[0:00] All right, I want to invite Kaysen and Bethany to come up and give a word of testimony. Tonight, as you know, is their night. They will be leaving next week to go to Peru to learn the language and get some culture and some training on doing some ministry there.
[0:13] And then from there on to Ecuador. And so we'll start with Ms. Bethany giving us a word of testimony. And then after that, Kaysen. And then following that, Robert and Trent will be coming straight up right away.
[0:24] Well, the past two years seem to have just flown by. But God has really been so good to us. And he's just proven to us over and over again how faithful and how good he is.
[0:37] And not just in raising our support, but just in every aspect of life. And there's people all over the world that need to know how faithful God is and how good he is.
[0:47] And we're so excited that he's given us the opportunity to go. We're so excited that he's brought us here. And this all wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Vision. And we can't tell you how much we love you guys.
[0:59] And you guys have just been such a big part of our lives. And we're going to miss you so much. But we're really excited to go. And he's just been really good.
[1:10] And we love you all. And we're going to miss you all. And we appreciate it. And a special thank you to Brother Gardner for making Kaysen get back together with me. Kaysen has been like the best husband ever.
[1:21] And Brother Gardner wants credit for that. So there you go. Well, we're very excited and very thankful to be here.
[1:32] We're leaving for language school in five days. And so excited about that. Thankful for my family, my grandmother being here. And just thankful for all of you all here at Vision Baptist Church. I was thinking back to the first time I met someone from Vision.
[1:44] And I think it was actually at a golf tournament where Robert Canfield invited me and my brother to go so we could beat Mike Staley, my father-in-law now. And we actually didn't beat him. We lost to him.
[1:54] And I lost to many other people as well. But I remember Robert talking to me and telling me, he said, you know, in the world, there's about 4% of the world lives in America. And then about 96% of the world lives outside of America.
[2:05] So there's probably a good chance that you're called to serve outside of America. And I just remember over the years going to the summit five years ago and surrendering to missions. I remember coming to the training center and meeting my wife, who I thought at the time we had a great connection.
[2:19] But she didn't really think that, at least at first. But God's worked in her heart, as I like to say. And he's brought us together. And I'm just so thankful of how God's worked in our life.
[2:29] And to be honest with you, you know, every single phase of this ministry, as we surrendered to go to the mission field, as we surrendered to go on our internship. And every step of the way, God has been so good to us.
[2:40] And he's provided for us. And he's taken care of us. And the Bible says in Philippians chapter 1, verse 6, it says, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
[2:53] And to be honest with you, every single time I've taken that next step, I've been afraid. I've been a little bit scared. And I've been a little bit nervous. And here tonight, I feel that same way. I have some fears. I have some doubts. I'm a little bit nervous. I'm a little bit scared.
[3:03] But, you know, I know that I have a God that will take care of us. And I know I have a God that has provided for us so far. And I know that he'll continue to provide for us because we have a good God who wants the gospel to get around the world.
[3:14] And I'm just so thankful for every single one of you and the part you all had in our lives to get us there. So thank you so much. We're excited to be going. Well, Cason, you can have confidence that your deputation game, your student game, your ministry game is a whole lot better than your golf game.
[3:31] I remember I tell Brother Gardner, I was like, hey, I got this for sure win. We're going to go to Mark Coffey's little golf event and we're going to win this thing. And Cannon said that Cason's awesome. And I didn't know where we landed. I know I didn't help, but it was terrible.
[3:43] Acts chapter eight. Acts chapter eight. Very proud of you two. Love you guys. I really do believe in you. We all believe in you. You guys have been modeling examples in everything you've done around here from the time you guys were students to the time you guys are on deputation.
[3:56] Your internship, you guys have always done a great job. Continue it. Continue it. We love you and we believe in you and we'll be praying for you. I'd like to tell you a little quick story over the next couple minutes right here. A second. There once was a city in Acts chapter eight and the city was located almost right in the middle of Israel.
[4:13] It was a city that when Israel split up, the northern kingdom made it their capital. A city that once was the hub and the center of all Baal worship. Not all, but it was the center and the hub of Baal worship.
[4:25] It was a city at one time that was so deprived of food and so famished that the inhabitants actually went to eating dung and eating their own children. It was a city that during the time when Jesus Christ was here on earth that he avoided it when he sent out his disciples.
[4:39] He told them not to go there and avoid that as well as the Gentiles. It was a city that was hated by the religious Jews. It was a city that was a hot button in terms of worship.
[4:52] These people were known as the half-breeds. In Acts chapter eight, this city is being bewitched by a sorcerer. Both rich and poor, from the least to the greatest, all throughout this town, this city, there was a man that some thought he was great.
[5:08] Truth was twisted and distorted in this city and this city was being led astray. But in Acts chapter eight, something happened that turns the city upside down.
[5:20] You see, God has a missionary heart that beats for the whole world. He doesn't see half-breeds. He doesn't see Gentiles. He sees lost people in need of rescuing.
[5:32] But sadly, none of the early believers entered into this city called Samaria with the gospel. Not until persecution was sent. Not until Saul made havoc on the church that forced the church out of their comfort zone.
[5:46] In this story, there was a man named Philip and he was just a servant of, he just served tables. And he was forced out of Jerusalem and he goes there. And look what he does in verse number five of Acts chapter eight.
[5:57] Then went down, then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and he preached Christ. Christ, the preacher of Christ comes. A man, not someone, but it's the message that is everything.
[6:10] And that message totally changes this community. In verse number six, the Bible says that the people give one accord, they give heed. They give heed what Philip spake.
[6:21] In verse number eight, something happens with these people. Great joy. Great joy in that city that was once oppressed. Great joy is now in the hearts of those people that were turned over to falsehood and distorted truth.
[6:36] With Cason and Bethlehem, as I think you guys go into Ecuador, I think of a city in Quito that's been given truth but distorted.
[6:50] But God has seen it fit to send you two out there with his great truth to bring great joy to that city and that country. I love you guys. I'm praying for you. I'm looking forward to you. Right before I share a word here with you, I'd like to, I know Cason and Bethany were saddened that Mike and Deanna couldn't make the night being at orientation at BIMI.
[7:12] And so Bethany, I know you're saddened about that. So I'd like to invite this gentleman to come up here and to take my spot here because I think he knows you better than most people. And that's your dad. And so he may be getting kicked out of BIMI, so we may be picking up a missionary.
[7:27] And so that's good. But nobody knows you any better. And I'm so glad they were able to make it the night. Well, I appreciate it. It's an honor to be here tonight. And I'm glad that we had the privilege to be able to come.
[7:39] And this day is probably more difficult than the day of your wedding. And but it is what it is. Amen. And so but I want you to turn to Romans chapter 12.
