Ray Family Update from April 2016

Dear Praying Friends,

I hope this correspondence finds you happy in the Lord’s service. To be honest, I am somewhat unsure of what things to write and what things to withhold. As such, this letter may be vastly different than our previous updates. I have so many things running through my mind as it relates to the ministries of our church and yet only so much time and resources to fulfil these endeavours. I know I struggle to find the balance of wanting to do too much versus sitting around waiting on Jesus to come. Truth is, I desperately need two general things: (1) skilled people with time (technology, proofreaders, artists, landscapers), and (2) the finances to bring the works to an end.

Web and A/V Projects

Pastor Reagan laid the groundwork for a wonderful online ministry. We desperately need to update the site and clean it up. Additionally, we need to build two other websites. This takes an extreme amount of time as well as finances. We also need to update our A/V equipment in order to put higher quality content on the web (including YouTube). If we do this right, we could produce top notch DVDs and material sure to be useful on the internet. One quote I received for the A/V upgrade was just shy of 10K. I know that is a tremendous amount, but we serve a tremendous God. These same upgrades will also help us produce the church invitation/gospel witness DVD of which I spoke in the last letter.

Publications Projects

I am currently working with Brother Stauffer on a book on the end-times majoring on Matthew chapter 24. This book will be the second in a series with the first one already in print entitled Reviving the Blessed Hope of the Thessalonians. Simultaneously, Brother Stauffer and I are working on Volume 3 of Daily Strength. While I was out of town for a Bible conference, I was able to write the first draft for a children’s book on king Josiah. I currently have children reading the draft and giving input and a lady in our church is looking at doing the artwork. If all goes well, this book will be the first in a series and will focus on children between the ages of 6-10.

Antioch Baptist Bible Institute

Our Bible Institute began under the ministry of the first pastor, Luther Adkins. Pastor Reagan faithfully continued the work of training soldiers for the Lord. Though there were small gaps of time where no classes were being held onsite, the school has continued both online and onsite. After a small break due to building construction, we are excited to announce that classes will resume January 2017. In fact, the schedule will be modified to present 2-year, 4-year, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees. No longer will students begin their journey with no end in sight. As before, none of our degrees will be accredited, but they will accomplish the purpose of the true Bible student.