Second Article in 90 Days of Praise Series

Not only did God point His finger to the very location that this dear church was to be built on, but He provided the materials for the construction of our first building.   Brother Amburn and Captain Hollis learned of an old house in the Wherry housing area that they thought they might be able to use some of the lumber from to begin our first church building.   The two of them inquired of the Wherry project superintendent about the possibility of purchasing some of the materials from the scrap pile.   To their great joy the superintendent said the church could have all the materials they needed.   This was like 'manna from heaven'.   As a result of God's generous provisions, over 90% of the materials for our first sanctuary was provided from that old scrap pile.

Still, another problem but Praise God!   Another answer from heaven.   Several trucks were mentioned for sale.   The problem was that the church had no money with which to buy them, thus, Brother Amburn called the church to prayer and said,  "If we pray believing I just know that God will give us the means."

After several extended prayer meetings, Brother Amburn was lead to a dealer in Murfreesboro, who had an antique vintage one and a half ton Ford truck for sale.   He was asking $400 -- firm.   We are here today, in this location, by divine appointment.   During the prayer meetings each evening a small offering was taken and the sum of all those offerings totaled just $50.   Brother Amburn tried to persuade the dealer to take the $0 and allow the church time to raise the rest.   "No", he said,   "I need the money now.   $400 is my price and not a penny less!"   That evening the church gathered once again and, after much prayer, they were told that if God didn't intercede in some miraculous way they would lose the free building materials because they had been given only 7 days to move them from the scrap pile at Wherry.   Each one was asked to go home and pray that God would make a way.

The next morning, Brother Amburn visited the dealer once more and asked him to please work with the church to which the dealer replied,  "My situation has changed somewhat since yesterday and I can let you have it for $50 now and allow the church to pay the rest over the next few months."

That old truck, according to Brother Amburn was an eyesore, not much to look at all.   She became lovingly known as 'Ole Betsy'.   One thing was for certain---it was the hand of God that provided this much needed truck for His church.   You can see, dear people, that God has had His hand upon this ministry since it's beginning in 1952.   Today, I believe that God is still in the process providing every need that we have as we faithfully serve Jesus and pray believing that He will provide a way.
~ Brother Ross ~