Rick & Beverly Simpson
Monday, January 24, 2011
Minister's Conference 2011
We are in the Great Smokey Mountains for the Minister's Conference 2011. We are so excited. We were able to come to the first three many years ago but we've not been able since, I've been praying for God to help all the Minister's that come.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Feel A Need For A Closer Walk God
Lately, it seems to me that my heart has been crying out for more of God. I know that sounds so general but I promise it truly has been the burden of my heart. God has placed me here at Summit Holiness Church as Pastor now going on four years. And I would love to see God use our church as a place of refuge, a place of hope, a place of salvation and place of fellowship .
Our church is located in probably one of the best locations of any Holiness Church I know across America. I have been Pastor of some church's where the location wasn't good. You would hardly ever see a visitor in six months. But, here we have visitor's often. We have added several new people since we've been here just by them walking in to visit and feeling the touch of God and they stayed. Matter of fact, we have heard from several new people that our church was the first time they had heard a SERMON PREACHED in weeks. Some, said they had visited a certain church for 5 weeks and hadn't heard one sermon. Thank God we still preach the Gospel.
We can talk, "much" of the bad economy, middle east situations, and many other things that's going on around the world. But, I still believe if God's people "humble themselves and pray" God will heal our land. I don't know where you may live, but here, there are so many "hurting" people. So many on drugs, getting a divorce and even committing suicide. The list could go on forever. But, the question should arise "is our church or let's get it a little closer am I doing my part to REACH OUT to the masses of souls plunging into a sea of despair. Feelings of hopelessness fill the air. Could I be the LIFELINE to a lost soul? COULD MY PRAYER BE THEIR "ONLY" MEANS OF RESCUE? That's a sobering thought.
For example....I remember when I was Pastor in Hazard, KY and we had a radio broadcast every Sunday. I would preach it "live" from my office. At the end of my 25 minutes i would give my personal phone # and then say, "if anyone would like to call for prayer, please do, I'll be waiting". In almost 6 years I had the broadcast I received about 150 calls. The most common question was "preacher does God REALLY love me"? I thought the most common would of been "is there really a God" or "is there really a Hell" and many others. But, it showed me that the Devil had lied to the multitude and told them due to their situation God didn't care about them. So, the next time you see someone who is hurting be sure to tell them about God's love. It's still amazing. And, by ALL means pray for them.
How many "missed" opportunities will we have to give account for in the Judgement. Because we weren't were we needed to be with God to hear his still small voice.
Oh God, let me draw nearer to thee in this last hour. Time is running out!
One more thing, I was in prayer about a couple weeks ago. I had been seriously seeking God about myself and the church for several days. Then, I felt this tremendous thought that I (as Pastor) was responsible for the souls at Summit Church. My mind rushed to God's word concerning Moses and the battle found in Exodus 17. The battle went in the favor of God's people HAS LONG HAS Moses' hands where raised up toward God. But, when his hands where lowered the favor went to the Amalekites. It just overwhelmed me in prayer as the thought struck me. You see, I personally believe in (in what I call) a "prayer shield". Let me explain, I'll be a little transparent here. I've notice in my on life (my family) that through the years when my prayer life may have dwindled (due to whatever reason) some that it would seem that the spirit of the "whole household" would change some for the negative. Even has Pastor I've seen this. When you (as Pastor) know that your prayers play a BIG part in the church you Pastor the thought can be staggering. Let's be honest (for the Pastor's) with ourselves. How many times has someone backslide out of our church and then we fight those feelings of "are we responsible". Did we pray enough? Did we fast enough? Did I do enough? That's what I call a "Prayer Shield". Did I LET DOWN MY HANDS "OVER" THEIR LIFE? OR, DID I HOLD THEM UP ENOUGH TO BRING THE POWER OF GOD TO THE THEIR ASSISTANCE?
There is no more satisfying feeling when as Pastor you know your in tuned with God (His Spirit comes in loud and clear). But, there is also no greater feeling of regret then when it seems the radio single from God is more static than it should be. Because, your not close enough to the "MAIN POWER TRANSMITTER". Pastor's & friends how is your signal?
thinking out loud...
Our church is located in probably one of the best locations of any Holiness Church I know across America. I have been Pastor of some church's where the location wasn't good. You would hardly ever see a visitor in six months. But, here we have visitor's often. We have added several new people since we've been here just by them walking in to visit and feeling the touch of God and they stayed. Matter of fact, we have heard from several new people that our church was the first time they had heard a SERMON PREACHED in weeks. Some, said they had visited a certain church for 5 weeks and hadn't heard one sermon. Thank God we still preach the Gospel.
