Monday, January 20, 2014

February Newsletter

Much study tires the body.- King Solomon

PICTURE:
We are very sorry but there will be no pictures on the blog this month. Our computer crashed and we are waiting on another computer to arrive in Nalerigu. We will have another computer and pictures on next months blog. Thank you for understanding.

STORY:
We will return to Nalerigu on Saturday, February 1st after being gone 3 months for Julia and 2 months for T. We have a 3.5 hour plane ride on Friday and a 1.5 hour plane ride followed by a 3 hour car ride to Nalerigu. Please pray Piper does well and everything goes smooth. We had a great time in Senegal but are glad to be home. January was both hectic and relaxing. Julia's parents travelled to Senegal to spend two weeks with us during the holidays. We had a blast introducing them to Africa. We taught them how to flag down a taxi, barter for surveniors, taxis and groceries and even how to eat a fish; bones and all. They had a good time seeing Africa but they had a GREAT time holding and taking pictures of Piper. We were sad to say good-bye but excited to see them in 6 months.

I traveled to Turkey for two weeks to take classes and complete my Masters degree. I had a good time reconnecting with classmates and sharpening my understanding of missions, communication, and God's heart for the Nations. I took two classes; one was focused on Cross-Cultural Commincation or how to share Christ overseas; the other class was on Current Topics in Missions; examining various views on what happens to those who have never heard of Jesus. (a blog post on my answer to that question is pending). It was a great two weeks. I have finished all classroom work for my Masters of Divinity degree and have only two more papers until I am finished.

While I was in Turkey Julia stayed in Senegal with Piper. Julia is the strongest woman I know. She was able to take care of Piper, keep the house clean and serve others in Senegal. She is truly a Proverbs 31 woman.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) We have returned to Nalerigu. Please be in prayer for us as we transition back into life in the "African bush". Pray for Piper and us as we adjust to everyone wanting to hold her. Pray we have wisdom and patience while raising a child in Africa. Pray our family is a picture of the Gospel to a watching world.

2) We are praying through the next step in our lives. Please pray we have wisdom in regards to where we move our family and ministry jobs to apply for. Pray I am able to find a job before we return to the States in July.

3) There are several short term teams coming to Nalerigu in February. Pray we are able to serve them while they are in Nalerigu. Pray we strategically use them to strengthen our ministry and spread the Gospel.

4) My goal for the next six months is to transition TB Village Church from being connected with the hospital to being connected with the Ghana Baptist Convention in order for the church to last long after we have left Nalerigu. Please pray for wisdom in this endeavor. Pray I am able to meet with and encourage the right leaders to support the church. Pray the Pastors and church members vote to become a part of the Ghana Baptist Convention.

5) Pray for our last six months on the field. Pray that every time we open our mouths we would make known the mystery of the Gospel. Pray God would raise up Ghanian leaders to take our place when we leave. 

Serving Him,

The 3 Welchs


What Happy Married Couples Say About Sex

What Happy Married Couples Say About Sex:

12) They cherish each other as a sacred and precious gift of God.

11) They want to please each other.

10) They maintain a sense of fun and know how to laugh.

9) They remain lovers and friends.

8) They know how to talk to each other.

7) They know how to play and foreplay (both in and out of bed).

6) They keep their sexual anticipation alive.

5) They keep romance alive by meeting each others needs.

4) They know how to touch and what works.

3) They stay emotionally and physically pure.

2) They make time for sex.

1) They make sex a priority; it is important to them.

*Notes from Dr Danny Akin, January 10, 2014

Friday, January 3, 2014

My testimony:

MY TESTIMONY:
I grew up living for myself and living for the moment. After high school I became a fire-fighter, I continued to live recklessly and for myself. I would work hard in the fire departments, but on my days off I would cope with alcohol. I spent many nights passed out on bathroom floors. Through a series of deaths and bad accidents, I began to realize I wanted to help people on a larger scale. I approached my boss and asked him where I could go to learn how to help people, my boss said Liberty University. All I wanted to do in college was party, drink, and learn. When I arrived in August and learned Liberty students took their Christian faith seriously, I was furious. I hated everyone. Even though I hated everyone the Christians at Liberty loved me, through their love and self-less actions the walls around my heart came crumbling down. One night I struck up a conversation with a leader on my hall. He explained to me through the use of the law that I was a sinner. At the end of the conversation, I understood that I was guilty before a holy God and if God were to judge me by the Ten Commandments He would send me to Hell. He left that night without explaining the story of Jesus. He understood that I was not ready to hear the Good News and needed to spend the night thinking about the weight of my sin. I spent all night terrified before a Holy God. I knew if I were to die I would go to Hell and I did not know how to fix myself. The next morning a traveling evangelist came and spoke on the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Not finished with his sermon yet, and I knew that I wanted Christ. I had seen others going down to the altar and I thought that is what you had to do to be saved. Therefore, ¾ of the way into his talk I stood up and went down. In October, 2006, I was able to say with the Apostle Paul, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-and I am the worst of them.

