Maysville Fishing Report

“Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.””

Mark 1:17 NKJV

Fishing is an interesting concept. All you do is throw a line with a hook on it in the water and catch a fish. All of you fishermen just grinned. There is more to it than that. You have to use the right bait for the fish you desire. You have to be in the right fishing spot at the right time of the year to catch that fish. Then you have to know how that fish behaves. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, there are approximately 34,000 species of fish in the world. That’s a lot of fish and a lot of know-how just to catch one fish of one species.

However, Jesus was talking about fishing for men. Fishing for men is easier, as there is only one species of man on earth (Genesis 1:26; 2:7, 21-24). We all sin (Romans 3:23). We all need Christ (Romans 5:6-11). All sin fits into three categories, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). We are all “caught” by the same thing, God’s word (Acts 2:39; Romans 10:17). His word is truth and sets man free from sin and death (John 8:31-32). Where do we fish? Any and everywhere because there are souls all around us. That’s one species, one hook, one bait, and one fishing hole. That’s a lot easier than catching a fish out of the lake.

Maysville, 26 of your own brothers and sisters took on this command and task the last 11 weeks. 24 of them finished the specialized training in the person-to-person evangelism course known by the name Fishers Of Men. 24 people have completed 105 bible studies with over 34 different souls in this community. We are still adding to that number daily. Let me say that again. 105 BIBLE STUDIES WITH 34 SOULS IN THIS COMMUNITY have been completed by YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST in this congregation in the last 3 months.

People you worship next to every week. They did it! I couldn’t be more proud of this wonderful group of Christ followers. They have set a wonderful example for us all. Let us sing praises to God for their great work. Let us offer prayers of praise for their soul-saving work. Let us rejoice with them as they have seen the power of God work through His word.

We are not done! Oh, No! WE HAVE JUST BEGUN!! We need more names though. We want to study with the people that you know and hold dear. That list of five names that we are praying for are the souls that need to be studied with. You have brethren who are trained, skilled, and ready to study with them. You have the names. Help us help you. Share those names with us, let us study with them, and we can save souls together. What’s holding you back from sharing a name that you could share heaven with one day? Will you work with us?

Another class will be taught this year. In the fall we will take another group of your brethren and train them to be fishers of men. Be ready to sign up, be ready to grow, and be ready to bring souls to Christ. Let us follow the lead of the 24 into the world to bring souls to Christ.

-Steve Johnson

#MaysvilleMessenger