I need a church

[tmolette]

In september 2007, I moved to a small town in Texas. This town has no church. The nearest church (a spanish church) is 60 miles away and on a limited income I can not go nor can I speak Spanish. My internet connection is to slow to beable to get 3ABN on line. I am feeling quite disconnected from God and very lonely. Please help me pray that God will send some one to plant a church in Childress, TX so the people of this town can also learn the truth about the Sabbath and what the Bible really says. I'm just one person, I can't do it on my own.

[stef]

Hi, T. I just had to respond to your post. Hopefully you'll find my words encouraging.

God knows why He planted you in Childress! Not having a church family is difficult, indeed. Many missionary families have experienced what you are describing as they go into countries where the elusive dialect prevents them from fellowship.

Look to Jesus and ask Him why you're there. Ask Him to put other in your path who are searching. You are one person, but you're not alone. "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

We're praying for you.

[olger]

Amen. God has a purpose for you in this town. It might be as ordinary as just being kind to people who cross your path. It isn't about us at all, just say to God.. "Father, if you want to use me in this place, I'm available. I don't know where to go or what to do, just use me to care about others."

I look forward to hearing more. We'll pray for you.

olger

Jeremiah 29:11

[Dr. Shane]

I think Childress is in the Texico Conference, not the Texas Conference. I am not even aware of a Spanish church within 60 miles of it. The thing about west Texas is there are a lot of wide open spaces. 60 miles in west Texas is comparable to 20 miles in the Midwest or along the coast.

The first thing is for you to bookmark Club Adventist in your favorites. We are not the same as a face to face church family but we are much much better than isolation. Second, I think, is to get a Hope dish so you can get Hope, 3ABN, LLBN TV as well as a handful of Adventist radio stations and many non-Adventist Christian channels.

Third, try to make contact with this church that is 60 miles away (which city is it in?). They likely have a number of bilingual members. Some may even live in your town. If you have some bilingual members living near you, they may be interested in starting a prayer meeting in Childress. You can normally rent a community room in a library or shopping mall one night a week for a very reasonable rate. This will provide you and them the opportunity to invite others and start something there.

[Jeannieb43]

According to Mapquest.com, Childress is halfway between Amarillo and Wichita Falls. It appears to be really in the middle of Texas.

I agree with Shane, there are things you can do to help yourself and your family have worship experiences. If you can't invest in a dish, maybe you can order some sermon tapes or CDs and listen to them, plus singing some Sabbath school songs with your children (if you have children) -- and memorizing Scripture together by saying the verses aloud together every day. It's amazing how quickly you can commit an entire Psalm to memory if you work on it every day, saying the words aloud.

Do you subscribe to the Adventist Review? It usually has some ads for tapes or CDs which can be ordered.

And I agree: Calling the conference office is the first order of business. They should have you in their sights and are probably already aware of some outreach which is available in your area.

God bless.

[nuff sed]

In september 2007, I moved to a small town in Texas. This town has no church. The nearest church (a spanish church) is 60 miles away and on a limited income I can not go nor can I speak Spanish. My internet connection is to slow to beable to get 3ABN on line. I am feeling quite disconnected from God and very lonely. Please help me pray that God will send some one to plant a church in Childress, TX so the people of this town can also learn the truth about the Sabbath and what the Bible really says. I'm just one person, I can't do it on my own.

I would suggest that you attend church via computer: www.forestlakechurch.org. You will see and hear Christ-centered sermons. Would also suggest that you switch from dialup to DSL. Once you do you will NEVER go back.

[Stan]

Until then, and even after then, please fellowship with your friends here.

[Jerry D Thomas]

West Texas is wide-open space and most of the pastors there have multiple churches that are more than 60 miles apart. It can be a lonely place to live and work if you're not there with family. The Texico Conference is one of the most active in evangelism and church-planting, but I haven't heard of any plans to plant a church in Childress. If you're not a member of a local church, you're probably not getting the Southwestern Union Record. Send me your address and I'll put you on the mailing list if you wish. At least that way you can keep in touch with what's going on in your area.

