Newsletters

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From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

June 6, 2025

Gentleman:

Phil. 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Years ago, I met someone who would change my life forever. His name is Jesus. At that time, I knew him as my Savior, my Lord and my friend. As time went on, I began to know him better. I studied his word and tried to allow the Spirit to God to use it to mold me into his image. It has now been forty-nine years since I first met my Savior and I was reminded once again this week I am just beginning to know him.

The apostle Paul after serving the Lord for years, and having been given special revelation of our Lord concluded toward the end of his ministry that he did not know the Lord as well as he would have liked. Can you imagine the breath of Paul’s knowledge about our Lord and the eternal depths he had not yet explored?

Preacher, never stop learning. And I pray that at the end of your journey you as Paul will desire to know him even if just a little better.

Coming Events:

Bible Baptist Church – Jacksonville

Camp Meeting at BBC. The theme is “Anticipate”

Featured Speaker: Evangelist Lou Rossi - Granite Baptist Church, Baltimore

Meetings begin nightly at 6:30 PM

The church is located at 3301 N First St., Jacksonville, 72076

Pastor’s Fellowship

Bible Baptist Church – Jacksonville

June 10, 2025

The June Pastor’s Fellowship Meeting will be held at Bible Baptist Church in Jacksonville. The church is located at 3301 N. First St., Jacksonville, 72076.

Speakers include: Andy Moore – Jacksonville

Bro. Ted Patterson – Jacksonville

Evangelist Lou Rossi – Granite Baptist Church – Baltimore, MD

Come and be challenged and encouraged.

Preaching will begin at 9:00 am

Catfish lunch to follow

Looking Ahead

Youth Fellowship – Colonial Baptist Church

September 20, 2025

A special youth fellowship will be held at CBC for youth in grades 7-12. The event will begin at 10 AM and continue to 2 PM. Special speaker will be Bro. Rocky Harrill. The church is located at 1599 W. Olive St., Rogers, 72756

Urgent Prayer Request

Please Pray for Darrin Gainer. He is son in law to Bro. Eddie Flowers. He found out Monday that he has aggressive cancer and probably doesn’t have long.

Prayer Requests:

Heritage Baptist Church – Mountain View – Pastor Vince Johnson

We have a few prayer requests for Heritage Baptist Church in Mountain View, AR 

We are in need of a 15 Passenger van.

Also, outdoor playground equipment.

And also, we would like to know how we can start giving monthly support to the Fellowship.

Faith Baptist Church – Pearcy

Pray for construction of a new facility and the outreach to the Spanish speaking community.

Praise Reports:

Camp Meeting – Smith Chapel Baptist Church

My sincerest gratitude to Pastor J.T. Baskins and all our friends at SCBC for this weeks Camp Meeting. Once again, the word of God was faithfully preached and the Holy Spirit moved in the lives of many, including this preacher.

Jacksonville Baptist Temple – Jacksonville

The roof is complete at JBT! Special thanks to the Kirk Construction Company. Praise the Lord.

Fellowship Support:

I was encouraged by Bro. Vince Johnson’s request for information on how to support the Fellowship monthly. For those that may be interested the following is the contact information:

Send Support to:

AFBF, PO Box 5254, Jacksonville, AR 72078

Make checks payable to:

Arkansas Fundamental Baptist Fellowship

Personal Contacts:

Bro. Ted Patterson – 501-837-4300

If you are having a special event of any kind and would like the other pastors in the fellowship to be praying for your event or participate please send me the details and I will endeavor to put your information in the newsletter as quickly as possible. If even one soul got saved because of your email it would have been worth the three minutes it takes to send it.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

May 1, 2025

Gentleman:

Col. 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

During my time in the Navy, I had the opportunity to participate in a weight lifting program. I remember after that first day how weak I was and how much it hurt the following day. Over time and after much effort the pain of lifting subsided and the gains became evident. I had become much stronger which encouraged me to continue working out on my own. Being thankful is not unlike lifting weights. We need to practice thankfulness. Paul reminds us to be thankful here and in other texts. 

