From the Desk of Rev. Robert Pycraft
1765 Pineknoll SE Kentwood, MI 49508
616.827.9137  Fax: 616.827.9987
Cell: 616.318.8972   email:bobpycraft@comcast.net
www.swmiawanaclubs.com

Personal Testimony of Robert Pycraft

In 1952 I was born into the family of Richard Pycraft. I am thankful for a Christian family and upbringing.

At the age of 7, following a Sunday evening service, I came to the point of realizing I was a sinner in need and I accepted Christ as my Savior and was born into God's family-Romans 3:23; John 3:16. I was aware that I deserved judgment and to go to hell-Romans 6:23, but Christ paid the price for my sin with His precious blood on the cross- 1 Peter 2:24. I might not have been sure of my salvation at that time, but since then I know that I can never lose my salvation- 1 John 5:10-13; John 10:27-29.

At the age of 9, God spoke to my heart about obedience in baptism and I became a member of the First Baptist Church, Elyria, OH. Romans 6:3-10 tells me that the meaning of baptism and my need to live a serious life for God. Later on in high school, I totally yielded my life to God and was willing to obey His will for my life. I am grateful for my dedicated teachers and workers during those years. I am also grateful for the interest they had in youth and for the opportunities I had during high school.

After graduation from Avon Lake high School in 1970, I attended and graduated from Cedarville College 1974. I prepared for ministry and majored in Comprehensive Bible. God used many people to influence my life and I thank the Lord for the patience of the professors who cared enough to help shape my life. It was during those years at Cedarville that the Lord brought a special person into my life. Bette Warfield became my wife and life partner in 1973 during my senior year at Cedarville. Bette is a 1973 Graduate of Cedarville. After some time in ministry, I worked on continuing my education and I received my MRE degree from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in the spring of 1986.

After leaving Cedarville, the Lord led us to Grace Baptist Church in Toledo, OH where I served as Youth Pastor for six years, serving with Pastor Larry D. Engle. Those were very precious years for us and God was very good to us. The Lord gave us three lovely children while in Toledo as well as a fruitful ministry. We were then called to Grace Baptist Church in Lombard, IL in January 1981., to serve as youth Pastor with Pastor Gary Moosey until July 1984. From there I moved to Grand Rapids, MI where I served the Lord as the Awana Missionary to SW MI.

I have no doubt that God has called me to minister the gospel (Romans 10:14-18; Ephesians 4:11, 12; Acts 6:4) and that I will do faithfully until He comes again. He directed me to minister to teens for ten years. In July 1984, the Lord opened a new door and I started with Awana as Missionary to South Western Michigan.

Why I am ministering in Awana:
I believe the Awana program is a great evangelistic tool that can enhance your total church ministry. Awana can also help develop leadership in your church. My aim is and has been to serve you, (the local church) and to help make your Awana ministry productive. I will strive to equip your leaders to do the best job possible in reaching the youth of your community for Christ.

Ordained May 8, 1983 at Grace Baptist Church, Lombard, IL
Missions Commissioning: June 10, 1984 at Grace Baptist Church, Lombard, IL
Home church - Alpine Baptist, Comstock Park - Pastor Doug Compton
 

Personal Testimony of Bette Pycraft

I was saved at the age of 9, following family devotions one night. Dad was talking about how wonderful heaven was and I was not sure I was going there. That night my mother, using God's Word, led me to the Lord. I am very grateful for the influence my parents have had in my life.

I was baptized one year later and joined the local church. In 1967 at 16 years of age, I dedicated my life to Christ at summer camp. Even as a teenager I felt the Lord calling me to work with young people but I was not sure of where.

Following graduation from high school, I attended Cedarville College. My freshman year was hard in that I did not walk closely with the Lord. he allowed many hard lessons to come into my life but it wasn't until my sophomore year that I finally asked Him to take full control of my life.

At Cedarville I met and married Bob. In 1973 I graduated with a major in Biological Science. Following Bob's graduation in 1974, we were called to Toledo, OH where he served the Lord as Youth Pastor. While there, I taught high school Biology and Chemistry at Emmanual Baptist High School. It was also in Toledo that our three children: Ruth, Timothy and Paul were born.

Following six and a half precious years in Toledo, God chose to move us on. God had begun working in Bob's heart concerning Awana but I was really against it. The door opened in IL for Bob to serve as Youth Minister again. During the next three and a half years, the Lord worked in my heart (as He still was with Bob) concerning Awana. I was willing to go.

After that, things happened rapidly. By July 1984, we were accepted by Awana and on the field in Michigan. It has been an exciting time and I have seen where God's hand has been in it all the way. I have claimed Jeremiah 33:3 as my verse in Awana and God has proved it over and over again.

In July of 2003, we began our 20th year with Awana. Our children are grown and are married. We have even become grandparents. I work in our local church's Sparks Club as the Bible teacher, and continue to work as a substitute teacher in our local school system. Through it all, God continues to be faithful in supplying all of our needs. Truly we serve a great God !!