[7:50] And I want to read two verses there if we could. Romans chapter number 12, verse number one. The Bible says, I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[8:03] Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. See, the will of God is good. The Bible says is good.
[8:14] It's acceptable. And it's perfect. When I got out of the Air Force in 1995 and we began deputation to go to the country of Peru, it wasn't long after we moved back to Ohio and we were in my parents' house.
[8:27] We had no money. We had Brother Austin was supporting us for $25 a month. That was the only supporter we had. And my wife came to me and she said, Honey, you might want to sit down. I have some news to tell you.
[8:38] And she said, Honey, I just want you to know that I'm pregnant. And I said, How did that happen? I said, It can't be. It can't happen. We don't have any money. What are we going to do?
[8:49] And that was our Bethany. In October of 1995, Bethany, while we were on deputation traveling to North Carolina one last time, Bethany Staley was born.
[9:02] And so that was in October of 1995. And they're going to put a picture up there maybe here in just a second. There we go. And so there was our deputation baby, just like Jackson. In February of 1997, we arrived in the country of Peru.
[9:15] And actually, when I made the prayer card, I put Bethany's picture on there, but I forgot to add her name to it. And so I had to get a stencil, and I had to write each one hand, put them on her name, so she would not be forgotten.
[9:28] In March of 1997, I remember going to language school for the first time, and we left Bethany with our maid, Pastora. And I remember my wife crying and leaving Bethany, but she learned the language with Pastora.
[9:41] And it's an honor, I think, that Pastora is going to be teaching Jackson Spanish when they get to Peru, and what a great thing that is. In 2001, Bethany, you got saved, and you come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior in our home church, and we're thankful for that.
[9:56] In 2003, there was a large group of us that took a trip to the country of Ecuador, and there's people in there like Brother Austin Gardner, Chris Gardner, David Gardner, John Pearson, Tony Howarth, Jason Hold is in that picture, Tyler Masters.
[10:10] But the smallest one in that picture is the one that's going to be a missionary to the country of Ecuador. In 2019, Bethany did her report for school on missionary Austin Gardner, and so I appreciate your heart for missions.
[10:25] In 2010, we moved to the city of Toccoa, and I thank you, Bethany, that you had a willingness about you to go and leave your friends in Ohio, and then you also had a heart for missions there by your faith promise giving in the church.
[10:40] In 2013, after you graduated high school, you returned to the country of Peru for a few weeks in the summer, and got to see Pastora again and some of your other friends.
[10:53] In 2014, after attending college for a year, you went to South Africa for four weeks, which turned into six months, which was your internship as you started for the training center.
[11:05] In 2015, you came to the training center where you met McKenzie. That's not McKenzie. That's McKenzie. But most importantly, you met a young man by the name of Kaysen.
[11:22] In 2016, you were engaged to Kaysen. In 2016, we returned to Peru with you to visit so you could see Kaysen, and so we could see Peru and attend the pastor's school.
[11:35] In 2017, you and Kaysen got married and moved to Peru for your internship. In May of 2017, I still feel like that, amen?
[11:56] Just kidding. In May of 2017, you both graduated from the training center and started deputation. In August of 2018, while on deputation, your family grew with the addition of Jackson Elliott Bloom.
[12:15] And as everyone knows, I am a very proud grandpa, and I appreciate that kid. And now you are finishing deputation, and on Tuesday, you'll be leaving for Peru and language school. I'm sure that there will be tears on Tuesday.
[12:27] I want you both to know how proud I am of you. Remember that the will of God is good, it's acceptable, and it's perfect. And I'm very thankful for your willingness to serve God and obey his will as missionaries to the country of Ecuador.
[12:45] Please know that I love you very much, Kaysen, Bethany, and especially Jackson. And just remember, God's will, it is good, acceptable, and perfect.
[12:59] Thank you. One of the greatest resources in our church as a youth pastor we have are young people like Kaysen and Bethany. They give such a great model of what it's like to serve the Lord and to serve him with joy.
[13:11] And both of them have served in many different ways. Kaysen served in the church. He led music at a time here for us. And he's done many other things that he's great at and is always willing to work. And Bethany as well.
[13:22] And we're going to miss seeing them in the hallways and the different ways that they've been serving. And there's so many things that we could talk about. I got to meet Bethany in that picture with the Ecuador there that Brother Mike was talking about.
[13:33] I've told the story before. I busted her basketball the first day that I met her. I believe she was eight or nine. And her brothers and her dad told me they don't sell basketballs in Peru and that I broke the only basketball.
[13:44] And I thought I had broken their heart and they would never love missions again. I'm glad you got over that, Bethany. But one of the things that Brother Roberts mentioned is the joy that is found in the work of the Lord. And there's so many things great can be said about you.
[13:55] But I think both of you have exemplified the joy that is found in the work of the ministry. And your attitude, the way Bethany has helped you on deputation and staying busy. Kaysen, the example that you've given. Setting your focus to be finished with deputation.
[14:08] The great testimony that you've had at churches. And I have been challenged by it. Just as our teenagers have looked to you, I have looked to you as well. I'd like to read to you the last sentence in Colossians chapter number one.
[14:19] And share a quote with you before Brother Jeff comes. But in Colossians chapter number one, verse 27, it talks about the next stage of life of ministry as you will go to Ecuador. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of the mystery among the Gentiles.
[14:33] Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Whom you will preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom. You will preach, warning, and teaching. And that you will present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
[14:46] And that will be work to do that. To take people that do not know Christ. To share the gospel. To teach them. To disciple them. In verse 29, whereunto I also labor. I love how it says it here.
[14:57] Striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. And all the snapshots of our lives that we can see as you were married. And all the things we got to enjoy as a church. Seeing we only could see the top of it.
[15:10] We couldn't see what God was doing in your heart completely. And all of those things were just an outward manifestation of God doing a big work in your life. And I pray of all that he does in Ecuador. The greatest work that he will do is in your heart.
[15:22] And as you work, that you'll enjoy every minute of it. That you'll see that working and serving the Lord is not in conflict with you being happy and having joy. They come together. The old Moody one time in his journal, his prayer at night was simply this.
[15:37] Lord, I'm tired. Amen. Others, preachers, Alexander McLaren said he would go to the office early in the morning when the workmen were going. So they could hear the boots outside. And he would put on workmen's boots to remind himself of his study.
[15:49] Neither one of you have been afraid to work. And I appreciate that testimony. G. Campbell Morgan kept a newspaper clip in his wallet. And it said this. The title was Sheer Hard Work.
[16:00] It says, What is true of the minister is true of every man who bears the name of Christ. We have not begun to touch the great business of salvation when we have sung, Rescue the Perishing, Care for the Dying.
