Death Announcement

I just received a message that Evelyn Stringfield has passed away. Sister Evelyn was a long time member of the Church of God of Prophecy at Sunbright, TN. I had the happy privilege of serving as her pastor for 8 years. Sister Evelyn was a very kind and loving lady who loved the Lord. She will be missed!

Please join me in praying for her family as they deal with this loss. Our God is faithful to comfort those who mourn. May Sister Evelyn's children and grandchildren feel that comfort during this time of grief.

Announcement from Harvest Christian Fellowship

Special Prayer Request

I just received word today that Evelyn Stringfield, from the Sunbright Church, is in special need of prayer. Apparently, she has been in intensive care at Oak Ridge for 2 weeks already. She had a pretty serious surgery yesterday and is expected to be in the hospital for a while. Please join me in praying for her!

An Eagle's View

From an Eagle's View

Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly free,
To see the world as far as the eye can see,
To view the surroundings from high and from low,
To hear only the sound of a distant echo,
To float in the air with the wind being your guide,
To admire many rainbows that the trees tend to hide,
To see the misty mornings over a beautiful mountaintop,
To glide over a flowing river that never seems to stop,
To watch the animals from over a mile away,
Or to rise above the treetops that glisten in the day?
If you were an eagle you would wonder no more,
For it can see things you have never seen before.
Next time you look into the sky of blue,
Think of what it's like from an eagle's view.

© Stacy Smith


“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings” (Deuteronomy 32:11).

A View from the Mountain

I went up the mountain from where I live yesterday and took a couple pics.

Just A Thought

"When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun. His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His pow’r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again." Annie Flint Johnson

On Sunday night, May 31, we had the first ever joint service of New Beginnings and Harvest Christian Fellowship. For over two years now, HCF has partnered with New Beginnings providing support in various ways: prayer, encouragement, finances, and other tangible contributions.

For this first "joint service," quite a number of people from HCF drove from Knoxville to join with us in celebrating what God is doing, and to offer their personal support and encouragement. We are very thankful for Pastors Ken Dyer and Sharon Faruggia and everyone at Harvest Christian Fellowship and pray God's richest blessing on them daily.

The next joint service is scheduled for Sunday evening, July 26 at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Knoxville.

A Wonderful Evening

We had a great time at the church cook out on Wednesday night. A few people who had planned to come were unable to attend--a couple were at the hospital, and others were sick. Nevertheless, there were still almost 40 who came out to enjoy a great time of food, fellowship, and singing. Yesterday I was blessed to hear from a few people who do not attend New Beginnings, yet came to the cook out. They said they felt so welcome and thoroughly enjoyed spending the evening with us!

I am thankful to everyone who helped with the food and preparations. We have a wonderful group of people at New Beginnings, and I thank God for you daily!

Church Cook Out

Just a reminder that tomorrow night we will have a church cook out at the Pastor's home. There will be NO services at the church! We look forward to seeing you!

A Week of Ministry

Well, this has been a very busy week of ministry. We have had a number of people sick and I have made several trips to hospitals. I have also had the honor of ministering to a few people who just need the Lord! It seems that every time I turn around the Lord is opening another door for ministry. It is so encouraging and exciting to see how the Lord is working!

In the midst of the joy of ministry, of course, the enemy makes it obvious that he is against us. He uses those who are weak in the faith. He whispers lies to them, and they believe them. And rather than seeking truth, they proceed to spread the lies. How very sad this is! I am reminded, however, of Luke's record of one of Paul's speeches. As he summed up the trials, challenges, and difficulties he had experienced, he stated emphatically:

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

I am so thrilled that the Lord has called me into the ministry--in spite of the difficulties. The joy is in seeing people saved, healed, encouraged, strengthened, and growing in the Spirit. I am looking forward to the greater things ahead. By the grace of God, I shall not be moved!

