The Vision Of Missions Continue

The Vision Of Missions Continue Matthew 28:18:20; Matthew 25:35-30 Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention Foreign Mission Department ISSUE 03 NOVEMBER 2013 This Issue LMBSC Missionaries Minister in West Indies Dr. C.S. Gordon, Jr. 2 Missionaries in Action 3 Sis. V. Anthony & Pastor H. Robinson 4 Continued Mission -Sis J. Spring 5 Deacon E. Henry Returns 6 Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention Mission Team Travels to Dominica, West Indies My First Mission Trip Sis. P. Stevens 7 Coming to America- Min. L. Guy 8 Pastors and Wives of Dominica 9 New Blue Prints Completed 10 Awesome Views of Dominica 11 Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention Converges on Dominica, West Indies in 2013 By Rev. Jimmy R. Stevens On August 11-16, 2013 the LMBSC missionaries led by President C.S. Gordon, Jr., Rev. Jimmy R. Stevens, Rev. Gary Curtis, Rev. Harold Robinson, Sr., Bro. Shun Hartley, Bro. Louis Guy, II, Sis. Patricia Stevens, Sis. Melva Thibodeaux, Sis. Jackie Spring, Sis, Faye Norton, and Sis. Linda Fondel ministered in Dominica, West Indies. Other missionaries from Houston, Texas (Bro. Emile, Sherry, and Torina Henry), Memphis, Tennessee (Sis. Ruby Reed) and Buffalo, New York (Dr. Blackburn) of the National Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated, also ministered on the island on this week. Vacation bible school and revival services were held at the villages of Wesley at the Wesley Baptist Church, Pastor Joseph John; Calibishie at the Calibishie Baptist Church, Pastor Nathlie Joseph; Woodfordhill at the Woodfordhill Baptist Church, Pastor Lester George and Portsmouth at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Pastor Joseph. There was a four day total attendance of approximately 1,277 VBS students in these four churches. On Thursday, the LMBSC missionaries and local churches attended a worship service where President C. S. Gordon, Jr. preached the closing message at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Portsmouth. President Gordon traveled to support the initiative, access the rebuilding project and the VBS program. At the top of the priorities of the Foreign Mission Initiative of the State Convention is the rebuilding of the Second Zion Baptist Church of Portsmouth. Over twenty- thousand dollars have been given from members of the convention to this effort. Dr. Thomas Bentley, island coordinator and the local pastors are eager to see the work completed in Portsmouth and the members of Second Zion Baptist be returned to their home church after five years. The Second Zion Baptist Church was built in 1984 and destroyed by Hurricane Dean in 2008. The local church is the center of the life for the Christians of the island. Some of the Baptist Churches on the island are engaged in a preschool program, weekly feeding program for the children and seniors. Several of the young adults on the island of Dominica are attending Bible College on the island of St. Vincent ( Baptist Bible College) so that they are better equipped for effective service in ministry. Always one of the highlights of the mission trip is the bonding, relationships, and friendship that are built between the missionaries and the students. There is always a love connection between the fellow Christian believers of the island and the missionaries. Each night Rev. Harold Robinson, Sr. Pastor of the New Sunlight Baptist Church of Lake Charles, La, Minister Shun Hartley and Minister Louis Guy II, associate ministers of New Covenant Faith Baptist Church of Lake Charles, Louisiana delivered powerful revival messages at their perspective places of labour. These messages were well received and helped to strengthen, encourage and inspire the Pastors and their congregations. Still these Baptist Churches are in need of the bare essentials in ministry ( bibles, Christian education supplies, Sunday school literature and musical instruments). The pastors are in need of loving mentorship, warm fellowship and authentic friendships with the pastors here in the United States. It is so amazing to experience the joyful worship of these brothers and sisters as they lift up melodies of praise into the Lord. Also to see the radiant smiles on the faces of the children as they learn new truths about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What dedication and commitment of these Christians who give so much with so little. If you are interested in traveling next year with the 2014 LMBSC Foreign Mission Team you may contact (Executive Secretary, Rev. Gary Curtis, 504-579- 4279 or Director, Rev. Jimmy Stevens, 337-436- 8300). 1

