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THE BUILDER FEBRUARY 2021

Charles

Brothers in Christ
Planting new churches has been an important part of the Christian Restoration Movement. In 1834, Thomas Campbell issued a “letter of dismission” for a church plant at Wellsburg, Ohio. He wrote, “Be it known to all whom it may concern, that we have dismissed the following brethren in good standing with us, to constitute a church of Christ at Wellsburg.” Campbell’s church in Ohio, Bush Run, seeded 30 members to start the new church in Wellsburg.

In the early 1800’s, the American frontier consisted of everything west of the Appalachian Mountain Range. During this period, an era of restoration took place in the Christian faith. The words of men like Thomas Campbell and Barton W. Stone inspired men to reach out to those on the frontier. Spreading the good news was not without difficulty for those preaching the ”ancient faith,” and yet it must have been exciting. Frontier preachers had to be bold men, strong in their faith, willing to sacrifice comfort during long trips into the wilderness. They endured weather and sleeping under the stars as they traveled from cabin to town converting thousands to Christ. There were no meeting houses to preach in so they met in someone’s home or barn. In towns, they met in courthouses or public buildings. When the weather was nice enough, they met outdoors where they set up logs and planks to sit on.

When congregations became big enough, they built meeting houses. There were few full-time preachers on the frontier. Many churches had itinerate preachers who traveled from church to church preaching as they went. As congregations grew in size, churches looked to plant new churches since some members were traveling many miles to attend. The church plant at Wellsburg, by the grace of God, expanded the Kingdom.

Our Men for Christ organization has a long history of planting churches. Two recent church plants are Journey Christian Church in Shepherdsville and Christian Church of the Crossroads in Mount Washington. Just as the early Restoration Christians faced difficult times on the frontier, we face the difficulties associated with the COVID 19 virus. I personally miss the fellowship of our monthly meetings and, of course, I miss the wonderful hospitality of the host churches. Although we have not been able to meet as a group for quite some time, your Executive Committee has continued to carry on business through text, email, telephone conversations and our monthly Zoom meetings. I am excited about the coming year and with the grace of God, I pray Men for Christ will accomplish great things in His name. Grace and Peace to you,
— Russell Lunsford, Chairman

REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES!
It was February 24, 2020. After enjoying a bountiful meal, Bro. John Davis welcomed 131 men from 27 congregations to Columbia Christian Church. Bro. David Brown brought a message from his favorite chapter in the Bible, Romans 8. We departed the meeting looking forward to our next meeting at Egypt Christian Church with Bro. DeLane Pinkston as our scheduled speaker. Of course, the continuing Pandemic has changed everyone’s plans during the past year. I like to remember the good times and pray that we will soon be able to worship and fellowship together again.
— Charles Young

REPORT FROM CHURCH OF THE CROSSROADS
We had our first service in our new building . . . a remodeled skating rink. We had 759 in attendance with 150 in KIDS ministry plus 40 middle school students … and a baptism on our first day! Wanted to say thanks, again, to Men for Christ and their trust in me and partnership in church planting. God is still doing big things here in Mt. Washington and Church of the Crossroads! Just wanted you to know and hear it from me.
— John Parkey

The Builder is published monthly by Kentucky Men for Christ
Editor: Judy Clay
c/o Indian Hills Christian Church
1200 Lexington Road
Danville, KY 40422
859 236-7575

THE BUILDER JANUARY 2021

Charles

THE BUILDER

January 2021

Brothers in Christ
As we study the Bible, we learn that Christians are not strangers to difficult times. The events in our Capitol were troublesome and disheartening. Most of those who marched peacefully never dreamed it would result in destruction at the Capitol and tragically, loss of life.

So, as Christians, how do we handle these troubling times? The ability to have opinions and make choices is certainly a gift from God. We feel strongly about the America our children and grandchildren will grow up in. In the last issue of The Builder, our Past Chairman, J.R. Donahue, wrote “stay strong in your community and in your church with the love of Christ as your guide.” That’s good advice and I will add to that: pray. Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives.”

Does prayer work? Does God listen? The biblical events in history tell us yes. The historical events from America’s beginning tell us yes. In our own lives we have experienced that God will listen, if we only ask. Jesus Himself said in John 14:14, “You may ask Me anything in My name, and I will do it.” The beauty of American democracy is that it has always been a progress in the making. It has come a long way and has a long way to go. We must pray for its future. So, if you are unsure about how to personally deal with these troubling times, go to your Bible.

Study II Timothy 2:23-25. And remember God’s words in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”
Grace and Peace to you,
Russell Lunsford, Chairman

2021 MEETINGS

Everyone is praying to be able to return to a regular meeting schedule. Currently, all meetings have been cancelled through March. The Executive Committee continues to meet via Zoom to conduct essential business.

OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.kymenforchrist.org Please visit the website for periodic updates.

MEN FOR CHRIST FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/kymenforchrist/

AUDITOR REQUESTS

The firm of Wise, Buckner, Sprowles & Associates will be conducting an audit of Men for Christ records. If your congregation receives a confirmation request from the auditor, please encourage your leaders (treasurers) to respond quickly. This action will assist the auditor in completing a prompt, thorough examination of our records.

THE BUILDER FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Charles

THE BUILDER

November/December 2020

ALL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS OF MEN FOR CHRIST HAVE BEEN CANCELLED THROUGH AT LEAST THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2021. The Executive Committee continues to meet via Zoom.

Hello, Men for Christ Body
Wow! This has been a unique year to say the least. Everyone has had challenges and obstacles to overcome; some more than others.

