 | By Ron and Louise Maynard (Mankato Church of Christ) Ron and Louise Maynard’s Fishers of Men Newsletter February 16, 2016 58117 238th Street, Mankato MN 56001 fomrlm@aol.com 612-963-2808 WEBSITE / FACEBOOK |
Greetings from Alabama
In early January we began two classes at Heritage Christian University in Florence. The classes are offered for college credit, and we have eight men enrolled who are Bible majors, six of them in an afternoon class. The university also makes the classes available to Christians in the community, and we have ten students in an evening class from four different area congregations. This is my fourth time to teach here at the university, first in 2001. Then in 2004 we had a class of 258, my biggest class ever, during the Light the Fire campaign. We returned in 2007. I often praise the efforts of students in our FOM classes by pointing out that they are doing enough work and study to earn three hours of college credit.
At the end of four weeks our statistics are:
We have many friends and several supporting congregations in the area, and we have been busy visiting them on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also recently attended the Freed Hardeman lectures, where we had a Fishers of Men display in the exhibit area as well as a presentation of information about the Vocational Ministry initiative that we are beginning in the Mankato church to encourage young college graduates to come to Minnesota to seek employment and work with the church.
At the end of four weeks our statistics are:
- Students - 16
- Developing Interest Contacts - 113
- Bible Studies - 5
We have many friends and several supporting congregations in the area, and we have been busy visiting them on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also recently attended the Freed Hardeman lectures, where we had a Fishers of Men display in the exhibit area as well as a presentation of information about the Vocational Ministry initiative that we are beginning in the Mankato church to encourage young college graduates to come to Minnesota to seek employment and work with the church.
Mid-North classes bear fruit
Our classes in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Rochester, MN, ended just before Thanksgiving. In our November newsletter we told stories of Bible studies in progress. The gospel was being taught as far away as China using Search for Truth studies. We also mentioned a man in Eau Claire who taught his wife several of the studies before the class ended. We got the good news just last week that she has recently been baptized into Christ. We praise God for giving the increase when the planting and watering of the seed are accomplished.
Curry Alabama : "Just Exploding"
Sometimes we get a phone call or email that fills us with joy and thanksgiving for the work God is doing. Last spring we journeyed through the hills and hollows of north Alabama to a small town where we had a class with 10 students from the Curry church of Christ. (See picture on next page.) One person was baptized during the class. Then several months later Mark Barker told us about four people who had been baptized as a result of Bible studies, some of which were begun during the class. Then on Monday Terry Townsend, the preacher, called to tells us that the church there was “just exploding.” Twenty-two have been baptized and four restored. Their Sunday morning attendance has grown from 110 to 130. Their Wednesday evening Bible study attendance ranges from 100 to 110. Terry teaches 25 teens on Wednesday night, and some of them are bringing their parents! Home Bible studies are being conducted several nights a week. Terry says, “This is the most on fire I have ever been.” Other preachers are calling to ask what they are doing out at Curry. He tells them that they are sowing the seed! He points to two events that were the catalyst: a door knocking campaign last year and the Fishers of Men course. Praise God!
 Students in the Rochester, MN class in November 2015. Photo courtesy: Ron Maynard |  The Spring 2015 Class at Curry, Alabama, where they are now “exploding.” Photo courtesy: Ron Maynard |
Coming SoonOur spring classes will begin in March at Concord Road in Brentwood, TN and in Rivergate, TN. | Can you help us financially?Please prayerfully consider our needs. We need $4,259 per month to bring our level of support for salary and travel expenses up to the amount set by the elders of the Cordova church. Funds may be sent to Cordova church of Christ, 7801 Macon Road, Cordova, TN 38018. |
