New opportunities in North Michigan

Well last week was another wonderful time serving our Lord. This week as we have met some more young couples; and they keep asking questions about this new work I would ask that you pray for this age group and more specifically this genre. What we have seen as our focus group that God keeps putting into our path is the 20-30 single and married couples. These people are so hungry for the truth and authentic Christianity. Some have some church background; however, they are not in church at this time. So with that said, please pray for more ways to reach this people group. Furthermore, we are still in desperate need of people that play music. We do have one couple that is moving away due to receiving a new job in Kansas City, and he was a very key part of our church plant and he plays guitar as well. However, God has more people in mind for us; we just need to find them.

Now we have found a new area that has a lot of opportunities to share the Gospel and find people that need to hear the message of hope. Where you ask, I am so glad you did. It is on the ski slope, that’s right the ski slopes. I have now learned how to downhill ski and combining that with cross country skiing will provide more chances to engage our culture. We have been going to the ski slopes during different times of the week trying to find more people and seeking how to engage them. What we have found is, “if you are not a skier or has a family member that skis” they will not talk to you. I tried just going there and seeing who I could talk to and I got a few results not many though, however, when I was a skier the opportunities were endless. We have a resort that allows us to ski at a very reduced rate on Sunday afternoons, so if they are coming here to ski and relax and shred the slopes why can we not be there to share Jesus Christ. So please pray for this wonderful new field of opportunity.

Lastly, please pray for a person of peace. This is a person that is involved in the community and knows who and where people are both physically and spiritually. Next, please pray for more men in our churches, we really need more men. Our Barbarian men will be meeting again on Monday nights at 6:30pm, we would like to have 10-15 men that we can invest in.

Your church planting missionary in North Michigan

Winter 2010

Well 2010 is here, did you ever think that Y2K + 10yrs would be like this? Many ten years ago were not sure what the next day would hold. You know many today are not sure what tomorrow will hold, or do not know if tomorrow will even come. This is the Hope that we can share with them that this is not all there is. Eternity is real and it is forever. Let’s wrap up 2009. We are going through these first 4 months very nicely thanks for the prayers. We have snow on the ground every day since the first of December, and we have had some really cold mornings but the worst is yet to come.
Well it is here 2010. So what is ahead in 2010? We are meeting new people every day. We have encountered many who need to hear the message of the Gospel, the message of Hope, and the message of encouragement. Next, our core group is coming together slowly but surely. Lastly, we are looking forward to our “Official” launch of public worship services.
With that ahead of us this New Year is exciting. We are all making some new friends. You know this seems harder here in Michigan than it has been in past places for us. Many people once they trust you they are your friend. I want to ask, “What is friendship?” For some it is doing things together, for others it is helping someone out in a time of need, and yet for others it is the amount of time and the purpose for being together that makes a friendship. Finally, for some it is just about knowing about someone or just saying, “Yea I know them” there is no time spent together nor is there any meaning to the relationship. So how do we as ones that don’t know very many people make “friends”. Well I believe it is all about building a relationship, how do you do that, you spend quality time together, you have a purpose, and you have something in common together.
Many here have told us that the winter months are the hardest time to get to meet people and get to know others. Well if that is true we have met new people during these winter months and are building relationships with them. So during the months when the weather is nicer it should be much easier to meet and build relationships. Or so we are told. LOL. We are looking forward to daily encounters that God has for us, and for those to whom God is calling unto Himself that He will put in our paths this next year. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We are excited to be your church planter in Michigan.

Fall fall out

Well it has been a while since I have shared with you what is taking place. Sorry my bad.

• We have been working on flyers and a new website for both churches.
• The sites are www.theconnectionsbc.com and www.pigeonriverbc.com go to these new sites, check them out and let me know what we can work on.
• We have found some promising areas to start working and handing out flyers and sharing the gospel.
• We are so grateful to the Baptist State convention of Michigan for all that they have done and are going to do to help us with this launch.
• I got my information from NAMB and MBSC to start reporting our contact lists.
• We have been keeping logs and numbers.
  