Jerry D Thomas

Editor, Southwestern Union Record

[Guest Anonymous]

Thank You for the info. I would like to get DSL but at this point we can't afford it.

[Dr. Shane]

Which town is the Spanish church in?

[tmolette]

Hello Stef. Thank you for the encuragement. Please keep praying for me. But not just for me, pray also that some how the true Gospel message will reach Childress. I go out into this little town I live in, I look around at the people, knowing that the truth needs to be told. But where to start and how, with a town full of Sunday keepers, is my biggest concerne. In John 10:16 Jesus says He has sheep that are not of this pen. He says He needs to bring them too. He also says they will listen to His voice. I came here knowing there was no church, knowing that I wouldn't even beable to attend the Spanish church 60 miles from here. I came here hoping to beable to at least start a small group, but that was before I found out that my husbands heart wasn't where I thought it was. I though this was something we were going to do together. Is Satan just throwing another obsticle in my way to keep the truth from being told? How do I hurdle it? How can Jesus voice be heard if no one is willing to speak for Him? I want to be His voice, but what am I afraid of? I've never done this before. I guess I'd feel better about it if I had a church backing me up. I ask God for strength, I don't know what's wrong. I know God will never forsake me. But I still can't help feeling utter lonliness.

[tmolette]

Thank You for your suggestion and support.

[Woody]

tmolette ... I can hear your loneliness. I am so sorry. Do your best to let the words of God fill your heart. I do know there is still loneliness but slowly He will BE your ALL. Personally ... I am not there yet either. As most here know ... I am disabled and unable to get to church often. I miss the fellowship. But I am blessed by having the Adventist Satellite so I get fellowship from the TV programs of 3ABN and LLBN and the Hope channel. Don't know if that is something you can do or not.

Regarding this statement ....

Quote:

How can Jesus voice be heard if no one is willing to speak for Him? I want to be His voice, but what am I afraid of?

I sincerely doubt that you are too afraid to do what God wants you to do. He is not unreasonable. He will give you a task that you are able to do. He WILL be with you and give you what you need.

I think you have the trouble of having too great of expectations for yourself. Just pray for God to give you the opportunity to do what HE wants you to do. You will recognize the invitation of Christ for you to witness. Then all you have to do is to act on the invitation and power that HE gives.

You job now is to "invite" God to "invite" you to His labor.

[tmolette]

Yes! Childress is in the Texaco conference, as I have consulted with the Texas conference about it. It was first though that Childress was in the Texas conference and the head of the church planting division was going to work with me on starting a small group. But when it was discovered that Texaco has Childress and I was sent there. I have tried numorus times to contact the director of Texaco but he has not contacted me back. I don't know his reasons, but I just figure there isn't anything he can do at this time, maybe later. I would like to find his e-mail, if he has one, so I could e-mail him but I can find a web site for Texaco.

The Spanish church that is 60 miles away is in Vernon, TX. I have talked to the pastor there and they would accomodate for English speakers. But we are very low income and my husband says we can not afford to go. So 60 miles might as well be 600 in my case. If it were left up to me I would go whether my husband said or not. All is not lost though because I was introduced to a web site that is put out by an Adventist church in Florida called Forest Lake Church. They have live internet services on sabbath. I also have been in contact with the head pastor there.

I would love to beable to get Hope Dish or 3ABN but we just can not afford to purchase it. Our government rental apartment would require professional installment on a pole.

Your other suggestions are good ideas. But once again that takes money and I don't know any one here yet. I don't know where to go to meet people here. The resraunts are a bad idea because of somking. Though the resturants have closed in smoking sections but the smell leaches through something terrible. I've stopped going because I just can't handle the havic the smoke causes on me. I'm terribly alergic. The only other thing I could think of is to pick one of the Sunday church and start attending there to meet people. The only thing is, I'd feel like I'm being unfaithful to Jesus. I don't know what to do.

