Two Lick Baptist is on a hill…a big one. John Greene graciously parked us by his shop which was across the valley and creek. We could see the church steeple from our door through the trees. Pastor and Mrs. Duvall graciously hosted us each day with fabulous meals from Joann’s kitchen or some of the member’s. One man, Ron, woke early one morning at 3AM to prepare a surprise vegetable medley dish.

What a great spirit pervaded the services. Through prayer and invitation many visitors came during the week and several returned nightly. Lots of seeds were planted and time will reveal the fruit of the Lord’s reviving work in hearts.

Two 11 yr. old boys, Austin and Kyle, joined our brass with their baritones. Both their mothers added their musical talents too. We look forward to a continuing relationship with these wonderful folks. From the spirit, the fellowship, and the food, “delicious” says it well.

The Men’s Recharge at Pennwood Bible Camp this weekend was tremendous. I had the privilege of preaching 3 times about biblical manhood and how to live it out today. Director Byron Brooks also showed a David Barton video called “America’s Godly Heritage.” It’s a powerful documentary that every God-loving American should see…soon!

The men shot rifles, bows and pistols, played ping pong, shuffleboard, field hockey, basketball, football, scaled the climbing wall, walked trails and had a great time. Regina Brooks and her kitchen helpers prepared several fabulous meals, including home-made apple and cherry pies.

One of my new friends, Larry Reddinger, shared how God gave him victory over his habit of smoking and how he used his “smoking money” to purchase a violin, (which he willingly played for the Lord and the men as I accompanied him.) What a blessing!

Scaling the Rock Wall at Pennwood Bible Camp is an exciting adventure. Chijah and I both took the challenge. The climbing, the rappelling…and the return to the ground created a healthy sense of accomplishment, but it was at the top that I truly acknowledged how this success occurred. Without the harness, rope and anchor of Allison and Eric Brooks, (thanks!) my feat would have been done with different emotion-fear and trembling. ?

Life can be that way also. Too seldom do we reflect on the Source of our security-God. Without Him we would fail often or maybe refuse to try. Many do. With Him, life is an exhilarating experience. We just pray and put one foot ahead of the other while He holds us securely.

Do you feel like “climbing the wall” sometimes on your own? Why not let God hang on to you. He’s waiting now for your invitation. Accept His help today.

Malchijah became an American settler for a few minutes by this remote cabin at PBC. Can’t wait to return to live out the dream…at least for a night or two!

A little twist. “The more you Kohls, the more you know” about our sad world. We stopped in the other day to find the boys some dress shoes and this shirt greeted us at the front door. No wonder our world is disintegrating. We desperately need help beyond ourselves. We need Christ!

We, as Americans, are so blessed! Near an Outlet Mall in southern Ohio off I-71 these flags wave against the grandeur of God’s sky reminding us of His goodness and America’s greatness. We must not allow the winds of change to send us off course any further. Stand firm, get involved and pray, pray, pray! Our future and our children’s is at stake.

As Patsy Clairmont wrote, “Normal is just a setting on your dryer. Nothing else is normal.” Preacher David Ring, who has cerebral palsy says, “So you think you’re normal. Ha! What’s normal?”

My friend, Dr. Corey Bane, and the staff of Grace Baptist in Delaware, OH are anything but normal. They believe in doing the right thing and doing things right… because they believe! These first-class servants of God demonstrated that in multiple ways this week to us.

Little things matter at GBC and consequently big things are happening! Over the last 7 years we have watched GBC outgrow its old facility and move down Rt. 37 into their beautiful new complex.

You really do have to see it to believe it. The church has a thriving bus ministry, a Reformers Unanimous addictions program, a Christian School, a God-honoring music program with choirs, orchestra and excellent musicians, hot, head-on Bible preaching and a heart for people. I’ve heard people say “you can’t do it that way anymore!”

Well, GBC in Delaware is and it’s working. Strong Bible preaching, soul-winning, good music and love still work. Check it out for yourself. Take a vacation to central Ohio and get in on a service at Grace. I’m telling you, your dryer setting cannot compare!

Pastor Bane and the AV staff put together a 6 minute video tribute to my deceased father that encouraged us all.
The work at Grace is the closest I’ve seen in years to the kind of thriving fundamental ministry my father built at Bethel Baptist in Savannah, OH from ’63-’85. Please don’t take my word for it. Check it out!

Lots of folks are involved. Brothers Moore and Valentine headed up the showering of us with baskets of fresh veggies, fruit and honey and even a roll of quarters for our laundry needs.

We poured ourselves out through drama, teaching, music, preaching and interaction with the wonderful people at Grace, but as always we came away rejuvenated. It’s funny how that works!

