1948 Serving the Lord 2011
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Newsletter Updated: 04/01/2012
| News Articles:
/ Counseling Corner / Archived Counseling Corner / / Why
I Serve On Bethel's Board of Directors
/
/ Bethel T-Shirts / Bethel Staff /
20/20 VISION
We always say that hindsight is 20/20. Well, when I look at this promotion through 20/20 vision, I believe the Lord’s sovereign hand has been orchestrating this all along. Prov. 16:9 teaches us that, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (NKJ) My mother would testify to you that it was no coincident that she overheard a lawyer speak of 7 men that he had sent to a Christian program in NC at about the same time I was ready to surrender. It was fairly unique that the day I checked into Bethel they asked me to work in the office. I declined; but I ended up working in there anyway. Working in the office played a remarkable part in my spiritual growth. My wife would testify to you that in the same year after she got sick with pneumonia she rededicated her life to Jesus and started spending her weekends with her aunt and grandparents to be mentored. Well, as she was spending time with her grandparents, I needed to come back to Bethel and I stayed for 9 months where I had the privilege to serve as a volunteer in the office as Office Assistant. That time put me around Pastor Paul, Mama El and Stacy a lot. That led to me getting some “grandpa talks” and Stacy some “grandma talks”. We all know what that led to - look at the picture. A wonderful family!! We have now been married for 12 years!! PTL! During my time at Bethel I really was seeking God for His direction and in doing that I just fell in love with studying Scripture. One Sunday Pastor Loss was preaching a message called “But God”. The Holy Spirit hit me with this Scripture, 2 Cor 4:18; “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (NKJ) And I felt the Spirit of God say; “You have been focused on the temporary too long. It is now time to get about an eternal business.” My immediate response was “Yes, Lord.” And then He said, “Go to school.” And my immediate response was “Yes, Lord.” Then my after-thought was, “go to school? Lord, don't you remember my grades?" 1 Cor 1:27, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…" (NKJ) In spite of my high school grades, I still felt like the Lord was leading me to school eventhough I couldn’t understand why He wanted me to go or how I could pay for anything like that. But I had been seeking and I wanted to be obedient. After discussing this with Pastor Loss he gave me a verse to hang on to; 1 Thes 5:24; “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (NKJ) I hung on to that verse with all the faith I knew. And guess what? God answered! One of my good friends could testify of the first time I preached. It had to be from God because his expression of me before that day was; “Sometimes I’d rather talk to a brick wall because you just don’t have anything to say.” Well, as the Lord has been teaching me about His call on my life, He has given me something to say! I asked the Lord what kind of preacher He wanted me to be and He gave me Isa 40:9; “O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” (NKJ) So I try to live up to what the Lord has called me to do. As far as paying for school, my father could testify to you that while he was in the hospital I called and told him that I believed Jesus was leading me to go to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute. I asked my father to pray for the tuition because the only way I was going to be able to go was if the Lord provided the way. You’ll never guess, but after we got off the phone someone came in and visited my father in the hospital and he shared with them what I was doing and they offered to pay for all my schooling. And, they did! All the way through FBBI and my studies at the College at Southeastern! PTL! While Stacy and I were at these colleges we had a great opportunity to do ministry in many different places. Those times helped us grow in seeing the Lord’s provision, learning to witness to others, seeking the Lord in prayer together, raising our family as we helped other families, and I could go on - how He has developed us into the team we are today. Another person that could testify to the Lord’s divine call on my life is Pastor Loss. I was invited to come spend a week at Bethel (while on school break) to learn about Bethel’s deliverance ministry. I came and at that time it seemed to be put on Don’s heart to consider me as a minister at Bethel. As Pastor Ritchie and Pastor Loss prayed, they were lead to call me. As a result of that call, Stacy and I sought the Lord and the peace of God. He gave us the confirmation through scripture and now we have been on staff at Bethel for 9 years. PTL! In these last 9 years I have had the opportunity to work under the guidance of Pastor Ritchie’s 26 years of experience at Bethel and Pastor Loss’s 28 years of experience here and, for a time, the late Pastor Charles Blackwell’s 12 years of experience here. One of the greatest gifts that Jesus has given me is a teachable spirit and I have tried to be a sponge to what these men have had to offer. That helped me when I was working in the project office and in the construction of the Worship Center. I grew by helping Pastor Loss with developing the deliverance ministry when his voice was down for a season. When Pastor Charles Blackwell went to Brazil, I had to learn how to run Bethel’s Dispensary. I have been overseeing the office operations for some time now. I have also developed, with the pastors’ guidance, many procedures, policies, and new ways to make Bethel better. I say all this to say that I believe the Lord has been leading me to this place. I must admit it took me a while to see it. I had limited the Lord. I did it when I came to Bethel for help. I just wanted to get off drugs. Well, He did that and a whole lot more! I limited Him when I volunteered. I just wanted to give back and seek Him. Well, I did that, but He gave me a call and a beautiful wife. I limited Him when I came to work at Bethel. I wanted to preach and lead people to Jesus. Well, I do that, but He has trained me for even higher leadership. He has given me my greatest friends and family through Bethel. He has allowed me to serve on the Board of Directors. My Children receive the benefit of the anointing on this place and being raised around their great-grandparents. He has given my son Johnny opportunity to volunteer here and learn about ministry at Bethel and now God has called him and he has been accepted into Bible College. About