[tmolette]

Thank you Redwood I needed to hear that. And I will do just as you said and pray for God to give me the opportunity to witness to some one.

[Woody]

Quote:

The only other thing I could think of is to pick one of the Sunday church and start attending there to meet people. The only thing is, I'd feel like I'm being unfaithful to Jesus. I don't know what to do.

What a great idea. I would highly recommend you joining a Sunday church. They ARE Christians. God most certainly wants us to meet with Christians for fellowship. You can't go wrong there. I would assume that you would still keep the Sabbath. I have many friends that keep Sabbath and also go to a Sunday church. They won't bite.

Perhaps we should explore why you would feel that fellowshipping with Christians would be "unfaithful" to Jesus.?? That does concern me. They are saved in His blood just as much as you and I are.

If you look at the SDA church ... it is just a group of saints that come together. I would go so far to say that no two people in the church have the same beliefs totally. The proof of this is here at CA. NO ONE here believes just exactly like another on all issue. Thus ... we talk about it.

SO ... Go for it. Let us know what you experience and learn.

[tmolette]

Jeannieb43, thank you for your support. I have tried to contcat the conference. It's been almost two months since the last time I tried but the person I was calling for never returned my calls. I don't know why, maybe there isn;t anything they can do just yet.

One of the posters here refered me to forestlakechurch.org it is a live internet church put out by an Adventist College in Florida. I woke up this morning and tuned in with tears of joy and gladness in my heart. At the end of this month they are getting ready to launch Hope Sabbath School. This will be live on the internet also. I can't wait because Sabbath School is my favorite part of church. at the World Conference website I can down load the Sabbath School lessons also.

The internet is a wonderful place if it is used for the right thing. God has blessed me with a connection again. One of the reasons why it got so bad for me was because I had been totally disconnected and noe to contact for support. Now I have internet, that will help alot. And I have found Club Adventist and the online church as well.

As far as cd's and tapes go, being very low income, my husband is disabled and I am partally disabled, it is hard to aford these things. Other wise I'd just take the money for cd's and tapes, put gas in my truck and trek the 120 miles a week both ways to attend the Spanish church in Vernon, TX. thank you again.

[tmolette]

Hello Gladussee, Thank you for telling me about Forest Lake Church. I attended this morning. I'm feeling lots better now. I need to hear Christ centered sermons. I miss being with the people but with out the support of the people it is hard to keep your sites on Jesus. Interaction and support is important. That is why Jesus calls us a flock and compares us to sheep. A sheep can not survive on its own for to long in the the wilderness. That is why the sheep are kept in flocks with a shepherd to watch over them. Sheep do wonder away, but once the shepherd discovers that one is missing he goes in search for the sheep. I have felt like that missing sheep for the past few months. But my shepherd found me again. And I'm back in his fold. Having interaction with other like believers has helped me alot. I guess I just needed to be reminded that I'm not alone.

I have contacted the head pastor there at Forest Lake Church. I wrote him an email after I watched two segments of the live church and one arcived segment. He has already e-mailed me back. He's glad I was able to join in and suggested that I find some people that would like to join me in my home to watch. He said they have a group that does that.

[tmolette]

I don't doubt for one minute that there are sincere christians in the Sunday churches. That's not what I am concerned with. there are two issues I am concerned with, the first being the Sabbath issue. This is a very delicate and subject with much controversy, not just for us here on earth but also for God. God is very clear in the Bible which day He appointed for the human race to come together and worship Him. He created the seventh day Sabbath as a memorial of the creation He did. And He established it at the end of the creation week, celebrated with Adam and Eve and told them that this was a covenant between Him and them and they were to come every week to observe on the seventh day. He extended this covenant to the whole human race.

