Dear Soldiers of the Cross,
1 Chronicles 4:10 “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” And God granted him that which he requested.”
It’s a joy to be able to come to you today, back in the great USA. The month of September has been a very interesting time. For many years Ms Sheril and I have had the wonderful privilege to visit reservations in the province of Ontario, Canada and preach to our Native people in this region. Preaching to people of other cultures has its challenges, but when you’re in a foreign country, that can add to your challenges. You would not think that Canada would be that much different than USA, but it is.
About two years ago I met Brother Chris Lowe, pastor of Gateway Baptist Church, by phone and we have stayed in contact with each other. In June Brother Lowe invited me to come to his church in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada and preach a revival meeting for him. His church is made up of Native people of the Cree Nation. God gave us a wonderful opportunity not only to preach at the church, but also at the hospital and on the local radio station. Our heart was broken for this community as we observed so many of our Native people fill the streets, going this way and that way, “having no hope and without God” in their hearts. Brother Lowe has a huge burden for this region and he is asking God to help him reach as many of the Native people as he can for the glory of God. Let me stop and ask, “ARE YOU ASKING GOD TO ENLARGE YOUR COAST?” God help us if we are not seeking His help to get the Gospel of Jesus Christ out to a lost and dying world. Please pray for Brother Lowe and his ministry.
God also gave us another opportunity to preach a revival meeting while in Canada, this time with the Inuit, Dene and Gwich’in people of the Arctic region of Canada. We had a great meeting with Brother Reilly Featherstone, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Inuvik, Canada. Inuvik is located at approximately the 68th parallel north, sitting north of the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Inuvik is located two hours south of the Arctic Ocean. We had a wonderful opportunity to preach in the village of Tuktoyaktuk, located right on the Arctic Ocean. Tuktoyaktuk is a 91-mile drive from Inuvik on a gravel road. We enjoyed the landscape as we drove over to take the Gospel to these dear folks. We also had opportunity to preach in the village of Aklavik. This village is located two hours by boat ride from Inuvik. This village is located on the Mackenzie River that flows north into the Arctic Ocean. This region is filled with villages without the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Oh, my God, open the hearts of your people and help them to see!”
As We Labor for Christ,
Gerry and Sheril Locklear
Missionaries to the Native Americans