One of the things I am thankful for today is the tremendous fellowship meeting this past week at Calvary Baptist Church in Branson, MO. My sincere thanks and gratitude to our family and friends at the church that provided visiting pastors and others with a God honoring event. A special thanks to Pastor Cooper for his planning and work to make this event possible.

Calendar Events

Jacksonville Baptist Temple – Jacksonville

May 6

The May Pastor’s Fellowship Meeting will be held at Jacksonville Baptist Temple. The church is located at 520 Marshall Rd., Jacksonville 72076.

Speakers include: Leland Johnson with Macedonia World Missions

Evangelist Archie Davis and Pastor Paul Winters from Colonial Baptist Church in Marion AR.  Come and be challenged and encouraged.

Preaching will begin at 9:00 am

Hurricane Baptist Church – Pontotoc, MS

May 18-21

HBC invites all to attend the annual Hope of Israel Conference.

Special Preachers include: James Jones Jr.; Samuel Fried; Rickey Gravely; Don Farmer; John Sasser; and Mike Bagwell. The church is located at 7975 MS-346, Pontotoc, MS 38863

For more information see https://rapture.today  or contact the church at 844-644-4426.

Smith Chapel Baptist Church – Wynne

Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas will be hosting their 39th annual Camp Meeting Sunday, June 1 thru Wednesday, June 4th. Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM and service starts at 9:00 AM with lunch to follow.  Evening services begin at 6:00 PM. The address to the church is 493 State Hwy 350, Wynne, AR.

Prayer Requests

Winning Side Baptist Church - Barling

The church is in need of a passenger van/shuttle bus/or small bus to transport people to church. We will be hosting a tour group from Hyles-Anderson College on Monday, May 5, at 6:00 PM., for any who like to attend an evening of Gospel music and preaching.  The church is located at 1311 Fort St, Suite F and G3, Barling, AR.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

April 12, 2025

Gentleman:

Prov. 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

Forty years ago, in a class for aspiring pastors I heard a very old preacher tell us that 70 percent of men who fail in ministry, fail because their wives were not sympathetic to the ministry. Those words encouraged and scared me at the same time. I was sure my wife was fully committed to the ministry but could either of us predict what would happen in the future.

Now at the end of my fourth decade in ministry I can tell you with certainty that old preacher was right. I’ve seen entire ministries lost to wives that simply didn’t have a heart for ministry. Preachers and teachers who gave up because they became exhausted dragging a wife into a ministry, she had no heart for. But I have seen the other side of that coin and honestly more often than not. I’ve seen wives hold up their husbands when their strength was failing.

Preacher, thank the Lord every day for a supportive wife. She is the greatest gift you will ever receive in your ministry. She will be your greatest advocate and most faithful critic. She will be a shoulder to cry on when you don’t want anyone to know how much you hurt and she will be your most loyal protector. She is a soft glove that hides the leathered hands of Christian labor and no day is complete without you telling her how much you love her and thanking God for her.

Special Announcement and Request

On April 28 and 29 the Arkansas and Missouri fellowships will meet in Branson, Missouri for a joint meeting. Brother Patterson would like to ask that preachers give him some indication of their intention to participate. The following is the invitation and information for that meeting. Please prayerfully consider being apart of this tremendous event. You can reply to Bro. Patterson by phone at 501-837-4300 or email at jbte@comcast.net

Invitation

We are excited to invite you to an Independent Baptist Pastors Fellowship and Preaching Meeting on Monday, April 28th, and Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, here at Calvary Baptist Church in Branson, Missouri. The devil is working harder than ever to destroy our churches and tear apart our families, the very heart of our ministries. We cordially invite you, your wife/ family, your staff, and any members of your church who would like to attend. 

We are excited to welcome Bro. Mike Stanley and Pastor Jim Kiefer as our preachers, and special music by the Hershberger Family.

Bro. Mike Stanley pastored Friendship Baptist Church in Highland, Arkansas, for over 30 years, where he and Mrs. Peggy raised their eight children, faithfully serving the Lord. Last year, Bro. Stanley retired from the pastorate and is now focusing his ministry on traveling, preaching, and writing.

Pastor Jim Kiefer pastors Heartland Baptist Church in Perryville, Missouri. This year marks their 25th year in Perryville and since starting the church. Bro. Jim and Mrs. Tammy have been blessed with their quiver full; they have twelve children who are faithfully serving the Lord, most with them in Perryville and some abroad. 

