Mission Report — 2010 Annual (Part 4)

Sovereign Grace Baptist Mission of Malawi – Annual report continued – Part (4)…

As the days passed and the work was carried out there was a regular routine, which fell into place, little allowance was given to deviate from the tight schedule, which I had set due to a specific time table which I was adhering to. I was working on the septic, plumbing, (outside) and piping which I have already explained in previous reports. Through the week we would put in twelve hours of work, and then in the evening I would try to work on some correspondence by the time I was ready to retire for the evening I would have put in eighteen hours a day for many days at a time.

I began to set things in order once again for a departure to the USA, this time it would be different, I was not coming for a extended period but a short time in order to take care of some personal business. It will be at this point in the report that I will explain about some personal issues, as well as a position that I take. I will firstly say that I in no way mean to offend anyone, however, I too like any other preacher I am persuaded on certain positions, and I have convictions about certain doctrines of which I believe. I also, like many other preachers, men, bible students can and will defend my position. There are opinions that we all have, many of them will differ then the next one, but at the end of the day an opinion is nothing more then – a position held – based upon information which one has accumulated from other sources. Opinions are held to, debated, and often times become the reason for divisions, no one is willing to die for an (OPINION), however, (CONVICTIONS) are what God’s people, our people, (Baptist people) have given their lives for in past history. Therefore, as I stated, someone who may read my reports may differ with me, or have a different (opinion) then what I do or state, and I also with them.

I will share with you (the reader) some of the personal events, and persuasions that I have regarding certain decisions that I reached in my life and ministry.

Most of have known me, and read my reports over the past fifteen years will know, either by a personal relationship with me, the work I have been engaged in, or through someone else that knew me, i.e., a supporting church, that I came to Malawi in January 1996 with a wife. I was a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church – Roseville, CA USA. My pastor then was Elder Rick Perdue. I was endorsed as a missionary out of that church to Malawi Africa. My previous membership was with the K.A.B.C. in South Shore, KY – Pastor James Hobbs Sr. I was serving as a missionary in PNG through and under that church back in the 80’s up to 1990. That is the history and through the transition to Arica I became a member and missionary of LMBC-Roseville, CA.

The first three years here in Malawi Africa I stayed with my first wife without a break, it was in April 1999 that I concurred with my wife then, (to return to give birth to our son). I might add at this point in my life, this was a mistake on my part and I believe facilitated in the downward journey to a bad ending. As I tell my story, I also know that there are many of you who may read this, have your own story.

I continued in the work, and in September 99 I returned to the US for the birth of my son. Time passed and I spent nearly a year off the field with my family, I had hoped that we would return to the field as a family but this never materialized. I think it’s important for you (the reader) to know as a testimony to all that (like my father did many years ago), I too, sought counsel regarding this issue from my pastor, and other elder preachers whom I trusted in the LORD’S work. It was agreed upon that my church (then) would be behind me, and our decisions as a family.

My family stayed in the US and I came and went as time, money, and opportunity allowed between Africa, PNG, and the USA. If we judge a work based upon God’s blessing it or not, then I as well as many other witnesses would have to agree, the evidence would strongly suggest that God was blessing the work in Malawi and PNG during those years.

I must state this now in the story (report) that Satan found the way to Eve when she was separated from her husband in the garden (this is my understanding of the events – in Gen.) Satan did not go to Adam, nor was Adam deceived, but Eve. I am also persuaded that Satan still works in the same way today as he did over six thousand years ago. I believed then, and do so now that my wife (then) should have been living near my home church in California to be under the watch care of (our) home church in this situation, this never was worked out.

Bye and bye time passed and I departed the US late 2003 returning to Malawi, after spending a few months here, Jason Brown (a member of my current church) came to visit me in the Malawi mission work. I was in the process of purchasing a motorbike for the mission work and we flew down to Johannesburg South Africa, made the purchase, and rode back to Malawi. After a couple months I was involved in a wreck on the bike, which left me with a broken wrist – and laid up. Jason Brown helped to look after me until I was well. He returned to the US, and in April I made a mission trip to PNG. I was there for four months and on my return I stopped over in Sydney, Australia to spend a couple days with Missionary Gary Phillips. It was there when I spoke with my wife and was informed by her that she (wanted out). To cut a long story short, she was seeking divorce with or without my consent. I was informed that I would be sent a packet of documents in the mail in Malawi and I needed to put things in order.

