Ministry Update
Steve and Kristen Wynn
Associate Church Revitalizers, Smyrna, NY
July 2025
Hello Prayer Partners!
Summer is a great season for a lot of reasons, including kayaking! Calvin and I enjoyed going out and exploring this weekend at Lebanon Reservoir. I loved seeing how Calvin has grown since the last time we went out on the water.
Another fun pastime in the summer is stargazing. On those clear, warm nights – going out and looking at the stars is a humbling experience. Sovereign Grace’s song, “All Praise to Him” mentions the stars in its first stanza:
Who formed the mountains by His might
All praise to Him Who names the stars
That sing His fame in skies afar
All praise to Him Who reigns in love
Who guides the galaxies above
Yet bends to hear our every prayer
With sovereign pow’r and tender care
I find two facts overwhelming in this song: First, the absolute wonder of our God. As Psalm 147:4 says, “He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names.” Every one of those stars we see from afar is known by God. He created them. He numbers them. All around us are stars dying and being born. Shrinking and growing. He knows them all by name. God is so beyond our imaginations. He is above this all.
Second, behold His closeness. “Yet bends to hear our every prayer with sovereign power and tender care.” This God who is above all, beyond all, is also near us. As Psalm 145:18 puts it, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Through Christ, we not only have access to His throne of grace, He is near to us. With us always. This bolsters such confidence – not in ourselves, but in His grace! On days when we are tired, at the end of our rope, burning our candles at both ends – God is above it all, but He’s also close. We gain a right perspective. As the Prophet Isaiah (40:31) writes, “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
May these words of Scripture, and this song, renew your hope in Him! It is through His strength we go on day by day. All praise to Him!
What’s in progress?
We’re in our fifth month of revitalization work at West Smyrna Baptist Church. Join us in praising the Lord for all He is accomplishing in His church:
- The deacons and Steve are preparing for a period of church-wide evaluation/assessment. This will determine our action plans for the fall and where we focus our next ministry endeavors.
- In August, we will complete our value stream map and use this tool in our evaluation/assessment process to determine the spiritual needs of the church body.
- We are continuing to pray for the Lord to provide West Smyrna’s next pastor.
- We are working through our pastoral preparation process with a man in the church who aspires to go into pastoral ministry. We’re currently in the beginning stages of that process.
- Our Foundations Study is going strong. We have completed eight chapters and only have four to go.
- We are meeting today for our third Celebration of Prayer.
- We are approaching the end of our summer sermon series, “James – Wisdom for the Church.” Our next series is “Being the Church – Living the “One Another” Commands of Christ”
- Steve is continuing some discipleship/book studies with men in the church.
- We’re preparing for the fall kick-off of Leadership Journey. Join us in praying for men to join this discipleship opportunity!
WSBC’s member, Tom Taylor, preached from James 4 this past Sunday. It was wonderful to be ministered to and encouraged! Pastor Patrick led FBT’s Wednesday night devotional around the campfire. We were blessed to gather with both WSBC and FBT for a combined worship service in the park in Sherburne! Steve preached from Philippians 2:1-13 on having one mind and one love in Christ. The time of worship was sweet!
Our family had a wonderful time at BCP Family Camp. Just check out those smiles! It was great to reunite with missionaries we only see online and to meet our newest additions to the BCP mission family.
Some odds and ends:
- Preparations are being made for our kick-off event for youth group. It will be August 8-9 at West Smyrna Baptist’s church building.
- Our family had a wonderful time at BCP’s Family Camp! Fellowshipping with 90 missionaries, pastors, and their families. Steve & J.’s workshop was a success! It was called “Elders Among Us.”
- Steve has completed his work on two of the discipleship modules with Jon and Ginny. Work continues on the training teachers module.
- Steve continues serving in an advisory capacity for BCP’s upcoming campaign.
- It was a blessing to meet with Constantia Center Baptist’s advisory committee and hear all the Lord is doing in their church. They continue to disciple and be faithful as they wait for their next pastor.
Our family celebrated Erik’s birthday in July with a fun “prom” theme. London and Calvin loved their time at Camp Bayouca. Both shared that they had opportunities to share the gospel and have God conversations with their fellow campers! While the kids were at camp, Kristen and Steve enjoyed two nights away at Watkins Glen to hike their famous waterfalls.
Praise & Prayer Request List
Praises
- Praise God for our ministry at West Smyrna Baptist Church and the growth occurring.
- Praise God for the discipleship occurring at WSBC.
- Praise God for our time at BCP’s Family Camp.
- Praise God that Constantia Center has received two names of potential pastoral applicants.
Prayer Requests
- West Smyrna Baptist Church: Pray for the church family as they work through the revitalization plan and continue their pastoral search. You can view the pastoral portfolio by clicking here. Contact me if you know of a man interested in learning more about WSBC!
- WSBC: Pray for the implementation of the new Pastoral Preparation Procedures.
- WSBC: Pray for the assessment/evaluation process occurring in August.
- Youth Group: Pray for the upcoming kick-off event.
- Constantia Center Baptist Church: We continue to pray for God to provide their next pastor! If you know of a potential pastor, I encourage you to view and share CCBC’s pastoral portfolio (click here to view a PDF copy).
- BCP: Pray for Steve as he collaborates with BCP leaders to develop discipleship modules for churches.
- BCP: Pray for BCP’s leaders as they develop the upcoming campaign.
- Home: Pray for London as she will be baptized on August 3.
- Home: Pray for Kristen as she continues preparations for school beginning in August.
Schedule
- July 30 – Celebration of Prayer
- August 3 – FBT Baptism Service – London will be baptized!
- August 5 – NFIBC Pastors Breakfast
- August 5 – Youth Leader Planning Mtg
- August 6 – WSBC Steering Committee Mtg
- August 8-9 – Youth Group Kick-Off Event
- August 13 – WSBC Deacons Mtg
- August 27 – Celebration of Prayer
- August 31 – Last sermon in James
- September 1-4 – BCP Council Mtg in Iowa
- September 7 – New sermon series begins
- September 14 – Presenting ministry at Open Door Baptist
- September 26-27 – Leadership Journey retreat at Camp Bayouca
Our Mission Statement:
Through the grace of God and His word, the redemptive works of Christ, and the sanctifying efforts of the Holy Spirit, we encourage and equip the body of Christ in order to ensure its members, both near and far, are enduring in the lifelong work of glorifying God and discipling faithful men and women who will be entrusted to continue this work until our Lord and Savior returns.
We are passionate for the local church. We desire to see churches disciple their members to grow in adoring Him, loving one another, sharing the hope of the gospel, and living transformed lives.