What I believe about end times:

Eschatology: (The Study of End Times) 
I believe in the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation to translate His church from this earth and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works.
I believe that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth. At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged. This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy.
I believe that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David and establish His messianic kingdom for 1,000 years on the earth. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world.
I believe that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel to restore them to the land that they forfeited through their disobedience. The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside, but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing.
I believe that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life, and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan.
I believe that following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign of Christ, Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven. Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.
I believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment, they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire.
I believe that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers, the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells. Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever.

(1 Thess. 5:1-3; 8-11; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15; Daniel 9:27' 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16; Daniel 12; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:9; Matthew 25:41; John 5:22; Revelation 20:11-15; Ezekiel 36:33-38; Romans 11; 2 Peter 3:10; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28). 
Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about the Church:

Ecclesiology: (The Study of the Church) 

I believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all believers are members. I believe in the local church, consisting of believers, baptized after a profession of faith in Christ. God has entrusted the task of evangelism to the local church, and it is the primary responsibility of the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.


I believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers; and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications.

I believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. I believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

 (Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Acts 1:8; 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4). 


Church Ordinances: 

I believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ.
I believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination. I believe that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people.

(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; 1 Corinthians 10:16). 

Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about salvation:

Soteriology: (The Study of Salvation) 
I believe in the Biblical Doctrine of TULIP. (List is in the way the events occur) 


T: Man is totally depraved. Everything man does including the seemingly good-acts is sin. Man is unable to submit to God or reform himself and is therefore worthy of eternal punishment. (Ephesians 2:1; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Cor. 4:4-6; Romans 8:7-8, 15:18, 3:9-10, 3:18; 1 Cor. 10:31). 


I: Irrestible grace is the sovereign work of God to overcome the rebellion of our heart and bring us to faith in Christ so that we can be saved. When God undertakes to fulfill His sovereign purpose, no one can successfully resist Him. (Daniel 4:35; Psalm 115:5; John 6:44; 64-65; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; 2 Cor. 4:4-6). 


L: In the cross God had in view the actual redemption of His children. Christ died for the elect; Christ did not just make the way possible for salvation, but actually saved the elect. Christ did not die for all men in the same sense; the death of Christ actually saves from ALL evil those for whom Christ died. Once again, Christ died for all the sins of some men, making it possible for the irresistible grace of God to flow to the elect, thereby saving them from the wrath of God. (John 10:15, 17:6, 9, 19; 11: 51-52). 


U: Election refers to God’s choosing whom to save. God’s choice is unconditional because there is no condition man must meet before God chooses to save him. (Acts 13:48; John 10:29; Romans 9; Ephesians 1:3-6). 


P: The people of God WILL persevere to the end and will not be lost. God will so work that those whom He has chosen for eternal salvation will be enabled by Him, to persevere in faith to the end and fulfill, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the requirements for obedience. (John 10:26-30; 1 John 2:19; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 Cor. 1:8-9). 


Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about the Holy Spirit:

Pneumatology: (The Study of the Holy Spirit) 
I believe in the Holy Spirit who comes from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and He is a helper, teacher, and guide. 


I believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith.

I believe, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today, and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers for all time.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4; John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26).

Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about Christ:

Christology: (The Study of Jesus Christ) 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life, performing miracles, and teaching the multitudes. I believe in Christ’s substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, and His intercession on behalf of all believers. Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd; leading, protecting, and caring for us as His own; Christ is the light of the World; illuminating our pathway, He is the prince of peace and our rock. 



