South Webster Baptist Church

Pastor Justin Grinstead

South Webster, Ohio

This morning's service was with Pastor Justin Grinstead and his wife April, both Crown graduates. April shared with us her memories of traveling with Dr. and Mrs. Kiser and a mixed ensemble when she was a student. The Grinsteads and their two sons are enjoying their ministry in South Webster, and we enjoyed being part of their patriotic service today.

It was encouraging to the Swains, who were at this church last year, to see some of the "senior saints" continuing faithfully in bringing children and teens to the services in the church vans. Please pray for this church family as they prepare for their annual VBS later this month.

Thank you, Pastor Grinstead, for having us and, ladies of the church, for the delicious meal you prepared for us!

Celebrating the Fourth of July 2009

Portsmouth, Ohio

We appreciate Pastor Ryan Brown's including us in celebrating the Fourth of July with his family and church members. We enjoyed our time at Pastor Brown's parents' farm, where Calvary Baptist had held its first church camp just a week ago. Their large tent was still set up, and we enjoyed feasting, fellowshiping, and playing games there. We also were able to do a little horseback riding! Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, for your kindness.

The Swains were thrilled to receive a visit from their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter (Joanna, Julian, & Alyssa Canales) from Tennessee. The Swains have been missing their grandchildren this summer and appreciate VERY MUCH their son-in-law making this trip on his day off! :)

Lancaster Baptist Church

Lancaster, Ohio
Pastor Tim Knipp

Tonight we had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Pastor Tim Knipp and his family. He and his wife Mindy, who graduated from Crown College in 2002, are missionaries supported by Temple Baptist Church. It was encouraging to spend time with the Knipp family and their church members. The service was filled with singing God's praises from the congregation and the trio, of testifying, and of preaching God's Word.

Thank you, Pastor Knipp, for our time spent with you, your family, and your church. We especially enjoyed the time visiting door to door on Friday in your neighborhood and sharing the gospel with people in your community.

Thank you also to the Knipp family and to Jackie Jenkins for opening your homes to us and for the meals you provided!

Berean Baptist Church

Pastor Waggoner

Sciotoville, Ohio

Berean Baptist Church warmly welcomed us with a delicious meal, but the meal wasn't just for us - it was for their new pastor! The parsonage was not quite ready for Pastor Waggoner and his family, so the church members cooked dinner for them everyday since their arrival on Thursday.

The service was a great blessing. It was thrilling to see a congregation who cared so much for their new pastor that they went out of their way to make him feel welcome. Mrs. Swain rejoiced in seeing Ruth Thomas who so graciously hosted the Swains at her home the year before. The meeting was filled with new comers this evening: the new pastor; our group; and the Woodring family, missionaries to Vietnam. Kayla Woodring was happy to be in the states to spend time with her grandparents and to be in church to meet us! Leaving greatly encouraged, we thank God for the meetings He appointed us to be in.

New Hope Baptist Church

Pastor Tadd Butler

Allegan, Michigan

On our way to the church of another one of our Crown alumni pastors, we were able to make a stop at one of Michigan's beautiful state parks and explore the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Mr. Swain attempted to teach us all how to be "dune jumpers"!

We arrived at the church in time to enjoy dinner with Pastor Butler and his family before the evening service. Pastor, his wife, and their two sons have been serving together at this church for the past seven years. It is exciting to see the church growing and in the midst of a building program.

After we sang, Mr. Swain preached a message from Judges 2 on the importance of passing on our Christian heritage to the next generation. It reminded us of the great responsibility and privilege we have to do this during these present days. We were blessed to be able to minister in this church and thank Pastor Butler for changing his service to Tuesday night to accommodate

our schedule.

As we look back to the weeks we have been "on the road," we are grateful to God for His protection and the fruit we have seen. To this point Mr. Swain has driven over 11,ooo miles! We can truly say, "To God be the glory; great things He hath done." Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we finish our journey during this month of July.

Little Black Lake Baptist Church

Muskegon, MI

Pastor Garth Hutchison

A winter wonderland welcomed us to Muskegon. The Little Black Lake Baptist Church had just finished a week of vacation Bible school, and the theme had been "Polar Explosion." Elaborate decorations still filled the main auditorium. During their VBS, many children had trusted Christ as their Saviour, and on Sunday night the church family was giving praises and testimonies of God's goodness.

While here, we had the privilege of meeting Pastor Garth Hutchison. He and his wife were students at
Crown College during its beginning years. They shared stories of the first buildings and classes when the entire student body numbered seventy-five. We all enjoyed a great time of fellowship with the pastor and his family after the service. They took us to Pier Marquette on Lake Michigan where we all ate dinner on the beach and watched the sunset.

Thank you, Pastor Hutchison, for the great time with you, your family, and the church people. We enjoyed our time with you all and also enjoyed hearing of the good work being done for God. Thank you also to Miss Darla Harper for a comfortable stay in your beautiful home.

Gospel Light Baptist Church

Pastor Tedd Butler

Grand Rapids, Michigan

How we enjoyed spending a few days with the Butler families, back in Michigan once again. Pastor Butler's mother and dad, who live on a large dairy farm, graciously opened their lovely home to us and made us feel just like family.

Saturday mornig the men of the church were invited to the Butlers' farm for breakfast and shooting skeet. We all enjoyed the delicious food, and Tiffany & Mr. Swain also joined in the shooting.

Later that day we accompanied Pastor Butler and Brooke Weeks, another Crown student, in visiting their bus riders. God blessed, and the church had a record number of riders on Sunday. Please join us in praying for Porcha, a teen rider who Brooke was able to lead to the Lord during Sunday School. What a blessing!

Saturday evening we had the privilege of visiting Mrs. Joyce Horn and singing for her in her home. She is the wife of the pastor who the Swains consider to be their spiritual father and who God used to give them wise direction when they first trusted the Lord as their Savior. Mrs. Horn was a piano teacher at a Bible college for forty-five years, and Hannah was thrilled to find a copy of "Prelude in G Minor" by Rachmaninoff on her piano - she did a beautiful job sight reading as she tried it out!

God's hand was upon the service Sunday, and Pastor Butler was excited to have so many attending, some of whom were first time visitors, as well as having many new bus riders.

Following the service, we celebrated Krystal's 21st birthday. She enjoyed her favorite cake - chocolate with chocolate icing- after we ate dinner at the church.

Thank you, Pastor Butler and family, for making our stay with you comfortable, fun, and encouraging. God bless you!