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This song is about how Fred Potter got saved, written by Danny Minton. |
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It is our privilege to welcome you to the Charity Baptist Mission web page. We hope this will be a testament of what the Lord is doing in America and throughout the world. In 1973 the Lord laid upon my heart to start Charity Baptist Mission Inc., here in Bristol, Tennessee. We started it because we were opening a children’s home in Mexico. From there the Lord continued to bless and increased the areas to other countries by which we could share the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour. It has been truly a blessing to see how the Lord has used missionaries to reach the lost and see them saved. We believe in the Authorized King James 1611 version of the Word of God. It has stood the test of time and we believe this is the only true Bible. To God be the Glory!
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updated 12-3-24 |
Watch Brookside Baptist Church services at:
youtube.com/@brooksidebaptistchurchtn1954/streams
https://www.facebook.com/BrooksideBaptistChurchBristolTN
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Missions Updates
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October – November 2024
Dear Praying Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you all thankful in the Lord Jesus. It is the day after Thanksgiving and I’m reminded how the Lord Jesus has been so very gracious and kind. There is much to be thankful for (i.e. salvation, the Bible, the Blessed Hope, etc…) But, sitting to write a prayer letter gives me occasion to think of you, our supporters. I want to thank each and every one of you for every prayer on our behalf in this work. Your support of every kind has encouraged us to continue. I pray all you’ve invested in this ministry will be the source of great rejoicing at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Lord has graciously provided for another trip into Ukraine for evangelistic work in the former occupied region of Kherson. This time my son, Samuel, will be joining me and I am very excited to serve alongside him in the trenches, so to speak. Our departure is the first week of December. Our plans are to evangelize new towns and visit some of the old ones to check on things as time allows. While I am a church planter at heart and always emphasize long term missions, the situation in Ukraine gives special urgency to evangelism. We want the people in these areas to simply have a chance to hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ before going out into eternity. The possibility of the door closing if Russia takes control of the region is another scenario that soberingly reminds of the Lord’s words, “the night cometh, when no man can work.” Lord willing, when peace comes to the area, we hope to engage in more long-term work.
There is a lot of preparation and planning that must go into this evangelistic trip. God has provided the funding; we now need lots of prayer. I’ve already wired the money over for the preparation of 1,200 care packages containing food and literature. In addition, we will have even more literature to carry, along with about 800 loaves of bread, and more emergency rations of rice and dehydrated meat. Lord willing, most of the preparations will be finished by the time we land. Please pray for power and conviction of the Holy Spirit as we preach and for God’s protection since we will be very close to the front and things have escalated over the past month.
We look forward to spending some time with our church in the Odessa region and will need a few days to work out some details for our permanent return. The men in our church have finished updating the wiring and breaker box in our house. It is now ready for a gas generator. We are still praying for the Lord’s provision and timing to purchase one.
Please continue to pray for our paperwork to return to Ukraine. We have a few more details to work out, which is being done with Pastor Alexei, who is the only man who can help us with our paperwork at the current time. His exemption status was granted but is expiring soon. He has filed for another extension, and we are prayerfully waiting for an answer. Our trip will be VERY difficult without him. Please pray that the recruiter’s office will grant another three-month extension.
In my last letter I announced that Benjamin, my son, had surrendered to serve the Lord in Ukraine and was preparing to go to Bible Institute. It was an emotional experience for him. I misunderstood his exact intentions amidst the emotion. He was only talking about surrendering to the Lord’s will in general. He is still praying about the Lord’s will involving missions. I’m very happy that he experienced the joy which only comes from total surrender to the Lord. I would be happy for any of my children to serve the Lord with us on the field…IF that is His will. Please continue to pray for him that the Lord’s will be clear to him.
Please continue to pray for the following top-of-the-list requests: 1) the Lord’s protection on our upcoming trip to Ukraine; 2) God’s provision for a gas generator, and for a well to be drilled; 3) our paperwork; 4) God’s comfort, wisdom, and safety for our church in Ukraine, especially for the men who are fighting; 6) the growth of those recently saved; 7) our study of the Ukrainian language; and 8) for the war to end. My family and I would like to thank you all for your friendship, fellowship, prayers, and support of us in this work that God has given us.
That Ukraine May Know Him,
Christopher Rue - A printable PDF version is available here
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rue-Family-Missionaries-to-Ukraine-100068352738533
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July - August 2024
Dear Pastors Churches and Fellow Saints.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22
Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To begin with, I would like to thank the Lord for the time we could be with our family and friends during our stay in America. We miss all of you and are encouraged and blessed to see you again.
