And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The Son & the Sand
http://www.barefootbelievers.com – June 2004
When I was a kid I thought “Nicholas” on the television show – “Eight Is Enough” had a pretty good life. Here was a kid who had seven brothers and sisters. Most of these siblings lived under the same roof. There was lots of excitement, lots of drama, and lots of laughs on the show.
Thea and I will probably never have a house as full as the one on the television show; however, this summer we have been given the wonderful opportunity of supervising and working alongside a team of “eight” very talented summer missionaries. God has blessed each of them uniquely. You may want to partner with us in prayer by utilizing our 2004 prayer calendar during the months of June and July this summer:
MONDAY – EMILY & LISA
TUESDAY – TIFFANY & MICHELLE
WEDNESDAY – HEATHER & LINDSEY
THURSDAY – ALANA & KRISTEN
FRIDAY – THEA & JEFF
Without prayer we can’t do much, but when God’s people pray, amazing things always happen.
This summer, much like last summer, each summer missionary has specific responsibilities within the structure of gulf area resort ministries:
Heather – Evangelism Coordinator
Lisa – Discipleship Coordinator
Michelle – Worship Coordinator
Lindsey – Performance Coordinator
Alana – Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Kristen – Orientation Coordinator
Emily – Follow Up Coordinator
Tiffany – Outreach Coordinator
These job titles may be helpful as you consider different ways you can pray for the staff.
If you’d like to send emails of encouragement to any or all of the summer missionaries – you can send them to me, and I will pass them on to our hard working staff.
The 2004 Ministry Partners
We have also already had the privilege of working alongside over 150 mission team participants during the first couple of weeks of the summer.
The following teams have either already come and gone or are currently serving with us this week:
BellvueBaptistChurch – Gadsden, AL
FBC Decatur – Decatur, AL
FBC Hampton – Hampton, GA
FBC Houston – Houston, MO
BlytheIslandBaptistChurch – Bruswick, GA
GardenLakesBaptistChurch – Rome, GA
We will also be working with the following teams as well:
JUNE 13-17 MUNFORDBAPTISTCHURCH – MUNFORD, AL
JUNE 15-16 LIVING HOPE BAPTIST – BOWLING GREEN, KY
JUNE 19-26 DWIGHT BAPTIST – GADSDEN, AL
JUNE 20-25 THELMA BAPTIST – WETUMPKA, AL
JUNE 26-JULY 2 LAKEVIEW BAPTIST – SOUTHSIDE, AL
JUNE 28-JULY 2 JUBILEE BAPTIST – DAPHNE, AL
JULY 3-5 NEW HAVEN BAPTIST – NEW HAVEN, MICHIGAN
JULY 3-9 SECOND BAPTIST – FORT PAYNE, AL
JULY 3-10 SANDROCK BAPTIST – SANDROCK, AL
JULY 11-14 FIRST BAPTIST – SHANNON, GA
JULY 11-17 EASTABOOGA BAPTIST – EASTABOOGA, AL
JULY 19-23 YOUTH ON MISSION TEAM – SHREVEPORT, LA
JULY 19-20 LEXA BAPTIST – LEXA, AR
JULY 24-30 FBC TIFTON – TIFTON, GA
JULY 25-30 PLESANT MOUNT BAPTIST, BLOUNT CO., AL
JULY 30-AUG. 4 BETHLEHEM BAPTIST – CUNNINGHAM, KY
Aunt Thea & Uncle Jeff
Scott & Dixie Ford (Scott’s my brother) welcomed their baby girl – ALLIE –
– Sydney Allison Ford – into the world on May 31st. Thea and I were able to travel to Conyers, GA for a short visit a couple of days ago. Allie is so precious. See for yourself at:
Allie weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.
One More Thing
I want to say thank you to many of our email newsletter friends for being so encouraging this summer already. The summer season can be extremely hectic for you and me. We must remember to slow down, take a look around, and enjoy the many joys of the summer.
Jesus said in John’s Gospel, chapter 10 verse 10: …My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
I pray that we will all experience the full life that only comes through a relationship with Christ this summer. I pray that we will experience the fullness and abundance that can only be found through the mercy and grace of God.
God bless you. Have a great month. Let us know how you are doing.
In Christ,
Jeff Ford
The Son & the Sand
http://www.barefootbelievers.com – July 2004
My Office is a Wreck
As I sit at the computer and prepare our second summer newsletter for 2004, I am surrounded by ice chests, bottled water, day camp supplies, multiple stacks of paper… you get the picture – my office is a wreck.
