| |
|
|
|
Words From A
Father's Heart
(written in Spring of 2012)
Dearly Beloved
in Christ Jesus;
Greetings to one
and all!
Here in New England,
we are seasonally a bit behind many of our friends living in other regions, but we are rejoicing to see that Winter is past,
and again, “flowers appear on the Earth” (Song of Solomon 2:12).
Please bear with
me in this updated greeting, which will be brief, because I wish to take this occasion to introduce to you the Newlyweds,
Warren and Allison; but first let us continue with this update.
I am especially
blessed to behold the two pink dogwood trees next to the Parish-House. They were planted in 1992, and are now quite large.
When they were still “little-fellows,” we experienced a late snow storm; the snow was wet and heavy, splitting
the trunk of one of the Dogwoods. Folk predicted that it could not possibly recover: “...Dig it up, and replace it,
etc...” I tied it together with a cloth binding and prayed over it; today only a scar remains on its sturdy trunk. (How
apropos this is to the Christian life.)
We are called,
“...trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD...” (Isaiah 61:3). We oft' encounter various “attacks
of the elements” (spiritually speaking), ...which at times leave us wounded, weak, and vulnerable. Without Divine Intervention,
we surely would perish. But, thank God! Yes, Praise the Lord, for His tender, skillful hands, which bind-up our wounds and
brokenness. (Betty Baxter once declared - “God does not do anything 'half-way!' When Jesus does the job, He does it-up
real good!”)
Springtime is the
season of newness, restoration, and rejuvenation. This season is very beautifully spoken of, in Song of Solomon: “The
flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land”
(2:12). One specific element of this grand narrative is the “turtle,” (Heb. = turtledove). When its “voice
is heard in our land,” it is the call of love, welcoming the mating season. It is all very typically applied unto Christ
and His Bride. While visiting Israel, during Passover of 2000, I was walking in the Old City, when I heard the most marvelous
bird-call: It stopped me in my tracks! I looked up, and there, perched upon a ledge in a wall was a beautiful tan and white,
oriental turtledove. I shall never forget that momentous occasion! There is no sound quite like the call of a turtledove.
Upon the occasion
of Ivan and Minnie Spencer's fiftieth Wedding Anniversary in 1963, a solo was beautifully rendered of their favorite song,
“Daughter of Jerusalem.” There are eight versus, plus a chorus, to this magnificent song, which came forth by
tongues and interpretation in the early days of the Twentieth Century Pentecostal Outpouring.
An Introduction
This brings me
to a very glad juncture, whereby I have the great pleasure of introducing to you, my Associate Pastor, and his lovely wife:
Pastor, and Mrs. Warren D. Dayton, of Attica Center Baptist Church. Warren and Allison were united in Holy Matrimony, at:
Dresden Community Church, Dresden, Ontario, Canada, at 3:00 o'clock P.M., on March 24, 2012.
Pastor, and Mrs., Warren D. Dayton
A Great
Need For Prayer
Now, beloved
friends, these precious kids (for several reasons) stand seriously in need of the prayers and kind benevolence of every one
of us. Please know that Warren and Allison did not request me to address this matter. I have done this upon my own volition
and in obedience to what I perceive to be a definite and specific leading of our Lord Jesus Christ. These precious young folk
are called to Ministry! Allison is also employed in Canada, until she is free to immigrate to America. The burden for
the Attica Center Church is heavily upon them both. Warren has served there, often without salary, for the past five years.
Allison
is engaged in the immigration process, so that she shall be permitted to move to New York, where they shall serve the
Pastorate and make their home. Immigration (since 9/11) has become a complicated and arduous ordeal. They have secured the
services of an Immigration-Attorney to assist in the process, which may require seven to eight months to complete.
This fact
has necessitated a weekly trip by Warren, to Ontario, to spend two days with his beloved Bride. Warren has worked two jobs
simultaneously, both which require hard physical labor. Since he suffered the symptoms of a heart attack in August, 2006,
while upon a Mission Trip to Africa, he has suffered symptomatically in the aftermath.
He is receiving
a gradual healing, and Thank God, he is significantly improved; but if he pushes beyond his limits, or over-exerts
himself, the symptoms return with a vengeance.
