Keep up with the Men's Choir as they travel to Minnesota July 10 - 16, 2008

Check out daily pictures on the Picture page

			Travel Journal - Daily Thoughts by Derrel Thompson

Testimony and Trip Report Service will be Sunday, August 17 at 6:00 p.m.

			Tuesday - Cambridge

A Long Day of Ministry

Tuesday was a great day, but it was long. We started by singing at 9:30 at the Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. We had about 35 in attendance. The folks there were very appreciative of us being there and enjoyed the music very much.

After packing up and lunch we drove two hours to Cambridge and sang at 3:00 for the Grandview Christian Center Nursing Facility. This time we had about 45 there. They had a very nice chapel and we enjoyed singing for them.

At both homes our ladies passed out bookmarks with John 3:16 on them. We included the name and address of the local church we were with so that there could be a local contact with those churches. Randy Westerberg, pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Cambridge even attended our concert this afternoon.

He is a Chiropractor as well as a pastor and he was gracious in giving several of us an adjustment for free. It sure felt good and relived some of the tension from riding in those vans all week.

Our concert with Cross Pointe Church was fantastic. This is a growing and thriving church that has recently moved into Southern Baptist life from another Baptist denomination. They currently meet in a local theater, so our Tuesday night concert was held at the First Baptist Church. It was a wonderful facility and we had our largest crowd of the week tonight. The church family brought a wonderful potluck meal and we had a wonderful time of fellowship as well. It was so encouraging to see so many younger families, children and teenagers at the concert.

The men were tired of course from the day, but we prayed and asked God to sing through us tonight. And He did! It was a wonderful final concert. God's spirit was very present and wonderful time of worship was experienced.

It's been a great trip and we are grateful to God for allowing us to come. We are also grateful for our church family and their support for us. We begin now to pray and seek God's leadership for where He will send us next.

			Monday - Breezy Point

A Little Church That is Growing

Tonight our concert at Eagles Nest Baptist Church in Breezy Point was an historic event for this church. It was their first ever concert by an outside group. About 10 people attended.

You might think that we were disappointed, but that is not the case. This church was "hatched" on Easter Sunday of this year. Yesterday they had 42 in attendance for Sunday services. Pastor Mark Patton told us of how they are now moving into their growing phase. He said that this church was much like a newborn baby that was in the audience tonight. They are growing, little by little. (Funny, that is the title of the song that Mattie Jo sings every night and we were in the Little People's Day Care Center, where this church is currently meeting.)

Pastor Mark is an exciting guy with a great heart and vision for this area and this work here. They have 5 acres of land and hope to build a building sometime in 2009. Our Erath Baptist Association is already helping some and is planning on partnering with them in the future. Valley Grove will be a part of that partnership as well through our Association.

It was a special night tonight being here in this newly formed church. Our guys also ministered not only as they sang, but after the concert as well. The story was told to me that David Johnson prayed to the Lord before the trip, before we ever left Stephenville, that God would show a physical sign to him of someone that he needed to minister to during one of our concerts. Tonight a lady, her name is Joni, came in and sat down. By the third song she was crying and continued to cry the entire concert. David as well as several others went to her following the concert to minister to her. They didn't find out the whole story, but know that it has something to do with her family. Pray for Joni, that God would meet her need, whatever it is.

Pastor Mark also ended our time tonight by pleading with us to pray for them here in Minnesota. He told of the future plans and how God is placing people in their path to begin a building project. He was very passionate as he shared and asked each of us to remember them daily in prayer.

So we ask you as well to remember the Eagles Nest Baptist Church in your prayers in the coming days and weeks. God has some special plans for this area through this church. I can't wait to hear in the coming months what He is doing here.

We started our day by returning to The Church on Wise Road in Brainerd to work on their church building and parsonage. We painted, fixed a lawn mower, did some basic electrical and plumbing work. The garden at the parsonage was also worked on. The group had a good time and felt good about what we accomplished for this little church. The pastor's wife was most appreciative of the work on her garden.

We have our final day tomorrow. It will be a long one as we sing three times. Pray for our strength, energy, endurance and travel safety. We sing at 9:30 here in Brainerd at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. At 3:00 we sing in Cambridge at the Grandview Christian Center Nursing Home. Then at 7:00 we sing our final concert for the CrossPointe Church in Cambridge. It's going to be a long, but fruitful day.

Thanks for praying for us.

