GCA-Friendly Churches

Every so often I receive email from folk who are looking for a church in their area that is similar to GCA. The truth be known, there aren't many. It's a regular source of frustration for me to not have a list of area churches I can recommend, especially considering the large number of anti-Reformed churches that exist in our land.

Nevertheless, I have become acquainted with a handful of like-minded churches dotted across the landscape and I'm happy to provide links to their sites here. Jeff and I have been talking about adding a GCA-friendly list of churches on our website and it should take shape soon.

But, in the meantime, here are a few fellowships that have contacted us to request a mention on our site:

http://www.welcomeallbaptist.com/

http://www.canerunbaptist.com/

http://www.gracefellowshipmh.org/

Grace Fellowship has also posted a copy of my article on the Great Tribulation on their library page:

http://www.gracefellowshipmh.org/library.htm

So, if you live in an area where you could attend any of these churches, drop by for a visit!

Live on the Radio

I never get tired of watching God do unexpected things. Sometimes it seems that we're really just here to enjoy the ride. So, the story unfolds like this ...

Last Friday a local radio talk-show whose program is syndicated nationally was discussing what's happening in the Middle East and apparently the Bible was brought up. I don't know if it was a caller or the host who started tying the two together, but he ended up saying something to the effect that he wanted "an expert" on Bible prophecy to appear on the program and told his audience that they could email him if they knew of such a person.

I got a phone call from a friend who was listening to the program and he suggested that I make myself available to the radio program. He said that he was also firing off a few quick emails to encourage them to contact me. I followed up and, sure enough, Sunday afternoon I received an email from the program asking if I could be on the program yesterday (Monday).

Now, let me add a quick clarification --- I don't believe there is anyone who qualifies as a biblical expert. No man has achieved Biblical mastery. I think that the Bible, in order to be the actual Word of God, must be of such a nature that it can entertain the most astute minds for multiple lifetimes, while never reaching the level of completion. Otherwise, men can fully comprehend the mind of God, which is intrinsically impossible.

Anyway, that said --- the whole radio thing was very enjoyable. The host, Phil Valentine, was cordial and seemed genuinely engaged in the discussion. He was generous with the airtime and allowed me to repeat our website address a couple of times.

So, at 6:00 p.m. -- during "drive time" -- I had a full 12 minutes to extoll the veractiy of Scripture and God's hand of providence over history on one of Nashville's most widely-listened-to broadcasts. We, of course, recorded that segment of the program and you can listen it to it here:

Jim with Phil Valentine

I've also been very encouraged and gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response to the program, from both friends and strangers. At the risk of appearing self-serving, here's a quick sampling of the messages I've received ---
=======================
Very cool interview today. Good job! Both (my husband) and I listened. Sounded like Phil liked you too. And from what (my husband) says, he doesn't like just anyone. See, he does have good taste!
=======================
You have an impressive web site, church and sermons... : )
=======================
Wow! Jim McClarty, father, pastor, author, sound tech, rock star, friend and now media advisor!!! God is definitely at work in GCA and suddenly we don't really seem so little anymore... we are just stretched far and wide.. as the word of God should be... and God is gradually filling in the gaps across the world with GCA teachings... very cool!!!
=======================
He is a very articulate man – and he was very well prepared with answers to Phil’s questions. I enjoyed listening to that segment.
=======================
We tried to listen as if we didn't know you personally, and there's no doubt that we would've instantly gone to the web site after hearing 'this really smart-sounding guy on the radio'!

Plus, it was so refreshing to hear someone representing Christianity who wasn't a wacko with a book to sell, or at least some type of thinly-veiled
agenda. I also thought the host was very respectful and attentive to what you were saying.
======================
I just listened to the "live" radio show and want to thank you for alerting us to the Phil Valentine segment. You were doing what you do -- teaching clearly, honestly, with good humor and no agenda except to Lift God's Word. Phil Valentine was a gracious host, did not interrupt you and allowed you to enlighten everyone listening. God opened a door and you stepped right in. You were great and I'm so blessed to have found Salvation by Grace.
=====================
While driving, my wife and I heard you speak on the Phil Valentine Radio show yesterday. My wife wrote down your web site and I have been downloading and listening to some of your messages. I'm interested in listening to more of your understanding of the Scriptures. I plan on ordering some of the mp3 CDs you offer very soon. Just wanted to say thanks and God bless.
=====================
Great job. Very clear and yet polite. Good reflection of Christians who think.
=====================
"Way to go!!" You did a wonderful job. You clearly articulated your position without coming off sounding like a "end times nutjob"! (I hate it when that happens!) You done good! Keep up the excellent work, my friend!
=====================
Way to go on the radio interview! (My husband) listens to 99.7 quite a bit and in fact had heard Phil say he wanted someone to come on to talk about eschatology. How wonderful that it was you so the people heard the truth! Not only that, but the website address was given a couple of times over a syndicated show!!! How great is that!!!
=====================
Hey, I just heard the interview. Great media presence. Sounded like good coverage for our church too. Thanks!
=====================
I knew that's how it'd go if you ever got on the air. Smoothly. God spoke well through you today.
=======================

So, thanks to the folks at WTN and The Phil Valentine Show for the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience!

Soli Deo Gloria.

2006 Sovereign Grace Bible Conference

This is Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. It was founded in 1862 (one year prior to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation) as an Independent Baptist Church. Main Street was organized on property owned by Mary Todd, who later married Abraham Lincoln. The church still tands at 582 West Main Street, next door to the Mary Todd Lincoln house. It is also the first site designated on the "African American Heritage Trail in Downtown Lexington" -- which you can read more about here .

Each year, Main Street hosts "The Sovereign Grace Bible Conference" during the first full week of August. This year it's August 7-11. On Monday night they host a pre-conference musicale and then, starting on Tuesday, each day begins with a preacher at 9:30 a.m., followed by the daytime teacher (this year it's Stephen J. Wellum, associate professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Semininay in Louisville), followed the afternoon preacher, then a break for lunch (Main Street offers a full lunch for all the attendees each day of the conference). The conference reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. to hear the evening teacher (this year it's Dr. Richard P. Belcher). Then each full day is capped of with an evening preacher. Then we resort to our respective hotels, sleep quickly, and get up the next day to do it all over again. It's a week of teaching and preaching unlike any conference I've ever attended.

More than that, I've never attended a conference that has more genuine fellowship. I've never been welcomed anywhere in quite the same fashion as I've been welcomed at Main Street. They demonstrate a genuine love for the Word of God and a great affection for the saints.

If you live anywhere near Lexington and are able to make the trip, you will not regret spending time at Main Street, listening to the Sovereign Grace of God being proclaimed loud and clear.

As for me, I am slated to preach Tuesday morning, as the lead-off speaker. That is the same schedule I had last year prior to eating some tainted fish that made it impossible to reach Lexington in time. I ended up speaking Friday morning, right where God must have wanted me. :-)

There are many, many able preachers who attend this conference and only a limited number of opportunities to speak. Needless to say, I'm honored and humbled to be invited to speak there for a second year. This is a church with a long, rich history. And their pastor, Elder Ward, is one of the most beloved and respected preachers of this generation. The pulpit at Main Street has hosted some of the greatest Bible expositors in our American heritage. So, just to stand on that platform and open a Bible is genuinely overwhelming.

But, as overwhelming as it is, I'm anxiously anticipating standing there once again and preaching the free and sovereign grace of our Lord and Savior.

I hope to see you there!