Doc Martin's Blog

2017

Where We Were

What We Did

Start at the bottom of the page to begin in January.

December 31, 2017 - Catching UP

I didn't realize how far behind I had gotten on the blog. We have been extremely busy, spending every day off working on the house in Pensacola, trying to transition everything to Houston. In November, we , hosted missions dinners in Oklahoma and Texas, attended Campmeeting in Baton Rouge, and preached in Griffin, GA. In December we preached in Foley, AL, Lake Wales, FL and ended the year at Central Chapel in Pensacola. We were privileged to see President Trump in Pensacola. It has been a very busy season, but like always, everywhere we went and everything we did, we had fun. These photos reflect some of the highlights.

October 23, 2017 - Can't Get Enough of the Lone Star State--Again

After the meeting in Saint Jo, we drove back to Houston for a couple days to get a little work done then we drove back to North Texas to preach a revival at Voice of Triumph AG in Sunset, TX. I preached at this church about 47 years ago. My ancestors lived in this area. My maternal grandmother was born in Wise County near Decatur where we are staying, my dad was born in Montague and I have family members buried at Saint Jo, Nocona and Illinois Bend.

Lynda has been sharing our testimony in our revival services. I am so proud of her and the role she plays in our ministry. It seems she was born for this work.

The pastor at Sunset is Ernie Patterson. I did not know, but Brother Pattersonwas healed of skin cancer on his face in one of our meetings in Perkins, Oklahoma in 1998. He even remembered the sermon I preached. God is such a good God!

October 19, 2017 - Can't Get Enough of the Lone Star State

Our next meeting was in Saint Jo, Texas. We love this little town and the pastors, Charles and Jan Reed. We were guests in the home of our good friends Calvin and Beverly Durham. One night in the revival, I was blessed to be in the company of three pastors that I preached for when I was a teenager--Calvin, L C Smith and Clarence Russell. I thank God for this great men that gave me a start in the ministry. What a blessing!

October 10 , 2017 - Hello Pensacola, Hello Nate

The first Sunday in October we were back in Pensacola at Pine Forest Assembly of God. It was a real joy to be with Pastor Gene Hudson. I presented Pastor Hudson with a copy of the Azusa Street Revival print for supporting our crusade in Ethiopia last year.

We also had our first 2017 missions dinner in Pensacola. We had a great time at Sonny's Bar B Q. A number of pastors and friends from the area came to the dinner to learn about our Ethiopia ministry.

We were supposed to minister in Foley Alabama on October 8, but Hurricane Harvey changed those plans. It is highly unusual for us, but we had to cancel two services this year for two different hurricanes. Glad that season is over for this year.

September 23, 2017 - Mas Texas

Last Sunday we preached at Lighthouse Church in Burkburnett, TX. Pastors Bobby and Karen Scott were so gracious. This is one of the churches that support our Ethiopia Harvest Revival on a regular basis. Thank God for the souls saved through their monthly gifts.

Last night I preached the Daughters of Zion Ladies Conference at Brazos River FWC in Bryan, TX. I am always a little uncomfortable preaching to a bunch of ladies. I made it clear to them that men just don't understand women, and that is an understatement. Fortunately, my lady shared her testimony and prepared the group for my attempt at ministry.I am so proud of my ministry partner.

September 11 , 2017 - Duncan Bethel

It was great to be at Bethel Church in Duncan. I was born just a few blocks from this great church. Pastors Ron and Jan Meador have done such a great job in Duncan for the past thirty-four years. We had souls coming to Christ on Sunday morning and more baptized in the Holy Ghost on Sunday night. What a day! We look forward to being back.

August 30, 2017 - Hurricane Harvey

Lynda's daughter, Lindsey, was home in Houston and the flood waters were rising around our house. We have a slough behind the house and it was full and overflowing. Thank God, people everywhere were praying for us. We were within a few inches of flooding when the city made the decision to open the floodgates on a nearby reservoir.The top photo shows how high the water was on our back fence. It is almost impossible to believe it didn't get into the house. The city was not going to open the reservoir untilMonday, but the damn was threatened and they opened it a day early. The bottom picture is one that Lindsey took from the back porch after the water began to recede. You can see the water mark on the fence. While we are so thankful we were spared, our hearts go out to so many of our neighbors that have suffered so much loss.

