Day 20 & 21 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

We were able to spend some time with my sister Brenda and brother in law Les at their home in Houston County.

There was a cemetery not very for from their home, where a number of Hallmarks are buried.

Here are a couple of their markers.


































Just double click on pictures to enlarge.

Oldest Babtist Church in Texas

On Tuesday, we were able to visit the historical site of the oldest Baptist church in Texas.





Note the spelling of Baptist.












This building was again repaired in 1996.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/ccp5.html

The first Baptist church in Texas was organized in Illinois by Elder Daniel Parker. Parker visited Texas in 1832 and concluded that the Mexican laws clearly prohibited organizing a church in Texas. He also decided the immigration of an organized church into the state would not violate the colonization laws. To this end, he and several others constituted a church in Illinois, then traveled to Texas by wagon train, arriving in Austin Colony January 20, 1834. Parker held a strict predestinarian theology, as well as his controversial Two-Seed theology. Like those travellers, the church was named Pilgrim. This church, and those churches of like faith that followed, remained aloof from the majority of Baptists in Texas. Pilgrim church is the oldest Baptist church in Texas and survives today as a Primitive Baptist church.

Days 16- 19 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Catching up on our days here in East Texas is harder then I thought. We are busy to say the least. But here goes…

Saturday April 17 started off at the grandson’s soccer games.

Sunday April 18^th we were with the Cornerstone Baptist Church here in Tyler. Cornerstone Baptist has been supporting the Hallmarks for about 8 years. We have known Pastor and Sister Adams for over 30 years. April is there Missions Month, with a different missionary family each week.

Monday April 19^th more time spent with the grandsons, Leah and Sara.

Tuesday April 20^th we drove to Palestine and had lunch with the Blanchards who are missionaries to Australia. Bro. Russell and his family will be at our Missions Conference at Spruceland Baptist in September.

Side Note From Prince George, BC

While we are enjoying some nice warm weather here in Texas. Our family and friends in Prince George are a little tired of WINTER. I just check the temperature in PG and it was -5c burrr.

Day 13, 14 & 15 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Tuesday, April 13 we made our way into Phoenix, AZ. We had a great time of fellowship with Bro. Fred Boyer, along time school mate from PCBBC. Bro. Fred was from the class of ’73 and has been faithfully serving our Lord in AZ.

Wednesday, April 14 we were in the services of West High Baptist Church where Bro. Fred is pastor. What a wonderful church West High Baptist, they are very friendly and active in reaching the lost in their area. It was a blessing presenting our Lord’s work of Prince George and preaching God’s word unto them.

Thursday and Friday, April 15 & 16 was a couple of days of straight driving. After breakfast with Bro. Fred and Bro. David Powel (another pastor in Phx area) we hit the road for Tyler, Texas.

Here we are at Texas Canyon, AZ.

On Friday afternoon we pulled off I-20 so I
could see my long time friend of 50 years and
the first soul I ever lead to Christ.



"Butch" and his family are faithful members
of a 'country Baptist church' there in East Texas.

Day 12 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Monday, April 12 Regena and I were able to visit the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona. We had a very relaxing time and were able to view a beautiful sunset.

Texas Polygamy Incedent

ALL AMERICA NEEDS TO VIEW THIS TIMELY VIDEO ON POLYGAMY

(Please pass on the truth to inform America about this growing problem)

Hear from broken hearts of those who love the people who are so lost in polygamist cults. Watch and listen to the testimonies and faith of those who were once the victims but have come to place their trust in Jesus Christ. Great evangelistic tool to show in your churches.

This polygamy DVD can be watched for free at these sites:

http://www.lhvm.org/

http://www.shieldandrefuge.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjDJs7wvGLg

Two seen on this DVD, Doris from the "A Shield and a Refuge" and Susan have gone to Texas to minister to people in the Christian churches, to the polygamists themselves, and to witness to the media. Unfortunately, the lawyers and media have put a spin against the respectable efforts of the Texas authorities.

God bless you all real good!

