Rogers Update 4/30/14
May 5, 2014
Dear Friends,
The first few months of this year have been packed with opportunities to serve the Lord. I think of Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I have actually been in several states: Utah, Alaska, and Kansas. I realize of course that Paul was referring to the situations he found himself experiencing, and that applies here as well. I have faced some interesting challenges during these travels. I find it quite interesting in difficult times that our human default is fall back on our own strength. I have been asking God to change my default in those hard moments to turning to Him. In comforting ways I believe He has been answering that prayer.
Utah was a very special time (as always) of being in the Rocky Mountains and spending time in ministry with the Mormon people. They will always have a precious place in my heart. It was also very encouraging to be with Christian friends and missionaries who serve in this intense religious area of the west. As happens often now, I had the opportunity to teach on relationships while there.
I left Utah the first part of February, driving 19 hours straight, and out running a vicious winter storm that followed close behind me. I knew if I stopped, I would be stuck for several days wherever I was at the moment. I finally arrived in Iowa at my daughter’s place and spent the night. The next morning I woke up to snow drifts everywhere and was unable to get out of their long driveway. It was rough, but I had to spend several days with 3 of my grandchildren. It was tough job, but some times we just have to suffer serving the Lord!!!
In February I spent several weeks in Fairbanks, Alaska, teaching a relationship conference while speaking in a couple of churches. Alaska reminds me of Utah in several ways. The rugged wilderness and the independence of its people is very much the Utah culture below the religious surface level. I always feel at home in Alaska. It was warming up while I was there. The temperature was only 28 below. I walked around with special cleats on my feet and was warned that there had been a moose wondering that area of the city.
In March I was in Valley Falls, Kansas, serving in place of the pastor and his family as they traveled to Japan on a mission trip. It was great to be at Calvary Baptist Church again. This was the church I spent some of my childhood and teen years in. It was at a Calvary Baptist teen outing to a local rescue mission that I preached my first sermon when I was fourteen. It was also at Calvary that I preached my first message in a church a year later. This country church also sent me on my first mission trip to Utah at seventeen. What an enjoyable trip it was to spend time with old friends and new ones. The church there is very special in their love for the Lord. I also did a series on relationships while at Calvary. Human need is great in this world, and most of the serious challenges our churches face are in the area of relationships. No matter what state (Utah, Alaska, Kansas) this is true. At the close of March I spoke in one of my supporting churches, Bethel Baptist in Topeka, Kansas. Special memories are there also. I served as interim pastor at Bethel when I was nineteen.
I would appreciate prayer for my son, Jeremiah, who has had several seizures over the last few months. Pray that the seizures will stop and the doctors will have wisdom on what to do.
I have been asked by several individuals lately if the book, Communicating Christ in a Religious World, is still available to be purchased. The answer is yes and it continues to sale at a decent rate. I want to thank all of you who prayed that God would use this book for His glory, and He continues to do so. The book can be ordered at the following website:
If you are unable to use this link, there are additional links at the BEM website:
Please continue to pray for us in the months ahead. I will be traveling extensively, speaking in Oklahoma, Arizona, California, and Utah. This will be an 8000 mile driving adventure, so please pray for safety and effective ministry. I will be involved in helping churches and missionaries in various ways including several conflict resolution situations. As always, I very much desire your prayers for wisdom.
Beabea will not be traveling with me on this trip. She will remain behind and work her caregiver job which she is very good at. She will be doing that to help with our finances. We are at a little over 40% support. We would appreciate your prayers that she would one day be able to travel with me 100% of the time!
Serving the Lord in confidence, trusting in the knowledge of who He is,
John
John (and Beabea) Rogers
7265 West 320 South
Russiaville, IN 46979
(765) 319-3090
Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL 33860
Barnabas Enrichment Ministries
P.O. Box 229
Elkhart, IN 46515-0229
(765) 667-2532
Please send all financial gifts to Barnabas Enrichment Ministries with a note designating the gift for the ministry of John & Beabea Rogers.
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