The Son & the Sand
April 2005
Getting Geared Up
In the spring and summer of 2005 we will continue to minister through backyard Bible clubs, resort worship, drama, puppets, student led music, beach evangelism, random acts of kindness, and many other creative ministry efforts. This month you and / or your church may want to consider partnering with us in ministry during the spring and / or summer. Please pray for us as we seek to make the most of the ministry opportunities in April. Please let us know if there is any way we can serve you and / or your church.
Summer Ministries on Alabama’s Gulf Coast
My recent ministry visits to Beech’s RV, Island Retreat RV, Gulf Breeze RV, and Luxury RV for the purpose of securing mission projects for our Spring Break ministry partners were extremely productive. Preparation for Spring Break and summer ministries is always an exciting time of year. Please pray for our ministry partners that will assist us in sharing the love of Christ this summer:
FBC Madison, MS
Willowbrook BC, AL
North Carrolton BC, AL
FBC Decatur, AL
Church at the Crossing, IN
Imagine Ministries Drama Team, AL
Jubilee Baptist Church, AL
Orchid Crest BC, MO
Brewster Road BC, AL
Metamorphosis Ministries, AL
Capstone Church, AL
Woodland BC, AL
FBC Sandersville, GA
Leatherwood BC, AL
New Cannan BC, AL
Mt. Airey BC, SC
Calvary BC, MO
Parkview BC, AL
Timber Ridge Community Church, MO
Our 2005 summer missions staff is still being assembled. Pray with us as the team comes together. Application deadline is April 20th. Applications can be filled out at www.answerthcall.net
The Close of Another Wonderful Season of Snowbird Ministry
Here’s a list of several of our snowbird ministry partners. Please pray for them as they continue in their ministry efforts elsewhere. We hope to work with these wonderful friends next season.
- Butch and Vi Reik (Mission Service Corp. Missionaries -1st year ministry partners at Luxury RV Campground) The Reiks worked with us in December, January, and February this season.
- Gene and Ruby Buttrey (Mission Service Corp. Missionaries – 3rd year ministry partners at Island Retreat RV) The Buttreys worked with us in January, February, and March this season.
- Bill and Shirley Crews (Snowbird Ministry Volunteers from Ohio – 6th year ministry partners with Jeff at Gulf State Park Campground) The Crews worked with us in January, February, and March by leading a Snowbird Bible study January through March at the South Baldwin Community Theater.
- Betty Glasscock (Snowbird Ministry Volunteer from Illinois – 6th year ministry partner with Jeff at Gulf State Park Campground) Betty worked with us October through March by providing music ministry leadership at resort worship services at Island Retreat RV and the South Baldwin Community Theater.
Snowbird Ministry Recap
This winter our ministry staff led Resort Worship at Island Retreat RV (in partnership with Gene and Ruby Buttrey), Luxury RV (in partnership with Butch and Vi Reik) , South Baldwin Community Theater (a special resort worship service for Gulf State Park “Refugees”), and The Plantation Resort (in partnership with Bro. Don Melton and Shell Banks Baptist Church).
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.
We took 33 snowbirds to visit the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit in Mobile. This was a wonderful experience and our first official Snowbird “field trip.”
With the help of student volunteers, dozens of RVs were washed at Gulf Breeze RV, Island Reteat RV, Beech’s RV, and Luxury RV. We had a fun outreach event at Island Retreat RV with a Luau theme.
In March, a team from Edmund, OK (Henderson Hills Baptist Church) partnered with us in ministry through backyard Bible Clubs, Random Acts of Kindness, Resort Worship Services, and Construction Projects.
Shrimp Festival – Mark Your Calendar
The 2005 Shrimp Festival is October 13-16. Drop me an email or give me a call if you are interested in partnering with Gulf Area Resort Ministries at the Children’s Art Village of the festival this year. Opportunities for Children’s Ministry at the festival are great.
One Last Thing:
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written…
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15
God bless,
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
