Howdy Folks!
For those of you who follow and pray for our Songs of Faith Ministries, here is our confirmed tour itinerary.
June 4-5 - Cowboy Entertainer Gathering, Townsend, MT (featured performer of Saturday evening show)
June 6 - Elkhorn Community Fellowship, Townsend, MT (special service to relaunch church)
June 13 - Mountainview Community Church, White Sulphur Springs, MT (morning worship service and evening concert)
June 20 - Faith Southern Baptist Church, Lovell, WY (morning worship service)
June 22 - Heart Mountain Cowboy Church, Powell, WY (cowboy church service)
June 27 - Grace Southern Baptist Church, Greybull, WY (morning worship service)
July 4 - Ten Sleep Baptist Church, Ten Sleep, WY (cowboy church service at local rodeo)
July 11 - New Hope Southern Baptist Church, Cody, WY (morning worship service)
July 18 - Calvary Baptist Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (morning worship service)
Please pray that:
- we will be a blessing to the folks in these churches, as we share the good news of God's never ending love;
- we will stay rested and healthy; and,
- the Lord will continue to provide for all our physical and financial needs as we travel.
If you want more information, please visit our web sit itinerary page. You can keep up with our activities on our Blog, which is updated weekly.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Howdy folks,
Today I'm sitting in my office looking out the window at another snowstorm. Spring time in Alberta is never predictable. We've had warm summer-like temperatures and a snow storm all in the same week! The bad news is the weather. The good news is that we are still in Cochrane and not on tour. Camping in a travel trailer during a snowstorm is not a pleasant experience.
This spring has been very busy and, as a result, we won't be leaving for our ministry tour until June. Pat Armstrong, our friend from Ontario, graduates from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in May. In April, he was ordained to the Gospel ministry and sent out as a missionary by Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary. I had the privilege of participating as a member of his ordination council and Suzann prepared the lunch for the council members. A week later, I delivered the charge to the church at his ordination service. Finally, we will be attending his graduation and reception. All in all, it has been a busy few weeks for Suzann and I.
Our tour dates are starting to fill up. We are looking forward to ministering in Montana and Wyoming at several Southern Baptist churches. After a couple of year's absence, I have been invited to perform at the Annual Cowboy Entertainer Gathering in Townsend, MT. Suzann and I are looking forward to meeting up with saddle pals we haven't seen for some time. Before leaving Cochrane, we will make our annual pilgrimage to Clearwater Cowboy Church in Caroline, Alberta. It's always a blessing to worship with these folks.
Please check out our itinerary and remember us in you prayers as we travel. For the most part, we will be ministering in churches new to our ministry.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Today I'm sitting in my office looking out the window at another snowstorm. Spring time in Alberta is never predictable. We've had warm summer-like temperatures and a snow storm all in the same week! The bad news is the weather. The good news is that we are still in Cochrane and not on tour. Camping in a travel trailer during a snowstorm is not a pleasant experience.
This spring has been very busy and, as a result, we won't be leaving for our ministry tour until June. Pat Armstrong, our friend from Ontario, graduates from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in May. In April, he was ordained to the Gospel ministry and sent out as a missionary by Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary. I had the privilege of participating as a member of his ordination council and Suzann prepared the lunch for the council members. A week later, I delivered the charge to the church at his ordination service. Finally, we will be attending his graduation and reception. All in all, it has been a busy few weeks for Suzann and I.
Our tour dates are starting to fill up. We are looking forward to ministering in Montana and Wyoming at several Southern Baptist churches. After a couple of year's absence, I have been invited to perform at the Annual Cowboy Entertainer Gathering in Townsend, MT. Suzann and I are looking forward to meeting up with saddle pals we haven't seen for some time. Before leaving Cochrane, we will make our annual pilgrimage to Clearwater Cowboy Church in Caroline, Alberta. It's always a blessing to worship with these folks.
