"Plodders for Jesus" or "The Tortoise and the Hare"

Shortly after I came to Christ in 1969, the Lord allowed me to start a Christian coffee-house on our college campus. I put out free donuts, free coffee, and free Bibles. I played my guitar and put Christian words to secular songs. For instance, “Follow Me” by John Denver became “Follow Him”. The coffee house became a Bible study, the Bible study ultimately became a church, and I “accidentally” became a pastor. I had no formal training, only the Holy Spirit and God’s grace!


One day I heard a speaker say, “Look around at the person on your left and right. In 10 years only 1 of you will be following the Lord as closely as you are now.” I was shocked and hoped he was wrong, but I determined that with God’s help I would be one of those who finished strong.


Looking back as Melva and I enter our 57th year of ministry (55 yrs of marriage June 6), we realize that we’ve been “plodders for Jesus”. Nothing spectacular, just trying to show up for our Savior each day. Definitely more like the tortoise than the hare. But, like the apostle Paul, pressing forward to “fight the good fight, finish the course and keep the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)


There was one time, after we had been married a few years and had two children, that we were on the brink of giving up. We were out of money and out of energy. Our ministry was going strong, but we weren’t. We spent a weekend praying and fasting and the Lord gave us both the same answer, “But as for you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5). So, by His grace we are. How about you? Are you finishing strong?


As I write this, we’re finishing an amazing week. Friday evening, we held our Intro to Systematic Theology class where we’re helping some young men and women prepare for ministry. Our Saturday Night Worship service featured a tribute to Billy Graham’s homecoming (February 21) as well as the remarkable story of Louis Zamparini (Olympic and WW2 hero featured in the book and movie “Unbroken”) who came to Christ during the 1949 Billy Graham Crusade. Sunday afternoon our Mountain Top Chapel Service had another overflow of 40 plus skiers and snowboarders, and our Monday afternoon ski area Bible study had two new employees join us. On the ride home I was able to help one of our ski instructors make firm his commitment to Jesus and Lord willing, we will be baptizing him soon! To God be the glory! He uses your prayers and support to sustain us each day!


February Happenings:


February 1-4 we were invited back to Delta CO to hold revival meetings. What a blessing! Pastor James Conley had led the church in times of prayer and fasting before we came and you could sense the Holy Spirit’s presence during each service. A special blessing was the music and attendance of members of the Karen people group who have immigrated out of persecution in Burma. On Wednesday evening the service was held at “Cowboy at the Cross” church in nearby Austin CO. After the service Pastor Shane Kier shared with the congregation that he had felt the call to ministry in a service we held 15 years ago! He and Amanda are doing a wonderful work for Jesus!


February 10th, we held our annual evangelical pastors and wives’ dinner. We welcomed pastors and their wives from 8 churches in Gunnison, Crested Butte and Lake City. After an hour of prayer, we enjoyed a BBQ dinner and fellowship!


February 25-27 I had the privilege of helping lead worship at the High Ground Men’s Bible/ski conference at Beaver Creek CO. I became part of this wonderful ministry approximately 30 years ago when their worship leader became ill. What a privilege to stand in front of 98 men singing praises to our God with all their hearts and voices!! And, we were able to celebrate our granddaughter Kailani’s 7th birthday!


Family: Everyone seems to be doing well. Steve is settling into his new role as assistant pastor in Glendale CA and Sara is enjoying her new job! Lord willing, we will all gather in Kauai in July.


Finances: By the grace of God and your faithful support we remain strong. As some folks have to re-adjust their giving, the Lord raises up others. Several of you are donating through our new donor link at our rickbartonministries.org website. We praise the Lord for each of you!!


Please Pray for These Upcoming Opportunities:

• May 24 and September 27: Services at Pitkin CO Community Church
  
• June 7 and September 6: Services at Tin Cup CO Community Church
  
• June 21 Buckboard Sunday in Esterbrook WY
  
• July 9-12: Cattlemen’s Days rodeo chaplain and Cowboy Church Gunnison CO
  
• July 20-29: Family Reunion on Melva’s home island of Kauai
  
• August 6-7: RBM Board of Directors Meeting-Colorado Springs CO​
  
• *Celeste TX and Livermore CO TBDs

Prayer Requests: For the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share locally and around the country. For the Lord to continue to raise up co-workers. For Melva and I to be better stewards of our time and taking days off. For a minor surgery on my shoulder and persistent colds.


May the Lord Jesus richly bless you, Rick and Melva