Jim and Rachel's Wedding
Thu, May 28 2009 07:32 | North Carolina, family | Permalink
Last weekend we spent in Raleigh to participate in the marriage of Rachel Joy Pahnke (Ruth's younger sister) to James Daniel Small. I was honored to be the officiating minister and Ruth to be the pianist. It was a very happy occasion, not only to see God's grace to Jim and Rachel in giving them to each other but to be able to visit with so many family members and friends. After their honeymoon, Jim and Rachel will be settling in the Raleigh area. Please pray for them as they begin their new life as a married couple.
Sunday morning we attended Friendship Baptist Church with the Pahnke family. In the afternoon we drove down to Burlington, NC where we were able to update the members of Beacon Baptist Church on our latest news and I was privileged to preach. We are thankful for the support we receive from both these churches.
The last few days back here in Spartanburg have been spent pitching and packing. We decided to start with the basement and work our way up. So far, we are still in the basement.
As to our visas, we still haven't heard any news. Please keep praying with us that they will arrive soon.
Tim
Sunday morning we attended Friendship Baptist Church with the Pahnke family. In the afternoon we drove down to Burlington, NC where we were able to update the members of Beacon Baptist Church on our latest news and I was privileged to preach. We are thankful for the support we receive from both these churches.
The last few days back here in Spartanburg have been spent pitching and packing. We decided to start with the basement and work our way up. So far, we are still in the basement.
As to our visas, we still haven't heard any news. Please keep praying with us that they will arrive soon.
Tim
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Travels in SC, IL, SC and NC
Tue, Apr 28 2009 11:52 | South Carolina, travel, Illinois, North Carolina, family, Spartanburg | Permalink
Our journeys in the last few weeks have taken us from South Carolina, up to Illinois, back to South Carolina and a little ways up into North Carolina. We now have more than 223,000 miles on our van! By God's grace, we have not had any mechanical problems so far.
On Wednesday, April 15, we had a meeting at Westgate Baptist Church, right here in Spartanburg. Pastor Bill Bethea and the people of WBC were very kind and generous to us. We were blessed to get to know more believers right in our own town.
Two days later we packed up and headed up to Illinois. We had scheduled this service nearly a year ago, hoping to schedule other churches in the area for the same trip, but in the end those plans never materialized. Our time with Harmony Baptist Church of Galesburg, Ill., was well worth the trip, however. Pastor and Mrs. Bob Eshleman hosted us for supper on Saturday night, and we enjoyed participating in all the Sunday services, including their "Snack 'N Yack" after the evening service.
After leaving Galesburg, we drove three hours north-east to visit with my brother and family, Bob, Jennie, Patience and Corban Bixby in Rockford, Ill. Though we weren't able to hang around for a service at their church, we did enjoy the family time. We are sad that we won't get to see them again before we leave for France.
We weren't there for long before we had to leave and head back to South Carolina for a service on Wednesday night, Aprill 22, at Heritage Bible Church in Greer, S.C. Following our presentation, Pastor Dan Brooks had the whole congregation divide up into pairs and pray specifically for our needs. What a blessing that was for us, especially with our present concern over our visas. Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures, so I had to steal one off their website! We give thanks to God for this body of believers and for their generosity to us.
This past Sunday, April 26, we drove up to Ramseur, N.C., for a meeting at Faith Baptist Church. Here we remembered to take a picture of the building, but forgot to get one of Pastor and Mrs. Gary Moger! We enjoyed our time with the people of FBC as well as our time with Pastor and Mrs. Moger at Zaxby's following the evening service. Pastor Moger has nearly successfully convinced me that I need to buy the Logos Bible program! We drove home that night, getting back just after midnight.
We will be in our own church this Wednesday, then we pack up to leave again on Friday--this time headed for New York!
On Wednesday, April 15, we had a meeting at Westgate Baptist Church, right here in Spartanburg. Pastor Bill Bethea and the people of WBC were very kind and generous to us. We were blessed to get to know more believers right in our own town.
