While I do realize that much has been said already
about the work that was put forth last week at the
Appalachian Fair, there are a few other things that
were not said on Sunday that I wanted to mention
here. I also know that there are former members
who now worship with congregations in other parts
of the country who read this bulletin as a means of
keeping up with what is happening here. Let me just
begin by saying that the brethren here never cease to
amaze me––both with their talents and their
willingness to use those talents for the cause of
Christ!

If my figures are correct, we had 57 different people
operating the booth throughout the week, combining
their efforts for more than 170 man hours over the
course of 5 days! During that time we distributed
1500 hand-held fans in addition to about 700
business cards listing the names and addresses of
area congregations.

A suggestion was
made early in the
week that we should
try to get some contact
in-formation from the
people we were
meeting. On Tuesday afternoon we set out two new
Bibles to give away, along with about 100
registration forms. When I was called on Tuesday
night and told that they were all gone, I printed 300
more. In all, more than 400 names and addresses
were turned in, and, out of these, more than 70
people requested a Bible correspondence course!
Addresses given on the registration forms indicate
that we talked to people from Virginia (as far as
Williamsburg), North Carolina, Maryland, and even
Indiana! From the “volunteer state” itself, we met
people from as far as Morristown, Knoxville, and
even Cleveland. Several people stopped to discuss
questions that they had on Bible subjects or to try
their hand at the Bible puzzle that we had on
display. The sight to behold, however, was the
children’s corner, where youngsters were often
waiting in long lines to answer Bible questions and
fish for little prizes. What a marvelous sight it is to
see brethren combining their talents this way!

Even with the campaign behind us, the work is not
completely finished. As mentioned, we have in our
possession some 400 names and addresses of people
who are at least somewhat interested in spiritual
matters. This week our elders will be deciding what
we should do with this information. We will also be
visiting two individuals to whom we will be taking
Bibles. Even if you were unable to be present while
we planted the seeds, you can be a part of the
equally important task of watering those seeds.
Once this is done, we will wait for God to “give the
increase” (1 Cor. 3:6–8).

Plans are already underway for next year’s
campaign. Nearly everyone who participated in this
year’s effort was present for our meeting Sunday
night to discuss what worked well and what we
might do differently next year. It was mentioned in
that meeting that the fair could be extended to 9
days in 2009. I’m convinced that we will be ready
and eager to meet that task as well! May God bless
His church and our every effort to keep it growing!
Postscript: The figures listed above do not include
the people who put in several hours getting the
booth ready, closing it down, and seeing that we had
everything needed to operate it efficiently. While
they did not do it for praise, we certainly do
appreciate their efforts. To God be the glory!