Wednesday, March 30th, 2011.

Our last meeting in Texas.  We have been in Texas since January 14th, with the exception of one week in Oklahoma.

Tonight we had a good meeting at Gateway Baptist Church in Borger, TX (Pastor Chris Rawlinson).  The Lord blessed us as we were allowed to minister in music and the Word of God.  And it is our constant prayer that we will be channels of blessing to each church we visit.

I took a picture of this poster which was hanging up in one of the passage ways in the church house of Gateway Bapitst.

There is a very important lesson in this.  If you do not like the product of your actions, you must change your actions.  If you continue doing what you have always done you will continue getting what you've always gotten.  Change requires that things change.  Where things stay the same there will be no change.

Good lesson!

Texas and Oklahoma Travels.

Last week we were in Oklahoma and this week we are in the panhandle of Texas.  We have been busy and have not had time to share a little extra with ya'll.  You may have heard that 'every thing is bigger in Texas,' and we have seen that demonstrated in many ways.  For instance, there is a steak house in Amarillo, TX that sells a 72 oz. steak.  In Canada we call that a roast.  By the way, that is a 4.5 lb. steak!  We did not go there, and I do not have any pictures of that.

BUT--we did go to a hamburger joint, named Dave's Hamburgers and Chili.  This was not in Texas though, but in Edmond, OK.  Look at these babies...

When your burger is served with a fork and knife you know you are in trouble.  These are not regular size buns, but the larger buns.  I am thinking Brother Bill F. back home in Yarmouth would love these burgers.

Here are a couple shots of northwest Texas.  These pictures were taken on I-40 about an hour west of Amirillo, which is part of the historic Route 66 highway.  Route 66 is so famous because it was the first Interstate highway to reach across the USA from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.

We saw our first tumble-weed blowing across the road this past week.  They do tumble.  I was travelling at 70 mph. so I was not able to get you a picture.

Sunday, March 27, 2011.

We are in Fritch, Texas with Faith Baptist Church and Pastor Don Rice.  The Lord has greatly blessed us.  We have been having a great time of fellowship with Brother Rice and his family in their home.  On Sunday Adam and the ladies ministered in music, and I preached in Sunday School in the AM and presented the church planting ministry and preached in the PM meeting. 

Fritch is in the Panhandle of Texas, which is the northwest corner of the state.

I preached from Acts 13... about Why was the Church at Antioch the powerful Missions Church that it was.

Texas has lots of rattlesnakes, but Fritch, TX holds the record at 9 foot, 1 inch, and weighing in at 97 lbs.

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011.

On Wednesday we headed to the other side of Edmond, OK to Edmond Road Baptist Church (Pastor Joe Mandrino).  We had a blessed time presenting the ministry, ministering in song, and preaching the Word of God.  Edmond Road Baptist Church has a man on deputation, Chris Bell, who is preparing to go to northern Brazil.  Brother Bell was not at his church this night, but we had met him and his family at a missions conference just a couple of weeks ago.

Special Hello to a New Friend.

Thank you Lucas for the cherry stems.  Cheese cake is heavenly.

God bless from Brother Burbidge.

Sunday, March 20th, 2011.

Greeting from Edmond, Oklahoma and the heartland of the United States of America.  We are currently at Calvary Baptist Church (Pastor Brad Lowrie) in Edmond, OK, which is immediately boardering the north edge of Oklahoma City.  It is beautiful country. 

Calvary Baptist Church, Edmond, OK.

On Sunday we had the blessing of being a part of Calvary Baptist's missions emphasis month.  In Sunday School I had the privilege of teaching from Acts 13 about the Lord's Method of Missions.  The outline included the points: The Institution of Missions, The Direction of Missions, and The Administrator of Missions.

The Holy Spirit evidenced His sweet influence over these meetings, as Pastor Lowrie delivered what the Spirit of God had given him, independent of me, in the 11am meeting; a message entitled The Mission of Missions, also from Acts 13.  We could not have coordinated it better had we planned it.

In the evening I had the oportunity of preaching, and again preached from Acts 13, a message entitled, What Made Antioch Such a Powerful Missions Church?  The points that I was able to cover were:  Abundant Sowing of the Word of God, Adament Submission to the Spirit of God, Advanced Soldering on the Spiritual Battlefield, and Ardent Stand for the Truth of God.  The points that I did not get to were, Absolute Sufficiency of the Grace of God, and Active Sending of Preachers of the Word of God.