August 28, 2017 - Montana and the Dakotas

We left Yellowstone to head for services in Dickinson, ND. We saw this beautiful rainbow as we crossed Montana. What a beautiful part of the country! Loving history as I do, of course we made a stop at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

We had great services in Dickinson and enjoyed Pastor and Mrs. Jim Hessler. Brother Hessler is still pastoring a great church in his eighties. I want to be like him when I grow up!

On Sunday it looked like our house would be flooded by Harvey, so unfortunately we had to cancel a service in Rapid City, SD and head for Houston. The church was so gracious and even sent us an offering for the Wednesday we missed. On the way to Texas, we drove by for a look at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Two more things off the Bucket List.

August 26, 2017 - Yellowstone

Wit a couple days off before our next service, we drove though the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. I had always wanted to see Old Faithful. Wish every church member was so dependable.

August 24, 2017 - Washington and Utah

Lynda had always wanted to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, so we drove a distance on this beautiful scenic route in Oregon.

On Sunday we were in Medical Lake, WA at Redemption Church. Thank God for two great services.

We drove through the night to be in Idaho for the total eclipse. What an awesome experience! I am so glad we made the trip down even though we were stuck in a horrible traffic jam trying to get on down to Utah.

We were near the Great Salt Lake for a few days and had a service at New Hope Assembly of God in Ogden Utah. The church is a Hispanic Assembly of God and I preached through a translator.

August 17, 2017 - Sutherlin, Oregon

What a great miracle took place at New Hope Church in Sutherlin, Oregon. I taught on Pentecostal Origins and invited those who wanted to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit to raise their hands. No one responded. As the service ended, a lady brought a friend forward and asked me to pray for her that she might receive the Holy Spirit. Of course, I did and thank God, He did. Carol Miller was baptized in the precious Holy Ghost. But, that is not all of the story. Carol is 88 years young and was born and raised in the Assemblies of God. She had wanted the Holy Spirit all of her life. Wow! Made this entire trip worthwhile.

On the way up to Oregon we stopped in Redding California and saw the world's tallest sundial and a glass bridge. We also saw Lake Shasta. I believe this is the prettiest place I have ever seen. Gorgeous!

 

August 16, 2017 - I Left My Heart in San Francisco-- NOT

We left Yosemite and drove to San Francisco. Ineed not say this liberal paradise is not my favorite place on earth, but Lynda had wanted to see the city all of her life. We saw the Golden Gate Bridge and all the best tourist sites. Lynda had fried rice in China Town and Clam Chowder on Fisherman's Wharf. When Mama is happy, everyone is happy.

 

August 14, 2017 - Delhi and Yosemite

 

On Sunday we ministered at New Beginnings church in Delhi, California. Pastor David Britton was such a blessing. Several received the Holy Spirit baptism in the Sunday service. One young man said it was the most wonderful experience of his life. When he went to work on Monday and as he prayed he said the Holy Spirit was "still there." Yes, sir, and he will abide with you forever.

Following the morning service, we drove to Yosemite National Park. What a beautiful place and what a blessed opportunity for us to be there.

August 12, 2017 - Where the Fire Fell

We were blessed to spend some time on Azusa Street and at the Bonnie Brae House. The first trip we went with Pastors Albert and Rebecca Cortez (sorry no photos). The next day, we went back and spent most of the day with Evangelists Doyle and Cherie Jones. Sister Sol, the caretaker of the Bonnie Brae House is a friend of mine and she was so kind to open the place for us and let us spend as much time as we wanted. Our historical tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to the cemetery where the Seymours are buried.

We had a great time with the Jones and we also stopped at Angeles Temple and Aimee Semple McPherson's parsonage. I was able to take a picture behind Sister Aimeee's pulpit. I have now stood in the pulpit of Billy Graham, D L Moody, John Wesley, Evan Roberts, Jonathan Edwards and many other lesser known but great preachers.

A trip to LA wouldn't be complete without a walk down the main streets of Hollywood. I found a star for some of my heroes.

While in the area, we also visited the Reagan and Nixon Presidential Libraries. Reagan is my favorite president, but Lynda and I agreed the Nixon Library was better.

August 11, 2017 - They Said California Is the Place You Oughta Be . . .

This week we have attended the General Council of the Assemblies of God. It was a great council with great worship and very anointed services. I believe some good things happened that will strengthen the fellowship. It was also great to connect with many friends.

