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Our Home Church
Pastor and Mrs. Ernie Merritt It is a great personal
joy for Linda and I to be serving under the authority of Fundamental
Baptist Church and Pastor Ernie Merritt. The Merritts came
to Fundamental Baptist Church after many fruitful years of ministry
in Palm Bay, Florida. Mrs. Merritt grew up in Fundamental
Baptist Church, where her father served as a deacon. The Merritts
were also married at FBC. It seems so fitting that God would
bring this dear couple to minister here as they have such a wonderful
connection with the church over the years. I would also note
that I began my ministry here at FBC in the mid-1970s, serving as
a youth director, deacon, Sunday school bus driver, Sunday school
teacher, and other ministry endeavors as well. I was licensed
to the Gospel preaching ministry here under Dr. Eldon Martens, and
enjoyed close fellowship with Dr. David Earnhart when he was the
pastor. Linda and I look forward to serving under Pastor Merritt's
leadership in the days ahead. The relationship between the evangelist and his church is of utmost importance. It is, in my estimation, imperative that the evangelist be sent out of a local New Testament church where both pastor and people alike have a vision for the revival ministry and the fulfilling of the Great Commission. The evangelist’s number one support group is his pastor and home church. He cannot function in the field well without the knowledge that his home church is behind him with much prayer-support. Like the missionary, the evangelist is commissioned and sent out by the local church as its representative. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3) The work of the evangelist is an extension of the ministry of his local church to other local churches. His ministry is distinctively from the local church to the local church. The biblical evangelist is not a freelancer or a free agent. He is accountable to his local church for the conduct of his ministry. Evangelist Rich Tozour has said, "An evangelist who is a member of a local independent fundamental New Testament church and who ministers under the authority of that church will have the blessings that come from being under authority. Those blessings are protection and provision." The working relationship between the evangelist and his pastor is also of great importance. It is a partnership in ministry that can be very fruitful for the cause of Christ. The evangelist needs a pastor and needs the encouragement and fellowship of his church family as they share in the blessings of service together. Copyright © 2002-08 www.revivalthoughts.org, |
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