Adam was able to minister in music.  Here is a song that he wrote a couple of years ago, and he is accompaning himself on the piano for the first time in public.  Usually he accompanies himself on his guitar.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

On Wedneday morning at Tabernacle Baptist Church's Conference we again heard from four preachers.  I did not mention it before, but the theme for this conference was "Dreams and Visions."

Jeremiah Sargent, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church

The first preacher of the morning was E. L. Bynum, a member of and the previous pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Brother Bynum preached a message entitled Unmovable.


The second preacher was Evangelist Bernie Gonzales out of Fargo Baptist Church (North Dakota).  Brother Gonzales preached a message entitled Sweet Hour of Darkness.



Evangelist Bernie Gonzales.





The third preacher of the morning was John Nelson, pastor of Vandament Avenue Baptist Church in Yukon, OK.  Brother Nelson preached a message entitled Dreams of Missions.

The fourth preacher of the morning meeting was Pastor James Turner of Metropolitian Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  His message was entitled Keep Dreaming.

On Wednesday evening we heard from Brother Bennie Gonzales as to his call and burden for church planting in Southeast Texas, near the boarder with Mexico.

This was faith promise night for Tabernacle Baptist Church and Brother Robert Sargent (pastor of Bible Baptist Church of Oak Harbor, Washington) preached to all, but especially to the TBC from 2Cornthians 9:10, entitled Seed to the Sower.

What a great time spiritually this has been and a great privilege to have attended and participated.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

Tabernacle Baptist Church's Conference continued Tuesday morning at 9am.  The meeting started off with song and prayer.  I had the privilege of being the first of four preachers on this morning. 

I preached a message entitled Making Disciples.

The next preacher was Chris Gable, assistant pastor at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church in Emmaus, PA.  Brother Gable preached a message entitled Pastoral Reproduction.

The third preacher was Thomas Smith, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of St.Clair, Missouri.  Brother Smith preached a message entitled When We Get Old.

The fourth, and final preacher of the morning, was Jonathan Purks, pastor of Victory Baptist Church of Frederick, Maryland.  Brother Purk's message was entitled A Willing Heart taken from the events recorded in the last chapters of Exodus.



In the evening we heard from Evangelist Phillip Jordan out of Longview Baptist Temple of Longview, Texas.  Brother Jordan and his family are preparing to go to Spain.  It was excitting to hear of his vision, burden, and passions for church planting in Spain.

Evangelist Phillip Jordan

The preacher in the evening was Curtis Martin, pastor of New Testament Baptist Church of Rochester, Minnesota.  Brother Martin preached a great message out of the first of Joshua entitled Your Promised Land.

Pastor Curtis Martin

Monday, March 14, 2011.

After a beautiful drive through the hills region of Texas and up into the panhandle we arrived at Lubbock, TX, and Tabernacle Baptist Church (Pastor Jeremiah Sargent).  We settled into our hotel and got ready for the first evening meeting of TBC's three day Conference.  This conference is primarily for TBC, but is attended by pastors from all over the USA.

During the Monday evening meeting I was given the opportunity to present the church planting ministry of our church, Chegoggin Baptist Church.  We were one of five missionaries at this conference.  The blessings of this conference are numerous.  First, we get to meet the pastor and people of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Second, we get to meet numerous pastor from around the country.  Third, we get to meet other missionaries.  Fourth, we get to sit under a large amount of preaching.

Evangelist Paul Burbidge

The preacher on Monday evening was Evangelist Bruce Martin, out of Metropolitian Baptist Church.  Brother Martin has been church planting in Mexico and Latin America for over thirty years.

Evangelist Bruce Martin

It was a great message out of 2Kings 6:13-23 entitled Open Eyes.

Sunday, March 13, 2011.

San Antonio, Texas is a city of over one million inhabitants in the south of Texas and just a little over 130 miles from the Mexico boarder. San Antonio is the location of The Alamo.  We drove by but did not take the time or expense for a closer look.

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas.

Sunday evening we had a fine meeting at Faith Baptist Church (Pastor Michael Martin).  Adam and Natalie have come down with colds, so singing was out, but Adam played his banjo with the rest of the musicians for congregational singing and an instrmental that they had gotten up before service started.  The folks were very receptive to our presentation of the church planting ministry of Chegoggin Baptist Church.  And I was blessed to be able to preach a Gospel message, entitled, "How to Come to Jesus," from the account in Mark 5 of the woman with the twelve year issue of blood.

Adam did a little jammin' with some of the guys in the church after service also.

Thursday & Friday; March 10 and 11, 2011.