Two days later we packed up and headed up to Illinois. We had scheduled this service nearly a year ago, hoping to schedule other churches in the area for the same trip, but in the end those plans never materialized. Our time with Harmony Baptist Church of Galesburg, Ill., was well worth the trip, however. Pastor and Mrs. Bob Eshleman hosted us for supper on Saturday night, and we enjoyed participating in all the Sunday services, including their "Snack 'N Yack" after the evening service.
After leaving Galesburg, we drove three hours north-east to visit with my brother and family, Bob, Jennie, Patience and Corban Bixby in Rockford, Ill. Though we weren't able to hang around for a service at their church, we did enjoy the family time. We are sad that we won't get to see them again before we leave for France.
We weren't there for long before we had to leave and head back to South Carolina for a service on Wednesday night, Aprill 22, at Heritage Bible Church in Greer, S.C. Following our presentation, Pastor Dan Brooks had the whole congregation divide up into pairs and pray specifically for our needs. What a blessing that was for us, especially with our present concern over our visas. Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures, so I had to steal one off their website! We give thanks to God for this body of believers and for their generosity to us.
This past Sunday, April 26, we drove up to Ramseur, N.C., for a meeting at Faith Baptist Church. Here we remembered to take a picture of the building, but forgot to get one of Pastor and Mrs. Gary Moger! We enjoyed our time with the people of FBC as well as our time with Pastor and Mrs. Moger at Zaxby's following the evening service. Pastor Moger has nearly successfully convinced me that I need to buy the Logos Bible program! We drove home that night, getting back just after midnight.
We will be in our own church this Wednesday, then we pack up to leave again on Friday--this time headed for New York!
Travels in New England, Part 3
Tue, Mar 17 2009 11:54 | Massachusetts, New England, travel, North Carolina, slideshow, Maine | Permalink
We are now back in Spartanburg, SC, with the windows open, enjoying 70+ degree weather. It is hard to believe that less than a week ago we were up in Madawaska, Maine experiencing windchills of -19!
This was truly a wonderful trip. We traveled through two Canadian provinces, 15 states and the District of Columbia, putting more than 7,000 miles on our van. (By God's grace, with more than 217,000 miles, our Dodge Caravan is still running strong!) This trip was special in that we not only met many new friends, but got to reunite with many friends that had been made on our previous trips to New England.
Here is the final segment of pictures from this trip. As you will see, the trip ended with a very enjoyable stop in Wilmington, NC, and a trip to Papa and MeMa Pahnke's in Wake Forest, NC.
(To view slide show in a larger format, click here.)
This was truly a wonderful trip. We traveled through two Canadian provinces, 15 states and the District of Columbia, putting more than 7,000 miles on our van. (By God's grace, with more than 217,000 miles, our Dodge Caravan is still running strong!) This trip was special in that we not only met many new friends, but got to reunite with many friends that had been made on our previous trips to New England.
Here is the final segment of pictures from this trip. As you will see, the trip ended with a very enjoyable stop in Wilmington, NC, and a trip to Papa and MeMa Pahnke's in Wake Forest, NC.
(To view slide show in a larger format, click here.)
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Travels in Late January
Wed, Jan 28 2009 12:04 | Virginia, North Carolina | Permalink
On Saturday, January 17, as crowds were flooding into the nation's capital for the presidential inauguration, we were making our way to a former national capital. One that, for better or for worse, did not remain a capital for long because the nation it represented did not exist for long. However, Richmond, Virginia, still preserves the "White House of the Confederacy" where President Jefferson Davis lived with his family for nearly 5 years until Confederate forces evacuated Richmond on April 2, 1865.
While we enjoyed our private drive-through tour of historic Richmond, we weren't there to see the dead stones of history. We were there to visit with two local churches, "living stones" if you want a Biblical term for church members.
While we enjoyed our private drive-through tour of historic Richmond, we weren't there to see the dead stones of history. We were there to visit with two local churches, "living stones" if you want a Biblical term for church members.
