July 11, 2008

 When I first began to attend Sword of the Lord Conferences, the beloved founder of the Sword, Dr. John R. Rice, was seventy-three years old and still at the helm. It was 1968; I was a student at an SBC seminary and pastor of a small SBC church.

Wide-eyed with excitement, Betty and I walked into the Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City, Missouri, where I had learned there was to be a Sword of the Lord Conference. At that time, I had been reading the sword of the lord for five years, but it was my first Sword meeting. The shadow of the Sword’s influence had already begun to be felt in my life. Now I would actually meet and shake the hand of the great preacher.

That Monday night, Dr. Rice preached first, and then Dr. Jack Hyles preached. Dr. Hyles preached an unforgettable message from Ezekiel 24:18. The text says, “So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.” I left there that night vowing in my heart that no matter what the shadows of evening brought, no matter what hurt or heartache, I would get up the next morning to do “as I was commanded.”

I returned on Tuesday night to get some more of what I had been missing.

From that point forward, Sword of the Lord Conferences became a regular part of my life and ministry.

Over the long years of my pastorate in Maryland, I invited Dr. Hutson and other men who preached on the Sword of the Lord platform to preach for me regularly. We had a big mid-winter Bible conference. We had a big day in the spring and a big day in the fall. We had a revival meeting occasionally. When I needed a preacher for any of the events, I looked to the Sword.

The men who came to our pulpit were all cut from the same cloth. They took a stand on the Bible, they were soul winners, and they would preach fearlessly.

I promoted the National Sword of the Lord Conference to our people. A good number of them took time off or used vacation time to attend. The results in my ministry were amazing. It had a tremendous, positive impact on our folks. Several years we had a hundred or more at the National Sword Conference.

There are a lot of pastors, young and old alike, who are today just like I was 40 years ago. I was as sincere as I could be, but there was a lot missing because I had not had the opportunity to mix and mingle with this crowd.

That influence came to me and upon me through the ministry of the Sword of the Lord.

Now I have had more than four decades of fruitful ministry. Many thousands have been saved. Discipleship that produces clean lives, faithful members and soul winners has been the norm. How thankful I am for what the Lord has graciously allowed me to do. Most of it would not have happened except for the influence and impact of the Sword of the Lord in my life.

The fact is, my story is neither unique nor unusual. There are thousands of men around the world who also testify in similar fashion.

Do you know some preacher today who needs this kind of influence on his life and ministry? Why don’t you take him on as your own personal missions project?

1. Get him a subscription to the sword of the lord and keep it paid for him.

2. Pay his way to the National Sword of the Lord Conference or at least give him the album from the Conference.

3. Sign him up for the Curtis Hutson Colleagues so he will automatically get all the new Sword-published books.

4. Pay the way for his wife to a Sword Ladies’ Jubilee at least once a year.

5. Order and pay for a generous bundle of the sword of the lord for his church. His people are struggling with him because they have no other fundamental, separated, soul-winning influence.

Across North America and around the world there is a tide of opposition rising rapidly which opposes all things Christian. If you and I can work together to find preachers that we can systematically influence, then there is hope for this generation and beyond.

Somebody must care, or we fail. Somebody must step up, or we will all get stepped on. Somebody must be willing to sacrifice, or there will be no success stories forthcoming.

My first exposure to the sword of the lord came one Friday when I went to my mailbox, and there it was. Somebody paid for me to receive it. I have no clue who sent it, but forever I shall be grateful to him.

Now in 2008 and until the trumpet sounds, why don’t we invest ourselves and our resources in what we know will produce godly fruit.

I need my friends, every one of them, thousands of them, to catch the vision and help me do this. Amen!

God bless you, and He will if you will get on board and help me carry the load!

