Slideshow: Midwest Trip, I

We are thankful for the safety and experiences that God has given us so far. We are presently halfway through a month-long trip through Ohio & Illinois.

Celebrating Our Heritage: P.P. Bliss and the "Ashtabula Horror"

Earlier this week our travels took us to Ashtabula, Ohio, near Madison where we had had a good day of services with the people of Tri-County Bible Church on Sunday, July 13. The town of Ashtabula is significant to church history because of one tragic event that occurred in December of 1876. Four days following Christmas of that year, American hymn writer and Gospel singer P.P. Bliss and his wife Lucy were traveling on The Pacific Express train bound for Chicago.

Bliss, who is the author of such well-known hymns as Hallelujah, What a Savior!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Jesus Loves Even Me, Wonderful Words of Life, and the composer of the tune to Horatio Spafford’s It Is Well with My Soul, had given up his life as a professional musician and educator in 1874 to give himself fully to the task of “winning souls” as a full-time evangelist. He regularly partnered with D.L. Moody in evangelistic endeavors. Bliss and his wife were returning to Chicago to rejoin Moody following Christmas vacation in Pennsylvania when their train met with disaster in snowy Northeastern Ohio. The train had just crossed through the railroad station at Ashtabula and attempted to cross a wrought iron truss bridge. The lead locomotive made it across the fracturing bridge, but all the cars behind it plunged 70 feet downward into the river and ravine below. Bliss and his wife Lucy, along with 90 others, lost their lives. Bliss (who happens to share a birthday with Tim--July 9!) was 38 years old at his death. He and Lucy left behind two children: George, 4, and Philip Paul, 1.

Our tour guide, Pastor Joe Tyrpak, took us to the three Ashtabula locations associated with the event. We began at the monument that was erected in 1895 in Ashtabula’s Chestnut Grove Cemetery. There a large obelisk bears the names of some of those who were known to have died in the incident, as well as a memorial to the many who were never identified. We also visited the location of the accident. The original bridge had, of course, completely collapsed. However there is another one in its place that is still currently in use. In the picture with me in front of the bridge, there is actually a train crossing over at the very top above all the green growth. The final site we visited was a historical marker that is placed in front of the present-day Ashtabula County hospital. The accident revealed some major weaknesses in the county’s healthcare system, which resulted in the new, much-improved hospital.

It was good to be reminded of how quickly life can end. Though we do not understand all of God’s purposes, we rejoice at how He gave this man the ability to contribute so much toward the advancement of His Kingdom in only 38 short years of life! The following hymn text was found among Bliss’s belongings following his death:

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be

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July/August Update Letter

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

Let me begin by giving public praise and thanks to God for the love and grace that He faithfully showers on His children. We are happy to be able to report back to you in safety and good health, very conscious of God’s care and protection over us. I last wrote to you from Massachusetts. After that time, we were able to visit several more churches in New England. Some of the special “extras” of the trip included a visit with a cousin in Vermont and a “jaunt” up into Québec where we were able to spend two days with church planter Jean Rousseau and family. I was able use my French both on the streets while we did some literature distribution and in the mid-week service where I got to preach in French for the first time in more than two years. It was an exciting experience for us to be able to be immersed into a French-speaking culture for a couple of days and heightened our own anticipation of arriving soon in France. Since returning to South Carolina our mileage has significantly decreased with only two weekends in North Carolina and the other services closer to home. It has been refreshing to once again minister to and with the people of our home church during this last month in Spartanburg. I was able to fill the pulpit on two different Sundays while our pastor was out of town, and our entire family helped with a large-scale community outreach that took place on June 14.

Ordination

On Saturday, June 7, the 10 men who formed my ordination council gathered to evaluate my call and preparation for the Gospel ministry. The three-hour questioning was a humbling experience for me, yet also confirming when they unanimously voted to recommend that my church ordain me to the Gospel ministry. The official ordination took place on the following day. I am grateful for all the friends and family who joined us for the occasion and for my brother Bob who brought an excellent message especially suited to the occasion.

