“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)
I thank the Lord that we are able to stay busy in the work He has called us to do. The first Sunday in March, I preached for my friend of over 30 years, Dr. Mike Mutchler, in Portland, Oregon. What a blessed time I had with this man of God! He has proven that, when a man stays faithful to God’s work, God will bless. God has truly blessed Grand View Baptist Church, which supports 140 missionaries and over 40 national pastors. They invest 17% of their total church budget in World Missions. Amen! In June Dr. Mutchler will join us in Thailand to preach at the Soul-Winning Conference at First Baptist Church Nawong for Pastor Eddie Arold.
The third week of March, I drove to Florida to present our work for the first time in the city of Ocoee. I also had the opportunity to report to one of our faithful supporting churches, Southshore Baptist Church in Riverview, Florida.
While driving back to Indiana, I received a message from Pastor Richard Ullo with the tragic news that his son had taken his own life. Brother Ullo asked me to come and preach Adam’s funeral. As soon as I arrived home, my wife and I made immediate arrangements to leave that evening to drive to Spanish Fort, Alabama. Brother Ullo is one of my former college graduates, and he and his wife continue to be wonderful friends. I had the privilege to baptize Adam when he was five years old. Upon arriving at the Ullos’ home, the first words Richard said were, “God is good.” At the funeral an invitation was given, and over 20 hands (that I could see) were raised to receive Christ. I was asked to preach the Sunday services also. The last words said by Richard that evening were, “God is good.” I praise the Lord for many souls that were saved during those few days and for the comforting Spirit Who was there. Please keep this family in your prayers as they remain faithful. “The night cometh when no man can work.”
First Baptist Church of Hammond held its Second Annual Missions Conference March 25-29. We thank God that Pastor John Wilkerson has such a great heart for World Missions. Veteran missionaries challenged the church to increase their Faith Promise. I’m thankful FBCH is my sending church, and FBMI is my mission agency.
I drove over 5,000 miles in March. I saw over 30 people receive Christ as their personal Saviour. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day.”
Thank you for caring for souls,
Brother Bowen
Philippians 4:13