Sunday evening was the church ordination service. As we gathered together, Albert and Kalli were invited to the platform where the deacons and pastors of the church along with Grandpa Newell laid their hands on them in a prayer of dedication. Grandpa then spoke a message of encouragment and challenge to Albert and the congregation. A reception followed the service.
A couple very special people on the council were Albert's Grandpa, Les Newell, Uncle Gary Newell and Dad, Albert Armitage. It was a joy for these three as they prayed for Albert and participated on the council. What an heritage of the Lord which show God's faithfulness to this family of preachers. The following, written by Gary, was read on Sunday night during the ordination service at the church.
An Heritage from the Lord
Today we are here to recognize the efforts of a young man, Albert Armitage the Fourth, who after making an exhaustive search of the inspired, inerrant Word of God for the purpose of establishing for himself a knowledge of and a confidence in the doctrines contained
therein, and becoming fully convinced of the truth of these Biblical Doctrines, has painstakingly transcribed them upon paper, of his own free will, giving copies of these precious documents to his local Ecclesiastical Congregation, whose Leaders on his behalf, expediently elected to call an Examination Council of Bishops of like faith, praying fervently that they would find no errors in his doctrine. Then with fond memories of Dr. Manfred Kober in the back of his mind, Mr. Armitage stood calmly and confidently before this assembled "Sanhedrin" of venerated scholars of the Book, in order to orally convince them of his mastery of the aforementioned Doctrinal Statement, with all of its Sections, Subsections: all the way from Theology Proper through Eschatology, depending upon the Spirit of Pneumatology to give him inspiration of what to speak, and the boldness to speak the evidences of that Mystery which had been so crystal clear in his mind - just the night before. Suddenly there comes to him the awareness of the propensity for his tongue to adhere dryly to the roof of his mouth; and his knees a tendency to quiver uncontrollably; and for his mouth seemed to be muttering words in an unknown tongue, NOT the words he had recited to his wife over and over again; and your feet preferring to be out in the wilderness wandering instead of here in front. And your ears listening intently for a sound of trumpets from Heaven. However, this evening, realizing that the unending questions, the examinations and the interrogations - the sleepless, anxious nights are past - the terrors of yesterday are ---complete, and the visiting elders
have, --- at last--- returned home to their ~ churches. You take a deeeep breath, let out a great sigh of relief, and say to yourself,
"It's-- all-- over - - FINALLY !"
Let me remind you, my dear nephew, my brother in Christ, that this is a Commencement - A graduation of sorts - from one thing - toward a new beginning of something much greater! What Christ has in store for you in the future, only He knows for certain. But -- be sure of this one fact. Since your have undertaken this Ordination with all of the necessary prayer, preparation, pleading, passion and palpitations, be reminded of Paul's words to the Colossian saints praying that they would "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work. and increasing in the knowledge of God. " Col. 1:10 Because you have been faithful to Christ, and serving Him with your life up until today tells us much of your true purpose, and of the content of your heart which can be observed in your unswerving dedication as His servant and steward. About this Jesus Christ Himself said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10 God rewards those who are faithful, by entrusting them with more responsibilities, which allows us to bear not just fruit, but "much fruit". Having said these things, I feel it is of the utmost importance for me
to remind you of the Lord's faithfulness to those believers who purpose in their hearts to lean fully upon Him. Albert - - Prayer is one major reason why you stand before us today becoming an Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Christ. Let me take you back many years into the past century to the 1930s. A woman who dearly loved the Lord, and had been faithful all of her life, found to her sorrow, that her daughter and son-in law had chosen to lead lives that left God out of them, and were headed for divorce (which was rare back then). She had prayed faithfully for them but she soon had a young grandson whose parents were split up. The young boy was shifted around between parents, sometimes even living with an aunt. spending some summers with his grandparents. The young boy didn't have much of a chance of being raised in a God honoring home, so the Grandmother did the only thing she could do: She prayed and turned the child's spiritual welfare over to an all-knowing God in whom she trusted. For years she prayed faithfully for the boy, who eventually grew into a man. She firmly believed in the sovereignty of the God who answers prayer. Over 20 years later, in 1958, the grandmother shed tears of joy when she attended the Ordination Service of her grandson, seeing God's race wonderfully fulfilled. You see, she believed the words of King David from Psalm 103:"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness!! His children's children ." Psalm 103:17 I truly believe that if we are faithful, God not only promises to bless us, but also blesses our own children, AND our grand-children. Fifty years later, in 2008 the grandson of the faithful Grandmother, still faithfully serves his Lord and Savior. Today he sits with us here in
attendance at Olivet Baptist Church at another Ordination Service -- the Ordination Service of HIS own grandson. A grandson for whom HE himself has prayed faithfully, ever since the day that grandson was born 30 years ago. Again we observe "His righteousness unto children's children. " It humbles me today, Albert Armitage, the Fourth, that the effectual,
fervent prayers that your great-great Grandmother began praying over
75 years ago are still being answered today.