Well it has snowed here 5 days this month and it’s the best kind of snow it didn’t stick. We have our first core group to start to meeting this month and make some plans for growth and studies.
I have been trying to meet with some of the local pastors and other ministers in the town but they are just as busy as I am or they have other jobs as well.

On a personal family note, Chrissie got her a job working at “Wags to Whiskers” it is the only local pet store, how cool is that for making contacts. We went out this month to a motor-cross event and met some really neat people. Our prayer is they will make contact with us when they come back up here during the winter for sports events. Mrs. Jean is doing a great job becoming involved with both churches and the association. She still does not have a job but we are praying for the right job not just any job.

We are still excited about the first conversion that God will allow us to have, so please pray for these as we are still growing.

It has been a great week here in Gaylord Michigan. We have begun our prayer walking part of our ministry. Also I got to meet with some that are interested in this new adventure. As we done our prayer walking we met with several shop owners and managers. One thing that is a needed prayer is open doors. What I am seeing is that many have been so hurt by another fundamental ministry in town. With all that said we have seen a great need to share the gospel with a town that needs to hear about a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
We have made a video presentation for our prospective partnership churches and families. We have put together a very good presentation for others to see the great amount of lost people here in this pioneer mission’s area. There are 10 million people living in Michigan and 80% of those have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We have a ripe harvest field. We have a large job ahead of us here. And a large God that has this figured out.
On Thursday we got to go to the Upper Peninsula to take a missionary couple back to catch a plane. They were such a wonderful source of encouragement to us. As we continue to get involved in our community and become established we are seeing a common thread, many here don’t trust ministries. There have been some that have tried to begin a new work here and have left for many reasons. For us we believe that the people here are looking for someone to stay through the first winter and then they will trust them because they feel that they are going to stick and stay.
We are looking forward to what God has in store for us in this wonderful journey. Please continue to pray for us.
Your missionaries Allen, Jean, and Chrissie Ballard

First weekend in Michigan

Well this is the first blog for the first week of ministry in Michigan. We have made many contacts and made some new friends already. Well the church in Vanderbilt is going good. We had 42 for our first service. Now with that comes a great new opportunity to develop relationships and those long term friendships. I have joined a book club at the public library; this is a new thing for me. We are reading C.S. Lewis’s book “The four Loves”. I have read some of it so far, our discussion day is Wednesday the 30th. I am looking forward to meeting some new people and discussing the different types of “Love” the bible talks about.
In addition, I get to do another new thing in the church; I am leading music. Yes, you can insert a good laugh here. I am learning the difference between 4/4, 3/4, and 6/4 beat. Ok now I am really challenged in this area not only do I memorize my sermons, but I am remembering all the songs that we will sing during the worship time. I am so jealous that God didn’t give me a great set of pipes to lead singing with. However, He did give me a lot of energy and stamina to endure the trials of a multi-site ministry.
Well the weather in the north is different than what we are used to. We have temps in the 30’s at night and 70’s during the day. Have you ever went on a vacation and said to yourself that you wish you could live in this area? Well that is what we think that we have had happen to us. We had come up here on vacations as a family and as a kid I used to come to the north on vacations with my grandparents and childhood family. We talked about this as a family; there are so many lost people in this area. Every time I get out, look around, and see these people around me my heart just melts. Up to this point we have made about 70 contacts in 4 days. I wonder what type of contacts and how many that God has in store for us in this next month. If we are the hands and feet of our Lord, then we can say to God “Give me this mountain”. God Grant me this mountain that is ahead of us.