Sunday morning we spent with Calvary Baptist Church of Midlothian and Pastor and Mrs. Rick Phillips (top right). I was able to teach my Uncle Dave Gambrell's Sunday School class (though they were out of town). Following the service we were hosted for lunch by Jim and Mari Byerly (bottom left). What a pleasure and spiritual encouragement just to hear their personal testimonies. CBC gave us a very generous love offering and have already taken us on for support!
Sunday evening we shared our ministry to France with the people of Faith Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond. We were very impressed with the Word-centered ministry approach of Pastor Frank Jones (with wife and son, top left) and the spirit of the small congregation. It was also an unexpected treat to run into a mentor from my college days, Greg Hoffman (with family, bottom right). We were especially moved and uplifted by the special time of prayer that Pastor Jones led at the close of the service for us and our ministry.Last Sunday, January 25, we spent with Cornerstone Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor Jeff Kelly is the pastor of this small church plant, just over a year old, that is seeking to reach the south side of Asheville. We were with them for their morning services, fellowship meal, and early afternoon service. We greatly appreciated their interest in our ministry and likeminded fellowship of the faith. It was also fun to discover that we had many mutual friends and experiences, and once again Ruth was surprised by running into yet another friend, Michelle, from her summers at Forest Glen Bible Camp many years ago.
Travels in early January
Tue, Jan 13 2009 07:17 | travel, North Carolina | Permalink
The purpose of this post is to update you on some of the places we have visited in early January.
On the first Sunday of January, we spent the day in Brevard, NC, with the people of Bethany Baptist Church. I (Tim) was privileged to teach an adult Sunday School class and share our ministry during the evening service. In between those two responsibilities, we enjoyed attending the morning worship service and hearing Pastor Matt Collier preach from the Gospel of Mark. We then had a good time with the Colliers over lunch and a restful afternoon at the McKendrees before heading back to church for the evening service.
The second Sunday in January was divided between two different churches in North Carolina, one in Conover and one in Ramseur.
The morning and early afternoon were spent with Pastor and Mrs. Browning (bottom right in the collage below) and the congregation of Bethesda Baptist Church. Their regular Sunday schedule includes a morning Sunday school hour and worship service followed by a fellowship meal and an 1:30 afternoon service. We found the schedule to be very restful and conducive to fellowship and interaction. I was able to speak during the afternoon service. Ruth was surprised by running into some old friends she had known during two summers spent at Forest Glen Bible Camp in Brookfield, Nova Scotia. It was a special treat for her to visit with the Berkeys (bottom middle).
The morning and early afternoon were spent with Pastor and Mrs. Browning (bottom right in the collage below) and the congregation of Bethesda Baptist Church. Their regular Sunday schedule includes a morning Sunday school hour and worship service followed by a fellowship meal and an 1:30 afternoon service. We found the schedule to be very restful and conducive to fellowship and interaction. I was able to speak during the afternoon service. Ruth was surprised by running into some old friends she had known during two summers spent at Forest Glen Bible Camp in Brookfield, Nova Scotia. It was a special treat for her to visit with the Berkeys (bottom middle).
Sunday afternoon we drove two hours through beautiful North Carolinian countryside to Ramseur and Shiloh Baptist Church (founded in 1843!). Pastor Bruce and Leslie McClananan were very gracious to us, as were many others in the well-attended service. We also enjoyed visiting and discovering connections with the senior McClanahans who have served in mission work for many years. 
Thanksgiving week with family and friends
Tue, Dec 2 2008 12:54 | North Carolina, family | Permalink
We enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving weekend in North Carolina. We spent Thursday through Saturday with Ruth's parents at their home in Wake Forest, North Carolina. About 20 Pahnke relatives gathered for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday afternoon. We had a relaxing weekend eating, talking, walking through the woods, playing with the aunts and uncles, riding Papa's tractors around the farm, setting up the Christmas tree, reading and resting. We are grateful for our family.
