Ray Family Update from July 2018

Dear Praying Friends,

First, I would like to say, “Thank you!” Thank you to those of you who faithfully pray. Thank you to those who faithfully give to the Lord’s work. Thank you to those who are faithfully involved in accomplishing the Lord’s work. There are not enough of you, and those of you who are making yourself available are no doubt growing weary because of the magnitude of the burden and the scarceness of labourers. Please know there are saints out there that are thankful for all you do for the Lord, a God who makes Himself quite familiar with your efforts (Hebrews 6:10), and a world in desperate need for you to continue. Now is not quitting time!

As for us, the next few months are quite important. On the work front, I will finish my part on One Book Rightly Divided, The Little Maid Who Saved a Captain, and Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs before the conclusion of this month. These projects are massive on their own, but combined with the others, it has only been the grace of God and the prayers of His people that have sustained me. Additionally, we will resume classes in the Bible Institute. Then, in September, we will host a tent meeting in a local park where tent meetings were held for nearly a century in the 1800s.

On top of all the work of the ministry, we also have a busy time on the home front. We rejoice to announce that in September, our oldest son Noah will marry his fiancé, Julie Walker. We have raised Noah to love the Lord and to eventually love a family. We pray that he will do both to the best of his ability. Somewhere around this same time, our oldest daughter Hannah will be obtaining her learner’s permit to drive. It somewhat feels like we are cramming a lifetime into a few months. Brethren, pray for us!

Antioch Baptist Bible Institute

Concerning the Bible Institute, there have been a few modifications to the schedule for the Fall Semester. The classes will indeed begin on August 20th with classes being held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, but the scheduled classes now include Bible History, Bible Missions, The Book of Acts II, and First and Second Thessalonians. As we announced previously, we will reintroduce the chapel service between classes with the male students preaching the messages. This will offer opportunities for additional experience and training. Once again, the classes will be offered tuition free. If you know of believers that could use sound Bible training from a school that majors on the Bible and does so at no cost, please send them our way.

Fountain Head 2018

In the 1800s, the Fountain City community, known then as Fountain Head, held a tent meeting in its local park. These meetings were attended by large numbers of saints and sinners. Desiring to hold such a meeting in our day, we recently approached those who oversee the park and asked them for permission to do so. They not only gave their permission, but stated that it would be wonderful to have a little more of Jesus in the park. Plans are now in full swing for Fountain Head 2018, an old-fashioned gospel meeting. This meeting will be held Monday, September 17th through Friday, September 21st with Pastor Joe Cammilleri preaching.

In order to pull this meeting off, we could use your help. First, we need help canvasing our area with door hangers inviting people to attend. We have printed 25,000 but would love to distribute those and require more. There are enough houses in this community to more than double that. We would be honoured if you would donate some of your time to help us make this happen. Additionally, help is welcomed regarding the finances for this meeting. The bulk of the help needed involves the cost for printing the materials (tracts, door hangers, flyers, a billboard, ads) to invite the community. Lastly, you could support the meeting by attending. A park full of life, people, singing, and amens is more likely to peak the curiosity of sinners. God used a burning bush to draw Moses aside, would to God He would use a tent in a park to arrest the heart of sinners. Again, brethren, pray for us!