Ministry Update

Hey ya’ll,
I just got back from the Bahamas with “Cruise for a Cause”. Wow, what an experience. You wouldn’t believe it. God moved in a mighty way. We visited several schools and prisons and did street ministry as well in Freeport and Nassau. We ended with a crusade of around 40,000 people attending. Collectively 10,350 decisions were made during our trip…absolutely amazing.
I had the opportunity to minister in a school (primary-high school). I was the artist for that particular outreach. There were around 300 students at the school. We saw 114 make decisions at our school that day (One third of the student body made decisions).
DecembeRadio was on the cruise as well. They did the first night’s concert on the ship and also sang at the crusade. It was great seeing the Lord use them. I pulled double duties for the week. I was there as their road pastor, but also was booked as an artist to help minister in the schools. The fellows and I ran different schedules, but we did get to eat together and fellowship while on the ship. We had an incredible time.
We were ministered to and ministered with some incredible artists (Sonic Flood, Building 429, The Crabb Family, Andre Crouch, Mary Mary, Larnelle Harris…just to name a few). We also had some wonderful speakers for the week including Tony Evans and Paula White.
I had never heard of PraiseFest Ministries until Indie Heaven contacted us and asked us to go. After I got there, I realized I knew some of the people who help head it up. Wade Hamner, one of the co-founders, introduced himself and sang “The Call” (one of my songs) to me. He told me that he had recorded two of my songs in 2000. Scotty had gotten permission from me to record them, but I had forgotten. His wife, Shelly, was a great help at check-in. God is using the Hamners in a big way.
I kept running into people that knew me, but I didn’t know how I knew them. I guess when you’ve been around as long as I have, you’re bound to run into someone that has seen you or knows someone who knows you. Life is funny.
I was blessed to get to know a man named Nigel. Nigel is from the UK and is Third Day’s road pastor. He knew me from Scotty Wilbanks and DecembeRadio. He has a true heart for souls and for ministry. He is an extremely busy man. Keep him and his family in your prayers. He was a blessing to me and God used him to confirm some things in my life.
Many doors were opened. I don’t know what will happen from it all. I doubt very seriously that the people from the islands or the boat will remember me, but I do know that there are over 10,000 people that now know the name of JESUS and the power behind it. Praise the Lord.
Kim Holbrook, Susan Depew, Joyce Kalokowich, and Tony Williams represented Vision Productions well. They helped lug all of my supplies to the school for ministry and helped with all the Public Relations stuff. They served as counselors at the school on the island. They also served as counselors along with me at the crusade. God used them in a mighty way. I’m certain there lives will never be the same.
I want to give a shout out to our two new friends, Tamara(TX) and Julie(KS). These girls were a blessing. Hello to the Chandler family in Evansville. Hi to Monique and Rose Mary in Haiti. Cindy, keep up the great work in Houston and at Lakewood. Randy, thank you for your ministry at the schools. We will be praying for your health and believe God for the healing.
I pray we get invited back next year to PraiseFest. I would love to see many of you join us. I’m not certain where the destination will be, but I am certain that God will move.
Be in prayer about Mortality Room/”House of Martyrs.” Mary and the staff have handled rehearsals while Larry continued to work on the set. I understand that they have been working hard. We are going into our last week of rehearsals before we get started with performances. It is going to be awesome. The response has been incredible. Make certain you call for reservations. We will take “walk-ins” but reservations guarantee you seating. Be in prayer for the cast and to all who attend. We want to see people come to know Jesus.
I will write more once I get home. I am on the bus now with DecembeRadio. We have two more dates this weekend in Florida. I will be back Sunday morning. I miss my staff and Ridge. I can’t wait to see everybody and jump back into rehearsals on Monday. God is up to something great and I don’t want to miss a thing.
Love ya’ll
Billy Wayne