Please check out our itinerary and remember us in you prayers as we travel. For the most part, we will be ministering in churches new to our ministry.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A RESOLUTION FOR 2010
Howdy Folks;
For the most part, I suspect that I’m like most of you when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions. I haven’t made any in years. The other day, however, I was talking to a preacher friend about our respective ministries and he shared this truth with me: “We have but one life to live and one life to give.” As Christians, what better resolution could we make for 2010 and beyond? At the start of this New Year, I have been reminded again that the commission Jesus gave to His disciples (Matthew 28:1920) is not a suggestion; we have been saved to serve.
During 2009, like many other Gospel ministries, we have seen first hand the effects of this economic downturn. Folks are suffering from financial fatigue and are worried about the future. As the fortunes of this life ebb and flow, however, we can take comfort in knowing that the Hand that feeds the sparrow is the One who holds tomorrow. With this in mind, Suzann and I are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for Songs of Faith Ministries in 2010.
Since returning home last November from our Fall tour, I have been busy developing a Sunday school teacher training program for Cambrian Heights Baptist Church. With the assistance of practitioners from the church, the program has been completed and is now being reviewed by the leadership team prior to its implementation. Hopefully, this can be accomplished in the next several months. The availability of this program fills a need for the training of Sunday school teachers in our local church.
The next several months will be taken up with scheduling our annual Spring tour, organizing the program, learning new songs and writing some more cowboy gospel poetry. While we don’t know yet where the Lord will lead us, we have every confidence that He has a plan and will make it known in His time. Our job is to be ready to answer the call when it comes.
Suzann and I are always aware of the many prayers that are offered on our behalf as we travel. Our prayer partners are a vital part of our ministry. As we anticipate another year of service, therefore, we solicit your continued prayers on our behalf. Please pray that the Lord will open doors to new churches and other venues where we can share our Gospel witness the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
For the most part, I suspect that I’m like most of you when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions. I haven’t made any in years. The other day, however, I was talking to a preacher friend about our respective ministries and he shared this truth with me: “We have but one life to live and one life to give.” As Christians, what better resolution could we make for 2010 and beyond? At the start of this New Year, I have been reminded again that the commission Jesus gave to His disciples (Matthew 28:1920) is not a suggestion; we have been saved to serve.
During 2009, like many other Gospel ministries, we have seen first hand the effects of this economic downturn. Folks are suffering from financial fatigue and are worried about the future. As the fortunes of this life ebb and flow, however, we can take comfort in knowing that the Hand that feeds the sparrow is the One who holds tomorrow. With this in mind, Suzann and I are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for Songs of Faith Ministries in 2010.
Since returning home last November from our Fall tour, I have been busy developing a Sunday school teacher training program for Cambrian Heights Baptist Church. With the assistance of practitioners from the church, the program has been completed and is now being reviewed by the leadership team prior to its implementation. Hopefully, this can be accomplished in the next several months. The availability of this program fills a need for the training of Sunday school teachers in our local church.
The next several months will be taken up with scheduling our annual Spring tour, organizing the program, learning new songs and writing some more cowboy gospel poetry. While we don’t know yet where the Lord will lead us, we have every confidence that He has a plan and will make it known in His time. Our job is to be ready to answer the call when it comes.
Suzann and I are always aware of the many prayers that are offered on our behalf as we travel. Our prayer partners are a vital part of our ministry. As we anticipate another year of service, therefore, we solicit your continued prayers on our behalf. Please pray that the Lord will open doors to new churches and other venues where we can share our Gospel witness the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Thursday, November 5, 2009
REFLECTING ON THE TOUR
Howdy folks;
We arrived home Thursday evening (Oct. 29th) after spending an extra night in Helena, MT, because of icy roads. When we finally left the RV Park on Thursday morning, we had dry roads through the mountain passes and a tail wind. As a result, we made the border in good time and arrived in Cochrane around 6:30 p.m. It was a long drive and so we left the unpacking of the trailer until Friday.