Urgent Needs For
The Church In Attica:
That little
church in the Hills has been a Lighthouse and a Soul-Saving-Station, since 1821. The present edifice, is the third, having
been erected in 1915. It is a lovely "Country-Church” and very soundly constructed, but it stands seriously in need
of repair. The congregation is not wealthy and the needed repairs are urgent.
1. New roof (leaking badly)
2. New gutters
3. New storm windows
4. Scraping and painting
5. Carpentry repairs
6. Plumbing upgrades
7. Heating system upgrades
8. Parking lot completed
9. Plaster repair
10. Masonry work on foundation.
The above
listed repairs are only those absolutely urgent ones (the interior also needs plaster repair, painting, vestibule repair,
and carpeting). This lovely little “Church in the Wildwood,” is worthy of repair, seeing as it has served ten
generations, and is mortgage free. Please pray very earnestly, regarding this matter. God bless you!
A Lighthouse in a Dark Place
Warren and Allison also need
faithful, regular support, to be able to reach-out into those Hills with the Gospel; they eventually hope to do so via radio,
cable TV, and literature. Their area is indeed a needy one! Within a radius of approximately 17 miles from their church, there
are only a few viable Full Gospel churches. While they Pastor an Independent Baptist Church, they are indeed, clearly proclaiming
the “Full Gospel;” as well as a stable, conservative, Deeper-Life message of Holiness! God bless them for their
stalwart commitment to the “faith once delivered unto the saints!” (Jude 3). Hallelujah!
A Mission Field?
Yes! Beloved, the Attica Hills
and surrounding areas are indeed a stark and needy Mission Field! We must perceive Warren and Allison as “Missionaries”
there! Many folk in those hills, are unsaved and unchurched. They are mostly good, hard-working, patriotic folk, but at the
same time, folk who have been largely neglected, forsaken, and forgotten! Churches stand vacant, and ministers are abandoning
their calling to that area. Yet, here we have a young “Soldier” (and his dear wife) who have given their lives
unto those same folk, and unto that Field. Warren is there by obedience to the call of our Lord Jesus Christ! He carries a
heavy burden for souls in that area who do not know Jesus as Savior; souls who are lost, and unprepared to meet the Lord!
There is much depression, despair, alcoholism, drug-abuse, and also suicide, in those Hills (which are also home to the huge
maximum security prison at Attica).
Who Will Go?
Perhaps we cannot go, but we
can do all possible to support and enable those who can, and will go!
I can hear my Savior Calling,
"Who will go? Who will go? Who
will go?”
Then said I, “Here am I,
-
Use me Lord, e're I die; -
I am Thine, wholly Thine, I will
Go!”
Beloved, you all know that I
do not ever solicit funds for myself, or for this ministry, but at times I feel led to present the needs of others, whom I
know to be sincere and humble servants of our Lord, who are worthy of help and support.
Such is my reason for bringing
to you these great and pressing needs of our young missionaries, Warren and Allison Dayton. They are indeed worthy of your
love, prayers, and regular support. You cannot possibly sow into better soil! It is important to give where there is need!
Wealthy and prosperous churches and ministers do not need your money.
These dear kids have said, “Yes,”
to a very hard field! They are willing to sacrifice and do without, in order to bring Jesus to precious souls (for whom He
died, who know Him not!)
Won't you please pray, and consider
partnering with them? I sincerely believe that anyone helping them will be blessed and be found pleasing unto our Lord.
I have requested Warren to post
their wedding photos and also photos of their overseas missions work, as well as some photos of the church edifice, including
shots of the areas needing repair.
May God richly bless them, and prosper this endeavor! Please pray for them as they
build their page, and before long, add to it audio and video as well. You may direct all correspondence to them at:
Attica Center Baptist Church
1346 Attica Gulf Road
Attica, NY 14011
Phone: 585-813-3029.
Email: dayton888@hotmail.com
All contributions to their ministry may
be made payable to the address above:
(You shall receive a tax deductible
receipt)
My beloved friends, from the
bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank and bless you for whatever benevolence you are able to render unto Warren and Allison.
They are worthy of your help!
Your Faithful Friend and Humble
Servant,
Dad O'Connor
|
|
|
|
|