While in America we were privileged to preach the word of God and present the work God has called us to in Bulgaria. We visited churches in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. We are grateful for these meetings and for the prayers and support of all of our churches and individuals.
During our stay in America, I suffered some serious problems with my right knee. The diagnosis was osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee joint had deteriorated and the joint was bone on bone. It was determined that I needed to have a total knee replacement.
On August 30th the surgery was successfully preformed. Dr. Bryant was the Orthopedic surgeon who operated on me. Since then, I have been recuperating and getting around with a walker and a cane. I have physical therapy twice a week and things are progressing well. We want to thank all of you that helped us during this difficult time. We appreciate your concern, love and prayers.
We are looking forward to returning to Bulgaria on November 6th. We have lived as missionaries overseas since 1993 and consider it to be "home".
We thank the Lord for allowing us the blessings of being a part of this work all these years. We have seen many souls saved, many churches started, and so many needs, both physical and spiritual, have been met. And you, our dear supporting friends, family, and churches, have had a part in this ministry also.
May the Lord bless each and every one of you as you have blessed us.
All because of Calvary, (A printable PDF version is available here)
Matthew and Jane Welch
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October 2024
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you to all of you who pray faithfully and have supported this work that Brother Ralph Cheatwood began over 40 years ago.
About 25 years ago, after seeing the number of children abandoned at the hospital, especially among the poorer communities in which we worked, Brother Ralph said in church one Sunday that he believed God wanted us to start a children’s home. He wanted a home where these forsaken children could be raised to God’s glory. He also wanted it to be a place where they could be proud to say they grew up in “The Father’s House”. Now, six years after Brother Ralph went home to be with the Lord, we are continuing the vision the Lord gave him with a new generation of children.
Most of our original children are now grown…some married, some moved out on their own and some still here with us…all of them still a part of our family and most importantly a part of God’s family, having come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In our church, on any given Sunday, we may have our older children - some with spouses, some with their own children, some with boyfriends or girlfriends that they bring to church with them – and, of course, the young kids who now have the example of older brothers and sisters to worship with.
We have a “middle” group of young teens who are all saved, still in school and doing well. Creed, who turns 15 this month, has been leading the singing in our church services for a while now and also sings the occasional “special” during the song service.
We hired a private tutor to “homeschool” our three youngest kids. They are 4, 7 and 8 years old, but having grown up virtually homeless, we didn’t feel they were ready to be thrown into the school system here. They are doing wonderfully… catching up very quickly with the basics as well as learning to speak English. They sit attentively in church and usually ask if we can sing “Jesus Loves Me”, which is their favorite.
For those of you who had children and nurtured them, especially if you brought them up in church, it would be hard to imagine how far they had to go to catch up. Being very neglected, they could hardly speak at all and were very fragile and undeveloped both emotionally and socially. Dara has done an amazing job with them. First of all, making them feel safe and loved. Then bringing out their amazing little personalities that had been buried in fear and suspicion. It has been a year-long journey that was an around-the-clock job, but the results are such a blessing to see.
The Romanian and Turkish churches in town that I care for are doing well. One of our older daughters, Sheker, has the Romanian meeting in her home and she has been a great help to me.
There is never a dull moment around here but, Praise God, we see Him working on every hand. We cherish your continued support and prayers and we remember you often in ours.
In Christ,
Dave, Dara, Sandy and the kids (A printable PDF version is available here)
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Fall 2024
Halito! Hello!
It’s that time of year again when the long, hot summer is almost over. Fall is in the air! This verse comes to mind, (Jer. 8:20) The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. And yet, this year has been a time of labor and travel, a time of seeing the Lord save and restore. It’s also been a time of strife in our nation concerning the Nov. election. It’s been a time of heartache for those involved in wildfires and the hurricanes. As we travel, I’m so glad we can claim this verse, (Prov. 18:10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The last newsletter had us heading for the west coast and Cowlitz Way Baptist Church in Kelso, WA. The folks there are a blessing to us and have supported us for many years. Pastor Dave and the church have been faithful to “keep the light on” in a place of deep darkness. As we left WA, we knew we were running out of time because we had to be back in OK by the 1st week of September. So, we made our way to New Mexico and the Navajo Nation to be with Grace Navajo Baptist Temple at Mentmore, NM. There Daniel preached and we tried to encourage the Believers. We love these people and always hate to say goodbye.
