“Thanksgiving in July”

“Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits!” (Psalm 103:2).
​We can’t wait till November to give the Lord praise for all He is doing!

June Activities:  What a blessing the month of June has been.  We had the privilege of conducting 5 “Celebration of Life” services, 1 Wedding, and speaking in Pitkin, Tin Cup, and Sargents community churches.  At each service we sensed the Holy Spirit working through your prayers.  These are “summer only” church services and can have 100 or more summer homeowners and visitors.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with folks from around the world!

Upcoming: Lord willing:
July 15-17 I will serve as Chaplain for the professional rodeo here in Gunnison.  
July 18, we hold our annual Rodeo Church Service in the grandstands.  
July 24-August 9 We will belatedly celebrate our 50th anniversary at The Cove-the Billy Graham Center
September 5th, we share at the Tin Cup Church
October 24-31, we hold services at 1st Baptist Church in Delta, CO
November 7-14, we hold services at Abell Community Church near Guthrie, OK.

Family:  Melva’s sister Val, who had a heart attack with 4 bypasses in May, is slowly but steadily improving.  Thank you for your prayers.  We are grateful that most of our family can spend time with us in July.  Rebekah (Nick, and Kailani) from Edwards CO, Steve (Annie, Samuel and Abigail) from Los Angeles, and Tim (Sara, Elizabeth and Sydney) from Los Angeles, are all stopping by.  Lord willing, we’ll get to see Joy (Stephen, Hannah and Bethan) in Scotland sometime soon.  Stephen (UK) just finished preaching a second time at a church in London.  Steve (US) finished his job with DreamWorks and is seeking the Lord’s direction for a new place of service.  All the grandkids are doing well with Hannah excited about moving into a new school next year.

Financial Freedom: We are grateful the Lord has allowed our ministry to stay debt free.  You are the instruments He uses to accomplish that.  Here are some of God’s encouraging words for each of us. 
“One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.  A generous man will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.” (Proverbs 11:24-25).  

As my old coffee-drinking buddy Charles Spurgeon said, “The general principle is that in living for the good of others, we shall be profited ourselves. We must isolate our own interests but feel that we live for others.  We store up in God’s bank what we generously expend on the behalf of our (human) race.”.

Melva and I have experienced God’s wonderful provision for over 50 years of ministry!  And, we experience His grace and blessing as we are channels of His love and grace to others.  
Thank You for being His hands of grace to us and so many more! We pray over every donation we receive, that the Lord will bless the giver and guide us on how to use His money!

1st Responder New Testaments and Devotionals: This month we sent a case of each to Colorado Springs, CO.

Prayer Warriors:  Another thanksgiving.  In almost every church we speak in, someone tells us that they pray for Melva and me, our family, and ministry daily!  You can’t imagine how encouraging that is.  We know that when I get up to speak, or we start to sing, share Jesus on a forest fire or ski slope, or drive across the country, we are covered by your prayers.  We know as well, that when we put a prayer request in the newsletter, it is being prayed for daily.  We are so grateful God has given us an awesome prayer team!

Prayer Requests:  Please pray for Milt and Ruth Hughes.  Milt has been diagnosed with an aneurysm and is undergoing tests.  Milt is the person the Lord used 52 years ago to help me understand the difference between “religion” and a living, saving relationship with Jesus.  Even now, at over 90 he and Ruth are sharing Jesus with college students.  Please pray for comfort and peace for the families of all those whose loved ones have gone to be with Jesus: Glenda, Newt, Rick, Rikki, Larry, Gaius, Don and Jared, Duane, Carolyn, and Mariah .  Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon Melva and I as we share the wonderful life-giving gospel of Jesus.

Thank you sooooooo much!  May the Lord Jesus richly bless each of you, Rick and Melva Barton

Rick preaching in Sargents, CO

Rick & helper in Guthrie, OK at Abell Church