Dr. C. S. Gordon, Jr., President Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention MINISTERS THE WORD Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention, President, Dr. C. S. Gordon Jr. closed out the 2013 Vacation Bible School Revival Services on the island of Dominica, West Indies at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Portsmouth on August 15th. He preached from the text Acts 3:1-8. Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Bentley, Virgin Island coordinator, Baptist churches from Wesley, Calibishie, Woodfordhill and Portsmouth came together in an evening of celebration. President Gordon visited the island in support of the State's Convention foreign mission initiative. He attended V B S in Portsmouth and accessed the reconstruction work to be done at Second Zion Baptist Church of Portsmouth. He gave his full support to the work being done there. The Baptist Churches on the island were truly appreciative of President Gordon visit to the island. From left to right: Pastor Harold Robinson, Sr., Pastor Gary Curtis, President Gordon, and Pastor Jimmy Stevens. 2

MISSIONARIES IN ACTION Sis. Faye Norton and the children of Wesley Baptist Church Sis. Patricia Stevens, New Covenant Faith, Lake, Charles, LA, along with Pastor and Mrs. Lester George of the Woodfordhill BC, and Pastor Harold Robinson, New Sunlight BC, Lake Charles, LA Sis. Melva Thibodeaux, New Light BC, Lake Charles, LA and the children of the Woodfordhill Baptist Church. Bro. Shun Hartley and Sis. Linda Fondel, New Covenant Faith BC, Lake Charles, La and the children of Calibishie Baptist Church. 3

SISTER VERDA ANTHONY President of 7th District Baptist Association Women s Auxiliary 2013 TENNIS SHOES DRIVE Sis. Verda Anthony, president of the 7th District Baptist Association Women Auxiliary under the leadership of Rev. Gerald Perkins, led the effort of the "2013Tennis Shoes Drive" for the Children of Dominica, West Indies. Sis. Anthony is a member of New Sunlight Baptist Church, Rev. Harold Robinson, Sr. Pastor in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Under her leadership, new pairs of tennis shoes were collected from various churches from the District and shipped to the island. Many of the children were blessed to receive new tennis shoes as they returned to school for the new year. This has been the second year that this drive has taken place. The State Convention looks forward to collecting more new tennis shoes in the future. If you are interested please contact New Covenant Faith Baptist Church (337-436- 8300. PASTOR ROBINSON S TESTIMONY I would like to share a brief testimony as a missionary for Jesus in Dominica. This was a God given opportunity to spread the word of God in another country with a great team of missionaries from Louisiana. This encounter brought about a life changing experience in my faith and preaching ministry. The church family at Woodfordhill Baptist Church received our team with open arms under the leadership of Pastor Lester George. Therefore I encourage all Christian believers to pray, support, and give to Christian mission in foreign lands. Woodfordhill family received the Word with gladness and joy because of VBS and the revival services. Submitted by Pastor Harold Robinson New Sunlight BC, Lake Charles, LA 4

A CONTINUED MISSION By Sis. Jacqueline Spring 1 Chron. 16:8 - Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. Our second Foreign Mission trip to Dominica was led by Dr. Rev. Jimmy R. Stevens. The compassionate group of missionaries he led were First Lady Patricia Stevens, Linda Fondel, Faye Norton, Min. Louis Guy, Min. Shun Hartley, and myself all from New Covenant Faith Baptist Church, Dr. Melva Thibodeaux of New Light Baptist Church, and Pastor Harold Robinson of New Sunlight Baptist Church all of Lake Charles, LA joined us. I was able to return to Wesley, Dominica and truly it was a warm reunion. I was able to teach VBS and our theme was Rock It Out! Many of the children were at the church waiting for our return and one of the first things they said when they saw me was You came back, the excitement on their faces was priceless. We hugged and said hello. We then went into praise songs, led by Sis Faye Norton who also returned to Wesley. Minister Guy would lead us into prayer after each VBS lesson and each night. He also returned for a second trip. My experience in Wesley, Dominica was a lesson of gratitude. The week was a blessing as we saw 44 children the first day and by word of mouth classes grew to 88 by the last day. The most rewarding event for me was the gratitude shown for the word of God as it was being taught. I had a helper Sis. Val who assisted in speaking French to some of the children. She shared how children were very grateful for snacks given each day, and how they take their VBS books home and continue to study them long after the missionaries are gone. On the last day gallon sized zip lock bags with folders, pencils, school supplies and candy bags were handed out. The children were thankful and I watched them leave with such gratitude. Wesley Baptist Church sits on a hill and the children live in a valley but when you look down in the valley you only see brushes and shrubs, but some of the children come and left through this trail with a smile. I realized the last day I saw them leaving that we are their hope and God will provide the opportunity to anyone with a heart and commitment to Dominica for missionary work. It will take money, but if you have a heart God will do the rest. It also takes faith, but you must keep your eyes on God as you quote scriptures reminding yourself what He will do. My return to Dominica was truly a walk of faith, because the money required for such a trip was not in my bank account. I was praying before God and I told him that I needed resources to get back to Dominica. I told God if it would be His will he would have to send sponsors and this would be my way of knowing this was His will. Well, I sent 10 letters out asking for help. I did get a reply from a few people. I knew that some of my friends and family who sponsored my trip last year had financial situations. I would not ask them. I went back to God and I prayed for God to send the sponsors. I reminded God in prayer that although we were approaching the week of the trip I would trust Him till the end. It was Monday August 5 th when I began to hear from people only God could have told to come by and they came up to minutes before I left to meet the other missionaries at NCF to leave for this trip. I give God all the glory and honor for all He has done. As Director of Foreign Missions at New Covenant Faith, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 2013 Missionaries for a job well done. On behalf of our 2013 missionary team, I thank everyone for their contributions in making our foreign mission possible and successful. Thanks to our family members who sacrifice as we use our time as well as resources, serving in Dominica. Thanks to our sponsors who gave money that clearly sent us a message that our efforts are supported in Dominica. Thanks to our church family at NCF who gave mission offerings each Sunday, as well as prayed for us. We thank everyone across the nation and in the West Indies who prayed for us also. Thanks to those of you who donated tennis shoes for the children of Dominica. You may never walk in Dominica, but your donation allows a child to walk in your shoes! 5