Church Cook Out

On Wednesday, May 20, we will not be having our regular service and meetings at the church. Rather, we will have a church cook out at the Pastor's home. Everyone is invited to attend. We will grill hamburgers and hot dogs, and have several side dishes. We hope to have great weather for this day, and we are expecting a great turnout.

Pastor Ken Dyer

I received word this morning that Pastor Ken Dyer will be going home today. On Tuesday afternoon, Pastor Ken had double heart bypass surgery. We give praise to God for the good things He is doing in and for Pastor Ken and ask that you continue to pray for full and speedy recovery.

I love you, but I hate your body

The following is something I read on Pastor Gary Langley's blog today. I just thought it was worth sharing!
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I love you, but I hate your body

If you said those words to your spouse, your marriage would be in serious trouble. In an intimate relationship, our love and affection for one another is most often expressed in various forms of bodily contact.

So why do so many people who claim to love Jesus reject contact with his body, the church?

Yes, I have heard all the reasons... the excuses.

"I can't find a good church in my area." Really? Seriously? With a dozen -- perhaps a hundred -- evangelical, Bible-believing, worshipping congregations within a few minutes of your home, you can't find one that meets your approval? You think maybe, just maybe, all those churches are not the problem after all?

"I was hurt before." Welcome to the real world. In any group or organization composed of people, it is highly likely, perhaps inevitable, that sooner or later somebody will say or do something that hurts you. If you let that keep you away, how do you survive in the workplace? In the mall parking lot, even? If you think people who attend churches get their feelings hurt now and then, you wouldn't believe how thick the pastors skin has to be! Get over it. Grow up. Go to church.

"I just don't seem to fit in anywhere." Then ask the Lord to help you plant a church for other misfits like you. Maybe what you are experiencing is "Divine discontent." The Lord might be allowing you to be an uncomfortable misfit because he has called you to a task you have resisted. Remember that story about Jonah? Avoidance is a bad strategy. Give up, give in, give all.

"Most Christians are just insincere hypocrites." Step away from the mirror, champ. You know the old cliché -- "You'll never find a perfect church, because as soon as you get there..." This excuse is among the biggest smokescreens of them all. Look, here's the bottom line: the church is not just a good idea, it's a GOD idea. It is such an important idea that Jesus gave his life for it. For you to disregard the church, avoid the church, criticize the church from the outside, or -- can we be straight here? -- just get so lazy, self-indulgent, and arrogant that you start to believe 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' should be sending up all kinds of warning alarms in your head and heart, because "you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."

If you love Jesus, love his body.
Go to church.
Get involved.
Take a risk.
Allow yourself to possibly be offended or hurt again.

You can't really love Jesus and disconnect from his body. You wouldn't want to make the body of Christ an amputee, would you?

Read more: "I love you, but I hate your body - Kahu's posterous" - http://kahugary.posterous.com/i-love-you-but-i-hate-your-body#ixzz0Crps5gP3&A

Update on Pastor Ken Dyer

We praise the Lord for His goodness and His favor. Pastor Dyer came through his by-pass surgery yesterday just fine. The surgery took about 2-1/2 hours, a little less than had been anticipated. I received word this morning that he was talking and eating and that he will be leaving the ICU and going to a room a little later today.

There were a host of people who came to the hospital yesterday to offer their prayers and support for Pastor Ken and his family. At one point it seemed that almost half of the waiting room was there for Ken. We appreciate the prayers of all who prayed for Ken and we give praise to God. We are trusting the Lord, too, for a full and speedy recovery.

Easter Service

We had a wonderful service at New Beginnings today. The youth and children did an awesome Easter skit portraying the power of the resurrection. There were 65 people in attendance. This broke our last record attendance of 54 of just a few weeks ago.

I preached on the facts of the resurrection. At the conclusion, 2 people said they had confessed their sins and asked Jesus into their lives. I am so excited to have a part in the awesome things the Lord is doing in the lives of the people of Crossville, and I am looking forward to the future with great anticipation!

