While cleaning out some of the storage areas in the church building a while back, we came across a box of old newsletters produced from 1977 to 1986. It is interesting to look back at some of the activities, concerns, and teaching at the church in those days. The following includes a message from the pastor, two salvation testimonies, and some other notes and updates from the April and May 1978 editions of Echoes from Emmanuel. I will reproduce the material as accurately as possible.
Parson to Person by Pastor Eckman:
LaVonne and I were privileged to be in the Mid-east for 8 exciting days in February. I would like to use this opportunity to say thank you from our hearts to you who gave sacrificially to make it a possibility. I feel as the apostles Peter & John must have when they said: “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Truly they saw and heard far more than we, for they saw and heard Christ their Savior in person. We saw the trees, stones, streets, the river, the sea and the land that Jesus frequented. We saw “the place of the Skull,” Calvary where the greatest love story ever told was visualized. The sights and sounds of the Holy Land were a thrill to us. We stood quietly for a few moments in the garden where He prayed. The scripture calls it Gethsemane. It was there in the valley beneath the Mt. of Olives, outside the Eastern Gate, that Jesus agonized in prayer. He shed great drops of blood as He prayed. There amid the the beauty of the olive trees, Jesus was betrayed. There began the sacrifice that was culimated on Calvary’s cross. I did not see Christ as Peter and John did: in the garden, on Calvary’s cross our outside the tomb, but I have seen Him through the eyes of faith and cannot but speak the things which I have seen and heard.
Testimony by Mike Hansen:
My name is Mike Hansen. I am 13 years old. I was saved when I was seven while in my bedroom after my Mom talked to me. I was baptized when I was nine. My favorite verse is Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice.”
Testimony by Barbara Hale:
Romans 10:10 says “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This meant a lot to me after I was saved because it was so true in my life. I believed in a God and read the Bible some but was not saved. Pastor talked with me in July of 1976 and I got saved then. Since then, my whole life has been different. It is a great feeling to know that you can be saved and have your sins forgiven. Are you just believing as I was? Find out so you will know just as I did.
Senior Conquerors by Bob Vyskocil:
The Bible records that all of mankind is like winter – dead, waiting to be brought to life by the light and warmth of Jesus. You see, we are all sinners before God, none of us are any good. We have all gone our own way and by choice are separated from God and His life. God, in His great love, sent His Son, Jesus, down to earth, who was born and grew into manhood. One day He went to a cross for you and me. There upon that cross He died and shed His blood so that we sinners could be made right before God. Christ came, died and rose again. Now you and I need to step forth by faith believing this is true and claim it personally for ourselves. For Christ who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ. This is offered to each and everyone. Christ loves you and that’s why He came. Now what you can is claim Him. Winter is past! What about in your life?
Missions by Charlene Appel:
At our recent missionary conference, we were able to hear about the new work started in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Rhon Roberts, his wife, Tonda and their young children moved there with the purpose of starting and establishing the Mukwonago Baptist Church. Because the church has been in existence for such a short time, it is necessary for Rhon Roberts to work at a secular job to support his family. Additional support from other churches, including Emmanuel, has made it possible for him to cut down his work days to 3 days per week. This allows him more time for the Lord’s work. In the Robert’s recent letter, we received the following praise, “Rejoice in the Lord with us for what He is doing here!” Some of the blessings (many are the direct answers to prayer) have included:
1. Seeing the Lord working in the hearts of many who are attending services.
2. Surpassing the attendance goal of 35 set for the 4 week Sunday School campaign.
3. The gift of an addressograph; and
4. Seeing people responding to the Gospel and accepting Christ.
It is easy to relate to the work at Mukwonago, for it has not been too many years ago that we were just starting and had to meet in various buildings. The Mukwonago Baptist Church at present meets in the basement at the Waukesha Savings & Loan building. The Roberts are home missionaries with the Wisconsin Independent Baptist Mission. Please pray for the work in Mukwonago. Their needs are great but we have an even greater God that can meet those needs.