On Thursday we went to Mansfield, TX, which is just below Fort Worth.  We arrived at Countryside Baptist Church and were kindly greeted by Pastor Claude Sutton.  Their missions conference was already in swing, having started on Wednesday night.  Sunday will be the last day of the conference, Lord willing.  There are three other missionaries at Countryside's Conference in addition to ourselves.

On Wednesday night, before we arrived at this conference, Joel Haynes (wife, Fabi; son, Joel Jr.) out of Trinity Baptist Church of Arlington, TX presented their burden and work to the Navajo Nation in Arizona.  Brother Joe preached from Acts 1:8, focusing on the word "both."

On Thursday night it was our turn.  Adam ministered in music.  I presented the church planting work in Canada and then preached out of Acts 13:1-5.

On Friday night we all heard from Winston Kumar (wife, RuthAnn) out of Trinity Baptist Church of Denvery City, TX.  Brother Kumar was born and raised in India, is now a US citizen, and he and his wife are going back to plant churches in India.  Brother Kumar presented their burden and then preached out of Luke 5:1-11 about our need to get out of our comfort zones and the necessity of having Jesus in our boat.  Also Adam played during the offering on the banjo with a couple of men from Countryside Baptist who played guitars.

The folks of Countryside fed us very well at their fellowship hall each night, and for lunches.  We have to leave on Saturday.  We are heading for San Antonio, TX.  On Friday night, after the meal, Adam and the men who played with him that evening in the meeting on guitars, had a pick'n Hymn sing, with numerous folk joining in on the singing.

On Sunday at Countryside Baptist Church we will miss the presentation and preaching of Mike Gross (wife, Heather; sons, Michael, Logan, & Tommy).  They are sent out of Grace Bible Baptist Church of New Paris, IN, and are going to Sierra Leone.

For those back in Yarmouth at our church, the Gross family knows the Holts, who are currently in Sierra Leone.

I really enjoy missions conferences as they give an entended stay so that we can get to know the pastor and church people much better, and the folks of Countryside were very easy to get to know.

Fort Worth Zoo Pictures.

Salt water Croc.

Fred the unknown snake.

Macaw.

Hippo Yawn.

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011.

We were up quite early this morning as we had to pack our trailor.  We left the missions house in Grand Praire, TX.  Thank is due to Lighthouse Baptist Church for the supply of this house to us; the guest book was full of people that have benefitted from this house over the years.  We then headed for Mansfield and dropped our trailor off at Countryside Baptist Church, for we are going back there on Thursday. 

After that, we headed to Abilene, TX, 2.5hrs. away, to our appontment with Harvest Baptist Church and Pastor Roy Meksch.  It was a blessing to meet Pastor Meksch and the members of Harvest Baptist.  We were able to present the church planting ministry, minister in song (Sandy, Adam, and Natalie), and preach the Word of God. 

Sunday, March 6th, 2011.

I am a little late getting this post made.  We have had some minor problems with Internet access and I am making this post from Taco Cabana restaurant.

Sunday morning we had the pleasure of ministering at Northeast Baptist Church in Southlake, TX (Pastor Jerry Summy).  We were allowed to present the ministry, minister in song, and preach the Word of God.  The people were very interested and asked many a question about Nova Scotia, specifically, and Canada in general.

Adam was the one who sang in the morning.  He sang "On the Streets of the Broadway."  This song is to the tune to "The Streets of Lareado" and my pastor changed the lyrics, which are a gospel story.  The folks were very appreciative of this song.

In the evening we got together with our home church in Yarmouth, NS via video conferencing.  We were able to report to them and bring forth a few thoughts from the Word of God.  What a blessing to see their faces and hear them sing hymns to the Lord.

Keeping the Ministry in Focus.

I am just getting around to posting this blessing.  Last Friday evening Adam and I went over to Lake Worth Baptist Church in Lake Worth, TX.  Pastor Jerry Locke was hosting a preachers workshop, which was to begin Friday evening and last through the day Saturday.  We had to drive to Houston last Saturday and were not able to attend the main part of the workshop, but we got some real gold just from the introduction Friday evening.  Here are some of the things Brother J. Locke gave us.  Obviously, Brother Locke elaborated on each point, and I am just relaying it in point format.

Keeping the Ministry in Focus:
1.  We did not iniate our ministry...it is God who called us.
2.  We did not choose the people initially placed in our lives to prepare us for ministry...God chose them.
3.  We did not choose the places of our ministry.
4.  We do not determine the length of our ministry.  (Unless by disobedience.)
5.  We never fully comprehend our ministry.
6.  We must entirely depend on God for the resources for the ministry.
7.  We are never wise enough to assess the true success or failure of our ministry.
8.  We are not to seek any personal praise for what God does though us in our ministry.
9.  We don't create our own message, we simply use God's.
10.  We never really finish anything.