Upon getting back to OK, Elena had been asked to teach in the fall classes at the Baptist School of Native American Biblical Studies in Stilwell, OK. About thirty women showed up nightly for classes on the Book of Ruth, Biblical Counseling, and Women’s Ministries in the church. Such an encouragement to see Native’s working together and starting their own school where church members can come and take classes on certain topics. The goal is to grow stronger Christians and stronger Churches.
After that we were asked to go back to NM and sing for the Memorial Service for Pastor Jimmy Walters, his wife, Rachel, and son, Davis, who all passed away in 2020 from Covid. It was an honor to be asked by the family to help remember their loved ones. They were remembered with great testimonies of having lived for the Lord. (Rev. 14:13) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
In Oct, we were blessed to be back at Concord Missionary Baptist for a revival in Concord, AR. Thank you for your faithful support. We were able to bring Mrs. Shirley’s eighty-six-year-old cousin, Ken, with us and it was such a blessing to have family close by. From there, we went home only to have our A/C and heat unit go out (the 1st night of the fall it dropped to the 30's), but, Lord willing, it will be repaired in a week or so. As this is wrapped up, we have more meetings coming up, the Native Men & Women Bible Conference, homecoming meetings, and other services, so even though fall is here, there are still fields to work in. Please help your missionaries pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into HIS harvest. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.
Thank you in Jesus’ Name,
In HIM, The Higginbothams: Mrs. Shirley, Elena, and Daniel
(A printable PDF version is available here)
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Coats for Kids Prep 10/14/24
In late spring and on into summer, renovations were happening in Avren. A dilapidated house on the property was expertly renovated for ministry and has given our mission group separate and designated spaces for church, dining hall, printing, coats, etc. For this ongoing project, the coat closet was needed for safe storage of materials and tools. The timing was perfect because the need for that space came at the same time as Larry’s and my trip (and extended medical stay) to America.
But as the materials were used in the remodel, the space became less needed and today we went out there to put everything back and take inventory of needs. We were excited to see that doors had been added to the attic storage spaces, and a coat of primer had been painted on the walls. Larry got out the vacuum and I moved tables where I wanted them. We organized hangers and added the new, stronger hangers we got for the heavier adult coats. Then we took inventory of what items and sizes we have the greatest need of. Some baskets were full and others were nearly empty. We have some boots but more are needed. I enjoyed the day - I LOVE working in the Coat Closet!
Please pray with us about the upcoming distributions. I look forward to sharing updates!
Love to All,
Carrie M. Leach (A printable PDF version is available here)
P.S. To give toward the needs, please make checks payable to:
Charity Baptist Mission
memo: Larry Leach, Jr. Coats for Kids.
Charity Baptist Mission,
P.O. Box 692
Bristol, TN 37621
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September 2024
IT’S COATS FOR KIDS TIME AGAIN!!!!!
I sat down to write a letter about this year’s coat and sock drive and instead found an old letter retelling stories of Coats for Kids and I decided to recycle it. Why? Because I love these stories and revisiting them bring tears of joy to my eyes. The following is a countdown of my top three favorite Coats for Kids memories:
In late 2009, Naziye’s aunt lay dying on a mat next to the wood stove. She had been a member of the Novi Pazar church for many years, and was the sweetest, most precious woman. No matter how warm they kept the room, she remained cold. I had been giving coats and socks to the kids and then went in to see her. She was small, so I found a teenaged size coat and a pair of socks for her. She had no strength and asked me to put the socks on for her. I did. And quite carefully since her skin was paper thin. Such a fragile state. She reached up one trembling hand and touched my cheek. She pulled me to her face and kissed the other cheek. It was then that I knew I couldn’t possibly limit the coat and sock distribution to only children.
Eforie 2015. Entering the Container Village in Romania was always emotional for me. Driving through the city dump, down a deeply rutted dirt/mud path was bad enough, but when a row of small dwellings came into view in the midst of trash heaps… I always found my heart in my throat. Yet the children there were always so happy. So sweet. So loving. This particular day was no exception. I was inside one of the container houses organizing the coats into piles by gender and age. Outside a line was forming at the door. One-by-one the children entered and were fitted with a coat and a pair of socks. One little girl was antsy for her turn and as soon as she was given the nod she ran and jumped on my lap. We talked a bit and she told me her name. She hugged me over and over. And even again before we left. Her joy both blessed and convicted me. She was the epitome of thankfulness.