National Sword Conference Just Days Away Now July 28–August 1

Nowhere in the world can you hear such a stellar lineup of preachers on the same platform in just five days! I’m talking about good men who walk with God. They are being wonderfully and mightily used of God. They are:

Tom Sexton, pastor of Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida;

Mike Norris, pastor of Franklin Road Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee;

Raymond Barber, pastor emeritus of Worth Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas and evangelist;

Greg Baker, pastor of FaithWay Baptist Church in Ajax, Ontario, Canada;

Sam Davison, pastor of Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;

Jeff Amsbaugh, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia;

George Riddell III, pastor of Open Door Baptist Church in Williamstown, New Jersey;

Bobby Roberson, pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, North Carolina;

Clarence Sexton, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Powell, Tennessee;

Max Barton, pastor of Peoples Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina;

Norris Belcher, pastor of Church of the Open Door in Westminster, Maryland;

R. B. Ouellette, pastor of First Baptist Church of Bridgeport in Saginaw, Michigan;

Paul Chappell, pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, California;

John Bishop, evangelist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee;

Lou Rossi, evangelist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and

Joe Arthur, pastor of Harvest Baptist Tabernacle in Jonesboro, Georgia.

The Three Afternoon Ladies’ Meetings

Mrs. Betty Smith will host the ladies’ seminars Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The lady speakers will be Mrs. Gail Moore (wife of Lonnie Moore), Nicholasville, Kentucky; Dr. Janet Walsh (wife of Sterling Walsh), Dover, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Helen Barber (wife of Dr. Raymond Barber), Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. Jan Hamilton (wife of attorney Terry Lee Hamilton), Ashtabula, Ohio; Mrs. Mila Norris (wife of Dr. Mike Norris), Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, of course, Mrs. Smith will speak as well.

Ladies, you’ll like this!

“Building a Solid Church in a Small Town” With the Editor

These three afternoon sessions will be full of great things for pastors and key church workers as you hear what other men are doing successfully in small-town settings.

Pastor Dennis Leatherman is pastor of the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church in Oakland, Maryland.

Pastor Jerry Ross is pastor of the Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Jasonville, Indiana.

Pastor Jonathan Comer is pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

These three good men and the editor will have lots of things to give you in these afternoon sessions.

Music Sessions With Sterling Walsh

Sterling Walsh leads the music for the National Sword Conference and also conducts afternoon sessions for music directors, instrumentalists, choir members and everybody in music. Building a good, solid music program is vital to the well-being of any fundamental, soul-winning church. These sessions will also feature the introduction and reading of selected music.

Soul-Winning Training With Dr. Larry Staner

Our Sword Soul Winners’ Club training is at the heart of what needs to happen in every soul-winning church. Getting your church set up to produce fruit-bearing disciples (soul winners) should be a high priority. We have the vehicle (the Soul Winners’ Club) that will enable you to do it.

Legal Seminar With Attorney Terry Lee Hamilton

In these troublesome times, pastors and church leaders need to keep their ministries up-to-speed legally. You need to know the issues and how to address them in your situation. Here again we can help.

Children’s Ministry With Abb Thomas

The children’s ministry seminar will provide ideas on a whole range of issues in working with children. Your workers will be strengthened if they get in on these sessions.

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As I wrote the appeal you have just read, I thought again, as I have so often, about how so much of the resources of God’s people is wasted on pipe dreams or otherwise unfruitful projects.

Over the years, I’ve said no many, many times to people, most of whom were very sincere. I want to hear more than empty promises! I did so because I felt a strong sense of stewardship about the resources the Lord placed in my hands. I do not want carelessly or thoughtlessly to waste time or resource or opportunity. I want every breath to be blessed and every dollar to produce fruit for the Lord.

No Live Radio Coverage This Year

For the past few years, we have enjoyed the privilege of live, worldwide radio coverage of the morning and evening services of the National Sword of the Lord Conference. Our friends at the Fundamental Broadcasting Network (FBN) and locally in Winston-Salem at WPIP have generously provided the time for us. It is our great delight to be on both FBN and WPIP five days a week year round.

We will provide all the preaching CDs of the Conference to them so that they may use them on the air whenever they wish.

We are thankful for our friendship and our working relationship with both FBN and WPIP, but broadcasting live has a variety of concerns that are problematic for us. With all things considered, I felt that we should not do the live coverage this time.

Bible Baptist Church, Radcliff, Kentucky

Just 40 miles south of Louisville, nestled between Fort Knox and Elizabethtown, is the town of Radcliff, Kentucky (population 21,961). Bible Baptist Church has a growing, thriving work.

Seven years ago, Pastor Thomas Green came to a small church with an attendance of fewer than 100. This past spring, they averaged 350 per week for the months of March, April and May.