On the way out, we ministered at Desert Springs in Safford, Arizona. Pastors Bill and Ruth Johnson were great hosts. Desert Springs is one of the few churches that help us every month with our Harvest Revival in Ethiopia. We love these guys.

July 31, 2017 - Fresh Oil

Yesterday we were at Fresh Oil Worship Center in Oil City, Louisiana. It was so great to fellowship with long-time friends Pastors Ronald and Ginger Dunn. We had a wonderful time and even enjoyed our first cornbread sandwich in Jefferson, Texas. Many lives were changed in the altars. To God be the Glory!!

July 17, 2017 - Back at FLAG

We had a powerful one day revival at Family Life Assembly of God in Houston. The altars were filled with men and women coming for repentance and Sunday night several were baptized in the HolySpirit. What a great time!

July 10, 2017 - The Little Town with Big Things

This week we are in Casey, Illinois at Word of Life Church. Pastors Ken and April Wade helped us when we pastored Penscacola Revival Church. Ken was one of my students at BRSM. This little town has a Christian businessman who likes to build record-sized stuff for the Guinness Book of Records. Each of the gigantic items contains a biblical verse, providing a witness to tourists that visit the city. We have enjoyed visiting all the sites and of course we took Lynda to Moonshine for a famous Moonburger.

July 5, 2017 - Happy Anniversary

Lynda and I spent our first anniversary in Nashville on the General Jackson Riverboat where we were engaged. We also saw the largest fireworks display in the nation on July 4th. God bless America.

While in Tennessee we preached at Living Waters Church in Unionville. It was good to be in service with Marvin and Gracie Wilson. The Wilsons are evangelists and gospel singers. Marvin was saved under our ministry in 1974. He was playing at a nightclub when God totally changed his life. Thank God for fruit from our labors.

June 26, 2017 - The Lone Star State

We give thanks to God for opening doors in Texas. We were at Living Waters Church in Burleson and Faith Christian Center in Silsbee.

June 10, 2017 - Brazos Valley FWC

God gave us a great week with our friends Joel and Juanita Withem in Bryan, Texas. The church was so good to us. We received a generous offering and then they raised more than $6,000 for our Harvest Revival in Ethiopia. No church has ever been so generous to our ministry. God bless these wonderful people.

May 30, 2017 - Back in Houston

We spent Memorial Sunday at Faith Assembly of God in Houston. Our dear friends James and Susan Dodd are transition pastors at the great church. We had a wonderful time and saw many come to the altar for salvation or rededication.

When I gave the altar call on Sunday morning, I asked every person in the building to turn to their neighbor and ask them if they needed Jesus to forgive their sins. I was so proud of Lynda, she was the first person to bring someone to the altar to receive the Lord. Thank God for my sweet wife.

May 23, 2017 - District Councils

The last couple of weeks, we have been attending District Councils in Marrianna, Florida and San Antonio, Texas. These councils give us the opportunity to promote our Ethiopia ministry, sell some books and connect with pastors for future meetings. Lynda is such a help and she never meets a stranger.

We also have the chance to share some fellowship with fellow evangelists (there are fewer and fewer of us these days). In the middle picture is Evangelist Rod Vincent and Evangelist Doyle and Cherie Jones.

May 3, 2017 - Pentecostal Gold

I reached a new milestone in our sermon archive today. We have posted 900 classic Pentecostal sermons. Enjoy!!

May 2, 2017 - More in Oklahoma . . . and Texas

After Duncan, we traveled to Eufala, Oklahoma and had services at First Assembly of God. It was great to see two of our retired pastor friends, the Warren Harkins and Jack Barrons. After Eufala, we visited the Assemblies of God District Council in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We will visit three councils this spring, to represent River of Revival Ministries.

When we returned to Houston, we had a great time at Family Life Assembly of God in Katy, Texas. What a great blessing to preach at a powerful church and sleep in our own bed. Pastors Albert and Rebecca Cortez were such great hosts. God moved powerfully in the services and several were baptized in the Holy Ghost. Pastor Cortez not only took good care of our personal and ministryneeds, but also received a generous offering for our 2018 Harvest Revival in Ethiopia.