The journey from an orderly office environment to the look of a junior high student’s messy room has been a gradual one. Someone once said a messy office space is simply a sign of progress – well, I don’t know if that’s really true; however, we have made a lot of progress in our outreach efforts this summer. God has really blessed the ministry with a wonderful staff and many encouraging ministry partners.
One reason my office is so very messy is due to our upcoming 4th of July outreach event at the public beach. 75 to 100 “on mission” resort ministry volunteers will be setting up canopies at the public beach on the 4th to provide free ice cold water with a scripture verse on the bottle, free hair wraps, free face painting, and slip discs with a gospel message as well as magazine style new testaments called “revolve” and “refuel”. These creative editions of the new testament are great for putting in the hands of teens on the beach. In addition to these services, our teams will also be participating in the creation of encouraging sand sculptures with a positive message, volleyball games, prayer walking, and musical performances and other creative ministries right on the beach. We would love to see you there. If you can’tt be with us, then please remember to pray with us as we prepare for this exciting annual event.
The summer staff and their various ministry partners (visiting mission teams) have spent the last several weeks ministering through day camps, backyard Bible clubs, creative beach outreach, concerts, and resort worship services at various ministry sites such as the Gulf State Park Campground, Luxury RV Resort, Island Retreat RV, the public beach, romar beach, cotton bayou, and Gulf Breeze RV.
We greatly appreciate your prayers and encouragement. The summer missionaries have received lots of letters, packages, and encouragement from their prayer partners, friends, and family. The summer missionaries have only reached the halfway point of their missions experience, so keep the encouragement coming.
Grrrrreat!!!
It’s Grrrreat! Isn’t that Tony the Tiger’s catchphrase? Well the same can be said about our 2004 summer thus far – it’s grrrreat! By the end of this week, we will have partnered with over 400 students and adults in our ministry efforts. Here’s a list of our May & June ministry partners:
MAY 24-28 BELLVUE BAPTIST CHURCH – GADSDEN, AL
MAY 31- JUNE 4 FBC DECATUR, AL
JUNE 4 FBC HAMPTON, HAMPTON, GA
JUNE 5-12 FBC HOUSTON – HOUSTON, MO
JUNE 6-12 GARDEN LAKES BAPTIST – ROME, GA
JUNE 6-9 BLYTHE ISLAND BAPTIST – BRUNSWICK, GA
JUNE 8-10 RIVERCHASE BAPTIST CHURCH – BIRMINGHAM, AL
JUNE 13-17 MUNFORD BAPTIST CHURCH – MUNFORD, AL
JUNE 15-16 LIVING HOPE BAPTIST – BOWLING GREEN, KY
JUNE 19-26 DWIGHT BAPTIST – GADSDEN, AL
JUNE 20-25 THELMA BAPTIST – WETUMPKA, AL
JUNE 26 KREOLE AVENUE BAPTIST – MOSS POINTE, MS
JUNE 26-JULY 2 LAKEVIEW BAPTIST – SOUTHSIDE, AL
JUNE 28-JULY 2 JUBILEE BAPTIST – DAPHNE, AL
And here’s a list of the July and August teams:
JULY 3-5 NEW HAVEN BAPTIST – NEW HAVEN, MICHIGAN
JULY 3-9 2ND BAPTIST CHURCH – FORT PAYNE, AL
JULY 3-9 ENON BAPTIST CHURCH – FRANKLINTON, LA
JULY 4 CHURCH ON THE EASTERN SHORE – DAPHNE, AL
JULY 8-11 PADEN BAPTIST CHURCH – GADSDEN, AL
JULY 11-17 EASTABOGA BAPTIST – EASTABOOGA, AL
JULY 12 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DAWES, MOBILE, AL
JULY 12-13 LEXA BAPTIST CHURCH – LEXA, AR
JULY 16-18 ELKDALE BAPTIST CHURCH – SELMA, AL
JULY 19-23 YOUTH ON MISSION TEAM – SHREVEPORT, LA
JULY 24-30 FBC TIFTON – TIFTON, GA
JULY 25-30 PLESANT MOUNT BAPTIST, BLOUNT CO., AL
JULY 30-AUG. 4 BETHLEHEM BAPTIST – CUNNINGHAM, KY
Please continue to pray for the abovementioned visiting mission teams & the summer staff : Heather – Evangelism Coordinator, Lisa – Discipleship Coordinator, Michelle – Worship Coordinator, Lindsey – Performance Coordinator, Alana – Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Kristen – Orientation Coordinator, Emily – Follow Up Coordinator, Tiffany – Outreach Coordinator.
