Timbo Valley Assembly, a small church located in a very rual setting, is one of the leading churches in missions support.  Pastor David Campbell told me how in prayer God told him if he would give to Missions their church would never lack for funds.  Now several years later, they continue to give and God has been faithful. Since they began giving to Missions, they have relocated their church, built a new building (which is totally paid for), and continue to give to missions.  Pastor Campbell told me, story after story of what God has done through this church.

Pastor Mike Howell at First Assembly in Mountain Home, pastors a larger church, but his story is similar. He challenged his church to give all to missions on one sunday a year.  That Sunday was the last Sunday of the year and since they started giving in this manner, their giving to missions has continued to increase.  Over $200,000 was given in 2011 for the cause of World Missions.  Pastor Mike said, ‘their Missions Convention’ is the most important event of their year.

Different churches, different settings, different economic conditions, different sizes, in fact these churches are about as different as any two I have every attended. And yet they were similar!! so Similar I want to Shout!! They, the pastor and the church understand the Mission of the Church is to Reach the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!

What a JOY to be with Both of these Churches! Thanks Pastor Mike and Pastor David for the invitation to come and be with you!!

So it is in our lives. Each day we live with the excitment of each day.  It may be watching a grandson play football, or it may be something else just as important.  Whatever is happening in your life, I hope you enjoy the journey.  Jesus said He would be with us every step of our life and because of His promise to be with us, Life lived with Him is fun!!

…  just a thought along the road!!

Forty Six were in attendance, 11 Churches represented 8 missionaries. Our Secretary Treasurer set the tone with his message on ‘Missions in the Local Church’, Dr. Doyle Jones challenged us with ‘Why Pentecostal Missions Work’, David Lee joined us via SKYPE, Pastor’s John Skinner, Jeff Willis, Joel Bracket and Ervin Hosack presented information about how Missions and Missions Conventions benefit the church, and Bob and Lisa Holloway SKYPED us from Venezuela. Thanks to Rocky Branch and their great church family for hosting us and providing lunch. What a Great Day!! I am confident these times of coming together to be challenged and to learn will continue to bring great benefit to the church as together we work to accomplish His Purposes!!

Ezra and Jennifer Brown picked us up at the airport. They were part of First Assembly in Leesville, during our pastorate. What a joy to see them and their children. Although our time was short, we really enjoyed being with them.

The Council was filled with business and fellowship. Our MAT booth was so busy. Friends and persons interested in Missions kept us busy during the entire time we were in Phoenix.

Not only pastors from America, but representatives from many different countries were there. I met Pasteur Moise Oubda, the Director of Missions from Burkina Faso West Africa, and his wife. What a joy to meet these ministers and to spend a few minutes to learn about their passion for Missions.

I also met Rev. Michael Dissanayeke, the General Superintendent of Sri Lanka. Brother Michael has preached in Louisiana and some of our pastors have preached in his church. It was such a delight to meet him.

And so the journey goes on, doing all we can to encourage every believer to be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord!

Thanks for your prayers and support!!

David & Sherlene Reddout

On the Road for Missions!

While visiting one of the services at First Assembly in Leesville, we were privileged to hear Randle and Joyce Peterson. What a dynamic missionary couple they are. We had such a great time with them in the Philippines.

We made a quick trip to check on Sherlene’s mom, then back to Mississippi to meet with their Missions Team (oops forgot to take a picture L). Gene Emswiler is leading this team as they expand their efforts.

We just had to run on up to Tupelo and see our son’s family.

I also met Pastor Bingham, First Assembly, Amory, MS.

So it has been a busy month as we have driven back and forth preaching and meeting with leaders. What a Joy to work in HIS Harvest!! Thanks for those who so faithfully support us each month. Because of your faithfulness we are able to work with these Districts to help them as together we reach a higher plane.

Today I saw a Facebook post of a J. Oswald Smith quote “If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God.” -Oswald J. Smith

Thanks Anibal Pena for this post!!

Thanks to all of you for your commitment to the evangelization of the world!!

Recently, we visited my mom who lives in Commerce, Oklahoma, just a few miles from Joplin, MO. We took time to view the tornado damage. Pictures do not reveal the extent of damage this storm caused. Sherlene snapped this picture and it says so much. In the middle of this damage there were so many who were ‘all ok’! We heard stories of how God provided safety in the middle of the storm and how God’s people responded with compassion after the storm. Even today there are those who are continuing to give!

Each June we attend the Missionary Renewal and Commissioning service in Springfield, MO. This was a special year as three of our Louisiana couples were commissioned. The Luis and Lourdes Padilla’s to Argentina, Randy and Karen Bardwell to Health Care Ministries and another couple going to a sensitive area of the World. There is nothing so exciting and humbling as standing with a group who have been called by God and who have responded YES to HIS call.