All of our guest preachers this year bring years of faithful ministry experience and have raised godly children who are continuing in the faith. This reminds us of the importance of family in ministry and how to faithfully build a lasting legacy and ministry for the Lord. 

We hope you will be able to come to the meeting and pray it will be a blessing to you, your family, and your church as we strive together to stand firm in the work God has called us to do. 

Schedule of Events 

Monday, April 28

5:30 PM Supper

7:00 PM Services (Desserts, coffee, and fellowship)

Tuesday, April 29 

8:30 AM Coffee and Donuts

9:30 AM Services

12:00 PM Lunch

After lunch, we will have a workshop with Nelson E. Bunch, JD Attorney & Counselor at Law on legal matters related to church operations, he will cover essential topics such as church legal situations and the legalities of church finance. 

Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session where you can ask your church-related legal questions. This workshop is for any pastor or church leader who would like to stay and attend. 

Hotel Accommodations 

We have reserved a number of rooms at the discounted rate of $89.95 at the 

Hotel Grand Victorian, 2325 W Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616. 

To book your room call the hotel @ 417-336-2935. Group code: “PreachingMeeting25”. To receive the group rate reservations must be received by April 8. 

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience so we can prepare accordingly for meals and accommodations. 

In His Service, 

Pastor Jeffrey Cooper 

Calvary Baptist Church of Branson 

(417) 593-0067 

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

March 14, 2025

Gentleman:

Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

They say confession is good for the soul, so here we go. I hate waiting. I spent six years in the Navy waiting in lines. I had to wait in line to eat. I had to wait in line to get paid and everything in between. I really hate waiting. But there are many things in life worth waiting for. That first kiss was worth waiting for. Hearing the love of your life say I do was worth waiting for. And the joy following the birth of your children is worth waiting for.

But nothing can compare to the joy God experiences over the salvation of a sinner. As pastors we have the privilege of planting and watering but oh the joy when God giveth the increase. Its fist pumping; dancing in the isle time. For some this joy happens more often than others but no matter how often it happens it is always a tremendous blessing. The blessing is so great even this old sailor doesn’t mind the wait.

Calendar Events

Heritage Baptist Church – Mountain View

Heritage Baptist Church Mountain View will be hosting Revival Meetings.
Sunday Services begin at 10:AM and 11:AM and 6:30PM
Monday thru Wednesday services begin at 6:30PM

The Church is located at 205 Gloria, Mountain View, AR 72560, USA

Victory Independent Baptist Church - Yellville

Revival Meetings with Bro. Kurt Copeland
Sunday Services at 10 AM and 11 AM with a potluck dinner to follow.
Mon - Wed Services begin at 6:00 PM

Cleburne County Baptist Church – Heber Springs

CCBC will be hosting Revival Meetings beginning March 30th thru April 3rd. Special speakers will include: Bro.’s Paul Davis and Tyrone Barfield. Special music and preaching will be provided by Bro. Brian McBride and family. All are cordially invited to attend. Pray for souls.

Preparations for End of Life

The following are suggestions for securing all financial and legal documents accounts. In our ever-changing world habits of the past may not be the best practices for today. Cyber Security is a very serious issue and pastors would be wise to become familiar with all aspects of security.

Security

Financial Accounts (create a secure offsite copy)

Everyone loves the simplicity of access to financial accounts at the push of a button. However, when that button is lost or destroyed by fire or some other event, having a secure offsite copy of all critical documents can be a life saver. I admit it is a bit old fashioned however, I recommend having a trusted person, preferably a family member, maintain a digital copy of all passwords and access information to all critical accounts. As a practice I back up my hard drive and send the copy to my son living in Maine. I also have a hard copy I maintain with me whenever both my wife and I are away from home. Backups can also be maintained in the cloud if that is your cup of tea.

The following is a list of items I’ve included in my backups:

A list of all Financial Institutions with whom I have an interest.

Any and all auto withdrawal accounts and access information.