I know I say it every summer, and every summer I mean it – this is the best summer yet. The many mission teams, the outstanding performance and encouragement of the staff, and the amazing movement of God’s spirit on the gulf coast have given us an amazing outlook for the future of Gulf Area Resort Ministries efforts on Alabama’s beautiful beaches and the ministry presence in the many wonderful campgrounds surrounding the coast.
Cleaning Up the Office
No, I probably will not be cleaning up my office any time soon. Even if I did clean up, within a couple of days, the office would be back to its natural summer state – a wreck. But even with a messy office, we must continue to strive toward becoming an “organized” and “equipping” organization. Please pray for us as we work out the many logistical details from week to week in July. Thanks again for your enormous encouragement and concern. May God bless your summer.
One Last Thing
6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD ,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:6-8
This scripture has been used weekly by one of our summer missionaries at our regular Sunday orientation meetings to be an encouragement to many of the students that are here on mission trips for a week.
God is calling each of us to be on mission for Him. You don’t have to spend a week away from home to experience a God centered mission filled life. You don’t have to go on a mission trip to be challenged to share with others the testimony that God has given you. I hope this scripture passage encourages you to know that God calls us to move beyond our excuses and live for Him. God calls us to live under his protection and direction.
God bless you. Thank you again for your encouragement and prayers. Let us know if we can pray for you and / or serve you in any way.
In Christ,
Jeff Ford
The Son & the Sand
http://www.barefootbelievers.com – August 2004
Home Again
It’s hard to believe that June and July (one of our busiest seasons of the year) are no more. As we look ahead to the month of August, we anticipate another exciting season of ministry. Sadly this next season (part two of summer and part one of fall) will not involve working with our summer missions staff. One week from now all of our summer missionaries will be back at their homes and / or schools again. Heather, Emily, Lisa, Alana, Lindsey, Michelle, Kristen, & Tiffany served in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama for nine weeks with Gulf Area Resort Ministries. The led over two dozen “one week-er” ministry teams in ministries on the beach and at various campgrounds. Please continue to pray for our summer staffers as they enter another mission field in the fall: their campuses. Thea and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve alongside them. Our recent fellowship outing to New Orleans was a great success. The trip served as a small reward to a hard working crew of summer missionaries.
The End Leads to Another Beginning
Now that the busiest part of the summer is complete, we look ahead to August. Resort worship services will continue at Gulf State Park, Island Retreat RV, and the Plantation Resort; however, the services at Luxury RV and Gulf Breeze will cease for awhile. We look forward to working with additional volunteer staff in the fall to continually reach out with the gospel at our various ministry sites.
Prayer Support
I cannot say it enough – we truly appreciate your prayer support. God’s love and grace is the message that the ministry and its many volunteers and prayer partners seek to carry to Alabama’s gulf coast. We simply could not be effective without your wonderful prayer support. Here are a few prayer points to remember this month:
- Associational RA camp at Camp Baldwin (I will get an opportunity to share with the children at this camp about the resort ministry and the creative ways that we are able to share the gospel on the beaches and campgrounds in Gulf Shores) Please pray that the children would be encouraged and my time would them would result in a deeper interest in missions.
- The summer missionaries & their adjustment to life away from the beach – Please pray for the summer staff as they adjust to life back at home or school.
- School is back in session – Thea will be starting her fifth year at Foley High School as a history teacher. Please pray for her as she experiences the joys and challenges of teaching.
- Baptist Campus Ministries – Many of you may recall my involvement in the BCM at Faulkner State last year. This month Joe Friman will be begin working with Faulkner as campus minister. Please pray for Joe as he works in Bay Minette, Kevin Hamlin at Fairhope, and for me as I continue to work with students at the Gulf Shores campus.
- Eeeek it’s Greek! – Please pray for me as I continue my seminary studies in Pensacola, Florida at the NOBTS extension center. I am a little nervous about my Greek class, but I am sure God will see me through. He always does.
- 2004 Shrimp Fest – Thea and I continue to prepare and recruit volunteers for the 2004 Shrimp Festival. Pray for us as we make these preparations. If you are interested in volunteering at the Children’s Art Village, give me a call today. Thanks.
- It’s never to early to get ready for our busy seasons – Of course we are always in prep mode for upcoming ministry partnerships, events, and our next season: Snowbird season unofficially begins in October, Spring Break and Summer 2005 calendars can begin being constructed this month as well.
- August mission teams – Even though it seems like public school starts earlier every year, we will be partnering with several mission teams this month. We appreciate your prayers and the variety of ways you encourage us in our ministry efforts.
