Doc Martin's Blog

2018 was a great year!

See what God was up to in our Blog!

Start at the bottom of the page to begin in January.

December 31, 2018 - Adios 2018

Our last assignment of 2018 was in Evadale, TX with Pastor Jeff Gravis. We ended our ministry year with a great meeting! New Beginnings in Evadale supports our Harvest Revivals with a monthly commitment. We are so thankful for the churches that partner with us to reach lost souls.

Lynda and I praised the old year out and the new one in with the good folks at Family Life Assembly of God near our home. Happy new year.

December 29, 2018 - It Was a Merry Christmas

I am in Baton Rouge, looking forward to visiting Family Worship Center in the morning. I made a trip to Pensacola yesterday to see Summer and get some things from our container and this is a most convenient stop on the way back to Texas.

Lynda and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home this year. A day of rest was a blessing after a very busy year. We have one more service in Evadale, Texas tomorrow night and that will finish out our 2018. Thank you Jesus for another great year.

December 10, 2018 - Back to Africa

Our Africa ministry started in Capetown, South Africa. We were with Pastors Anvar and Kathleen Kamaldien. It was a wonderful day and the altars were filled.

Lynda and I did not buy Christmas presents for each other this year, instead we each paid for the other to take a bit of vacation in South Africa. We visited Kruger Park and had a short safari. It was a blessed and relaxing time, especially after my physical problems. We saw some beautiful places and some beautiful animals. Of course, my Lynda was the prettiest thing there. Always up for some culinary adventure we tried impala, kudu and even banana pizza.

We flew from South Africa to Botswana where we preached a revival conference for Pastor Moses Bontsi. Moses was one of my students at BRSM. The church is a new plant and God blessed us with some powerful services. People were saved, healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. To God be all the glory!

After Botswanawe traveled to Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. We had some logistical difficulties and were not able to minister at the church in Livingstone, Zambia. We were disappointed, but still had a wonderful time. We were able to see Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The bridge across the river was the tallest bridge in the world when it was built more than one hundred years ago. The first white person to see the falls was one of my missionary heroes, David Livingstone. To walk in his steps alone made the journey worthwhile.

November 19, 2018 - Quite a Battle

We are sitting in the Washington DC airport as I type this. We are on our way to a missionary journey that will take us to four counties in South Africa. We are looking forward to what the Lord has for us.

It did not seem we would be able to make this trip, I have been through quite a health battle. I knew I had an abscess ona tooth that had been crowned about a year ago. When I got to my dentist in Mexico, I found the tooth had a serious infection. The infection had got into the bone. I had to have an extraction, bone had to be removed and a bone graft done. A week later, I was still having a problem so we went back to the dentist to find I needed another oral surgery. There was still infection and more bone had to be removed. I cannot tell you how painful these two procedures were.

I took antibiotics, pain meds and anti-inflammatories by injection and orally. That took a toll on me. By the weekend, I was cratered. My blood pressure was lower than it has ever been and I felt horrible. I went to the ER on Saturday and Sunday to find my hemoglobin wasdown from my normal 14.2 to 6.5. They transferred meto the hospital where it was discovered the meds had given me four bleeding ulcers. I had three transfusions and was released the third day.

By Saturday, I knew I had a problem with a vein in my arm where I had received IVs. I headed back to the ER and was diagnosed with a blood clot. Fortunately, it was in a superficial vein and was not life threatening. I was given meds and sent home to recover. As I said, it has been a battle, but thank God for an army of prayer warriors that have stood in the gap for me. As we leave for Africa, I am tired but feeling well, all things considered. Praise be to God.

October 29, 2018 - The Lone Star State

We finished out October preaching in familiar churches in South Texas. It was great to be back at Family Life Assembly of God in Katy and Brazos Valley Family Worship Centerin Bryan.

October 15, 2018 - More Missions Dinners

When we began October with Missions Dinners in Lumberton, Texas and Pensacola.

