Back in October of 2011 I was allowed to make a golf trip of a lifetime. I got to go to the famous Pebble Beach Golf Resort in the area of Monterey California.

Dave and Nancy McCracken picked Robin and I up at the San Francisco Airport and we drove south arriving at Pebble Beach in a thick fog and raining mist. It didn’t matter; we were walking around Pebble Beach. After rummaging through the pro shop and golf stores we made our way to the “Stillwater Restaurant” where we ate while looking out at one of the most famous holes in golf, the 18th at Pebble Beach.

We stayed at “The Lodges at Pebble Beach” which was experience just in itself. Walk out your room and you are only 20 yards from the #1 tee box. After a night of sleep (about the same as a 6 year old the night before Christmas) we were up and ready to go.

We were the first scheduled tee time so hitting golf balls at the practice range was done mostly in the dark. That was ok we were at Pebble Beach. As we hit the last few balls the light started peaking through and it looked like the sun might shine.

When we got to the first tee our starter who I had actually seen on TV met us. We also met our caddie, Rocket who had worked at Pebble Beach for 36 years. To say he knew the course would be an understatement as he knew where to and not to hit the ball. He also knew how to read the greens.

We teed off at 7:20 am and I yes I was nervous. I made a double bogie on the first three holes but I hit the ball ok, I was just not enjoying the moment.

Finally I reminded myself I was at Pebble Beach, the sun was shining, it was warm, the wind was not blowing, I was with friends, God was so good to me, I didn’t have to pay to play this unbelievable golf course, the scenery was breathtaking, it is just golf, and did I mention I was at Pebble Beach.

So I forgot the score, played golf and started enjoying the moment. I don’t know if I have ever seen a more scenic view and beautiful golf course all together in the same place. Almost every hole comes with a ocean view. The course was hard the greens were small (Rocket informed us smallest on the PGA Tour, no one argued) and the weather perfect.

Some of the par 4′s were so long it took me 3 shots to reach. But I was playing Pebble Beach and a bucket list item was about to be checked off.

When we got to 16 I checked my score for the first time since hole 3. I was 20 over par with 3 holes left. If I could par out I would shoot a 92. Then I laughed and said I better concentrate on trying to break a 100. And then it happened.

On 16 I went into the zone. Hard to explain to a non-golfer but I just relaxed and hit a perfect shot down the middle. 175 yards out I hit a 5 iron straight at the flag and had about 15 feet for birdie. I 2 putted for par and moved to the 17th.

On 17 I was between clubs. I pulled my 6 iron out of the bag knowing it was not enough club. I turned to McCracken before I hit to remind him this was the hole that Tom Watson chipped in for birdie to beat Jack Nicholas in the 1982 U.S. Open. I was juiced and hit the club flush right at the pin. Rocket yelled go in and my heart skipped a beat as I had hit a perfect shot. The ball flew right over the flag 8 feet from the pin. I barely missed the birdie putt and tapped in for my second straight par. Now we moved to famous 18^th hole.

The 18^th at Pebble Beach is without a doubt one of the most famous holes in golf. All golfers know this hole. U.S. Opens and PGA tournaments have been won and lost here. I turned to Rocket and asked is this is where the pros play from? He gave a nod yes and said hit it toward the tree in the fairway just like the commentators say too do on CBS.

And I did. Not as far as the pros but I hit it just left of the tree in the fairway.

Then it happened. As I started walking down the 18th fairway my emotions got to me. I started crying. Not blubbery just overwhelmed. I was Praising God for the opportunity to be in this beautiful place. I thanked him for his goodness toward me and for my salvation. I was just thankful for God’s hand of mercy and grace. It was a special moment I will never forget or apologize for.

When I got to my ball Rocket said, “Jeff, aim your next shot right of the green about the third rung on the fence.” I was thinking that was way to far right. But he was the caddie so I aimed to the spot he said and am I glad I listen to him. I hit a 20 degree hybrid about 190 yards and left myself a perfect PW in. My third shot on one of the most famous par 5′s in golf was once again good and I had a 15 foot putt for birdie. I smiled all the way to the green. I smiled when I missed the birdie putt. I smiled when I made the par. I smiled as I pared the last 3 holes at Pebble Beach. I shot a 92 and I’m still smiling.