After my return to Malawi I took counsel with my pastor (Elder Rick Perdue) and other men whom I trusted, I was now faced with a situation that some men have faced before me. Each man must make his own decision as to what he will do about this issue. For many years, this has been an issue of debate, some will say this, others that, however until you are faced with this situation it becomes a moot point for you to argue.

God remains my witness and one day it too shall be revealed, I offered to come off the field to save the marriage, however I was told that it would not make any difference what I did, that she would have her way in this matter.

When there is a divorce there is most always a (coloured Gentleman behind the wood shed).

I continued in the mission work, which the LORD had put into my charge and life and tried to remain faithful to that calling. I will answer to the LORD for the wrong in that marriage as any other man will for the things gone wrong in his marriage. The sad part is, it seems that many preachers are soo Holy, soo perfect, soo upright that they (these preachers) have been somehow Divinely appointed to become the (Judges) of us who are second-hand preachers, or church members.

Paul said, (“1Co 4:3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.”

As the years passed by and being alone I would often write in my reports and express to churches that the work, and I needed a helper, fellow missionary etc… this was not a new story to many and in 2005 there was a man whom answered to that call. Joe Padilla who was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist church in Sacramento, CA. He stated that he felt led to help me in the Bible School. He was advised to join my church so that we both would be under the same authority, this was not followed but accepted by both churches, he was ordained by his home church and sent here to Malawi to help me in the work here. After some time here, it seemed that there were differences in the position of Church Authority. It was whilst I was in the US that Joe Padilla broke off from our mission work and is independent of our mission work here in Malawi / Mozambique.

Once again I found myself alone but I do not base my calling on the fact that there is another with me or not, Salvation is not cooperative, and neither is the calling of the LORD into the ministry, but personally and individually. I do believe that there was a specific reason why our LORD sent the seventy out two by two, however I do not read where they (individually) felt the LORD called them into a specific field, but in fact were given a task, duty, and a mission to go preach to the “house of Israel”.

Jonah was not so much as called as he was commanded and sent… thus today, I also believe that our churches have failed in this area of Evangelism. I take the position that the young men who answer to the call of a preacher should be sent out two by two to Evangelize where there is a seasoned missionary, pastor etc… to train up our men… in time God will call those whom HE will.

As I continued to labour in the work here in Malawi / Mozambique there was another challenge that I faced, the work went through a purging from the LORD, and many of those pastors and churches whom attached themselves to our work over the years, had found a man to whom they would sell their soul for a “bowl of porridge”. The sad part is, many of these pastors who sold the (Truth) for their (bowl of porridge) never in fact received their porridge, which, in the end leaves them worse off then Esau, at least he got his porridge.

It is what it is, and the work was down to three churches / pastors who chose to align themselves with our work. We started over and they encouraged me to stay on and I did so.

The year is now 2010 and I am in the USA on business to visit supporting churches, and much I have already reported on, therefore I will pick up on the event, which I now write about.

I take a position that God has two (wills), that of a (directive will) – that which HE is directing, and a (permissive will) – that which HE allows or permits to happen (both good and evil) reasons known to HIMSELF).

I have no time for internet foolishness nor propaganda, however I do use the internet to publish the LORD’S work of which I am engaged, I have used email like many of you from almost its inception, I now have a website for the mission work that I encourage each of you to visit. I from time to time publish pictures of myself, the work and places I go on a program called (facebook) – I chose to do this as I know many people use that program to for many things, perhaps some would take an interest in our mission work.

I said all that to say this, it is through that medium of communication that contact was made by Sherry Brown, (now my wife – Sherry Halliman). Communications were started and through the short window of time we both had, we talked via telephone, email etc… and to connect the history, some twenty-six years prior to this we had last seen each other as I was departing the US on my way to PNG as a missionary.

God had moved us both on, and our lives both had turned many times in different ways. Opportunity provided where we met, talked and discussed many things. I communicated with my pastor then (Elder Mike Prater) regarding this development. I also counseled with other pastors about what to do in this situation.

I will not go into all the details of such, but will only share with you that I knew in my heart that the LORD had brought me a (helpmeet). One who was willing to leave all to be with me. I discussed the issues that would need to be addressed with different preachers and knew that if I pursued this relationship there would be decisions that I would have to make.