Since arriving home, we've had a chance to reflect on the results of our tour. Because we were able to park in Blackfoot, ID, for the month of October, we only traveled a little over 5,200 km (3,200 miles). However, we were still able to minister at 11 churches, as well as conduct a cowboy church service at the Dillon, MT, cowboy poetry and music gathering. Although most of these churches were repeat visits, we did introduce our ministry to two new churches (one each in Montana and Idaho). We also had the opportunity to meet the pastor of the Soda Springs Baptist Church, Soda Springs, ID. He has asked to be kept informed of our next visit to the area. Our ministry was well received and most of the churches had visitors attending the services. Of interest, was the growth in the cowboy church in Lemhi, ID, and the new cowboy church that started in Firth, ID, since our last visit to eastern Idaho. We were greatly blessed as we traveled and shared the Gospel message.
Now that the trailer is unpacked and store, we are settling in for the winter. Over the next several months, we will seek the Lord's will as to next year's tours. Several opportunities have presented themselves and need to be explored. We are confident that the Lord has the situation well in hand and await His direction.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
We arrived home Thursday evening (Oct. 29th) after spending an extra night in Helena, MT, because of icy roads. When we finally left the RV Park on Thursday morning, we had dry roads through the mountain passes and a tail wind. As a result, we made the border in good time and arrived in Cochrane around 6:30 p.m. It was a long drive and so we left the unpacking of the trailer until Friday.
Since arriving home, we've had a chance to reflect on the results of our tour. Because we were able to park in Blackfoot, ID, for the month of October, we only traveled a little over 5,200 km (3,200 miles). However, we were still able to minister at 11 churches, as well as conduct a cowboy church service at the Dillon, MT, cowboy poetry and music gathering. Although most of these churches were repeat visits, we did introduce our ministry to two new churches (one each in Montana and Idaho). We also had the opportunity to meet the pastor of the Soda Springs Baptist Church, Soda Springs, ID. He has asked to be kept informed of our next visit to the area. Our ministry was well received and most of the churches had visitors attending the services. Of interest, was the growth in the cowboy church in Lemhi, ID, and the new cowboy church that started in Firth, ID, since our last visit to eastern Idaho. We were greatly blessed as we traveled and shared the Gospel message.
Now that the trailer is unpacked and store, we are settling in for the winter. Over the next several months, we will seek the Lord's will as to next year's tours. Several opportunities have presented themselves and need to be explored. We are confident that the Lord has the situation well in hand and await His direction.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Monday, October 26, 2009
TRAIL'S END 2009
Howdy folks;
It was another busy Sunday for us as we spent a long day traveling to churches in Downey and Soda Springs, Idaho. Both are small congregations in the southeastern part of the state. Fortunately, the church in Downey meets in the American Legion Hall and the room is very small. As a result, I didn’t need to set up the sound system and this made it easier to get back on the road and head for Soda Springs after the service.
Both of these works are associated with the American Missionary Fellowship. Although the churches are small, they have a very positive testimony in their communities. We certainly enjoyed the fellowship and sure appreciated their warm welcome and acceptance of our Ministry. This brought our Fall tour to a close on a very positive note.
After a short rest, we plan on leaving for Cochrane on Tuesday, October 27th. This will give us a few extra days to travel should the weather turn bad. Hopefully, it will be an uneventful trip and we are looking forward to getting back home. For those of you who have been following our blog over the past several weeks, you know how busy we have been. Several new churches have been visited and we have made more contacts for next year’s tour. We’ve put a lot of miles on the truck and trailer and, to date, have had no problems with either unit. The Lord has certainly blessed our ministry and met all our needs on this tour.
Thanks for all your prayers and e-mail messages of encouragement.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
It was another busy Sunday for us as we spent a long day traveling to churches in Downey and Soda Springs, Idaho. Both are small congregations in the southeastern part of the state. Fortunately, the church in Downey meets in the American Legion Hall and the room is very small. As a result, I didn’t need to set up the sound system and this made it easier to get back on the road and head for Soda Springs after the service.