3 years ago a friend pulled me aside and said; “Everyone
else sees your call, when are you going to I would hope that this is not only exciting for me and my family, but also for those who support Bethel. You are the ones who have prayed and believed that Jesus is not done with the men that are in bondage that He brings to Bethel. So, you give and you send and you pray. Thank you so much for your overwhelming love and support. As the new Executive Director of Bethel Colony, I commit to the Lord and to you to keep doing what we have been doing: Seeking, listening, and saying “Yes” to the Lord. We will continue to lift Jesus’ name above every name. We will continue to hold true to His Word. We will continue to fulfill the mission that God has called Bethel to fulfill. To teach men who are bound by addictions, the good news of Jesus Christ, so that they may be free from the bondage of sin in this life, and experience eternal salvation though faith in the work of the Cross of Christ. And to do that we need for you to continue to pray for Bethel, our staff and the men in the program every time the Lord brings it to your heart. We need for you to continue to be the faithful givers that you have been, so that we may continue to share hope in dark times. I am where I am today because of the love of Jesus and the giving of the saints.
Rev.Paul Pruitt
Over the past 9 years, it has also been our privilege to work closely with Pastor Paul and Stacy Pruitt. When Paul returned to Bethel the 3rd time, I was his counselor. I have never seen any man more humble than Paul Pruitt when he returned to Bethel that last time. Because of that attitude of humility and brokenness, God was able to do a mighty work in that young man. He has fit in so beautifully in the preaching, teaching, counseling and deliverance ministries at Bethel. Stacy also has a heart tender toward the Lord and His ministry at Bethel. Her gifts are a great benefit to the overall workings of Bethel. It is obvious to us that God has put an anointing on this couple to continue the great ministry He has raised up at Bethel Colony “for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:14b) We look forward to continuing to work with them and the Ritchies in the years ahead. Don
and Cathi Loss “For
the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans
11:29
God
Is Good! Amen!
It
is now 26 years later and it has been a great experience
to see the hand of God on our lives and the life of this ministry.
There were 12 men at Bethel when we arrived. We have seen a lot
of growth in the student body (number-wise and hunger for God),
but also in the facilities, equipment, staff and program - especially
in the area of dealing with the enemy. (Ephesians
6:10-19) Bethel’s
program is more organized and disciplined now in both the students
and the administration. However, we have not arrived in
all that Bethel can become. Our efforts will always be to strive
to make Bethel better as the Lord is leading which is to reach
as many as possible with the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bethel
Colony is not a rehabilitation center! It is a transformation
center. God wants to transform all of us into the image of Jesus
which is into His likeness so that we are doing the same things
as He did. Only not through ourselves, He will still be doing
the same thing but through us. (John
14: 12-14) This
is a tall order! But, if He said it, then through full
assurance, faith, we can see it happen. We have seen
some marvelous things happen at Bethel Colony, but the best to
be is still ahead of us! There
are many things that I have wanted to do but have not had the
chance because of the wide areas that I had to try to cover.
In order to move forward with our plans to expand to 100 men and
to reach out through media, the next executive director must have
someone to cover some of these w-i-d-e and various areas. That
is why I will still be overseeing some areas such as new building
planning and building maintenance of our present facilities as
well as other areas. You might say “operations manager”. As
the new executive director, Paul Pruitt will
continue some of his current responsibilities as well as take
on new duties and keep Bethel moving into the future as God reveals
His plans for Bethel to reach as many as possible for the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ. As
senior pastor, I will continue to teach, preach and mentor
students and staff that express a desire to grow deeper and beyond
our set program. For the present time I will continue
to be the Corporation President. Eldora and I will continue to
do the Thursday evening service and be on duty on Saturdays. As
the Lord leads we will keep you informed. As I said in the beginning,
God Is Good! And, he has done so many
great things on this hill called Bethel Colony. To God be the
glory and may His enemies be scattered. I am glad to report that
He is not finished. We are looking for greater things
yet to come. Praise the Lord that the world may see the
greatness of God, the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Eldora
and I thank all who have supported us with prayers and gifts for
this ministry these last 26 years. We know that you did
so as unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I can assure you
that Bethel will continue to keep Him first in all that we continue
to do at Bethel Colony. Please keep Pastor Paul and Stacy Pruitt
in your prayers. Eldora and I have the peace of God that
they are His choice for this time and place.
