Always Abounding - 2016_2

Fundamentalist
Always
Abounding
016
Commencement
What a wonderful school year we were
blessed with at Fairhaven Baptist
College. Pastor Tom Fryman from
Cornerstone Baptist Church in Massillon,
Ohio, preached for the closing chapel and
commencement service. What a joy and privilege
to see young men and women going out to serve
the Lord!
Summer 2016
In this issue. . .
Priesthood of the Believer
FBC Alumni
Children’s Books
Education to the Glory of God
Goals for Godly Teenagers
Always Faithful
Attitudes for Mission Work
The Second Man
“. . . be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” I Corinthians 15:58

CONTENTS
1 Commencement
3 Children’s Books
by Colleen Decker (‘95)
Decker Books
tcdecker@aol.com
4 Priesthood of the Believer
by Pastor Steve Damron
Children’s picture books
with moral story
Set 1
$10.00
Children’s picture books
with moral story
Set 2
$10.00
7 FBC Alumni
Pastor Jason Atwood (‘03)
8 Education to the Glory of God
by Dr. Jeff Voegtlin
10 Goals for Godly Teenagers
by Evangelist Eric Ramos
12 Always Faithful
by Dr. Larry Williams (‘80)
Children’s Large Picture
Salvation story for
Sunday School or home
$10.00
A Russian Missionary
Novel
(320 pages)
$10.00
Children’s 365 Day Bible
Reading Devotional
Journal
(256 pages)
$10.00
13 Attitudes for Mission Work
by Clint Rardin (‘94)
14 The Second Man
by Luke Brown (‘90)
©Published by Fairhaven Baptist Church. For correspondence or change in subscription information,
write: Fairhaven Baptist Church, Always Abounding - The Fairhaven Fundamentalist, 86 East Oak Hill
Road, Chesterton, IN 46304, U.S.A. For more information, call (800) SEE-FHBC.
2 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

Children’s Books and
Devotionals
Colleen Decker (‘95)
The Lord has given me the desires of
my heart. I cannot imagine anything
I would rather do than be a helpmeet
to my husband and a servant of the Lord.
Travis and I have three children: Breanna,
17; Amanda, 15; and Benjamin, 13.
For eighteen years our family served
as missionaries in Belarus and Russia,
where we encountered a wide variety of
experiences. From church planting and
ministering in orphanages to being raided
by the KGB, we were honored to be able to
serve our Savior.
During my time on the mission field,
I was able to write nine books, one of
which is a 365-day children’s devotional.
I realized that if children, even in good
churches, never learn to have a personal
relationship with the Lord and never learn
to base what they believe on the Bible,
then when they get older, they will likely
lose the standards guarding their parents’
convictions.
It is important for children to read the
Bible, study it, and then to act upon what
they have read. This was the goal I had
in mind and heart as I wrote My Candle.
James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your
own selves.”
The daily devotional challenges in My
Candle vary based upon the portion of
Scripture being read. For example, an
entry in June reads, “Let’s tell others about
the Lord and invite them to attend church
with us this week. Is there any reason
for us to be shy when telling the unsaved
about our wonderful Savior? We should
not let our fear of possible rejection keep
us from inviting someone to attend church
with us. Our God has commanded us to
tell others about Him, and He promises
that He will go with us.”
RESOURCES
In the book of Psalms we see that God
is our help and our deliverer, and He can
guide us with His eyes. Our God is with
us everywhere and anywhere we go, and
He wants us to be busy about bearing His
precious seed—the Word of God.
Throughout the week the reader is
then challenged to improve on this area of
his life by passing out at least three Bible
tracts, inviting his neighbors to church,
and sharing his testimony with someone.
There are also three questions for him to
answer each day and a memory verse for
the month.
In the summer of 2014, my husband,
Travis, felt the Lord leading him back to
his home state of Iowa, where he is now
pastoring. This is a very fulfilling ministry
with many opportunities to serve the Lord.
I am able to have ladies’ Bible studies,
help with our King’s Kids Wednesday night
program, and put Scriptures together which
are sent around the world to missionaries.
I work with our homeschooling families
once a week to enhance their studies. I
also help with our camp, youth, banquets
and activities, among other responsibilities
of being a pastor’s wife. If you ask my third
grade girls’ Sunday school class what we
are doing at Ottumwa Baptist Temple, with
one voice they will let you know that we
are, “Holding fast the faithful Word—the
King James Bible!”
God has truly given me the desires of
my heart, and it is a joy to serve Him!
(For information on ordering Mrs. Decker’s books, see
the ad on opposite page.)
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 3

BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
The Priesthood of the
Believer
Pastor Steve Damron
There are numerous Scripture verses
which help us understand our
position as priests with direct access
to God. Here are a few:
“Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us
up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians
2:5-6).
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by
the blood of Christ. For he is our peace,
who hath made both one, and hath broken
down the middle wall of partition between
us; Having abolished in his flesh the
enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in
himself of twain one new man, so making
peace; And that he might reconcile both
unto God in one body by the cross, having
slain the enmity thereby: And came and
preached peace to you which were afar off,
and to them that were nigh. For through
him we both have access by one Spirit unto
the Father. Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens
with the saints, and of the household of
God” (Ephesians 2:13-19).
“Seeing then that we have a great high
priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession” (Hebrews 4:14).
As the leader of the Protestant
Reformation, Martin Luther addressed the
teaching of the priesthood of the believer.
He challenged the office of priest as
propagated by the Roman Catholic Church.
Luther recognized that the mediator
role that Catholic priests assumed was
unbiblical. Because of the widespread
effect of the Reformation and this teaching
in particular, some have pointed to Luther
as the one who discovered the doctrine of
the priesthood of the believer. Of course,
careful students of history recognize other
assemblies of believers, in existence well
before A.D. 1517, that embraced the
doctrine of the priesthood of each believer.
They saw through the corrupted Roman
Catholic traditions to the very words of
God in the Bible, where they learned the
pure truth. The concept of the priesthood
of the believer is an amazing doctrine,
because it eliminates the human mediator
positioned between a Christian and his
God.
While Baptists teach that believers
may access God directly and individually,
they also recognize that with this privilege
comes the responsibility of priesthood.
Some religions scoff at this truth and create
rituals or orders for their congregants
that hold in check their communication
with God; however, the Bible clearly
teaches access to God through our divine
mediator. His death on the cross and shed
blood secured this on our behalf. What
wonderful truth!
Unfortunately, Catholics are not the
only ones with traditions. Baptist churches
must beware of allowing extra-Biblical
practices to slip into their realm as well.
Interestingly, even a doctrine as precious
and valued as the priesthood of the
believer can be diminished in independent
Baptist churches by lazy church members
and unscriptural church leadership. How?
There are a couple of reasons:
1. One line of thinking states that if
the “average Joe” can access God directly,
then a pastor is unnecessary. This may be
propagated (though not often verbalized)
to create an intimidation factor between
church members and the authority of
church leadership.
To answer this, we need to understand
the office of the pastor. The Bible lays
4 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

out church government. This structure,
though, was not given so that the
leadership could be the “go-betweens” for
the members and God. There are specific
duties given to pastors and to deacons as
servants of the members of the church.
These duties are distinct from the duties
and responsibilities of the Old Testament
priests. The job of the pastor is not to hold
his people at arm’s length from God so he
can be a “pope” or “priest” for his people.
I believe that God gave pastors so that
the members can follow their example.
This is what Hebrews means when it says,
“whose faith follow.” It should be the
desire of every pastor to draw the people
the Lord has entrusted to his care closer
and closer to the presence of God. As this
occurs, there will be less micro-managing
of trivial matters in the church, more
ministering to each other as believers, and
witnessing to the lost through evangelism.
2. Another way of thinking states that
if the “average Joe” can go directly to God,
there will be a lot of individuality in the
church.
This may be true, because we are not
“robots” made in heaven and sent down
to inhabit churches! God has fearfully and
wonderfully made us. Churches are made
up of individuals. But along with that, each
individual should be able to come together
as a team. This is the teaching of the
differing gifts and the differing body parts
that make up the complete man.
As individuals and individual families
work together in the local assembly,
there will be differences in how each
functions. Families and individuals will be
involved in different ministries within the
church. Outside of the church, members
will have differing tastes in Christian or
classical music, activities, and even food.
Individuality is a by-product of creation.
We should enjoy the distinctions that God
has made in nature as well as in people.
In regard to our churches, the Scriptures
have clearly taught that we can have unity
BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
as we submit to one another with our local
independent body of believers. While
stating a belief in the priesthood of the
believer, some leaders act threatened by
the results of this doctrine. We need to
make sure that the church we join is one
that we can covenant with in faith and
practice. If we cannot, then rather than
causing disunity, we should not join that
work.
In closing, I would like to leave a thought
as you consider the truth of the priesthood
of the believer. The Old Testament books
of Exodus and Leviticus list strict guidelines
on the process of purification that the
Levitical priest had to perform.
“For Aaron and his sons shall wash
their hands and their feet thereat: So they
shall wash their hands and their feet, that
they die not: and it shall be a statute for
ever to them, even to him and to his seed
throughout their generations” (Exodus
30:19, 21).
This is one of many, many verses
that gives guidelines of the purification
required before a priest entered into his
tasks of ministering. Consider now some
New Testament principles for you and me
as believers as we enter into His presence:
“For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain
from fornication: That every one of you
should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which
know not God: That no man go beyond
and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all
such, as we also have forewarned you and
testified. For God hath not called us unto
uncleanness, but unto holiness”
(I Thessalonians 4:3-7).
“Which in time past were not a people,
but are now the people of God: which
(cont., pg 6)
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 5

BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
The Priesthood of the
Believer
(cont.)
had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech
you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”
(I Peter 2:10-11).
“For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his
steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth: Who, when he was
reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself
to him that judgeth righteously: Who his
own self bare our sins in his own body
on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed. For ye were as
sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls” (I Peter 2:21-25).
God has not lessened the expectations
for holiness and purity today. He expects
every believer to be both pure and holy.
We live in a sinful age in which acceptance
of the world, alliance with the devil, and
deference to the flesh are the norm in
Christian circles. We are witnessing the
consequences of this behavior in powerless
people, unholy homes, and cold-hearted
churches.
The privilege of God’s presence has the
requirement of purity. May God help us to
reconsider the teaching of the priesthood
of the believer. May its truth reinvigorate
our lives, homes, and churches to the
needed aspect of the presence of God in
our midst.
6 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

Jason and Aimeé Atwood (‘03)
The Bible says in Luke 12:48, “For
unto whomsoever much is given, of
him shall be much required: and to
whom men have committed much, of him
they will ask the more.” From growing up
in a Christian home with godly parents,
going to a Bible-believing Baptist church,
graduating from Fairhaven Baptist College,
and marrying a godly wife and helpmeet, I
believe that I have been given “much”; and
to that standard, I will be held accountable.
In February 2000, when I was a
freshman at a local university studying
mechanical engineering, the Lord called
me to full-time ministry during our church’s
annual missions conference. I enrolled at
Fairhaven in the fall of 2000 and graduated
in May 2003. Aimeé and I were married in
June 2003. I served as the assistant and
youth pastor at Frederick Baptist Church in
Frederick, Maryland, for fourteen months
before moving back to my home church
in Beeville, Texas, in preparation to start a
church in Corpus Christi.
After several months of deputation, we
began our church with four older couples in
a small, one-bedroom house on November
19, 2006. As we took steps of faith that
stretched us to our limits, God provided.
However, along with His provision, I have
found that He always calls upon us to take
another step that will test those limits
even more!
God has blessed my wife and me with
three wonderful boys: Will, Connor, and
Jack. They love the Lord and are a joy to
raise for Him. They attend the Christian
school at our church. Our oldest son
recently started working on one of our bus
routes, and all are heavily involved in the
children’s ministries.
The heartbeat of Heritage Baptist
Church is souls and missions. On a monthly
basis, we are currently supporting thirtyfive
missionaries across the world, along
FBC ALUMNI
with our local soulwinning and bus routes.
Over the last nine years, God has
made provision for us to be able to move
the church three different times. Each
move was a “step up” for our church, and
we always saw God provide financially
and spiritually. At our second location,
God allowed us to build a beautiful
new auditorium. We met in that new
auditorium for two and a half years before
selling it to move to our current location on
a five-acre piece of land in a growing area
of town. At this time, we are continuing to
seek God’s will and wisdom for our future,
staying busy with training new Christians,
and trying to build a foundation that will
be a lasting testimony of God’s saving, lifechanging
grace!
Having been given much, I have a great
burden to make sure the next generation
is faithful to the things that have been
committed to our trust. Having been a
pastor for almost ten years and in full-time
ministry for thirteen, I can’t help but see
a growing distance between many wanting
a “new” way and those that have been
faithful to the old paths. With God’s help, I
want to continue to be counted faithful to
the One who put me into the ministry.
Heritage Baptist Church ~ Corpus Christi, TX
heritagebaptistcctx.org
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 7