Both of these works are associated with the American Missionary Fellowship. Although the churches are small, they have a very positive testimony in their communities. We certainly enjoyed the fellowship and sure appreciated their warm welcome and acceptance of our Ministry. This brought our Fall tour to a close on a very positive note.
After a short rest, we plan on leaving for Cochrane on Tuesday, October 27th. This will give us a few extra days to travel should the weather turn bad. Hopefully, it will be an uneventful trip and we are looking forward to getting back home. For those of you who have been following our blog over the past several weeks, you know how busy we have been. Several new churches have been visited and we have made more contacts for next year’s tour. We’ve put a lot of miles on the truck and trailer and, to date, have had no problems with either unit. The Lord has certainly blessed our ministry and met all our needs on this tour.
Thanks for all your prayers and e-mail messages of encouragement.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Monday, October 19, 2009
A VERY BUSY SUNDAY
Howdy Folks
Another week has gone by and we have been very busy with our ministry in Idaho. The weather has stayed seasonable and so we have had no problems traveling to the churches.
This past weekend we drove 90 miles to Malad, Idaho, for the morning worship service at the Victory Baptist Church. Since our last visit two years ago, they have nearly completed their new church building. They have no debt, as they only built when they had funds to pay for materials. All of the work was completed by volunteers from the church, as well as builders from across the U.S. They have a few finishing touches left to complete, but it is a very functional facility that will serve the congregation in the future. The service was well attended with several visitors from the community, who stayed for the potluck and fellowship time after the service. We have made many good friends at the church who follow our ministry and actively pray for us as we travel.
After a quick lunch, we packed up the sound system and drove for two hours across the desert to Moore, Idaho, for their afternoon church service. The Country Church in Moore is located in a rural farming area and hold their Sunday school and church service in the afternoon. We made it just in time to set up the sound system but not have a sound check before the service started. No matter, we just adjusted things after we got started. Again, this little church has grown since our last visit. They have nearly completed the renovations to the building they purchased and have a new pastor. The service was advertised throughout the area and attracted a large number of visitors. Many of these folks said they would be coming back to the church. Assisting smaller churches with their outreach initiatives is the crux of our ministry.
After a time of fellowship with folks in the church and a quick meal in the local restaurant, we drove back to Blackfoot, Idaho, arriving just after 9:30 in the evening. All in all we had a 13 hour day and traveled about 300 miles. We were sure tired, but excited at the unique opportunity God had given us to spread his word. It seems hard to believe that we have been on the road for nearly five weeks and ministered at 8 churches, in addition to a cowboy church service at the Dillon, MT, cowboy poetry gathering. The Lord has blessed us tremendously as we traveled meeting all our needs and opening doors for our ministry. We are continually thankful for the faithful folks who pray for us.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Another week has gone by and we have been very busy with our ministry in Idaho. The weather has stayed seasonable and so we have had no problems traveling to the churches.
This past weekend we drove 90 miles to Malad, Idaho, for the morning worship service at the Victory Baptist Church. Since our last visit two years ago, they have nearly completed their new church building. They have no debt, as they only built when they had funds to pay for materials. All of the work was completed by volunteers from the church, as well as builders from across the U.S. They have a few finishing touches left to complete, but it is a very functional facility that will serve the congregation in the future. The service was well attended with several visitors from the community, who stayed for the potluck and fellowship time after the service. We have made many good friends at the church who follow our ministry and actively pray for us as we travel.
After a quick lunch, we packed up the sound system and drove for two hours across the desert to Moore, Idaho, for their afternoon church service. The Country Church in Moore is located in a rural farming area and hold their Sunday school and church service in the afternoon. We made it just in time to set up the sound system but not have a sound check before the service started. No matter, we just adjusted things after we got started. Again, this little church has grown since our last visit. They have nearly completed the renovations to the building they purchased and have a new pastor. The service was advertised throughout the area and attracted a large number of visitors. Many of these folks said they would be coming back to the church. Assisting smaller churches with their outreach initiatives is the crux of our ministry.
