Sunday June 22nd we were ministering at Faith Baptist Church in Beloit. Pastor Dan Stertz is the pastor of this local ministry. Carole assisted with the music for the services and we provided special music as well. During the Sunday School hour I shared the ministry of the WFBC through our power point program and taught a Bible lesson. I also preached during both AM and PM services. Also during the afternoon we participated in a nursing home service with Brother Ron Hodges.

The Stertz family attended their son's wedding in the state of Washington the previous weekend and were spending some time of vacation before returning to Wisconsin. We enjoyed dinner and fellowship with the Fiedler family in the afternoon. Following the evening service we had a time of lunch and fellowship with the Hodges before returning home.

Following Pastors' Family Camp on Wednesday June 11th we stayed in the area to speak at First Baptist Church of Waupaca for the Midweek Service. Pastor Larry Gross is the pastor of this growing ministry. During the Midweek Service I shared the ministry of the WFBC through our power point presentation as well as giving a Bible lesson. The following morning we had breakfast and a time to share with the seniors of First Baptist at a local restaurant. This seniors ministry is led by former WFBC director, Dr. Leon Leeds. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship with the members of this historic church.

First Baptist Church is one of the founding member churches of the WFBC back in 1950. In fact the meeting that envisioned the fellowship and laid out its essential framework was held at First Baptist in January of 1950. Eighteen Fundamental Baptists met for two days and formed the Conservative Baptist Churches of Wisconsin. Later in 1969 due to problems within the Conservative Baptist movement, the fellowship dropped all ties with that group and changed their name to the Wisconsin Fellowship of Baptist Churches.

June 9-11 was our annual Pastors' Family Camp at Camp Riverside at Amherst, Wisconsin. This year we had just over 40 attending this summer break for our pastoral families. Pastors Dan Stertz, Mike Brill, Scott Jones and myself provided timely challenges on the theme "Joy in Ministry." Each year Dave and Char Fiedler from Faith in Beloit have taken vacation to head up the kitchen and provide the meals for hungry preachers and their families. We appreciated their sacrifice of time and energy to minister to us.

We are still working on dates for next year's family camp at this time. The date and details will be forth coming soon through the Director's Letter so that you can put this event on your calendar. Some who attended in the past were unable to attend this year because of scheduling conflicts. If you have not had a chance to share this special time of fellowship and fun, plan to come next year and join with us.

Sunday June 8th we were ministering at Calvary Baptist Church in Sauk City for the day. Pastor Dan Lindsey is the pastor of this local ministry. Carole and I provided special music for the service, she assisted on the keyboard for the service and I taught Sunday School and preached for both morning and evening service. Also during the Sunday School hour I presented the ministry of the WFBC through our power point presentation.

Despite the stormy conditions on the weekend we had safe travel to and from Sauk City. For the day we enjoyed fellowship with several church families for both Sunday dinner and following the evening service. Pastor Lindsey and his family were gone, taking some time for vacation away from the work. Would you please pray for Pastor Lindsey's father who is having some physical problems at this time.

On Sunday June 1st we were able to be a part of the Building Dedication at East Delavan Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Hollenbeck is the pastor of this growing ministry. Pastor Dave Jaspers of Bethel Baptist Church in Schaumburg, Illinois was the speaker for the day. Carole provided music for the services and I brought a greeting from the churches of Wisconsin.

The building dedication was for a Ministry Activity Center adjacent to their church building which includes a gymnasium, two classrooms, kitchen and restrooms. It is a beautiful and functional addition to their multifaceted ministry including outreach to Spanish speaking and the deaf.

The day included regular morning services, a delicious dinner in the new facility and a service in the gym following. It was a great day of celebration after many years of planning and giving and months of waiting on the completion of this project. We commend East Delavan Baptist Church for a job will done.

Sunday May 25th we were at Grace Baptist Church in Marshfield. At this Grace is working to get a pastor for their flock. Carole was able to assist the music ministry at the organ for the services. I taught Sunday School and preached for both AM and PM services. In addition I met with the pulpit committee as they work on the process of getting a new pastor.

Pray for Grace and the seven other churches without pastors at this time. It is always a trying time for a church seeking a new pastor. At this time Bay City--Green Bay, Northland--Hannibal, Point--Mineral Point, Maranatha--Phillips, Stoughton--Stoughton, Calvary--Sun Prairie, Keystone--Wisconsin Dells are seeking a pastor for their ministry.

Sunday May 18th we were at CITA Baptist Church in Eau Claire for the morning services. Pastor Greg Robotti is the pastor of this WFBC mission church. Carole provided keyboard assistance for the music as well as a special number. I showed our power point presentation of the WFBC ministry and preached in the morning service.

Last winter the churches of the fellowship gave offerings to CITA Baptist enabling them to purchase and install a new furnace and catch up on heating bills from their old converted oil furnace. Also we have been supporting Pastor Robotti through the WFBC, though he is still having to work a full time job. We are praying that some churches would consider supporting this ministry as well for a period of time to allow a more full time ministry.

In addition to the furnace upgrade they have done some remodeling to improve the stairway to the basement and thereby opening some additional space for an office. Pray for this new work that CITA Baptist Church would see families reached and added to the body of Christ in Eau Claire.

Sunday May 11th we ministered at Berean Baptist Church of Tomahawk. Berean is pastored by Pastor Charles Scheele. Brother Scheele joined as an individual member just last year at our annual meeting. I presented our ministry during Sunday School and taught a Bible lesson as well as preaching the AM and afternoon services. This was my first visit to Berean and it was blessing to meet the people who are a part of this local church ministry.

Following the morning service we enjoyed dinner with Pastor Scheele and his wife Joy at their home. The Scheeles had been attending their son's graduation at BJ but ended up coming home early due to a car accident on their trip. We appreciate faithful pastors who labor in many of the smaller communities of Wisconsin.

Sunday May 4th I preached at Grace Baptist Church in Brodhead. Don Adams is the pastor of Grace Baptist. I preached for both the AM and PM services and taught Sunday School as well. Carole was not with me on that day of ministry as she was still in New Mexico with our son and our new grand daughter.

The Adam's daughter Hannah was married on Saturday May 3rd to Brad Rieck at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown. With all the activity involved with the wedding Pastor Adams took the Sunday off and asked me to preach for him. I enjoyed my time of ministry at Grace and thank the Lord for our faithful pastors who labor in week in and week out for the Lord. Pastor Adams works a full time job in addition to pastoring at Grace. Pray for this work to grow so that Brother Adams can be a full time pastor.

Paul and Grace Marilyn Vawter

Wednesday morning April 30th at 8:15 AM (MDT) our sixth grand child was born, a girl named Grace Marilyn. At birth she weighed 7#, 4 oz and was 20 inches long. Our son Paul and daughter-in-law Pauletta are rejoicing on this happy occasion. Grace was born at home under the care of a midwife and Carole was able to be present for this blessed event. Grace joins her older brother Michael who is 18 months old.

Carole flew down to El Paso, TX on Tuesday evening April 29th arriving there about 9:50 PM. Our son Paul called on the way to the airport to say that Pauletta's water had broken after he had left home. Regular contractions began around 2:00 AM and Grace was born at 8:15 AM. Carole was rejoicing that she could be there for the birth of our sixth grand child and our third grand daughter.

Our son Paul is in his first year of teaching math at the Mesilla Valley Christian School in Las Cruses, New Mexico. They have enjoyed their time in New Mexico and Paul is anticipating another year of teaching for the 2008-09 school year.