- Resort Worship – Some of our services in the campgrounds are year round. We pray that God would prick the heart of a camper, usher them into a resort worship service each Sunday, and there our guest would find encouragement, grace, and His love.
Statistical Review from the summer of 2004
Yes, this heading sounds quite boring, but it’s really not. Just imagine how many words of encouragement and gospel presentations we were able to give with the help of these folks:
MAY 24-28 BELLVUE BAPTIST CHURCH – GADSDEN, AL
JUNE 1-4 FBC DECATUR, AL
JUNE 4 FBC HAMPTON, HAMPTON, GA
JUNE 5-12 FBC HOUSTON – HOUSTON, MO
JUNE 6-12 GARDEN LAKES BAPTIST – ROME, GA
JUNE 6-9 BLYTHE ISLAND BAPTIST – BRUNSWICK, GA
JUNE 8-10 RIVERCHASE BAPTIST CHURCH – BIRMINGHAM, AL
JUNE 13-17 MUNFORD BAPTIST CHURCH – MUNFORD, AL
JUNE 15-16 LIVING HOPE BAPTIST – BOWLING GREEN, KY
JUNE 19-26 DWIGHT BAPTIST – GADSDEN, AL
JUNE 20-25 THELMA BAPTIST – WETUMPKA, AL
JUNE 26 KREOLE AVENUE BAPTIST – MOSS POINTE, MS
JUNE 26-JULY 2 LAKEVIEW BAPTIST – SOUTHSIDE, AL
JUNE 28-JULY 2 JUBILEE BAPTIST – DAPHNE, AL
JULY 3-5 NEW HAVEN BAPTIST – NEW HAVEN, MICHIGAN
JULY 3-9 2ND BAPTIST CHURCH – FORT PAYNE, AL
JULY 3-9 ENON BAPTIST CHURCH – FRANKLINTON, LA
JULY 8-11 PADEN BAPTIST CHURCH – GADSDEN, AL
JULY 11-17 EASTABOGA BAPTIST – EASTABOOGA, AL
JULY 12 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DAWES, MOBILE, AL
JULY 12-13 LEXA BAPTIST CHURCH – LEXA, AR
JULY 16-18 ELKDALE BAPTIST CHURCH – SELMA, AL
JULY 19-23 WOODRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH – SHREVEPORT, LA
JULY 24-30 FBC TIFTON – TIFTON, GA
JULY 25-30 PLESANT MOUNT BAPTIST, BLOUNT CO., AL
AUGUST 1-4 BETHLEHEM BAPTIST – CUNNINGHAM, KY
That’s a total of nearly 700 students and adults on mission with the Gulf Area Resort Ministries’ staff reaching out to thousands of gulf coast visitors and residents with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would say that is pretty exciting stuff. Beyond these churches, we also include the churches of the Baldwin Baptist Association and so many other churches and individuals that contribute to our ministry efforts through prayer support and cooperative program giving.
One Last Thing:
Matthew 14:28-31
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him…
God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance…a beautiful song, but not entirely true. Bette Midler got it wrong. Although we serve a God who is in heaven above. He is the glorious God that embodies the unseen realms of heaven, and the furthest depth of the universe. God is here. God is now. Reaching out his hand to you. He is in the midst of all the chaos and all the crisis that we experience.
God is in the trenches of life with us. He shows us this through the life of his Son, Jesus. He wants to rescue us from the messes we often make in our lives. He wants to be our lifeguard just like he was for Peter in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 14.
The Son & the Sand
One Last Glimpse of the Summer
As August comes to a close, I feel the need to take one last look at our ’04 summer ministry efforts. The call that God placed in the hearts of our many partners in ministry was an amazing encouragement to thousands of beach goers and campground visitors. We pray that God will continue to call others to this area to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with visitors and residents. Please consider urging others to visit our website and check into receiving more information regarding a ministry partnership via email. We have already placed three teams on our 2005 summer schedule, and we would love to have a chance to work with your church or a church in your area.
I’ve mentioned the 2004 summer ministry staff often in the last several issues of The Son & the Sand. Here’s a photo of the hard working team: http://www.barefootbelievers.com/CI.htm Please continue to pray for Lisa, Lindsey, Alana, Tiffany, Kristen, Heather, Michelle, and Emily. Although they are no longer on Alabama’s gulf coast, God is still calling each of them to share what he has done in their lives with the world around them.