Les Newell, Albert's grandfather presented the following message at the ordination service:
Albert Armitage IV’s Ordination Service – January 20, 2008
Olivet Baptist Church – Westwood, Kansas (Shawnee Mission)
Topic: Ministry For All
The Apostle John wrote to his “beloved” friend “Gaius (III John 4), “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I am sharing that same joy today as I have come to participate in the ordination council and ordination service of my grandson Albert Armitage IV. It is a great joy to my heart to know that my children, and grandchildren are save and serving our Lord. To be able to participate in the ordination of a grandson is one of the great delights of my life. Pastor Anderson has asked that I speak briefly on the subject of ministry during this ordination service.
I noticed when reading through Albert’s Doctrinal Statement that he repeatedly ended each doctrine with a verse from a hymn. I’d like to begin my message on “Ministry For All” by quoting from a hymn, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” The hymn starts out with that familiar stanza, “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold:” But when it moves toward and on into the chorus it reads, “I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand than to be the king of a vast domain.”
This is how I feel about ministry. I’d rather be a servant of Jesus Christ than to be “the king of a vast domain” or the President of these United States. I have heard others make similar statements and they may not be understood by a world made up of people seeking positions of power and authority, but the thought found in this hymn expresses the heart of a true servant of Jesus Christ. Serving Christ is more important and should be more desirable to the born again Christian than any other vocation in the entire world. Few Christian servants that give their all to Christ’s ministry end up with “silver or gold.” They will however, inherit eternal life and enjoy the glorious presence of their God and Savior for all eternity in the new Heaven and Earth.
Before I go further I want to inject a truth that is sometimes missed. We are here recognizing the call of God upon a young man to full time Christian ministry. When I speak of Christian ministry I do not limit it to those who enter full time ministry. It is my conviction, and I believe supported by Scripture, that all believers in Jesus Christ should consider themselves to be in the ministry, serving the Savior. Too many Christians have a leave it to the pastor, missionary or evangelist attitude. Every believer is saved to serve and to be a witness whether in a full time ministry or fitting their ministries into their every day work-a-day life. I believe it is God’s plan to have his chosen people intermingled in all the varied vocations and circumstances of life.
In I Timothy 6:12 Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
It seems all too easy to some to read such a verse and think, “That was the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy and the command is to him, not us.” But I am here to tell you that the “also called” of this verse may be applied to every saved soul throughout history. We are all “called” to this salvation by the workings of God’s Holy Spirit as commissioned by the Father and the Son. No one gets into the family of God without His call and we are thus commissioned to serve and to be a witness of God’s grace, forgiveness and salvation.
I remember a dear Christian lady coming to me following a service and telling me how wonderful it was for me to stand behind the pulpit and preach and that I would have a great reward in Heaven. When that happened I turned to that lady and reminded her that without her aid and participation, as well as that of others, I would not be able to stand behind that pulpit preaching the Word. We are to be ministering together and supporting one another in ministry. Any believer that is not so committed to the service of Christ is a failure to their calling!
· I am to be a witness!
· You are to be a witness!
· Albert Armitage, as he is ordained, is to be a witness.
· We are all to be servants, ministering, serving and witnessing together in the same cause!
When Jesus told the first disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and low, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” it became applicable to all believers in Jesus Christ. ALL OF US SHOULD READ TOGETHER THAT “AMEN” AT THE END OF THE TWO VERSES FOUND IN MATTHEW 28:19 & 20.
When you as a church ordain Albert Armitage to the ministry you are committing yourselves to ministering and standing together with him in that ministry. The work that he does should find you serving and ministering together with him and having the same purpose of mind and heart to edify the saints and to winning the lost to Jesus Christ. Recognizing his calling to ministry should also recognize your part and responsibility in that same ministry.
