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.

A Special Day

It was a special day at church yesterday. The Spirit of the Lord was certainly present from the beginning.

The youth and children had a special program, and they did a superb job. I'm so proud of them all!

Also, we planned a little surprise. It was Bill's birthday, so we presented him with a gift--a small token of our love and appreciation for him--and had sandwiches and cake after church.

The church also presented me with a Christmas gift--new suit, shirt, and tie. I feel so honored to be serving with such generous and thoughtful people.

Christmas Banquet

We had a super Christmas Banquet last night! It’s times like this that makes a Pastor very proud. I would surely miss someone if I tried to name everyone who contributed to the tremendous success of this special event, but I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t give special recognition to two people who went above and beyond the call of duty: Kim and Lola. Kim outlined the program for the evening, decorated the tables, participated in a comedy act, directed “Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy”, a youth and children’s presentation, and helped serve our guests.

Lola was responsible for the menu and personally oversaw all the food preparation. She has worked as a caterer in the past, and her experience was evident. Lola spent a great deal of time gathering supplies, soliciting and directing helpers, as well as preparing several items on the menu herself. In addition to all that, she hosted a lunch at her home yesterday afternoon, before the banquet, for those helping her.

I am so proud of Kim and Lola and thankful to the Lord that He has placed them at New Beginnings!

Of course two people couldn’t do it all by themselves. There were a number of people helping them, and no one’s contribution is inconsequential. For fear of missing someone, let me just say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who helped to make this such a wonderful success!

We had more than 85 people in attendance!

Preparing for Christmas…

We Pentecostals have often been loathe to celebrate the Christian seasons of Advent and Lent. I have discovered several reasons for this; however, none really seem to be sound. One person has said that “[Celebrating these seasons] ...is mainly tradition, and we are not traditionalists.” (I thought that one was funny). Another said, “We need to just stick to preaching the cross.”

Sometimes it seems to me that in our quest to throw off traditionalism we have divested ourselves of some of the most important aspects of the Christian faith. Our celebrations have become so mundane it is sometimes difficult to identify the real reason we celebrate.

Advent is Latin for 'a coming or arrival'. The idea behind it is that God came to earthly life and lived among us. That is something to celebrate, because just by being in this world, God was giving the supreme blessing to His creation.

Advent is a season of preparation. In Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming, prepare for his final coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit. God loved us and wanted to share that love.

Tomorrow is the first of four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas day. It is the time to get ready by rejoicing that our God is not far away and unfamiliar with the struggles of human life, that Christ is here right now among His followers, that God has already begun to bring in the Kingdom, and that Christ will come again to make it clear who really runs the place.

Remember the words of Jesus: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

May the Lord bless you and your family during this season!

Thanksgiving

The Meadows Family had a wonderful day of Thanksgiving yesterday. It was so nice to have all of our family together for dinner and fellowship. Mother always makes it very special. Everyone seemed to have a great time together. After dinner, each of us read a Scripture and shared something for which we are thankful. It was good to have my uncle Ken and cousin Denae and her husband Tim with us, too!

Family is very important, and I thank God for mine! I trust each of you had a joyous Thanksgiving with your family and friends, too.

Election Day

Today is the day we will elect a new President for these United States. If you didn't have the opportunity to vote early, please don't forget to vote today. Make your voice heard.

Bread of Life Rescue Mission

Once again, New Beginnings joined in the ministry of Bread of Life Rescue Mission on Saturday (10/18) by preparing a meal for the residents and having a worship service with them. This is a regular monthly event for New Beginnings, and we always look forward to it.

I am thankful to Lola Rudolph who coordinates our meal preparation, and to all those who so faithfully participate in preparing food and assist in serving and clean-up.

The worship services are a particular joy for me. Every time I have ministered there, I have received a very warm welcome by both the staff and the residents, and I have had great liberty in the Spirit to minister. God is doing something wonderful at Bread of Life, and we are pleased to be able to join Him, in some small way, in what He is doing!

Pray for the Election

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Without a doubt, our nation is in desperate need of help and direction from the Lord. In just a few days the people of the United States will go to the voting polls to select a new President and Vice President for our country. Speaking of this upcoming election, the National Day of Prayer Chairman, Shirley Dobson, said:

“In light of the approaching elections, it is crucial that we remain in fervent prayer for our beloved land. The presidential race is especially important. The individual installed in the Oval Office in January, 2009 will play a pivotal role in determining the future course of our country. It is, therefore, imperative that people go to the polls and elect a candidate whose leadership will reflect a moral, principled perspective. We’re living in serious times. Our country is at a crossroads. The decisions of our elected officials will determine America’s moral climate and national security for generations. We desperately need leaders with courage and integrity to guide us.”

It is my prayer that each of you will join me in prayer that the will of God be accomplished in this election, and that you will exercise your right to vote on November 4.

A Few Pictures from Thailand

It was a joy to have Brother Boonyong Bureenok in my home for the past few days. Boone and I have been friends for about 23 years. He is doing a great work in Thailand and in Cambodia and Myanmar, as well. Please join me in praying for him and his family, and for the orphanages he oversees as well as the missionary efforts.

The first photo is Boone and his son, Phil. The second is Boone's wife, Jintana, and Phil with a child. The third is a group of children from the orphanage in Korat, Thailand.

Boone is Here!!

Yesterday was a long day, but a most enjoyable one. I set out yesterday morning to Tupelo, MS to pick up my good friend, Boone Bureenok. I was going to be driving by myself and it is almost a six hour drive each way, so I decided to find a good audio book to listen to on the way--I purchased "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby. This is a powerful book on the importance of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It made the drive so much easier.

Well, I now have Boone here with me and he is doing well. He will be sharing some of the things going on in Thailand at New Beginnings on Sunday morning. It has been a joy to hear updates on some of my friends in Thailand...Akrapol, Prayong, Mai, and many others. God is so good!!

Boonyong Bureenok

I am pleased to announce that Boonyong Bureenok will be with us at New Beginnings next Sunday (9/28). Brother Boone is a missionary in Thailand and operates an orphanage there. We are excited that he will be visiting with us!

Week-end update

On Saturday we had the annual Ball / Meadows Family Reunion at the Cumberland Mountain State Park. It was so good to see family I hadn’t seen since last year. In fact, there were some there whom I hadn’t seen in many years. We had a great time!

Saturday evening, New Beginnings prepared a meal for the Bread of Life Rescue Mission. I am so thankful for the dedication of our people to this ministry. Following the meal, we had a service with those living at the mission. Jerry and Sherry Brewer were also with us, and they led in the singing. It was a fun and uplifting time. There was such freedom as I began to preach. In fact, the Spirit of the Lord was very powerful. When I gave the altar call, several people responded and we prayed for a few people who were in need of healing, as well. It was an awesome service!

On Sunday morning, New Beginnings met at the Cumberland Mountain State Park (second day for me) for an End of Summer Church Picnic. Although we were to begin at 11 a.m., people kept streaming in up to about 1 p.m. In total we had approximately 78 people to attend this special event, many of whom have no church home.

Sunday afternoon at about 2 p.m., a few of us went back to Bread of Life where I baptized 5 people in water who had recently came to the Lord or re-dedicated their lives to God. This has been an awesome week-end! To God be the glory!