			Sunday - Duluth and Brainerd

Went to Church and Worship Broke Out

Today was a great day for the Men's Choir. It was a long day, but it was good. It wasn't anything earth shattering or that newsworthy really. But it was a good day.

We got to lead in worship in two different churches in two different cities, and as we led, worship broke out. The guys have talked all day about the faces they see while they sing. As the director, I miss out on that part. Just part of the job I guess.

They see little old ladies that sway a little to the music with a bit of a misty eye. They see men who seem to really lean in and listen to what we are singing about. They see pastors who sit there encouraged to hear uplifting and exciting music in their sanctuary.

We are pretty sure that people in both congregations worshiped today, but for sure we know that the men of this choir worshiped from hearts that are full of God's love and grace in their lives.

At Northern City Church in Duluth a crowd of about 40 was there for normal Sunday worship. As we finished our concert with the song Calvary Answers for Me, Pastor Scott Johnson led all of us in the congregation in the taking of the Lord's Supper. There wasn't any fanfare, no music played, just the simple passing of the elements and reminders of what Christ had done for us. It was quite moving for all of us.

After church they graciously hosted us for a church wide potluck lunch. I think it's a universal principle that Baptist all over the world just know how to cook. It was very good and filling. We loaded up and spent the afternoon traveling State Hwy 210 to Brainerd. Credit should be given to Dan Nelson and Tom Post for driving and keeping the vans on the road in a very strong cross wind all day long.

Tonight we returned back to the Church on Wise Road here in Brainerd. Though there weren't many people there, we knew that God was. The people there were very receptive toward us and appreciative. We sang here last year as well. We will do some work projects for them tomorrow morning.

Tonight's concert was one of the best the guys have done. The song "Give Me Jesus" left me almost speechless, and this is where I turn and give a simple gospel presentation. It was a few seconds before I could speak after the final cutoff. The men are really sounding great and working hard this week. And, God is using them, I'm sure of that.

You know, in looking back on the day, it was more than a great day; it really was an awesome Lord's Day! We prayed for our church back home as well this morning. We hope that each of you had a great day as well.

Pray for us tomorrow in our workday here in Brainerd. Then tomorrow night we sing for the Eagles Nest Baptist Church in Breezy Point. This brand new church start meets in a Day Care Center. We'll be singing in that Center tomorrow night. Pray that God will stir the people's hearts to come to our concert on a Monday night. Pray that we will be instruments for the Lord to use.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. We appreciate it.

			Saturday -Superior, Wisconsin

A Superior Day!

The group had a great day today. We started a little later and let the guys sleep in just a bit longer this morning. Though I'm not sure that any of them really did. We went to the Canal Park area of Downtown Duluth right on Lake Superior. We all got on the Vista King Boat ride and toured the harbor of Lake Superior. We saw a couple of very large ships that are a major part of the lake area shipping trade. It was another great time of fellowship and team building time as we spent this time together.

As you can see in the first picture, we had a little fun in the gift shop before we took off. Ken Jones thought hard about buying that hat, but I think Glenda talked him out of it. Rumor has it there is a picture of Tom Post wearing the hat as well.

After a windy, but very nice boat ride and lunch we made our way across the lake to Superior, Wisconsin where we met with the Lake Point Church. They held a Block Party today using resources from the Minnesota/Wisconsin State Convention and Northwoods Association. They had a bounce house and other games for children to play. They had several give-a-ways and hot dogs on the grill. Byron Edmondson decided to enter the Hot Dog eating competition. He was pumped and ready to go, but alas he did not win the grand prize after only eating 2 and half hot dogs in 10 minutes. The winner ate seven.

Some of our guys stood by the roadways and waved at cars as they passed by. No doubt by divine appointment a man named Eric walked by the corner where we where. David Johnson asked him if was hungry. He was. So David walked him to the site and gave him a hot dog. Following that David, Ray Martin and Byron visited and ministered to this young man. We don't know the final outcome yet, but some good seeds were planted in this man. He claimed to know the Lord from childhood, but has since walked a very long way from God. He struggles with alcoholism, drugs and lives on the street. Our men had a very good talk with him and encouraged him that he could never be too far away for God to not meet his needs. Pray that God will work in Eric's life and that the seeds planted today will grow fruit in the future.

