The Son & the Sand
January 2005
Making the Most of Another Year
It has been my practice to annually make a visit to Office Depot for
the purpose of purchasing a new calendar for my planner / date book.
This purchasing tradition is always followed by the removal of my old
calendar and the placement of the new year’s calendar.
I am excited by the prospect of another year of ministry on Alabama’s
gulf coast. We want to make the most of another year of meaningful and
creative opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 2005 we will continue to minister through backyard Bible clubs,
campground Bible studies, resort worship, drama, puppets, student led
music, snowbird outreach, holiday events, beach evangelism, random
acts of kindness, and many other creative ministry efforts. In 2005 we
will also continue to minister through hurricane recovery efforts. You
and / or your churches’ students and members may want to consider
partnering with us in ministry during one of our seasons of ministry
(winter…snowbird ministries, spring…spring break outreach,
summer…bybc, beach evangelism, concerts, and fall…festival
partnerships). Please pray for us as we seek to make the most of 2005.
Winter Mission Teams
Many of you were praying for our 2004 / 2005 winter mission teams
during the Christmas break. Students from the following schools:
Cumberland College (KY), Lee University (TN), and Cleveland Community
College (TN), worked with Gulf Area Resort Ministries in the areas of
Disaster Relief and Snowbird Ministry. These teams also partnered with
Habitat for Humanity, the Christian Service Center in Gulf Shores, and
the Island Church Recovery Team. Their time with us was a joy.
A Short Note from Thea
We were so blessed by the thoughts and prayers of so many of you
during the holiday season.
We are continually encouraged by the knowledge that you pray for us.
Our God is a mighty and loving God, and one of His greatest gifts is
love that is demonstrated through His people.
We love you so much.
A Repeat Reminder
I shared this idea last month, but I believe it is worth mentioning
again. We are in the process of putting together our 2005 summer
calendar. In 2004, we partnered with over 1,000 volunteers to share
the love of Jesus Christ with Gulf Coast visitors and residents. We
hope to make a tremendous impact in the coming summer as well. Please
send your church and / or other churches you know information about
this ministry. Email a church that might be interested today; and
encourage them to consider a missions partnership with gulf area
resort ministries. Ask ministers and church leaders you know to visit
our website for plenty of great information on a 2005 missions /
ministry partnership…
www.barefootbelievers.com
January Prayer Points
> Various Snowbird Outreach Efforts
> Continued Hurricane Recovery Efforts, safety, success, and
evangelistic encounters
> Butch and Vi Reik (Mission Service Corp. Volunteers) will continue serving at Luxury RV this month. Pray for this new partnership as we seek to minister to snowbirds together.
> Gene and Ruby Buttrey (Mission Service Corp. Volunteers) will be
moving into Island Retreat RV this month. This is the Gene and Ruby’s
third consecutive season to partner with us in ministry. Pray for us
as we seek to minister to snowbirds together and as they assist with
hurricane recovery.
One Last Thing
We find this encouragement in Scripture from the missionary Paul…
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts
and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord
Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
(Colossians 3:16-17)
Thank you for your prayers,
Jeff Ford
Gulf Area Resort Ministries
PO Box 3387
Gulf Shores ,AL 36547
251.967.4086
email bbagarm@gulftel.com
website: www.barefootbelievers.com
We are a ministry of the Baldwin Baptist Association and partners in
ministry with the Alabama State Board of Missions and the North
American Mission Board
