Ministry Update
Brent and Michele Howard
ChurchCare Construction
October 2025
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from the jobsite of Bible Baptist Church in Quakertown, PA. This project is moving fast! We have had great help, good weather, fun times, much safety, and God-given strength to accomplish so much in the 2 months since we arrived. We are currently a week or 2 ahead of schedule, but we are waiting on the subcontractors now to do their part. We are praying that they will complete their work fast as well. We know that ultimately all will be accomplished in God’s perfect timing.
The concrete slab was poured the end of August and Brent was fast to begin setting walls up. As we moved to sheeting the walls, besides members from the church family, we received help from a couple that were from the Stevenson’s family church in Western PA. We enjoyed meeting and getting to know Gary and Linda. They were very helpful, but unfortunately on their 2nd day both individuals fell in separate accidents that sent them each to the emergency room. We are thankful that their injuries were no more serious than staples on the back of her head and a cast on his wrist. It all happened so fast, but it served as a reminder to not take the Lord’s protection for granted.
The beginning of September, Brent and I made a quick trip to Ohio so I could help Ryanne with the kids (top 2 pictures are Naomi and Marcus) while she and Brent were involved in the ChurchCare board meeting and BCP council meetings. Brent flew into Des Moines for the meetings which were held at a BCP agreement church in Clear Lake, Iowa. It was a fast trip, but both meetings were productive & profitable.
It has been fun to be around our co-workers, the Stevensons, again. Paul and Leroy are growing and changing so fast. (bottom 2 pictures are Leroy and Paul) Our trailers are parked offsite in different locations, so we have had to be intentional about getting to see Abby and the boys.
Mid-September, we set the trusses with extra hands from some family members of the Hartleys (church members). God provided a very experienced crane operator who worked fast & efficiently to keep the process moving at a safe and steady pace. He volunteered to work for free, so his boss offered the church the use of his crane at no cost to the church. Praise the Lord for His provision.
Next, we moved to sheeting and shingling the roof. We enjoyed the arrival of Riley and a work team from Roaring Brook Baptist Church in Hunlock Creek, PA. Our friends, Danny, Alan, and Chip along with Jimmy, Tom, Pastor, Josh, Timothy, Sheila, Riley, Brent, and I made fast work of that high up work. We were so grateful for their help and God’s protection.
The following week 2 couples from New York came down to help for a couple days. The Smiths and Notebooms have been friends of ours for most of our years as missionaries. Mike Smith and Brian Noteboom made short work of putting the Tyvek house wrap on the outside of the building as well as installing windows and doors. Brent challenged Bethany Smith and Angie Noteboom to install the hurricane straps. Brent had a goal to have the building “enclosed” by October 8th. We all worked so fast that we met his goal by the 3rd. So we convinced Brent to take a Saturday off. We had a great time kayaking, picnicking, eating ice cream, enjoying a museum, and grabbing pizza with the Smiths and the Notebooms.
The 8th-12th of October we were able to attend the first Missions Construction Conference in Elgin, Illinois. It was a great opportunity to talk with other missionaries that use their construction abilities for the Lord. It was a fast weekend full of meetings, workshops, and general sessions held at the Judson University campus.
Be fast, make your plans to come now. Please pray about the timing of YOUR visit to help on this project. Many hands make light work, and it is hugely encouraging when people come alongside to assist and accomplish much together. We could even get a visit to Philly, Valley Forge, or local covered bridges. Connect with us ASAP!
I’m going to share about something that God has been teaching me that is not talked about very often. When I was involved in the Growing in the Grove study (BCP) this past year, we were studying and practicing the spiritual disciplines. In the study it came up that believers are expected to fast. I had learned about fasting and knew that it was something good to do although, I didn’t know too many people that regularly practiced fasting. I just never really heard the passage in Matthew 6 applied as a solid reasoning for fasting as an expectation of God. If you read the whole chapter which I won’t type out here, you will better see the flow of this thought, but I will summarize. Look at these verses: vs. 2 “So when you give…”, vs. 5 “And when you pray…”, and vs.16 “When you fast…”. Wow, we hear a lot of sermons about giving and praying, but I would challenge you to consider fasting as well. It has been a blessing to read and focus on the Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney.
Praise and Prayer:
Praise the Lord for safety, strength, and help!
Praise God for the provision of the crane and operator for free.
Pray for the job in Quakertown, PA that the subcontractors will do their work fast and efficiently.
We are so thankful for your faithful prayers and support for our ministry. We could not do anything in this ministry without God and You!
Pray for the Mains as they have sold their house and are buying land. They are preparing to move to New York and build a house. Daniel will be working with his father. Big changes for each member of our family, pray for us as we adjust.
Rough Schedule
December – Insulation
January – Hang Drywall
February – Finish Drywall
March – Paint
April – Tile Bathrooms
