Category: From Our President

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The Art of Listening

By John O’Malley

This year, I will be releasing a new book called Ministering to the Wounded. For my article this month, I am sharing a chapter from the book titled “The Art of Listening.”

After 40 years of ministry, I have found that listening is crucial.

In a world full of noise, listening is one of the rarest gifts we can offer. I struggle with completing someone’s thought in my mind so I can prepare my answer. For those who minister to the wounded, listening is not a passive act—it is a sacred ministry. It requires emotional restraint, spiritual sensitivity, and selfless love. Before Scripture can be applied wisely, ears must be opened humbly.

Listening is the first act of Christlike compassion. Jesus often asked questions—not because He lacked knowledge, but because He valued presence over performance. To listen is to enter someone’s suffering without trying to fix them. It reflects the heart of a God who “is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18).

1. The Value of Listening: Listening affirms dignity. It says, “Your story matters. You are not invisible.” It gives the wounded space to breathe and their burdens a place to land. Authentic listening slows down solutions and honors the process of trust.

2. The Patience Required: Listening is not efficient. It will interrupt your schedule. It may stretch your emotions. But love that listens is love that lingers. Proverbs 18:13 warns, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Quick answers are rarely wise ones.

3. What Biblical Listening Looks Like: Biblical listening is:
• Quiet (James 1:19): “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…”
• Compassionate (Romans 12:15): “Weep with them that weep.”

• Discerning (Proverbs 20:5): “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

Listening is not agreement, but understanding. It is not silence without discernment—it is restraint guided by the Spirit. When spoken in season, listening allows space for the Holy Spirit to work through the Scriptures.

To care well, start by listening well. Put down your notes. Resist the urge to fix. Hear the hurt. Hold the silence. Let their pain speak before you speak of healing. Listening may feel small, but it often opens the door to the most incredible work God wants to do.

What Can We Offer?:
      • Resist the urge to interrupt or mentally prepare a response while someone else is sharing.
      • Reflect back what you heard to ensure understanding (“What I hear you saying is…“).
      • Pray before offering advice. Without Him, we can do nothing.
      • Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom to know when to speak—and when to stay present.

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” —Matthew 11:15

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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I Need an Estimate

By John O’Malley

“For the LORD is good…” (Psalm 100:5).

How many times have you needed a service performed in your life and sought an estimate? First, you have to find a provider of that service. Then you must find out the price. You may read reviews online, ask some trusted friends, and ask how long the vendor has been in business. You may gain confidence in a service provider with each mention of a friend, review you read, and advertisement you see. These all help you gain confidence in the service provider for your needs.

As in the illustration above, when we want a service performed we seek an estimation of both a vendor and his service reliability. The psalmist gives us his estimation of both the person and perception of the Lord: “the LORD is good.” The psalmist speaks from his experience with God. His opinion is not just subjective. He writes with authority as God inspired him to write these words.

“The LORD is good.” What confirmation! What consolation! What comfort!

The psalmist, in our focus phrase, invokes the name of God, which makes us think of God’s self-existing eternal state of being. Notice the spelling of the word “LORD.” Do you see the capital letters? The word’s meaning has to do with Him being self-existing. The God who has always been and will always be is the Lord that is good. This is the same word God used to introduce Himself to Moses in Exodus 6:2-3.

We considered the psalmist’s estimation of the person of God. Now, we should consider the psalmist’s estimation of God’s quality. The psalmist estimates the value of God as good. Good does not seem high enough to describe God.

Advertisers use superlatives in their estimations of their services and products. Advertisers say “good” is just okay. Advertisers tell us we need spectacular. We need awesome. We need amazing. However, God told The psalmist to use the word “good.”

When compared to modern adjectives, “good” seems inadequate. When David used this word, he used it in the sense that he estimated God as the best. He valued Him as beautiful and better. He knew Him to be both fair and the finest. He is God. Using the word “good” is the highest estimation He could give to He who is altogether lovely. David’s estimation of God is He is perfect.