EDUCATION
Education to the Glory
of God
Dr. Jeff Voegtlin
Before all the goals, objectives,
strategies, methods, and lesson
plans of teachers in their classrooms,
the purpose of all education is to prepare
students for the future. Regardless of
grade, all educators are trying to help
their students be ready for what they will
face in the future. Without going into all
that helps us come to this conclusion,
Christians understand that education
should help prepare children to fulfill their
God-given responsibilities on the earth.
So, it is important to know the answer to
the question that every generation has to
figure out, which is, “Why am I here?”
As Christians we understand that we
are on the earth for two reasons. The first
is that we were created, and the other
is that we’ve been redeemed. When
we were redeemed, we were given the
8 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding
responsibility to reconcile others to God
through Christ. This is made clear to us in
the Great Commission and in II Corinthians
5:18 where we were given the ministry of
reconciliation. After salvation, we continue
here on the earth in order to bring others
to Christ also. As Christians, we see
education as an important avenue to
teach our children how to witness to other
people. Yet, before we were given the
Great Commission, before Christ’s work
of the gospel was completed, even before
we fell and knew the need for the gospel,
there was the command by God to have
dominion over the earth. When we were
created, we were given the responsibility
to give God pleasure and glorify Him. The
Creation Mandate was given to Adam in
Genesis 1:28. God blessed man and gave
him the responsibility to fill the earth,
subdue it, and have dominion over it. In
Revelation 4:11, we see that all of creation,
man included, was created to give God
pleasure. Christians often overlook this
01
first command of God, to glorify and give
Him pleasure.

What does it take to glorify God and
give Him pleasure? To glorify God, we must
first recognize who He is and what He has
done. We are yet to be able to understand
even the surface of what He has done
in the universe around us. The laws of
science, physics, the physical properties
of elements, everything that we can think
of that makes possible the technology
that we see around us today, were all in
existence at the time of creation. Every
advancement that we can think of that
man has discovered was in existence in
the creation from the very first day. As
Christians, we are to seek to know as much
about what God has created as possible in
the areas of our life that He has blessed us
with a good understanding. For some, that
means we understand science better, for
others, mathematics, for some, philosophy
or the subjects of history, economics,
government, or literature. We all should
know something about all of these, but
each of us should also strive to learn the
most about some or one of them. In this
way we can better have dominion over the
creation that God left to us to subdue.
With so much to learn and know,
Christian schools that have teachers in
them who are striving to glorify God in
the subjects they have studied, are a
tremendous blessing to parents who want
their children to glorify God in their lives.
Every truly Christian education will be
filled with as much knowledge of God’s
creation that is possible for the age of the
students. All educators, because they’ve
been created, but especially Christian
educators, since we understand this,
have a responsibility to teach children the
innumerable wonders of God’s creation.
6www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 9

TEEN CORNER
Goals for Godly Teenagers
Eric Ramos
Imagine for a moment if there were
no goals in sports? What if basketball
players had no hoops, soccer players
had no goals, football players had no end
zones, hockey players had no nets, and
runners had no finish line? What if archers
had their equipment but
no targets? What if there
were no Super Bowls,
championship games,
World Series, gold medals,
etc.? Athletics would be
pointless and teams would
have a hard time keeping a
focus. What would be the
purpose of doing anything?
There would be a lot of activity, energy,
and skill wasted without a goal in view.
Coaches design set plays for the purpose
of attaining the goal. Many young people
live frustrated lives of much activity yet
without any goals.
Picture the people of Israel wandering
about in the
wilderness with
no purpose in life,
except waiting to
die. No wonder they
had so much time to
complain and gripe
about the goodness
of God. Frustration
will come when there
is no purpose in what you are doing. Many
people want to please God, but they never
set a goal on how to do so. Before Israel
was punished for their unbelief, they left
Egypt with a plan. They had been pledged
a land of promise. God had a special place
prepared for His people, so in leaving their
place of slavery, they had something to
look forward to.
A young person seeking to have a right
future will live in the present with a great
hope. If there is no belief in God’s plan for
life, then there will be no preparation for
that plan. Set goals that will guide you in
the direction of God’s Word and God’s plan.
If you want to walk with God, what can you
do? If you want to be a soulwinner, what
should you do? If you desire to be pure,
what must you do? Focus on the plan that
God has laid out and practically
apply these truths to your life.
These goals must be set and
then followed through on a
daily basis. There must be a
consistency and endurance to
keep on going no matter what
the circumstances may be. As
Paul wrote in his letter to the
people of Philippi, “I press
toward the mark for the prize…,” so must
each young person strive who desires to
live for God.
Each day is a new beginning. How
exciting it is to start again and make each
day better than the last one! Just about
everyone looks back and thinks of ways
to “resolve” their
problems. So, they
begin by making a list
of resolutions. They
want to begin losing
weight, saving more
money, organizing
their homes, reading
more books, and
the list goes on and
on. Why is it that this “resolving” has to
be done over and over again? Because
intentions and resolutions are good, but
without a goal, nothing will ever change.
Without a purpose, sports would be a
lot of running, jumping, skating, and
worthless motion. For the Christian there
is no difference. Many people want to “do
10 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

