Baptist Church Planting West

Baptist Church Planting West Established in 1983, Baptist Church Planting West became a ministry of Moab Baptist Church of Moab, Utah in 2019.

We seek to emphasize the need for doctrinally sound, stable, soul-winning Baptist churches in the Mountain West region of the United States. Baptist Church Planting WEST (BCPW) was started in 1983 by Pastor and Mrs. Harvey Seidel in Idaho Falls, Idaho, as a ministry of Gethsemane Baptist Church. In May 1984, BCPW was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Idaho. Soon after, in September 1984, BCPW came under the ministry umbrella of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship, and Pastor Seidel remained as the Director. BCPW’s ministry and that of the Seidel’s is still being felt today, even though this organization became officially inactive in 1999. The last BCPW missionary was Pastor Cole Howe (1998-1999) when he came as the pastor of Moab Baptist Church. BCPW and the Seidel’s served as mentors and financial and ministry accountability sources for the Howe family. July 2019, Pastor Howe sent a letter to Pastor Seidel requesting that he become the custodian of Baptist Church Planting WEST files, even using the name and reputation for further church planting endeavors in the West. In addition to the BCPW name and files, Pastor Howe was also given the complete library (many hundreds of volumes) and sermon outlines, notebooks, and manuscripts (for over 50 years of ministry) of Pastor Seidel! Moab Baptist Church became the official home of Baptist Church Planting WEST on October 23, 2019, with Pastor Howe as its Director. The purpose of Baptist Church Planting WEST remains the same as it was in 1983, mirroring that of Moab Baptist Church: to operate exclusively for religious, charitable, missionary purposes, and particularly to conduct church planting with emphasis upon teaching the Holy Bible and thus secure individuals’ trust in Jesus Christ through a religious program of evangelism, Christian education, worship, social activity, and missionary outreach; and to engage in any and all lawful activities. The intention of BCPW and Moab Baptist is to be a valuable resource of information, fellowship, financial support, ministry accountability, and mentorship for new church works and existing churches, especially in the Mountain West region of the United States.

10/12/2026

It would be natural to assume that when four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed, those who were watching would have been happy. Yet instead, the religious leaders gathered in the synagogue responded negatively. In their minds, the violation of the restriction of working on the sabbath negated the good intentions of those who brought their friend to Jesus. Then, when Jesus pronounced that his sins would be forgiven, they were outraged. They correctly understood that only God can forgive sins, but they refused to acknowledge that Jesus was the Divine Messiah for whom Israel had been waiting. To answer their objections even before they spoke them out loud, Jesus not only forgave the man but completely healed him in an instant.

He correctly pointed out that it was easy to declare someone’s sins had been forgiven because there would be no outward way to confirm whether that had happened or not. But there was no way to mistake a crippled man picking up his bed and walking away as anything other than a miracle. God does not have to resort to tricks or concealment. Every day we see new evidences of His power on display all around us. Even nature testifies to God’s glory. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). Rather than doubting God’s power we should confidently trust that every one of His promises will be kept and fulfilled.

God's unlimited power and authority are the foundation for our faith in all of His promises.

*Mark 2:8-11; today’s Daily in the Word devotional (copied)

10/12/2026

During the 2026 World Cup, international fans began sharing on social media about their time in the United States. Soon social media feeds were flooded with people from all over the world telling others what they loved about the U.S. and what they found different from their own countries. For several weeks in the summer, the way to go “viral” and become famous was through sharing this type of content. And many fans shared as a way to become “famous” and gain followers.

Since the rise of the entertainment business, people have craved fame in a new way. It affects each one of us in some little way. But the Lord’s way is humility. He was pleased when the Israelites humbled themselves and sought Him when invaded by Egypt. He is pleased when we humble ourselves too.

Humility is a decision to listen, not dominate. To give credit rather than take it. To find a way to serve others. If you practice humility intentionally and humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift you up, and your relationships will be better for it. Faith is better than fame, just as humility is better than pride.