Access information for any crypto accounts. Keep in mind there are multiple factor verifications for crypto accounts and that information and hardware must remain available to your executor. In addition, there are challenge questions that must be answered correctly in order to access these accounts.

Passwords and account access

Passwords are an important key in today’s economy. Even things as simple as accessing health records requires an account with a password. And by the way “password” is a lousy password. Maintain a document with an accurate list of all your passwords and keep it as secure as possible. You may want to entrust that list to someone you trust implicitly.

Power of Attorney

The final document to consider is a Power of Attorney. This document will allow the person of your choice to sign documents on your behalf when you become unable to do so. As always care should be used when granting this POA. Also, a POA can be limited. A POA expires when revoked, or upon the death of the grantor. As with all legal documents, professional assistance should be considered when producing a POA.

Resources

Arkansas Office of the Aging https://www.thecountyoffice.com/ar-department-of-aging

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303#:~:text=Even%20if%20you%20already%20have,hospital%20or%20health%20care%20facility

Ever Plans: https://www.everplans.com/articles/arkansas-health-legal-and-end-of-life-resources

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

February 28, 2025

Gentleman:

Jude 1:22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

Many years ago, while walking with my brother I mentioned to him all I wanted from life was to make a difference. I thought at the time I would need to accomplish some great feat or perform some great service. I could not have imagined it would have been as simple as showing compassion for the lost. As I approach my seventh decade, I realize the most important thing I have ever done is share Christ. Pastor, don’t let society steal the joy of making a difference. Every time you preach, every time you share God’s word, every time you pray for the lost, you are making a difference and bringing glory to our precious savior.

End of Life Considerations

As I mentioned in last weeks newsletter, I will be providing a few tips concerning End of Life Considerations. The following is the first of three installments. I trust this will be a benefit to you in your ministries.

Medical Considerations

As always it is important to consult professionals when making these important decisions. There are three fundamental legal documents to consider when preparing for end of life:

Health Care Proxy. The HCP is the legal document in which the signer designates another person to make decisions regarding the signer's health care if the signer becomes incapable of making such decisions. Having a HCP eliminates any confusion during uncertain times. The individual entrusted with this responsibility will be aware of your health care wishes in the event you are incapable of communicating them.

Living Will. The LW is a document in which the signer states his or her wishes regarding medical treatment that sustains or prolongs life, especially by invasive or extraordinary means, for use if the signer becomes mentally incompetent or unable to communicate. The LW can be used to express one’s desire to allow life to end naturally as apposed to sustaining life through extraordinary mechanical or medical means.

Do Not Resuscitate. A DNR, or do-not-resuscitate order, is a legal document that instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. It is often used by individuals with terminal illnesses or serious medical conditions who do not wish to undergo resuscitation efforts. In some cases, in the absence of a DNR, resuscitation efforts must be performed by EMT even though life has clearly ceased. Such actions can be traumatic for loved ones to witness.

Insurance Information

Searching for insurance information during an emergency may cause severe anxiety for others that may be entrusted with your care. Make sure all medical insurance information including private policy numbers and contact information are available to your HCP. If you have Medicare, make sure documentation is available to your HCP. For any that are Veterans, if you have care provided by the Veterans Administration, be sure your HCP is aware of the responsibility to contact the VA while receiving emergency care in any facility other than a VA Hospital. Being prepared is the easiest way to make a difficult situation easier for your loved ones.

Care Givers

In simple terms, a caregiver is a person who tends to the needs or concerns of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury or disability.  (definition provided by Johns Hopkins) There may come a time when for no other reason then age the need for assistance performing daily functions is required. The individual providing the assistance is a Care Giver. The caution here is that our pride may keep us from accepting help when we clearly need it. When it becomes necessary to have a Care Giver understand they are accepting a tremendous burden and generally out of love for you. You may not be able to choose your care giver, but you can choose how you treat them.

