Scottville Bible Church - stepping stone

     In 1982 the Lord led us to minister at Scottville Bible Church. While we were at Luther Chapel a couple from Ludington, Michigan came for a visit. They said they were on vacation in the Morley area and thought it would be good to stop in at our church for a visit. Turns out they were from Scottville Bible Church and wanted to check us out as possible candidates for their church. Long story short - we accepted the call and started to minister at this church shortly there after. 

   If you remember from the last blog, I had "told God" things that I would do. This time I "told the Lord" that I would stay at this church as long as He wanted us there, even if that was several years. Again, God has a sense of humor and will do things His way!!! Little did we know that God would use this church as a "stepping stone" to a new adventure with the American Missionary Fellowship. 

   We really enjoyed the ministry in Scottville and got to know the people one on one. We still keep in contact with many of them. The people of the church welcomed us with open arms and we thought we would be there for many years. 

   After almost 3 years one of the board members was moving, so the board met and they decided that the church would not be able to support itself or us, so they decided to close the church. When they came to the house and shared this with us, both Linda and I said it was like losing a loved one. IT WAS HARD! I remember laying on the couch that night shivering and not able to sleep.Six months later we had a closing service with people giving testimonies and sharing their heart. Many tears were shed that morning! The next Sunday, Linda and I, and the boys decided to visit a church that had been an encouragement while we were in Scottville.. We were really hurting and needed people to encourage us, but it did not happen. I can not remember anyone talking with us or even asking us who we were.We didn't go there but God had a special pastor friend that came along side and was a great help at that time in our life. Pastor Joe Hilyard was a great encouragement and we started to attend Calvary Baptist Church in Ludington.  

   God also provided for us in the interim period.. One of the couples who attended Scottville Bible Church bought a resort and was remodeling it so they could open it. Ray put me to work with the remodeling process. I stained and painted decks and walls, pounded a few nails, and learned to use a shovel and even a tamper. I helped out as much as this amateur carpenter could.  The parsonage was sold so we were able to rent a 3rd floor apartment apartment from this special couple. . It was during this intermediate time that we applied to the American Missionary Fellowship.

Linda's memories :I enjoyed the fellowship of our small congregation . In 1984 Frank was ordained at a special service at the church. I taught a Sunday School class, enjoyed helping with the music , and lead our small youth group. Our boys were involved with Awana at a Baptist church in Ludington.I got involved with the school and was president of the PTO one year. During the summer I cleaned a summer home of a wealthy couple in Ludington. I loved our people there and felt blessed that we could minister to them. I grieved when the church closed but now know it was God's way of moving us in a different direction.


Stay Tune, as I will share about AMF in the next blog.

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