“From Appreciation to Application”

September Happenings: The month started with commemorating the “homecoming” of two wonderful friends, Caroline Bernard and Harold Clark.  Both were strong followers of Jesus. What a comfort it is to know they have entered into the eternal home He has prepared for them (John 14:1-6) and that we will see them soon.

Then it was off to Pueblo and Colorado Springs to meet with long-time friends and supporters Bill Brown and Orla and May Britt Pederson; with a surprise stop in-between to spend a few minutes with former interns Paul and Sarah enjoying a break between their latest missions trip and assignment to a long-term mission team. The next day we travelled to Denver to do pre-marital counseling with our niece and her fiancée.  

“Appreciation”:  On September 11 we helped sponsor a “First Responders Appreciation Ceremony and Luncheon for the fire, police, EMS, and search and rescue personnel from Gunnison County.  Over 150 attended the ceremony with 100 responders and their families staying for a catered luncheon.  There were testimonies shared, fire and police New Testaments and devotionals given out, and we prayed over each one. Your prayers and support helped us hold this event!  If you haven’t thanked a first responder lately, do it today! I also preached at New Song that morning, which I always love!

“Application”: Four days later I was dispatched to California for a forest fire assignment.  I became the responder.  For over two weeks I spent 15 hours a day assisting the fire effort.  And, thanks to your prayers, I was able to give away firefighter New Testaments, pray with fellow firefighters, and share the gospel with some who don’t know the Savior yet.  What a blessing!  

Firefighter New Testaments: The day I returned from the fire I received a call from a brother in New Jersey.  He has a burden to reach 1st responders for Jesus and had been giving away the firefighter New Testaments every year.  When Biblica stopped publishing them he was at a loss.  Then he heard that we had a supply!  He was excited to hear how the Lord had allowed us to make a special printing and requested 100 copies.  He asked us to thank everyone who had a part in providing for these special editions of God’s word.

Family:  Melva continues to do well after treatment for her back; Stephen, Joy, Hannah and Bethan are busy with school, work and ministry; Nick and Bek are on their way to Morocco for their fall trip, Steve and Annie are working away in LA; and Tim and Sara are preparing for their first child in December!  Thank you for praying for each of our family!

Upcoming: This week we continue teaching a midweek leadership series featuring Howard Hendricks.  Then, after our Saturday evening service, it’s off to share with our friends at Grace Fellowship in Lake City, CO (Oct 9).  We hold a hunter’s camp chapel on the Cochetopa (16th), then a hunters outreach at 1st Christian Church in Norwood, CO (19th).  At the end of October we return to Denver to perform our niece’s wedding (Oct 29).  Then it’s off to the Billy Graham Training Center in Ashville, NC for a pastors conference (Nov 4-9).  Our friends in Guthrie, OK have asked us to return for a week of Bible teaching and we hope to arrange that in November.  We’ve been invited to share a week in Delta, CO next February as well. Please lift us up in prayer as we seek to be faithful ambassadors of our Lord in these opportunities!
Finances: As you may know, we give all of our Saturday Evening offerings to missionaries who God has sent out from our ministry.  Your gifts to RBM allow us to minister locally and around the country as well as conduct special outreaches such as the 1st Responders Ceremony.  It also allows us to give away fire and police New Testaments and devotionals.  In addition, we have been able to help those in need, believers and unbelievers, through a special Philippians 4:19 benevolence fund given by some of you.  Every month we see and hear of how your investment in RBM is bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.  Thank you!


Prayer Requests:

1. For our upcoming election.  Although many of us have concerns about both presidential candidates; the party platforms, probable Supreme Court selections and the candidate’s stand on biblical issues such as abortion and homosexual unions make it imperative that we vote.  Please pray for God’s grace and mercy on our country and His forgiveness for how we’ve drifted from His word.  
2. Please pray for God to heal baby Vanessa Villasenor, Frank Goetschel, Stan Esty and Heidi Smith. 

1. Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we share the great news of our Savior around the country!

Thank you sooooo much and may the grace and love of our Lord Jesus be with you!


Rick and Melva

1st responders dinner/ceremony

Pastor Newt Cole at Tin Cup Chapel

On the fire in the redwoods