The second issue is found in John 10:16. Jesus says, "I have other sheep that are not of this pen. I must bring them also, they to will listen to my voice and there shall be ONE FLOCK and ONE SHEPHERD." (NIV) One flock to me is very clear. If there is only one flock how can all churches be right? Jesus mentions that there will only be one shepherd. this suggests to me that there is, per say, a false shepherd. The Bible does make clear mention of false churches, false prophets, false priests and false christs. But in the book of Revelation it speaks about a remnant chruch that keeps the whole ten commandments and has the testamony of Jesus Christ - which is the Spirit of Prophecy. There is only one church that I know of that fits that doscription to a tee and that is the Seventh day Adventist church. So where is the ONE FLOCK supposed to go to meet the ONE SHEPHERD? One flock also suggests to me that there is a false flock, many of them.

This is where the concerne of attinding a Sunday church comes into play as possibly being unfaithful to Christ. Not saying that there isn't many sincere christians in the Sunday churches, but what I am saying is, once one learns the truth they are to turn from the false things they have learned, to practice the truth. Before I came to a realization of the true Sabbath and what it means, I used to attend Sunday churches and I know that these people follow Christ to the best of their knowledge and with all their hearts. The only time that one of these, according to the Bible, would be wrong in their worship is when they hear the truth and shun it. God is plain and clear about how He leaves those to their own delusions when they shun the truth.

But what it all boils down to is the issue of the Sabbath truth and the ONE FLOCK with ONE SHEPHERD. If there is no one there to point out the truth how are they going to find it? Some one has to point out the truth to them or they will never be joined in the ONE FLOCK. But the issue about me attending a Sunday church again and knowing what I know about the Sabbath and the ONE FLOCK with ONE SHEPHERD, I am afraid that I would be being unfaithful in the knowledge that I have. But on the other hand, this may be the only way to find those sincere ones in the other pen to bring them to the ONE FLOCK.

[Woody]

Quote:

this may be the only way to find those sincere ones in the other pen to bring them to the ONE FLOCK.

I think you have the answer. Jesus went out and met people where they were. He didn't sit in a big church building and wait for the people to come to Him.

Good insight.

You are strong in the truth. If you were weak ... I would not suggest going to a Sunday church. But from what I have heard you say ... you have two choices ... stay at home alone and not get personal contact with ANYONE ...

OR ...

Do as we have talked about ... get the wonderful blessings of the Sabbath and fellowship online with fellow SDAs ... then on Sunday get the "personal" contact that will serve to both bless you personally and be the witness that you want to be.

You would not be going there for indoctrination purposes. You would be going there for the reasons we have listed. You had said you wanted to meet people. What better place than a Christian church?

I think Jesus would be honored in you doing this. The Sabbath is not done away with or dishonored if we worship Him on days in addition to the Sabbath. The only time we are dishonoring Him is when we stop honoring Him on the Sabbath.

[carolaa]

I have tried numorus times to contact the director of Texaco but he has not contacted me back. I don't know his reasons, but I just figure there isn't anything he can do at this time, maybe later.

I'm not sure which director you are trying to reach, but if one doesn't respond, you can always ask to talk with someone else. Go to the president if no one else will respond. Or ask them to give you the name and ph# of the pastor in charge of your area. Maybe he or she would be excited about the possibility of planting a church there.

[Dr. Shane]

Here is their website. Texico Conference Their phone number is (800) 749-7851 and email texico@texico.org

The Vernon church is in the Texas Conference. So Childress is right on the edge of the Texico Conference. The Altus Seventh-day Adventist Church is in Oklahoma and is website is here Alus SDA. It is also 60 miles from Childress but it is English speaking.

Childress is right in he corner of three conferences. There are already two churches established in the area in the Oklahoma and Texas conferences. It seems God has a plan to establish one in the Texico conference.

[carolaa]

You go, Shane! That's a great bit of research.

[Guest Anonymous]

Thank you for the information, your help and your time. I hope and pray that God does have plans to put a church here. That could be the very reason why I have ended up here. Wether it for me to do the work of establishing one here or if I'm just to get some one else to come do it. It is clear to me that in either case I'm here to get the ball rolling.

[tmolette]

The above anonymous unregistered person is tmolette