Seasons of Music
Playing guitar and leading worshipers in praise choruses and hymns, singing duets with my soul mate: Thea, singing songs at snowbird fellowships, running the sound system at various spring break and summer concert events on the beach and at campgrounds…these types of musical endeavors have been essential to our effectiveness as ministers of the gospel. Music has always been a wonderful aspect of the many undertakings of Gulf Area Resort Ministries.
I received my first guitar (an electric with built in speaker…more of a toy that a serious instrument) at the age of 14. I began learning to play on my first acoustic guitar at the age of 21. I’ve been playing regularly ever since. My close friend, Fred Bueto, introduced me to the concept of home recording about five years ago. Now I consistently strive to create original music at home. I can even capture my creative attempts on CD. It’s a great little hobby.
Music is a part of all of our lives. Music touches us deeply in times of sorrow. Music lifts our spirits on a warm summer day. Music comforts. Music quiets us. Music encourages us. Music is a wonderful tool for praising the Creator. There’s nothing like singing about our Savior. Music can become a partner in our prayer lives. Music can focus our attention upon the divine. I’m obviously pretty passionate about music. You may share a passion for music as well. I love trading lists with friends. What music moves you? Send me your list. Here’s mine. A list of some of my favorite songwriters: #1 (of course) Phil Keaggy, Rich Mullins, Keith Green, Charlie Peacock, & Kyle Matthews.
Please pray for us as we use music to glorify God and reach out to a world of people that are hurting and need something real to bring music to their hearts.
Pray for Me…and I’ll Pray for You
Here’s our most recent update in the area of prayer requests. Don’t forget to reply back with your prayer concerns. We want to be faithful to pray for you as well.
- Please continue to pray for Thea as she experiences the joys and challenges of her work at Foley High School.
- BCM…Baptist Campus Ministries. Please pray for Joe Friman as he works in Bay Minette, Kevin Hamlin at Fairhope, and for me as I continue to develop a strategy to reach out to students at the Gulf Shores campus.
- The Greek Course is underway. This is my first language course. I will be taking Greek and a preaching class each Monday. Pray for God’s guidance and my ongoing seminary efforts.
- Thea and I continue to prepare and recruit volunteers for the 2004 Shrimp Festival. Pray for us as we make these preparations. If you are interested in volunteering at the Children’s ArtVillage, give me a call today. Thanks.
- Snowbirds will begin flocking in next month. Pray for our many ministry partners. Pray that God would give us the best season ever.
- Spring Break and Summer 2005 calendars are well on their way. Please consider sending a student and / or adult mission team our way.
- Resort Worship – Some of our services in the campgrounds are year round. We pray that God would prick the heart of a camper, usher them into a resort worship service each Sunday, and there our guest would find encouragement, grace, and His love.
And Remember
Our beautiful mission field on Alabama’s gulf coast reminds us of this wonderful passage:
Psalm 93:3-4
The mighty oceans have roared, O Lord. The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore-the Lord above is mightier than these!
Peace in Christ,
Jeff Ford
We are a ministry of the Baldwin Baptist Association, and we are partners in ministry with the AlabamaBaptistState Board of Missions and the North American Mission Board
The Son & the Sand
www.barefootbelievers.com – October 2004
Preparing for the Worst & Hoping for the Best
Thea and I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best on Tuesday, September 14th. We boarded up our windows, with the help of my uncle Chuck and my Dad, and then we get out of town. The 350 mile journey to Gadsden took about 10 hours due to the heavy traffic of like-minded south Alabamians. Three days later I made the journey back home to check on our house in Foley. I drove home on highway 31. I waited in line for gasoline, along with 30 other vehicles, at a convenient store in Greenville. The path of the hurricane and its heartbreaking effects were evident for over one hundred miles. As you pray for people in our area, please continue to remember others in Greenville, Atmore, Brewton, Evergreen, and other areas north, east, and west of us.
Finally after the long drive home, I made it back to our driveway in Foley. What I found surprised me. Everything at 306 Woodbridge Court (our house) was in good shape. There were no trees on our house, no broken windows, or serious damage, but the devastation of the hurricane was evident. Our neighborhood still looks like a war zone. Piles of limbs and debris are all around. We were happy to discover our place in good shape; however, we were saddened by the stories from friends and neighbors regarding the damage the hurricane dealt to so many homes and families. The cleanup will likely take several months. Please pray for the safety of area workers and volunteers. We pray for God’s grace and mercy to be discovered in the lives of people in our community and in the surrounding communities.