Sunday, November 30, we spent with College Park Baptist Church of Cary, North Carolina. Pastors Matt Walker, Todd Carswell and the whole church family were very gracious to us. I was privileged to teach the adults in Sunday school and present our ministry to France in the evening service. Following the service, the church immediately voted to partner with us through regular financial support! That was the first time we had ever expereinced a church family partnering with us on the same day as our presentation. After the vote, everyone gathered around the map while I added a pin on Bordeaux, France. A prayer of dedication was then offered on our behalf. What an encouragement to have another supporting church! One more reason for us to give thanks during this season.
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Slideshow: Carolina Travels
Thu, Sep 4 2008 07:08 | South Carolina, North Carolina, slideshow | Permalink
It has been a special blessing to be based out of our home here in the parsonage of Cleveland Park Bible Church for the last month. Though during that time, we have only trekked across the parking lot to church three or four times. One of those visits afforded us the joy of hearing our future French co-workers, Michael and Liz Cole, present their burden for France to our home congregation. Having the doctoral work behind them, the Coles are now seeking to hit the road on full-time deputation. We all would appreciate your prayers for them to find open doors for services and that God would direct them to churches and individuals who would be able to partner with them in ministry.
We have been grateful for the opportunities to visit a number of churches in the Carolinas during this month, where we found many friends from the past. Among them was a visit to one of our more recent supporters, Grace Baptist Church of East Flat Rock, NC, (though I’m afraid we neglected to take any pictures to add to our slideshow!). We also visited Emmanuel Baptist of Mills River, NC, a church that has supported Tim’s parents since before he was born. A full Sunday in Goldsboro, NC, gave us a good excuse to visit my parents in Wake Forest, and another supporting church there: Friendship Baptist Church of Raleigh (alas! No pictures here either!). We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday with the people of Trinity Baptist in Goldsboro, a church which we had visited as youth group chaperones in our newly-married days. The slideshow above will give you a little pictorial history of some of those recent travels.
We have been grateful for the opportunities to visit a number of churches in the Carolinas during this month, where we found many friends from the past. Among them was a visit to one of our more recent supporters, Grace Baptist Church of East Flat Rock, NC, (though I’m afraid we neglected to take any pictures to add to our slideshow!). We also visited Emmanuel Baptist of Mills River, NC, a church that has supported Tim’s parents since before he was born. A full Sunday in Goldsboro, NC, gave us a good excuse to visit my parents in Wake Forest, and another supporting church there: Friendship Baptist Church of Raleigh (alas! No pictures here either!). We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday with the people of Trinity Baptist in Goldsboro, a church which we had visited as youth group chaperones in our newly-married days. The slideshow above will give you a little pictorial history of some of those recent travels.
Summer Meetings in the Southeast
Tue, Jul 8 2008 12:29 | South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina | Permalink
These last six weeks in the South have been full with ministering in our own church and traveling to churches in the region. At the beginning of June, we spent a weekend with Ruth’s parents in Raleigh and presented our burden to the people of Bethany Hills Baptist Church Bethany Hills Hampton , Ga. Ohio & Illinois
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Fellowshipping with the Friendly People of Friendship
Mon, Apr 14 2008 07:44 | North Carolina | Permalink
We enjoyed a wonderful missions conference with the people of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is the church that Ruth attended from age 11 until she left for college. It was a blessing to go “home” and see many old friends, stay with "Papa" and "Me-Ma" Pahnke, and rejoice in the work that God is doing in that city. We were graciously treated and showered with gifts and kindnesses, shopping trips, brunches, children’s activities, breakfasts and more. A new fuel pump was purchased by the church and installed on our Dodge Caravan by Garry Loy. That was only one example of many things that we received, both tangible and intangible, during the missions conference. The children also enjoyed playing with their second cousins from Siberia, the five children of Kevin & Jessica (Bixby) Jones. The theme of the conference, “Praying God Will Open Doors,” remains our prayer. Thank you, Friendship, for your hospitality and gracious service to us.
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