Paul &
Eldora Ritchie Testimony
of God's Grace I
am very thankful for the opportunity to share my testimony in
this edition of Bethel’s newsletter. This newsletter marks
the new transition of Bethel Colony. I am grateful to have learned
from some of the greatest Godly men I personally know. Pastors
Paul Pruitt, Paul Ritchie, and Don Loss have poured their lives
into many broken souls, and I am blessed to be one of them.
I
came to Bethel Colony back in 2009. My circumstance was a little
different than most. Having been incarcerated for 9 months,
I was still in the court system. During my period of incarceration
a man placed a Bible in my jail cell. The first page I opened
was the beginning of Lamentations 3. At that moment I asked
Jesus Christ to forgive my sins and be my personal Savior. I
began reading the Bible and during that time something just
clicked. My brain started to rewind and I began to see all the
times God had tried to get my attention in the past. I began
reflecting on my grandfather’s life and how peaceful and
content he was with his life. My
grandfather was, is, and will always be my best friend. On Sundays
growing up he always made sure I tagged along with him to church.
After I began college, I would drive down on the weekends and
summers and spend time with him. On Sunday mornings he would
come to my room and knock on my door and yell “Church!”
I would struggle to get out of bed, because most of the time
I would party the night before. As time went by, drugs and alcohol
started to a take a toll on my life. As a good grandpa would,
he still knocked on the bedroom door, but I began to ignore
the knock. What I didn’t realize, what I know today, is
that it was God who was trying to knock on my heart. Throughout
my college years I became involved with many immoral things.
I began using drugs and alcohol on a regular basis. You always
hear about addictions, but I said the same thing everyone says;
“That will never be me.” Well it was me. Growing
up I lost my mother for a number of years because of her addiction.
I remember being so mad at her for not being involved with my
life. I watched her life crumble at a young age and I always
said that it wouldn’t happen to me. But, it did. The thing
I know now is that I allowed it to. By the grace of God, I have
my mother in my life now and I am thankful for the person she
has become. She has been sober for over a decade!!!!!! While
at Bethel Colony I began to grow with God every day. Pastor
Pruitt was my counselor and whatever he told me to do I made
sure I did it. One day I walked in his office and told him I
was called to be a pastor. He never said to me that I couldn’t
do it or that I shouldn’t do it, instead he said; “okay”.
In the weeks following he did everything he could to help me
with my calling. He even allowed me to leave Bethel Colony for
a visit to a Bible college. The funny thing is, it was his alma
mater - Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute!!! The minute I stepped
foot on campus, I knew I was called to be there. Pastor Pruitt
helped me to get the ball rolling and by the time April came
I was enrolled as a full-time student. Fruitland is such a blessing
for my life. God has provided financial assistance through an
anonymous donor, for whom I am so thankful. Currently I am serving
on staff at Mud Creek Baptist Church and I’m so thankful
for the opportunity. I’m learning more stuff every day.
Bethel
Colony is a vessel that God used to mold me. I love preaching
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If Jesus can take my life and use
it for His glory, He can do it for anyone. I have a year left
at Fruitland and then I plan on going to seminary. I love education
and learning about the Word of God. Bethel Colony will always
have special place in my heart. When you see Brother Paul Pruitt
please congratulate him for me. Pastor Pruitt is one obedient
soul to the Spirit of God. I’m very happy for what God
is doing in his life. May God bless him in everything he does.
He is my mentor, friend, and my Brother-in-Christ. Testimony
from Facebook Counseling
Corner
Reverend Don Loss The
Name of Jesus As
I talk with students at Bethel, I am confronted with the secular
teachings of other drug and substance abuse facilities
that many of them have been through. These facilities may have
a religious aspect to them which will mention God in one form
or another. They may even have a requirement of repentance for
the good of the counselee. The terminology
I hear repeatedly that is being used at many of these facilities
is; “disease”, “confessing to being an addict”,
and the most common term brought over from these facilities is:
“recovery”. One
term that stands out as missing
at most of these facilities is the name of Jesus. When Peter and
John healed the lame man in the
name of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, the
rulers, elders and scribes were offended. In an attempt to prevent
further miracles they threatened Peter and John and commanded
them to speak to no man in this
name. (Acts
4:17) And so we have it today. There is an attempt to give
people help but it is without power. “For
the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to those being saved it is the power of God.”