[16:11] We have not entered into the business of evangelizing the city or the world until we have put our own lives into the business, our own immediate physical endeavor inspired by personal devotion.
[16:22] Both of you have a testimony of people that had a mind and hand to work that was moved forward by personal devotion to Christ. And we pray for you as you go to Ecuador and you continue to joyfully serve our God.
[16:34] Would you open your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, chapter number 25, Proverbs chapter number 25. Kaysen, you've always been a great example, been a good friend, been a hard worker. In fact, you and your brother, you're both very hard workers, which speak, to be honest, it speaks very multitudes of your dad and your mom's dedication, their teaching.
[16:54] And God bless you. I'm excited to hear what God's going to do in Ecuador as a result of that. Proverbs chapter number 25, just one verse very quickly. Proverbs 25, verse number 25. The Bible says, as cold waters to a thirsty soul.
[17:08] So is good news from a far country. I want you to notice just a couple of words very quickly this evening. It says, as cold waters to a thirsty soul. Thirsty soul is representing somebody who really has a thirst.
[17:20] Ecuador is filled with people who they're trying to fill themselves on religion and whatever the world has to offer. The only thing that can fill truly somebody is Jesus Christ.
[17:31] A thirsty soul all over. You know this. But not only the thirsty soul, it says, so is good news from a far country. There's a far country. A far country in this aspect is first Peru and then second Ecuador.
[17:43] Far meaning that it's not close, right? Far meaning it's not easy to get to. You've worked hard on deputation. You've made your phone calls. You've preached. You've worked. You've done your backlog. You've done everything. You've worked very hard.
[17:53] It's a far country. But not only is it far from here, but it's not easy to get there. It's not easy to stay. Devil's going to try to throw anything in your way. Whether it's through marriage. Whether it's through little Jackson. Whether it's through struggles.
[18:04] Whether it's through temptations. Whether it's through discouragement. It doesn't matter. Devil's going to do anything he can. So that you leave the far country and come back to the close country. So there's a thirsty soul and there's a far country. But I want you to know this very first part.
[18:15] That's cold waters. Water right there represents the cold waters. You know, water is a beautiful thing, right? Water is something that we like to drink. Especially when we're tired. Or especially when we need it. But in order to get the water, you have to know the source.
[18:27] Where the water comes from. You have to know the fountain. Or the spigot. Or the sink. Or whatever you want to call it. Every evening, my wife and I will head to the bedroom. Kiss the kids goodnight. We'll pray with everybody. Send everybody to bed. And then it seems like right when I'm getting ready to lay down.
[18:40] My wife has this habit. And right when I'm laying down, my wife says. Honey, is there any water in the room? I say, seriously, baby? I mean, just now? Is there something about the pillow that makes you thirsty? I mean, come on. Can we not think about this? And so I'll say, okay, dear.
[18:51] And right, I'll start to walk out of the hall. And my littles, Alexa and Hudson, they'll say, dad. And I say, what, sweetie? Can you get me some water? I'm like, come on. Can we have a family meeting here? Let's drink before we lay down.
[19:03] And so as a dad, I'm like, okay, fine. Whatever you need. But you know, I'll go in there and I'll grab it. And as I get that water, I'll take it in there and I'll fill them. You know, as a dad, as a husband, as a preacher, as a missionary, as a minister of Jesus Christ, you need that water for yourself.
[19:18] But you need to feed that, give that water to Jackson. And you give that water to Bethany. You need to know the source of where it comes to. The true root of all marriage problems and ministry problems and personal problems and all the rest is we get far away from the source.
[19:30] And so I tell you, as you go to that far country that's over there where the devil's gonna kick against you, where you go over to those thirsty people that they need Jesus, even though they think they don't need Jesus, remember that you have to be the one that gets the water.
[19:40] That water is Jesus, but you have to know that fountain. Because you have to drink yourself, you have to be filled up so that you can go out there and preach. And you have to be able to help your wife and help Jackson and help other people. You have to know. So I encourage you, man, stay close to the source.
[19:53] Stay close to the spigot and the fountain so you can always be filled up and running over and let the Lord do the work. Well, let's go ahead and pray for our offering and then we'll take up our offering. Father, we thank you and we love you. Lord, you're so good to us that we sure don't deserve it.
[20:04] Lord, I ask that as we have this time of reflection, as pastor comes and he preaches your word, Lord, as we encourage this couple, God, that's about to go out and go to the devil's playground, but to take these cold waters, Lord, help them to be strong as a marriage.
[20:20] Help them be strong in you, God. Stay close to you. Use them, Lord, as we have this time where we can give back what you've given to us, Lord, in our tithes and our offerings, God, thanking you because all of it comes from you, God.
[20:30] We're just giving you back, honoring you, what you have given us. We ask that you continue blessing our churches you have. Lord, that you continue using and raising up more that they would go out and they could preach your precious word. We thank you, Lord, and we love you.
[20:41] In Jesus' name, amen. Take your Bibles. If you would, and turn with me to the book of Genesis, chapter 49, Genesis chapter 49. Mike Staley, I would like to say that has got to be the sweetest anybody's done for their family members.
[20:57] Where you at? That's nice, buddy. We'll give lessons on how to do that. That was good. You had me crying. And I don't cry. And just thank you for that.
[21:09] And I love your little daughter like she was my granddaughter. And I am so blessed. And I want to thank the Bloom family. both of your boys are just excellent, above excellent.
[21:23] We love them. We respect them. And we know it took good, godly parents working long hours. And I think your investment will pay off with souls saved and rewards in heaven for that.
[21:36] And Kaysen, I'm proud of you, buddy. I beg people to get their support in two years for a long time. And most don't, but you did. And I thank the Lord for that. I want you to know he raised his support in two years.
[21:48] That is, that's what it ought to be. And I'm so proud and happy about that. If you're here tonight, you're going to say, what in the world is going on? We have visiting pastors. You've got to be thinking, this is not a very much of a preaching church.
[22:02] Actually, we do preach the Bible around here. But tonight's a special night. It's a, if you look at Genesis 49, 28, you'll see. But before you do, I want you to know this. If you're here, you might wonder, why in the world are they so excited about this guy going off?
[22:17] Well, let me explain something to you. The Bible is extremely clear. There is a God in heaven. We are not an accident. We're not on this planet as evolved beings.
[22:31] We are the creation of an almighty, eternal, all-powerful God. And that God made us and all men sinned against him.
[22:43] And when they sinned against him, they brought the consequences of sin and the wrath of God on them. And every person who doesn't trust Christ will spend eternity with the wrath of God abiding on them.
[22:58] John chapter 3 and verse 36. You want to throw that up right quick if you can get to that? John chapter 3 and verse 36. I'm saying that from memory, so I hope I'm right. But the hope, there it is.
