December 2002 Newsletter

Dear Prayer-Partners,
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Is. 9:6).  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace”  (Is. 52:7).  “Behold. I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10,11).  I hope you are enjoying God’s great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.  If you have a close friend or loved one that might not know the real joy of knowing Jesus, why not take a little time to share with them the greatest gift of all.   

HAITI MINISTRY 

The Lord willing, my son, Luke and I will be leading a group on a mission trip to Haiti on January 2.  We covet your prayers that the group might be a great help and encouragement to our friends there.  I would also ask you to pray that the Lord will use this experience to challenge, change and strengthen the lives of the team members.  Like last trip, if any of you are interested in helping me with my expenses it would be a great blessing to me. 

LOCAL MINISTRY 

We had our first “youth service” in October.  The teens were in charge of the Sunday morning service and I was so proud of all of them!  They sang, gave wonderful testimonies, and two of our young men preached short and very good messages from the Word of God.  This past Sunday I preached at a church in Harrison, AR and I took some of the youth group with me.  What a blessing to me to have some of my own kids with me as I shared about the Haiti ministry and then preached the morning message.  Of course, we had to go out for pizza before we headed home.  In the van on the way home one of the young men wanted to share his devotional thought with us because he did not get an opportunity to share it in church.  Good example...when you are in the Word you want to share it with others. 

SCHOOL MINISTRY 

I continue to substitute teach in our schools and the Lord continues to give me wonderful opportunities to represent Him.  Last week in reading class we had a story to read and then were to follow the rules on what in the story was fact and what was opinion.  We went over the rules carefully and when we were done I asked the following question, “Say, students, using the rules in your assignment to discern truth (facts) from opinion, is evolution fact or opinion?”  They said it was opinion.  I asked why.  One said, “Nobody was there to see it.”  Another said, “You can’t observe it.”  Another said, “You can’t measure it or test it.”  Another said, “If it was happening then we should be able to see it happening now.”  I get so bored teaching these kids, can you tell?  (ha, ha)

PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER 

You are my prayer-partners and I do ask you to pray.  We have been praying for the Lord’s direction.  I share these things with you so you can pray.  At this time the support has leveled off at 40 shares out of 80.  That is $1,000/mo or $12,000/yr.  We could pray for more opportunities to present the Haiti ministry

in churches and mission conferences.  We could pray for more churches and individuals to take on support.  We need to realize that the Lord has a plan and He will work that plan out in our lives.  Sometimes closed doors or difficulties are His way of moving us in the right direction to accomplish His will.  Lord, give us wisdom! 

On my last trip to Haiti one man who lives way up in the mountains said to me, “Pastor Dave, it is almost two years since you have been to our mountain to teach the preachers.  We are still waiting for you to return.”  I told him to pray.  If the Lord makes the way I certainly am willing. 

Another missionary is leaving the field and his truck is for sale for $11,000.  It is just what I would want for the ministry there.  We can pray...the Lord knows...the Lord is able...we will wait on Him! 

THE BOYS 

This last Saturday Mark moved home to be with me for awhile.  He plans to get a job locally and get some finances squared away before going back to Bible college.  While he is working and waiting on the Lord for further direction, he is a great blessing to me.  Matthew is moving to Lake Zurich to begin Bible college there in January.  As of now the address for Matthew, Luke & John is 23936 Quentin Rd., Lake Zurich, IL  60047. Their phone number if 847-438-4494, ext. 1183. 

God bless you all this holiday season and thank you so much for laboring together with me in these ministries. 

In Christ our Savior,

Dave Stockeland

For tax-deductible gifts please make check to:
Beth’El Baptist Church, Box 437, Green Forest, AR  72638