OUR TRIP TO Dominica 2013 Deacon Emile & Sis. Sherry Henry To God be the glory that we have the chance to do missionary work! The Caribbean ministry is a blessing to Sherry and myself. We have been going to the island of Dominica for the past seven years. We have served in the villages of Calibishie, Woodfordhill, and Wesley. It is a privilege to serve the people and see them grow in the Lord. It is what Sherry and I look forward to each year and for the last two years we have had the chance to bring our granddaughter, Torin. We have six grandchildren and take them to feed the less fortunate and volunteer during the holidays to teach them how to give back. We are trying to live out the great commission and Go. It is a reward to make a sacrifice of love to help others and spread the gospel. The Caribbean ministry has been a blessing to us as we try to help someone else, but we end up being the ones being Southwest Region Laymen. blessed by the children and the friendships we ve gained. We look forward to the service because we serve God by serving others. Over the years we have watched the children and the adults grow and mature in the Lord and have seen the children come back to serve in the ministry. It has truly been a blessing to especially watch one of the young men announce his calling into the ministry and wanted me to be one of the first ones to know about his calling. It is a blessing to be able to sit and counsel with the young people and their families. It has also been truly a joy and an honor to be asked to pray for the sick and the elderly.over the years we have had different team members but God is the head. Mission work is not about photos and touring but about during what God has called us to do. Again all we do is to the glory of God that He and He alone gets all the glory, honor, and praise. Deacon Henry and his wife are members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City, Texas. They have been married for 42 yrs. He has been a Deacon for 15 years. Deacon Henry serves as Lincoln Southern District Laymen President and is a part of BM&E of Texas State VP/ He served in the Air Force and they are retired from postal service. They have been serving in Dominica for the last seven years. 6

MY FIRST FOREIGN MISSION TRIP BY MRS. PATRICIA STEVENS New Covenant Faith BC Lake Charles, LA WOMEN OF THE CALIBISHIE BAPTIST CHURCH CHILDREN OF THE WOODFORDHILL BAPTIST CHURCH I am so happy to be given the privilege of taking my first foreign mission trip. When arriving in Dominica I was amazed to see such a beautiful country like nothing I had ever seen before. Immediately when we arrived, the people of Dominica were very loving and sincere. Their love for the Lord is truly felt in their worship experience. Everyone lifts up their voice unto the Lord in worship! The little children at the Woodfordhill Baptist Church where I shared with other missionaries in teaching Vacation Bible School were so sweet and attentive. Of course they are like our children at times, BUSY! The members of this church love their church and there were a group of dedicated ladies who were there both day (VBS) and night (revival services). I was also blessed to meet with a group of ladies from the Calibishe Baptist Church in a brief bible study and discussion on organizing a Women s Ministry in their church. From this session a ministry was birthed Just A Sister Away Ministry, the ladies of our church are paired with ladies from their church to communicate through email to encourage each other and share experiences. The ladies of Calibishe were very responsive to this idea and we have already begun the process. Yes, there were times when it was very hot, but one thing about traveling to such a place as a missionary you are focused on your primary purpose for being there and the Lord gives you strength to endure being away from all the luxuries of life as you surrender to the Great Commission. Yes, I would definitely love to go back again! 7