While in Pensacola, we were blessed to preach at Pine Forest Assembly of God. It was Pastor Appreciation day and we were blessed to help honor Pastor Gene Hudson.

It was also a real blessing to be in Pensacola for Summer's birthday. Thirty-two years old but still Daddy's little girl.

October 1, 2018 - Missions Dinners

When we returned home from South America, we preached in Evadale, Texas and then drove to Viola, Arkansas for a revival. It was great to be back in both of these churches.

Next, we began our fall missions dinner tour. The first dinners were in Houston, TX; Nocona, TX and back home in Duncan, OK. We are so thankful for everyone who supports us in these dinners.

After Saturday night in Duncan, we drove to Weatherford, OK for services with Ric and Christy Freeman at Life Church. Ric and I have a friendship that goes back to our teen years at Turner Falls Youth Camp. Both Lynda's late husband and I attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. We visited the campus and are pretty sure we rented the same campus housing apartment. It is indeed a small world.

From Weatherford we went to Heavener, OK and then Joplin, MO for two more dinners. So good to see so many of our friends and raise money for our mission.

Traveling across the state line into Kansas, we preached a tent revival in Galena, Kansas. Galena is so important to the early Pentecostal revival. It is the home of Mary Arthur who was healed in Charles Parham's meetings. Parham came to Galena, preached in her home and a large tent. The Pentecostal movement was born in Topeka, but it began to crawl in Galena.

September 3, 2018 - South America

Tonight we will head home from a wonder mission to Bolivia and Peru. First our flight stopped in Lima, where we took advantage of a half day to tour the city.

Next we visited Santa Cruz Bolivia where I taught at a Bible Conference, preached at an outdoor outreach and also preached in two churches. Thank you to Walter and Flora Nutt for hosting us.

We then flew to Sucre, Bolivia. We were the guests of Howard and Ana Nutt. Brother Nutt has been in Bolivia for 52 years. He has been on a single field longer than any Assemblies of God missionary. We visitedthe school for children, the orphanageand the universityhe has established. I spoke in the chapel for three days, telling the students about the Pentecostal revival. God moved powerfully among the students. On the first day I taught in three other classes, but I picked up a stomach bug that slowed me down on the remaining days.

After Sucre, we flew back to Santa Cruz and the to Lima, Peru. We ministered to both congregations of Garden of Gethsemane Church. Pastors Roberto and Christina Meza are doing an excellent job in Lima. Next year will be the hundred year anniversary of the Assemblies of God in Peru so I taught on Pentecostal origins and prayed for many to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

It will be good to be home, but our hearts are also heavy. We will get home just in time for the funeral of Pastor John Durham, one of our dear friends. John followed his dad, Calvin as pastor of Glad Tidings Church in Houston. We just ministered there last month. Less than two years ago Calvin and I had the privilege of baptizing John in the Jordan River. John was a wonderful friend and pastor. He will certainly be missed.

August 20, 2018 - On the Road . . . Again

We made a long road trip to Illinois. We preached revival for Ken and April Wade at Word of Life Church in Casey, Illinois. and on the way home had revivalwith Pastors Russell and Kim Merriman at Way of the Cross Church in Kensett, Arkansas on the way home. We met several of our good friends along the way. Thank God for good meetings and good friends.

Between revivals we were able to spend a night in Sikeston, Missouri and have dinner with both Matthews.

August 8, 2018 - Another Year Older

Happy birthday to me. I turned 66 today. Tired but not retired.

I preached at Glad Tidings in Houston and Brazos Valley FWC in Bryan, Texas and thank God for His blessings.

We were blessed this summer to have visits from my grandson, Matthew and my daughter Summer. Lynda's daughter Lindsey was able to join us for an Astros game.

July 9, 2018 - Beautiful Belize

Several months ago, we were invited to preach a minister's retreat for the Assemblies of God pastors in Belize. I have really been looking forward to returning to Belize for my third time and introducing Lynda to the country.