Wedding

Last Saturday I was honored to be the officiating minister and preacher at the wedding of Amy Sutter and Josh Jensen. I was Amy’s pastor for nearly five years, and Josh is the son of our mission director and wife, Ken and Joan Jensen. The joy of seeing such a godly, mature couple united, along with our long-term friendship with Amy and our fondness for the Jensens made the occasion a special one for us in which we counted it an honor to take part.

Partners in Ministry

Since I last wrote, we have had three churches and one family begin partnering with us on a financial level. We are so grateful to God for providing through these friends. Not only has the Lord provided us with financial partners in these friends, but we are also grateful for the lifelong friendships and prayer warriors we have found in our travels. We have now reached about 17% of our estimated needs for living and ministering in France. Please pray that God will continue to burden and enable more churches and individuals to partner with us in this way.

Thank you so much for your prayers, interest and support. This missionary endeavor to France is truly a group effort, and we are thankful for all those who have joined us.

Grateful in His service,

Tim for the family

Itinerary

July 6 — Hampton, GA
July 13 — Madison, OH
July 16— Belpre, OH
July 20 — Columbus, OH
July 23 — Greenup, IL
July 27 — Rockford, IL
August 3 — Glenford, OH
August 31 — Pikeville, NC

Dr. Cole!!

We are pleased to announce that our dear friends and teammates, Michael and Liz Cole, have crossed a major milestone. Michael successfully defended his doctoral thesis on July 7 and will soon be awarded a Ph.D. in Theology from Bob Jones University. After 26 years of school, it’s nice for him to be done for a while (at least until language school begins!). Congratulations Dr. and Mrs. Cole!!

P.S. The calligraphy in the background represents the theme of Michael’s dissertation, which explored the relationship between the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Summer Meetings in the Southeast

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 (unfortunately, we forgot to take any pictures there!). At Bethany Hills, we especially enjoyed fellowshipping with Jonathan and Crystal Rodgers, some friends from the past, as well as making many new friends there. We are so thankful for Grace Baptist Church of East Flat Rock, N.C., which has already committed to partnering with us in ministry! We spent a very special Lord’s Day with them on June 15. We also had a very encouraging service at Community Baptist Church of Greer, S.C., where at least 10 of our relatives attend. Finally, this past weekend we traveled down to Bible Baptist Church of Hampton, Ga., and stayed for two nights with the friendly and musical Priest family. Now we have two days at home to prepare for our next trip in which we will be heading up into the Midwest (Ohio & Illinois). Thank you for your interest and your continued prayers on our behalf.

Wedding

Another landmark occasion that directed us back to South Carolina during the month of June was the wedding of RuthAmy Sutter to Joshua Jensen on June 28, 2008. Amy has attended our home church, Cleveland Park Bible Church, since even before Tim became pastor. Interestingly enough, she married the son of our mission director and his wife, Ken and Joan Jensen. Though Tim's years in the pastorate afforded him several opportunities to conduct funerals, this was the first complete wedding ceremony he has ever officiated. The wedding was held at the Jensens' church, Hampton Park Baptist Church of Greenville, S.C. It was an exciting occasion, particularly because of how dear the couple has been to us.

Protecting Providence

We are praising the Lord for His protection once again! Yesterday afternoon, Tim was broadsided in a construction zone by someone who couldn't see him. As you can see from the top left picture, it was a direct hit to the driver's door. The driver's door window completely shattered and none of the glass stayed in the door. It was scattered all over the car (and Tim). The other driver was very gracious and kind, which was a blessing. Tim was completely cleared of any fault, so we should be reimbursed and will not have to bear any of the financial responsibility. We are so grateful that Tim suffered nothing more than a few very minor nicks from the glass and are rejoicing in God's protection over him. It is sobering to think how fast our lives could have changed. Life truly is fragile.