[23:10] In Pilgrim's Progress, the pilgrim is fleeing the city of wrath.
[23:26] There is wrath coming. And he knows that if something doesn't happen, and if he doesn't get help, he will die forever. And that's what will happen to you.
[23:37] And that's what will happen to people in Ecuador. Every one of them that do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will spend eternity in hell. That is not God's will.
[23:48] He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He wants people saved. He wants lives changed. And so he developed his own plan of salvation.
[23:59] In Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 2, the Bible said, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He is the writer of our faith. We do not believe what Baptists believe.
[24:11] We do not believe what Christians believe. We believe what Jesus wrote. You say, where did he write it? Right here. And so he wrote it for us, gave it to us. So we know that there is sin, and sin deserves punishment.
[24:23] The Bible says, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Bible said, there is none righteous. Nobody right. Nobody good. No, not one. But when the Bible says the wages of sin is death, in that same verse, it says, but the gift of God is eternal life.
[24:40] And so anybody that hears the truth and will believe the truth can be saved and have their sins forgiven. And that's what we're sending Cason and Bethany to do. They're going to go to the country of Ecuador and people all over this room.
[24:53] We're going to go to different countries around the world. And we're going to do it right here in our community. We're going to tell people Jesus loves them. We're going to tell them that Jesus died for them. If you're here tonight and you've not trusted Christ, you need to know you're in trouble.
[25:06] You're in massive trouble. If you have not trusted Jesus Christ, you are marked to die and go to hell. But that's not what God wants. And you can be saved. And somebody invited you and loves you enough to talk to you and bring you.
[25:19] So I'm asking you to pray in your heart and to trust the Lord Jesus to save you so that you can know you go to heaven when you die. Look, if you would, in your Bibles at Genesis chapter 49 and verse 28.
[25:31] The title of my message tonight is Bloom Blessing. I like that. It's alliterated. I went to Senate Blue's funeral today. Senate Blue alliterated everything. And so I did not alliterate anything tonight.
[25:42] But Bloom Blessing is alliterated. Amen. That's the title of my message. I say it in the logo that way. Bloom Blessing. Genesis 49 and 28. The Bible said, all these are the 12 tribes of Israel.
[25:54] And this is it, that their father spake unto them and blessed them. So you have your Bible open, underline that word blessed. Now what's happening is Jacob's about to check out of this world and go on to heaven.
[26:04] It's about over for him. So he called his boys in and he spoke to them and he blessed them. He said sweet things to them. Some of them he said some pretty hard stuff to them.
[26:15] And he warned them about what was going to happen in their life. Because we need people to tell us the truth, even if it's not pleasant. Amen. And in this verse, it says, everyone according to his blessing, he blessed them.
[26:26] So he blessed them. And so with you, and I've used this with other mysteries, but with you tonight, I want to talk to you as Joseph. Look at verse 22. And we'll look at three things. I think that's all that we'll look at.
[26:37] Jesus is a fruitful bough. Joseph is a fruitful bough. Even a fruitful bough by a whale whose branches run over the wall. The archers have sorely grieved him and shot at him and hated him.
[26:50] But his bow abode in strength. And the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, his dad. From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.
[27:03] Even by the God of thy father. Jacob, Jacob's telling his boy, son, you don't have to worry about it. I know God. He's my God. And he shall help thee. Who shall help thee?
[27:14] And by the almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above. Blessings of the deep that lies under. Blessings of the breast and of the womb. Okay, so in Bethany, I'm asking God to bless you and make you fruitful.
[27:28] Look at verse 22. Circle the word fruitful. God started a work in you. In Philippians chapter 1 and verse 6, he said he that started it, we can trust him to fulfill that work.
[27:38] He put a desire in you and he put ability in you to do the work of God. So in all honesty, even down to deputation, he gets glory for what's happened. In all honesty, he gets glory for all of it because he put it in you and he did it.
[27:51] And when you work, in Colossians 1 29, I love this one of my favorite verses. I found it in Spanish because I never paid attention in English, but I was reading it in Spanish years ago. Look at what it says in Colossians 1 29.
[28:04] Whereunto I also labor. I labor striving according to his working. You ought to underline that. I'm working according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
[28:15] If you go back and look at the verse that we're talking about here, Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful branch, a fruitful branch by a well.
[28:26] So as long as you stay plugged into the water source, you'll be able to do something for God. In Psalm chapter 1 and verse 3, live like a man planted by the rivers of water and God will make you fruitful. I want to see God do big stuff with you.
[28:38] I think one of my favorite little quotes of the verse is, if you'll go up there, his branches run over the wall. That means he blessed on this side and blessed on that side. He blessed where he lived and blessed where he didn't live.
[28:50] And God's going to use you and give you blessings that go in many places. The second thing is, Jacob said, my boy's been through it. And he's telling the story because this is Joseph.
[29:00] This guy spent 13 years as a slave and in jail and abused, probably sexually abused and every other way of being abused you can imagine. And look what it says about him.
[29:11] The archers have sorely grieved him. They shot at him and they hated him. That's what happened. His brothers did that to him. The people that had him did that to him.
[29:23] And so you need to be prepared. There will be attacks of Satan. As good a guy as you are and as good a girl as Bethany is, as good a little family as you got, you can expect to be attacked.
[29:33] You're in a war. We wrestle not with flesh and blood. We wrestle against the very devil of hell who would rather take those people to hell than let them be saved. So every morning you make sure you put on the whole armor of God.
[29:46] You get up every morning and you make sure that you trust God to use you during the day. You remember you are no good. You are unable. The language is just liable to whip your rear end.
[29:58] And the language or the culture is just liable to body slam you if you're not careful. And as much as you think you're ready for everything, you just might not be. God will use you if you'll let him, the mighty God.
[30:10] So pick up your shield, quench the fiery darts of Satan. Look if you look at Genesis chapter 49 and verse 24. And I love this. They might have tried to hurt him, but his bow abode in strength.
[30:22] No matter 13 years while he was in suffering and while he was a prisoner and while he was being falsely accused and while he was a slave and while he was being abused and while he could have given up and whined and complained and made accusations against God.
[30:37] He held his bow. He kept strong. He kept strong. He kept trusting God. And look at it. And the arms of his hands were made strong. The mighty God of Jacob took care of him and gave him power.
[30:50] Know that when the testing and the proving time comes, God will be there and he'll take care of you. Just remember this. Could be a tad cocky tonight. Got it done in two years. You're very young.
[31:03] You're headed to the mission field. Don't get too bragging. The king of Israel said in 1 Kings chapter 20, don't brag when you put on your harness. When you put on your armor, don't brag too much.