Please don’t take my word for it. Get to Grace yourself. Then go home and duplicate it. I’m telling you it’s not normal…it’s better!

Please pray that God will raise up more works with the fire and fervency of this one. Keep it up Grace!

“Only God!” That’s the only way to explain it. You can’t even make up stories like this. The hand of God is so powerful, so prevalent and so praise-worthy, we can only marvel at His ways! This is the way He works!

After a tremendously rewarding week with our loving friends at Shelby Bible Church in Shelby Township, MI, we traveled south of Detroit last Friday on I-75 at about 68 mph (Don’t worry, speed limit was 70). We made it almost to Toledo when BANG! the left side front fifth wheel tire blew out! Our kids had left the church earlier with Grandma Merrill (who was hauling the VBS Trailer with her motorhome) and were several miles ahead so I had to change the tire myself while the ongoing traffic zoomed by just a few feet (mine!) away. (How grateful I am for my boys who usually grab the tire iron to flex their muscles and how I missed them this time.)

We searched for another tire enroute to Ohio but these 14-ply tires are hard to come by and we were unsuccessful. I resolved to deal with it at our next church on Monday.

The next day, after a family reunion in Ohio on Saturday, we drove toward Youngstown, OH for our next VBS worker’s meeting. About 10 miles from our destination, BANG! the left rear fifth wheel tire blew out, ripped off the fender skirt and bent the wheel rim! Without a spare we had to crawl 1.5 miles to the next exit. Gratefully, God put a Trailer Store there but it was Saturday night and the parking lot was empty except for one truck. As we crawled into the lot flapping the shattered rubber and cords of our second blow-out, two men emerged closing the gate and preparing to leave. It was 5:30! With my truck still running, I quickly ran over and asked if they could direct me toward some help. They said “No!” The shop was closed and they were leaving.

I asked if they might have a tire I could buy, borrow or rent (?) to make it to the church. One man left and returned rolling a “like new” tire that matched our wheel: wrong ply but right size. He said, “I don’t have a wheel but if you can use the tire, go ahead. Just bring it back(?) or call me Monday to square up. The shop’s closed!”

He didn’t even know my name!

Shocked, I said, “Sure! Praise the Lord!”

The men left and my boys extracted the wheel from Friday’s blow-out and loaded the “new” tire and wheel in Grandma Merrill’s motor home and VBS trailer which she hauls. Randal and I rode with Grandma Merrill to the TA Truck Stop at the next exit (5 miles down Rt. 80). All this had happened so fast that when we arrived I realized I had left my keys in the truck back at the Trailer Store and my boys had the keys to the VBS trailer! We called the crew back at the fifth wheel and had them disconnect our “house” from the truck. They met us at the truck stop and we dropped off the “free-to-use” tire and wheel for mounting. (The Truck Stop is open all night!)

Then we scurried with the truck to the church and arrived five minutes late (6:35). The boys parked the truck and I ran up the steps into the audtorium where the workers were seated and I promptly started the meeting.

After the meeting, Marc and I drove back to the Truck Stop to pick up and pay for our newly mounted “free-to-use” tire. The attendant rolled the tire out and I said “Thanks!” but there was no bill! I went back in to question the clerk about the cost and he said, “Come see us again some time!” I said, “I hope not, but thanks so much. God is so good!” So far – cost = $0.

We drove back to the Trailer store where our jacked up fifth wheel sat alone in a huge parking lot. We changed the wheel and drove to the church and parked for Sunday. It was 10:30 PM.

The next morning in Sunday School I shared how God met our need and a man said to me afterward, “I’m John. I’m your guy now! I’ll take care of everything!” All I could say was, “OK.”

Monday morning, I called the Trailer Store to square up my “free-to-use” tire. The mechanic said “I was going to get $40 out of that spare, but just make it $30!”

I was shouting, “Glory!” when a tire salesman I had called Friday after the first blown tire phoned. He said, “I’ve found a tire for you. It will be $381 plus tax!” I quickly calculated 2 tires at that rate at $762 and said, “Thanks for checking, but the Lord is working things out a different way!”

That’s where John stepped in and put his gifts to work. He said, “I could never be a preacher, but this is what I can do for God!” Tears welled up in my eyes as I thanked God for all the dear servants, like him, who have used their gifts to minister to us over the years.

A lot more happened, but let me say quickly that we didn’t ask anyone but God about our need. Thanks to John and Larry and Karen and our good friends at Niles First Baptist, by Friday morning, our bent rim had been straightened and fitted with a new tire, the VBS trailer had 2 new tires, funds had been given to replace the “free-to-use” tire and the alignment on the trailers had been checked. Amazingly, with peace of mind, new rubber and a grateful heart, we pulled out right on schedule headed to Delaware, OH.