Our first stop was Belize City where we preached at Central Assembly of God. Thank God for many that responded to the invitation.

After one day off, we headed to San Ignacio for the retreat. What a wonderful time we had ministering and fellowshiping with these precious Belizean pastors and their wives. Although many cultural things separate us, the pressures of ministry are the same everywhere in the world. Thank you General Superintendent Abel Raymondo for giving us this opportunity.

When the retreat ended, we rode back to Belize City and caught a water taxi to the island of San Pedro. We preached twice in San Pedro and the Living Word Church. Many responded to the invitation to get the sin out of their lives and several were baptized in the Holy Ghost. We had one "free" day on the island and we had a fun time motoring around in a golf cart enjoying the beautiful island. Lynda loves seafood so she was in heaven for a few days. As for me, I was looking for the nonexistent McDonalds.

This was a special trip for several reasons most important was all that God did but very close behind was our second anniversary. It is hard to believe I have been married to this beautiful lady for two whole years. It has been an incredible journey and I thank God for putting us together.

June 30, 2018 - Here and There

In June we preached at Bethel Church in Duncan, OK and BrazesValley FWC in Bryan, Texas. We are thankful to God for his rich blessings.

Most of the month we were home. I had some medical issues that I had ignored for years that required some surgery and recovery time. Don't worry, I am fine. The great thing about being old is you have Medicare. The bad thing is you need it.

May 23, 2018 - Remember the Alamo

I was invited to preach in San Antonio for the first time for Pentecost Sunday 2018. We were at Life Church with Pastor Terry Richardson and God moved in a mighty way. I preached four times on Sunday. I was exhausted, but people were saved, blessed and baptized in the Holy Spirit. What a great day!

May 18 , 2018 - STXAG

Since our move to Texas, the South Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God is my ministerial home. Lynda and I attended District Council this week in Houston. We heard stirring messages by Tim Barker our District Superintendent and Doug Clay the new General Superintendent of the General Council. I was honored to give the invocation to open the council.

April 29, 2018 - A Proud Papaw

My grandson competed at the state level this week, as part of his High School music ensemble. The group won silver. I am so very proud of my fine grandson. Where has the time gone?

April 23, 2018 - Moving On

The last few weeks we have preached at Foley, Alabama; Silsbee, Texas and Bryan, Texas. All three of these churches have hosted us many times. We are so thankful for friends that open their church doors for our ministry.

April 1, 2018 - JSM Campmeeting

When we get a chance to get a few days of spiritual renewal, we try not to miss it. This year's Resurrection Campmeeting at Family Worship Center must have been the best ever for us. It was wonderful to see the bottom floor full and overflowing on Easter Sunday morning. Several hundred were in the balcony. Several years ago, the first time I preached at FWC, I preached, "The Best Is Yet to Come." Back then, very few could imagine that the ministry would ever come close to the glory days of the 1980's but God is faithful. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries has multiplied exponentially.

At 83, Brother Swaggart is still my favorite preacher and I still believe the best is yet to come.

March 27, 2018 - FLAG

How good it is to be home and sleep in your own bed and still have a great revival. We had three wonderful services at Family Life Assembly of God in Katy, Texas. We love this church and the pastors, Albert and Rebecca Cortez. It is always a great blessing to be back at FLAG.

March 17, 2018 - Jerusalem

How blessed we were to return to Israel with our friends Calvin Durham and Tim and Jill Barker. We were tired from our recent trip to Africa, but enjoyed revisiting the places where Jesus lived and walked. We were thankful to have my double cousin Linda Weeaks, her daughter Jamie Gates and several other long-term friends on this trip.

If you are interested in going to the land of the Bible, we encourage you to go at least once in your life and we would recommend the South Texas Assemblies of God trip being planned for March 2020.