After a time of fellowship with folks in the church and a quick meal in the local restaurant, we drove back to Blackfoot, Idaho, arriving just after 9:30 in the evening. All in all we had a 13 hour day and traveled about 300 miles. We were sure tired, but excited at the unique opportunity God had given us to spread his word. It seems hard to believe that we have been on the road for nearly five weeks and ministered at 8 churches, in addition to a cowboy church service at the Dillon, MT, cowboy poetry gathering. The Lord has blessed us tremendously as we traveled meeting all our needs and opening doors for our ministry. We are continually thankful for the faithful folks who pray for us.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WARM DAYS AND COLD NIGHTS
Howdy Folks
The weather has turned cold! Most mornings are well into the freezing range. I’ve taken to draining our water hose at night. Otherwise, we have to wait until the sun melts the ice in hose before we can take a shower. I’m sure glad that we won’t be living in the trailer all winter. During the day, however, it is quite warm and pleasant. Still no snow in our area, but it is all around us in the higher elevations.
This past Sunday we were at the Blackfoot Southern Baptist Church. Those who have followed our ministry are probably aware that this is the first church we ministered at when we started Songs of Faith Ministries. In some ways, it has become our home church while we are in the U.S. The service was well attended and there were quite a few visitors. It seems that folks enjoy the music and poetry and the relaxed style the Gospel is presented. Suzann says I’m starting to collect “groupies”. I told her that was not too bad for an old guy.
The next two weeks will be very busy. We have two services each Sunday and need to drive for a couple of hours between churches. Of course, they are all small rural churches, which suits us fine. Over the years, we’ve learned that these rural congregations are a good fit for our type of ministry. It’s heartwarming to have the folks sing along with the old hymns and gospel songs.
While we always look forward to heading home after a lengthy tour, it’s hard to shift gears and settle back down to life in Cochrane. When we are on the road our ministry is very intensive and doesn’t allow for much free time. It’s always exciting to conduct a worship service and meet the folks in the congregation. Even after the second or third visit, it’s still good to visit and share the Gospel.
Keep praying for us as we travel and minister. We still have many miles to go and solicit your prayers on our behalf.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
The weather has turned cold! Most mornings are well into the freezing range. I’ve taken to draining our water hose at night. Otherwise, we have to wait until the sun melts the ice in hose before we can take a shower. I’m sure glad that we won’t be living in the trailer all winter. During the day, however, it is quite warm and pleasant. Still no snow in our area, but it is all around us in the higher elevations.
This past Sunday we were at the Blackfoot Southern Baptist Church. Those who have followed our ministry are probably aware that this is the first church we ministered at when we started Songs of Faith Ministries. In some ways, it has become our home church while we are in the U.S. The service was well attended and there were quite a few visitors. It seems that folks enjoy the music and poetry and the relaxed style the Gospel is presented. Suzann says I’m starting to collect “groupies”. I told her that was not too bad for an old guy.
The next two weeks will be very busy. We have two services each Sunday and need to drive for a couple of hours between churches. Of course, they are all small rural churches, which suits us fine. Over the years, we’ve learned that these rural congregations are a good fit for our type of ministry. It’s heartwarming to have the folks sing along with the old hymns and gospel songs.
While we always look forward to heading home after a lengthy tour, it’s hard to shift gears and settle back down to life in Cochrane. When we are on the road our ministry is very intensive and doesn’t allow for much free time. It’s always exciting to conduct a worship service and meet the folks in the congregation. Even after the second or third visit, it’s still good to visit and share the Gospel.
Keep praying for us as we travel and minister. We still have many miles to go and solicit your prayers on our behalf.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
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