To be a consistent and effective personal soul winner requires a continual effort. We have found that the most effective soul winners are constantly studying and learning how to be better at this important ministry. An Effective Soul Winner Must Be Assured Of Their Own Salvation. It is very difficult, if not impossible to convince others that they can know for sure that their sins are forgiven and that they are on their way to Heaven if I do not have that assurance. An as

Our Faith Promise Missions Conferences here at Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church are often as much a revival service as they are a missions conference. After several decades of hosting missions conferences as a pastor, preaching missions conferences in various churches, and traveling to the mission fields many times, the following are a few observations on what a focus on missions can do in the lives of believers who commit themselves to active involvement in the "Grea

2 Thessalonians 3:1, " Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you :" Prayer is vitally important in the "Great Commission" our Lord has given us. Prayer is the "powerhouse" behind all our efforts to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world. Here are some thoughts concerning Prayer and Missions... Souls won to our Lord in "unreached" lands will be won by praying missionaries, not by profess

In the Spring of every year as we prepare for our annual Worldwide Faith Promise Missions Conference, the Lord stirs my heart anew for the great, worldwide cause of taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person on this planet. The following are a few reasons why I believe Missions must be a priority in our church: Taking the Gospel to every person in the world is a priority with God. You cannot read the Bible with coming to this conclusion. The dire circumstances ever

In 1962, Brother Edmond Wilt came to Oakland under the leadership of the Lord Jesus and planted what is today the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church. The spiritual maturity and Scriptural wisdom of Bro. Wilt prompted him to "anchor" this new work securely . The church here in the mountains of Western Maryland has had some glorious "mountain top" experiences and has also gone through some long, dark, and difficult storms. But we can confidently testify that THE ANCHOR

" Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. " - Deuteronomy 4:1-2 The following are six things I learned in my devotions that we should never do wi

It was a Sunday School teacher who sowed the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my heart. It took around 10-12 years for that seed to sprout, leading me to salvation at 19. Since then, Sunday School teachers have significantly impacted my spiritual growth and well-being. We appreciate all our teachers for their tremendous contributions to our churches, society, and future generations. The following are some thoughts on teachers and teaching... The Ability to Effectively Teach Others

2 Chronicles 7:14, " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land ." You do not have to be around the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church very long to realize that we love our country dearly. With our great love for our country comes a great concern for the well-being of our country. As Bible believers,

One of the greatest blessings God has given to His people is the blessing of prayer. Nevertheless, it is this matter of prayer that we so often neglect. Below are a few of the blessings of prayer. Perhaps these thoughts will prompt us to be more diligent and consistent in our prayer lives. Prayer Brings the Blessing of Knowing I am Obeying God. God doesn't simply invite or suggest to us to pray; He commands us to pray! When we pray, we are being obedient to God. There

Romans 8:14, " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God ." Having spent over forty years in the ministry, I've frequently heard Christians claim that the "Holy Spirit led" them to take certain actions. My question to this is, "How can you be sure it was the Holy Spirit guiding you?" Some of the things people say the Holy Spirit "led" them to do are very troubling. Let me share with you three things the Holy Spirit will never do. I believe the

" And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour ." Judges 6:11-12 The phrase, "little is much when God is in it ," has not only been a great encouragement to many folks (especially smaller churches), but has b

The following are 12 reasons I love Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church Our Founder Is Right - The Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the founder of the church, no man or organization. Our Foundation Is Right- The Word of God. The Word of God is our sole authority for faith and practice. Every lesson and sermon Our Focus Is Right - The Lord Jesus Christ. We are continuing to learn that we must look to our Lord Jesus for direction in ministry and to supply o

" All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works ." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Some of my earliest memories of attending church involve a Sunday School class I attended as a young child. In that class, my Sunday School teacher emphasized the importance of knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. Her devotion to the

James 5:16, " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. " In recent years, God has been intensely challenging me in my prayer life. My burden is to be much more fervent and effectual in prayer. Here are 12 challenges related to prayer. Note: Many of these I have discovered through my personal prayer experience and Bible study, while others I have picked up from others over the years. The Greatest Ingredient In Effectual Prayer Is Faith In God. Mar

Winter has settled in here in Garrett county and, though I am not a big fan of the snow, cold, slush, ice, frostbite and everything else that goes along with it, the first few snows of the year can be exciting. However, the cold and snow do present some challenges to the ministry. Being faithful to church services and getting out on visitation and soul winning require greater effort and commitment. The harsh weather of winter definitely takes its toll on "convenience" Ch

" And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled ." Luke14:23 Back in the 1990’s, God led our church to begin running buses on Sunday mornings to bring in children & families who wanted to come to church but did not have transportation. Now, for all these many years, God has blessed this ministry with hundreds (actually, more like thousands) riding the bus and many, many coming to know Jesus Ch

" This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. " - Joshua 1:8 " Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his l

" But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself ." Daniel 1:8 In Daniel 1:8 we read that Daniel " purposed in his heart " that he would not defile himself. This was Daniel's resolution. He determined that he would not, under any circumstances allow himself to be corrupted. Though he was wise and tactfu

This has been a rallying cry from many corners of Christianity for many years. The idea is that our witness to the world would be stronger if we all laid aside our differences and united together under the name of "Jesus." This may sound good on the surface, but as fundamental Baptist, our authority is the Word of God, and all of our actions and positions must fall in line with the principles of God's Word. The more I study God's Word, the more I see the doctrine of "se

" O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever ." 1 Chronicles 16:34 This time of year our emphasis is always on thanksgiving and we certainly have much to be thankful for. In spite of many disappointments in our country, we are very grateful for the privilege of living in America. Following is a short outline that helps me be thoroughly thankful in my daily prayer life... Thank God for Spiritual Things . Such as, salvation, forgiveness, the