April 20, 2017 - Home Sweet Home

Lynda and I were back on home turf in April as we returned to Gospel Beams Church in Duncan, Oklahoma. Pastor Ray Ledbetter is such a gracious host. On Tuesday night we had a healing service and several testified of God's awesome power. This gentleman was having a great deal of trouble walking even with a cane, with God's help, he was running across the front of the church. God does miracles in the USA as well as Africa. Praise the Lord!

April 15, 2017 - Oh so busy

I have had a very busy week. I broke a tooth and Lynda and I headed to Mexico to see my dentist. I ended up with three (yes three) root canals. We drove back to Houston and I had to make a run to Pensacola to pick up some books for our mail orders. It was great to see Summer, but I was in town only about 16 hours. I stopped in Baton Rouge on the way back to Houston and enjoyed Brother Swaggart's Easter Campmeeting on Thursday night. I go back into Houston in time to unload the books from the van and repack for a trip to Oklahoma.

March 29 , 2017 - Brrrrrrr

I can scratch one thing off my bucket list. I have always wanted to minister in Alaska and I had the privilege this month. We preached at Anchorage and Soldotna. What a great time we had fellowshipping with God's people and enjoying the beautiful frontier state. The themometer said cold, but the people were warm.

March 19 , 2017 - Walking where Jesus walked

We were truly blessed to visit the land of the Bible with our dear friend Calvin Durham and his group. Lynda had never been to the Holy Land and it was a special experience for her. It was such a privilege to baptize my wife in the Jordan River. We plan to return to Israel next year and would love for you to go with us.

Click here to get the information.

February 28, 2017 - Back in LA

Nope, we were not in Los Angeles, we were in Lower Alabama. We drove to Pensacola where we stayed a couple days and preached at Family Revival Center in Foley AL. We love Pastors Tommy and Samantha Howard and the good folks in Foley.

February 9 , 2017 - Living Waters Assembly

We had a great revival this week at Living Waters Assembly of God in Magnolia, TX. It was good to sleep in our own bed every night. Pastors Michael and Joan Colston were such great hosts. We had an excellent time. Thank God, several people got right with the Lord and even more received the precious baptism in the Holy Ghost. Of course, all the glory goes to our amazing God.

February 1, 2017 - Faith Christian Center

On Sunday, we preached at Faith Christian Center in Silsbee, Texas. What a great time! This is one of the few churches across America that has maintained a real spirit of revival for decades. My hat goes off to Pastor Chris Kirkendall and this wonderful congregation.

January 20, 2017 - Beautiful

While we were in Africa, Lynda became a grandmother again. Her Ryan and Rachel had a beautiful baby girl, Anna. She looks like her grandmother.

January 19, 2017 - Wow!

What better word could describe our 2017 Harvest Revival in Gesuba Ethiopia. It was amazing. On Sunday, we gathered between 45,000 and 50,000 on the field. There were incredible miracles--blind saw, deaf heard, dumb spoke, tumors disappeared. To God be all the glory! At the final tally, we had 7,800 registered conversions. What an incredible week.

I am so grateful for David Dillon and Dylan Peck who joined our team. We are always so thankful for Per Akvist and the Joshua Campaign team in Ethiopia. And, of course, there was my precious Lynda. She was such a trouper. The people loved her.

January 6, 2017 - Acts 6:4

I was honored beyond measure to begin my ministry this year at the Acts 6:4 Conference in Texarkana,

TX. What a line up of great speakers! What powerful Pentecostal worship! I felt so humbled, yet God showed up and used me. Of course, it goes without saying, He receives all the glory. Thank you hosts, Andy Harris and Jason Stedham for the invitation to be part of this great event.

January 1, 2017 - What a Way to Start the Year!

Lynda and I wanted to find a watch night service, so we could start the New Year right--in a church praying. We ended up going to Faith Assembly of God in Pasadena. We were joined by my forever friend James Dodd. What a blessing! We were able to connect with John McDuff, one of the great Pentecostal evangelists of my youth.

This morning we drove to Baytown to be in service with Dale and Jean Gentry. Lynda, Dale and I were all raised in Comanche OK. When Dale pastored in Holiday TX he was the first pastor to invite me to preach outside my home church. National CA Day 1968--I will never forget. Dale and Jean stood with me in my tough years and have always been an encouragement to me.

Dale gave a positive word and I can't imagine a better start for our first new year. 2017 is going to be a year of great breakthroughs!