During the past several weeks, the Kaplan Baptist Church ladies have been actively busy. Garan Inc. in Kaplan provided thousands articles of clothing. As pastor of Kaplan Baptist Church, I wish to thank the management for this generous donation. Many Moms and Dads from Kaplan and from the surrounding area made their path to the doors of Kaplan Baptist Church in search of clothes to fit their children. Some of these clothes, including toys and hygiene items, were packed in boxes and in plastic containers to be sent to Samaritan’s Purse which will eventually be given in time for Christmas to needy children in other countries. Our ladies plan to provide clothing to the children in the Louisiana Baptist Children Home in Monroe, Louisiana. If it had not been for the generous and caring management at Garan’s and for the compassion and dedication of our church members, who gave many days and hours to organizing and working on this project, this ministry would have never been possible. I praise God for each person who took part in this worthy cause.
Not only have the members of Kaplan Baptist Church been busy providing gifts for needy children for Christmas, each Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., concerned church members tutor children (45 of them!) in their academics. The parents are appreciated for their faithfulness in bringing these children. We now have space available to take more children into this program. Call 337-643-7971 if you are interested in helping us in this tutoring program. What a fantastic opportunity for Junior High and High School students to offer their services! Call me and express your desire to help. People have donated food for snacks for these children. Each week donations are needed because we provide tutoring at no cost to the parents.
On November the 23rd, several churches participated in a Community- Wide Thanksgiving Service. The presence of our Almighty God was evident. Kaplan Baptist Church hosted this annual event. A sincere thanks goes to Pastor Farley Painter of Faith Christian Church for his efforts in advertising and encouraging this effort among our local churches. Our church building was nearly full of people who came to worship Christ. The monies collected during the offering will go to the following worthy causes: “Christians Who Care”, “Vermilion Milk Fund”, and the “Kaplan Senior Citizen Center”. Both services on Sunday at Kaplan Baptist Church put me on such a spiritual high, that it was nearly 2:00 a.m. on Monday morning before I went to sleep after praising the Lord for what God is doing in my life and the lives of others. I am so thankful that my wife and I recently moved to Kaplan to minister to the people who live in this area. You have reached back to minister to us with unbelievable love and compassion.
What a joy it was to see the Cub Scouts salute and give their pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag during the PM worship service. KBC was honored by the presence of several visitors during its Morning Worship Service. One of our guests was a young military man who was born in Kaplan but is now stationed at an Air Force base in Texas. His parents joined him in worship. His parents now live in Alaska but were visiting relatives in Kaplan. Having served my God and country during the Vietnam War, I understand the needs of our military. I praise God for our men and women who have sacrificed by giving their time (sometimes their lives), and for those men and women who are now sacrificing to provide the security that all of us enjoy--but sometimes take for granted---without ever offering a “Thank you” to them and to God. I thank God for our sheriff and our police force and for our firemen and others who each day are faithful at doing their God-ordained tasks.
Think about all who serve in our local, state, and federal government positions. Think about your family members and those who educate our children, and consider our church leaders. Tell them that you love them and appreciate their services. In my sermon last Sunday Morning, I reminded my church members that the trouble with UNEXPRESSED thankfulness is that it lifts no load, brings no joy, dries no tears, and inspires no one. When you really THINK, you become THANKFUL, and you must ACT in commitment to others and to the Christ who is the Lover of you soul.
A continual combination of joint and individual efforts from concerned, compassionate folks like you will make it possible in the future for our churches to reach out to others who need to know that Christ loves them and has a Divine purpose for their lives.
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