So, we continue on the road!! Excited about what God is doing for us and through us! We continue to help our missionaries reach the field; we continue to help churches expand their reach. Together through the power of the Holy Spirit, people who have never heard are hearing about the love of God.

We are currently working on a Missions Workshop for north Louisiana, training another MAT team, planning with the South Texas and Mississippi Districts and dreaming about trips to other countries.

While we were in Springfield we spent a few days with our daughter and her family. Bryce was home on leave before moving to Japan to serve in the USAF. It was neat to be with our boys (Bryce and Sean). (Now I need to spend some time in Tupelo, MS. J)

I have been doing some research about Faith Promise Giving. One missionary writes ‘I live with a sense of total dependence!’ What a wonderful way of describing our family. From those of you who faithful give and pray each day to those who go to a country far from home and family, it is all about ‘dependence’. Depending on God to provide the money to sustain those who are depending on HIM to work through them to reach people where they are. It is God who through your gifts and prayers enables our missionaries to fulfill HIS calling on their lives. We are all dependent on HIM!!

Thank you for your prayer and financial support! You make it possible for us to serve where God has called us to serve!

David and Sherlene Reddout

On the road for Missions!

Last year we toured the Manila WWII memorial. Thousands of men and women are buried there. Many of them still have not been identified. These men and women gave their lives for the freedoms we so often take for granted. One day is not enough to remember. So the next time you see someone who serves our country to keep it safe, tell them thanks.

My Grandfather was a WWI vet, my Dad and Sherlene’s father were WWII vets and our grandson is now serving in the Air Force. Dad wrote to me while he was in the Philippines. I was about two, but he was not sure he would come home and he wanted me to know how much he loved me. I keep these letters.

For the last few years we have lived in Leesville, LA., home of the U.S. Army post, Fort Polk. I have met some of the most incredible men and women here. Chaplains, Officers, Sergeants, soldiers, men and women who love God, love their families and love their countries!

So for the Bryce’s, Dan’s, Gary’s, Carlos’s, Abby’s, Brad’s, Shawn’s, Milton’s, Steve’s, Harris’s and a host of others who are serving or who have served, thank you for your commitment to God, to your families, and to your country.

Thanks Louis for pointing me to this little book. And thanks Henry Drummond for writing about the Greatest thing in the World. And most of all Thank you Lord for loving me!

1 John 4:19 “We love, because HE first loved us!” NIV

It was early in the 1900 my grandmother made her first trip to Oklahoma. When I travel Interstate 44 and past the Big Cabin exit, I think of her. Big Cabin was a place where the wagons would gather for the night, an early day RV Park. My Mom was born in Kiefer, OK., lived in Okmulgee and Oklahoma City, married Dad and moved to Prague, Afton, Fairland, Bixby, Claremore, and now lives in Commerce, OK.

I have often thought of my heritage and especially my Mom. Both my grandmother and my mom would be considered strong women. Not in a negative sense, but in a very positive, self assured, confident way. This strength was not kept inside but was given to their children and their grandchildren. My sister and I are blessed.

So on this Mother’s Day, I want to say thanks Mom! Thanks for your investment in my life. Thanks for your prayers. And most of all, Thanks for giving us the courage to face the journey of life. Thanks for giving us the tools of confidence in God and belief in HIM. Because of these tools our Travel in this life has been blessed.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Our Azalea’s are almost all gone, they were really beautiful this spring. Now Summer is almost here in Louisiana.

I continue to be amazed at how God is calling and people are responding to both the call of God and the challenge to send! In Philippians 1:7, Paul thanked the Church at Philippi for partnering with him in the sharing of the Gospel. It is this ‘fellowship of the Gospel’ which is enabling ‘His Church’ to move forward around the world. Over 10,000 Assemblies of God missionaries are sharing this Gospel, and over 7,000 of them are from other nations of the world!! HIS Church is moving forward!! The least reached places of our World are being reached with the Gospel because of the faithfulness of God’s people, both of those who go and those who send!

Thanks to those who have ‘partnered’ with us. Our budget is being sustained because of your faithfulness and the resources which God provides to His people. Even in the midst of a economic downturn, God’s people are making new commitments of giving and going!

So we continue on the Road! Thankful for your prayers for our travels and our ministry! Thankful for the opportunity to share the Gospel! Thankful to tell others what our Lord is doing! Thankful to challenge all of us to do more to reach every one with the Gospel! Thankful we are doing this through the power of His Holy Spirit which works mightily in us!