I would now like to take you to a statement of the Apostle Paul relating to ministry that should be the determination of every true believer in Jesus Christ, I Corinthians 2:2:
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Since we are called to be “witnesses,” of Jesus Christ this spirit and attitude of the Apostle Paul should be our attitude as well. Our “witness” and our “servant hood” is to be centered in the Person of Christ. We are not called to be witnesses to our own position or accomplishments but rather to the purposes and accomplishments of Jesus Christ. I believe this is true when standing behind a pulpit, going to a foreign land or to your place of employment. Our real boss is not the owner of the establishment through which you are employed but rather Christ. Christ is head (boss) and director of our lives!
· He is the reason for our existence.
· He is the One who sacrificed Himself to pay the price of our sins.
· He is the One Who provided our forgiveness and salvation.
· He is the One Who has given us entrance into His eternal heavenly presence.
· He is the Sender of the Holy Spirit to seal us and guide us in our daily life.
· He is the supplier and sustainer of our lives.
Does this mean we do not have a mind of our own? Does this mean we cannot enter in to life and it’s many associations or activities? Does this mean we are automatons? No! It simply means we will be representatives of Jesus Christ in whatever areas of life that we enter and participate. We will not follow untruth or participate in false religions or leaders who deny our Lord Jesus. Whatever our vocations we enter them with Jesus Christ at our side and as a participant in every activity of life.
We are responsible to make this determination of allowing Jesus Christ crucified to be central to our purposes and undertakings. We are to be seeking opportunities to share Him with others as the Holy Spirit gives us opportunity and occasion to do so.
We have examined Albert Armitage IV to his capability to so live and serve in the ministry of Jesus Christ. You as a church are ordaining him to this end and with the commitment to stand behind him and to encourage him in that ministry. To do otherwise is to fail in understanding of what this weekend has been all about!
Our prayers are to be to this end that God will use Albert mightily and enabling us to be a part of that same calling and ministry of Jesus Christ as fellow laborers.
The Apostle Paul often spoke of his “fellow prisoners,” “fellow laborers” and “fellow soldiers” (Philemon 1:23-24 & elsewhere) and we should think of one another in the same light.
en's Bible Club that we hold at a local elementary school was held just last week. We had a wonderful time with these children teaching them true historical events from the Truth of God's Word. The kids range from 1st grade through 5th grade. We have about 10 adults and teens from our little church that participate each week in the club. Several parents came to the last club as well. We have not experienced any church growth from this outreach, but we PRAISE THE LORD for the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a public school.
Little bit of a family reunion. Patty's brother Gary and sister-in-law Donna Newell came in March for a visit. Their youngest daughter Leah and their 3 grandsons live in our area. Our big house can hold them all and so we invited them to land here for some great family time. We enjoyed every minute together. We took several day trips. Saw some alligators and turtles one day, went to the beach another day. When there is water and sand there must be a sand castle which Quinten and David helped their Papa build. A girls day out, which meant Gary had the boys to go exploring with 
one day. A visit with Gary and Donna is never complete unless we spend a day shopping at local nurseries and green houses. I always benefit as my brother always has to buy his little sister a new plant or two for her yard.
We had a church retreat last weekend. We rented a small lodge just a few miles north of our area and had 12 people attend. The weather was perfect. We had some great times together singing from some chorus books a dear man in our church made for such ocassions, Doug Crisp. We had a wonderful time together in the Word from John 15 and from Isaiah 40. This picture was taken from the Lake Houston Park where we stayed. We PRAISE THE LORD for this precious time of fellowship with God's people!
this week. Some of you may have already seen these, but grandma must always brag whenever she has a chance. So here goes......
The Taylor kids are growing like weeds too. I cannot believe they have been gone almost a year now. This is a picture they recently took when James brother and family moved to Brazil. David's new baby was getting to know his cousins. Looks like Jeremiah was most interested in the "baby" while Daniel was up a tree, that's my boy, and Hannah being big sister (momma). I am planning a trip to Brazil to see them in mid-May. I'm not sure who is more excited Christen, Hannah or Drammah. Next blog will be filled with pictures and stories from my visit. Papa doesn't get to go this time, but next time for sure. A dear friend of mine and her son are going with me. We are so excited and cannot wait. We got our visas this week so now we just have to wait for the day to come.
No recent pictures from Albert and Kalli, but things are moving along great for them too. Kalli's new job has turned out to be a blessing as she is working in an adult day care. I know with her bubbling personality she brings a lot of joy to the folks she works with every day. Albert lead a cantata at their church on Resurrection Sunday which I understand we a blessing to many. The grand-dogs are hanging in there too.
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