They Are Not Forgotten » Sutton NE

Truly Born Again

jcross — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:36:45 +0000

It is always the highlight of the month when someone gets saved! This month it happened to be a 12-year-old boy. I had once asked him if knew he was going to go to heaven and he said no. I then asked him if he would like me to show him sometime what the Bible says about being saved, and he again said yes. On a Sunday afternoon he came to the house and I shared Scripture with him. I was a bit amazed at his ability to grasp the Good News. He confessed Jesus as his Lord and was saved. After he prayed I made the comment, “It just got serious, didn’t it?” He said yes. You could tell by his facial expressions that he was not joking around, and I truly believe he is now a born-again Christian. His dad told me later that he wants to be baptized.

Running a close second to salvation is being able to baptize people. What a blessing to see 7 people be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ by being baptized. Many were baptized before, some as children, but also some as adults. Five of these people I had the pleasure of leading to the Lord Jesus. They all thought they were saved before, most through being baptized, but through Scripture they found the truth and responded to it.

More Salvations

jcross — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:32:11 +0000

Praise the Lord, we had two people accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior! A 15-year-old boy came to visit his grandparents. They asked if I could go through the salvation message with him. I found out that he had never shot a high power rifle, so we went shooting. After we shot, I asked him if he would like to see some Bible verses that explain salvation, and he said yes. He prayed and confessed Jesus as his Lord. His grandmother came up to me after service; she had tears in her eyes and said, “I don’t think I am saved.” That evening, Susie and I went to her house and she accepted Jesus as her Lord. It’s really fun when they come to you and say they want to hear the salvation message

About 90% of those who attend come down for fellowship and snacks. Some have told me it is amazing to see so many every Sunday enjoy this time. Some are getting used to inviting others to church – this month a single man began coming. In general things are going well.

Starting at the Beginning

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:22:37 +0000

The people in the church are growing. About half are very interested in the Bible and want to learn. We’re studying Genesis on Wednesday evenings. Many have never studied Genesis and are finding it very interesting, especially when they come to realize that people in the beginning are not so much different than they are. Things are going well for the amount of time we have been here. The people here have to be taught so we can handle more people. Presently Susie and I are the “Sunday School Dept.”

~ Riley & Susie Wilson

Putting the Church Back Together

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:08:08 +0000

The people are excited about seeing this ministry grow. We’ve begun a mid-week prayer and Bible study, an after worship service fellowship. The church had very little equipment for children’s Sunday school, so with the OK of the board, we purchased some tables & chairs, a boom box, TV, and VCR/DVD player. We were able to secure an overhead projector from the church at Red Cloud and another VM church has said they would like to help us get a sound system going. The ladies are in the process of making curtains for the basement. All these things have not only been blessed by the people who attend, but they are also excited to help.

At the completion of the worship service I always give an invitation. A couple of weeks ago I asked if there was anyone that was not sure of their salvation, and the granddaughter of the board chairman raised her hand. She came to the house and shared that she didn’t have eternal security. After sharing the Gospel with her, she confessed the Lord Jesus as her Lord. She was saved and very excited to have eternal security. This last Sunday another man in the church responded the same way to the question about having eternal security. I will be visiting him this week and hope that he, too, will respond by confessing Jesus as his Lord.

The giving here is poor, though; I don’t believe they’ve ever been taught about tithing. When the opportunity avails itself we will get to the subject of giving. But as the Scriptures teach, I must do this with “great patience and careful instruction.”

~ Riley & Susie Wilson

Assured of Salvation

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:48:47 +0000

One evening after Prayer and Bible Study I could hear a young couple outside and went out to see what was going on. Rita was upset because Mike was not trusting in the Lord as he should and wondered why he wouldn’t come and talk to me. Rita went home and I stayed with Mike. We ended up going through the plan of salvation and Mike confessed Jesus as his Lord.

The board chairman, Dick, was curious about what I’ve been saying to lead people to the Lord Jesus Christ. The opportunity presented itself, so I took him through the plan of salvation. He had a problem with eternal security; he thought he could lose his salvation. At the end of the Gospel presentation, Dick prayed to receive the Lord Jesus by confessing Him as his Lord. He said it “freed him up.”

~ Riley & Susie Wilson

Elder Keeps Church Together

jcross — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:44:30 +0000

The church has stood the test of time. Four to five years ago, a young pastor came to preach and teach just on Sundays. There was a group of 5 or 6 young couples in the church that somehow, due to the influence of this pastor, got into leadership, sold the church building, and took all the money. They then began going to other churches in the area. That left this group of older believers with nothing. Dick began to have church in his house with this group. In time they were able to secure the building where a Baptist church met. This small group of steadfast believers has kept things going. Dick did most of the preaching and teaching, and taught kids’ Sunday school. He has no formal training of any kind, but did a sufficient job.

They’ve given us a very warm welcome. Many have said they need leadership and are there to help as they can. Susan and I are excited to begin this work. It’s like starting from scratch with people that want to have a vibrant church. They are willing and anxious to receive teaching.

~Riley & Susie Wilson