|
In This Issue:
SAGO, WEST VIRGINIA
The attention of the world
was focused on the small mining community of Sago, West Virginia
as the new year began. A mine blast had trapped thirteen miners.
The media of the world gathered
and waited, along with the families and community members. The
TV backdrop was the Sago Baptist Church, and American Baptist
congregation. It was there they prayed, celebrated, and then
wept when the first report of "12 alive" was corrected
to "1 alive".
One of the miners was Martin
Toler, Jr. He was called "Junior" by family and friends.
At his church, also an American Baptist congregation, he was
Deacon Toler.
He died in the deadly atmosphere.
A day after the tragedy the Toler family gave the media a copy
of "Junior's" note to them, found on his body in the
mine.
I along with many of you saw
it on worldwide TV: "Tell all I (I'll) see them on the
other side. Jr. It wasn't that bad. I just went to sleep. I
love you all."
In the midst of his experience
deep in the Sago mine he wrote his last testament, and it was
a testament to his faith. It was a testament to the Christian
way of life that is eternal. He wrote a testament that would
bring his family some degree of comfort.
Thank you Deacon Toler. Your
witness touched us all.
Arlo R. Reichter
Return to top of page
MOVIE REVIEW: "The
End of the Spear"
The North American Baptist
Peace Fellowship recommends this movie for youth and adults
(due to violence it is not recommended for children). The movie
is "about the linkages between evangalism, mission, non-violence,
and the transformation of cultures." It is based on a true
story of missionaries in the mid-1950's. It was released on
January 20th of this year.
Return to top of page
BOOK REVIEW: "Sustaining
Heart In the Heartland: Exploring Rural Spirituality"
An exploration of how faith
is lived out in sparsely populated rural areas of the U.S.,
what it is to people of faith, and the commitment in the face
of daunting challenges facing the rural way of life today.
Edited by Miriam Brown. Paulist
Press
Return to top of page
FEBRUARY PRAYER
FOCUS:
First Baptist Church Beloit,
WI
Founded 1841
Pastor: Gene Van Galder
Birthday 10/4
Ordained 1981
Spouse: Connie
Start Date: 10/96
Return to top of page
WAIT UPON THE LORD
National Pastors Conference
April 17-20, 2006 Orlando
www.abc-usa.org
Return to top of page
Winter
Retreat for American Baptist Men of Wisconsin
March 3 - 4, 2006
At
Camp Tamarack
Click Here
to learn more
Come a day early and participate
in a work project.
|