Would you consider our military as a mission field ripe unto harvest? Men and women of the military deserve our great admiration but they also deserve to hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. We live in a time when the military personnel need the Bible influence of Baptist preaching. We need to preach the gospel to all and that includes members of our Armed Forces.

Several events have transpired over the last several months that have brought focus to the military and their important role in our society. One event that has been the focus of the public eye is the involvement of the Navy Seals in the death of Osama Bin Laden. To bring this man of terror to justice is certainly a great victory for the American Military and the American people. God bless the young seamen for the qualities obtained through military training, the knowledge, and the courage used to carry out this significant mission.

The qualities instilled in these men through basic training play a vital role in their military career. It is these traits that help them perform the duties required by their military service that is so vital to our nation. These characteristics of military men and women help Americans to be proud of our troops and the service they perform on a daily basis to help retain the freedoms that define our country.

Several books have been written in recent years that give a history of our nation. Inside that history are the stories of those who volunteered to fight for our country which include works such as “John Adams and 1776” by David McCullough, “Washington” by Ron Chernow, and “American Lion: Biography of Andrew Jackson” by John Meacham. Inside all of these books are the exploits of military men who became great leaders and some even serving as presidents of our beloved United States.

Throughout American history there have been Baptists that were willing to give the gospel to our troops. Over one-third of the one hundred plus chaplains employed by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War were Baptist. These Baptist men supported liberty and were feared by the British because they were men of action and prayer. John Gano, who was pastor of the First Baptist Church in New York City also served as a chaplain during this time and was an influential figure with George Washington. Along with other Baptist chaplains, Gano was so significant that at the close of the war, George Washington, the Father of our country, requested that Gano baptize him without great fanfare. Washington requested that the ordinance be done in a simple and quiet demonstration. The recorded archives of the First Baptist Church reveal that after Washington had studied the scriptures he concluded that immersion was the correct mode and requested that a Baptist minister perform the baptism.

According to John Gano’s son, Daniel, about forty officers were present as Washington was baptized in the Hudson River. A painting is currently displayed in William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri of Gano baptizing Washington. This painting, commissioned in 1908, was placed in the Baptist church at Asbury, New Jersey. It remained there until 1926 when the great-granddaughter of John Gano, Elizabeth Johnston, presented the painting to William Jewell College (Grady, 1996, 158-163). This is one great example of the Baptist people being an influence upon the military in a very positive manner.

Signs are displayed across our country with such words as “Pray for our troops” or “We support our troops”; but should the most important challenge be “Pray for the salvation of our troops”? Mission minded Baptists need to consider the mission field of our military. A reserve unit, a guard unit, or an active duty station could be in your area. There you will find a mission field of young men and women who have discipline, loyalty, and leadership that need to be presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When a soldier comes to a saving knowledge of Christ, he becomes a soldier of the cross, who will be trained with all the tools necessary for discipleship.

While the event of the Navy Seals taking part in the mission to eliminate the enemy is prominent in the eyes of our entire nation, it has drawn my attention to the military men and women at Berean Baptist Church. Specifically, the salvation of four young men which may appear insignificant in our society but has made a great impact in our military. Three of those men are enlisted in the United States Army and one is a United States Marine. All are now members of Berean Baptist Church.

One of these young men Billy Green was saved as a result of hearing the gospel in a Baptist church and immediately joined the military. While in Afghanistan his life began to change drastically. The second soldier, Michael Simms, was saved as a result of listening to preaching CDs, which were provided, to him while he was serving in Afghanistan. Through the preaching of God’s Word, he came under conviction, was saved, and began to read his Bible. Both Green and Simms’ lives began to change as they continued to listen to the messages of Baptist preachers obtained from the websites of Baptist churches.

Other soldiers began to see a drastic change come about because of Simms & Green’s new birth. Green’s life began to impact another soldier, James Nevins. Green began to witness to his best friend, Nevins, whom he had known since high school and who served with him in the army. Nevins waited and watched his friend because he knew his friend would not last with this new religion. However, Green’s salvation had changed him and he stood firm in his Christianity. Nevins was gloriously saved shortly there after because of his buddy Green taking a firm stand on his new belief in the Bible. What a blessing it was as their pastor to sit with each of these men and hear them tell of their testimony of salvation.

