First Baptist Church

Caldwell,  New Jersey

Pastor Bulka has and is building a wonderful work for the Lord in Caldwell, New Jersey.  This was the very first church to take the Altar Call Ministry on for missions support many years ago.   Currently over 100 missionaries around the world are supported by prayer and faithful giving.  They have an extensive ministry of soul winning and discipleship.  There is always an air of anticipation and excitement among the believers.    

      Pastor David Bulka

Tent Meeting 2008

Weeks of prayers and hard work went into the semi-annual tent meeting with amazing results.  The Lord blessed in a great way amid the onslaughts of the devil.  As usual he used the weather to chill the spirit of revival.    On Saturday night as I was about to preach I saw the sky darking.  I knew a storm was coming so I got right into preaching.  At the invation time the storm broke in gusting winds and rain.  Men were holding up the poles, the tent was flapping in the wind, isntruments were blown over by the high gusts of wind.  Books and papers were flying around.  Yet the altar was full with folks on their knees praying and seeking the Lord's forgiveness and blessing.  God was in full control.

This was and eight day meeting.  Staring on Sunday and going through the following Sunday. Each night and in each service there was a response to the call of the Holy Spirit.  In all at least TEN Souls were saved, including a Budhist. Many many lives were touched and homes restored.  Some gave testimony of reconciliation with family and other believers.  Others were moved by the Lord to walk a more consistent and dedicated Christian life.  Still others found peace in full surrender to the will of God.

The Tent Meeting corresponded to the 160th year annaverasy of the founding of the church.  Much history was made in these years.  

History records countless conversions to the Lord,  missionaries called and sent from the church and new churches founded.  This today is still carried on with the same zeal, faith and vision of the founding members.

Each service was well attended with an eagerness to have the Lord convict, rebuke and encourage our hearts.  Sometimes mere words can tell the whole story -  I fear so many today miss out on revival blessings because they would rather play church then have God move among them.

On Sunday morning the tent was full, the weather was beutiful and the joy of the Lord was so very eveident. The anointing of the Holy Spirit fell and God did a great and wonderful work.  Souls were saved from the destruction of hell and hope given to live Christian lives in power and deminstrtion  of the Holy Spirit.
 

Located on the corner of Bloomfield Ave and Forest Street, made the location perfect for high visibility to passing motorists and walk bys.  Many stood on the block, sidewalk and when stopped at the light, rolled down their windows to hear the music and preaching.   

Street evangelism was going on during the preaching.
Not just a Red Light.  But a time to witness!
Hardly anyone refused the tracts passed out as they were stopped at the light.
It is so hard to say how many heard the Gospel just because they drove by or walked within hearing range of the meeting.  I know while preaching, I saw some come into the tent who just were passing by.

The Puffers joined us and provided music and entertainment as well as ministry in the meetings

I can not praise the Lord enough for His blessing over the years of the Caldwell Tent Meeting!  You can not ask for more then the Lord gave.  Souls saved, lives touched and restored and the Gospel message proclaimed are all an answer to prayer.  It was so evident that believers greatly enjoyed the fellowship, music and preaching the way the Lord intended it to be this side of glory.

My evangelist son Matt and his family joined us from Friday to Sunday.  Friday night was youth night and Matt preached a powerful message that reached the heart of all ages.  On Saturday night we both preached (I think he saw the storm coming and let  his Dad handle that) and on Sunday I preached the Morning Service and he closed out the meeting Sunday Night.

Young people and adults gave public profession of Christ and testimony of the touch of God in their hearts.

It was a sweet time as the Lord moved among us.  This young coupled vowed to make their home a place of honoring the Lord.  After full dedication of their lives they then dedicated their young child to for testimony of Jesus Chirst.  They made in their hearts the vow of Godliness and testified as such with written signitnurs of promise.  A promise of a Christian home where each is for the other and all for the Lord.

Two balloons launchs were made by the young people.  We all watched at the Gospel was carried by the winds to places that only the Lord knows.  We have actually heard of people who have found balloons with the tracks and have gotten saved. While this is no replacement for personal cantact it was something that the Lord can use in His own way.  It sure got the attention of the city folk.

The Young People gave good attention to the Word of God preached and also contributed to the spirit of the meeting by singing.

During the course of the meeting various Pastor's, some of which were first called and ordaianed at First Baptist Church, were given special honor and recongition.  Each gave testimony of the good influence that this ministry has had in their lives and their ministry.

OK .. no explanation for these pictures -- You just HAD to be there to understand. Yes this year again.  Oh Tom the Toad  will you ever really hit the road?  Nahh you are too cool to croak!

Missions 2006

I was here at the end of the annual Mission's Conference Month.  The walls were lined with flags representing the one hundred plus missionaries the church supports monthly. 

In the Sunday School hour I spoke to the Youth Class then to the Men's class on the matter of missions.  When I asked the young people for them to be part of giving rather than taking, many responded to be involved in the Faith Promise Program.  The men's class was enthusiastic about a new year of commitment in giving for souls.

Missionaries preached and showed presentations of their work on the foreign field.  It was hard not to feel the compassion and vision they had for the people whom God called them to labor among.  Being one of their supported missionaries I represented America and her need for revival and evangelism.  Missions is not just "over there" but all across America also.  The Word of God is not bound.

A young couple wished to dedicate their baby as well as themselves to the Lord for His work and to His honor and glory.

Music is always an important part of worship.  In a time when so many use music wrongly I was glad to see Christ honoring music by the congregation,  instruments and in voice.
	Brother Bulka has put together hundreds of scriptures to music.

A wonderful and delicious dinner was served after the service.
There is nothing like sweet Christian fellowship following a great day
of Bible preaching and Godly worship.

A hard working Pastor, with a heart for people and love for the Lord.