The Wiegolds
Missionaries
to Australia
Sent
out by Ella Grove Baptist Church Glennville GA
Pastor
Dwight Brooks
912-492-9595
cell
March/April 2012
Dear Brethren and Supporters,
I
have heard it said that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your
plans. Well, I believe that as we set
out on our plans for March /April of 2012, that God may have had a wry smile on
His face.
It
has been an ongoing ‘blurr’ for us as we moved from California
to Georgia
to work with Ella Grove, and it has been difficult for us in making the
transition, because our move here is not a permanent one.
We
have been trying to settle in, while at the same time, unpacking, and
re-packing for the upcoming move to Australia (we are developing a ‘phobia’
against boxes).
On
March 10th 2012, Ps. Brooks and I set out on our ‘survey trip’ to Sydney, Australia,
and it didn’t take long for our first glitch to appear. We were flying with very low cost “buddy
passes” (stand-by), courtesy of a dear Pastor friend. It was the start of Spring break, and there
was also “March Madness” basketball mayhem taking place, so subsequently with
‘everybody and their dog’ flying somewhere, we ended up being stranded in Atlanta for three
days. It is a lot more involved than
just these facts, but not pertinent to elaborate on in this report.
We
finally arrived in Sydney,
but our luggage did not. It came the
next day, so that wasn’t too bad. We
stayed in an apartment on the fringe of the city of Sydney, courtesy of my dear friend and
Brother, David Selke, and we made that our base for the bulk of our stay. Our priority was to travel to the South Coast
to an area where we felt that the Lord may be leading us to start a work. There is such a need for good sound doctrinal
churches, that the scope for an area to try to start a work is virtually
boundless.
We spent a few days in the general area,
looking at buildings, ‘denominations’ that were already established there (mainly
Catholic and Anglican), real estate and so forth, and at the end of it all, we
were both fairly perplexed, but honest enough to admit to each other that we
did not feel ‘leading’ of any substance
to a particular area.
After
a time, we both felt a confidence and a peace that we would be coming back to
start a work somewhere, as the need was evident wherever we went. Ps. Brooks stated that it seemed to be
evident to him that the area where we used to live, seemed to be presenting
itself as a definite need and opportunity for a good ‘kick-start’ to a work.
We
were convinced, more than ever, that our ‘survey trip’ was indeed necessary,
and not at all in vain. We do not take lightly the expense, sacrifice, and
logistics involved in such a journey and process, not to mention the physical
strain from such a hectic schedule, but we do want to ensure that we are, to
the best of our knowledge, in the
Lord’s will, not ahead of it, and definitely, not out of it.
We
had some incredible opportunities to witness to my friends and families (mine
and Karen’s), and we had some quality Bible study time with some of those
folks, and we also made several visits to Karen’s brother Wayne, who was in the
hospital at that time, and still is as I write this report. When it came time for Sunday services, we had
tried to set up something of our own with some friends, but that did not
transpire.
On
Saturday evening just before retiring for the night, Bro. Dwight and I
discussed our options for Sunday worship, and we both agreed that while we felt
that two preachers should be able to conduct a ‘decent’ worship service
together, that we would rather attend services at Faith Missionary Baptist
Church, in Cobbitty, about an hour Southwest from where we were staying.
Before
we left the States, I wasn’t even sure if this church was still operating, and
I asked our daughter Karly, who I knew had some contact with folks from that
church, and they assured her that they were still going, and that we were
welcome for services.
We
slipped in quietly, and were warmly welcomed, and blessed by excellent Gospel
messages from Bro. Frank James.
They
have morning service at 11am, a break for refreshments, and then another
service following.
It was during the break in services that we
explained to the folks there that Ella Grove had called me as their Missionary,
and had asked us to consider coming back to Australia to start a work, and that
we were there on a survey trip to ascertain where we felt the Lord was leading. They were very supportive and encouraging,
and were pleased when we said we would definitely be returning for services the
following Sunday. We were both really
blessed and refreshed by services that day.
Bro.
Dwight and I both reflected on the fact that if our plans would have stayed on track, we would have been leaving on
the Saturday, before their next services, but because we were delayed three
days leaving Atlanta,
we delayed our departure date three days, thereby giving us another opportunity
for more spiritual feeding and fellowship with FMBC.
On
Sunday evening, I emailed the Jacksons, members of FMBC (as they were the only
contact we had) to express our appreciation for their warm fellowship, and to
let them know that we were blessed by being in services with them that day. The following evening, Monday, I received an
email from the Jacksons
asking if I would contact them by phone.
I called and spoke to Bro. David Jackson, and he told me that after we
had left services on Sunday, ‘they’ met to discuss the situation concerning me,
and that ‘they’ felt that it was the Lord presenting them with an opportunity
they did not want to pass up. Firstly, I
asked him what he meant by ‘they’ and that if Bro. Frank knew about them
meeting. He told me that Bro. Frank was
present, and that indeed, the meeting was at his suggestion, and also that they
were all in agreement. Secondly, I asked
him if he was talking about a call as Pastor, and he said “yes”. I told him that I was humbled by this, and
that the first thing I needed to do, was to discuss this with my Pastor.
I discussed this development with Bro.
Dwight, and we agreed that we needed to speak with Bro. Frank James, as
although he is not their Pastor, he is their spiritual leader at this
time. We informed the church members
that we would be meeting with Bro. James.
We
then met with Bro. James and his wife, having some very lengthy discussions,
and a great time of fellowship.