[31:15] Brag when you take it off. Senate Blue took his off today. Well, he took it off last week. But Senate Blue took his armor off, went to heaven. But the rest of us still got it on. Got it on every day.
[31:26] Till the day we get to heaven. You will prove your ministry by how you handle adversity. How you handle success. How you handle loneliness. How you handle all the attacks of the devil. Know that he often attacks by allowing blessings to lull us into a sense of false security.
[31:43] So the devil will love to see you just get complacent and accepting and not be concerned about doing stuff. Talk's over. Training's over. The battle awaits.
[31:54] But God will make you strong. God will make you strong. Last verse. Verse 25. God is going to bless you. Verse 25. Even by the God of thy father who shall help thee and by the almighty who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above.
[32:12] God's going to help you. It's not your work. It's not my work. It's not the church's work. It's not a Baptist's work. It's God's work. God will bless you.
[32:23] And it's time to grow closer and closer to the Lord. You're going to go to the mission field. Pretty much an untried warrior. In a few days we'll see you again.
[32:33] And I hope you come back with scars and your head still held up strong in the Lord and trusting him. I just want you to know I love you. I really do love you. It's not pastor talk. It's not just me saying that.
[32:45] I love you. I believe in you. And I'm excited to see God do something. And I'd give my right arm to be right back where you are. Get to go start all over and do it again. What a blast you're going to have.
[32:55] Father I pray your blessings on Cason and Bethany and all these mysteries in this room. God I pray your blessings on them. I pray you'd train them and help them and lift them up and raise them up and do something with them.
[33:08] I pray God you'd show your power and use Cason. God do a work. Now while you're sitting here with your head bowed and your eyes closed some of you aren't sure you're saved. If you were honest you do not know you'd go to heaven if you died.
[33:22] You might not be comfortable with me asking but you're important enough. We beg God for you in private and then we got to beg you while we can. Would you trust Christ tonight? Would you admit you've sinned against the holy God?
[33:33] Would you admit you need God? Would you put your trust and faith in him and let him change you tonight? Tonight's the night. If you would right there in your seat say God I have sinned against you. I deserve to go to hell.
[33:45] But I know Jesus died for me and tonight I place my trust in what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary. Trust him right now. The person invited you, the person that brought you is more than excited to help you and talk to you and show you how you can know for sure that you're going to go to heaven when you die.
[34:03] Father God in heaven I love you and I thank you for your wonderful people. I pray God for those that might not know you that tonight they would trust you and be sure of their eternity. And I pray dear God that you would do a work in this young couple's life as they head for the field.
[34:18] Magnify yourself. And then God I pray for the blooms. They've given two children to the mission field. They need a special dose of grace to see how you've blessed them.
[34:29] How Cannon is serving you and being used of you in China and how Quesen is about to be in Ecuador. And God I just pray you'd continue to use their sons. And I pray for the Stalys God.
[34:41] They love you. They want to serve you. They have been serving you. And now their daughter leaves and their grandson leaves. I pray you give them extra grace. I pray you bless them. I pray you'd show your power. And I give you great grace, honor, praise, glory for who you are and what you've done.
[34:57] In Jesus precious name. Amen. Well thank you for being here tonight. We're going to have a time of testimony. I think we should have a testimony ready on video. Do we have that testimony? If we do put that up.
[35:08] And then after that if you would go ahead men and women that want to come up and say a word. You know how we do this. I should have to tell you this is our time. Ladies get to speak and men get to speak. And just come on up. And take your turn and say some words of blessing after this video.
[35:22] Which is about to play I'm sure. Right? It is not about to play. I will get a gun. And solve this problem before it's over. The way this works for those that are visiting.
[35:36] As they were dying. As Jacob was dying. He shared words of love and encouragement. One of the best gifts you can give. What do you give? You know money is not worth much. But your love is. And this is our chance to say I love you.
[35:46] And so one by one. We'll just come up here and keep it short. Thank you. A lot of us knew Bethany when she was a little girl.
[35:57] But when God brought her back to us as a young lady. Man I didn't want to cry. When God brought her back as a young lady. I think she had it on her mind to support and encourage us staff wives.
[36:10] Anything that God had us to do. She was right there with us as like a sidekick. As a partner in crime. I'm not sure it always benefited her. But it benefited us. And I'm just so grateful for her.
[36:22] I'm just so proud of the wife and mom she has become. And I am just going to miss her. I know when they step on the plane. This church will fill it. And they'll be sorely missed. So I love you so much. Bethany, for the last few years.
[36:36] You've become one of my closest friends. I'm going to miss you. You're going to leave a void in my heart. And I'm really going to miss you. I would have missed our times in my car. Or van. Or wherever we were talking. But if I could sum all of that up.
[36:48] One last piece of advice stateside before you leave. Would be to keep your eyes on the Lord. He has ordered your steps. He's moved you from strength to strength. He has proven himself faithful and mighty in your life.
[37:00] I've seen it. He's done it in miraculous ways in the last few months. That's blown my mind. And he'll continue to do that. He'll be faithful. I love you. Bethany, you've been such a great example.
[37:12] As a missionary wife on deputation. I'm already thinking of so many stories I'm going to share in training center classes about you. Good stories. But it's been so good to see you grow up.
[37:23] I met you first when you were about eight or nine years old. And I'm just so proud of you. And I'm thankful for you. I remember our first conversation together. And although it was very awkward.
[37:33] It was the first time someone had shown interest in my spiritual condition. I was new to the church. I was 12 years old. And for the next five years, looking back, you never stopped investing in me. And I'm thankful that your obedience to the Lord didn't stop with just investing in me.
[37:46] That you're now going to Ecuador with Kacen and Jackson. And I'm just so thankful for what you've done in my life. And I love you very much. Kacen and Bethany, you have both become very dear friends to me. Kacen, you've been a huge help since I started deputation.
[37:58] And I'm just so thankful you're a wonderful example. And God has just blessed you tremendously. And I know he's going to continue to bless your efforts and hard work. Bethany, you have become one of my very best friends.
[38:08] I am going to miss you dearly. But I am so excited to watch how God uses you and blesses your time in Peru and Ecuador. And I love you very much. I'm going to make this real quick because I'm going to blubber if I don't.
[38:21] I've watched you grow up from a baby. And I love you very much. And I'm so proud of the mom and the wife that you are. And I'm just praying for you in case of that you leave here and you do something absolutely marvelous for the Lord.
[38:35] I know he's going to use you in great ways. Bethany, I love you very much. And I thank you for your love for me. And if I could, I will leave you for the pence.
[38:48] One. I'm sorry. I didn't learn. Well, I'm just very thankful for the fact that I get to be here.
