FFM Online Newsletter - May, 2007

The month of May began with more goodbyes as we put Leah on a plane to Taiwan to visit Rebekah for 17 days! It was a forlorn group who left the Hunstville airport and headed home to Decatur without our little "angel". We enjoyed a Wednesday night service at our home church, and then enjoyed the mighty preaching of the Word at First Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, AL the rest of the week. Pastor Jeff Noblitt and his wife, Pam, have been friends for over 20 years, and have such a heart for God. We left that Saturday for Pontotoc, MS where we enjoyed the homecoming services at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Pastor David Barnette. That evening, we drove over to Watchman Baptist Church in Thaxton, MS to sing and preach and enjoyed the company of Pastor Wayne Logan and his family.
They are like family to us!

Before we took of for Push, TN, we breezed through the Memphis Zoo once again....one of our favorites! We then were blessed by the good preaching at the Calvary Baptist Camp Meeting with Pastor Carl Southerland. Push is such a beautiful place near Reelfoot Lake.

We made the long drive to Conestee, SC in record time that Saturday since we had so many ministry opportunities that weekend. Mother's Day began with a phone call from Rebekah and Leah in Taiwan, and gifts from all the children! Nancy then spoke at a wonderful Mother/Daughter Breakfast at Parkview Baptist Church in Traveler's Rest, SC. What a special time that was!! We rushed over to First Baptist, Conestee in time for the morning service and the beginning of their Camp Meeting that always begins on Mother's Day. We just can't explain the way the Lord blessed us that week through the godly preaching, the worshipful music, and the love of the precious people at First Baptist. Pastor Tony Finney is always such a blessing to our family. What a privilege it is to be a part of that meeting! The day after we finished in Conestee, we joyfully drove home to the Huntsville airport to pick a tired but happy Leah!! She was glad to be home, but definitely left part of her heart in Kinmen, Taiwan!

We enjoyed one day at home before heading out for Terra Haute, IN for services at Good Shepherd Baptist Church. Pastor Tom Manbeck has a heart for reaching people for Christ. While there, we sang during the Sunday School hour, for the morning service, at the 3:30 bus kid's service, at the 5:30 youth service, and again in the evening service. Whew!! What a day!

The next two days were spent in Colt, AR at the Camp Meeting at Smith Chapel Baptist Church with Pastor J.T. Baskins. We love Brother Baskins, and were overjoyed  to be able to minister
with him last February in Linares, Mexico!

 We then headed down to Denham Springs, LA where we endured the heat with no rear air conditioning in our van. Fortunately, there was a repair shop in LA that was able to help us out, and there were 5 happy Gilley kids enjoying that cool air again! The week at Mt Olive Baptist Church was SO special.  Pastor Dave Robertson led his church in a Missions Revival. There were several missionary families there who are on their way to foreign fields. What a blessing and encouragement they were. Preachers Joe West and Bill Allen were the main speakers for this missions challenge, and they were a blessing!! That church definitely has a heart for missions! One day was spent in downtown Baton Rouge handing out tracts and seeking to share the Truth with hopeless and needy people.

On Monday we headed home for a night before we drove to Nashville, TN for our annual Home Education Conference. We were blessed with the opportunity to sing twice during the week as well as serving as music coordinator. Our batteries are always charged during this week of training and encouragement. We especially loved the messages by David Barton and Roger Magneson, who are giants for God in our eyes! One side benefit was getting to stay in the Gaylord Opryland resort for the week at greatly reduced rates!! We felt a little like Cinderella at the ball!! If this resort is this beautiful, can you even IMAGINE the glories of heaven that are awaiting those of us who have put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ?!

God has done a mighty work in our hearts this month!! We have been challenged even more to missions, and have set a family goal of winning at least one person to the Lord in each place the Lord leads us! PRAY for us that we will be faithful to be fishers of men as we travel this country!!

To God be the glory!!