When we seek an estimate, we want to know the length the vendor has been in business. We want to know the quality of their work. We use these elements to determine whether we enlist them to help us. The psalmist’s words speak to these two elements of an estimation. The Lord has been in business since before time. The Lord is good!

What is your estimation of God? Have you found Him good? He is always good. Try your estimation of God right now. Write down three ways you know God has been good to you and the world at large.

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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See the Harvest Grenada 2025

By Cody Carden

In March, I was privileged to lead a See The Harvest Team of six to St. George’s, Grenada. Our team worked alongside Pastor Anderson Gibson and the First Baptist Church of Berrotte to have an open-air street meeting, youth/discipleship conference, discipleship movie night, and fun youth activities! Pastor Mike Barnette of McLeansville Baptist Church in McLeansville, NC, was the keynote speaker from our team.

Though we only had eight days on the island, God used us greatly! Most of our morning hours were spent with other missionaries and pastors on the island, learning from their experiences on the field and the history of ministry in Grenada. It was such a blessing for our team to be an encouragement to them and their families! Simple encouragement for missionaries and saints on the field can go a long way, and it’s often an overlooked part of short-term missions ministry.

Our main ministry efforts were the events that took place in the evening at First Baptist Church. Pastor Anderson Gibson is bi-vocational, which is why our mornings were spent with others. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday’s services focused on youth and discipleship. Pastor Mike preached on how a deeper life with God is possible, practiced, and worth every sacrifice! To end the conference, we showed a film at the church on Wednesday night. The film “The Forge” gave everyone a visual of what practical discipleship looks like and helped them understand how preaching and teaching apply to their lives personally.

Finally, to end our week, we had a Youth Night on Friday with all kinds of games for the children and teens. Of course, we also had hot dogs, roasted corn, and Grenadian S’mores! It was such a refreshing week of ministry for First Baptist Church, The Gibson Family, and our team. We hope to visit Grenada again, possibly working with other pastors on the island to accomplish outreach efforts. Praise God for a wonderful trip!

Yours for the Harvest,
Cody Carden
See The Harvest Director

If you have any questions about this trip or the See the Harvest program, you can email Bro. Carden.
Our team with Pastor Gibson and his wife.
Our team visiting our missionaries, Pat Mathena and Carrie Mathena
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You Are Hereby Invited

By John O’Malley

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Recently, I received an invitation to an Unbirthday party of McKenna, a friend. Alice in Wonderland was the theme. You could come dressed as anyone from the story. The invitation was playfully presented. The date and time were clear.

My wife and I were not able to attend. However, I did arrange for a FaceTime call. When I called, I had a video feed of the event. People were dressed in costume. Laughter and chattering were heard. I saw that all who responded to the invitation were participating in the joy. Yet, I was only a distant observer.

I spoke to “Alice” and sang the “Merry Unbirthday” song to her. We spoke for a moment, and McKenna was back to the party. I continued on with my evening, five hundred miles away.

In verse four, we read of the believers’ invitation to God’s house. He calls us to the gates and courts of the Lord. The gates are the entry point to His house. The courts are the place between the gates and His dwelling place.

The invitation of this psalm speaks not only of where we are to come. It tells us what we are to wear and what we are to do upon arrival. We are to come wearing garments of thanksgiving and of praise. When we arrive, we are to express words of thankfulness directly to Him. We are then to bless His name.

The invitation of our Host must be heeded. He asked us to come to His presence, whether it is in personal or public worship, wearing thanksgiving and praise. He asks us to arrive and be thankful. He asks us to bless His name.

Today, as you stand in His courts, look around you and reflect on Him. I urge you to reflect on His grace. He applied grace to your life when you believed in Him. None deserved His salvation. As you stand in His courts to praise Him, remember His goodness to you. He meets your every need. He always does what is best for us. Lastly, in this moment of intentional reflection, rejoice in His glory. When you rejoice in His glory, you remove yourself from the spotlight of attention to take credit for your talents and skills. You place Him in the spotlight, and you give Him the attention and praise for everything.

Reader, today I urge you to praise Him. Let thankfulness and praise be confirmed with the words you speak and the attitude you display. Then, you should bless His name. The idea behind the English word “bless” is to bow and praise Him.