Sherry Whitfield & Rhonda Cason stayed busy during our time, sharing with girls and boys the plan of salvation using the color bracelets. Ken Cason had a chance to sit down, in the grass, and talk with a couple of men and their families who were prospects for this church. They don't attend anywhere.

Our men were very impressed with the energy and passion that the pastor, Ken Andrs, has for this area. He is a church planter with the North American Mission Board. He is working hard to rebuild this church in Superior. It's an uphill climb and great struggle. Continue to pray for him and this work. Pray that God will bring a great harvest from their efforts today.

Our concert was somewhat abbreviated tonight due to the setup and also the weather. As we came to a close, a storm was moving in. As we finished up singing Singing With the Saints, the rain was starting to come down. The men did a great job despite a not so perfect place to sing. They shared their hearts today and made an impact for the Kingdom in this part of the world.

As their director, I am proud of them. I'm also grateful to the Lord for the opportunity I have to work along side them in this endeavor. Instead of waiting for me to cue them to have a prayer time tonight, they just huddled together and took care of business. I felt blessed as I walked by carrying our keyboard and setting up, looking over in the trees and seeing them pray. And I knew they were praying for me as well as the concert.

It really was a Superior kind of day, not just because of where we were, but because God had gone before us and was with us. It's great to be a part of His Kingdom work.

Thanks for praying for us. Pray for our busy Sunday schedule. We sing in Northern City Church in Duluth for the AM service and then at the Church on Wise Road in Brainerd tomorrow night. An interesting side note, both pastors of these churches were there today in Superior, helping out and ministering along side this struggling church.

			Friday Night - Floodwood Concert

Summer Thunderstorms & Four Rivers

Living Water rain down Your life on me
Cleansing me refreshing me with life abundantly
River full of life I'll go where You lead
I will trust in You, Lord I will trust in You my God

This is the second verse from the song Who Can Satisfy My Soul. As the men sang that tonight in Floodwood, Minnesota (how ironic of a name is that?) the rain outside got really loud. Some pretty vicious thunderstorms moved into the area an hour before the concert and really let loose as the concert got started. As the second verse of this song comes to a big crescendo it suddenly drops quiet and in that quiet moment the sound of sweet rain falling outside the window just overwhelmed me. And then I thought about what we had just sung, and where we were. And it was quite a God kind of moment, at least for me as the director of the choir.

Floodwood, Minnesota is a small town, with a quaint main street. It sits at the convergence of 4 rivers in this part of the state. In fact they celebrate that annually with their annual Catfish Days, which is tomorrow. It's one of the few places in the state that has catfish in the river. The phrase "river full of life" just kept sounding in my mind.

Rivers just flow. They are a force of their own and they just keep flowing and flowing. Rivers have life in them. We also saw another river this morning at Gooseberry Falls State Park. There the water flows down gorges and rocks and cliffs on its way to Lake Superior. God's River of Life is that way as well. It just flows. It leads us where he wants us to go. And, it is full of life. But do we really experience it abundantly! Sometimes we get in the way and try to paddle upstream, or even try to jump out sometimes. At least I know I do sometimes when I step out and do things in my own strength and way.

These 12 men, spouses and children (20 of us in all) are trying to be faithful to the "River" God has placed us in this week. We want to see God work through us here in Minnesota to His people here. I'm so privileged to be their director and to help guide us where I sense God leading us. I'm convinced after tonight, we are right where he wants us. And as the song says, I trust the Lord that he will lead us right where He wants to take us.

Our audience was not a large one tonight. The storms probably kept more people away. We just trusted in the promise that the Lord was with us since we gathered in His name. As we drove back to our motel tonight I heard several tell of the faces they saw while we sang; of the mayor of the town, who wept openly two times, as the pastor of the church wiped a tear from his eye, or the editor of the local newspaper being moved to praise while we sang. God did some work tonight and we are grateful to have been a small part of it.

We have had a great day enjoying and admiring God's beauty at Gooseberry Falls State Park and the Split Rock Lighthouse. It was nice to be out today, but we also were mindful of our mission and purpose and we all were eager to get to our appointment tonight in Floodwood.

Tomorrow brings us our last time to have some down time before we head to Superior, Wisconsin. Pray for the Lake Point Church as they have a Block Party to launch their VBS and host us for an outdoor concert. Our ladies are ready to jump in and share as well with tracts, color bracelets and other things to share with children. Pray also for Ray Martin, as he will share a testimony geared toward a crowd of people into the hunting and fishing lifestyle. We are hopeful for a good response and crowd tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers. Keep on praying.

