Reasons Why I Might Support Bro. Barry and Revival or Ruin Ministries
by Garett Davidson
Garett Davidson is a police officer for Metro Nashville police department. He is married to Brittnee and they have two daughters Morgan, Everleigh with their child (Titus) due in July. Garett currently serves the church at Pleasant Hill as a deacon, where he oversees small groups and helps lead the students small groups.
My thoughts on Bro. Barry Carpenter :
1) I have heard him preach several times, and the preaching contains solid theology and doctrine, as well as a love for God evidenced in a genuine concern for men's souls.
2) I have personally observed Bro. Barry's personal deportment and character and have not found cause for alarm, though I am often apt to do with men. His humility appears born of his convictions.
3) I have heard and seen evidenced by others a love or affection for Bro. Barry that is both sincere and in line with my own personal observations, speaking good of his name.
4) I have observed and seen evidence of Bro. Barry as one who earnestly contends for the faith. Bro. Barry has engaged others in open air debates, formal debates (ex. against Micah), and youtube videos.
5) Bro. Barry has posted both facebook and other media blogs or posts which reveal both his personal conviction and where his heart and time are dedicated. Such posts, as well as the Revival or Ruin internet page, contain clear insight and absolves doubts regarding the impetus with which he is undertaking this work.
6) Bro. Barry has set himself to the task before him—he is selling everything and making earnest preparation for the mission ahead. Barry has also laid out what his vision is. Barry has demonstrated commitment and vision. At this time he lacks significant support from other churches, some of which had committed to Barry but not yet fulfilled their commitments, but Barry has not allowed his commitment to the work to be stymied.
7) Bro. Barry has evidenced faith to undertake the work God has placed upon his heart. Barry is selling all belongings except what he can carry over, he is taking his son, he is set to go despite the seeming obstacles before him, he understands and knows the certain risks before him yet has abandoned himself to God's graces and mercies (he appears neither a naïve fool in this nor a charlatan portraying circumstantially-inhuman attributes)---he has both acknowledged the weight and risk of the task ahead with a humble fear which one only continues to undertake having certain faith in the God in whom they have trusted.
8) Bro. Barry has shown accountability. Previously, Barry has given a presentation and an accounting for what his work entails, requires, and expends. Barry has demonstrated an openness to scrutiny. Additional information is available online.
9) Bro. Barry has not engaged some fantasy without means. Barry has learning, drive, faithfulness, and experience which, notwithstanding God's providence, speak well to his capability to undertake this mission.
10) I feel confident that Bro. Barry has in proper view God's glory through the ministry work. The work of training, equipping, discipling, and evangelizing which God will use to draw a people to himself is God glorifying, and this is his mission.
11) Barry is but a man in a fallen world—he is not perfect. With confidence though, I count him as my brother who is laboring for the sake of the Gospel.
My thoughts on Missions
1) There will always be a need for well-equipped missionaries until the Lord returns.
2) There is a lack of well-equipped missionaries and the Lord will return.
3) The perception of many local churches has become that evangelism/missions is inviting others to church rather than to Christ. This is often accompanied by programs or events where loving Christians meaning well give out things other than the Gospel.
4) There is a disease amongst missionaries consisting of contextualization/syncretism of the Gospel. Missionaries become so method oriented that the Gospel is compromised and converts are nominal at best, rather than born-again, Holy-spirit filled, trophies of God's grace. (See The Sovereign Grace Messenger, Issue 35, “The Cultural Captivity of Evangelical Missions” by Trevor Johnson )
5) A popular method of funding missionaries often includes or can result in not personally knowing the missionary or being in a position to be able to hold them accountable. Money is sent through other organizations or boards. This can result also in a lack of accountability likewise of the church sending the funds. There must be a fine balance where both the church and the missionary are held accountable. The church should not feel proud just because it is giving sums of money away to nondescript missionaries lest they become like a Pharisee who does not involve their heart, use sound judgment, or work with proper motives. We need to know our funds are going to a Paul, not a Judas Iscariot. I would regret even a small sum going to one who uses it to betray the Gospel.
Concerns
1) Holding the rope for a missionary always includes the possibility of rope-burns.
2) God is providential. We can never fully know if Barry will succeed or fail within any measure of our own finite understanding. We can trust that God will accomplish his purpose.
3) God is providential. Barry could succumb to illness or other calamity, or his son, so that the mission work must be abandoned.
4) Our church could suffer some critical famine that jeopardizes our ability to continue supporting Barry, which could in turn jeopardize the mission work. God is providential. It is a hard argument to fund Barry if we do not even have faith that God will continue to provide for our church.
The questions:
Weighing the evidences, is supporting Bro. Barry Carpenter going to reflect a wise investment/stewardship of resources, through which God will be glorified?
If so:
Do I have the ability to support Barry's ministry?
Do I have the desire to support Barry's ministry?
For more information on Dr. Barry Carpenter, Revival or Ruin Ministries, Bible Expositors Seminary click on link below:
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