(I
Corinthians 1:16) The
Apostle Paul writes in Romans
1:16; “For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jews first and also
for the Greeks.” And, in Acts
4:12 we read; “Nor
is there salvation in any other, for there is no name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus
has come not only to save our souls, but all those taken captive
by the power of sin. Whether the sin is lust, alcohol, drugs,
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, envy, jealousies, etc., (Galatians
5:19-21), Jesus has come to set us free from the captivity
of sin. We should never confess an addiction as identity of who
we are. The Scriptures warn us of this in Matthew
12:37; “For by your
words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
And, may I proclaim another truth of the gospel? According to
Romans
9:22, without the shedding of blood there is no remission
of sin. Atonement for our sins is accomplished only through the
blood of Jesus as written in Colossians.
1:13-14; “He has delivered
us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom
of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins.” How
can one get help with saving grace if he is not told about or
not allowed to mention the name of Christ? Or, how will the one
who repents of his sins receive forgiveness if the atonement for
one’s sins can only be made by the shed blood of Christ
at the cross? It is only by God’s Word that men may be sanctified.
In John
17:17, Jesus prays concerning His disciples;
“Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth.”
And where do we find truth? In God’s
Word! And how are we changed? By God’s Word! It is the Word
of God that will make effectual change in a believer. It is the
means for training believers in order to be “rooted
and built up in Him and established in the faith as you have been
taught.” (Colossians
2:7) One recovers from his sins by repentance. Then he trains
as a disciple of Jesus Christ in order to “walk in Him”.
(Col.2:6) Bethel
Colony is a transformation center. We rescue men from the bondage
of sin by preaching Christ and Him crucified. Men
are made new creations in Christ Jesus; old things have passed
away; behold, all things become new. (II
Corinthians 5:17) They are then saturated with the message
of Christ and discipled in Christ. We do not speak of recovery
but of “pressing on, that
[you] may lay hold of Christ, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward.” (Phil.
3:12-13) We preach, teach, and counsel Christ and His Word. If
you want help with your life, you must get to Christ and His Word.
You must get involved in a local
church where grace flourishes in the fellowship of believers.
Find someone who can lead you to Christ and disciple you in His
Word. On
a recent Sunday morning my wife, Cathi, led us in worship with
a song titled; “Jesus, What
A Beautiful Name!” One of the lines in that
song is; “grace that blows
all fear away”. Oh, Jesus IS the answer
for our lives. Grace IS dispersed to uphold, strengthen, encourage
and comfort us. And, that is the follow up program for all that
come through Bethel Colony’s program. Get into a local Bible
believing church…where the
grace blows…. A recipient
of that marvelous grace,
Bethel T-shirts are now available ! ! Support
Bethel Colony by making a donation of $15.00 per shirt ordered
and wearing it to share with others the life-changing power of
Jesus Christ! We have
both men’s and women’s shirts available. To find
sizes and styles, click here to goto the
store link What is my purpose for serving on Bethel’s
Board of Directors? That is a very good question! I pray daily for Bethel’s staff
and students - especially for the students; that their lives would
be restored through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. Having been addicted to alcohol myself, I know
what it means to hit rock bottom and to live a hell on earth.
Only one who has experienced this type of life can relate to these
statements. I thank God for Bethel Colony and the
staff who work there to restore the lives and souls of the lost
who come to Bethel seeking a new life and purpose for them while
on earth. However, after making these statements and facts,
I also know that I know I’m not giving my potential and
best at Bethel. Besides serving on the Board of Directors, I give
some tithe, material goods and clothing to Bethel, but that is
not enough. Due to my employment situation, I’m subject
to open and close a retail store at different times, seven days
a week, which makes it difficult for me to spend more quality
time at Bethel. It is my wish that you would pray for
me to follow God’s direction in order that I may better
serve Bethel Colony for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
Amen. William “Bill”
Shepherd For
more info about our current staff members, check out our new link: Paul and Eldora Ritchie, the Staff, & Students
Thanks for praying for us . . . Let us pray
for you
Contact Us at Bethelcolony@charter.net Bethel
Colony of Mercy is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, gifts
to which are deductible as charitable contributions for Federal
income tax purposes. Financial information about this organization
and a copy of it’s license is available from the State Solicitation
Licensing Branch at (919) 733-4510. The license is not an endorsement
by the State. |
see it?” So after seeking the Lord and making sure this
is what he wants Stacy and I to do, we say; “Yes,
Lord.” I have learned to not limit God in
what He can do. I heard the president of a college make this statement;
“Have no small dreams here.” Amen.
Cathi
and I have been privileged to work closely
with Pastor Paul and Eldora Ritchie at Bethel Colony for
the past 26 years. As you know, God’s
anointing has been on this couple for the ministry here at Bethel
and He has blessed Bethel greatly through the gifts and talents
of these two godly people.