Last day in Arkansas

Well this is my last day in Arkansas. I have some regrets, but mostly joy. I have served with so many great people in this land of opportunity. I want to take this chance to say thanks to all of you who have been so kind to us. We will always love our friends. You know that joy and laughter does your heart so good when you are in a transition. As I am finishing reading the NASB bible through this year I came to the section in Mark’s gospel where Jesus is healing and casting out demons. As I reflected on His ministry (Jesus), I found myself thinking that we are to go, heal, and drive out sin as well. However, many today do not view their sins as serious or even relevant to their lives. Many today also would not stand up for what is right even if their life depended upon it.
Well this is the evening before we make this wonderful move to a new area and a new ministry. I spoke with a lady today at a restaurant and she was worried about dying from the swine flu. Then I asked her if she was to die today where she would spend eternity? Her response was not that shocking (I have heard it way to many times). She responded that she was ready, however, when I asked why she wouldn’t even respond nor even come back to the table. As I prayed for this young 5 month pregnant lady, I found myself to be alone in this busy restaurant with a God sized opportunity. I shared the gospel with her and others around heard my plea, may God get the glory for this opportunity.
I will provide new pictures as they become available with our new home and ministry.

God bless Arkansas and all His Children

New post and New move

Well this is my first blog post. Let me know what you think of the profile and the background. As so many of you know the Ballard family (Allen, Jean, and Chrissie) will be moving to North Michigan this month. We are excited about our new assignment and our new opportunities for reaching souls for Christ. We have been looking at some great pictures that others have posted about the snow that came last winter. Wow, now that is some snow. I am so going to get a snow blower. LOL
As we are going to this new area we have been in prayer and I would ask that you join us in this opportunity also. I was born in Michigan and moved to Arkansas when I was 18. Furthermore, God has allowed my family and me to serve churches in Arkansas since 2001 and now God in His providence is allowing me to move back home and serve Him in Michigan at this new work. Our vision is one of a Connection, sbc; this is the proposed name for this wonderful new ministry.
· We have a passion to connect non-believers to God
· Connect believers with other believers
· In addition, to connect the church to its community
With this great sense of urgency and passion for ministry my family and I will be leaving in the middle of September to get on the field and to partner with the associational missionary and a group of local believers to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, Him Crucified, His Love, His Grace, and His Forgiveness. With a great mission comes a great need. The area in which we have been called is a pioneer mission’s area. We will be working through
· The Pines Association located in the Gaylord area
· The Michigan Baptist State Convention
· And the North American Mission Board
This is a predominantly Catholic community (the arch-diocese is located in this town). Moreover, with the vast amount of people that have not heard nor seen the gospel of Christ we feel that God is going to move in a mighty way. During a needs tour in July of 2009 God revealed a huge need for ministry to hurting families, salvation for the lost, and for Kingdom growth. I am prayerfully asking that you and your ministry consider coming along side of this wonderful ministry and huge opportunity for Kingdom growth. We have a very limited amount of resources to start this new work. We would like to offer you a couple of opportunities to become a partner church.
1. Firstly, we would ask you that you pray for us. We are going completely on faith.
2. Secondly, would be for monthly support of $500 to $1000 for three to five years.
3. Thirdly, a love offering of any amount this would be for start up money and funding for materials, supplies, and ministry expenses.
4. Another area would be a short term commitment of $1000 a month for 6 months this is for getting a place to rent and utilities.
5. As we grow we will also be needing ministry teams to come to Michigan and participate in Kingdom growth projects.
If you are interested in partnering in this in ANY way please let me know. I will post as we go. Thanks once again to all my friends that have been so supportive and encouraging. A few that I want to give a special thanks to is; Bro. Gary Wise my mentor, C.J. and Lisha Taylor, Herb and Terry Shipman, Dr. J.D. Stake, Jim and Gloria Hall, all of the friends that work with Jean at Regions, the pastors that have been my prayer and accountability partners, the staff at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Russell Fridell, and our prayer partners in this new ministry, and so many more, if I forgot to mention you by name please forgive us.
Let me know how we can ever improve this blog or what you want to talk about.

Love yall. Bro. Allen, Jean and Chrissie Ballard