All three of these young men have been scripturally baptized and are faithfully active in Berean Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Recently the fourth individual saved was, Dakina Frederick, a United States Marine living in Springfield Missouri and attending Berean Baptist Church. A renewed respect and admiration for our military members came over me as I watched these men grow in their Christian life. What an impact these young military men have already had and continue to have to those they come in contact with. Their witness has seen the fruit of others coming to Jesus Christ in salvation.

I love the United States of America and the soldiers, airmen, seamen, and marines who serve our country so valiantly. As a former pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Knob Noster, Missouri with a high percentage of military members, I have seen what takes place when a military member comes to Christ in salvation. As a present pastor of these soldiers and marine personnel I have witnessed first hand the zeal, readiness to learn, and the boldness to witness because they are now soldiers of Jesus Christ. They are prepared to take the orders of the great commission, as we all should do. God was able to take the qualities instilled in them as a member of the military and then use them for His honor and glory.

Consider the number of men today who are pastors and missionaries who God used their military experience to ready them for leadership in ministry. Would you pray for the protection and more important the salvation of our men and women serving in the Armed Forces? If you will, our God is more than capable to use the military personnel to be part of the next generation of preachers and missionaries who will take the faith once delivered to the saints on to the battlefield of the world.

When I think of God’s blessings upon my life one that immediately comes to mind is the privilege it has been to Pastor Berean Baptist Church for these last almost 11 years.  This year we celebrate 45 years as a New Testament Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.  I could never thank God enough for allowing me the privilege of leading this great congregation of people. What we must be reminded of is the only reason that I can use the expression “great” is because we serve a great and mighty God.

As we think back on the last 45 years as a church, we should be continually thankful for those members who stood faithfully in the early years. For us to be able to enjoy what we have today it meant people down through the years were faithful with their attendance, their tithes and offerings, and their laborers who made visits to the lost and those in need, teachers, bus workers, nursery workers, singers, and just the overall care of the church. Let us not forget those who came before us to help make us what we are today.

I am also thankful for the faithful labor of our former Pastor, Bro. Leon Gray who for 33 years preached the Word of God with great power. His leadership and mentorship to me as a young Pastor will never be forgotten.

Finally and most of all we must give thanks to God for his grace upon this body of believers for these past 45 years. Thank God for our past heritage but what a blessing, that after all these years Berean sits in a position to experience it’s most effective work in the years to come.

We must not forget our first love and we must be fervent about the Master’s business. We must continue our vision of lost souls being saved here and abroad. We must continue to preach the word with boldness and power. Until Jesus comes may we be found faithful.

Pastor Jeffrey E. Ables

Pastor Greg McEntire from Broken Arrow Baptist Temple in Broken Arrow Oklahoma preached Wed-Friday on Extreme Faith, Compassion, and Commitment. Each message was on target and God worked in the hearts of our people. I can testify that there were some serious and major commitments made on the part of several of our folks based upon private and public testimonies.

The missionaries: Bruce Carr Family, Missionary to Australia. What I love about this family is their ministry is one in which the whole family is involved. Bruce gave a great presentation about the ministry in Western Australia and what God has allowed them to do. One testimony on the presentation that stands out was about about a teenage girl who was saved and baptized. She was their first convert and she was invited to church by Sarah (Bruce’s daughter). She had never been invited to church or ever been to a church before she came to the mission work in Busselton being started by this missionary. She was killed in a car accident and because of the Carr’s being where God had called them this young lady was able to be reached with the gospel and is now in eternity. We sing about one soul is worth it all and this is a great example of no matter how much money it might take if one soul is saved it is worth it all. Bro. Carr while preaching Sunday morning made reference to deputation, set up fund, getting a house, a presence in the community, handing out tracts and John/Roman booklets holding services and a cost of approximately $75,000.00 and then a soul is saved and then going into eternity. Is it worth it? It sure was to this young lady. What a testimony! The Carr family also sang several times during the Conference and Bruce preached Sunday morning. Very thankful for this family.

Gene McKinley, Missionary to Ireland. Bro. Gene has a connection to Berean through his father Dennis who started a church from Berean Baptist in Nevada Missouri back in the 70′s. This church in Nevada is still going strong today and is Pastored by Jerry Pyle.

