SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

Buddy Barrel Visits Assembly of God Church in Cresco, Pennsylvania

    Sherry and I were speaking at at Light House World Prayer Center, an Assemblies of God Church in Cresco, Pennsylvania, when a surprise visitor showed up in the service. Buddy Barrel walk into the service with the welcoming applause of adults and children alike. Pastor Charles and Pastor Dawn greeted Buddy Barrel and shared about how the children in the church have been giving by filling up there barrels with coins.
      Most Assemblies of God people know who Buddy Barrel is but for those of you who may not be a part of the Assemblies of God or who don't know Buddy Barrel let me give you some background. Buddy Barrel is the mascot of BGMC which stands for Boy and Girls Missionary Challenge. BGMC is the missions education emphasis program for children in the Assemblies of God. It provides resources to help teach kids about missions. It supports our missionaries in their fields of ministry in America and around the world.
      Why a Barrel? When BGMC started in 1949, supplies were shipped by boat to the missionaries in barrels. Barrels were used because they could be sealed tight and made waterproof. This way the supplies would not get wet or ruined. As a result, Buddy Barrel was created. Small wooden barrels were designed for the children to save their coins in. These barrels have now changed to larger yellow plastic barrels. Kids are encouraged to save their money in these barrels and turn their money in once a month.
      BGMC has sent thousands of dollars to Central Europe missionaries to help purchase ministry supplies that relate directly to evangelism and discipleship.
      It was great to see Buddy and the response of the kids. Thank you Buddy Barrel, BGMC and all the kids for helping us share the Good News in Central Europe.

Valley Forge Christian Collage Missions Chapel

    This past week Sherry and I had the honor of being at Valley Forge Christian College, in Phoenixville, PA. I spoke in the morning missions chapel and both Sherry and I spoke in 2 missions classes. We also had lunch with Dr. Meyer, President of VFCC, and his cabinet members.
   It was a special day for Sherry and me, not only because VFCC is our al ma mater but our son Philip is attending VFCC. It was a thrill for me to stand behind the pulpit and look down at the student body and see seated among them was our son Philip. He is a senior at VFCC and will be graduating in the Spring of 2009. For more info about VFCC visit: www.vfcc.edu