Since Ivan Passed Through Our Area, I’ve Been Seeing Lots of Yellow
Upon arriving home, I began volunteering regularly at the DisasterReliefCenter at the FirstBaptistChurch of Robertsdale. Disaster Relief volunteers can almost always be found wearing bright yellow shirts and hats. These volunteers have come from many different areas to assist in countless ways. I was already familiar with the work of Disaster Relief due to my partners in ministry at the Baldwin Baptist Association that do these types of relief ministries regularly in places like Georgia, Kentucky, and even overseas.
My parents, Glenn and Julia Ford, are also involved in a disaster relief group with the Etowah Baptist Association (EBA) in Gadsden, AL. It was a wonderful blessing to partner with my Dad and other EBA volunteers last week in Foley, GulfShores, Elberta, and Fairhope. I have volunteered to be a “limb puller.” No training is needed for this kind of work; however, the team members I worked with were skilled in the use of chainsaws. Since I didn’t have the special training, I did not attempt to handle a chainsaw. I’m sure my partners in ministry were wise to keep that tool out of my hands. One of the chainsaw crews that I worked with helped Clyde, a resident of Elberta, cut a tree off of his home. As we prayed with Clyde at the end of the day, he blessed all of our hearts with a tear jerking prayer of thanks for the ministry of our disaster relief team. Our work at Clyde’s and several other homes was an amazing blessing for everyone involved.
My Dad has worked at ground zero in New York City and many other disaster sites since I began working on Alabama’s gulf coast. He has heard a lot from me about Gulf Area Resort Ministries over the last five years, and I have heard a lot from him about disaster relief work. Now we each have stories to share since we worked together with disaster relief. It was really wonderful to combine our ministry efforts in the midst of such a difficult time in BaldwinCounty. Please continue to pray for all of those that wear their yellow shirts and yellow hats. Pray that God would continue to use volunteers like the folks from Baldwin and EtowahCounty to make an impact on the hurting people that have been affected by Hurricane Ivan. Like many others, we pray that we will keep “seeing yellow” and the ministry of disaster relief volunteers will continue to touch the lives of those in need.
Down on the Coast
Through my work with disaster relief, I have been able to survey some of the damage on coast. I’ve sure you have seen a portion of the damage on television. One condo we visited had the roof taken off by the hurricane winds. Pray for those that have lost their places of residence. Pray for the safety of those cleaning up the most devastated areas: workers, military, volunteers, and everyone involved.
Please pray for our friends at GulfState Park as they coordinate and organize the cleanup efforts at the 400+ campsites and hotel. We will probably know more toward the end of October or sometime in November when our resort worship services will resume at the state park. Our participation and ministry at the state park will resume as soon as possible; however, we will not know the status of the park for at least a month. Please remember to pray for the workers. Pray for their protection and safety as they deal with the difficult tasks of restoring the park to a safe environment. Currently the park is closed to the public.
I recently had a great conversation with the owner of Island Retreat RV on Fort Morgan Road. Island Retreat is open for business, and they are all booked up for snowbird season. Snowbird ministry at Island Retreat RV will begin in the near future. We also hope to provide ministry opportunities at various other snowbird “nests” (The Plantation Resort, Gulf Breeze RV, Luxury RV, and hopefully some other locations).
After the Storm / Prayer Concerns
We appreciate your prayer support. Thank you for your continued encouragement and concern. Here’s a brief list of our latest prayer requests:
Disaster Relief Efforts at the First Baptist Church of Orange Beach, First Baptist Church of Robertsdale, Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, First Baptist Church of Atmore, AL, and various other relief works that are ongoing in South Alabama and Florida
Alabama & Florida residents and workers dealing with the difficulties of the aftermath of the hurricane…pray for their safety and God’s peace to reign in their hearts in these troubling times
Kristen Garrett…a summer missionary from this past summer is attending school in London, England…she has plans to begin a Bible study and is also partner with a local church to be a minister / missionary while she is there…pray for Kristen as she continues to be “on mission” for Christ
Our annual meeting is this month…October 18-19…pray that we would be energized by this wonderful event…pray that we would seek God’s direction for Gulf Area Resort Ministries and the many other ministries of the Baldwin Baptist Association
Joe Friman and Baptist Campus Ministries in Bay Minette, AL…pray for Joe as he ministers to students on the campus
Snowbird Ministries…pray for God’s direction and guidance
FoleyHigh School…pray for Thea as she makes a difference in the lives of students
NOBTS, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary…I am currently taking a Greek Class and a Preaching Class, the hurricane threw a monkey wrench in my study habits and preparations…pray for me as I get back to work on Monday at the Pensacola extension center
Upcoming mission trips this month…I’ve talked to several different groups that are interested in partnering with the resort ministry and local churches to provide assistance in the hurricane cleanup efforts…pray for all the details to be worked out…pray specifically for Madison Baptist Association (arriving October 3rd) and Jacksonville State University’s Baptist Campus Ministries (arriving October 15th)…we hope to enlist others as well
Safety & Protection…so much damage in the area requires lots of hard work…I know I’ve mentioned this already, but please remember to pray for the safety and protection of residents, workers, and cleanup volunteers
Revival…pray for revival in the hearts of those that are seeing or have experienced the devastation of the hurricane…we pray that God will touch someone’s heart with the love of Jesus Christ…in a time of restoration of the land God can bring restoration of the soul through the forgiveness, grace, hope, and peace that can only be found through the Son
Please pray for everyone at the Baldwin Baptist Association and Gulf Area Resort Ministries as we assess the needs of our county…pray that God would motivate us with the love of Christ and guide us to identify & meet needs
Don’t hesitate to send me your prayer requests as well. I want to pray for my friends and partners in this ministry. It helps me know how I can pray for you specifically.