Subsequently we agreed for Bro. Dwight and I to preach for them the
following Sunday, and that after services I would make myself available for
questioning by the church and Bro. James, in view of a call as Pastor of
FMBC. Bro. Frank explained to us that
his position was that he had agreed to
stay with FMBC temporarily until they could find a Pastor, and that he
had a burden to move on and start a work
in Western Australia.
This
development really made our ‘heads spin’, as it took us both completely by
surprise, but with much prayer and reflection, we too, felt that the Lord’s
hand was upon it.
I
have had a ‘peripheral involvement’ with this work from its inception, and have
preached for them before, never imagining for a second that the Lord would lead
it to this. Through a series of trials and attacks by Satan, a small number
have remained faithful to the truth, especially embracing Sovereign Grace and
Church Truth, and they are eager to continue to have these truths preached in
their congregation, and in their community.
As
we flew out of Sydney,
we left it all with the Lord, and told FMBC that we would be in fervent prayer,
and that we would wait to hear from them.
Upon
our return, it was Ps. Brooks suggestion that we stay with our original plans
as far as me heading out on deputation, while continuing to pray about where we
would seek to start the work in Australia, as we both had a reinforced
confidence and a peace that the Lord’s will was indeed for us to return there
for His work.
We
were only back from Australia
a few days and then we both travelled to Beverly
Manor Baptist
Church in Washington, Illinois,
where we had been invited by Pastor Mike McCoskey to preach at their annual
conference.
Although
we still hadn’t fully recovered from our trip to Australia (over 18hrs flying
time from Sydney to Atlanta), it was a great opportunity to meet some new
preachers, present the work, and seek
support from churches that we may not have been able to visit
individually.
We
were given several invitations to visit churches and present the work in view
of support, and we are at present, in the process of formulating a deputation
trip to visit both ‘new’ churches, and also churches that already support us to
reinforce our commitment, and bring them up to speed on the latest developments
that the Lord has seen fit to present to us.
Overall, we were well pleased with a very positive response to all
enquiries, and the answers we gave to them, and although deputation is
extremely physically demanding and tiring, we are excited, and looking forward
to working together with those that share the burden of carrying out the Great
Commission with us and Ella Grove.
On
Sunday, April 8th 2012, I received an email from FMBC stating that
at a meeting of their members, they had voted unanimously to issue a call for
me to be their Pastor. I informed my
Pastor of this development, and replied to FMBC that I was truly humbled, and
that we would be in fervent prayer to seek the Lord’s will in this matter.
At
a subsequent meeting of Ella Grove’s
Mission committee, when presented with these facts by the Pastor, the men
were very positive, very supportive and encouraging to me personally, viewing
this development as an opportunity from the Lord for us to continue to work
together to bring honor and glory to His Name. One of the men even stated that after not
having their own Missionary for a hundred years, it was the greatest result
that any church could have hoped for, after only one ‘missionary journey’.
On
Sunday, April 22nd 2012, Pastor Dwight Brooks preached a message
from Matthew 15:21-28, concerning
the woman that came to the Lord to heal her daughter. The message touched my heart, and made me
realize that it is all about the Lord Jesus Christ, and that our faith and trust
is in Him, and Him alone. After the
message, quietly, and without any fuss, or speaking to anyone, I moved forward
to the altar, where I ‘fell on my face’ and surrendered to the call that the
Lord had given me to become Pastor of FMBC.
Much, much, fervent prayer and counsel, watered with tears, had gone
into the struggle that ended at the altar on my face that Sunday.
After
informing my Pastor the next day, I contacted FMBC to inform them of my
acceptance to the call, and they responded with great joy and excitement, and
thanksgiving to God.
We
certainly do have mixed emotions right now, as we have grown to honestly love
our church family here at Ella Grove, and Karen and I have discussed how
incredibly difficult it will be to leave here when that time comes, but we also
know that we will savor every moment that we have together while we are still
here. We have truly fallen in love with Georgia, our
home in the Pecan orchard, and our church (but not the GNATS), and since
arriving here we have been showered with love, affection and encouragement by
the dear Brethren here at Ella Grove.
We
are so pleased and thankful that the Lord has used this church to bring about
His will in our lives, and we know that He will abundantly bless them for their
faithfulness, and willingness by prayer in seeking His will in all situations
presented to them, and we are thankful that the expression has been that we
will still have support from Ella Grove.
We
pray that those that have continued to support us, and Ella Grove’s efforts,
will rejoice, as we have, at these latest developments that the Lord has blessed
us with, and continue with us in excitement and in prayer, seeking only to
serve Him more fully, and to glorify His name in everything we do.
At
this time we are still in need of
additional financial support from other churches, at least until FMBC can
become self supportive, as the membership right now is made up of five members,
with regular non-member visitors. We also are all agreed that very little has
changed from our initial endeavors in going out from Ella Grove to start
churches in Australia.
Our
goal would still be to continue to carry out mission work, and that FMBC will
be a solid and established base for this effort. This point is clear and
understood by both Ella Grove and FMBC.
The members of FMBC have stated that they
are excited and looking forward to renewing efforts in reaching out to
surrounding areas in an effort for us to build up within, so that we may reach
those without.
On
the home front, we ask that you would pray for Karen, as we had a ride in the
ambulance to the emergency room in the early hours of the morning last Tuesday.
She was diagnosed with gallstones, and is being monitored by our ‘church
doctor’.
At
the moment it is not deemed necessary to have her gall bladder removed, and we
are praying that a dietary adjustment will see her through this.
Please contact us should you have any
questions, and please keep us, Pastor Dwight Brooks, and Ella Grove in your
prayers.
In His Service
Elder Gordon Wiegold
Missionary-Ella Grove Baptist
Church
Glennville, Georgia
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