Red River’s Men of Courage met last week at Shawn Beard’s former auto repair shop.  Beard told the group, “We will do this every second Thursday of the month until the Lord says to quit.  I don’t think he will be telling us to stop any time soon.”

Beard encouraged the men gathered there to tell your story.  “You know what God has done for you,” he said, “Give your testimony!”

Cleve Blanchard gave his testimony concerning over 20 years of being an alcoholic and drug addict.  Blanchard said, “The devil will let you have fun to start.  He will take you places you never expected.”

Blanchard’s story is like so many people who have dealt with life’s difficulties.  He said, “Even after I asked Jesus to come into my heart, it was not always easy.  There were setbacks, but God worked on me.”

Music was by Caleb Wells, the Music Minister at Fairview Baptist Church.  He opened with “I Saw The Light” and followed with other familiar songs of praise.  Wells paved the way for the message from the guest speaker, Bro. Bill Britt from Haughton.

Britt’s message was one of salvation that starts with the men in the church.  Britt said, “We need to start a revival to take back our churches.  We have to follow no matter what the cost.”  Britt preached from Luke 14:30.  “What does it mean to worship the Lord?” he asked.

Highlights of Britt’s message included, “Jesus must come first despite travel ball and other stuff getting in the way.”  He said, “Our reputation cannot come first, we have to die to ourselves and worship Him.”  Britt asked, “If you want to close crack houses (and cure other ills of the country) then get people saved.”

Britt concluded his remarks with the question, “When was the last time we brought someone to Christ?  When was the last time you tried?”

Red River Men of Courage will meet next on the second Thursday of July or 9^th.  They will meet at the former Shawn’s Transmission & Auto Repair on Highway 507.