Gentleness Provides Gospel Opportunities
By Mike McEuen, Pastor •New Beginnings • Ferris, Texas
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (II Tim. 2:24).
Paul very strongly stated that the servant of the Lord must not be easily drawn into argument and debate. We must not argue or fight. We must be patient and gentle — teaching God’s Word in meekness. It is not enough just to expose error and refute it, we must also teach positive truths and thus help to establish each other in the faith.
We must be “gentle unto all men” and easy to talk to. We need to remain cool-headed when others would be drawn into a heated debate. We must know when to listen and how to speak with tact and courtesy. The best way to disarm an opponent is by treating him with dignity and respect.
Our number one ministry is to be “apt to teach.” We must carefully seek to instruct even those who oppose us. We are “workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15).
Our ever-guiding purpose is not to win arguments but to win souls! We want to see deceived people brought to “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (II Tim. 2:25). Repentance is a change of mind. A person recognizes his error and accepts the truth. Understand that true repentance comes through the quiet conviction of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is always God’s work! It will never be gained with hard hitting attacks and impassioned arguments, but when truth is shared in meekness and in love.
This kind of ministry requires patience. We never allow ourselves to become irritable or defensive in dealing with others. We must be thick-skinned and must never allow ourselves to become easily offended by their ridicule, insults or their verbal abuse. We do not hold grudges or nurse resentment. We must be forgiving, “even as God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Jesus Christ wants every one of us to share the truths of God’s Word and to live Christ-like, obedient lives.
The more we allow Him to conform us to His ideal, the more He will be able to use us to win souls and encourage believers. When we are dedicated and faithful to our calling as the servants of the Lord our Lord’s kingdom cause is advanced asnd our King is glorified!
Better Days Ahead
Over the past 15 months our lives have been somewhat put on hold. With the closings and fears that have affected everyone, I have attempted to stay away and wait for better times when we can once again feel safe to gather with our churches across the state to share the wonderful work of your State Mission’s Department. To add a layer of safety, Vicki and I are in the process of receiving our COVID-19 vaccine shots.
Our annual Special Emphasis time will again be in May, June and July. My calendar is open, and I long to visit as many congregations as possible this year. I also would love to speak at your District Brotherhood and WMA meetings. Praise God, He is still in the saving business. Please take a minute and set a time for me to come. You may contact me at (501) 859-3329 or email me at arstamis@comcast.net. It is one of the ways we can thank you for all you do.
Also, our local association meetings will hopefully be back in full swing this year to give us another avenue to share the work. I hope to see you soon.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “It was a good week at Connection Point. This past week we enjoyed some warmer weather. We were able to have our Wednesday night groups and enjoyed good attendance in all of them.
“Sunday was a great day. We ended the month of February with a good attendance and some first-time guests in our service. We are looking forward to spring and, hopefully, some relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.
“We have been working to improve our online experience over the past weeks. We are pleased with our progress so far, especially considering how small our budget is. We have better video and audio for our livestream and can even share our video elements during the service. We would be glad for you to ‘sneak a peek,’ you can find links at MyConnectionPoint.org.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “Sunday was a good day at the mission. Our attendance picked up for Sunday as well as Wednesday night. I am praying that this is the light at the end of a dark tunnel. God has always been there for us, and He will not fail us now.
“I have begun to see these last few months as a test of our faith. We have been given a unique opportunity to grow in the Lord. I told our folks that we are being observed by others to see how we are facing this. May we all let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and bring glory to our heavenly Father. God is good all the time.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Last week, we distributed 290 food bags and 200 boxes with products. We also shared 100 boxes with products and 100 food bags with Gran Comisión Mission to be distributed in its community (Alexander).
“After enjoying a beautiful week with snow that allowed us to play as a family and with the church, we were able to resume discipleship meetings and Bible study in the ‘new normal’ format — face-to-face and online. The ladies had their monthly meeting to talk about ‘Love and Holiness.’