A Note From Pastor Ken Dyer

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, I was admitted to St. Mary's hospital last week. The doctors determined that Heart By-Pass surgery was necessary.

Therefore, on Tuesday morning, April 14, at 7:30 AM I will be going into surgery. I ask for your prayers during and after this procedure.

The recovery period will most likely be 4 - 5 weeks. So, thank you in advance for your prayerful support.

May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,



Kenneth Dyer
Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship
www.harvestrocmin.org

Prayer Request

Please remember Pastor Ken Dyer (of Harvest Christian Fellowship) in prayer. He went to the Emergency Room on Thursday with chest pain. They did a stress test yesterday, and a heart cath today. The blockage, apparently, is such that they are planning to do surgery perhaps one day next week.

Charles Holt

I received the sad news today that Paul Holt's father, Charles Holt, passed away Sunday night. Paul Holt is the former pastor of the Arrowhead church in Knoxville. Please pray for him and his family.

12 Baptized

This past Sunday was an awesome day for New Beginnings. For the past several weeks, we have had a tremendous increase in attendance in our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services. Our new praise band is positively AWESOME! The Lord has been doing marvelous things, for sure.

During these past few weeks, there have been several conversions and re-dedications. So on Sunday evening about 28 of us drove to the Arrowhead church in Knoxville to participate in a special "Deliverance" service and baptism. Brother Ralph Reagan was the special speaker and several others gave their testimony of God's Deliverance in their lives...including our very own, John & Shannon Barnwell.

Following the service, I went into the baptistry and baptized 10 people. Brother Barnwell and Brother Reagan baptized 4 more, 2 of whom are also from New Beginnings.

We give God Praise for the wonderful things He is doing.

Visitation and Funeral Arrangements

Arrangements for Barbara and David Morris, Tim Kendricks mother and step-father, are as follows:

The family will receive friends at Evans Mortuary on Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. (ET). The funeral service will be on Friday and 12 Noon in the chapel of Evans Mortuary.

Evans Mortuary is located at 805 North Gatway Ave. in Rockwood, TN.

Please continue to be in prayer for both families.

Special Prayer Request

I received word yesterday from Faye Kendrick that her husband Tim's mother and step father had been shot. Tim's mother was life-flighted to UT hospital in Knoxville, but the step father died at the scene. I was in Nashville when I got this news at about 1 p.m.

At about 5:30, mother and I were on our way to Knoxville. We sat with the family for quite some time. The prognosis was bleak, but the doctors were going to keep Tim's mother on life support through the night.

I received word this morning that they were taking her off life support. Please join me in praying for Tim and his sisters that God will give them comfort and strength and keep them calm in His love during this most difficult time.

A New Excitement in the Air

There is a new wave of excitement at New Beginnings! God has been doing some awesome things.

Yesterday, people began arriving earlier than usual--about 9:30. We have a time of fellowship with coffee and breakfast pastries at 10 a.m. and our worship service doesn't begin until 10:30. People just kept flowing in and filled the 40 chairs we had set out so that we had to pull out more chairs. In total, we had 54 people. Last week we had 37. For about a year our average attendance has been 18.

The worship was powerful and uplifting. It was awesome to see so many people responding to the Spirit as we lifted up the name of Jesus. Our new Worship Team is absolutely awesome! In addition to the keyboard, we now have a lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums.

The message, too, seemed to touch many people. As I gave the altar call, several people responded in tears. God is definitely doing something great at New Beginnings, and we are excited to be part of it!

Praise Report

I received an email today saying that the boy is free. His father told Gary Glover, "The Holy Spirit lead me to one place to look for my boy, and I got him."

We rejoice with this family and give God praise!!!

Prayer Request

I received an email about a brother in Nigeria whose 8 year old son was kidnapped last week. A ransom has been demanded, and the kidnappers are also making threats against the father and family. Please join me in prayer for this little boy to be delivered from these evil people and restored to his family.