Bro. McKinley gave great testimony about the the work in Ireland and the souls saved and the growth of the church over the last several years. What stuck out in my mind was about a young man named Luke who was saved, baptized and is training for the ministry with a hunger and thirst to learn the Bible and be a witness in his own country to his own people. What a blessing Bro. Gene was to the Conference and his message on Sunday night was just what we needed to finish up the meeting.

Ashton Nelson church planter in New York. It was a blessing to have a church planter in America in our Conference this year. I met Bro. Nelson at the Church Platers Conference at Heartland Baptist Bible College last year and again this year and have enjoyed getting to know him. He likes Marine stories to be involved in his teaching and preaching and we heard several that was relevant to the messages he brought while he was here. We are praying about the building they are trying to purchase which would give the church more room to expand the ministry there in New York. Also it might be added they get a lot of snow in up state New York and we don’t mind if they just keep it there.

We were blessed to have these missionaries as our guests for the week. We enjoyed fellowship, food, services, men’s outings, ladies outings, and just getting to know each other a little better.

Sunday night we did something a little different as we met as a church family 30 minutes before evening services and counted the cards that came in for Faith Promise Sunday. It was exciting to call out the numbers and then then see it projected on the screen in the auditorium. So far over 80 cards have come in and over $250,000 has been promised for the coming year through our church. Now we will begin the process of performing the “doing of it.”

Faith Promise Missions truly is a church business meeting where the church decides what to do for missions in the coming year. It is not just a Conference but a Revival.

The following is a open letter that I wrote to the Skyline Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington which will officially be organized on March 20, 2011 out of the Berean Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. This church plant has had several churches and men involved in not only the planting of this church but also keeping the doors open. Bro. Richard King who is out of our church was able to go to Seattle and preach and teach this group of people who put themselves under the authority of Berean Baptist Church. I was excited when I was able to go and preach there and to see these folks and to experience first hand what God was doing in bringing forth a new Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. After much prayer, preaching, teaching and training we believe the time is now right to organize this work. I would ask that you also pray as they take this next step and the for the future as they seek to call a permanent Pastor for this new body of believers.

This blog is being sent as a reminder of the importance of seeing new churches being started not only in in foreign lands but also in the USA. May God challenge us all to see more churches established:

Dear Skyline Baptist Church,

The birth of just about anything is exciting. When a new baby is born there is excitement for the parents, grandparents, and the siblings. The birth of a new church is no exception.

It is always an exciting time when a new church is started. The atmosphere of a pioneering spirit is one that is always thrilling but also has challenges along the way. You have met both the pioneering spirit and challenge that comes with starting a New Testament Baptist Church.

Each of you who will be a part of this new baby church is involved in a very special aspect of God’s Kingdom. Jesus started the first church and down through the years as each new church is started you become a part of God’s heartbeat, which is church planting.  In the 45 year history of Berean Baptist Church this will be our 28th church to be planted in the USA. You might say we have a growing family.

God sent His only begotten Son not only to die for the sins of mankind but to start the first church. How thrilling to be a part of God’s plan.  You are now ready for the next step and that is to become a totally autonomous body of believers.

It is exciting not only for those who are involved in the church plant but also for the church that plants the work. Berean Baptist Church is very excited to see you move from under our care to walk on your own. We have voted to organize this work and set you out to do what God has called all churches to do, and that is to be involved in doing the work of the Great Commission.

The need is great in the Seattle area and this new church is needed to reach your community with the gospel, the only hope for mankind. You have a great task ahead and our prayers are with you.

Pastor Jeffrey E. Ables
Berean Baptist Church
Springfield Missouri

Sitting in the DWF airport I began to reflect on this past week of meetings at Liberty Baptist Church where my good friend Dick Webster is the Pastor. The GIBF meeting had over 100 Pastors and Missionaries in attendance. The church did a wonderful job as host for the week. The meals were Texas all the way. BBQ, Mexican, and Fried Chicken were the meals served.

The real reflection came about as I was considering the theme “Who is going to take their place?” The preaching was done by younger and older men and the church did a great job of projecting the theme to the audience throughout the week. I was a little taken back when I was introduced to preach as one of the older preachers. What? I did not even consider that when I was asked to preach in the meeting. But there I was preaching as one of the older men. How quickly time goes by. Truly life is but a vapor. It seems like it was not that long ago I was being introduced as the “young preacher.” I guess those days are gone and I need to consider who one day will take my place.