March 4, 2018 - Back to Brian

It was a pleasure to be back with our friends at Brazos Valley FWC on March 4. Pastor Joel Withem has been in a real battle with leukemiaand we wanted to show him our support. Thank God he is doing well and we had a great service.

February 27, 2018 - Lemlem, Ethiopia

We are in recovery mode after a great trip to Ethiopia. This year's Harvest Revival was in Lemlem and we had a wonderful time. I am not saying it was easy, it wasn't but it was wonderful just the same. There was civil unrest in the country when we arrived and the road to Lemlem was blocked. No one could get out of Addis Ababa. It really looked like the crusade would have to be cancelled. I called for an army of prayer warriors on Facebook and literally thousands of people were praying. God heard and answered. We missed the first night and first full day of the crusade, but were able to start on Thursday night. Heaven came down.

We had an excellent team joining us from Texas, Alaska, California and Florida. Of course, Per Akvist and his Ethiopia team had every thing prepared for us. Everyone pulled together to see glorious results. We had between 60,000 and 70,000 in attendance. I wish you could be there and see the sea of people. There were 6,207 registered salvations. To God be the glory!

We saw many miracles. Let me share just one. Some of our team members prayed for this boy in the prayer tent. He was in a horrible condition. He had not eaten in days. His body was not functioning. His parents had a tongue depressor in his mouth to keep him from swallowing his tongue. He was barely breathing. As Pastor Tracy Hodges prayed for him, he actually thought the boy had died. He was in a desperate condition. That night, the boy stood on the stage with his mother and testified that God had healed him. Can you just imagine how happy his parents were to have their son restored to life? I don't know that I have ever seen a greater miracle. God is so good.

I am so happy to have my beautiful wife by my side as I minister this gospel. This was a tough trip. We traveled half way across the globe, then had an 11 hour bus journey on one of the worst roads I have ever seen. Our accommodationswere primitive to say the least--no hot water (no water much of the time), a bad bed and a really dirty bathroom. Yet, my sweetheart endured it all without a whimper. Thank God for sending me such a wonderful helpmate.

February 10, 2018 - Closer to Home

After Alaska, we preached in Duncan, OK; Deer Park, Texas and Odessa, Texas. We thank God for the moving of the Holy Spirit in each of these churches. I love to see people in the altars, repenting of their sins and seeking more of God.

January 20, 2018 - North to Alaska

Our 2018 ministry began in the great state of Alaska. Since I was only there for a few days it didn't seem cost effective for Lynda to make this trip, plus she has earned a few days of rest and catch-up in Houston. I preached at Summit Community Church in Wasilla and shared in a Holy Spirit Conference at Muldoon Christian Assembly in Anchorage. Ishared the pulpit with to great men, Dr. Joseph Castleberry, president of Northwestern University and Pastor Scott Erickson from Salem, Oregon. My most gracious hosts were Pastor Kent Redfearn and Alaska District Superintendent Bill Welch. I have know Bill since he was a boy, when I preached for his dad in Fairfield, TX. It was great to see many old friends and meet a host of new ones.

January 12, 2018 - End of a Season

After months of traveling back and forth and working long hours, we finally finished at our house in Pensacola. The house is for sale. I had a wonderful eighteen years in the seaside city, but the season has definitely ended. On our last Sunday in town, we visited Brownsville for the first time in a long time. The memories are precious but I look forward to an even greater tomorrow. My times and my seasons are in his hands. I must say a big thank you to Lynda for all the cleaning, painting and prepping she did at the house. I don's think I know a harder working woman. She wore me out. lol. There is still a large container full of books in Pensacola but that is another story for another time.

January 4, 2018 - Acts 6:4

We started the year at the Acts 6:4 Conference in Texarkana, TX. This is the premier Pentecostal conference in America. It was great to fellowship with friends and enjoy a few days of being ministered to. You should attend this great conference.

Click Here to See What We Were Doing in 2017