[39:01] And I just, I look at these people and what they're saying to you and the testimony that you've been here. And I just think in 10 years, this is going to be Peruvians and Ecuadorians. And aligned, thanking the Lord that you went to give them the gospel.
[39:16] And I would just like to leave you with Hebrews 12, or Romans 12, where Brother Austin preached on, but being a living sacrifice. And I was reminded this morning that it's easy to get off the altar when trials come.
[39:27] And trials will come. But my prayer for you is that you stay on the altar. And when it gets difficult to stay on the altar, that you'll also remember Hebrews 12, verse 3, where it says, consider him.
[39:42] And Jesus came to this world to die for us. He also died for those people that you're going for. I'm very proud of you. I love you very much. And even though it's very bittersweet for me and my heart breaks, I'm very joyful that you're going to the mission field.
[39:56] And I thank the Lord for what you're doing. Kaysen and Bethany, I'm so excited for you. And Kaysen, I know I've always seen you as the brother that used to make me so mad all the time.
[40:08] But I'm really proud of where you've come. And I'm just so excited for you. I just want to thank you all for all the time that you've spent with our family. Kaysen, when you were very little, you memorized Psalm 96 for our recite night.
[40:27] And I want to read that back. Sing unto the Lord a new song.
[40:38] And sing unto the Lord all the earth. And sing unto the Lord and bless his name. And show forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen.
[40:50] And his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great. And greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods.
[41:02] For all the gods of the nations are idols. But the Lord made the heavens and honor and majesty are before him. And strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. And so now that you're all grown up.
[41:14] And you and Bethany and Jackson are going to Peru and Ecuador. To do just what the psalm said. You're going to declare glory. And wonders to the people there. I want you to go with the confidence that the Lord is great.
[41:27] And he is greatly to be praised. That he is to be feared above all gods. Because he made the heavens. As you minister to the people there in Peru. And then to Ecuador. I want you to remember that your strength is in his sanctuary.
[41:40] Your strength comes from your times in his presence. In his word. And in your prayers. Take captive any thoughts of fear. Because God is your strength.
[41:51] And I know that you will draw upon that strength. Bethany. It was prophetic. That I knew that Bethany would be my daughter-in-law. Before she ever even had any serious relationship with Kaysen.
[42:05] I made her get in the family picture. So I knew. I knew that she was going to be one of us. So Bethany you are an absolute wonderful helper to Kaysen.
[42:15] And you are the most absolute at ease first time mother I have ever known. You are a great mother for Jackson. And I just encourage you to enjoy each moment while Jackson is little.
[42:26] And be very purposeful in these little years of his training. And just enjoy it. Just enjoy it. Be Kaysen's helper and Jackson's mom. And just enjoy it. We love you so much.
[42:36] We will miss you so much. And be praying for you every day. Well Kaysen and Bethany, Amber and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know you guys. The last couple of years. And you guys have been good friends. And you have been very helpful for us.
[42:48] And so we want to thank you for that. And we love you guys. And we will be praying for you. Amen. Kaysen, I just wanted to say that the few years I've had to know you.
[42:58] You've been an inspiration and an example of what it is to be a hard worker in the ministry. And I wanted to say thank you for showing me what it looks like to work hard in the ministry. Thank you for being that example.
[43:09] For not only myself but for other students. For other interns that go out. Thank you Kaysen for being such a hard worker. I know you're going to do great. Because you did great here. Well Kaysen, I love you man.
[43:22] I know you still remember that first time we met at the summit. I went and talked to you there in the room. And said, hey my name is Kaysen. I'm Cannon's brother. I was like, Cannon's brother? This guy is cool and edgy. I'm pretty sure it's the hair.
[43:34] And so I remember distinctly thinking that. But ever since then getting to know you, you've been an incredible example to me. I think that everybody else that was in our training center class. And I've really loved being able to grow with you and to see you grow.
[43:45] And I know you're going to be an incredible example for the people there in Ecuador too. I know that we're praying for you. And we're really excited to see how God used you. Okay, so I'm just going to echo those that came before me. You know, my dad told me growing up that if you need to get something done, you ask the busiest person in the room.
[43:58] And if you don't exemplify that to the T. I just want to thank you so much for your example, your testimony to us, your friendship. Excited to be with you guys in Peru for a little bit. And I'll be praying for you guys. And excited to see how God used you. Jason and Bethany, Rebecca and I love you too.
[44:11] And we're very proud of you. And we're just excited for you. It's been a blessing to watch you. I met you when you were eight years old, Jason. It's been a blessing just to watch you grow and mature in the Lord. And I'm just excited about God sending his warrior down there to Ecuador.
[44:22] I know you're going to do a great job. We'll be praying for you. KB, man, I've got years of memories. I remember being 15 and you doing that Bible study and letting me tag along with you.
[44:32] Riding around in your trunk. All the crazy things you've got to do, but thank you. It's been great to, I guess, observe you and try to mimic some of the things you've done.
[44:43] You set a great example. I mean, as a student, as a Christian, as a believer. And there's some disciplines in your life I definitely try to copy. I think it's all too appropriate that you're getting ready to leave on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
[44:54] And just like Eisenhower said in his letter, he says that the eyes of the world are watching you and we believe in you back home. Okay, so when you leave, just know you have a friend, a neighbor, a brother who believes in you back here.
[45:05] Pray for you, man. I love you. Thank you. Okay, so in Bethany, God's word says, Wherefore, seeing also ye, we are also our compass about with so great a cloud of witness.
[45:16] Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right seat, at the right hand of the throne of God.
[45:34] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. I want to tell you that you were always the brother that I looked up to and set a great example.
[45:48] And that is why God provided the gospel, is so that he would be glorified. And I know that he's going to be glorified. And his angels are going to be glorifying and praising him that a family like you are going to share to people across the world.
[46:00] Thank you for your encouragement. I think I can make a decently strong argument that I've benefited most from you guys. One day in 2017, you guys were at Sumter Baptist Temple in Sumter, South Carolina.
[46:15] And you talked to my wife into going to the summit. And then I talked her into staying. And so praise the Lord. But, Kacen, thank you so much for your example of hard work.
[46:29] Like all these guys have said, you've been an example to me and an encouragement. And most of all, you guys helped me get married. So. Kacen and Bethany, it is really a thrill to send a family, especially one like you guys, to Ecuador.
[46:45] What a wonderful thing that is. And I know you've learned a lot here, but we learned a lot from you, too. I learned a lot. I learned how to raise record amounts of money at a VBS. You just need two people that had been dating who now hated each other.
[46:58] And were willing to spend their life savings to see the other one get slimed. I learned a lot from that. In the early chapters, the early verses of the book of John, he says, There was a man sent from God.
[47:11] He was not the light, but he was sent to bear witness to the light. And through him, all men could believe. It's really a thrill to send you guys to Ecuador. And we love you and we believe in you.