“On Sunday, like all of you, we had our commemorative meeting on World Missions Day, and it was nice to make known to the congregation the joint effort of all our local churches to fulfill the Great Commission. We enjoy the opportunity to give an offering for missions and praying for missionary work on the global level while personally committing ourselves to the great commission. Also, thanks to the efforts of Luis Ortega, we listened to the World Missions Day video in Spanish.”
Life Journey, Fort Smith: Darrin Smith writes, “Before we moved into the building we have, I had a young man contact me about our mission. He was in 11th grade at that time and was wondering if we had anything for the youth. Of course, I told him the truth, that we did. In reality, we did, but nothing specifically geared toward them. I simply told him to get a group of students together and we would begin meeting. The first night, he was dropped off by a friend and the friend was not going to attend. I stopped him in the parking lot and invited him to stay. He was hesitant at first, but decided to join us. This was a start of something bigger than just a group of teenagers coming together.
“Fast forward three years later, and I have had the opportunity to see them come to know Christ and spend time watching them grow into young men and women. My wife and I have poured our lives into them, and they have done the same for us. In fact, they have really stretched us in a good way. We are teaching them about the Lord, and they are now teaching others.
“I was invited to attend their college group they organized apart from the church this past Saturday night. They wanted me to see them ‘in action.’ Wow! What a blessing to see them taking what they are learning and sharing it with others. That group has personally led at least two to the Lord and are talking with three others and two of them are professing atheists. These students continually amaze me!”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “Sunday our mission congregation joined BMA churches around the world in celebrating World Missions Sunday. Our motto at Grace is ‘Reaching the Lost, Training the Saved.’ That, to me, summarizes missions. We are required, as Christians, to reach the lost with the gospel of Christ and train the saved to observe everything Jesus commanded.
“Whether ministering in Carroll County or in a developing country, the core of missions is always the same. We must grow at home in order to support those around the world. Many people’s only involvement in ministry happens when they put money in the offering plate. While funding is necessary, it is the most basic thing we can do for missions. We need to be involved.
“Please join me and others in becoming actively involved in missions. Give, pray, go, send — do exactly what God calls you to do to share the gospel of Christ with those next door and around the world!”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “We thank God for the Berean Groups (cells) that are active — both those that are online and those that are face-to-face. Monday’s group is in Chenal (face-to-face mode), Wednesday is the Vidal family (face-to-face mode) and the Colombian group (online), Thursday will be the Baseline group (face-to-face mode) that is not yet active and the Chile group (online).
“The ministry we have not yet been able to activate due to the pandemic is the discipleship study of the ‘First Principles’ in the Word of God. My prayer every week to see in God’s time how and when to activate them. The last four Tuesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. we have had a training by Novo (novo.org) online on the ‘Biblical Discovery Study’ and we have two classes left. In this stage we have trained the main leaders, now comes a second stage to open it to everyone at Ebenezer.
“Last Friday we had our first ‘Night of Prayer’ from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. We prayed for missions and missionaries worldwide, for the challenge of the 10/40 Window and for our personal challenges. Time was short and we will be doing it every two months.
“Last Sunday, our mother church, Chenal Valley Baptist Church, invited us to speak on missions and the emphasis on World Missions. What a blessing to be with our mother church and feel their love for us and hear that they are praying for us.
“Thanks also to you who support us with your prayers and offerings to State Missions. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had several out this week for various ailments, nothing serious that we know about.
“One previous visitor returned, and we added her by letter this week. She plans to bring her family, too. Praise God! We have seen God work in so many ways this week — healing bodies, healing hearts and though He doesn’t work through our hands, per se, like He did the Apostles in Acts 5:12, He does still work ‘many signs and wonders’ through our intercessory prayer in the name of Jesus. When we intercede for others, both the Holy Spirit and Jesus intercede for us. And through His miracles of healing, people believe and come to know Him as Lord and Savior and are added to His church.
“That is why we pray, and that is why your prayers mean so much to us — because we know that God hears them and answers them. Thank you all so much for your prayers for us and our efforts. Please continue as we lift you up as well!”