Greater Portland Baptist Church

Kevin and Stacy Byers: August 2006

Prayer Partners and Supporting Churches,

This month, the children of Greater Portland Baptist Church gave us 114,384 pennies, for a total of $1,143.84! They had their Vacation Bible School penny parade this year and we were the honorary missionaries. We thank the boys and girls of Greater Portland for their generous love offering. (The boys did win by the way)

Pastor Tom Hall and all the workers did a great job making the Vacation Bible School an exciting success! The Lord gave the increase and thirteen children accepted the Lord as Savior. All the kids had a great time with this year's theme, "Set Sail." So many good things happened this month; it will be difficult to fit everything in. A few more churches pledged support for our ministry this month and we will update you on our increased support level as soon as they start. At the moment we have 35% of our needed support coming in each month.

During the month of August, we were able to schedule several new meetings in Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, and Texas. We even scheduled a mission conference in Washington for September. We sent over 600 flyers to Baptist churches in Texas asking for meetings. God is good and we appreciate your prayers for our travels. The "check engine" light is on in the van so pray nothing is seriously wrong.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Prosser Washington where I was saved and baptized as a boy. Pastor Ryan Oswald allowed me the honor of preaching at Friendship Baptist Church, and to God be the glory; a young lady accepted Christ after the morning service.

This month I attended the church planting seminar at BIMI in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I had to fly without my family which is always lonely, but I had plenty of time in classes to keep busy. It was an encouragement to hear the testimony of many church planters who have seen God bless through the years. On the return trip, I witnessed to a Jewish man seated in the airport. I was not able to convince him with the scriptures, but I trust the Word of God will not return void.

Our family is very burdened for Stacy's sister, Tiffany. She began August with faithful church attendance and Bible reading. I led Tiffany to the Lord when she was a young girl, but she was never taken to church or given any spiritual discipleship. Just yesterday, Tiffany tried to take her own life by overdosing on her insulin. Please bring this struggle before the Lord and ask that His will be done. We are willing to have Tiffany move in with us and provide a godly home environment, so please pray the Lord will give wisdom and victory in this important situation.

Last month I asked you, who receive the prayer letter by E-Mail, to pray for Pastor Herb Curriden. He was diagnosed with Bell's palsy and was unable to close his eye. Thank you all for praying. I am happy to report that Pastor Curriden is preaching again and did not have any permanent damage to the eye.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and monthly support.

Kevin, Stacy, Josiah, Gabriel, Bella, and Caleb