ight”; however, there are a great deal of
things involved with doing right.
“If you shoot at nothing, you will hit it
every time” was a phrase that I heard often
growing up. How true this is! Teenager,
please seek to allow the Lord to give your
life purpose and not have another year
that is wasted. Each day you must make
goals and challenge yourself
to take another step forward
for the Lord. If there is a daily
plan and a daily purpose,
then your life will be worth
something as the weeks and
years pile up. The Christian
life is a series of steps, not
leaps. To get to a certain
point, you must take steps.
If you have a goal to win more souls to
Christ, start with something simple like
passing out a couple
of tracts each
week. You
may not feel like this is a big deal, but
it is at least a start. When a mountain
climber comes to the foot or the base of
the mountain and looks to the peak, he
must determine that he will climb it one
step at a time. It may seem overwhelming
with its heights and dangers, but it can be
accomplished by having a goal to reach the
top and taking steps.
Someone made this statement:
“Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow
is a promissory note. Today is the only
cash you have—spend it wisely.” Is one
day, such a small thing in one’s whole life,
really that important?
A six-year-old lad came home from
school one day with a note from his
teacher. The teacher suggested that he be
taken out of school, as he was “too stupid
to learn.” His name: Thomas Alva Edison.
(Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations) If
after this time he and his parents had given
up and never changed a thing in his life, his
fame, hard work, and inventions would
never have been.
There comes a time—and the
time is now—to put the failures, the
excuses, the laziness behind you and
set some goals to have a great year. It
is up to you. Do not blame anyone but
yourself for the “wandering” through life
without a purpose. Set goals and plan to
achieve these goals by daily steps. With
determination and the Lord’s help, this
year could be the best of your life. I AM
RESOLVED!
“I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14
(Eric Ramos is a staff evangelist for Fairhaven Baptist
College.)
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 11

DEVOTIONAL
“Semper Fidelis”
Always Faithful
Dr. Larry Williams (‘80)
I Thessalonians 5:18-24
The words “faithful” and “faithfulness”
are found over one hundred times
in Scripture, obviously making it
an important subject. Faithfulness can
be defined as “firmly adhering to duty;
constant in performance of duties.” There
are three aspects to faithfulness.
The Rule of Faithfulness (example)
God Himself is always the example
(rule) of faithfulness–the sun comes up
daily, and the seasons come and go with
clock-like regularity. Peter said that God
is a faithful creator (I Peter 4:19). By that,
Peter meant that God faithfully oversees
His creation and all of its functions and
processes. Paul said, “…And by Him all
things consist [held together]” (Colossians
1:17). If God would be unfaithful for just
one moment, everything would careen
into utter chaos.
The Requirement of Faithfulness
I Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful.” A steward is one who manages
the affairs of his master’s household;
but who personally owns nothing. Every
Christian is a steward of all that God has
entrusted him (e.g., the gospel, our time,
talents, and treasures [wealth]). The
primary responsibility of a steward is to
be faithful (constant) in the performance
of his duties. Each believer has been
entrusted with something and shall be
held accountable at the judgment seat of
Christ.
If you want to prove your worth, be
faithful. God does not ask how many
talents one has; He asks for faithfulness.
Man measures success by numbers; God
measures success by faithfulness. In God’s
estimation, it is better to be faithful than
famous.
The Reward of Faithfulness
Hebrews 10:35 says, “Cast not away
therefore your confidence, which hath
great recompence of reward.” Paul said,
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”
(Galatians 6:9). The world crowns success;
God crowns faithfulness. God’s “pay off”
may not be immediate, but He is faithful
and will assuredly honor our faithfulness.
The story is told of a German king, King
Henry III, who had grown tired of court
life and the pressures of being a monarch.
He applied to a monastery to be accepted
for a life of contemplation. The religious
superior, Prior Richard, is reported to have
said, “Your Majesty, do you understand
that the pledge here is one of obedience?
That will be hard because you have been
king.”
Henry replied, “I understand. The rest
of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ
leads you.”
“Then go back to your throne and
serve faithfully in the place where God has
placed you,” said Prior Richard.
When King Henry III died, a statement
was written: “The King learned to rule by
being obedient.”
Like King Henry, we often tire of our
role and responsibilities. We need to
remember that God has placed each of us
in a specific place to be faithful—be it as a
plumber, preacher, accountant, mother, or
father. God expects us to be faithful where
we are placed.
“A little thing is a little thing. But
faithfulness in little things is a very big
thing.”
(Dr. Larry Williams has been the pastor of Faith
Baptist Church in Seneca, Pennsylvania, since 1981.)
12 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

