Having grown up in church, then serving on a church staff, and now traveling from church to church in vocational evangelism, I sometimes come upon a reminder of the things I so often take for granted.

For example, the things you witness on the mission field…all things “churchy” that you’ve known for so long yet those you are ministering to or even with, don’t have that same level of understanding.  It’s those times, those gentle reminders where you thank God for what He’s done for you and for the opportunity to share.

It is rare that an experience like that will happen on the home front.  But such an event did occur at the recent revival services in Hampton, AR.  The young man had been a subject of prayer for some time.  His wife had given her life to Christ a short time back and he was faithful to attend with her.  On Tuesday night he came forward during the invitation, stood before the preacher, and just stared at him.  After a moment, the preacher asked; “Well, what is God doing in your life tonight?”  The young man responded; “I’m not sure but I can’t leave here tonight the same as I did the last two nights.”  So, it began.  He counseled him and led him to the Lord.  The next day the young man came by the office and talked with the pastor.  He told the pastor that on Monday night he had wanted to come forward so badly but didn’t know what to do.  He was just hoping, so badly, that someone would go forward before him so “he would know what to do”.  Amazing, isn’t it?  The things we take for granted.

We had a wonderful meeting together with God moving in many lives.  We drove to Yazoo City today.  Patty will take her father to his chemo treatment tomorrow and Saturday and we’ll judge then, when we will return home.  We appreciate your prayers.

Blessings,
John

Hi Friends,

Thank you for checking in with us.  It has been a brief and busy time at home as Patty has concentrated on house/home stuff and I have spent my time on the ministry.  Tomorrow, that will all come to a screeching halt as we gear up for the road.

Tomorrow afternoon, at 4  p.m., I will be performing at a banquet at Hillcrest, my home church.  The children’s ministry in conjunction with the senior adult ministry is presenting what is being called, “The Legacy of Love”.  It’s a grandparent/grandchild banquet but one doesn’t have to have a grandparent in town to attend, likewise one doesn’t have to have a grandchild in town to attend.  We will focus on what each age group has to give and contribute.  Here’s where it gets a bit different for us.  Unlike other banquets we do, I will be the first thing on the program.  You see, we will begin revival services in AR tomorrow night.  When the pastor called to book me for the revival, the banquet was already on the schedule and we have never cancelled one event in order to make another possible and we weren’t about to start now.  I told the pastor that I could be with him and his church if I could begin with them on Sunday night.  That was good with him.  The children’s minister here at Hillcrest graciously offered for me to go on to the revival meeting and not do the banquet to which I refused.  So, she very kindly scheduled me first so we could load up immediately following our presentation and hit the road, going as far as we can tomorrow night, then driving on in to Hampton, AR, on Sunday, arriving early afternoon and setting up equipment for the 5 p.m. service.  Sure would appreciate your prayers for safe travel and presentation effectiveness.

The parents are doing pretty well.  Mom has begun teaching the 26 piano pupils and is getting stronger each day now that those nasty medications are working their way out.  Patty’s dad is doing very well.  We praise the Lord for that and count our blessings.  It seems that he feels bad for about 10 days to 2 weeks following the once a month chemo treatment then gradually feels better until the next application.  That next treatment will fall next Friday so we will be driving to Yazoo City from AR following services there.  Patty will then be able to take him to the back to back treatment.  Once a month but two day application.  We will monitor him before driving back home.

These are busy times.  We ask for your prayers in every area.  Specifically, the revival services at FBC Hampton, AR, and Dr. Rex Horne as he brings God’s Word and me as I lead in worship.  Then for travel safety!

Blessings,
John

A wonderful morning of ministry with my Louisiana family at Trinity Baptist Church this morning.  I had the privilege of presenting this ministry in a concert format and it was such a blessing.  It’s been a really good time off with friends in Mathews, LA.  Did some fishing and although there wasn’t an excessive amount of  fish caught, the fellowship and time off the road was really nice.

Now it’s back to work.  We will head home tomorrow and get back to it as we prepare for the upcoming month of ministry.  Mom and Patty’s dad are both doing  better and we are so very thankful and appreciate your prayers.

Thank you for every remembrance of us!

Blessings,
John

That was what would have been on my sign, had I had need for one.  We are visiting with some dear friends in south Louisiana and came down early to do so.  I will have the service this Sunday but we wanted some time with them and to rest and renew after a very busy summer.  We will be fishing, Lord willing, the remainder of the week.  Today was a slow day in the gulf but we caught enough for supper, hallelujah!  Looking forward to that!

Patty’s dad seems well overall but is not feeling well.  Sounds like a contradiction but let me explain.  He is managing his blood sugar with an occasional insulin injection and maintaining his weight with an basic dose of a fluid pill.  So, those things are good.  His description basically goes like this… “I’m doing alright but just haven’t felt well today”.  This is an everyday conversation so we feel the new chemo drug is causing this.

Mom is still fighting pneumonia and is planning a return trip to the doc tomorrow, Lord willing.  So, there you have it.  We are on vacation but closely monitoring things in Yazoo City.  Thanks for the prayers!

John

Of course, the majority of you know this is Louisiana.  We are taking some time for ourselves after a very busy summer schedule and are going to visit some dear friends.  We’ll be taking some time to do a little fishing…actually, probably a lot of fishing as well as enjoy some fun fellowship doing little to nothing.  We will complete our time with them by leading the Sunday morning service on Sept. 1.  We are looking so forward to this time.

We are keeping a close eye on the parents in Yazoo and are scheduled to be in Yazoo City in about 2 1/2 weeks unless things change.