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			Trip Information/Newspaper Article

Twenty members from Valley Grove Baptist Church in Stephenville will be leaving on July 10, 2008 to sing and share God's love in Northern Minnesota. This will be the second trip for the group after going there in June of 2007. The Men's Choir, Redeemed, will be singing eight concerts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The choir is under the direction of Derrel Thompson, Minister of Music. The Men's Choir started in March of 2006 as a new ensemble at Valley Grove to sing in the morning worship services once a month. As the ensemble began to rehearse and grow, the men wanted to do more outside the walls of the church and began to seek other places to sing. One of the first places they were invited to sing was First Baptist Church in Dublin. From that first mini concert, the men have developed a full one hour and fifteen minute concert. It was here that they also got the inspiration for their name. Pastor Ridge Adams, after hearing the group, exclaimed, "They sing like men that have been redeemed!" It stuck. The choir now uses it unofficially as its namesake, because it does describe each man.

In preparation to going on this year's trip, the choir has sung 11 concerts since last fall across the Central Texas region. From Carlton, Cross Plains, Eastland, Mullins, Mineral Wells & Lipan, the men have been busy rehearsing and performing wherever they can. The men sing a variety and style of music, from majestic hymns of the faith like A Mighty Fortress Is Our God to an a cappella arrangement of the toe tapping gospel song, Just a Little Talk With Jesus. But most of all, in each concert, the men are careful to give all praise to the Lord for what he has done in their lives.

The members of the choir come from all walks of life. Dr. Ken Jones is the retired Director of Libraries for Tarleton State University. Ken Cason is a retired railroad employee. James Thompson is a retired elementary school principal from El Paso, TX. Tom Post is a retired school teacher who now is employed by Arco Mobile Fire Extinquisher Company. The owner of that company, Ray Martin, also sings as well as an additional employee Larry Cashon. Greg Hardcastle is a Jr. High Football coach. David Johnson works for Outlaw Conversions. David Whitfield is a retired department store manager. John Cox works for the Texas A&M Research Station. Dan Nelson is employed by United Electric Coop Services. Byron Edmondson works for Whataburger. Don Weiler is a retired Ft Worth policeman who now works for the Stephenville Independent School District. Jim Perry is a retired Jr. High band director and helps arrange some of the music the group uses. They are all very active in the life of Valley Grove church as well.

The choir will be working in the Northwoods Baptist Association of the Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention. They will perform six concerts in church settings. Four of these will be with relatively new church starts, some of which don't even have their own building yet. The choir will sing in Duluth, Brainerd, Breezy Point, Floodwood, & Cambridge, Minnesota. They will also cross Lake Superior and sing in Superior, Wisconsin. In addition, they will also perform in two nursing home facilities.

To help launch their tour the choir will perform a home concert this Sunday night, July 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Valley Grove Baptist Church. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The concert is free. A free will offering will be taken to help with the expenses of the upcoming trip.

The choir members are excited about how God will use them next week in Minnesota. They have worked hard and have sacrificed many hours as well as their own money to help fund their way. Even though it is a long trip, and they may only sing for small crowds and churches, they know that God will use them in a special way.

			Trip Schedule/Where We Will Be Singing

Thursday, July 10

Travel day to Duluth, Minnesota

Friday, July 11

Morning of sightseeing on Lake Superior
7:00 p.m.  Concert at Downtown Fair Center, Floodwood

Saturday, July 12

Morning of free time in Canal Park, Duluth
3:00 p.m. Block Party in Superior, WI with Lake Point Baptist
6:00 p.m.  Outdoor concert for Lake Point Baptist, Superior, WI

Sunday, July 13

10:45 a.m. Concert at Northern City Church, Duluth
Afternoon travel to Brainerd area 
6:00 p.m.   Concert at Church On Wise Road, Brainerd

Monday, July 14

Morning work project at Brainerd Church
7:00 p.m.  Concert at Eagles Nest Baptist Church, Breezy Point

Tuesday, July 15

9:30 a.m.   Sing at Good Samaritan Village Nursing Home Brainerd
3:00 p.m.   Sing at Grandview Christian Center Nursing Home, Cambridge
7:00 p.m.   Concert at Crosspointe Baptist Church, Cambridge

Wednesday, July 16

Travel home