Brother Bill Crow with the support of his wife, Sherry, served diligently at Immanuel as interim pastor for the past ten months. As a way to say thank you, we wanted a cake made for them to share at the fellowship dinner Sunday night. The best we could come up with as an expression of our gratitude was a picture of the church, as we are all extremely grateful to the both of them and the Lord for allowing us to have them for this time. Our Associate Pastor, Willie Rice (pictured with Bro. Bill and Sherry), shared Isaiah 41:10 which reads, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” While we are sad to see Brother Bill and Sherry go, we are excited to welcome Brother Rick Boyne and his family to Immanuel. We will hold them all up in prayer as they take the next steps in their walks with Jesus.
Thank you Brother Bill & Sherry!!!
In Christ, Bro. Brian
I am pleased to have completed my first day as pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. To be honest, I spent most of the day just setting up my office. Not really a thrilling life of a pastor.
As I was walking back from the parsonage, I saw a couple of folks sitting out on their front porch, across the street. I made a short little detour to meet them and introduce myself. I also invited them to church.
I am trying to make it a habit to invite new folks I meet to come visit our church. It is a simple thing to do.
Tonight, I took the pulpit as pastor for the first time at Immanuel and for the first time as pastor. It was an exciting time as I shared with the faithful core group about our pilgrimage and about our calling. We ended the evening by gathering around in a circle, holding hands in prayer.
I’m looking forward to what tomorrow holds.
Bro. Rick
This Sunday night, we will say goodbye and thank you to Bro. Bill Crow and his wife, Sherry for months of service to Immanuel as interim pastor. We will have a reception for the Crows after our regular Fifth Sunday sing-a-long.
Be sure to express your appreciation to Bro. Bill and Sherry this Sunday.
The remodeling work continues on the parsonage, thanks to the hard work of Bob & Betty Rice and Willie & Wanda Rice. All that remains is the new roof, carpet in the master bedroom, linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms, and finishing the outdoor painting.
The Boynes are looking forward to beginning to move in next week.
Take a look at the Photo Album in the tabs above to see some pictures added today.
Bro. Rick and his family returned from Kiamchi Baptist Assembly near Talihina, OK for the Muskogee Baptist Association week of children’s camp. Bro. Rick and Sally were camp missionaries for the week.
God worked in great and awesome ways and brought many children to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Next year, we hope to take a group of children from Immanuel to KBA.
The following news article was found on HotSpots Security Update.
China (Country threat level – 3): Media reports issued on 10 July 2007 indicate that the Chinese government has recently expelled approximately 100 foreigners from the country. The expulsion campaign, allegedly called “Typhoon No. 5,” was conducted in an effort to prevent the foreigners, who are suspected of being religious missionaries, from proselytizing during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The foreigners — from the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Israel and South Korea — mainly worked in Beijing, Tibet, Shandong and Xinjiang. The Chinese government has not responded to the allegations; however, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing confirmed that there have recently been some deportations. Although the allegations cannot be independently corroborated, it is important to note that the Chinese government has banned religious affiliations outside of the Communist Party-controlled church. Foreign travelers to China should never openly discuss religion.
Pray for those who desire to use the Olympics to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost people of China.
Tuesday, Bob, Betty, Willie, the Willises and the Boynes met at the parsonage and painted all day. The inside painting is nearly complete. All that is left is a second coat in one bathroom and the cabinets in both bathrooms. It was a great time as we all worked together to get the job done.
For the past several weeks, Bob & Betty Rice and Assoc Pastor Willie Rice have been working hard to remodel the parsonage. Today, two volunteers from Muskogee New Hope Baptist Church came to help Bob, Betty, Bro. Willie, and Bro. Rick paint the inside of the parsonage.
The Boynes appreciate all who are working so hard to make the parsonage a special place to live.
Sunday, June 24, Immanuel Baptist Church voted to call Rev. Rick Boyne as pastor and Brian Willis as Minister of Music.
Rick and his family have served with the IMB for the past 9 years in Africa and Asia. They will move into the parsonage after the remodeling is complete. Rick is married to Sally and they have two daughters, Audrey and Emily.
Brian is a teacher with the Community Action Project of Tulsa and currently resides in Porter. He is married to Kelly and they have three children, Bo, Autumn, and Preston.
Brian will begin his duties this week and Rick will assume his pastoral duties August 1.
We all look forward to seeing how God will be glorified in the future at Immanuel!
Immanuel Southern Baptist Church 