Prayer Letter | September – October 2025
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
–1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Dear Brethren,
There is something profoundly liberating in acknowledging that the work before us is not only difficult—it is impossible. The Church we envision in George County will not spring up overnight like some roadside wildflower, here today and withered by next week’s heat. No, what we are building requires the patience of a farmer who understands that wheat takes time, that roots must go deep before the stalk can bear the weight of harvest. And we find ourselves perfectly at peace with this reality.
George County Baptist Church: The Long, Faithful Work
When we arrived in Lucedale, Mississippi, we inherited not only a dwindled congregation but a debt of some $60,000—a financial anchor that might have sunk a less determined vessel. This November marks our second anniversary here, and I am pleased to report that the debt now stands at approximately $34,000. Let me be clear: this is not a request for money. It is simply an honest reckoning of where we stand, offered in the same spirit one might discuss the weather or the condition of the roads.
This reduction came about through two channels of grace. First, the faithful few who gather here each week—a small company, to be sure, but one whose generosity would shame congregations ten times our size. The weight of this burden rests on less than a handful of shoulders, yet they bear it without complaint. Second, the Lord stirred the hearts of God’s people in other churches to reach out their hands and lighten our load. Much of the reduction in so short a time can be attributed to their kindness. When this debt is finally erased—and it will be—there will be nothing standing between us and the long, patient work of building a church that will outlast us all.
As for the building itself—I speak now not of bricks and mortar but of living stones—we have begun to see visitors with increasing frequency. We tried various methods of introducing ourselves to George County, some more fruitful than others. The most profitable approach has also proven the most labor-intensive and costly, though the Lord has been gracious even in this. A few churches have contacted us recently, offering to help sustain this particular ministry going forward.
Each week, a few ladies from our church gather in our home. We share a meal together—there is something of the early church in this simple act—and afterward, we turn our attention to the work of invitation. We stuff envelopes, apply labels, write addresses by hand. The county officials provided us with the election registration records, a comprehensive list of every registered voter in George County. Thus, when our invitation arrives, it bears not just a message but a name—the recipient’s own name—and many have told us they were moved by this personal touch. In an age of mass mailings and automated messages, the sight of one’s own name, written by hand, carries a weight that algorithms cannot replicate.
This past month we have seen visitors, some from our mailings and others from our public ministry outreach. A few are lingering, though we wait with patient expectation to see whether interest will ripen into commitment. This has been a tremendous blessing. We ask for your prayers as we continue these ministries, that the Lord will give the increase that only He can give.
Family Camp: Investing in the Foundation
October once again, and back to Family Camp, our annual pilgrimage to Tennessee for a time of fellowship, preaching, and the making of family memories. This year, just over fifty souls attended. I suspect there may be no better strategy for strengthening Christianity than building strong, godly families. When families struggle, the Church struggles; when families collapse, society follows. We were blessed to host families who came with a genuine hunger for godly homes—not the manufactured spirituality of religious sentiment, but the real, difficult work of training children in the admonition of the Lord.
The investment is long-term, of course. We will not see the full fruit of these few days for years, perhaps decades. But then, all wise investment requires looking beyond the immediate return. We pray now that each family takes what was learned and applies it faithfully at home, where the real work begins.
The Luganda Bible Project: Steady Progress
The Luganda Bible Project continues its blessed trajectory. With the initial translation work now complete, I find myself receiving weekly messages about review completions. The wheels are turning, and they turn steadily.
In September, several Level 2 Reviews were completed: 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles. Judges and Ruth have reached Level 3, meaning they stand just one step from their final state. All books that complete Level 3 need only one final review before they are ready for God’s people.
Exodus has undergone its final review, joining Genesis as a completed work. These two books have passed through the entire process and are as accurate as our team can make them. Of course, we hold all books until the entire Bible is complete—we believe this will happen within three years or less. At this rate, the Lord is blessing, and the men involved are doing a great work. Please continue to pray for them.
Family Matters: The Passage of Time
Finally, in September I grew another year older ( I suppose you did the same at some point this year)—a development I accepted with the resignation of one who has no choice in the matter. More importantly, Kristin and I celebrated eleven years of marriage. In October, our eldest daughter Bethany, in flagrant disregard of my express instructions, turned five years old. She is an extraordinary young lady who has been informing us quite frequently of late that she has trusted in Jesus Christ. We are handling this matter with great care and would be grateful for your prayers as we seek the Lord’s wisdom regarding her heart.
As many of you know, Kristin is expecting our fourth child. Her pregnancy has been remarkably smooth, both mother and baby enjoying excellent health. At her twenty-week scan in early October, we learned we are having another girl. That brings our home to three girls and one boy—please pray especially for Adrian, who finds himself increasingly outnumbered.
We are well into that stage of pregnancy when my wife asks me relentlessly for name suggestions. My proposals often reflect whatever book of the Bible we happen to be reading during family altar. Unfortunately, Kristin showed little enthusiasm for Magormissabib (Jeremiah 20:3), so the search continues.
In Closing
Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for reading these letters. Thank you for blessing us with your concern for our ministry in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The work is slow, but it is good work. The progress is measured not in dramatic conversions or sudden growth, but in the quiet faithfulness of a few souls who understand that what matters is not the speed of our planting or the efficiency of our watering, but God’s willingness to give the increase.
We remain, as ever, your servants in Christ,
Pastor Thomas Irvin
Victory Baptist Church
Coden, Alabama