Remember This
I actually used this passage in last month’s newsletter. Due to recent events, I believe it is fitting to remind you of this powerful Scripture once again:
Psalm 93:3-4
The mighty oceans have roared, O Lord. The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore-the Lord above is mightier than these!
The Son & the Sand
November 2004
In Times of Crisis
Five years ago, I heard someone share the following concept to
illustrate the need for resort, leisure, and / or recreation
ministries: People that do not have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ are most open to the gospel message (or most vulnerable
to the love of Christ) #1 in times of crisis and #2 in times of
leisure. Since hearing, understanding, and applying this concept to my
approach of ministry opportunities, I have often shared this principle
with churches and mission teams. I have always been one to focus on
the #2 (times of leisure). But since the hurricane I now consider this
#1 concept quite often. As we have partnered with disaster relief
volunteers, church teams, campus ministry teams, and youth groups in
ministering to those in crisis, we have discovered that God is using
this difficult time in our resort area’s history to reach the hearts
of those that do not claim to have a relationship with Christ with His
love. When I share this concept of the openness that non-Christians
have to the gospel, I no longer simply focus on times of leisure, but
now I better understand and communicate the need to reach people in
times of crisis.
E N E R G Y
There’s something about the summer ministries on the gulf coast that
create an excitement and joy in my heart. It’s not the heat of the
summer sun (sometimes it feels like 100 degrees in the shade). It’s
not the busy schedule (sometimes we work hard from sun up till
midnight). It’s not the external environment. I think it’s the
internal work of God in the hearts of faithful volunteers. I’m not
sure what it is exactly, but since that summer excitement has marched
into our fall season, I think the word that best describes this
concept is ENERGY. There’s an energy that ministry volunteers create
on the gulf coast that results in excitement and joy. This type of
energy is contagious and it touches the hearts of many. I’ve often
described this energy in reference to student volunteers and their
evangelistic outreach efforts, but this energy is obviously found in
the hearts of volunteers of all ages. Children, teens, adults, and
senior adults have come to our area in the past month and a half with
a spirit-filled energy that has been a witness for Jesus Christ
throughout Baldwin County.
Clean Up Efforts
The hurricane resulted in a dramatic adjustment to my job description.
My role in the devastated area of Baldwin County, Alabama has become
one of assessing the many needs of hurricane victims. Beyond the
recognition of needs, our staff at the Baldwin Baptist Association and
our many partners in ministry have also worked hard to meet those
needs (cleaning up yards, cutting trees with chainsaws, putting tarps
on rooftops) as well. Gulf Area Resort Ministries has been working
with the Island Church Recovery Team (a team of church leaders
committed to long term recovery in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach) and
additional volunteers in the central Baldwin county area committed to
clean-up efforts.
Snowbird Ministries Have Officially Begun
On Sunday, November 7th, we began meeting regularly for resort worship
services again. The snowbird ministry is quite different this season
due to the closing of many gulf coast condos and the gulf state park
campground. This is typically a time of year when the 450+ campsites
at the state park are filled with our winter visitors; instead, this
year seasons the state park campers are spread throughout the gulf
coast area in many different campgrounds. Some will not be spending
the winter with us at all this year; however, we anticipate another
wonderful season of ministry opportunities. Please pray for us as we
continue to assess and meet needs in the lives of snowbirds.
A Couple of Prayer Requests
Revival – Pray for revival in the hearts of those that are seeing or
have experienced the devastation of the hurricane. We pray that God
will touch someone’s heart with the love of Jesus Christ. In a time of
restoration of the land God can bring restoration of the soul through
the forgiveness, grace, hope, and peace that can only be found through
the Son.