In addition to this Brother Locke also brought forward these thoughts from a book by Irwin Lutzer called Pastor to Pastor (Brother Locke added the final point in this list).
1.  Prayer is more important than preaching.
2.  Preaching is more important than administration.
3.  Family is more important than the congregation.
4.  Faithfulness is more important than competition.
5.  Love is more important than ability.
6.  A true friend is worth more than 100 aquaintences.

There are decades of wisdom in the above.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Today (Wed. Mar. 2) we drove to Nolanville, TX, which is near Fort Hood, a US Army base.  We were there to visit Northside Baptist Church (Pastor Olton Phillips).  We had the privilege to present the ministry and preach to these dear people, and amongst this church of soldiers and their families we found some prayer warriors.  We stayed in one of their two first class missions apartments over night.

One of the challenges for a church with a large part of its membership serving in the Armed Forces is that due to transfers of personnel the membership changes very dramatically every 3 to 5 years.  The Pastor told us that they currently have 20 members overseas serving with the US Forces.




Some central Texas countryside.



Monday, February 28th, 2011.

For all our friends and loved ones back in Canada you will please excuse us as we revel in the warmth a little.  Here are a few more pics.

Freeport, TX.

Freeport, TX

Freeport, TX.

In speaking with the folks that live on the Gulf Coast I was not surprised to find out that the BP oil spill of the past year has not materially affected them at all.  Pastor Tim Reynolds is an avid sport fisherman, fishing and eating all the saltwater fish he can; and, he is involved in a fish conservation organization and expressed that there was no ecological disaster.  Of course no one wants oil spills! But, all things must be put in perspective, and the mainline media has a terrible track record for 'chicken little' stories.  Sensationalism attracks viewers and viewership attracts advertising dollars.

Houston, TX.

This is not even rush hour.  Houston, TX

Sunday, February 27, 2011.

On Saturday the 26th we travelled the 4+ hours to Humble, Texas, a community on the north edge of the city of Houston, TX.  Houston is counted as the fourth largest city in the USA.  We were kindly received by Pastor Tim Reynolds, his wife and daughter, and all the members of Heritage Baptist Church.  We had a blessed time with them as we fellowshipped with them in the truth.  The closer two are in doctrine, and the love of Christ, the closer and sweeter the fellowship.  Both the churches we visited on this day were very sweet visits, as have all of our visits.  I have worked hard to find churches of like faith and practice, but understand, it is still a pleasure to get to the church and find out that one's doctrinal statement and their practice match.

At Heritage Baptist Church we were able to present the minisrty in the Sunday School.  I was able to answer many good questions from folks that were genuinely interested.  In the morning worship service Sandy, Adam, and Natalie ministered in music and I had the privilege of preaching.  I preached on The Gospel, the Power of God unto Salvation (Romans 1:16).  We endeavour to give ourselves to the Lord so that we can be a blessing to each pastor and church we visit, and I hope we are; but, we certainly come away with blessings.  We were blessed to meat the pastor and people of Heritage Baptist and also blessed when Pastor Reynolds told us that they were going to take us on for monthly support.

Tiers of highway in Houston.  When you cannot expand out you must go up.



Sunday afternoon we left the city of Houston and headed south for Freeport, Texas, which is located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  What a thrill to see the ocean again, and to hear the surf! 

Sunday evening we arrived at Faith Baptist Church in Freeport and were kindly greeted by Pastor James McEntire and the members of the church.  We presented the ministry, ministered in music and preached.  I preached from Acts 13:1-5 on the Lord Jesus' method of missions and how every member can, and needs, have an integral part in church planting.  The folks had many questions about Canada and the spiritual climate, as well as the envrinomental climate.  It was approximately 70 degree F on February 27, so folks are interested to hear about our temperatures, which are definately not that pleasant.  But, folks are surprised to hear how moderate Nova Scotia is, when compared to the rest of Canada.  We made friends at both these churches.

On Monday morning we took an hour and looked around Freeport.

A white sand beach on the Gulf coast.

Plenty of palms.

Sport fishing in the Gulf is very popular.

Gull.

Storm serge protection--stilts.

Hurricanes are a serious threat on the Gulf coast.  The are certain highways marked "Huricane Evacuation Route," which people are to use when an evacuation order has been issued.