From The
Mission Field

In the first two issues of the Fruit Of The Spirit, this section was introducted by introducing the two preaching students that were being supported by this congregation. Ernest Maiwald and Bryan Braswell both graduated from Southwest School of Bible Studies in July 2001. Ernest and his family have moved to Johnson City, Texas to work with the church there. Bryan is filling the pulpit in Roanoke, Texas as their preacher.

When Ernest and Bryan graduated, the elders of the Vacaville church of Christ decided to support another preaching student. After much prayer and careful consideration, it was decided that the congregation would help support Richard Rutledge for the duration of his studies at Southwest.

Richard Rutledge and family are from Shepherd, Texas where they have worshipped for 14 years. Richard and his wife, Wendy, have two children Jacob and Shelby. Richard has been involved in the jail ministry in his community and has also had an opportunity to travel to Jamaica for missionary work. Richard began studies at Southwest in August 2001 and is expected to graduate in July 2003. His goal in studying at Southwest is to equip himself spiritually to serve churches that cannot support a full time preacher and to eventually serve as an elder in the Lord’s church. may God bless Richard and his family as they embark on the greatest challenge of man, gospel preaching.

Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15

Prison Report, (continued from page 3)

baptized realize that this is the beginning. Some have accused me of teaching that baptism is all it takes to get to heaven. Those who do so are simply trying to divert attention from God's requirement of baptism. Additionally, it is obvious that they have not listened to my preaching and teaching and are purposely trying to twist the message - which they do to their own destruction (II Peter 3:16). Baptism is the beginning of our new life in Christ, our new relationship with God the Father. It marks our entrance into the Lord's church, His kingdom. It is the point at which our sins are washed away and we are sanctified, justified and forgiven. At baptism we enter into a covenant agreement with God. We agree to give him all that we are, have, or ever hope to be, in return for which He forgives us of all of our past sins and adopts us into His family and calls us His children.

Revelation 2:10 reminds us that we must be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life. Following our baptism, we must continue to read and meditate on His word, study it diligently and apply it to our lives every moment of every day. We must continue in frequent and fervent prayer. We must perform an on-going examination of ourselves and our walk with Him. We must make the necessary adjustments to our lives as we see a difference in our walk and His will. We must do good unto all men and be ready unto every good work. We must assemble ourselves together with those of like precious faith and build one another up. And, we must sow the seed of the kingdom to those who are lost as we pray for laborers in the harvest.

— Larry West