Episode 315

War Retreat Soul Care, Pastor Sons Guitar Hobby

Mar 20, 2023

When the IMB’s Mike Domke looked at a network of 60 Ukrainian pastors and missionaries, he knew that’s exactly what they needed — to rest and rejuvenate by doing nothing. After learning about Instruments of Joy from Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Gilbreath and his sons decided to provide a guitar for the Nashville-based organization that provides musical instruments to equip musicians who live in poverty-stricken communities who cannot afford instruments.

Transcript

When the IMB’s Mike Domke looked at a network of 60 Ukrainian pastors and missionaries, he knew that’s exactly what they needed — to rest and rejuvenate by doing nothing. The needed a retreat.

Since the war began, the word “rest” has not been in their vocabulary. Most opened their homes and churches to the displaced. They shuffled many to the borders to safety.

This network of ministers cared for the physical and spiritual needs within the country of Ukraine. The ministers and their families put feet to generous financial gifts. Food packets were provided for close to 95,000 families while more than 69,000 hot meals were prepared for those seeking temporary shelter from the combat zones. This group shared the gospel with 42,000 people; close to 1,000 of those made professions of faith.
The War Retreat was the first time many had an opportunity to slow down and process.
Domke said the goal of this retreat was to allow people to talk through the trauma and hardships. Ministers often end up hearing others’ problems but rarely have someone to share their own burdens.

 

It was safe to talk about the pain of loss and voice their nightmares. This was a place to cry, pray and praise God … a place to celebrate lives transformed by the gospel and people baptized.

Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs
Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.

Pastor Greg Gilbreath of Madison Baptist Church has always enjoyed both playing and repairing his own guitars.

Two of his sons — Sam and Ben — also enjoy playing the guitar while his third son, Nic, is a woodworker. Sam Gilbreath is minister of youth and plays in the worship band at Meridian Baptist Church in Jackson while Ben is a folk musician.

After learning about Instruments of Joy from Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Gilbreath and his sons decided to provide a guitar for the Nashville-based organization that provides musical instruments to equip musicians who live in poverty-stricken communities who cannot afford instruments.

Since its founding, Instruments of Joy has provided more than 750 instruments in over 70 countries by working with partners, such as the TBMB, who have established relationships in many of those countries.

Gilbreath and his sons purchased a blank guitar body and the electronics for the guitar. He shared what they were doing with Madison Baptist and Madison-Chester Baptist Association and both entities provided additional funds. After the guitar was complete they had enough funds to send “extras” with the guitar, including a hard shell case, an amplifier, extra strings and more.

The Gilbreaths guitar ended up in the hands of Edieberto, the worship leader at Central Baptist Church in Peru.

Read the full piece and sign up for our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.

Related Episodes

58 baptisms at TN jail by neighboring churches’ MedAdvance in 2023; More lives to be changed. 10 reasons for disaster relief training.

When more than 50 people were baptized at the Sumner County, Tennessee Jail in early May, it was the culmination of many years of ministry from two neighboring churches; For those with a passion for healthcare and a calling to missions, the International Mission Board has avenues of service ready to fill; Unfortunately, natural disasters are inevitable in this world. Coy Webb of Send Relief encourages believers to get trained in responding to disaster relief

90,000 U.S. testimonies of answered prayer sought for England monument; 6 Ways Pastors Become Men of Prayer

Everyone finds great joy when God answers their prayer. Richard Gamble’s is working hard to build what he calls the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, an interactive, 160-foot monument of 1 million white bricks built into an infinity loop on a plot of high-profile land in Birmingham, England; In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman encourages believers to pray and offers some tips to pastors and believers on how to create culture of prayer in the local church.

0 Comments