The church of Christ

at Rogersville

News from Marshalltown

January 04, 2010

To our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Rogersville,

I'm staring at where the calendar hung on the wall for 2009. I can't help but think how fast the year past. Two-thousand nine was filled with happiness as well as sadness. I guess you could call it just the roller coaster of life.

We moved into our new quarters in October and that was a good thing. I believe it to be a better location. The move was kind of hard but then again most moves are. It did put a cramp in our style in that we did not have our regular fall All Day Gospel meeting. Then we lost our Brother Pruitt. This put a damper on things. What is really cool though is our spirit is not broken. We have a job to do and we are doing the best we can giving it all we have to see that God's church is alive and well in this neck of the woods.

December was colder and snowier than normal. In fact, it was the second snowiest December on record and at this writing it is still with us. I'm afraid that we might not get rid of the snow until spring at the rate that we are going. Wednesday the ninth we did not have services. I can't remember the last time we did not have services. It was just that no one was out and about. Usually we can get around in about six inches of snow. It was the first time in my 47 years that I had seen a blizzard warning for the whole state of Iowa.

Because of the weather our attendance has suffered some. One Wednesday we had another bout of weather. It was the Wednesday before Christmas. On that evening we had three in attendance. Many would have called it off, but I believe that it makes no difference how many are there they are souls seeking and thirsting after God's Word so let's study God's Word. Because of the bad weather it did not stop us from having our mid-week classes. They were altered a bit in that we met in one of our members homes until the lot could be plowed. The snow was so thick that a normal pickup plow could not get it done. Our guys got their push snow blowers and got it opened up to where a guy could get the momentum to push it.

Brother Vern Crookshank had knee replacement and so he was not able to be with us some of the time. He is on the mend now and we are happy to say he is there when he can be now. He was in the hospital during the worst of the storm. It was cool in that one Sunday afternoon a bunch of the church went to sing and visit with him in the hospital. It is amazing the love that is here. Oh sure we have our differences but we are a family here and family sticks together.

Two-thousand ten looks to be one of the best years ever for the congregation. There has been so much growth spiritually and the talk is always about what we can do to win souls to Christ. Our prayer, as always, is that we want what God wants and we will take His directions from His Word.

What has been accomplished we give Him the praise and we thank Him always for folks like you who help us in so many ways. Financially, with prayers, and kind words and notes. This means so much. We know we could not do what we do had it not been for people like you.

I have concerns that I want you to pray for. I need to raise more personal support. This is very difficult for me in that as mother's health deteriorates it is increasingly hard for me to get a way to meet with congregations and individuals. One of the things I hate to do the most is ask others for support. I try not to worry for I know that the Lord will provide.

More importantly, pray that God will send laboring into the harvest here. Pray that He will send sound faithful families here that can help with the work. It takes many hands to help folks grow in God's Word.

Thanks again so much for all you do. I pray that you will have a prosperous new year in the Lord.

Until He sends His Son, ever vigilant,
David Shearer

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2010
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF
CHURCH OF CHRIST IN GRANADA AND
RADIO PROGRAM TORREON, COAHUILA

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE WELL AND ENJOYING BLESSINGS OF GOD AND YOUR MINISTRY IN CHURCH.

THANKS TO GOD WE ARE VERY WELL. ENJOYING BLESSINGS OF GOD AND WORKING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2010 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN GRANADA AND RADIO PROGRAM TORREON, COAHUILA.

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AND MEMBERS THAT ARE SICK. THEIR NAMES ARE FEBE NAVARRO, EMMA ROSALES, LICHA VALENZUELA, SAN JUANA VALENZUELA, ELISA HERNANDEZ, THE CHILDS ERNESTO DAVID, EDITH GONZALES. ALSO, SOME HAVE RECOVERED, THANKS TO GOD. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US. WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU.

THE GROUP CONTINUES PRAYERS FOR THIS YEAR 2010. THE ACTIVITIES CAMPAIGN MEDICO, CONSTUCTION, EVANGELISTICO, AND RADIO PROGRAM

THE RADIO PROGRAM IS A BLESSING FOR MANY FAMILIES. NOW MORE PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD. I SENT IN THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 25 BIBLES, 15 BIBLE COURSES, 30 CDS SONGS, 25 SOCIAL SERVICES, AND PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE PROBLEMS. TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST WORK. CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE ECONOMIC WORLD AND PEACE WORLD.

RECEIVE GREETINGS FROM THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN GRANADA AND TORREON AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE SAY HELLO ELDERS AND DEACONS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ROGERSVILLE, AL. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR THIS MINISTRY OF CHURCH AND RADIO PROGRAM. THANKS FOR YOU HELP GOD BLESS YOU

YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST
JESUS CHAIREZ RODRIGUEZ & LUPITA , SAMUEL AND JACZIRI
(CHEWIE)

January 18, 2009

     As you know, this congregation is overseeing the work of brother Obadiah Doka, in Nigeria. This is a work that has been active for the past ten years or more. The elders agreed to take the oversight of this work last year and we have been blessed to be associated with brother Doka.

     The work is going very strong, and Doka has organized many avenues for spreading the gospel in this Muslim dominated country. In addition to open air preaching, special seminars, and regular church meetings, they have a dozen or more "learning centers" that are set up in different places in Nigeria. These learning centers offer free adult education to all who are interested in learning to read and write. In the process, students are taught the gospel. These learning facilities serve as the only recognized "Christian school" in all of Nigeria. Each of the learning centers has an average of 40-60 students enrolled.

     This is a great work that needs our prayers and support. Continue to pray for Doka, as his wife, Naomi, is expecting to give birth within the next week or so.

Remember our mission efforts.

— Alex