I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind:
  • Believers 
  • Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return 
  • Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne
As the Mediator between God and man, the Head of His Body the church, and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David , He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior.

(John 10:11,14, 8:12, 1:1, 20:28, 20:30-31; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Cor. 10:4; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 5:6-8, 6:9-10, 8:26, 9:5; 2 Cor. 15, 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; Eph. 1:4; Acts 1:11; Heb. 7:25, 9:28, 1 Timothy 3:16; John 5:22-23 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31). 


Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about God:

Theology Proper: (The Study of God) 

I believe God the Father, is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. I believe that He foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself in the affairs of men, He hears, and answers prayers, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. God is immutable meaning He does not change and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and eternal; meaning He has no beginning and no end. God is full of mercy, love, and grace-and at the same time righteous, holy, and just. God grants mercy and sends judgment. God punishes and forgives sin. God will grant believers into Heaven and send unbelievers into Hell. 


As Creator He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin, nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.


(Romans 11:33; Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6; Ephesians 4:6; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 1:11; John 8:38-47; Ephesians 1:4-6; John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9). 


Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

What I believe about the Bible

Bibliology: (The Doctrine of the Bible) 
I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and inerrant in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and given to us as a manuscript for life. Inspiration was that work whereby God by His Spirit, through human writers, utilizing their distinct personalities and literary styles gave us His Word. 


I believe the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days. I believe that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice.


I believe that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit  It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

(Hebrews 1:1; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Jeremiah 1:9; Matthew 4:4; Matt. 5:17-18; Romans 3: 1-2; Isaiah 40:8; 42: 8-9; Hebrews 4:12; John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23; Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17). 


Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church

Doctrinal Statement

I have begun applying for jobs and I am looking into becoming an ordained minister of the Gospel. This process has forced me to begin to write my personal statement of faith. Below you will find what I believe on major theological issues. As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another, therefore, I welcome questions, comments, and encouragement.  

Bibliology: (The Doctrine of the Bible) 
I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and inerrant in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and given to us as a manuscript for life. Inspiration was that work whereby God by His Spirit, through human writers, utilizing their distinct personalities and literary styles gave us His Word. 


I believe the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days. I believe that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice.


I believe that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit  It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.


(Hebrews 1:1; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Jeremiah 1:9; Matthew 4:4; Matt. 5:17-18; Romans 3: 1-2; Isaiah 40:8; 42: 8-9; Hebrews 4:12; John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23; Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17). 


Theology Proper: (The Study of God) 


I believe God the Father, is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. I believe that He foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself in the affairs of men, He hears, and answers prayers, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. God is immutable meaning He does not change and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and eternal; meaning He has no beginning and no end. God is full of mercy, love, and grace-and at the same time righteous, holy, and just. God grants mercy and sends judgment. God punishes and forgives sin. God will grant believers into Heaven and send unbelievers into Hell. 


As Creator He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin, nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.


(Romans 11:33; Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16, 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6; Ephesians 4:6; Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 1:11; John 8:38-47; Ephesians 1:4-6; John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9). 


Christology: (The Study of Jesus Christ) 


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life, performing miracles, and teaching the multitudes. I believe in Christ’s substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, and His intercession on behalf of all believers. Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd; leading, protecting, and caring for us as His own; Christ is the light of the World; illuminating our pathway, He is the prince of peace and our rock. 



I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind:
  • Believers 
  • Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return 
  • Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne
As the Mediator between God and man, the Head of His Body the church, and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of David , He is the final Judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior.

(John 10:11,14, 8:12, 1:1, 20:28, 20:30-31; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Cor. 10:4; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 5:6-8, 6:9-10, 8:26, 9:5; 2 Cor. 15, 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; Eph. 1:4; Acts 1:11; Heb. 7:25, 9:28, 1 Timothy 3:16; John 5:22-23 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31). 


Pneumatology: (The Study of the Holy Spirit) 
I believe in the Holy Spirit who comes from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and He is a helper, teacher, and guide. 


I believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith.

I believe, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today, and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers for all time.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4; John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26). 

Harmartiology: (The Study of Sin) 
I believe that to sin means to “miss the mark.” Individuals are sinful sin by inheritance and imputation, and sin by personal choice. Man was created in the image of God; the first man Adam sinned; incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God; the sin nature then is imputed to all of humanity. Man is totally depraved and on his own utterly unable to save himself. 