Attitudes Necessary for
Mission Work
Clint Rardin (‘94)
Twenty years ago, starting deputation
to reach the mission field was like
entering dark waters of uncertainty
and feeling like Abraham “not knowing
whither he went.” Thankfully, wise counsel
from veteran missionaries of our church
pointed us toward a successful deputation
and mission work. I pray that this
advice, also, may help some prospective
missionary.
I. The Privilege of the Missionary
Success in mission work depends on
attitudes with which we should approach
it. First, is the attitude of the privilege
to be a missionary—a sense of awe to
be chosen for the important task of
taking the gospel to a Christ-less region.
Sometimes missionaries are put on an
undeserved pedestal; but on the other
hand, missionaries should not feel like they
have a second-class calling or be deterred
by terms such as “moochanary.” Instead,
they should be excited about sharing with
churches the opportunity to be part of
the holy endeavor of taking the gospel to
unreached people.
II. The Responsibility of the Missionary
The sense of privilege should motivate
the missionary to have an attitude of
responsibility to walk worthy of his
calling. He should want to be as prepared
as possible and learn from veteran
missionaries, daily remembering his
responsibility to the churches investing
in his ministry. He should not waste time
but put in a good day’s work frequently
communicating his progress to his
supporters who rightly expect him to be
productive.
III. The Faith Required of the Missionary
In spite of diligence, mission work’s
advance can be slow and require of the
missionary an attitude of faith (Mark
MISSIONS
11:22). Although progress sometimes
is unperceivable and only incremental,
missionaries must have faith that God is
working. We are pioneers, and God has
chosen us for the difficult task of breaking
up fallow ground. It takes time to prepare
hearts; as we plant the seed of the Word,
let God do His work in His time. We are
only His instruments. It may take a
generation, but we will reap if we faint not.
IV. The Dangers for the Missionary
Slow progress and cultural obstacles can
lead to discouragement and frustration for
the missionary and his family. Temporary
attitudes of discouragement and irritation
are themselves counterproductive,
but the permanent destructiveness of
disillusionment and bitterness will conquer
us if the two former attitudes are not
dealt with. Also, beware of the attitude
of compromise in mission work when we
are desperate for Christian workers, and
few are qualified spiritually. Rather, we
must maintain high standards for Christian
service or risk debilitating or ruining our
ministry (I Timothy 3:6; 5:22). Nor can we
compromise our own conduct in a sensual
society. We are targets of Satan having
invaded his long-captive territory, and we
must guard our families from the seductive
influences of a sinfully contaminated
environment.
V. The Joy of the Missionary
As God honors our patience and
diligence; we will have a joyous attitude.
There is no joy like seeing ourselves
reproduced in others as they serve God
to reach their own people and planting
lighthouses of truth in an otherwise
spiritually-dark region that shine the light
of the gospel into hearts changed by its
power.
(The Rardin family has been serving the Lord in
Mexico for over 20 years.)
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 13