[47:24] Well, Kacen, I know that if God has protected you this far with your driving, I know that he will protect you on the mission field. But, no, in all seriousness, man, like, I appreciate you and Bethany so much.
[47:35] You are such a light for the gospel of Christ. And I'm so excited for you to be able to go to Ecuador and to share the gospel with people who have never heard. Like, how exciting is that? And you will definitely be in my prayers.
[47:45] And I wish the best. Kacen and Bethany and Jackson, Tammy and I love you very much. And I just want to reinforce what Austin and Jeff said.
[47:58] You're going to be under attack by Satan day and night. So I think what you should do is when you pray, just ask God to help you be a better husband.
[48:12] Ask him to help you be a better father. Ask him to help you be a better Christian. And one of the Psalms says, be upright and let your prayer be a delight to God.
[48:29] And so think about that when you pray. Because so many times our prayers turn into we're begging. But let your prayer be a delight to God. And we love you and God bless you.
[48:40] Amen. Well, Kacen, I think it was your younger brother that was wearing the boots that said something really nice about you. Remember the first time I met you, you were wearing a suit and then you were wearing boots.
[48:50] And I thought, man, I must be back in Logan, Ohio. But anyway, I'd do anything to hear my brother say that about me, man. And that's great. I remember the first time I did get to meet you. I stayed in your house before you were even there.
[49:01] You just left a key for me. I thought, well, these must be really nice people. And then I got to meet you a little bit. You called me a couple months later and said, hey, do you know any churches in this area? So I got you into one. You got taken on for support.
[49:11] And then we turned it around. And I got here. And I said, hey, Kacen, do you know any churches around this area? And then they took me on for support. So, man, praying for you. Love you. We'll be praying for your entire family. Kacen and Bethany, I just love you two so much.
[49:26] And, you know, as I was listening to Joy and she said how prophetic she was with the family photo, I think we scared Bethany to death. And I don't think she ever wanted to come back. But praise God, brother, that you brought them back together.
[49:37] I didn't know that. So thank you. I just want there's two legacies that Kacen leaves. And that's just an overwhelming joyfulness, a walk of joy that a lot of believers don't demonstrate.
[49:51] And you demonstrate that in an abundant amount of effort and hard work. And for a father, and Michael, thank you so much for that.
[50:02] Thank you for that. It's the joyfulness of your son and his wife and your grandson going to do God's work is an ultimate joy. I want to leave you with this because it's meant a lot to me.
[50:16] And it's a challenge. Kacen, in your joyfulness, in your hard work, Proverbs 27, 23, Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks and look well unto thy herd.
[50:29] And what that means is to look well after those under your care, your wife, your children, others in the ministry. Look to the state of your heart daily.
[50:41] And I think that's what these brothers are teaching tonight. Look to that. Pray to God to make sure that's right. And God will bless that time. Love you guys. Kacen, Bethany, if you recall, you had dinner with us not too long ago.
[50:54] My wife and I had really one purpose of that dinner is to get to know you, of course, but to encourage you, to be a blessing to you, and to motivate you. And you left. We had a long night of fellowship, and you left.
[51:05] And I looked at Eileen, and I said, wait a minute. We were supposed to be encouraging them, motivating them, and blessing them. And they did to us. They blessed us. They motivated us. They encouraged us. And they encouraged.
[51:16] And I looked at Eileen, and I said, Eileen, how old are they? I said, because they have the maturity and wisdom that's beyond their years. And I was marveling at the grace, the work of grace that God has done in your hearts.
[51:31] And I just fell in love with both of you, and my wife did too. And we're so grateful to see God's got you here. And now the great things he's going to do. I want to leave you with one verse. It's in Romans 8, verse 31, if God be for us, who can be against us?
[51:47] Cason, Bethany, Rebecca and I love you guys to death. You're young. You're excited. You're joyful. You're a great example. I met your dad, Cason. I can see how he loves people and cares about people.
[52:00] And if you'll do that same thing with the people in Ecuador, and you'll just care about them and love them, when they don't deserve it, you'll love them anyways. And you'll keep loving them and keep loving them. God's going to do great things. And we don't love them because they deserve it.
[52:11] We love them because God's glorified. And that's why I just encourage you guys to go down there and love on those people. And God will do some great things. We love you guys. Hey, Cason. Just wanted to congratulate you on finishing deputation for your blessing service and getting to go to language school, getting to the field.
[52:29] I just want to let you know how proud I am with you. I've been so excited to see how you've been working so hard and staying faithful to the Lord. And I'm just excited to see how God is going to use you in Peru and later on in Ecuador.
[52:43] I want you to know, Nancy and I love you and Bethany. And we're just so excited to see how God's going to use you. Keep up the great work. Well, that accomplished two things.
[52:53] We saw how good a house he lives in. And we saw he got to say something to his brother and sister-in-law. And we saw his sword sitting there. Amen. You're not a good beekeeper.
[53:06] I just thought I'd mention it before the evening. I went into the bee business with Cason because he's an expert. And they all died. It's Dan Penrod here.
[53:16] Did you kill his too, Cason? Yeah. So you have succeeded in some things. So we were out looking at the beehives when they started up there.
[53:30] And he opened it up with his hands out. And one of them got on his hand and stung him. And he said, you need to get that over with right first. I said, what? He said, getting stung. He said, so you can get used to it. I said, that ain't never happened.
[53:41] So I think God killed him to save me. Amen. Well, Cason, you and Bethany, come up here if you would, please. And we, I'd like to get, can I get the deacons and the World Evangelism Cabinet people?
[53:53] Can I get all y'all to come up? And spouses. And we just love you. And we're going to pray over you and ask God to bless you. So World Evangelism Cabinet and spouses and deacons and spouses and staff and spouses.
[54:06] If y'all would come on up here. We would just like to pray for this wonderful couple and ask God's blessings on them. I need a girl that's going to pray.
[54:16] Is anybody going to volunteer or do I just pick? Which girl's going to pray? All right, Betty, you're going to pray. So give Betty a microphone, whoever's doing that. And who's going to pray over here? Who is the, you're the, yeah, you are. You can pray and we'll take a deacon to pray.
[54:28] John is a, John Pearson's been, Ecuador's been his country for, I don't know, 20 years. So John, you pray. We'll have Betty, Todd, John, and then I will close us.
[54:41] Well, let's let you two pray, Sandy. Let Sandy go first. Sandy, then Betty, then Todd, then John. And I'll either pray or close her. It depends on how long they pray. Go for it.
[54:52] Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Bethany. Thank you for her willing spirit to do your will. And thank you for leading her here and that they got married and they want to serve you together, Lord.