We can talk, "much" of the bad economy, middle east situations, and many other things that's going on around the world. But, I still believe if God's people "humble themselves and pray" God will heal our land. I don't know where you may live, but here, there are so many "hurting" people. So many on drugs, getting a divorce and even committing suicide. The list could go on forever. But, the question should arise "is our church or let's get it a little closer am I doing my part to REACH OUT to the masses of souls plunging into a sea of despair. Feelings of hopelessness fill the air. Could I be the LIFELINE to a lost soul? COULD MY PRAYER BE THEIR "ONLY" MEANS OF RESCUE? That's a sobering thought.
For example....I remember when I was Pastor in Hazard, KY and we had a radio broadcast every Sunday. I would preach it "live" from my office. At the end of my 25 minutes i would give my personal phone # and then say, "if anyone would like to call for prayer, please do, I'll be waiting". In almost 6 years I had the broadcast I received about 150 calls. The most common question was "preacher does God REALLY love me"? I thought the most common would of been "is there really a God" or "is there really a Hell" and many others. But, it showed me that the Devil had lied to the multitude and told them due to their situation God didn't care about them. So, the next time you see someone who is hurting be sure to tell them about God's love. It's still amazing. And, by ALL means pray for them.
How many "missed" opportunities will we have to give account for in the Judgement. Because we weren't were we needed to be with God to hear his still small voice.
Oh God, let me draw nearer to thee in this last hour. Time is running out!
One more thing, I was in prayer about a couple weeks ago. I had been seriously seeking God about myself and the church for several days. Then, I felt this tremendous thought that I (as Pastor) was responsible for the souls at Summit Church. My mind rushed to God's word concerning Moses and the battle found in Exodus 17. The battle went in the favor of God's people HAS LONG HAS Moses' hands where raised up toward God. But, when his hands where lowered the favor went to the Amalekites. It just overwhelmed me in prayer as the thought struck me. You see, I personally believe in (in what I call) a "prayer shield". Let me explain, I'll be a little transparent here. I've notice in my on life (my family) that through the years when my prayer life may have dwindled (due to whatever reason) some that it would seem that the spirit of the "whole household" would change some for the negative. Even has Pastor I've seen this. When you (as Pastor) know that your prayers play a BIG part in the church you Pastor the thought can be staggering. Let's be honest (for the Pastor's) with ourselves. How many times has someone backslide out of our church and then we fight those feelings of "are we responsible". Did we pray enough? Did we fast enough? Did I do enough? That's what I call a "Prayer Shield". Did I LET DOWN MY HANDS "OVER" THEIR LIFE? OR, DID I HOLD THEM UP ENOUGH TO BRING THE POWER OF GOD TO THE THEIR ASSISTANCE?
There is no more satisfying feeling when as Pastor you know your in tuned with God (His Spirit comes in loud and clear). But, there is also no greater feeling of regret then when it seems the radio single from God is more static than it should be. Because, your not close enough to the "MAIN POWER TRANSMITTER". Pastor's & friends how is your signal?
thinking out loud...
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Major Water Break at Summit Holiness Church
We regret the recent water break we had on Jan 14 2011. It did severe damage to our kitchen and to the left side of our church all the way from the back to the front of the church (which covers over a 100 feet of Sunday School rooms, office, Evangelist quarters and hallway). Plus, it did damage to the left side of our Sanctuary. We are having church in the Fellowship Hall now until the repairs are made; which will take a few weeks or so. But, thank God Brother Jonathan Prickett (our Youth Pastor) who went into the church early that Friday morning and discovered the leak or it would have been much more severe.
We had some powerful services that Sunday (Jan 16) in the Fellowship Hall. Everybody was talking how "GOOD" it felt in there that day. I think it was just God showing his love toward us in a special way.
We also thank God for saving Bro. Capt a couple months ago. He is 70 years old and on fire for God. Plus, Brother Troy, (a 55 year old gentlemen who got saved about a month ago) God is helping him too. Last, We thank God for showing grace toward Brother David and bringing him back home. All three are doing wonderful.
Just a Pastor thinking out loud.
Rick Simpson
We had some powerful services that Sunday (Jan 16) in the Fellowship Hall. Everybody was talking how "GOOD" it felt in there that day. I think it was just God showing his love toward us in a special way.
We also thank God for saving Bro. Capt a couple months ago. He is 70 years old and on fire for God. Plus, Brother Troy, (a 55 year old gentlemen who got saved about a month ago) God is helping him too. Last, We thank God for showing grace toward Brother David and bringing him back home. All three are doing wonderful.
Just a Pastor thinking out loud.
Rick Simpson
Revival
I am very excited about Revival coming up at Summit Holiness Church where I Pastor. God has been helping us so much. We have had three saved in the last couple months. Brother Billy Adkins (from Hazard, KY) is our special speaker for the week of Jan 30 - Feb 4 2011. Please, help us pray for a mighty move of God.
To The Saving of Souls,
Rick
To The Saving of Souls,
Rick
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