January 12, 2016

January 2016 Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR 


Wow, how time has flown by. Not long ago we were in the middle of Fall then Christmas came upon us and now a New Year has begun. A lot has been going on since I last wrote a newsletter, so I'll try to catch you up on a few things. October, November and December saw a lot of travels for us and lots of lives were changed thru our ministry. We had the pleasure once again to be a part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN. with a lot of new groups and were blessed to make some new friends. Thanks to Rob Patz and Vonda Easley for all that they do to keep Gospel Music alive thru SGNScoops Magazine. You need to plan now to join us in 2016 for the next convention. The dates are October 31 - November 3, 2016. There will be plenty of information on our website about how you can be a part of this and enjoy some great Gospel Music. 

So many of you have helped us with your financial gifts and prayers over the past several years. We want to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for the Pine Ridge Boys. We ask that you continually seek God and ask God how He would have you help us in our ministry, whether it is financial or otherwise. We always covet your prayers and financial support.

We have a brand new song that we have sent out to radio and we want you to call your local radio station and request, "Blood Still Flows." If they don't have it let us know in order for us to get it to them. We are currently working on a new CD but not sure when we will have it out. We are hoping by early spring. Check our tour dates and when you see we are going to be in your area, please come be with us. We always love to see your smiling face in our audience. Don't be surprised when you pull up and don't see that big white bus. The big white bird has drove its last mile for us because, financially, there were just too many problems (motor and power plant) to repair or replace. We are in another bus now that we call our home on the road. Pray that God will keep us safe and keep us going. 

Many of you have asked about former members such as my Dad, Jim Stewart, Miles Cooper and Ned Wilder. I want you to know they are doing well. Dad has had a few problems but is doing OK.  He can still cut the mustard any day of the week. One of the greatest bass singer's to ever step foot on a platform. Miles fell not long ago but is recovering. It will take awhile till he gets back to his old self but he'll tell you, “I'm doing nothing but fine." Then you have old Ned. He just never slows down. You can bet if his boys, (Pine Ridge Boys) are anywhere close, he and Mama Sara are going to be there. Love you Dad, Miles and Papa Ned. 

Well, I guess I have rambled long enough but before I go, I want to share something with you that happened at our home during the Christmas holidays. As many of you know, not only the Pine Ridge Boys, but many other groups travel all over this great land of ours spreading the Gospel thru song. Sometimes we go thru what I call a dry spell, where you sing and sing and sing and you see nothing happening. You wonder sometimes if you're really doing what God wants you to do or if you're doing it the right way or many other things. Then all of sudden when you least expect it, it happens. I mean right here in my own living room it happened. I have a daughter, Kelly, who is 27 years old and is a Christian. Kelly has a friend named Courtney who is just like another daughter to us and whom we love just as our own. December 23, 2015 we were having the Stewart Christmas at our house and I was sitting and talking with Kelly and Courtney and Kelly says, "Dad, I need to talk to you." I said OK. She said that she and Courtney were talking about being baptized and she asked Courtney had she ever been baptized and Courtney said no. Kelly then asked her had she ever been saved. Courtney said, "No, but I want to be. Do you think your Dad will help me?" So right there, I talked with Courtney, read and showed her some scripture and told her how she could be saved. We prayed and right then and there Courtney accepted Christ as her personal Savior. You talk about getting a Christmas present! WOW. Being able to lead someone to Christ right here at Jesus birthday. It doesn't get any better than that. One of the greatest Christmas gifts ever to be given was when God the Father gave his Son Jesus to us. He died on that Old Rugged Cross for our sins so that we could accept him into our lives and have a home in Heaven and live forever more where there's street's of Gold and walls made of Jasper. Let me tell you, we had Church that night. So many times we as Christians get discouraged when things just don't go the way we think they ought to go. The Bible plainly tells us to trust in Him and pray. Cast our burdens and cares upon Him. He will never let us go thru something by ourselves. He will always be by our side and walk the path with us. So as you go thru your daily life, remember to pray for someone. Pray for new Christians as well as old Christians. Pray for Gospel Music and those who sing it. Pray that God will move in a mighty way in this great land of ours and Revival will start up and never end. Most of all, Pray for those that are lost and don't know Jesus. 

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13  

Larry, Wayne, Duane, Ivory and Mark

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