I am hurrying to get this report out, in case I end up without electricity for a while. This huge winter storm that is moving across the country may hit us with a good bit of ice here in central Kentucky. I pray for all for whom severe winter weather brings serious hardship, especially those whose lives will be threatened.
I am thankful that I was able to make it to Texas and back for my time with the Southside congregation in Pasadena the weekend of January 7-9. We had a wonderful weekend together, and I came away greatly encouraged by the efforts they will be making to emphasize evangelism throughout this year. Their theme for the year is “The Gospel Is for All,” and they had asked me to present my series of lessons on “Obeying the Gospel.” I applaud their enthusiasm and the many evidences of individual initiative being shown. This congregation is led by a great group of ten elders, each of whom I count as a dear friend. They have supported my work financially for many years, and I want to thank them publicly for their generosity. Bubba Garner, their evangelist, is unsurpassed in his wisdom and skill as a teacher. I am glad that he and I are friends, and appreciate the way he is focusing the thoughts of the Southside congregation at this crucial time in their history.
I enjoyed being asked a couple of weeks ago to tape a segment with Dan Barker and Matt Maudlin for their pocast, “Leading Others to Christ.” What a great job these two brothers are doing in not only building interest in evangelism but sharing nuts-and-bolts ideas on how to reach the lost. It was a pleasure to be a part of their efforts.
My fill-in preaching work is continuing this year with the congregation in Clarksville, Indiana. I was with them last Sunday and will be with them again this coming Sunday, Lord willing. The plan is for me to preach for them every first Sunday of the month, and then also on the fifth Sunday in any month that has a fifth Sunday.
I have plans to travel to Birmingham, Alabama the weekend of Feb 11-13. Reg & Martha Ginn, who worship with the Pine Lane congregation in Bessemer, are among the very dearest friends that I have ever had. I am going down primarily to visit them, but the elders at Pine Lane have invited me to preach while I am there, and I have agreed to do so. Pine Lane helps with my support, and it will be an honor to preach for them. For those of you who do not know, Reg Ginn was the preacher in Meridian, Mississippi when I was a child. He is the first preacher that I remember hearing. He and Martha are now in their 90’s, and within the last two years, they have lost two of their three children. It is a tough time in life for them, so I hope that I may encourage them a little bit. I know they will encourage me.
In my writing, I am working on more pages in Walking in Christ (22 down and 344 to go), and I’m continuing to think, pray, and ponder the Encountering Christ videos that I hope to start doing later this year. I have roughed out the content for the first three videos (the first will be a “trailer” or introductory video). It’s been a long time since I was as excited at the outset of a new project, but given the importance of this work, I am taking it very slowly and deliberately. I want to get it right, if I possibly can.
You may get tired of hearing me say it, but I thank you for your interest and your support. You will never know how deeply touched I am by the simple fact that you want to help. Until next month, may our Lord richly bless you!
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
WRITING GOALS
Pray with me that I will be given the ability to finish these works
- Walking in Christ — Book 6 in the WordPoints Daybook Series. Target: November 2025.
- Going Home — Book 7 in the WordPoints Daybook Series. Target: November 2028.
- Seeking God in the Psalms — a 52-lesson study — theme for each week, studies for Monday-Friday.
- Ecclesiastes — a full-scale commentary on the text of Ecclesiastes.
- Encountering Christ — what the Scriptures teach about Jesus Christ . . . and why we should believe it.