MINISTRY HELPS
The Second Man—Humble,
Hardworking, and Determined
Luke Brown (‘90)
(This article is meant to spotlight the role of a second man
both for the person who desires to fulfill that position and
for others to identify how to support and pray for the second
man.)What is it that defines success in
a person’s life? What if the Lord
has the place of second man for
you? Should it be your goal to be second?
How many enter a competition with the
hope of coming in second place?
Being a second man is not falling
short of some type of achievement; it is
purposely putting yourself in a place of
submission like Elisha did with Elijah.
Have you ever felt the satisfaction of
seeing someone accomplish a task with
your help? Behind every work for God are
people who unselfishly and graciously give
of themselves to reach the end goal. Are
you willing to work without recognition so
that the work of God can grow?
Paul would be considered a leader in
the early church. He had many partners in
ministry who came alongside and helped
accomplish great things—Barnabas, Silas,
Luke, Timothy, and Silvanus were some of
these men. They didn’t need to be first
but learned contentment in the role of
helper.
Philemon tells of one such man
whose name was Epaphras. It is believed
that Epaphras was the founder of the
church at Colosse; however, we see him
as a companion and a fellowservant with
Paul. “There salute thee Epaphras, my
fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philemon
23).
They were together in hard times—in
prison! Hard circumstances reveal true
Christian character. Though we hear so
much about Paul as a leader in the early
church and his missionary work, we see
Epaphras, a companion of Paul, as one
who accomplished a great deal for the
Lord. “As ye also learned of Epaphras our
dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful
minister of Christ; Who also declared unto
us your love in the Spirit”
(Colossians 1:7-8).
We learn from Scripture what is
needed to channel God’s blessing in the
local church among its leadership.
1) Be in agreement.
a. Share common goals—talk about
these goals and pray with each other to
show support for success in ministry. “I
beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche,
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow,
help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and
with other my fellowlabourers, whose
names are in the book of life” (Philippians
4:2-3).
b. Have the same mind—the mind of
Christ Jesus. “Nevertheless, whereto we
have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us mind the same thing”
(Philippians 3:16). There needs to be order
in the church. The pastor has been chosen
as an under-shepherd to lead the flock of
God. He is to set the rules (standards) for
the church; and, then as sheep, we follow.
When you get to the place where you can
no longer follow those rules, you have one
of two options:
• First, work on getting yourself right
with God.
• Second, let God move you. You cannot
stay in a position of authority that has
been entrusted to you by the pastor when
you don’t respect him enough to obey the
rules or standards that have been set.
2) Be faithful alongside the pastor.
If God has led you to be where you
are serving, be faithful! Be one who trusts
God’s promises. You believe God for
salvation; believe Him for daily strength
14 ‌‌‌‌│ Always Abounding

and wisdom to fulfill every job assigned to
you. Don’t neglect your responsibilities or
excuse a poor effort. Communicate during
staff meetings and perform your duties
well. A job is not done until everything is
put away.
3) Be a hard worker.
Follow the example Christ gave us
to be a servant to everyone. Learn the
crucified life, which means to sacrifice and
to put other people’s needs before your
own. Look for ways that you can make the
pastor’s life a little easier. Take on projects
he has identified as important—ones that
take up time he needs to give to prayer
and Bible study. Ask him to identify these
areas; then offer your assistance.
4) Be spiritual.
Although you are not the senior pastor,
your influence is still huge. Many church
members will look up to you and support
you in your position as second man. You
must keep a right relationship with God
and never excuse any sin in your life no
matter how small. Have a personal walk
with God and pray about everything.
When you want to respond in the flesh,
wait long enough for the Holy Spirit to help
you answer with grace.
May God help us to be servants willing
to develop other people. May my influence
be what helps others stand unashamed
before God. May my position as a second
man only strengthen and encourage the
local church in which I serve.
(Luke (‘90) and Pam (‘89) Brown have been serving
the Lord at Cleveland Baptist Church in Cleveland,
Ohio, for over 21 years.)
Look for us on:
fairhaven.sermonaudio.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 3
“God and Country” Sunday
July 11-14
Teen Camp
August 30
College Opening Week
September 1
Stewardship Banquet
September 25
Anniversary Sunday
November 14-17
Empowered Youth
Spring Campaign Outreach
As Christians we should be telling the good news of salvation throughout the
year; however, we have times set aside for a special emphasis on bringing
folks out to hear a clear salvation message whether it be in the main
auditorium or in our Sunday School and junior church classes. We praise
the Lord for the souls that were saved during our spring outreach campaign.
www.fairhavenbaptist.org │ 15

86 East Oak Hill Road
Chesterton, Indiana 46304
“Onward!” is the motto of the earnest,
all the world over, and should it not be
the watchword of the Christian?
Charles Spurgeon
Contact Us:
Phone: 800-SEE-FHBC
Email: fundamentalist@fairhavenbaptist.org