Marshall Ministry Newsletter: August 2007

Hello Everyone,

Greetings in the name of the Lord. I want to share my very first newsletter with you. I have had a slow start, procrastinating I guess. Has anyone else done that? Friends tell me, "Darrell, you need to put out a newsletter to let people know what you are doing, because there are a lot of people who care about you." I received several emails and letters expressing people's feelings and concerns for me. Because of my situation, I know this ministry has reached many people who are hurting and have experienced a loss like I have. I feel very blessed to be where I am today. It's because of people like you who love me enough to pray for me, encourage me, and support this ministry financially that I have been able to move forward after my loss. This is a self-supporting ministry, and without your help and God's grace, it couldn't be done.

I have just returned home from a concert tour that took me all the way to the West Coast. I was on the road for 2 1/2 months, drove almost 8,000 miles, and did 24 concerts. When I left southern Indiana to head out on this tour, I prayed for God to bless my trip, and I know I had several others praying with me. I had faith that God would answer our prayers. When I left, I hardly had enough money to get to the first concert, but with some help I got there. From the very first concert, I was inspired to keep going.

While out in California, I met with the Heritage singers and traveled with them on their northwest tour during the month of June. I was fortunate enough to meet Max Mace through our mutual friend, Danny Shelton. Max has been so kind to ask me to sing with Heritage occasionally.

While on my tour, I met wonderful people, made life-long friendships, and felt God moving as I shared with hurting people how God has helped me. Along the way it was tough; fuel costs were great, and sometimes I slept in the truck just to make it to the next church. The traveling part at times was discouraging, but as soon as I got to the church, all the discouragement left, and God took over with a healing spirit that not only was hope to others but was a major part in my healing.

You see, for a while, friend, I would pray for God to heal my broken heart; I would pray for Him to take my grieving and replace it with joy. As long as I stayed at home and prayed, not much seemed to happen. But as soon as I stepped out and began to share God with others and tell them how He can comfort us in our grief, He began to work in my life with more power.

Have you heard the story of two farmers who desperately needed rain, and they both prayed for rain, but only one went out and prepared his field for rain? Which one do you think received the rain? Of course, the one who prepared his field.

I've thought about how that story applies to my life: as long as I stayed home praying about it, not much happened, but as soon as I went out and began to help others, sharing God's boundless love, He began to rain in my life, and I found comfort and healing in my heart. There is joy in the Lord.

Nearly every day I receive letters from people sharing how much this ministry has helped them in their walk with God. I thank Him every day for the talent He has given me, and through your prayers and financial support, this ministry will continue. The experiences I get while traveling are incredible. People share with me their trials, and I think of scripture that has helped me. II Corinthians 1: 3-5 says, "Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." I want to be a willing vessel that God uses to bring comfort, encouragement, and healing through music.

If people can experience God through a personal testimony, see with their own eyes, and hear with their own ears that they can make it, then my efforts will not be in vain.

Friends, you have a choice today. You can choose to live life on your own or to live a life that is pleasing unto God. This is a choice only you can make. I want you to know I choose God; He is the only real peace I've found. I pray today that you will choose to love God and let Him have your life. Let Him be the first one you turn to.

I hope this very first newsletter has blessed you in some way today, and I'm looking forward to sharing many more. May God richly bless you as He has me.

Loving God, loving each other

--Darrell

From The Desk Of...

Pastor Kevin Wilfey in Spokane, Washington
www.linwoodsda.org

Someone has said that the songs of the Bible are all gospel songs, because they speak the experience of the believer as he travels along life's journey. The song of Moses and Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea tells of that great victory. The song of the redeemed in Revelation gives praise to the Lamb, Jesus, for victory over sin and an eternal home in heaven at last. Because a gospel song is a testimony put to music, it has a powerful effect on the listener, often doing what the spoken word could not: lead a person to make a commitment to Jesus Christ and be saved.

Dwight Moody, the great American evangelist of the 19th century, knew the power of gospel music. When he heard Ira Sankey sing, he began to pray that somehow Ira would be able to join him in his efforts to win the lost for Jesus. The rest, as they say, is history. Moody and Sankey traveled the world together preaching and singing the old, old story of Jesus and His love. Thousands upon thousands heard the message and responded to the call of heaven.

God still has His messengers today. There are those who preach and those who sing. Darrell Marshall is one of God's messengers in song, and his gospel message has the same power today that previous generations knew through other messengers. The following story will illustrate this.

William (not his real name) was a person on the outskirts of life and the church. Numerous attempts were made to reach his heart by loving Christian friends through deeds of service and spoken testimonies to the love and power of Jesus. William had always been appreciative, but remained aloof for reasons no one could understand. When Darrell Marshall came to the Spokane Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church in May 2007 to present a gospel concert, we were delighted to see William among the large crowd that came. As Darrell shared his music and his testimony, William's heart was moved and he took a few steps toward a relationship with Jesus. Once again, the power of the gospel through song was demonstrated.

Darrell's music is the music of the heart. His songs give us courage for today and hope for tomorrow because they point us to Jesus and the promises of His word. As we hear the experience of other Christians portrayed in the gospel song it causes our own faith to grow and our spirits are revived. Add to that the sincere personal testimony of Darrell's own life with Jesus and you have a truly winning combination.

On a personal note, I can't get enough of Darrell's music. I listen to it nearly every day and it always encourages my faith and refreshes my soul. Some of my favorites include "Whenever I Speak His Name", "I Was There When It Happened", "So Much God", "Search Me Lord" and several others. Our church can't wait to have Darrell come back for another concert. We praise God for the good His word and His music has accomplished in our lives as shared through His chosen servants.

--Pastor Kevin Wilfley
Spokane Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church

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