(Genesis 1:26, 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12) 


Soteriology: (The Study of Salvation) 
I believe in the Biblical Doctrine of TULIP. (List is in the way the events occur) 


T: Man is totally depraved. Everything man does including the seemingly good-acts is sin. Man is unable to submit to God or reform himself and is therefore worthy of eternal punishment. (Ephesians 2:1; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Cor. 4:4-6; Romans 8:7-8, 15:18, 3:9-10, 3:18; 1 Cor. 10:31). 


I: Irrestible grace is the sovereign work of God to overcome the rebellion of our heart and bring us to faith in Christ so that we can be saved. When God undertakes to fulfill His sovereign purpose, no one can successfully resist Him. (Daniel 4:35; Psalm 115:5; John 6:44; 64-65; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; 2 Cor. 4:4-6). 


L: In the cross God had in view the actual redemption of His children. Christ died for the elect; Christ did not just make the way possible for salvation, but actually saved the elect. Christ did not die for all men in the same sense; the death of Christ actually saves from ALL evil those for whom Christ died. Once again, Christ died for all the sins of some men, making it possible for the irresistible grace of God to flow to the elect, thereby saving them from the wrath of God. (John 10:15, 17:6, 9, 19; 11: 51-52). 


U: Election refers to God’s choosing whom to save. God’s choice is unconditional because there is no condition man must meet before God chooses to save him. (Acts 13:48; John 10:29; Romans 9; Ephesians 1:3-6). 


P: The people of God WILL persevere to the end and will not be lost. God will so work that those whom He has chosen for eternal salvation will be enabled by Him, to persevere in faith to the end and fulfill, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the requirements for obedience. (John 10:26-30; 1 John 2:19; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 Cor. 1:8-9). 


Ecclesiology: (The Study of the Church) 


I believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all believers are members. I believe in the local church, consisting of believers, baptized after a profession of faith in Christ. God has entrusted the task of evangelism to the local church, and it is the primary responsibility of the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.


I believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers; and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications.


I believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. I believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).


 (Ephesians 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Acts 1:8; 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4). 


Church Ordinances: 

I believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ.
I believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination. I believe that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people.

(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:1-11; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; 1 Corinthians 10:16). 

Eschatology: (The Study of End Times) 

I believe in the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation to translate His church from this earth and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works.
I believe that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth. At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged. This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy.
I believe that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David and establish His messianic kingdom for 1,000 years on the earth. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world.
I believe that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel to restore them to the land that they forfeited through their disobedience. The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside, but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing.
I believe that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life, and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan.
I believe that following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign of Christ, Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven. Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.
I believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment, they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire.
I believe that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers, the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells. Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever.

(1 Thess. 5:1-3; 8-11; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15; Daniel 9:27' 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16; Daniel 12; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:9; Matthew 25:41; John 5:22; Revelation 20:11-15; Ezekiel 36:33-38; Romans 11; 2 Peter 3:10; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28). 

Cooperation:

Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18. 

Family:
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.


Help from several churches including:
Grace Community Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Kings Way Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January Newsletter

A baby changes everything.-Faith Hill

PICTURES:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the 3 Welchs

Julia and I at the start of the big day. They call it labor for a reason. I've determined that women are stronger than men.

Our beautiful bundle of joy: Piper Christine Welch

Blowing kisses from Africa.

I was nervous about holding her for the first time, but I was amazed at how natural it came.

Labor wore me out.

Isn't she the cutest little thing.

She has me wrapped around her finger. I'm ready to give her the credit card as soon as she's old enough.

Mother and daughter.

I love Julia more now than ever before.

Asleep at last, a sleep at last. Praise God she's asleep at last
Julia's parents brought us food from America. Julia's enjoying a Krispy Kreme donut. 

Big Mac from McDonalds!

Christmas morning in Africa!

Piper enjoying her new seat from her Great-Grandmother.

This mosque is a five minute walk from where we are staying in Senegal. Every time we hear the call to prayer we are reminded why we moved from America to Africa.

Fishermen mending their nets on the beaches of Dakar. 


Julia and Piper soaking up the rays. Don't worry Piper wasn't in the sun very long.

Piper's first trip to the beach.

