Talking With A Couple Of Kids

Dear Friends and Family,
Last night I was talking with a couple of kids from Bear Track Bible Church. I listened as the youngest told me about the power outage they had experienced the night before. She said that her older sister started screaming. She said, “I started screaming too, because I know she’s afraid of the dark and because I love her.” Did you get that? She didn’t scream because SHE was afraid. She screamed because she knew her older sister was afraid and she wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. She lent her voice to the screaming because she figured there was a better chance of their parents hearing and bringing light to help them. She joined her sister in screaming because she loved her.

In a sense, this is what Christmas is all about. It’s about the coming of the One who would cry out in the dark with us. In deed, on the cross, when Jesus cried out “Why have You forsaken Me,” He was experiencing a deeper darkness than you and I will ever have to know. He cried out because He loves us. And, He was heard! The Father heard Him, and because the Father heard Him, you and I can experience light and life forevermore! “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” (Heb. 5:7 ESV) Jesus’ resurrection, His escape from the dark, is our resurrection, is our escape from the dark if we believe in Him. It’s this good news of Christmas that I am so privileged to get to share so often as a part of Kentucky Mountain Mission!

Church ministry is going well! In October I was licensed for the ministry by New Prospect Baptist Church where I serve as Associate Pastor. The next step is ordination in 2012, Lord willing. In youth group on Sunday nights, we are studying in Colossians. On Sundays when I fill in for Pastor David I am preaching through John and enjoying it so much! On Wednesday nights I continue to lead worship for the Bear Track Youth Group which Scotty Brandenburg leads, and we are so encouraged at the growing number of kids that are coming!

Things stay pretty busy during our Jr. bowling leagues at the Lee County Recreational Center which the mission runs. I help out two evenings a week with that and find it a great way to stay in touch with some of the kids that come to camp. We have also been homeschooling a young man there. He was expelled from his school and we look at this as a chance to be involved in this young man’s life. I have been spending one day a week lately with him and am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know him. He seems to really be soaking up his Bible lessons. Please pray for this young man as this could be a life changing time for him!

Ministry on the road has been going quite well! In November it was my privilege again to lead worship for Cornerstone Baptist Church’s “Discipleship Now” weekend. These weekends are so special! It was also great to see the folks at Davidson Baptist when I was invited to do a concert there! This month I am scheduled to go to Calvary Baptist to play for their Christian school chapel and for the church’s youth group. So far, in the upcoming year, Lord willing, it looks like I will possibly be travelling to Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, and anywhere else folks invite me to come and minister! I enjoy seeing what God is doing in His churches and being able to tell folks about the ministry of KMM!

In other music news, as many of you have heard, Preacher Bill has released a DVD! I was honored to be asked to be a part of this special project. My contribution was writing “The Ballad of Preacher Bill.” All proceeds from the DVD are to go toward the ministry of Kentucky Mountain Mission.

Thank you so much for your prayers, conversations of encouragement and advice, and giving. We are truly team mates! When I find myself in a situation where God is so evidently moving, I think of you who pray for me! Every time I look at my pay check, I am so thankful to God and to those of you who give to make my ministry possible. It is truly your ministry too! If you would like to financially support this ministry, please make your check payable to “Kentucky Mountain Mission,” put a note with it that says it is for my account, and send it to: KMM, PO Box 588, Beattyville, KY 41311. As we celebrate Christmas with our trees, lights and gifts, thank you all so much for joining me in telling others of the Carpenter who hung on a tree, the Light who cried out in the darkness and overcame it, the Gift who offers us the gift of salvation, the gift of relationship with Himself!

In Christ,
Sam