I would encourage each of you to stay strong in your community and in your church with the love of Christ as your guide. I read a quote a few days back and it is so true. “Be careful not to dehumanize people you disagree with. In our self-righteousness, we can easily become the very things we dislike in others.” (From Mindful Christianity.) Christ spoke of this when talking to the Pharisees. They were so consumed with themselves and thought so highly of themselves that they were so blinded by self-righteousness and arrogance that they crucified Christ, the very man they were proclaiming. Sometimes we get so consumed with the events going on around us that we lose sight of the fact that we are all human beings and are all loved by our Lord and Savior. The grace and forgiveness is for all, whether it’s for the left or the right, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile.

Our Lord God was in control in the Beginning, on the Cross, in the Grave, and Forever. Sometimes we may feel things are out of control, but the things that we endure are nothing that our Lord has not prepared us for. He has given us a road map of things to expect and instructions on how to proceed with prayer and petition to Him. So as we proceed through our daily lives, let’s remember that Christ our Lord and Savior remains in control and we are to pray and petition all situations to Him because He is the Great I AM, not I Was, not I Might Be, or I Might Get to it When I Have Time. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, Counselor and Mighty King. Praise Jesus!

Just as He prayed for all people at the cross in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” we should pray for our enemies as well as our friends.

I pray everyone stays safe and well. Be blessed and stay strong in Christ.

P.S. I want to thank all the men who are graciously serving and will serve this upcoming year. Thanks for all you do.
Your brother in Christ, J.R. Donahue

ELECTION PROCESS

Even though not meeting monthly, it was still necessary for us to choose officers and directors for the next term. Normally conducted at the November meeting, this year’s election was held by ballot sent to men who receive The Builder either by email or regular mail. Thanks for your cooperation.

THANKS

Special thanks to Bill Miller (Pleasant Valley) and Jerry Robertson (Egypt) for their service as MFC directors.

OFFICERS/DIRECTORS FOR 2021

Chairman, Russ Lunsford (Columbia)
Vice Chairman, Adam Hale (Glendale)
Secretary, Jim Pope (Elizabethtown)
Treasurer, Randy Herron(Campbellsville)
Director, Randy Booe (Campbellsville)
Director, David Brown (Elizabethtown)
Director, John Holley (Bristow)
Director, Charles Young (Elizabethtown)
Director, Trinity Searcy (White Mills)
Director, Bill Stivers (Graefenburg)
Past Chairman, J.R. Donahue (Union)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Journey Christian Church celebrated their 10th anniversary October 10. In 2009, the leadership of North Bullitt Christian Church had a vision of planting a new congregation in Shepherdsville. Salt River Men’s fellowship and Men for Christ signed on as supporting partners. Bro. Jeremy Willis was hired and was on the field June 1, 2010. The congregation has continued to grow not only in numbers but also in their participation in community activities. We pray for their continued growth and efforts to lead people closer to Christ.

OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.kymenforchrist.org Please visit the website for periodic updates.

MEN FOR CHRIST FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/kymenforchrist/

NO EXCUSE

“If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and not prayed for.”

FREE WILL

“Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven.”

THE TRUE SOURCE

“The church does not determine what the Bible teaches, it is the Bible that determines what the church must teach.”
(Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892)

MY MORNING PRAYER

What guidance is God giving for my living of this day?
Will I help someone who’s needy?
Will I have kind words to say?

Will outrageous acts of kindness be the gifts that I can share?
Let YOUR will, God, be mine today,
Help me to love and care.

COMPLAINT BLOWN

A woman called the newspaper office to complain that her Sunday paper hadn’t arrived. Trying to calm her, the man at the office pointed out that the paper hadn’t arrived because it was Saturday. After a brief silence, the woman said meekly, “Well, that explains why there was no one in church today.”

THE BUILDER NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Charles

THE BUILDER

September/October 2020

ALL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS OF MEN FOR CHRIST HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020. The Executive Committee continues to meet via Zoom to conduct essential business.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Greetings Men,
Hope to find you all well. I would like to take a look at II John 4-6:

“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”

As we look around today, we see so much hate and hostility. There is so much anger and division every time you turn on the media outlets. Satan is a master craftsman at disguising his agenda and his plans. Satan actively seeks us. He works to deceive us and toils to dishearten us to think there is no hope. He puts selfish desires and uses the words I and Me to put a wedge between people. He glorifies and disguises evil actions as just and righteous.

We, as Christian men must be prepared and know that as Satan is working his deceit, our God is planning our salvation
and homecoming! As we see these things unfold, we are to operate out of love and obedience to Christ. Understand that what is happening before us is nothing that the Bible hasn’t already said would happen. II Timothy 3:1-5 is an example. So, we need to be grounded in the Word and know that Christ loved us so much that He does not want one to perish. Be safe and love one another.
Yours in Christ, J.R.

ELECTION PROCESS

Even though not meeting monthly, it is still necessary for us to choose officers and directors for the next term. Normally conducted at the November meeting, this year’s election will be by ballot sent to all men who receive The Builder either by email or regular mail.

OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.kymenforchrist.org Please visit the website for periodic updates.

MEN FOR CHRIST FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/kymenforchrist/

OUR PRAYER TIME

“For our prayer time to combat anxiety and stress, we have to take the time to memorize and meditate on the scripture more than once.” (Dale McCamish, Wilmington Ohio Church of Christ and a Timothy of First Christian in Elizabethtown)

A SERVANT

“You are where you are to help others where they are. The reason our hands are where they are in this world is to give other people in this world a hand.” (Ann Voskamp)

JOHN 3:36 NLT

“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

“There are only two kinds of people in the end . . . Those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, in the end ‘Thy will be done.’ “All that are in Hell choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.” (C.S. Lewis)

Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” (C.S. Lewis)

MY CONCERN

“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” (Abraham Lincoln)

FEAR

“The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.” (Oswald Chambers)