Day 9- 11- Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Friday, April 11 we travel across the Hoover Dam and into Arizona. Where we spent the weekend in Prescott, AZ and were able to minister at Liberty Baptist Church with Pastor and Mrs. Mark Hoffer. Saturday was visitation and some sightseeing, while Sunday I was able to present our work in SS and preach both morning and evening service.

Day 8 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Thursday, April 10 we made it to ‘Lost Wages’, or Las Vegas, NV. We were able to visit with Tearsa Leeming who teaches at Liberty Baptist Church. Tearsa lived with us for a year there in Prince George, while waiting to renew her visa to work in the states.

We also celebrated our wedding anniversary in Vegas, well they say ‘what happen in Vegas stays in Vegas’. We had a great time stay in a nice resort we book with Expedia.com a studio suite for $89.00 which was a regular $149.00.

Day 7 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Wednesday, April 9^th was our last day of being in snow of one form or another. We made it to St. George, Utah, and visited in the services of Redrock Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Again another pastor and his family faithful preaching the Gospel of Christ and establishing a local New Testament Baptist Church, Pastor Mike Faulkner.

Thanks Bro. Mike and Christine for the food and fellowship.

Day 6 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

It has been very difficult to keep up with blogging while traveling, preaching, and ministering to Pastors and friends along the way.

Tuesday, April 8 we enjoyed our 31^st wedding anniversary and had a great time at Cabela's in Lehi, Utah. Then spend the rest of the evening with Pastor and Mrs. Blake Allying in Springville, Utah. God blessings are upon this local New Testament Baptist Church. Right in the heart of Mormon country, from top of a hill I showed Regena some 5 Mormon wards (churches) all within eyesight.

Day 4 & 5 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Greetings from Evanston, Wyoming

This past Sunday we were at Uinta Bible Baptist Church in Evanston, WY. Pastor Mark Butcher is greatly being used of God here. This church has been caring enough to send the Hallmarks to Canada for over 12 years. Praise the Lord.

On Monday, Regena and I were about to attend a Preacher’s Fellowship at Calvary Baptist Church in Tremonton, Utah where Pastor Cooper Abrams hosted a wonderful time of fellowship, food and preaching God’s Holy Book.

I sat and had lunch with Bro. Dean McClain, a dear old saint of God. Former missionary to Iran, Kenya and England, now missionary over the internet with Skype and witnessing to mormons in Salt Lake City. Bro. McClain is father to our good friend Doug McClain in Hamilton, ONT.

Day 3 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Greetings from Evanston, Wyoming.


We will be in the services of Uinta Bible Baptist Church and Pastor Mark Butcher.

Trust all will have a great Sunday in our Lord.

Jeff & Regena Hallmark

Day 2 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

It was 2:00 AM, and just south of Calgary, Alberta when our 1995 GMC turn over to 450,000.2 kms. So put over to get a snap shot of it.



We got a late start on Thursday so we drove thru the night. Stop at about 4:15 AM just north of Great Falls, MT. Caught a little shut-eye, it is great to have a roomy van.



Stop for breakfast at Flying J in Great Falls, MT and sign up for a month of internet wireless.

Drove 2,000kms or 1600 miles to Blackfoot ID. and getting some good sleep.

We walked over to Wal-mart, coming out Regena made comment about a shirt this fellow was wearing. The guy looked rough, long-oily black hair, tats etc... the shirt "Better to be an open sinner, then a false saint". The humour, this is 'Latter Day Saint country".

You keep praying and we will keep you posted.

Day 1 - Hallmark's short furlough 2008

Greetings from the TRUE NORTH STRONG AND FREE... Canada

With a slight delay, (waiting on our tax papers to sign) we are on our way.

Today, Lord willing, we shall travel from Prince George to just south of Calgary.

We shall travel through both Jasper National Park and Banff National park.

Jasper National Park

Banff National Park

Please pray for our travels and ministering in a number of churches.

April 1st

Let's not forget that today is 

Global Atheists Awareness Day.


"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psa 14:1a