Share this: "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." -- Matthew 28:5-6 -- Prayer requests: - Pray for pastor Kojima and his wife, Miho, of the Iriso FWB Church in the Tokyo area, as they have recently given birth to their first child--a boy! - Pray for us as we anticipate the birth of our second child in September. Pray for Brenda's health throughout this pregnancy. - Praise God we were able to practice our Japanese for a week while our friends were visiting from Japan! - Pray many Churches would participate in the World Missions Offering this year. - Pray we do not grow weary in well doing. - Pray we would find rest in our Savior.
Happy Easter!!! After the long winter, spring has finally sprung! We are happy to be celebrating this Easter with our family in Oklahoma. What a wonderful time of the year to see flowers and trees budding and springing into new life. It is a reminder of our Lord and how He rose victorious over death! We believe, and know, He is alive and well because we have experienced His working in our lives! What a joy it is to know our Lord. As we think about His resurrection from the tomb, it also makes us think about His ascension into Heaven, and His last words to His disciples. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20) Here is a look at where we will be in the near future: April 24 & 25 - Chapel and classes at Hillsdale FWB College, Moore, OK April 26 - Kaimichi Assoc. Mtg., Haywood, OK April 27 AM - Rejoice FWBC, Owasso, OK May 3 - IL WAC State Meeting, Johnston City, IL May 4 AM - Pittsburg FWBC, Pittsburg, IL May 4 PM - Whiteash FWBC, Johnston City, IL May 11 PM - Union FWBC, Thompsonville, IL May 18 AM - Pleasant View FWBC, Walnut Hill, IL May 18 PM - Mt. Zion FWBC, Thompsonville, IL May 25 AM - Grace's Baptism! May 25 PM - Ina FWBC, Ina, IL
If the Lord is leading you to partner with us financially in making His name known among the nations, you may do so online. Nelson and Melba Henderson After being snowed out once, we had the privilege of going down to Pocahontas, Arkansas, and staying with the Hendersons as we visited the First FWBC and Sutton FWBC in Pocahontas. The Lord is really working in that community. Illinois State Meeting at Harmony FWB Church If you are from the State of Oklahoma we encourage you to support us through the Oklahoma Total Support Plan. It was a joy to be at the IL State Meeting recently. Illinois may not have a ton of FWB churches (comparatively speaking), but I am always amazed at how much they are able to do for God's Kingdom cooperatively! It was great to see some old friends as well as make some new.
Harlen & Amy Johnson, Bethany Speaking of seeing friends--it was great to catch up with Harlen & Amy Johnson along with their daughter, Bethany, at the First Bible FWB Church in New Castle, Indiana. Brenda was also able to attend the IN State WAC meeting during our time in Indiana. We met a lot of wonderful people there. Mr. Takahata with his daughter, Yukari, and granddaughter, Rio A couple of weeks ago we had some special guests come visit us from Japan! Our friend, Yukari, as well as her dad and daughter, were able to come and stay with us for about a week. Yukari has an amazing
testimony! Seeds of the gospel were first sewn in her heart at pre-school age. She later attended some English classes with Fred Hersey, as well as becoming acquainted with Mirial Gainer (both FWB missionaries in Japan.) Yukari came to the States to study at a University in West Virginia at which time she became a Christian! However, her family ended up disowning her because of her faith, and she did not have any contact with them for about 13 years. Until about 3 years ago when the Lord heard and answered her cries of intercession for her family and she saw her father, grandmother, mother, and two sisters come to faith in Christ! The Takahatas with Curtis and Emilee Smith Takahatas with FWBIM Staff Yukari, who is also a black belt in Judo and was headed to the Olympics at one time in her life (until she injured her leg,) was happy to share her testimony wherever she went. She gave her testimony at several churches, as well as at Ezra Christian School in West Frankfort, IL, and even with the FWBIM staff in Nashville, TN. This family has been such an encouragement to us all!
We have some exciting news to share with you all... Our family of three is about to become a family of four as we are expecting our second child in September! Grace is overjoyed that she will finally have a brother or sister (after praying for one for at least 4 years!) Pray things go well with this pregnancy and that Brenda is able to get the rest that she needs. WMO The World Missions Offering is next Sunday, April 27! The World Missions Offering is an annual offering taken up for Free Will Baptist International Missions to support God's work through their missionaries all around the world! Your gifts to the WMO go to support church planting efforts in some of the most spiritually dark places in the world! Japan, India, Bulgaria, Central Asia, France, Spain, Brazil, Urugay, Panama, etc... Don't worry, if your church is not yet signed up to participate. You can take up a special offering for the WMO at any time in the year--it doesn't have to be strictly on April 27th. Whether by monthly gifts made to our account, or participation in the WMO, (or both) we want to thank you for responding to our financial needs. May the Lord bless you all!
Rusty and Brenda Carney rcarney@fwbgo.com 5233 Mt. View Rd. Antioch, TN 37013 US