October 5, 2025
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)
RESULTS UNKNOWN
There’s a story in W.A. Criswell’s biography that illustrates how you can never measure the impact of your ministry.
Dr. Criswell tells about the day of his conversion: It wasAutumn, 1920. His church was holding a revival and W.A. received permission to skip school to attend a special mid-day meeting.
At the close of the service, he responded to the invitation and accepted Christ as his Savior.
Seven years later he was licensed to preach. He soon began a lifetime of ministry, including 55 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas. He wrote more than 50 books, led untold thousands to Christ, trained hundreds for the ministry. He was one of the most influential pastors inAmerica during the 20th century.
But this story is really about the man who preached that 1920 revival which changed the course of Criswell’s life.
His name was John Hicks. He had been a guest in the Criswell’s home during the two week revival, and young W.A. had been greatly impressed with the evangelist’s manner and character. This admiration compelled the 10 year old boy to attend every service and hang on every word the preacher spoke.
Years later, as Hicks lay dying in Baylor Hospital, his friend Wallace Basset sat with him during his final moments. Hicks said, “Wallace, my life is over, my preaching days are done, and I’ve never done anything for Jesus. I’ve failed, Wallace. I’ve failed.”
Apparently John Hicks never knew about the special contribution he had made to the kingdom of God: how one revival meeting held in a small Texas town and specifically one sermon preached on anAutumn morning touched the heart of a young boy who would, in turn, touch the lives of millions in the years to come.
The words of Paul come to mind:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
I share this story because this past couple of months I have had to officiate at more than one Memorial Service for people whom I have known and loved including my mother. Remembering these dear people and knowing the importance of their lives and the impact they have left on other’s lives, makes me remember back over the years to others who have made an impact on my life. One such person was W.A. Criswell though I only had one personal conversation with him that lasted less than 10 minutes. But it is his book GUIDEBOOK FOR PASTORS that has been a firm foundation of my ministry for almost 50 years.
Maybe you can’t see the full results of your ministry at this moment. I’m not just talking to preachers and pastors here but rather to all of us who belong to and are disciples of Jesus Christ. Maybe today your years of sacrifice and hard work resemble nothing. Remember this: You’ve accomplished things that you don’t know about and you may never know about them on this side of glory.
What appears to be failure sometimes isn’t failure at all. During those days when measurable results remain elusive, be steadfast. Do not give in to despair. God is using you in ways you cannot see.
Blessings on your week. If you are tempted to give up and quit this week, make it a determination to just keep moving forward. You never know who is desperately watching and listening to you to find a reason to follow Christ. I do hope to see you in worship this coming Sunday. This week we are continuing my sermon series I am calling BETWEEN SUNDAYS. I will be reflecting on what we, as Christians, do during the week while we are not in church. We will discover a second thing we do between Sundays: THAT’S POWER.
Pastor Terrell
ScheduleforSunday,October5,2025
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202
Preschool Worship @ 10:15 AM in KID CITY
Sunday Morning Worship @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ (K-6) dismissed to KID CITY during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestofthe week:
Tuesday@ 10:00 AM in Room #202 - Men’s Bible Study in Fellowship Hall - Women’s Bible Study
Wednesday@ 6:25 PM in Room #203 - Choir Rehearsal @ 6:30 PM in Cabin - Youth Group
Thursday@ 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall - Bible Study
Friday@ 5:30 PM in Cabin - Men’s Night Out with Dinner and Games
Saturday@ 2:00 PM in PV - Senior Care Home Ministry
YOUTH GROUP
STUDENTS in grades 7-12 IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE Deacon of the Week: Doug Crow 520-831-0146
Senior Care Home Ministry
Saturday October 11th 2 PM Contact Gene Moore @ 928-350-8789
FSBCPV is taking the Bible into Granville Elementary and teaching an after-school club with exciting songs, snacks, games and of course a lesson from God’s Word, the Bible. Lastweekwehad35kids! This week is Fall Break, but we will start again next week. We meet on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:30 PM.
Morning Worship at a Glance
“Sweet Aroma of Praise”
“No One Like You, Lord”
“Higher Ground”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
Kidz4Christ dismissed
“How Great is Our God”
“The Power of Your Love”
“The Lord’s Prayer” (It’s Yours) INALLTIMES - PRAY
BETWEEN SUNDAYS WHATWE DOWHENWE’RE NOT HERE That’s Power Luke 11:1-11 “Lord, Be Glorified”
“Higher Ground”
Offerings and Connection Cards will be collected in the Offering Boxes located just inside the two main entrances into our Worship Center, as well as in the Office Hallway.
Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-772-7218
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
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