I wrestled with this fact, not because I was confused in my heart, but with the fact that I knew many folks (supporters) would have an issue with me remarrying. I was told by some pastors of (supporting churches) that as long as I remained single they would support me. That kind of sounds like “ you play ball the way I want, and if not, I will take my ball and go home”, I am not sure how some pastors will make double standards for members who are divorced and remarried, perhaps its because they want the numbers in membership, or perhaps it facilitates the Tithes and Offerings that come in.

Then there are pastors who believe that God has somehow entrusted in them the duty of making the “Bride” clean, pure for her husband – the LORD.

If you find the perfect church, then don’t join as you will corrupt it. The problem with churches is that they are full of sinners (saved by Grace)!

I felt the respectable thing to do was to officially resign my post with LMBC- Roseville as I knew my pastor Mike Prater and I did not agree on this matter of marriage-divorce-re-marriage. I did not want to be the one who would be guilty of causing confusion, division, and or anything else in the LORD’S church, thus the trip back to the US the second time.

I did arrive, I was satisfied that I would go through with this relationship with Sherry and felt very strongly about it. Therefore, the respectful thing to do was to travel to Roseville, CA and visit with my home church personally and speak directly with them about my decisions. There have been some men in the past who have accused me of not having the (stomach) to face my accusers or critics, however, the truth of the matter is where respect is shown and honour is exercised it is often viewed as cowardly. I will say this for the record to anyone reading this report, if I deem it necessary in the interest of the work, I will be the first one to face anyone whom may have a question about me, my family or the work.

I knew that my staying would cause division, or at least unrest so I had considered the options of resignation, and this is what I did. I handed in my resignation to my pastor (Elder Mike Prater) and LMBC – of Roseville, CA.

It was a sad day for me, and very emotional considering that I had served under and through this church for the past fifteen years as a missionary mostly on the field here in Africa.

I will now at this point, say a word or two about LMBC-Roseville;

From the inception of my joining back in 1995 I became attached to many that are members, were members, as some have passed on through the years. The years that I have spent here on the mission field in Africa have been hard physically as well as Spiritually, I have had many close calls, and Satan has tried to kill me on several occasions. I believe that God blessed me with a wonderful church who were supportive in every way, and they too were tested in the field of a sponsoring church with a missionary on the field. I commend LMBC- Roseville for standing up in the face of opposition and I thank them for looking after me physically all these years. I want to boast upon them and say that I have been blessed to be a member of that body, and have been encouraged, housed, clothed, fed, and had my cup to run over by the LORD through LMBC-Roseville.

I have fond memories of many days, weeks, and years of service together with LMBC. I ask our LORD to continue to bless her, and her service, my prayer is that God will continue to use her for HIS honour and glory.

I felt it were better that I resign my position as missionary from LMBC and seek another church of like order and faith to transfer my membership, rather then cause division in one of the LORD’S churches.

That being said, I said my good-byes and departed California the following morning, (Monday) for Alabama.

In the next few days ahead I would make a trip to Henderson, TX and join Providence Bap Church where Elder Steve Fulton is pastor and has been for many years. My father was a member and endorsed missionary out of this church for the last twelve years of his ministry upon this earth. I would not be new to them, and they would not be new to supporting a missionary and or the challenges of such a field.

After I was received as a member, I was also endorsed as a missionary, and that same evening Sherry was received as a member through baptism and church vote. That week-end we would be united in marriage with our pastor Elder Steve Fulton, performing the wedding. I thank the LORD for her, for my pastor, and my church. I am thankful to the LORD, that me mum was able to be present. We had a wonderful weekend, and truly believe that God smiled upon our lives, and commitment no matter what some may think or believe.

The next few days passed, we drove back to Alabama, and onward to Kentucky to take care of some business. The next two weeks passed quickly and the last week I spent at me mum’s packing for our journey back to Malawi.

With a wife and daughter now added to me life it was different, the packing, planning, etc… The time for departure came and as with the times before it was difficult leaving me mum and sister behind at the airport. Our journey would take us through Frankfurt, Germany and onto Johannesburg where we had missed our connecting flight due to a short exchange time. After a day in Johannesburg we were able to fly out to Blantyre, Malawi. The arrival back at me home was welcomed by the workers.

To be continued…