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September minus40 Report

Dear Praying friends,

Summer gets shorter every year we spend in the Arctic. No, I haven’t converted to the doctrine of climate change, I admit to believing that old saying, “The older you get the faster time flies.” The summer was as busy as ever and the recap is in bullet format below.

* There were several teens that trusted Christ at Rock Crossing Bible Camp in Alaska and the reports from the pastors of the churches those teens attend have been encouraging. The teens have continued to grow in The Lord and been faithful to church.

* I was honoured to teach at the All Points Baptist Mission / Points North Baptist Mission’s Advanced Missionary Training classes. The training classes help prospective and veteran missionaries prepare for and maintain successful ministries on mission fields around the world.

* In conjunction with the missionary training classes, I was able to spend some time with my parents, brother and family. Mom and dad are in their 80’s and I enjoyed the visit thoroughly.

* I met the new Pastor of our sending church. Pastor Jeff House is now my pastor and I am pleased to say so. Our fellowship though short, was profitable and sweet. Thank you for praying for this transition. God has His man in place at our sending church.

* In late August we heard a young man from our Inuvik ministry preach his first sermon. Norman Snow Jr did a great job and was used of The Lord the Wednesday night he preached. Norman is a junior in Bible College.

* September 1st, Lois and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary! All the mushy stuff still applies and I won’t bore you with the details of two old folks still in love!

* The Tuktoyaktuk Baptist Church is gaining stability every week. The services are well attended with approximately 17 to 20 each service. Each week, as usual, I have unusual liberty as I preach and the attention level is always high.

* I hope to find some interest in northern missions later in September as I will be representing Points North Baptist Mission at the National Canadian Independent Baptist Pastor’s Conference. Lord willing the exposure will encourage some young men to consider the far north as an option for their future ministry.

* Last but not least I am pleased to report that Lois’ health has improved much. She has travelled well this summer and we are thanking God for His blessings. Thank you for your prayers on her behalf.

In His Cold but easy Yoke,

Steve and Lois Donley 

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Gettysburg, PA update

Our Gettysburg report begins on Saturday night as we enjoyed fellowship with Bro. Jeremy Mitchel and his family. We enjoyed a meal and fellowship, renewing a friendship that started around 1995 or so. Sunday morning we had a wonderful service at Gettysburg Bible Baptist Church where Dave Mitchel is pastor. Jeremy is his son and assistant. After a good morning service we all went to Pastor Mitchel’s home and enjoyed fellowship with the entire Mitchel family. Dave’s dad was there and we renewed our friendship with him. The elder Bro. Mitchel was pastor when the church started to support us in 95 or so. Three generations of preachers sat at a meal with us, and the food was as great as the fellowship.

Sunday night took us to Lighthouse Baptist Church where Pastor Bob Gray leads the church. Lighthouse has also supported us since 95 or so. We had a good service and a wonder time of fellowship after with refreshments and great discussions on the Arctic, churches and whatever else needed solved in the world! The membership was very interested in the Arctic and we were thrilled to thank them face to face for consistent and faithful support.

Tomorrow morning we pack up and head to Ohio for some down time. We need the rest after a great trip to Ontario, Hagerstown, Maryland, and Gettysburg PA. We leave encouraged, and honoured to be associated with such wonderful churches.