We, once again, stand in awe at the magnificient guiding hand of our all-powerful God. After 20 years of these kinds of experiences you will never convince me or my family that God is not real!

I can’t tell you that I have begun praying for blow-outs, but this life is so exciting, I can only thank God for every trial. It betters us! Whether mechanical, physical or spiritual, be sure to see His hand in every detail of your life. Once again, this is where the rubber meets the road!

Blown away by the goodness of God and His people,
Randy Merrill and the MET

Donna Merrill, has inspired many with her true life story of Rachel Saint this summer. Donna’s connection with Rachel in 1970 and energetic presentation caused many young people to reconsider God’s will for their lives. She also taught a session on Bible Marking using her booklet as guide. You might be interested in knowing more about this method to energize your Bible Study and help you remember God’s precious truth. If so, please contact her through this site.

God produces the gorgeous, colorful, and delicious varieties of fruit. We love it all! This tray brought by some of our friends at First Baptist in Niles reminded us of the lives God has called us to. We pray that we will continue to “bear much fruit” for His glory. Join us.

We celebrated our Anniversary today with the help of our Shelby, MI friends. Bonnie Stroven and the church staff made the day a memorable occasion with assistance in flowers, special dining and activities. Pastor Matt Hendrigsman took the Team (minus Tricia and me – who spent some time together delightfully!) racing cars, playing putt putt and bungee jumping. Even Grandma Merrill, at 74, took the plunge. We arrived back at the church in time to prepare for the big Closing VBS program. Tricia and I reflected on the first days, months and years of our marriage in Michigan and rejoiced with many of the people who helped us get going in those formative years.

Our friends, Dick and Lois Pifer, surprised us with a breakfast special. The Pifers have built a Michigan business that makes airplane parts (generators and alternators) and honors God. They faithfully serve in their church and are now serving as AWANA reps. Regardless of age, they always find ways to get involved and build others up. We have had the privilege of their friendship since 1992. They are a modern day Aquila and Priscilla and an example to all of the true meaning of the word “edify.”

Some people ask why certain churches appear on our itinerary every two or three years. The answer is simple. These churches have observed that our ministry creatively and enthusiastically presents Truth that strengthens the family, and seeks to win souls for Christ through biblical teaching and example. Currently 11 church families consider the Merrill Evangelistic Team part of their missionary outreach. This is a huge help.

Our God-given duty is similar to the work of Barnabas who in Acts 11 was sent out by the church in Jerusalem.

1. He transported the Gospel to both Jews and Greeks beyond their borders.
2. He exhorted the saints “and that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord.”
3. He reported to the sending church.

This we have done for 20 years…with our family. We do not ask for financial support knowing that God always supplies our needs, but we certainly do appreciate the churches who have partnered with us.

Though many have expressed their amazement for the ministry gifts God has given us to perform this task, I admit that I am not very good as a self-promoter. Our goal has always been and still is to make Christ known. This we will continue to do as long as doors are open.

Thanks for your prayers and concern. Already this summer we have seen over 50 decisions for Christ plus numerous other commitments. Would you pray for further outreach to be possible?

This week we received an invitation to do some extensive teacher training in Spain. In 2012 we plan to minister and encourage several church plants in the west as well as try to keep up with our already loaded schedule, and write new VBS programs, sermons and music. We cannot do it alone. Keeping up with the thousands of contacts is becoming increasingly tougher. Please consider praying daily for God to direct us so His will can be accomplished best.

Pastor Randy Newcomer and the folks at the great Central Baptist Church in Canton put everything into a powerful week of VBS. Attendance grew to over 200. Several trusted Christ. Workers pulled together and God blessed our efforts.

A group of teens also pitched in to help and be instructed. It appears that God is working in many of their hearts.

We also celebrated the 49th birthday of staff member Carl Baltzly. Carl is an amazing servant of God, who faithfully over the years has fixed and driven buses, maintained the church property, led music, taught classes and raised his active family for God. We are privileged to serve with such men of God.

One afternoon in Millersburg, OH I took the boys to a driving range to hit some golf balls. They peppered balls all over the course and drove some a “mile.” When I arrived home I noticed a bulge in my pocket and extracted a range ball that I evidently put there while getting some tees. Now miles away, this became my “honesty ball.” I justified that I had paid enough for the buckets of balls we hit and that this ball was not that expensive…so I put it in an envelope and mailed it back to the Golf Course. Stealing is always wrong. I slept well that night!