“Humbly but confidently give yourself up to God to do all His will.” -Andrew Murray

*2 Chronicles 12:6; today’s Turning Point devotional (copied)

10/09/2026

Anyone who has ever planted a garden understands the steps that have to take place in order for there to actually be a harvest of good things to eat. Each of those steps is vital. If any of them are skipped the harvest will be hindered or nonexistent. Each seed contains the possibility of something delicious, but that remains only a possibility until it is planted. The ground can provide the nutrients a growing plant needs, but the weeds must be removed so they don’t choke out the plants. The rain is vital, but too much rain can be as destructive as too little rain. While some of these things are more under our control than others, all of them are dependent on God. Ultimately He is the One who produces the harvest.

The same is true in the spiritual realm. There are things that are vital for us to do. We must be students of the Word of God. We must sow the good seed of the gospel into the lives of others. We must remove the “weeds” from our lives that keep us from being productive for God. But ultimately the results of the harvest are His responsibility. That means that we have nothing of which to boast—He gives whatever increase there is from our work. That also means that we have nothing to fear. As long as we have been faithful to the task, planting or watering or weeding or whatever is required of us, God views our work as successful regardless of the earthly results.

God is far more interested in our faithfulness than in the outward results of the work we do for Him.

*1 Corinthians 3:5-9; today’s Daily in the Word devotional (copied)

10/09/2026

You probably don’t think of yourself as proud. Oh, you might say you’re a proud parent or grandparent or that you are proud of some achievement. We’re often proud of our communities or teams. But that ugly pride we dislike in others? We seldom recognize it in ourselves.

That’s why Peter told us to be sober and vigilant and to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. In spiritual warfare we often think of external threats like temptation. But pride is an internal enemy. It has a way of turning our eyes sideways to compare ourselves with others, rather than upward. But our calling isn’t to compare ourselves with others. It’s to be faithful to the Lord. Draw near to Him today, and He will fill you with the grace you need to walk humbly with Him.

“Whoever is truly humbled will not be easily angry, will not be positive and rash... And under all trials and afflictions, he will look to the hand of the Lord.” -John Newton

*1 Peter 5:6-8; today’s Turning Point devotional (copied)

10/08/2026

About 1,900 years ago, the Roman emperor Hadrian ordered the Pantheon in Rome to be rebuilt. The massive concrete structure is one of the most ancient fully intact buildings in the city. Visitors from around the world come to the Pantheon to see the stunning artwork and the open dome above. The Roman Pantheon remains because of the skill used by those who initially constructed it. Its foundation is extremely stable, and the ancient Roman formula for concrete that allows it to seal cracks over time helps explain why it has lasted for so long.

Our faith in God is not built on a shaky foundation. Paul specifically warned against allowing our faith to “stand in the wisdom of men.” There is value in seeking godly counsel, and Scripture repeatedly encourages us to do so. But no human counselor has perfect wisdom, and there will be times when no one can tell us with certainty what lies ahead or exactly what we should do. Ultimately, our confidence must rest in God. We have His certain promises given in His Word and guaranteed by the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Because our faith rests in God rather than ourselves or the wisdom of others, we can move forward in obedience even when we cannot see every outcome. Our faith can be strong, not because we are strong, but because He is strong. We are not ultimately depending on our resources, intellect, skill, or understanding, but on the unchanging and unfailing faithfulness of God. He is the foundation from the beginning, and He will faithfully guide us as we trust and obey Him. Our faith stands firm in the power of Almighty God.

Seek godly wisdom, but let your faith rest ultimately in the wisdom and power of God.

*1 Corinthians 2:2-5; today’s Daily in the Word devotional (copied)

10/08/2026

The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus was “in all points, tempted as we are, yet without sin.” “In all points” means Jesus was tempted with every temptation we are. He was tempted in the wilderness of Judea by the devil, but He resisted each of the three temptations by quoting Scripture, “It is written…. It is written again…. For it is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). And He suffered when He was tempted, just as we suffer (Hebrews 2:18). Because He is able to identify with our sufferings, He is able to help all who are tempted. And His temptations had the same purpose as do ours: “…yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

God wants us to learn obedience and to gain maturity. And although we know from James 1:13 that He doesn’t tempt us to sin, He does use temptations to help us learn and grow. Not so we will sin but so we will depend on Him and His provision for resisting temptation.

