TODAY IS AN ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN DONNA AND I FIRST CAME TO WEST HIGH BAPTIST CHURCH, LORNA BORN!

• Remember too - May 6, 1933 when a group, met to form this church, I was flunking 1st grade -
• God has a plans Follow it to be blessed! Problems, burdens, -but BLEST! I see His hand-Past-/?
• He helped us survive the old problems- but now - NEW: I am old, Retired, retarded, dis-dim. Our church has been greatly blessed- but now- changing culture, Old, faithful suffering, dying  It's time to look over our shoulder and see where we came from- & plan where we are going

I -WHERE FROM - 1st FUNDAMENTAL, BAPTIST CHURCH, UNIVERSITY PARK, WEST HIGH. We are a Conservative Baptist church , serving the Lord in this city for 68 yrs, GREAT HISTORY

A. -A CHURCH IS A GROUP OF SAVED PEOPLE UNITED TO SERVE AS THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THIS COMMUNITY

• Separated from a Southern Baptist Church at 10th St & McDowell-over liberalism, modernism, etc.
• Was in a tent at Ind. Sch. & 18th, Tin Roof -10th Ave N. of Van Buren- then here in 1950

B. -THE NAME OF A CHURCH USED TO SHOW ITS LOCATION, HISTORY AND DOCTRINE * WORDS HAVE MEANING

• Fundamental Baptist- Historic Baptist Doctrines, founded on Word of God, Apostles Doctrine
• We have documents showing our history- & Doctrine! "Trail of Blood"

C. -THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH THAT SENT JOHN BIRCH TO CHINA - BATTLING BAPTIST CHURCH

• In 20 years- 17 Pastors; Police called for Business Meeting, Neighbors complaining PA system!
• Poor management, deep debt, quarterly Mortgage- Pastor voted out- turned to ABC HELP!
• Dr George Vouga and ABC helped -Arthur Bjork lived in Church, next Pastor 3 months, But neighboring Ariz. Baptist Convention Churches sent Members & Finances - & God worked!

II. -WHO WOULD GOD SEND - Aug 5, 1955  -The history of a man & woman God sent - specially prepared for such a time as this!

A.- CRIPPLED BY PERSONALITY & WEAKNESS , BUT SPECIALLY PREPARED BY GOD FOR THIS CHURCH

• Farm Boy from Glendale, flunked 1st Grade, self conscious, middle child, red head snaggle toothed
• But NAMED for ministry, Called by God 3 times, trained by difficult times-for such time as this
• Followed another from Choir loft for full time service,--BYF, S.S., Football, Letterman's Club

B. -TRAINED BY ADVERSITY, SHORT ON SCHOOLING, LONG ON HARD WON EXPERIENCE, GOD EMPOWERS HIS OWN

• Taking Notes in S.S., leading Youth Group, Being serious, listening to advise, Mrs Clarady
• Grad HS, Biola, Grand Canyon, NAU, Janitor in HS & Col, Night Mgr of Hotel- Denver, Assessors-C2
• Clifton-FBC- God's placement, Lived in Church, Co. Assessor Dep., Camp, Revivals, Radio, CAP

C.- GOD'S SPECIAL CALL BROUGHT DONNA AND I BACK TO THE VALLEY - WHBC AUG 4, 1955

• Friends in church from Glendale, Pastoral shoot-out, only 5 negative votes.- & God's call
• Great challenge- building young people, ABC, Camps, ABC Bookstore, GPEMA, Az- Alc-N, SWC, etc.
• But Heartaches, lots of love, Donna and I grew old! RETIREMENT, then catastrophe-Pastor again

III.- WHOOPEE FOR PAST BUT WHAT NOW?  All I know is stick to the Bible - I Peter 5:1  I HAVE A NEW BIBLE - LARGE PRINT

A.- OUR CHURCH STILL BELIEVES THE BIBLE, STILL HAS A SOLID FELLOWSHIP OF LOVING PEOPLE

• Our Pastor is well trained in the Bible, a soulwinner, who loves and is loved
• Our culture is changing - Paul Harvey's Editorial - Many churches entertain- this one ministers.
• Some of us are growing Old. ~ But need to stay faithful to the Lord and our church, not fault-finding.

B.- WHAT PLANS DO WE HAVE FOR OUR CHURCH, AND ITS MINISTRY IN OUR COMMUNITY - Vision Statements

• Acts 2:42 How to be steadfast in today's world!  Sin is still sin!  & God's word- doctrines
• Pastor has a plan to map out the neighborhood, And Acts 20:20 - minister house to house
• As our culture changes - keep true to God's word -Oppose the ACLU, Gays, Atheists, etc.

C. - BUT IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? WILL YOU BE FAITHFUL?

• Acts : How to save ourselves: Ours is a bad generation - but so what? Abide faithful
• We are in the world- but must not be worldly - Christian separation must return!
• Are YOU SAVED by the blood of Christ? - Then YOU live like it so others can see Christ

Remember God's word - Acts 4:12 - No other name & Romans 12:1-2 Give God your life: WE HAVE A CULTURE THAT IS DRIFTING TO SUICIDE: NATIONAL AND PERSONAL CATASTROPHE IS BEFORE US!

• II Cor 13:5 - Examine yourselves - Prove your own Salvation! Don't be reprobate!
• I Cor 16:13,14 - Stand fast in the faith - do things with Agape love
• Remember, this church is the Body of Christ in this area - and YOU are a part of it.

JOSHUA 24:15