, we've been to Winnipeg to celebrate my brother's 60th birthday. We also made time to visit with some friends in Regina. Now, it's back to work putting the 2008 program together. I need to learn some new songs and write some new cowboy poems. Keep praying for Songs of Faith as we book our schedule for next year.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
It's been a couple of weeks since my last entry. Today I'm sitting in the home office looking out the window at the first snowfall of the season. The sun is shining on the mountains, which are white with snow. What a beautiful sight. In the past weeks, we've been to Winnipeg to celebrate my brother's 60th birthday. We also made time to visit with some friends in Regina. Now, it's back to work putting the 2008 program together. I need to learn some new songs and write some new cowboy poems. Keep praying for Songs of Faith as we book our schedule for next year.
On the trail,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)