Gila Christian Ranch - Recent Prayer Letters

Remembering what God has done
Let us not grow weary in well-doing. Sometimes it seems we sacrifice so much for so little. When faith struggles in the long winter night, it's a good time to pull out those little notes campers write at the end of a camp week. Here's one from our last camp that still touches me deeply: "This camp is the best thing that happened to me. The preaching is great and I'm so lucky to have got another experience to come here and learn even more about God and how to serve him. I made so many friends this year and I just wish I didn't have to say goodbye so soon and wait a whole year to see them again. If only camp was two weeks each. Maybe next year I can help out. Well, thanks A LOT for camp. I feel so safe here. It's my home, and my favorite place in the whole wide world! Thanks for your camp. A Gila Christian Ranch Camper..."

The looming battle
I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm always engaged in spiritual warfare. (Does not the Bible teach so?) Come June, when our 2010 summer program begins, the conflict will erupt full scale. Yieldedness now, prayer now, planning now, is the secret of a victorious summer ministry. Would you join with us, now?! How, where, when, might you or your church be used to win the battle of summer camp ministry at Gila Christian Ranch? Work groups, youth camp counselors, and construction funds are needed. In my last prayer letter I mentioned three important facility needs: 1) Kitchen improvements, 2) Cabin replacements for tepees, and 3) Completion of the bathroom and laundry addition on the pavilion. I await God's timing and financial provision. Keep these things on your prayer list.

Quick Praises
Thank God for vehicle and equipment repairs this winter. Praise Him for returning staff members and churches, for the ability to pay bills and--most of all--his work in the hearts of young and old at Gila Christian Ranch. Precious souls have been rescued from the fire. Oh, that our 2010 harvest would be greater than ever!

The neglected mission field
Since the advent of Christ, no nation has generated as much missions outreach and been so mightily used of God as the United States. Of course, credit lies not with the government, but with fundamental, Bible-believing churches across our land. For them, priority has long lain with foreign church planting efforts. Now, with Christian character faltering, sin abounding, and churches in decline, many admit the strong need for domestic missions. Populations in our region of ministry--Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas--are surging, while the community of born-again believers seems shrinking. Gila Christian Ranch is a rare ministry--one which labors to strengthen local Baptist churches and foster revival in the southwest. If our nation is to be rescued from its spiritual malaise, Christians must support the men and ministries who remain steadfast in these apostate times. If you have time to read this prayer letter you have time to utter an earnest, effectual prayer. Beg God's help for our ministry and our nation. Take courage, an earnest and prayerful heart affords more power than a large bank account or the most prestigious diploma!

Until I write again, or see you at camp, or in heaven,
Randy Rhodes

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