For my friend McKenna’s party, we were to wear what was asked. We were to come and celebrate her birth and life. We were to come dressed to celebrate. The believer’s invitation to God’s presence is no different. Psalm 100:4 says we are to arrive in His presence with thanksgiving and praise. When in His presence, we must express thankfulness and blessing.

Do you give greater attention to an invitation to a party than you do to God’s presence? How often do you come to His presence in the way His invitation asked?

Today, accept His invitation to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Wherever you are right now, why not just say aloud to God, “I know You are here and I am thankful I am not alone. Thank You for Your presence.”

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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I Am Where He Placed Me

By John O’Malley

“…and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).

As a boy, we lived in Colorado, a state in the western mountain region of the United States. Sheepherders lived in the community where we lived. We could both see and sometimes smell these animals. On more than one occasion, we had sheep wandering through our land. While these wandering sheep were on our land, they did not belong there. They were not ours.

We learned from living there that shepherds know their sheep. Most shepherds where we lived used a numbered and colored tag that was pierced in their sheep’s ear. This system allowed any shepherd who found a wandering sheep to easily identify the owner of the sheep and the pasture to which the sheep belonged.

When the psalmist says we are “the sheep of his pasture,” he identifies two relationships. He points to the relationship the sheep have with God; we are His possession. The second relationship is one of protection. He says we are in His pasture.

In the Psalms, you will find the relationships of possession and protection mentioned. The familiar passage of Psalm 23 identifies these relationships. Look at these three passages as well.

“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice” (Psalm 95:7).

“Thou leadest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 77:20).

“But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock” (Psalm 78:52).

God wants me to know I am His, and He protects me. Delightfully, I am not a wandering and aimless sheep without a Shepherd. I am His sheep. I am in His pasture. He will go to great lengths to provide, protect, and pamper His sheep. As my owner, He drives away the wolves, worries, and wicked thieves.

Fellow sheep, mind not the discomforts of this life. Recall this truth: we are “the sheep of his pasture.” There will be no lonely moments of listless wandering. Yes, there will be panicked moments of wondering how will He provide and protect. However, if you are His sheep, His provision and protection will come. These assurances come with our relationship to the Shepherd.

Will you pause right now and reflect on God’s provision in your life? Today, will you share this with someone who needs to hear it?

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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To Whom I Belong

By John O’Malley

“…we are his people…” (Psalm 100:3)

The psalmist paints a picture for us that is overwhelming. Consider the powerful message in these four words. “…we are his people…”

The psalmist reminds us of God’s interaction with man: “we.” Sinful men tainted by the garden experience in Eden, having been barred from fellowship with God, now have access to Him. No longer outsiders, by faith in His Son, we now stand inside the garden of fellowship with Him. God’s interaction with people made us “we.”

The psalmist reminds us of God’s interest in Man: “are.” God’s interest in man did not stop in the Old Testament and New Testament days. God’s interest is ongoing. We “are” His people. Not was. Not will be. We are, right now, His people. God is interested in His children.

The psalmist reminds us of God’s investment in man: “his” God made the ultimate investment in us. He invested Jesus. When God gave His Son to die for us, He showed what investment He was willing to make. What an investment He made to make us His own. We are His possession.

The psalmist reminds us of God’s inheritance in man: “people.” God chose us for His inheritance. He proclaims in His Word that He is not ashamed to claim ownership of us (Hebrews 2:11). The children of God belong to Him.

Shall we fear anything? Shall we be discouraged by any foe? Shall any condition bring despair? I call you to attention. We are His people.

Will I ever be left alone? Will I ever be forsaken? Will I ever be out of His reach? Will I ever be out of His care? I call you to remember His Word. We are His people.

As you walk through your day, will you let this thought echo in your mind and heart? You are His.

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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Made Where?

By John O’Malley

“… it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves…” (Psalm 100:3).

Made in China. Made in Taiwan. Made in Japan. Made in Malaysia.

