Showers of Blessings in Fort Smith District
FORT SMITH, ARK. – The first few months of 2023 were filled with blessings for the Fort Smith district.
On Feb. 11, four people were baptized into the Fort Smith Seventh-day Adventist Church: Nana Amoah, Ted Johnston, Kathleen Langston and Donna Troxel. Burnham Rand, who had been pastor of the Fort Smith district from 2013 until his retirement in 2022, officiated at the baptism. All of heaven rejoices when decisions are made for Christ, and existing congregation members joined in this rejoicing.
Two weeks later, on Feb. 25, parents Jonathan and Hannah Brain dedicated their precious daughters, Adeline and Finley, to the Lord. Lenton Butler, former member and elder of the Fort Smith church, officiated at the dedication. What a joy to see this young couple committed to bringing up these children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The blessings continued on April 15 when the head elder received news that our prayers for a new pastor had been answered, effective immediately. Franklin Allen, who had been doing colporteur ministry in the area prior to his call to the pastorate, had been attending church in Fort Smith for several weeks before his appointment. A recent graduate of Southwestern Adventist University, he comes to Arkansas from Allen, Tex. Please join us in thanks and prayers for our new pastor.
On June 17, blessings continued as two new members, Kimberly Ohanesian and Derek Coronel, were baptized into the fellowship of the Fort Smith church by Franklin Allen. For this high Sabbath, the pastor based his message on Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” What an amazing promise! We have a God who loves us so much that He sings over us! Befitting this theme, several musicians lent their voices and instrumental talents to celebrate this special occasion. May the Lord continue to bless as this year unfolds.
By Linda Thomas