Targovishte 2010. Targovishte is a good size city, but the section in which Pastor Nasuf lives and pastors is basically a landfill with a few nice houses, a lot of seriously run down houses, and several cardboard and plastic tarp shacks. On that particular day it was sunny and ice had thawed just a bit to make mud everywhere. Sunny, but cold and muddy. And kids were running barefoot in the streets and in fields full of garbage. Once we got everything set up and sorted at the church, a couple of rough little characters ran in. Disheveled hair. Muddy feet. Snotty noses. Mischievous eyes. I loved them! I fitted them with coats and then went to help one put his socks on. Only, his filthy feet were freezing. I wiped away the mud and then held his small feet between my hands until they were warmed. Then I put socks on him. He giggled the entire time and then hugged me and wiped his nose on me before he took off running toward his next adventure. While the moment itself was precious and unforgettable, it was some time later when the fullness of my experience was revealed to me…
You see, I eventually reached a place in parenting, marriage, home, and ministry where I felt completely worthless. Totally inept. I read Christian self-help books and devotionals and was none bettered. I took up jogging. I got a goat. Many things to better my life and bring some kind of joy or fulfillment. I prayed but it felt as if Heaven was brass and my voice rang back with emptiness in my own ears. My teenager was rebelling. Homeschooling was a joke. My goat proved stubborn and I threatened her by telling her I thought I’d enjoy BBQ’d goat ribs, but she didn’t heed my warnings. My health had begun to challenge me. My house was unfinished and remained in a construction zone state. My husband was beyond overwhelmed, yet remained busy in the churches. I simply didn’t know how much more I could take and I questioned God big time. In my despair I sat with my Bible in the few quiet moments I could steal in a day, and I read again and again the passage of Mary with her Alabaster Box. I cried and prayed and told God that all I wanted for my whole life was to be like Mary and worship at His feet. To wash His feet with my own tears. To give of everything precious to me, just for Him, so how was it that I ended up sitting in a pool of my own tears, alone and bitter. In that dark moment, scenes of Targovishte sprang to mind. Little muddy feet. The Lord revealed to me, even in my ugly state, that I’d lost perspective. I wasn’t seeing anything beyond my struggles. And every foot I got to clean or warm were His. That one revelation has been the prize and joy of my life. I have touched the feet of Jesus. What a tremendous honor I hope I never again take for granted!
It’s not yet cold enough for coats, but it takes quite a bit of time to raise money from America, get it sent here, and begin purchasing. That’s why I write this early. Please pray with us for this year’s coat and sock distribution, and if you can give anything to help with the need, it will be appreciated more than you’ll ever know. To give toward this ministry, please make checks payable to Charity Baptist Mission with “Coats for Kids” in the memo.
Larry Leach, Jr.
C/O Charity Baptist Mission
P.O. Box 692
Bristol, TN 37621
Keep us in your prayers; we need it!
Love to All,
Carrie M. Leach
(A printable PDF version is available here)
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July – August 2024
Greetings to all the Churches, Pastors and Friends in the Gospel,
I appreciate all the prayers and concerns for our health. I am doing well from my surgery and even better than the first prostate surgery I had several years ago. Debbie, my wife, is still struggling with taking cancer preventive medicine. We feel it is causing many of the problems that she is suffering with at this time. She has had a couple of steroid shots that helped this summer. Please pray for us as we make decisions concerning this medicine.
We have had a rather busy summer, as we always do every
year, while coordinating and preaching in conferences. In March and August, we
took nationals from all over the world to visit churches in West Virginia and
North Carolina. We are away from home for about a month with this part of the
ministry. I also take four trips to a particular Hispanic country each year, and
sometimes go to other Spanish speaking countries. Please pray for my wife, as
this takes me away from home quite a bit.
When home I am usually preaching on the weekends and sometimes in other states.
This is necessary, to continue our ministry in Spanish speaking countries, as we
present and bring updates while preaching in our supporting churches. We have
had some great services this year! GOD IS SO GOOD!!