I preached Wednesday night to open their three-day Fort Knox Bible Conference. Brother Green told me that the conference was a tremendous time for them. They certainly were eager and responsive to me. I enjoyed preaching for them.

Here in the shadows of the nation’s gold vault, the Lord is building a good work where they are doing that which is more precious than gold.

Rossville, Georgia Sunday at Victory Baptist

Rossville is actually South Chattanooga, or they might prefer to say that Chattanooga is North Rossville. Either way, it is divided by the Tennessee-Georgia state line.

For 50 years the Victory Baptist Church of Rossville has been doing the Lord’s work. Dr. Ernest Groce has been there 4 years, but he is just the third pastor in their half-century of labor.

On this Homecoming Sunday, they were also beginning their big annual camp meeting. I had good liberty all three times as I stood before them.

Attendance in the auditorium was right at 300 in the morning and probably 250 in the evening.

After the morning service, they had a great meal in the gymnasium. We enjoyed a good time of fellowship there.

I told my wife later that Pastor Groce and his people know how to be gracious and hospitable. They demonstrated such kindness to me and to their other guests.

As I left after the evening service, I thanked the Lord for His good blessing all day long and for this good church there in the Chattanooga area.

Attention, Ladies! Two Sword Ladies’ Jubilees Coming This Fall!

1. September 18–20, Lancaster Baptist Church, Lancaster, California.

2. October 23–25, Open Bible Baptist Church, Williamstown, New Jersey.

Pastor, I hope you will organize a group from your church and see that they are there. If your church paid for 10, 15 or 20 of your ladies to attend, consider the impact of it. The Sword Ladies’ Jubilees are powerful! You will get results from your investment! Do it this fall.

Typhoon Hits Iloilo in the Philippines

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, Typhoon Frank hit the Philippine island of Iloilo where BIMI missionary Rick Martin is pastor. The massive waves and strong winds wreaked havoc across the island. As the death toll and reports of damage have continued to rise, the provinces of Iloilo, Iloilo City, Aklan, Capiz and Antique have been declared under a state of emergency. The majority of Iloilo island is under water.

On June 23, there were 229 confirmed dead, with 122 missing. It has been estimated that the return of power throughout Iloilo will take at least three weeks. Brother Martin is running a generator to help with basic needs in his church’s compound. Major water supply sources on Iloilo have incurred heavy damage, and potable water is being strictly rationed. At least 30,000 Filipinos are stranded on their rooftops waiting for rescue.

About 500 of Brother Martin’s graduates pastor on or around the island of Iloilo. Many of them have lost their homes or church buildings. Many of their church members have also perished. They desperately need help with basic needs such as food, water and shelter. They also need assistance with the cleanup and rebuilding effort that will begin as soon as drinkable water and electricity are restored to the island and supplies can be brought in.

To find out more, go to this web site, www.rickmartinministries.com. Brother Martin is a faithful man who has done a great work in Iloilo City. He started Iloilo Baptist Church in 1977. In the 31 years of ministry, they have trained over 600 men in their Bible college who have gone out and started churches.

Global Church Planters in Texas (888-808-4GCP) is coordinating the stateside effort to assist these our brethren on and around Iloilo.

Pray for Us!

With the National Sword of the Lord Conference just ahead, I hope you will pray daily for all things related to it.

As we stretch every resource in our hands to make a worldwide impact with the ministry of the sword of the lord, please pray for every day’s labors.

As you think of the Sword of the Lord, do pray for me.

Don’t forget to pray for our staff of workers—writers, editors, proofreaders, printers, graphic artists, accountants, the folks in book sales, the ones who handle shipping, our switchboard operators, secretaries, etc.—fifty-five of them.

Pray for our 8,000 new subscriptions in the summer of 2008.

Remember to pray for the two Sword Ladies’ Jubilees coming this fall.

Pray for the pastors, evangelists and missionaries with whom we have contact all over the world.

Pray for the churches everywhere that they will be fundamental, separated, soul-winning, pastor-led churches with a strongly biblical foundation and with the anointing of God upon them.

Pray for the needed resources to keep on top of the task and to continue strongly our worldwide outreach.

Pray for friends who give regularly to assist us in the task.

Pray for souls to be saved in every meeting we do and from every page we publish.

This is not everything, but I hope it will help you to pray for the Sword of the Lord in a fervent way. Amen!