Mark Baptist Church, Mark Iowa
Fifty-eight years ago, God reached into the small farming town of Mark, Iowa, population 35, and saved a teenager named Boyd. Boyd was the only child of a highway worker and part-time farmer. Little did the people of that community know that God would use this event to impact thousands of lives over 3 generations.
God's Plan
Rural Town to Megacity
That young man was Boyd Lyons, who eventually became a missionary to the Philippines! A legacy of preachers and missionaries began on that Sunday.
Soon after Boyd's salvation, God spoke to his heart about becoming a preacher. His pastor, Rev. Harold Jayne, directed Boyd to prepare for ministry at Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri. There Boyd met Donna Crysler and they began the Lyons family.
Godly Generation
Ministry Heritage
Both sons of Boyd Lyons are Gospel preachers: Rev. Edward Lyons - Pastor, High Street Baptist Church, Springfield, MO and Rev. Greg Lyons, Missionary.
Now four grandchildren have answered the call of God to serve:
Luke Lyons - Missionary
Cory Lyons - Missionary
Tiffany Lyons - Staff member at High Street Baptist Church
Jessica Lyons Buxton - married to Missionary Evangelist Marc Buxton.
Memories
Thanking God
Recently, I and my two sons, Missionaries Luke Lyons and Cory Lyons visited Mark Baptist Church. Luke Lyons spoke in the same church where his grandfather was saved and called to preach! Along with Mark Baptist Church's current pastor, Rev. Gary Axtell, the 3 missionaries prayed and thanked God for His mighty work which began in that simple service many years ago. A teenage boy was sitting listening to the Gospel being preached and God began a great work for His glory.
Legacy
Churches Planted, Lives Saved
Since that time, over 100 churches have been planted. Through the joint ministry efforts from this legacy, over 100,000 souls have come to Christ. Three Bible Institutes have been established, training over 2,500 students through the years. Many preachers have been prepared for ministry through the extended ministry of Dr. J. Boyd Lyons and the generation of preachers he began. Praise God for His amazing work!
Thank God for my father's faithfulness! Dr. J. Boyd Lyons continues to lead a thriving ministry in Metro Manila. At 74, Dr. Lyons is still changing lives!
Begin A Legacy This Week!
You never know who is sitting in your church. It may be another Boyd Lyons! That unlikely teenager may have God's hand on him or her. Let us preach with fervor asking God to call new servants to His harvest.
Your Missionary,
Greg Lyons
Metro Manila
No comments:
Post a Comment