If your church is not involved in some facet of missions (whether at home or abroad), you are missing out on some real blessings! A scripture we have used for years concisely states: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18
I think "perish" not only refers to the people you could have reached had you been involved in missions; but also if we as believers do not have a vision to care for souls, our reason for even existing diminishes. A heart wrenching example is the Ethiopian eunuch. "And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?" He answered frankly and honestly: "And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31-32
Joyfully Yours,
Farren Caeble 1 Sam 12:24 A printable PDF version is available here
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Ukrainian Crisis Letter - Summer of 2024
Dear Praying Pastors, Brothers and Sisters,
Mid June: We moved back to Ukraine. We Praise the Lord for His protection as we live in Odessa which has missile and drone attacks 1-3+ times a week! We have been Ministering to Lakeside Baptist Church in Lemansky, Ukraine and assisting Slavic our national pastor as we make trips to other parts of Ukraine. Pray for the Church’s outreaches and Growing Correspondence ministry: printing and sending out thousands of tracts weekly.
July 5 and 6 trip to Nikolayev Oblast (Territory formerly Under Russian Occupation): Missionary Casey Kline and Brother Sasha Illchenko needed help with transportation to Preach and distribute 500 Aid boxes in five heavily damaged villages. We had great liberty and many responded to receive Christ as they heard the Gospel clearly for the first time.
July trip to Chernivtsi: Pastor Valera invited me to present the Gospel to visited 45 families who had either lost their Husband, Son or Daughter due to this war: The Lord supplied both physically with a large care package of food and spiritually with a clear Gospel Explanation: Gregory 72 and Lydia 54 called upon the Lord for salvation. The Lord opened up opportunities to present the Gospel at three week long Children’s camps: 65 children and parents, then 100 children in a small town and over 310 came out from five different mountain villages- 90 parents also heard the Gospel.
(Most of the time I use either a large “EvangeCube” or “EvangeFold” with pictures to clearly illustrate the Gospel).
*{If interested in this material: https://www.christianbook.com/page/church/outreach/evangecube (watch the video of how to use the eCube *ON SALE). *Large Evangefold: https://www.etsusa.org/church-supplies/evangelism-resources/evangecubes-c6095/
August trip to Chernivtsi: Oksana and I encouraged a few new Churches. We also presented the Gospel on eight Evangelistic Visits as well as teaching the Gospel to 85 and 60 children at two VBSs. I taught a Workshop on Practical Evangelism to 30+ young adults and youth. We also worked at a camp ministering to 35+ widowed wives and wives of soldiers actively serving in the war. I was able to clearly present the Gospel to them and their Children separately.
Praising the Lord for how He works (Philippians 2:13):
Our Son DAVID labored from April-August with Slavic (Oksana’s Brother) doing Evangelistic/Humanitarian help & participating in Christian Camps in Odessa. On August 4th he Followed the Lord in Believers’ Baptism at Lakeside Baptist Church! He also Proposed to His Fiancé Evelyn! She is from Odessa and worked at camps with him for three years.
Our Elisabeth spent the summer here: visiting Refugee friends, as a leader at Camps in Odessa & helping with Lakeside’s VBS. She is now finishing up her last semester of college and is seeking God’s direction for her Life.
Prayer Needs: 1) Learning to Speak and Preach in the Ukrainian Language. I have preached in Russian for 30+ years, BUT due to this WAR, most Ukrainians don’t want to hear the Aggressor’s --language.} Pray for Me!
2) Slavic (Oksana’s Brother) is distributing firewood and Evangelizing families in the formerly occupied Kherson Oblast.
3) Evangelistic visits: Slavic’s camp is housing 30+ (mainly elderly) displaced souls who we will be visiting to sow the Gospel seed and water it as we minister to these Displaced souls resettling here seeking refuge from the bombings.
4) Bro. Eugene laboring in Sumy Region set up a small bakery; They Preach and distribute large loaves of bread with Gospel tracts while Evangelizing where daily Russian Mortar Attacks are forcing the Evacuation of five border counties!
*{Looking for an Evangelism PROJECT to pray for or participate in: 50 cents will bake a loaf of “Bread” to reach souls! 5) Project 2: Care Package for Soldiers including: First Aid and Hygiene supplies, Chocolate bar and Gospel Tracts~$15.
Make check to: Charity Baptist Mission, PO Box
692, Bristol, TN 37621-0692
Write in memo: Maher - Ukraine – Bread or Maher- Ukraine – Care Package
For the Souls of Ukraine,
Richard, Oksana, Elisabeth and David Maher
Thank You all for faithfully praying, supporting & being genuinely concerned for our family and our safety and especially for the souls of Ukraine during this devastating time: Remember Phil. 1:12 Things Happen so God can Further His Gospel! A printable PDF version is available here
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