These are all common tags we see on the products we purchase. The tag reminds us of a distant land we may have only heard about. The tag may remind us of a global economy. The tag may even evoke strong feelings of national pride and seemingly unanswerable questions about trade practices.

On some products we purchase we also find a tag that reads, “Inspected by #4.” These tags make me smile. I wonder, “Who is number four? Is there more than one number four? Is number four a station? Who really made what I am wearing?”

Dear Reader, our verse for today sends one clear message. Believers carry a tag. It is a tag that designates our Maker. We carry God’s tag. The tag reads, “Made by God.” The psalmist describes our tag: “… it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.”

My entire existence is affected by this verse. This truth affects my worship and work for God. This precept brings me to the realization I did not bring myself into existence; He did. I did not make me; God made me. I read this phrase, and it brings comfort to my soul, conviction to my service, and compassion as I work with others. David’s words in the 139th Psalm say that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

The tag on every person’s life is the same: “Made by God.” We do not make our own way in this life. We may try to make a name for ourselves, but we carry His tag.

When someone accepts the payment for salvation paid by Jesus, we bear another mark on our tag. It is the designation that we were bought with a price. Paul wrote that we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Jesus purchased us with His defeat of death, hell, and the grave. His purchase of me means I am His. I am to put God in the spotlight of my life, or in other words, glorify Him. By faith in Him alone, the tag on my heart says “Purchased.” I am His.

This analogy is simple. It conveys one clear truth. Our lives are not our own; therefore, bring Him glory.

The believer wears the tag “Made and Purchased by God.” Is God pleased with your actions, your attitudes, and your activities?

I want you to find someone today and tell them, “God made me.” Then ask them, “Did you know He paid the price for you to go to heaven?”

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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You Know

By John O’Malley

“Know ye that the Lord he is God…” (Psalms 100:3).

Advertisers spend millions trying to get us to know their product name and its benefits. They bombard our lives in print, radio, and television. When we might forget the name and benefit of their product, advertisers erect billboards. Even if we do not see the billboards, advertisers produce bumper stickers. All of their efforts are to help us remember their product and how it will change our lives.

The psalmist, in our focus verse today, puts up a billboard on the highways of the followers of Christ. The psalmist speaks of something everyone must know. He does not speak of knowing the name of another product. He is speaking of knowing something in the spiritual realm.

The psalmist says, “Know ye that the Lord he is God.” We should know He is God when difficulties arise that shake the very structure of our lives. We should remember He is God when we become overwhelmed. We should know He is God when in the midst of distress. Simply, we should know He is God.

Remind yourself. He is God. Not, He was God. The God of all Creation is your God. What should you fear?

Yet, life is filled with fears. Our tragedies and challenges seem to cast a shadow on our confidence. We easily lose sight of God. Our view of our distresses may be shortsighted. We can only see a short portion of our journey. However, God sees the entire path of our life. He knows what is beyond us. He sees the beauty when we see the ashes. He sees the hope when we see our hurt. He sees what is best when we see what is worst.

Dear reader, it is time to notice the billboards God erects on the path of our lives. This verse is like a highway sign. God’s highway sign reads: “Know ye that the Lord he is God…” I read this and know I am never alone. God is never without specific and keen awareness of my situation. Have you considered that Creation is a billboard to remind us He is God? Calvary is a billboard to remind us He is God. His compassion is a billboard to remind us He is God.

No matter where you go today, find the billboard He left in your path. You may hear it in a song. You may hear it in a sermon. But wherever you see it, believe this: “Know ye that the Lord he is God…”

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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New Continuing Education Opportunities Available for WWNTBM Missionaries