Resources

Arkansas Office of the Aging https://www.thecountyoffice.com/ar-department-of-aging

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303#:~:text=Even%20if%20you%20already%20have,hospital%20or%20health%20care%20facility

Ever Plans: https://www.everplans.com/articles/arkansas-health-legal-and-end-of-life-resources

Upcoming Events

The Pastor’s Fellowship

You are cordially invited to attend the March Pastor’s Fellowship Meeting at Bible Baptist Church in Bryant on March 4th. Speakers include Bros. Bill Fies from Trinity Baptist, Bradford; Voski Patterson from Jacksonville Baptist Temple; and Tyrone Barfield from Calvary Independent Baptist Church in Texarkana. Refreshments will be available at 8:00 AM with preaching beginning at 9:00am. A lunch will be provided following the meeting. The church is located at 1722 Hilltop Rd. Alexander, AR. 72002. Additional details can be found at the fellowship website https://afbf.life/calendar.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

January 24, 2025

Gentleman:

John 14:12 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

I’ve often wondered at the statement of Jesus that we will do greater works than those that he did. I’ve never healed the sick. I’ve never caused a blind man to see or made a lame man walk. I’ve certainly never cleansed a leper or raised anyone from the dead. How then have I done greater than these?

Pastor, every time you preach the Word of God you do greater. Every person healed, cleansed or raised from the dead died. When you faithfully preach the Word of God, every soul changed will live forever. Every person healed was healed of a temporary ailment, every soul touched by the Word of God is healed of the most critical eternal ailment, sin. Every person healed by the Word of God is healed completely and eternally. So, my dear friend “preach the word” and do greater than just healing the body, heal the soul.

Youth Events

Cornerstone Baptist Church – Mount Pleasant

A youth rally will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church on February 1 beginning at 10:00am and ending at 2:00pm. The church is located at AR-58 and 69, Mt Pleasant, AR 7256. Bro. Taylor Gillaspie will bring a devotion. There will be games and pizza and plenty of fun. You are cordially invited to attend. For additional information please contact Bro. Higgins at 870-750-0607

Victory Baptist Church - Hope

I want to invite you to our annual youth conference. It starts Friday night February 28th and continues through Saturday March 1st until 3 pm. We will have Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday and Snacks Friday night. There is no cost. We will have preaching Friday night and 3 times Saturday and also a teaching time. We would love to see you there with some kids.

For additional information please contact:

Pastor Toby Bane

Victory Baptist Church

2510 Hwy 174 S., Hope, AR 71801

Upcoming Events

The Pastor’s Fellowship

Please see the time correction:

The next Fellowship Meeting is scheduled for February 4thand will be held at Hope Baptist Church in Sherwood, AR. As always preaching will begin at 9:00am. The church is located at 139 Shadow Oaks Dr, Sherwood, AR 72120. Additional details can be found at the fellowship website https://afbf.life/calendar. 

Bible Baptist Church – El Dorado

Bible Baptist Church in El Dorado, AR. will be celebrating our 33rd anniversary on February 2, one big service at 10:00, with our youth choir singing. We will also be having Revival with Evangelist Paul Schwanke, February 9-12.

Ambassador Baptist Church - Greenbrier

Bro. Danny Allen and the folks at Ambassador Baptist Church will be hosting special meetings with Bro Maury Gibson. The meetings will begin Sunday January 26 continuing Monday-Tuesday January 27-28. Bro. Gibson will be teaching on the KJB at 7pm each night. 

Also, the Faithful Men Meetingwill be at Ambassador Baptist Church March 7-8

Friday night 7pm/ Saturday 8am-1pm

Lunch included on Saturday. 

25.00 per person

The church is located at 7 Lost Branch Ln., Greenbrier, AR 72058

Hope Baptist Church – Sherwood

Hope Baptist Church is hosting a Jubilee beginning February 2-5. Brothers Chris Simpson and John Morgan will be guest speakers. In addition, special music will be provided by the Thompson Family.

Cleburne County Baptist Church – Heber Springs

CCBC will be hosting Revival Meetings beginning March 30th thru April 3rd. Special speakers will include: Bro.’s Paul Davis and Tyrone Barfield. Special music and preaching will be provided by Bro. Brian McBride and family. All are cordially invited to attend. Pray for souls.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

Prayer Requests

Emmanuel Baptist Church – Omaha

Please pray for Bro. Jonny Atchison and his wife. They have both been very sick for the past few weeks with a very stubborn virus. Mrs. Atchison is also struggling with difficulty seeing after a number of eye operations these past few months.