The Hard Working Staff of the Baldwin Baptist Association – Please
pray for everyone at our Association office and Gulf Area Resort
Ministries as we evaluate the needs of our county. Pray that God would
motivate us with the love of Christ and guide us to identify & meet
needs.
One Last Thing
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your
miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider
all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so
great as our God?
Psalm 77:11-13
Peace in Christ,
Jeff Ford
The Son & the Sand
December 2004
One of the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
In 1997, I was a summer missionary at the Puu Kahea Conference
Center in Waianae, Hawaii. That summer I really learned to appreciate the
beauty of the beaches of Oahu and the Big Island. This was also the summer
that I first heard the phrase “suffering for Jesus on thebeach.” I have
heard it many times since then as well. The following summer I served as a
summer missionary again, but this time I travelacross the globe to the
Baptist Village in Petach Tikvah, Israel. Again I was struck by the
uniqueness and beauty of the beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and the
shores at biblical sites such as the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. In
I married Thea, and we moved to GulfShores, AL. I am no longer a summer
missionary (although I am occasionally introduced as one during the summer,
that’s ok, I’m stilla summer missionary at heart); instead, I serve as summer missions
supervisor and resort missionary.
I have visited the beaches on the east coast. I have “suffered for
Jesus” as a summer missionary in Hawaii (honestly, serving in Hawaii at
the conference center on Oahu is not as glamorous as it sounds, try
washing dishes three meals a day for hundreds of people…I really did
have to suffer a bit). I have camped out on the Sea of Galilee, gone
shell hunting at Caesarea along the Mediterranean Sea, and floated like
Beyond these globetrotting locales, I have handed out ice cold water
with an encouraging message in Orange Beach, AL. I have face painted at
the national shrimp festival in Gulf Shores, AL. I have participating
in evening worship services on Alabama’s beautiful fine-white sand
beaches on many occasions, and I truly believe that Gulf Shores and
Orange Beach have some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire
world. Recently many people have inquired on the status of our
The beach is still here! Lots of people have asked us what we are going
to do this snowbird season due to the unfortunate effects of the
hurricane. Although we may not have as many snowbirds visiting our area
in January, February, and March of 2005 as we did last year, we know
that many snowbirds will be returning. Actually we’ve been leading
resort worship services for snowbirds at Island Retreat RV for the
entire month of November. Many snowbirds have already returned.
The beach is still here. Pray for Gulf Coast residents and visitors,
workers and volunteers as we come together to restore the beautiful
beaches and resorts of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL.
Send Someone a Reminder >>> The Summer of 2005
We are in the process of putting together our 2005 summer calendar. In
2004, we partnered with over 1,000 volunteers to share the love of
Jesus Christ with Gulf Coast visitors and residents. We hope to make a
tremendous impact in the coming summer as well. Please send your church
and / or churches you know information about this ministry. Email a
church that might be interested today; and encourage them to consider a
missions partnership with gulf area resort ministries. Just tell them
they don't have to go to the beach to go surfing. Ask them to surf on
our website for plenty of great information on a 2005 missions /
><> Butch and Vi Reik (Mission Service Corp. Volunteers) will be moving
into Luxury RV this month. Pray for this new partnership as we seek to
minister to snowbirds together.
><> Gene and Ruby Buttrey (Mission Service Corp. Volunteers) will be
moving into Island Retreat RV in January. This is the Buttrey’s third
consecutive season to partner with us in ministry. Pray for us as we
seek to minister to snowbirds together and as they assist with
><> Continued Hurricane Recovery Efforts, safety and productivity
><> Joe Friman’s continued leadership at the Baptist Campus Ministries
of Faulkner State Community College
><> Resort Worship Services & Snowbird Ministries at Island Retreat RV
><> Gulf State Park Campground Snowbirds & their “refugee” status
(email me for more information)
><> Safe and Joyous Christmas for all of our partners in ministry,
resort ministry committee members, prayer team, family, and friends
><> Jeff as he completes another semester of education at the New
Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Pensacola, FL
><> Thea as she completes another semester of teaching at Foley High
Jesus concluded the sermon on the mount with these words:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain
came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.
Have a safe and blessed holiday season. May your time with family and
friends be joy-filled. Although this may be a busy time (it always is
for us), don’t forget to slow down a bit and spend some time in
reflection on the true reason for the season ><> Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas to You,
Jeff Ford
www.barefootbelievers.com - September 2004
Eight is Enough