Coming to America by Minister Louis F. Guy II Picture to the left : Pastor Nathlie Joseph, Calibishie BC, Dominica, West Indies, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, Texas Southern University, and Minister Louis Guy II, New Covenant Faith BC, Lake Charles, LA It was a dream come true for Pastor Nathlie Joseph to come to the United States. Pastor Joseph born in the village of Calibishie on the island of Dominica in West Indies. He is the Pastor of the Calibishie Baptist Church, a young minister on fire for the Lord. On July 20, 2013, Pastor Joseph came into Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans Louisiana. His first stop was to Popeyes Fried Chicken where he had an opportunity to experience some American food. Pastor Joseph had never been to the United States. He stated that it was a great experience and somewhat like he envisioned it to be. New Covenant Faith Baptist Church under the direction of our pastor Dr. Jimmy R. Stevens made this dream come true for Pastor Joseph. On Monday July 22, 2013, Pastor Joseph went to the Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Joseph had never experienced the sight of a clothing mall. It was like a whole new world to him. He stated that prices are much cheaper here in the United States than they are in Dominica. He experienced several clothing stores. He ate some Asian food. While we were eating he shared with me many different ideas about ministry and evangelism. Afterwards ate we went to Wal-Mart and allowed him the opportunity to do some shopping there as well. On July 22, 2013, Joseph and I left Lake Charles and headed to Houston, Texas to visit Texas Southern University. We were guided around by a tour guide that informed us that Texas Southern University is a historical black university. The university began as a Houston Colored Junior College and was later named Texas State University. We visited several colleges on the campus such as Thurgood Marshall College of Law, College of Music where music artist like Yolanda Adams studied. We visited the College of Debate where we met Dr. Thomas F. Freeman which is a former debate coach who had the privilege of teaching Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Morehouse College. Dr. Freeman is 90+ years old and still getting around very well. He talked to us briefly about Denzel Washington and his crew coming to study and film the movie The Great Debaters at Texas Southern University. This was all amazing to Pastor Joseph to be able to visit a well known black university. He was excited and pleased with knowledge gained from visit. Later that day we went to the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston Texas. The purpose was to expose him to a mega church and give him ideas to bring back with him to the island. We were also able to speak with the youth pastor and director of the children church ministry. The Youth church has a church in a separate location which is very well put together. On July 25,2013, the young adult from New Covenant Faith sponsored a bowling night at Petro bowl. Pastor Joseph had never been bowling but was taught on that night. On July 26, 2013, we ended his visit with a dinner at the home of Pastor and Mrs. Stevens with all the ministers and their wives of NCF along with the mission team. I really enjoyed the visit with Pastor Joseph. He didn t mind sharing the knowledge he has with you and he is a great encourager. 8

PASTORS AND WIVES OF DOMINICA PASTOR LESTER GEORGE AND MRS. JERMIMAH GEORGE WOODFORDHILL BAPTIST CHURCH DOMINICA, WEST INDIES PASTOR NAT JOSEPH AND MRS. LAVETTE JOSEPH CALIBISHIE BAPTIST CHURCH DOMINICA, WEST INDIES PASTOR JOSEPH JOHN AND MRS. ANN MARIE JOHN WESLEY BAPTIST CHURCH DOMINICA, WEST INDIES 9

NEW BLUEPRINTS COMPLETED For Second Zion B.C., Portsmouth, Dominica Under the leadership of Foreign Missions Executive Secretary, Rev. Gary Curtis, pastor of Second Zion Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, the blueprints have been completed for the renovation of Second Zion Baptist Church of Portsmouth, Dominica. Rev. Curtis returned to Dominica on September 16th-21st and secured the potential services of contractor Mervin Lloyd. Rev. Lloyd served as the interim pastor of Second Zion Baptist before Hurricane Dean destroyed the church in 2008. Contractor Lloyd is a licensed and well respected contractor on the island. The new plans are beautifully laid out and the New Second Zion facility once completed will be a beacon light in the Portsmouth community for Jesus Christ. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! SIDE VIEW FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW SANCTUARY 10

AWESOME VIEWS OF DOMINICA THE VISION OF MISSIONS CONTINUE CONTACT Rev. Jimmy Stevens 337 436-8300 jrstev22@hotmail.com Rev. Gary Curtis 504 579-4279 revgarycurtis@bellsouth.net Compiled and typed by Sisters Carolyn Savoy and Patricia Stevens 11