Black River Independent Baptist Church
22 Marigold Path, Black River
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica W.I.
We are now 6 months into the first half of 2023. It has been a very busy 6 months at Fairview Bible College, celebrating 60 years, and all that is happening as we seek to build back a strong foundation following the COVID era.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to give leadership to the church here in Black River.
Donna and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2023. We continue to praise the Lord for keeping us together and blessing us with mutual love and respect for each other. Thank you to all our friends who have prayed and encouraged us along the way.
June was a very challenging month for us. Donna’s mother died in May and was buried on June 15. This was hard on the family (mothers, brothers and sisters and extended family) as they grieved and worked through the burial details.
The church lost two of its senior ladies. Sister Mavis White, who died on June 14, 2023 at the age of 87 years old, and buried on the June 24. Mrs. Ida Vassell, who died on July 1, 2023, at the age of 95. Sister White founded and led the senior ladies’ Bible study and prayer meetings. Sister White died at home.
I am presently preaching through the book of Judges. On Father’s Day, I preached from Judges 6 on the theme “Becoming a Mighty Man of Valor for God”.
We had 20 fathers at church that day. The ladies made a surprise brunch for them and 15 of the fathers stayed and enjoyed fellowship. The Sunday school children escorted their fathers from the auditorium to the decorated hall. It was very special. Please continue to pray for salvation for more men to be added to the church.
We baptized 2 ladies at church. Pray that they will follow through with attending the candidate class and be a blessing and encouragement to others.
A few years ago, Sister Bernice Wright, one of our members’ home was destroyed by a fire. The poor relief section of the Parish Council and Government blessed her with a new home. On June 22 a “hand-over” ceremony was held, and she was given the keys. This was a celebration of God’s goodness to her.
In July, we held 2 weeks of Vacation Bible School. One week was done by our teachers and the other by a team that came to help us. One week was held in the evenings for the children attending summer school in the morning. The other week in the mornings for the children who are home during the day. Please pray for the salvation of our children.
On July 17 camp ministry began and will run for 4 weeks. Rev. Mark Evans is giving leadership to the general directorship for camp this year. Please pray for Rev. Evans. It is our prayer that we might be able to sponsor at least 10 children and youths this year. Please pray that the funds will come in to balance the low camp fees with the reality of the true costs of looking after a camper for the week.
Once again, thank you for your partnership and friendship over the years. It is our desire to continue to serve the Lord and live for Him. Pray that God will raise up a new set of men and women to be trained for the ongoing leadership of this church. We need faithful men and women who shall be able to teach others.
In Christ,
Audley and Donna Black