My wife Robin and I believe GOD called us here to Milton Freewater from our Home in Fortville, Indiana, 2,100 miles away. I was a Remodeling Contractor for 34 years in Indiana prior to a friend asking me to give them an evaluation of the roof on this church. I had never been to Oregon and since they offered to pay for my expenses I took them up on their offer to take a break from my own work back
home in Indiana. On the way down from the Portland Airport, driving along the Snake river my friend Steve Bils informed me that I would not be flying back home until Monday so would I consider speaking in Church on Sunday morning. Steve told me that the church had not had a full time Pastor in over 8 years. I came to look at a roof. To be honest, I immediately felt guilty. After all, they were paying for my transportation, lodging and meals. So I agreed. There were only 8 seniors and 2 children that Sunday morning. I preached from Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I shared how Ultimately, we want you to have a relationship with GOD that is closer than a brother. I shared how some folks come to church because they believe GOD wants them to. Some come to church because they like the preacher or his messages are relevant. Other come because of you. You are their friend. They look forward to seeing you and asking how your week has been. If they brought a visitor, they want you to meet them. I stepped away from the pulpit and said " I'm going to pray that GOD will send someone, to help you reach your friends. I said, I'm going to pray that GOD would send someone to help you reach the Kids at the high school literally, right next door. I started to say that I was going to pray that GOD would send someone to help them reach their community, and I felt like right there and then, GOD was saying to me, Tim, you are that somebody. My wife Robin and I left Indianapolis on March 12th of 2020 and Covid literally shut down the country as we traveled to Milton Freewater, pulling a 28' Fifth wheel trailer behind our 2015 Chevy Silverado Truck. At the end of our first church service, the Elder of the church took a vote to stop having church until the threat of Covid was lifted. Well, we didn't leave our children, grandchildren , home, business and friends of 34 years to come and do nothing. So...we got involved in putting on an Easter Service at the Local Drive In Theater which had over 1,000 people attend in April of 2020. The very next week, Faith Bible Church began having parking lot services streaming into car radios just as we had done at the Drive In Theater. We continued with Parking Lot services until September of 2020. In the mean time, since Covid gave us an opportunity to do church differently, we began removing the church Pews, Organ, Choir loft. We laid aside the Hymn Books for TV Monitors built a sound booth and started broadcasting our services live on Facebook. In the Lobby, we built a state of the art Coffee bar and brought in round dinning tables with 4 chairs to allow for those who come on Sunday mornings to enjoy a pastry and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate before the services. On the inside of the auditorium you will see another style of round tables with 4 chairs around the back sides allowing each person to face the front stage. We decided to break from the "Traditional type "of church services and created a family friendly welcoming environment with a more contemporary worship service with practical, Biblical teaching and preaching. Children stay in the adult worship time for the first 20 minutes before being dismissed to attend Junior Church. Our purpose is two fold: 1. To help those who do not know GOD, to know HIM. 2. For those who do know GOD, to know GOD's will for their lives as we help equip them to live out their Christian lives. The Bible is clear on how we get to heaven. Through Faith alone in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Once a person places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to take them to heaven, the Bible teaches at least 3 things happen. 1. GOD gives to us as a free gift, eternal life in Heaven. 2. We are born again into the family of GOD. 3 The Holy Spirit of GOD indwells each believer and is the proof that we are the Born Again, Children of GOD. The Bible is GOD's inspired WORD. Without the Bible we cannot know GOD. We also cannot know the purpose for which we were created, (the will of GOD for our lives.) Although the WORD of GOD never changes, people do. The Bible is clear that before the foundations of the world, GOD knew how people would learn of him would change as well.
1.Through the power of the Gospel message we learn salvation is the gift of GOD through faith alone in Jesus Christ. 2. Through the power of the WORD of GOD, we can grow and literally be transformed in our Christian lives to live the life GOD created us to live. 3. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to know GOD and have the victory over sin that separates us from fellowship with our Heavenly Father, GOD. If we can help you in any way, please feel free to reach out. You are always welcome to stop in, any day of the week to say hello. We'd love to meet you and hear your story. GOD bless~