[55:04] And bless them as they go and give them a refresher language and help them to learn the language very quickly. And that they would have family down there and that they'd be able to lead souls to you. And that we would be able to get to Ecuador quickly and start a work there and bless the whole family.
[55:19] In Jesus' name, amen. Dear God, I thank you so much for tonight. I thank you for the privilege of sending Cason and Bethany and little Jackson off. God, I ask that you will just bless them unbelievably as they labor for you.
[55:36] God, I want to ask a special blessing on Mike and Deanna and the rest of Bethany's family. Lord, that as they leave, and Lord, that you'll bless the Bloom family and all of their family members.
[55:53] God, fill the void. It'll be there. And God, I just thank you for two families that love you, put you first, and want to see their children honor and glorify you.
[56:05] We thank you for all your many blessings. In Jesus' name, amen. Father, we thank you for Cason and Bethany and little Jackson. We thank you for the work of grace in their hearts and what you're doing in their lives and how you've brought them to this place, Lord, which is a testimony of your sovereign will.
[56:21] And, Lord, we know that you have great things planned for them. We know that not all things will be easy. We know there'll be some difficulties. We'll know there'll be some attacks, but there's also going to be some great rewards and moments of joy.
[56:34] And we just pray that you'll see them through it all. We ask that you give them grace, give them protection, give them your blessings, and, Lord, help them to stay close to you. And, Lord, we just pray that you'll give them many open doors as they begin this transition.
[56:48] You'll make that a smooth transition, help them to adapt to the culture, to the language. But, Lord, most of all, you'll open those doors that souls may know Christ as their Savior. And as we heard our pastor preach from the Scripture tonight, may they bear fruit, and may that fruit remain, bringing glory and honor to you.
[57:04] In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Father, we love you. We thank you for all that you are. We just ask, Lord, tonight that you would use Cason and Bethany and Jackson, Lord, as they go to Ecuador.
[57:16] We pray for the country. Pray for the people. Pray for the hearts. Lord, we know that your Holy Spirit is already there, working. And, Father, we want to send your word down with Cason and Bethany that they would be able to preach and your spirit would work.
[57:29] Lives would be changed and hearts would be changed. Minds would be changed. Lord, I pray that you would give Cason the language, not just in his mind and his mouth, but in his heart. I pray that you would help him weave himself and his life into the culture to understand it, Lord, and understand the people that he'll be preaching to and making disciples out of.
[57:48] Father, we just ask that you would help him when adversities come, when challenges come, to never look for a way out, but always look for a way through. And to help him, Lord, to have the strength and the courage to work the ministry just one day at a time, just each day, trusting you completely.
[58:05] I thank you for these families, Lord. I thank you for the Staley's. I thank you for the Blooms. Thank you for their investment in this precious gift of the gospel going to Ecuador. I pray that you'd richly bless them for that.
[58:16] And, Father, I just thank you for this chance to send your servants to Ecuador. And we'll praise you and thank you in Jesus' name. Father in heaven, we love you. And we acknowledge that we are nothing and unworthy of anything, but you are everything, and all glory and honor goes to you.
[58:34] Thank you for this couple that you have raised up, that you have empowered, that you have called out, that you have blessed with the necessary means to get to the field.
[58:46] You have gifted them to do the ministry, and we give you all praise. We give you all glory. We know it's all about you. I pray, God, you'd use them. I pray you'd help them to keep their eyes on you. Thank you for two families, Lord, that have tried to serve you and raise kids and do that.
[58:59] I pray you'd bless them. And I thank you for a church that's willing to love young people and help them do what you have for them to do. And I'll give you praise, honor, and glory for all you do. In Jesus' precious name, amen.
[59:10] All right. Y'all can hug them there and hug them and all that stuff you do. And then I should have a check and a tip map and a box. Got a little bit of everything going on here.
[59:22] Girls, y'all weren't asked to leave yet. Come on back. You're not a girl, but you come on back. All right.
[59:34] So you can take that. So on behalf of the church, we're going to give this sword here. Let me see what that sword says on there. That sword said, has your sword tasted blood?
[59:47] And so I used to preach a message about that. And the sword's the word of God. That's just a symbol. We give that to Kaysen as a reminder to keep preaching and seeing people saved.
[59:59] All right. Well, Todd, can you give that over here to Miss Bethany? Where'd she go? There's some notes and letters to tell you that we love you. And you can, there's a big box. Y'all need some more letters there. Y'all like my wife, you write one.
[60:10] I wrote two. And so get some letters in there. And let's give them the map over here too, if you would. Let's give that to Bethany. Now, if you haven't signed the map, sign the map.
[60:20] I see these hanging on the walls when I visit our missionaries. And then we have $500. Wait a minute. What are you doing? I don't like him. I like Bethany. Okay.
[60:31] Give it to Kaysen. He don't take it anyway. And so on behalf of Vision Baptist Church, we love you both. And we're very proud of you. Did you get plenty of pictures?
[60:43] No. No? That means you did? Are you a smart? Like, God forgive her for treating me that way. Before they leave, I want to ask the Blooms to come up here and the Staley's.
[60:54] And I want y'all two in the front and all you other, all the church that represents them, I want y'all behind them. Put the Bloom family behind him and the Staley family behind her. And then all y'all church people, get up here so we can get a picture.
[61:06] I'm proud of each of you too. I'm just as proud of you as I am this young couple that's leaving. And so we're going to take a picture. And if you can't see her, she probably can't see you.
[61:24] So get where they can see you. You can't be moving, Betty. That's not how it works. I get with you. Okay. All right.
[61:35] How about a round of applause for this beautiful family? Thank you. Y'all can all go have a seat now. Thank you very much. Today, Sammy Allen was at the end of the funeral.
[61:52] They called Sammy Allen out. He's a great preacher. Been used to God. Senate Blue is one of the greatest men of God. They raised up missionaries and money. And Brother Sammy was at their end and people were coming around.
[62:03] And he just said, stop, stop, stop. Started talking to everybody. I felt like that just now when I told the ladies and Lamar to come back. I thought the Sammy was coming out in me. Amen. I appreciate you as a church.
[62:19] I really do appreciate you. I know that vision's got to be the weirdest church on the planet. With all the mysteries, all the young people. But I thank you. I thank you for loving the souls of the world. And caring about people and making a difference.
[62:31] Being extremely generous people. That above and beyond you give to Faith Promise. We're over $2 million now. We're, I think, 300,000 years about what we end up bringing in this year.
[62:44] I just want to thank you. You are a blessing. And I am so proud of you. And I am blessed. I am blessed to be the servant of the Lord working with you. And it is an honor. Thank you for being here.
[62:55] We can have some real quick announcements. No announcements. Thank you very much. See you Sunday morning. Bye.