Arkadelphia

Please pray for a young preacher looking at the possibility of starting a church in Arkadelphia. Pray for laborers and souls.

Arkansas Fundamental Baptist Fellowship

AFBF will be providing $1500 to Morrilton Baptist Temple for track distribution. Please pray for those who will be delivering these tracks and the souls that will receive them.

Churches Seeking Pastors

Please continue to pray for those churches seeking pastors. Pray the Lord will supply the right man for each ministry.

· Live Oak Baptist Church – Cove

o Contact: Jason Roach 903-293-4613

· New Testament Baptist Church - Hot Springs

o Contact:  Dametrius Patterson 501-837-1187

· Winning Side Baptist Church - Barling/Fort Smith

o Contact:    Todd Herbert 209-487-3483

Special prayer request

Please pray for those so traumatically affected by the recent natural disasters. We still have brothers and sisters suffering from hurricane damage in Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Pray for the countless numbers that have lost their homes to the fires raging in California. Pray finally for the folks on the Gulf coast as they recover from a historic snow event and the loss of life it brought with it.

Our Country

Please also pray for the new administration in Washington and for the healing and revival we as a nation so desperately need.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson

From the desk of:

Pastor Ted Patterson

Jacksonville Baptist Temple

January 9, 2025

Gentleman:

2Chron. 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”

Every athlete worth his salt would agree with the saying “no pain no gain”. Each athlete pushes him or herself to achieve the prize or award. Striving to be the best, the fastest, the strongest or the most skilled requires discipline and at times pain. The promise of the reward fuels the athlete to press beyond the pain.

I love reading the Old Testament and finding these principal nuggets upon my road of life. The text reminds us that if we are faithful to the Lord and push beyond the difficulties of life there will be a reward.

I have known many pastors and full-time workers over these past many years. Some I know have experienced life altering difficulties and remained faithful. But what kept each of them pressing forward for the Lord is the promise that their labor was not in vain. There is a reward for faithful service. So, pastor when difficulty comes keep your eyes on the original promise keeper and know your reward is secure in Him.

Praise Reports

Ozark Baptist Church – Bergman

Our sincere gratitude to pastor Daniel Clement and the wonderful folks at OBC for hosting the January Pastor’s Fellowship. While few in number, the fellowship was wonderful, the preaching was inspirational and the meal provided was excellent. Words are inadequate to express how much your sacrifice on our behalf is appreciated.

Morrilton Baptist Temple – Morrilton

We join in praise with the wonderful folks at Morrilton Baptist Temple for calling their new pastor. Join me in welcoming our Brother David Winston as he assumes the responsibilities of pastor.

Jonesboro Baptist Church – Jonesboro

We also join in praise for the Lord supplying our family and friends at Jonesboro Baptist Church with a new pastor. Please also welcome our Brother Dustin Hoofman as he begins his ministry as pastor.

Please continue to pray for each of these churches as they minister in their communities. Let’s also remember to continue to pray for the other churches in our fellowship seeking a pastor.

Upcoming Events

The Pastor’s Fellowship scheduled for February 4th will be held at Hope Baptist Church in Sherwood, AR. As always, the fellowship will begin at 8:00am with preaching beginning at 9:00am. The church is located at 139 Shadow Oaks Dr, Sherwood, AR 72120. Additional details can be found at the fellowship website https://afbf.life/calendar. 

Hope Baptist Church – Sherwood

Hope Baptist Church is hosting a Jubilee beginning February 2-5. Brothers Chris Simpson and John Morgan will be guest speakers. In addition, special music will be provided by the Thompson Family.

Cleburne County Baptist Church – Heber Springs

CCBC will be hosting Revival Meetings beginning March 30th thru April 3rd. Special speakers will include: Bro.’s Paul Davis and Tyrone Barfield. Special music and preaching will be provided by Bro. Brian McBride and family. All are cordially invited to attend. Pray for souls.

As always, if you have any prayer requests or praises, please forward them to Bro. Roberto at lrob43@yahoo.com. We will include them in upcoming newsletters. Also, a reminder that information is being added to the website www.afbf.life as it becomes available.

In His Service,

Bro. Ted Patterson