Let us pray for you"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you." ~ Col. 1:9
Enjoy God's Word"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." ~ Mat. 4:4
Worship Christ"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." ~ John 4:24
Get involved"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." ~ Mat. 9:37
Help God's work"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together..." Luke 6:38
My name is Garth Piper. My father is Garth Piper, also. I spent the first 18 years of my life living in the Climax-Scotts area. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to grow up in a small town with a farming culture. Here I was taught by my family to work hard and to try to make good decisions.
I thought I was doing okay, but, when I was 14 years old, I went to a special service at Prairie Baptist Church and heard the Word of God proclaimed. On that night I realized that I was not doing okay; I was a sinner. The Word seemed quite harsh. When it was explained that all one had to do to be a sinner was to do one thing displeasing or disobedient to God, it became very clear to me. Although I tried to do right, I was not worthy to go to Heaven to be with God; instead, I was on my way to hell.
The following Sunday I went back to Prairie and again heard the Word of God. I knew I needed to make a decision. At the end of the service I went forward; Hugh Jenkins, a faithful older member of the church, took the Bible and showed me that if I would repent of my sin, turn to Christ, ask Him to save me, then He would save me. That day I put my trust in Jesus Christ alone. Based on what the Bible says, I now have assurance I will be with God in Heaven.
Through a variety of circumstances, I did not go back to church for a while. When I did, it wasn't often. Because of this, I did not grow in my spiritual life. When I was 16, things seemed to be going well but there was an emptiness that I couldn't explain. By this time I had become very active in the sports program at Climax-Scotts High School. I am thankful for the coaches that I had opportunity to play under because they poured their lives into us to make us athletes. I played in several of the sports that were offered at the time. I saw some success, but there was still something missing in my life.
During the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school, Prairie Baptist Church held special tent meetings in Fulton. I went to those meetings. On the first night the preacher preached a message about the dissatisfaction a Christian feels when he is not fully living for the Lord. I realized at this time I was making sports my god instead of Christ. That summer I determined to give my all to the Lord. With the support of my parents, I left CS High and started going to Prairie Baptist School. I am thankful for the teachers in the CS school district who did their best to teach me even though at times I wasn't the best of students. Over the next two years of High school not only did I know that I had trusted Christ as my personal Saviour, but also I was now living for Him. PBS opened my eyes to so much in the Bible as well as in life.
The years at Prairie, under the teaching of Pastor Love, Pastor Jim Harrison, and Tom Harrison (the current pastor) were essential in helping me to develop into the person I am today. I am still not a perfect person, but I am forgiven because of what Jesus Christ has done for me. I am thankful He has given me the opportunity to serve Him over the last 23 years. I have ministered in a couple of different ministries here in the states. I am serving as a Missionary Pastor at Rotorua Bible Baptist Church in Rotorua, New Zealand. I am thankful to Pastor Harrison and all the folks at Prairie for their faithfulness to the Lord and continuing help to me.
Annual Golf Outing and AuctionPBC would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who participated in this year's program. For next year's golf outing flyer, please click the link above.
8th Annual Ladies SeminarAn exciting seminar to encourage and help Christian ladies in their spiritual journey.