Greater Portland Baptist Church

Keith and Donna South: November 2007

Greetings from Nephi, UT!

It is our prayer that all is well with you where the Lord has you serving. We want to praise the Lord for all who support this ministry both financially and prayerfully. It is a constant encouragement to us to know folks are praying for us and the ministry here in Nephi.

We have experienced a slight drop in our attendance. There are a variety of reasons but one is that we are getting too crowded and folks don't like to sit that close together. Pray that the Lord will raise up the funds for us to begin our building. We are asking the Lord to allow us to build big in order to grow into the new facility. We are also down a little in our youth ministries but that has turned out to be a real blessing this year. Our groups are smaller but more faithful and willing to listen and learn. The Lord knows and has cut us back a bit to more effectually minister to those that are coming. We are presently engaged with several families and individuals concerning the gospel and their need to accept it by faith alone. Pray for the Wood and Taylor families along with Todd, Jason, Heber, and Talisha for salvation. I have a home Bible study going with the Wood family. Pray that the Lord will remove the many obstacles that have been getting in our way to be consistent with the study.

Please pray for our upcoming Mission's Conference. We will have three other churches participating with us this year. Delta, Salina, Marysvale will all be a part of what is shaping up to be a great conference. We would humbly ask that you continue to pray for our other ministries as well. We have seen some fruit from our Care Center ministry and have Sharon joining us now for both our Sunday and Wednesday services. She is a real joy to have in church. Please continue to pray for our newspaper articles. I talked to a fellah the other day who told me he has cut out and kept every article I've ever written for the paper! I was impressed, our church folks don't even do that. We've also had an elderly man come off and on now due to the articles he has read. PTL!

The family is doing well. We thank the Lord for all of you who write, send cards, or call. Donna is doing a little better getting a little more energy back. The boys are taking good care of her and only occasionally getting her fired up. This is to make sure that "she still has the fire" according to Brad and Doug. Glenn is driving a truck for a company based in Phoenix, AZ but his home terminal is here in Salt Lake. He has been wanting to do this since he was about eight. He is in the middle of a divorce but seems more open to spiritual things again. Please continue to pray for him. Jeff is doing great at Northland. He is going to wrestle this year, which by the way, begins next month. I must apologize to everyone. I put down the wrong amount for his remaining school bill last month. It is not $6,800 something. That is his responsibility for a whole year not what is remaining. The Lord has been so good! Jeff has only $500 left for this semester! He would then need $3215 for next semester. The awesome thing about all of this is the Lord is providing all of it! Jeff knows that if the Lord wants him back at NBBC next semester He will provide for him to go. Brad and Doug are doing very well. They are balancing school, football, and work for at least a little while longer. We are in the State Playoffs and have a game today against the #1 seed from the other region. They continue to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. I'm afraid the days are gone when dad takes them all on at once but don't tell them. Intimidation is a wonderful thing coupled with the fact that I'm dad. The Lord is so good!

As always, know that you are held up regularly before the Lord.

Until the Shout!
Keith, Donna, & The Boys