Dear Soldiers of the Cross,
Mark 1:38 “And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” We see here that Jesus is teaching us some ministry principles about spreading the Gospel. First, we see that he was speaking unto them. You might say, “Who are them?” My friend, you are them, so I’ll ask you, “Are you taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the next towns?” Second, we see he is going with us to the next towns. Third, we see the purpose is to preach the Gospel. You might say, “I’m not a preacher.” Oh, but if you are saved, you are a witness of the Gospel. You can hand out tracts and share your testimony. One of our old mountain preachers, that’s in heaven now, would always say, “You are a missionary or you are in need of a missionary.” Which are you? Fourth, this was the reason Jesus came, and this should be our main concern as well.
The month of October was a very busy month, racking up over 6,000 miles going to the next towns. We visited six reservations in South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana. Five of these reservations were first time visits. Our first stop was on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. We were blessed to find that we have a solid Gospel work there. We were able to meet with Bro Sam Owens at Eagles Wing Baptist Church. Please pray for Bro Owens and his ministry. Our second stop was on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. We had a great visit with Bro Andrew Deason and his family at Victory Baptist Church. Please pray for Bro Deason and his ministry. Our third stop was on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota. We were blessed to find Bro Jimmy Harris at Grace Baptist Church. Bro Jimmy has a great work there among the people and a church building project underway. Please pray for Bro Jimmy and this ministry. Our fourth stop was on the Berthold Reservation, also in North Dakota. Here we were not able to find any solid Gospel works. Please pray for this reservation that God would send a preacher to help them. Our fifth stop was on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. There were two Southern Baptist Churches on this reservation, but I was not able to meet them. My sixth and final stop was on the Crow Reservation in Montana. I have been going to this reservation for more than 25 years. The missionary that was there has left, but God has sent a new mission family there to work with this tribe. Praise the Lord! Please pray for the Shaw family as they minister to these dear folks. Please pray for all these ministries that God will meet their needs.
If you would like to help us with the John Eliot Bible Project, you can send your support to Native American Mission Fund Ministries, 3232 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. Please mark the MEMO, John Eliot Bible Fund. Please pray for this Bible project and call me if you have any questions.
As We Labor for Christ,
Gerry & Sheril Locklear
Missionaries to the Native Americans