Prayer Updates: Don Kinberg & Norm Morrow
Thanks for continuing in prayer for these two faithful servants of the Lord.  At last check, former InFaith/AMF area missionary Don Kinberg was said to be in good spirits and resting at his home in Washington following a stroke earlier this month.  Pastor Merle Davis, who checked in on Don, says he has retained his sense of humor through the ordeal.

Elder Norm Morrow from Columbia Community Bible Church has also returned home following hospitalization for broken vertebrae.  Pastor Steven Boyle reports Norm is initially being assisted by a visiting nurse, while his family considers long-term care options.

NWxNW Fellowship, Tuesday, Oct 11
9 AM @ FarmHouse Coffee, Clatskanie
I’m buying!  Who’s coming?  This month’s NWxNW ministry leaders’ fellowship is hosted by your area missionary at FarmHouse Coffee, 305 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie.  Looking forward to sharing and prayer with all of you.  Please drop me a note at thiscox@infaith.com, or text 971-645-2777 to let me know you are coming!

Portland Pastors’ Prayer, Thursday, Oct 13
10 AM @ Woodland Park Chapel, Portland 

We’ve switched dates.  Can you make it?  The monthly meeting of InFaith pastors to pray for congregations in our NW Oregon field is now being held on the 2nd Thursday of each month, still at Woodland Park Chapel, 1914 NE 102nd Ave, Portland.  No need to reserve your spot.  Just drop in to join us for this time of intercession for the ministers and ministries in our area.

Sandy Pastors’ Breakfast, Wednesday, Oct 19
9 AM @ Tollgate Inn, Sandy
Need a little food with your fellowship? Pastors, shepherds and elders from the eastern side of our field meet the third Wednesday of the month for breakfast at Tollgate Inn, 38100 Highway 26, Sandy.  You are welcome to join us!  A reservation is helpful…so please drop me a note, thiscox@infaith.org or text 971-645-2777.

 
Shepherds are always needed!
I am happy to be speaking this coming Sunday at Shiloh Basin Community Church (just north of Rainier), where elder Scott Brownlow and another volunteer have been leading services since pastor Matt Neahring’s move to Manzanita.

 Currently there are five churches in our InFaith: Northwest Oregon fellowship that are serving the Lord without a “pastor” at the helm.  That is not necessarily a bad thing.  Some argue that a “pastor” is just an elder with a different title.  The New Testament has far more to say about the work of Godly elders than it speaks of a position of “pastor.”   Lay elders and other lay leaders may be exactly the team the Lord has called to shepherd your church.  But if your InFaith-affiliated congregation sees a need to call a key pastor/leader, as many do, I am happy to help you with the process of discerning God’s call in that regard.

 I am looking forward to meeting Thursday with the newly-appointed pulpit committee at Mountain Home Community Church, near Colton.  The committee is just beginning its work to find God’s choice to shepherd the church in the years ahead.  Expect to see the position advertised around the beginning of November.  Many thanks to brother Brian Simmons for sharing the Word there through October.

 At the same time, I could use your help: there is always a shortage of laborers for the Harvest.  Keep praying and keep your eyes open for those in your own congregation that the Lord may be calling into vocational ministry.  If they could use any encouragement, advice or assistance exploring that call, one of our other InFaith fellowship churches may be just the place to begin.  Have them give me a call!  

 Thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday yesterday.  Sixty-three feels like a pretty big number to me, but only the Lord knows how much that number will grow, before it blends into eternity!  Even so, come Lord Jesus, come!

Tom Hiscox, NW Oregon Area Missionary thiscox@infaith.org