STORY:
Julia and I are enjoying life as new parents. We are learning that being a new parent is hard; but the rewards outweigh the work which is involved. We could share with you a myriad of stories about the fun we are having with Piper; however, because of time we will only share one: The Great Diaper Fiasco of December 17th.

It began like any normal afternoon. I was holding and starring into the face of the world's most awesome daughter. When all of a sudden her face began to contort and turn bright red. As Piper's face began to relax a horrific smell wafted through the air to my nose. As I starred down into Piper's smiling/gassy face, I knew she had left me a present. I thought to myself, I will serve Julia by changing this diaper. Little did I know what I was in for.

I got everything situated; I laid down a towel, grabbed a diaper, wipes and began to unbutton her onesie. My fat fingers found it difficult to undue the buttons. (I mean why are these buttons so incredibly small, does the manufacturer only want women changing clothes). After I stripped Piper down. I was a little hot so I turned on the fan. I proceeded to open Piper's diaper to a seedy, brown, awful smelling poop. As I began to wipe her, the cool breeze from the fan began to hit the both of us. As soon as the cool breeze hit Piper she began to pee. I don't mean just a little pee, I mean pee began to go everywhere. I started to scream, "JUUUULLLIIIIAAAA, HEELLLPPPP MEEEE!!!" Piper did not like my screaming and began to scream also; all the while pee was continuing to shoot out. I grabbed Piper and made a bee-line to the bedroom, leaving a pee-line behind us. As I entered the bedroom, I happened to look down at Piper's face and began to see her peaceful complexion change to a look of concentration. I began to get nervous as her face once again began to turn red and bunch up. Here I am holding a naked baby close to me and all signs are pointing to torpedoes away! I held her away from me as I searched frantically for a towel. Rumbling began to erupt from Piper's stomach. Her face began to contort and turn bright red. I searched frantically for a towel, throwing clothes, toys, and books all over the floor. I finally saw a towel across the room. I sprinted towards the towel as Piper's face turned redder and redder with concentration. I grabbed the towel and threw it around her right before torpedoes launched. When the torpedoes hit the towel, a mess went everywhere. Poop went all over Piper and myself. We both began to cry and scream for Julia.

Piper and I lived through the diaper fiasco of December 17th and we both learned two very valuable lessons. We learned if you are going to change a diaper make sure you wait a few minutes to make sure the baby is finished and don't turn on a fan.

DEVOTIONS:
Our Sovereign God
The Day I Tested Positive for Tuberculosis

PRAYER REQUESTS:
I will be leaving Julia and Piper on January 4th to travel to Turkey  in order to finish my seminary education. I will be gone January 4th-17th. I am sad to leave my family but realize in the end it will be worth it. Please be in prayer for myself as I travel. Pray I am able to focus in class and accomplish all of my work. Pray for Julia and Piper as I am in Senegal. Pray God gives Julia strength.

We are still waiting for Piper's passport, certificate of birth abroad, and visa. Please pray all of this paperwork would be in by January 17th when I return from classes in Turkey. I have to leave shortly after returning and I do not want to leave Julia alone to travel with just her and Piper. Please pray the paperwork is processed and returned quickly.

We found out that I have been exposed to tuberculosis. What this means is that the TB bacteria has entered my body and the infection has been contained, but not cleared. I am not ill, nor infectious to other people. The body has walled off the bacteria, however, I will need treatment. I will begin INH treatment in the new year. This treatment will involve me taking a pill everyday for the next 9 months. Please be in prayer for my healing. If you would like more information you may read the blog under the Devotional tab of this news letter.

I will begin applying for jobs this month. Do you know of any churches or schools which are hiring? I am looking for ministry related jobs either in a church or school. Please be in prayer over the application process. Please pray that God would direct my search to the job which best matches my gifting and qualification. Pray I am able to find a job before returning to the States in July.

We have six months left in Nalerigu. It is easy to shift our focus from Ghana to America. Please pray that we would be faithful in finishing the task which God has called us to. Pray we would work hard to train Nationals to continue our ministries long after we have left Nalerigu. Pray we have a fruitful six months.

MORE PICS:
The 3 Welchs

Piper's not sure what to make of all these kisses.

Is it possible to love someone to much? 

We love Piper from her head to her feet.
Piper in her Christmas outfit.


Thank you for holding the rope for us! We love you all.

Serving Him,

The 3 Welchs