Dear Church,
Thank you so much for the recent cards, e-mails, and notes of encouragement we received over the past several weeks. Our family enjoys reading them, knowing of your continued prayers and support for the Gospel ministry here in the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. We try to avoid Portland as much as possible, but occasionally we must travel there to take care of some appointments. The once beautiful city is a dangerous and disturbing crime-ridden place. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington just across the river and attended church in Portland. It is sad to observe the nasty transformation that has taken place since the late 80’s until now. Sin came by one man into the world and death by sin. The culture of sin is a culture of death and that aptly explains why several people in Oregon would celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk. We are losing the spiritual battle for the souls of men in the Northwest and there is a great spiritual need. The words to the old song still stir my heart as I remember them: “my house is full, but my field is empty; who will go and work for me today?” In the words of the Lord, “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
The city of Astoria resembles a little Portland. There are several bridges, much water, many homeless, and much sin! The churches here fly the rainbow flag of rebellion against God. Many people have come to the Northwest with a heart for Jesus and a desire to plant a Baptist church. Very few ever succeed. Did you know the mouth of the great Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean between the North and South Jetties? This treacherous area of the Columbia River Bar and surrounding shoreline is known by mariners as “The Graveyard of the Pacific” because of the estimated 2,000 shipwrecks here. As a young boy I was often reminded that the Pacific Northwest is regarded by many to be the “Fundamentalists Graveyard.” We have seen a recent resurgence of visitors at Anchor Baptist Church and also a resurgence of demonic opposition. Your prayers and support are key in helping us keep Anchor Baptist Church anchored in the Graveyard of the Pacific. Please continue to pray, support, and encourage us in the Lord!
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Mr. and Mrs. David Bond have attended Anchor Baptist Church several months now, with the recommendation of their pastor. They have been an immeasurable blessing to us as we often have very low attendance. The most successful recent church plants in the Northwest are those with a team. The Bonds sacrifice of their time and treasure to encourage our people, our family, and create a team effort here in Astoria. Please continue prayer for them as they drive one hour each way on Sunday and Thursday evenings.
In September, our family was able to take a one week vacation and we enjoyed it immensely! There was nothing required of us but total relaxation and rest and it was probably the best vacation we have ever had. I must say the sun shone a bit brighter and the birds sang sweeter when we returned home. Several people from the Beaver Falls Baptist Church helped make this possible including Bro. Bond who preached for me. Pastor Harley Wait from Ocean View Baptist Church also filled in for me in the nursing home. It was such a joy to have a break from the demands of the ministry and our family enjoyed it very much!
Our hearts are heavy for one family who has fallen away from faithful church attendance after being with us for a very long time. God knows what is going on in their lives, but we ask you to pray for them and for us. In their absence, we have seen several other people begin to attend the church from various religious backgrounds. We thank God for this and praise the Lord for the increase in attendance. Time will tell how the preaching of God’s Word will affect their hearts but rest assured, they have heard the scriptures and God’s plan of salvation. The trend continues to be that people cycle through the church in spurts rather than all remaining together at one time. We long to disciple new converts and train them but people refuse to allow us to do this. As is so often the case, people are tolerant to the idea of having a preacher for a time, but are unwilling to have a pastor. Please keep these new visitors in prayer and ask God to send a couple to move to Astoria and help us by joining Anchor Baptist Church and working with us to make the church self-supporting. Thank you for your continued financial and prayer support! -The Byers Family