Dear Missions family,
We are excited to share a new opportunity for you to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your ministry skills through a generous offer from  First Bible School of Translation. As a ministry of First Baptist Church of Milford, OH, they are now offering a selection of online classes that can be taken either for audit or toward a full degree.
This program is designed to meet your unique needs, allowing you to study at your own pace, which we trust will help you balance your studies with your full-time ministry responsibilities.
Here’s what you need to know about this opportunity:
1. Available Courses and Format:
They currently have four courses ready for enrollment: Introduction to Biblical Counseling, Philosophy of Music in the Ministry, Bible Doctrines, and Cultural and Historical Background of the Bible. While the full First Bible curriculum is accessible online, these four courses are part of a new format designed specifically for those in ministry. The format allows you to study at your own pace rather than following a strict schedule, with new courses added each semester until the entire program is available in this format.
2. Cost Options
They understand the financial challenges missionaries often face, so we are offering two levels of cost for these courses:
  • Free Audit Option: Current WWNTBM missionaries may take one course per term at no cost for audit. If you wish to give a gift toward the program, that would be welcomed, but they emphasize that there is no requirement.
  • Discounted Credit Option: If you prefer to take courses for credit, a 25% discount is available for WWNTBM missionaries who enroll directly through our organization. (Please keep this discount within our group, as it is not widely available and may cause confusion for others.) For those interested in taking the full program, we are working on a heavily discounted per-semester fee for unlimited credit hours—please reach out to us for details.
3. For Those Ministering Overseas
If you would like to use these materials with your people in the field, please get in touch with First Bible directly, and they can create custom opportunities tailored to your ministry context.
4. Registration
To register, simply fill out the online registration form here: Registration Form, or scan the QR code below:
First Bible School of Translation is grateful to be able to offer this opportunity to you. We hope these resources will equip and encourage you in your service to the Lord. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process at [email protected].
Thank you for being so dedicated to the work, and may these courses be a blessing to you as you continue to sharpen your tools for ministry.
If you are interested in pursuing any continuing education and you wish to record the expense on your MFR, please let the mission office know your intentions prior to making any payment. In compliance with IRS regulations, the Executive Board must vote to approve your course of study before it can be considered a ministry expense.
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God Wants to Hear You Sing

By John O’Malley

“… come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2).

Have you received an invitation to a place you would really like to go? The invitation brings joy. Your level of anticipation increases. Your desire to go to such a place excites you.

Certainly, you would share the news with your friends. It is likely you would bring something with you to honor the host of the event. If it were a party to which you were invited, you would bring a gift. Your gift is a way of expressing your appreciation for the invitation, the inclusion in the event, and the interest they had in you.

In our focus verse today, we see the divine invitation to come to the very presence of God. His invitation should make our hearts race. The anticipation should be overwhelming. The joy should be difficult to contain.

The very Lord of Glory has taken an interest in us. He desires our presence. He has issued to us an invitation. He wants to include us.

Your mind races. What can I bring to He who has everything? He owns cattle on a thousand hills. The earth is His footstool. What could I give Him as a servant of the Lord? What is it that He desires?

Dear Reader, what can we bring? Our gracious Host suggested we bring one thing. He wants to hear us sing.

What is that I hear you say? “Singing? That is so simple. Certainly, I can find something more special than that!” God would like us to come to Him with singing.

Consider this, God has angels who can sing before Him, but He asks for my song. God can choose any singer from any era that ever lived, but He wants to hear His children’s song.

God’s request for me to come before His presence with singing reminds me of seeing a mother and father at a school performance as they await their five-year-old child’s performance. The parents lean forward as their child’s voice joins a chorus of voices. The parents whisper to each other, “I can hear her! Just listen to her angelic voice! It is beautiful.” Truthfully, the child’s voice is mediocre. Her voice struggles with the tune. Her pitch is off, and harmony is absent. Yet, her parents beam with joy. Their little darling is singing. The young girl looks out and sees the pleasure of her parents. Their pleasure in her causes her to sing with more enthusiasm as she realizes her song pleases her mother and father.

Reading this phrase indicates to me that God, like the five-year-old girl’s parents, must enjoy when we come to our place of worship with singing. You may despise the sound of your voice, but He does not. He loves to hear you sing. Like the five-year-old girl’s parents were pleased, our singing pleases our Father.

You say, “What song shall I sing?” The song choice is yours. Even now, choose a song you will sing to Him. Your quality of voice is not the point. Your song is what He wants to hear.

Go to His presence right now. Lift up a song to Him. Remember, He desires us to come into His presence with singing. Bring Him His gift today.

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.