I’m not sure how much you will hear from me this next week so I will tell you now how much we love and appreciate your support and prayers!  I’ll be in touch should things warrant such.

Blessings,
John

I don’t know what it means, either, I just wanted to find a way to say the word, beckon.  ha ha

No, it’s because we are still on the road.  Yesterday was a special day.  We’ve been with Bro. Billy Causey on many occasions through the years helping him in various ministries throughout the church.  I’ve helped him in leadership banquets, choir appreciation programs, revivals, kids camps and one day Family Events such as yesterday.  He told me yesterday that he had gone over church records and figured out that in the time I did camps for him, there were 211 kids that came to Christ.  Quite a humbling and encouraging word for sure.

The evenings concert was a fun night for the church.  Billy told me that with some difficulties that many had been experiencing in the church, he really wanted me to focus on the humor side of everything.  So, 3/4 of the program included a lot of humor, some interactive material and some music.  The response was wonderful and seem to lift peoples spirits.  Bro. Billy himself is heavy these days.  His wife has brain cancer and has been put in hospice.  A dear friend of ours, we were blessed to be able to visit with her following the program last night.  She’s been a good friend for a long time.

Tonight will be a good opportunity as we lead in a simultaneous service.  It’s Kids Night at Country Wood Baptist Church in Byram, MS.  The church is having services and we’ll be in a different area of the church having a blowout!  Sure would appreciate your prayers.  The services have a tendency to go longer than “normal” Sunday worship services and I will have all ages of kids with me.  This generally prevents me from preaching to them and requires more music and ventriloquism.  With the ongoing vocal issues, this will prove to be a test so prayers are appreciated.

Patty’s dad seems to be tolerating the treatment pretty well.  He has gained some fluid weight that we are keeping an eye on but today, being 2 days after a treatment, the weight gain seems to have leveled and he is resting better.  This is a brand new drug so there are some side affects that are not known.

That’s about it.  We are looking forward to what God will do tonight!

John

Patty’s dad, Mr. Shurley, had his first infusion this morning.  It took awhile as there was a steroid administered first.  Of course, as a Type 2 Diabetic, the steroid introduces its own set of issues.  That being said, everything went well.  There was a port inserted because each treatment, we found out today, will be 2 hrs on back to back days.  Then a month off before the next 2 day application.  He will be taken back tomorrow morning for the second application.  Pray for God’s will.

Our plan, as of now, is to head out tomorrow afternoon for our Sunday/Monday events but all depends on these other things.

The ministry is going well…busy but well.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

Blessings,
John

Well, not exactly the best news today from the oncologist.  The tumor in Mr. Shurley’s neck has continued to grow and the side effect concerning his right arm that I’ve mentioned in the past and the doc agreed with us that that is, indeed, the case.  So, another plan of action.  He did not take a treatment of the previous drug, but will begin a new drug this Friday when he will go in for the first of several 2 hr. infusions.  This will be administered once a month.  As with all these drugs there are many potential side effects so please join us in praying for God’s will and plan.

We are working out of Yazoo City right now as I help mom with several tasks and Patty helps her dad.  Tomorrow we will drive over to First Baptist Church, Starkville, MS, where I will do a church wide concert to kick off the fall programs.  Everything from kids choirs to adult Bible studies.  Should be a lot of fun!

We appreciate you remembering us during this time.  We know God is in control and without that we can’t imagine how difficult the balancing would be between life and ministry.

Blessings,
John

It was a somewhat difficult night tonight.  Things went fine but I was “running on ice” most of the evening.  Through nobody’s fault particularly, I prepared a program for a Kid’s Night.  As we arrived, I was surprised to see advertising in the foyer for “An Evening of Family Worship with John Yates and Friends”.  Well, there is a difference between a Family Worship Program and a Kids Program.  Then add to it that there were all ages there with a heavy dose of preschool and it all made for a rough night.  At least I thought so…Patty said it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought.  I pray that the seed planted will grow.

Sound check tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. as I contribute to the morning service and do a church wide concert in the evening.  It will be a long day but one of wonderful possibilities.  Also, an extra bonus is our friendship with the Pastor and his wife that began years ago.  We enjoy our time with them each opportunity we have.

On the Yazoo front.  Patty’s dad is not doing well.  We ask for your prayers as we are now seeing the beginning stages of  “trouble signs” that made themselves evident before he really started struggling last time he was being treated with chemo.  The dosage has been smaller, as I have stated, but the last couple of days he has been unable to lift his right arm above shoulder high.  When bent at the elbow, the elbow will not go parallel with the floor.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, this was one of the first signs last time and so an appointment has been made to have a face to face at his next chemo treatment this Tuesday.  Pray for him and pray for wisdom for Dr. Young.  She is a gifted and respected oncologist and we are praying that God will direct her in the best option of treatment.

Thanks for checking in.  Vocally, I’m still struggling but God is giving me what I need for each opportunity!

Blessings,
John

I know the word there is Golden but it’s been difficult to say the least.  It’s vocal rest…silence…aggravating…silence…My voice just hasn’t bounced back as it has in the past.  Very frustrating!  I know God is in control and I am grateful for that.  It seems like He gives me just what I need to give my presentation and not more.  This hasn’t been the case in the past and this longer recovery time isn’t what I’m used to as well.  Yesterday and today have been spent very, very quietly.  Of course the down side of this is I can’t rehearse.  The horn puts stress there also so it’s out.  Join us as we pray.  This upcoming week of ministry, beginning Saturday night will be a demanding one.  Thanks!

Patty’s dad is continuing to do well and we rejoice in that and appreciate your prayers on his behalf.

Blessings,
John