Terry Randolph preached a great message on making sure the infrastructure of the church you Pastor is being readied for the future. I desire to preach and teach to my congregation in such a way that they might know and understand the right kind of preacher that Berean Baptist will need until the Lord returns. One that will preach the whole counsel of God without favor or compromise. One that will have true grit at all times and in all circumstances. One who will continue to hold high standards when it comes to Biblical convictions. J.C. Joiner who is close to 80 years of age preached on the simplicity of the gospel and to just keep preaching the book.

I was encouraged by the younger preachers that I was able to meet and get acquainted with this week, and to know God is raising up a younger generation of good solid men who stand on the Authorized King James Bible, closed on the ordinances, and have a sense of holiness about their ministry. We also learned it is the younger generation that might be able to teach the older a thing or too when it comes to the advancement of technology. It was there I felt young, as I use and do some of the things mentioned. After all isn’t this a blog being sent to twitter? The point of one of the messages from Dan Preston was that two is better than one and when you put the old preacher with the young preacher they become one because they believe the same thing.

Preachers need fellowship and I was blessed by this meeting. I really believe preachers would benefit from a meeting like this. The theme helped me once again understand that I need the preaching and challenge from God’s Word. I guess you might say Texas was good for me.

Man of God Rocky Top

Wish that I was on ol’ Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain’t no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain’t no telephone bills

Once there was a man from Rocky Top
Preacher was his name
King James only Bible believing
The world will never be the same

Rocky Top you’ll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol’ Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee

Miss Robin married a man from Rocky Top
She thought that he was swell
Coffee in the morning, golf in the afternoon
An I-Phone for his cell

Rooted, built up, walking with Jesus
Preacher that is He
Planted firm with his roots running down deep
Strong like a mighty oak tree

Rocky Top you’ll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol’ Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee

Preacher no longer lives on Rocky Top
Springfield is his home
You’ll find him preaching the Word at Berean
Never more to roam

Last week (Jan 11-13,2011) I had the privilege to attend the Church Planters Conference at Heartland BBC in Oklahoma City. The Conference was held on the campus of Heartland Baptist Bible College and the focus of the meeting was the preaching of the Word of God and the desire to help church planters in their call to start churches. Let us make no mistake about the Biblical mandate for churches to start churches. I am personally privileged to Pastor a church that has started 27 churches across American and Lord willing we will be establishing another New Testament Baptist Church in the month of March in Seattle Washington. I am excited that Heartland has a desire for their students to be exposed to men who are starting churches. It is always a blessing to see Pastor’s across America rise up to help in the needs of church planters. I was amazed to watch New Testament Christianity in action as established churches with Pastor’s who have a heart to lead their congregations in helping other churches with prayer and financial support. When the week was over there was a total of over $263,000 that was given in one time gifts and yearly support through 2011. It is a meeting well worth attending and I would recommend that if you are a Pastor you put this meeting on your schedule.

The picture I have posted for this blog is in the new chapel auditorium that the last day of the meeting was held in. It was scheduled to be ready at the beginning of the week but as anyone knows who have been involved in a building program sometimes the best laid plans of men go in some unexpected ways. Maybe the Lord just wanted us to be reminded of the old gym we have met in for the last 10 years and all the memories that have been made there. Whatever God’s plan the spirit and attitude was great and the preaching right on target as once again we met in the old familiar gym. However on Wed the issue of moving into the new chapel auditorium was resolved and the last day and night of the meeting was moved to this new nice faculty. Wow what a nice place to meet in for the future meetings that will be held at Heartland BBC. Also since I was ask to preach on Thursday night I got the privilege to be the first night speaker in the new chapel. Was I excited or what? My message was on “The Ministry” from the book of Colossians. I leave you with two thoughts from the message: First let us never forget the source of the ministry is the Word of God. It is the Bible that changes lives and therefore Paul’s admonishment to Timothy in II Timothy 4 to “Preach the Word” was just what every preacher needs to be reminded of. The second thought was the spirit of the ministry and Paul said that it is to be a spirit of rejoicing. No matter where God has placed you in the ministry we should rejoice in the goodness of God.