“Temptation always promises more than it produces.” -John Blanchard

*Hebrews 4:15; today’s Turning Point devotional (copied)

10/07/2026

Paul had a deep affection for the church at Philippi. As he wrote to them from prison, one of his concerns was that they remain united in their work for Christ. He urged them to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Their effectiveness depended not simply on individual faithfulness, but on believers working together around a shared purpose.

Henry Ford revolutionized automobile manufacturing with his use of the moving assembly line. Instead of one worker or small team building an entire car, the work was divided so that many people each performed a specific task as the automobile moved down the line. No single worker built the car, but each one contributed to the finished product. The system dramatically reduced the time and cost required to manufacture cars. Ford later said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

God never intended His work to be carried out by one person alone. He brings believers together with different gifts, abilities, and responsibilities, and calls us to strive together for a common purpose. That requires humility. We cannot be preoccupied with who gets the credit, whose idea is used, or whether our contribution is noticed. When “the faith of the gospel” remains our focus, we can gladly do our part and work alongside others so that the work of God moves forward.

When each of us does his or her part, the effectiveness of our work for God is multiplied far beyond what we could do alone.

*Philippians 1:27-28; today’s Daily in the Word devotional (copied)

10/07/2026

We read the story of the Hebrew slaves coming out of Egypt as history. But the apostle Paul told the Corinthians that within the story there is found an example—an example for us about the dangers of yielding to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).

The Israelites had the opportunity to avoid sin in the wilderness, but they failed to take advantage of it. Paul warned the Corinthians to be careful: If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall (verse 12). We, like the Israelites in the wilderness, will be tempted to sin. Also like the Israelites, God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure but will provide a way of escape. It is up to us to take the way of escape that He provides.

Do not be surprised when you face temptation; every person is tempted. Look immediately for the way of escape God has provided.

“Wherever temptation is, there is God also.” -Hannah Whitall Smith

*1 Corinthians 10:13; today’s Turning Point devotional (copied)

10/06/2026

Despite being ordained as a minister in the Church of England, William Dodd lived a wildly profligate life. He gambled heavily and invested his money in dubious get-rich-quick schemes. When an effort to secure a lucrative pastoral position through bribery was uncovered, Dodd was dismissed. He then forged a bond in an attempt to clear his large debts but was found out, convicted, and sentenced to be hanged. Despite the efforts of friends, including noted author Samuel Johnson, Dodd was executed for his crimes. Discussing the case later with his biographer James Boswell, Johnson famously said, “Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”

Urgency has a way of focusing our attention. Yet if we are honest, much of our praying is done casually. James describes something different: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” He then points to Elijah, not as someone possessing unusual powers, but as “a man subject to like passions as we are.” Elijah was an ordinary man who prayed earnestly to an extraordinary God.

Fervent prayer is not an attempt to pressure God into giving us what we want. It is the earnest prayer of a heart that believes God, depends on God, and recognizes that only God can meet the need. When we pray, we should do so with faith, seriousness, and persistence, confident that God hears and answers according to His will.

Prayer is too important to become thoughtless or routine. We are coming before the throne of the Almighty God. Let us pray with clean hearts, believing faith, and earnest dependence on Him.

Fervent prayer grows out of focused faith in God and dependence on Him.

*James 5:16-18; today’s Daily in the Word devotional (copied)

10/06/2026

If you have ever been disappointed in a friend or family member, you have probably found it a challenge to pray for them. But it is hard to stay angry with another person when we are praying for them. The same could be said about our relationship with God. If we find ourselves disappointed in our circumstances, the surest remedy is to praise God.

Psalms 42–43 were likely originally one psalm later divided into two for purposes of liturgical worship in the temple. They recount a period of disappointment by the psalmist who thought God had forgotten him and was not going to rescue him from his oppressors. But both psalms end the same way: “…hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him…” (Psalm 42:11; 43:5). The psalmist didn’t let his disappointment keep him from praising God and hoping in Him.

Being disappointed with our circumstances ultimately means being disappointed with God. The most direct way to counter those feelings is to praise Him for His goodness and His love.

“Praise is the best of all sacrifices and the true evidence of godliness.” -John Calvin

*Psalm 43:5; today’s Turning Point devotional (copied)

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356 Kane Creek Boulevard
Moab, UT
84532

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