Dear Praying Friends,
Well, the weather seems to finally be turning fully to summer here. I'm sure many of you are reading that and peeking out your window at the snow that needs to be shoveled. Sorry about that. Anyway, at this time of year God provides a little extra for the Christmas time through our supporters. These gifts are greatly needed and extremely appreciated. I am thankful today for how the Lord has worked in the hearts of His people to show their generosity towards us. It is humbling and at the same time it produces the fear of God in my heart. Those who give are giving to God's ministry here in Australia. Our purpose for being in this country is to share the Gospel with the lost and be used to build His church. It is a wonderful thing to be in the service of the Great King, but a fearful one as well.
Please know that your support, gifts, and prayers are much appreciated. Merry Christmas!
In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Dear Praying Friends,
It has been a little time since we have posted, so much has happened in the last couple of weeks. First we started the month of November with a church camp near the Great Ocean Road. It was a joint camp with Cornerstone Baptist Church with around fifty people in attendance. The weekend was filled with board games, ping pong, basketball, volleyball, food, food, and more food. It was refreshing to hear from God's word presented by several speakers and to spend time in fellowship with other believers.
Next, we celebrated the girls birthdays in November. They had a combined party with many of their friends attending. It was great fun for the girls.
Later in November we had the men's breakfast at our home early on a Saturday morning. There were eleven men in attendance, which we praise the Lord greatly for. Right now we are trying to see what activities will work here in Australia, and this one seems to keep growing. The best way to reach men's hearts is through their stomachs, right? Well, it was great to have so many to chat and pray with.
The last weekend in November was reserved for the young adult activity. Paintball!! Ten men collected at a paintball range about an hour away in the hills outside of Melbourne. In good Christian love toward one another, we chased each other and plastered each other with paintballs. Some walked away with bumps, some with welts but we all walked away with fun stories to tell. It was a great event to build up relationships with each other as Christians. These young men need fellowship and the Lord provided it at this activity.
Yesterday was the church Christmas dinner program. It was another joint activity with Cornerstone Baptist Church our sister church plant. The children put on the play "The Smallest Angel" where our very own Meredith was the smallest angel. All of the children did a fabulous job with their lines, and solos. Then I had the opportunity to share the reason we celebrate Christmas. There is a manger so there could be a cross. Many visitors and family members were in attendance. Around one hundred people with several unsaved hearing the gospel for the first time. Pray that the message would continue to challenge their hearts over the Christmas time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. It is hard to express how thankful we are that people are praying for us, but thank you. May God bless you all with a wonderful Christmas celebration.
Merry Christmas,
Mark and Family
It has been a little time since we have posted, so much has happened in the last couple of weeks. First we started the month of November with a church camp near the Great Ocean Road. It was a joint camp with Cornerstone Baptist Church with around fifty people in attendance. The weekend was filled with board games, ping pong, basketball, volleyball, food, food, and more food. It was refreshing to hear from God's word presented by several speakers and to spend time in fellowship with other believers.
Next, we celebrated the girls birthdays in November. They had a combined party with many of their friends attending. It was great fun for the girls.
Later in November we had the men's breakfast at our home early on a Saturday morning. There were eleven men in attendance, which we praise the Lord greatly for. Right now we are trying to see what activities will work here in Australia, and this one seems to keep growing. The best way to reach men's hearts is through their stomachs, right? Well, it was great to have so many to chat and pray with.
The last weekend in November was reserved for the young adult activity. Paintball!! Ten men collected at a paintball range about an hour away in the hills outside of Melbourne. In good Christian love toward one another, we chased each other and plastered each other with paintballs. Some walked away with bumps, some with welts but we all walked away with fun stories to tell. It was a great event to build up relationships with each other as Christians. These young men need fellowship and the Lord provided it at this activity.
Yesterday was the church Christmas dinner program. It was another joint activity with Cornerstone Baptist Church our sister church plant. The children put on the play "The Smallest Angel" where our very own Meredith was the smallest angel. All of the children did a fabulous job with their lines, and solos. Then I had the opportunity to share the reason we celebrate Christmas. There is a manger so there could be a cross. Many visitors and family members were in attendance. Around one hundred people with several unsaved hearing the gospel for the first time. Pray that the message would continue to challenge their hearts over the Christmas time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. It is hard to express how thankful we are that people are praying for us, but thank you. May God bless you all with a wonderful Christmas celebration.
Merry Christmas,
Mark and Family
Monday, October 28, 2013
Praying Friends,
Today I read in my devotions how God is our strength and shield, and how He helps those that put their trust in Him (Psalm 28:7). It is comforting to know that during those times of difficulty and weakness God provides strength. He provides the strength necessary to serve Him in face of spiritual opposition and persecution. I praise the Lord to know that He is protecting us even now, and that we can rest in Him safely as a soldier finds security behind a shield. The help from the Lord is not just in the times of storm but in the sunny days as well. His help is applied to all areas of our lives as believers, and the psalmist encourages us to continue to trust in Him.
The Lord has been our help in many ways recently in the ministry. Last week we celebrated the anniversary of Grace Baptist Church. God has shown His power and protection in the growth and preservation of this group of believers. It was a wonderful time together and we pray that the Lord would continue to bless this church until His return.
This weekend we had another visitor from the United States, Pastor Paul Rebert. Pastor Rebert is the pastor of our sending church, First Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois. He graciously added to his already busy schedule by visiting us before he ventured on to several preaching opportunities in the Philippines. He visited only for three days, but we kept him busy. God used him in speaking to the men at our men's breakfast and also in preaching on Sunday morning. He also had the opportunity to see the culture and diversity while walking the streets in downtown Melbourne. May God use him greatly while in the Philippines.
This weekend we have church camp in Anglesea. It will be a time of hearing God's Word and spending time in fellowship with other believers. Please be in prayer that God would encourage hearts during camp.
Thank you so much for reading our updates and we are encouraged by the prayer support that we are receiving. May God bless you all!
In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family
Today I read in my devotions how God is our strength and shield, and how He helps those that put their trust in Him (Psalm 28:7). It is comforting to know that during those times of difficulty and weakness God provides strength. He provides the strength necessary to serve Him in face of spiritual opposition and persecution. I praise the Lord to know that He is protecting us even now, and that we can rest in Him safely as a soldier finds security behind a shield. The help from the Lord is not just in the times of storm but in the sunny days as well. His help is applied to all areas of our lives as believers, and the psalmist encourages us to continue to trust in Him.
The Lord has been our help in many ways recently in the ministry. Last week we celebrated the anniversary of Grace Baptist Church. God has shown His power and protection in the growth and preservation of this group of believers. It was a wonderful time together and we pray that the Lord would continue to bless this church until His return.
This weekend we had another visitor from the United States, Pastor Paul Rebert. Pastor Rebert is the pastor of our sending church, First Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois. He graciously added to his already busy schedule by visiting us before he ventured on to several preaching opportunities in the Philippines. He visited only for three days, but we kept him busy. God used him in speaking to the men at our men's breakfast and also in preaching on Sunday morning. He also had the opportunity to see the culture and diversity while walking the streets in downtown Melbourne. May God use him greatly while in the Philippines.
This weekend we have church camp in Anglesea. It will be a time of hearing God's Word and spending time in fellowship with other believers. Please be in prayer that God would encourage hearts during camp.
Thank you so much for reading our updates and we are encouraged by the prayer support that we are receiving. May God bless you all!
In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family
Anniversary Service
Pastor Rebert at the Queen Victory Market
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