Vision Baptist Church

Norwich, Connecticut

Pastor John Barta

When I visit Vision Baptist Church I am reminded of the Bible verse in Proverbs 29:18:
 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Special Sunday

This banner hangs on the wall of the church as a reminder that we are to be fruitful for the Lord.  Pastor Barta and his good church have a Biblical vision for reaching the lost.  In the back yard of the world's largest gambling casino, (actually two of them) the vision is clear - "Reach the Lost"

It always is a special time for me to visit this long supporting church.  There were new members and visitors and as usual the Lord directed hearts in all the services.  Some illness prevented some from attending but the Spirit of the Lord worked as many drew closer to the Lord.  Some tears fell as burdens were lifted at the foot of the cross.

Update

The church and Pastor Barta celebrated Twelve wonderful years of blessing in the ministry on this Sunday.  I really enjoyed being in the Sunday School class with Pastor Barta teaching on Genesis.  The Lord gifted him with not only a Pastor's heart but also a student's mind and a compassionate spirit.

Vision Baptist Church lives up to its name.  The vision of missions is expanding each time I am there.  On this Sunday morning the church patched a long distance phone call to Cape Town, Africa.  While it was our morning service here it was their evening service there.  First the American church sang to the African church then the African church sang to the American church!

We then chatted with two missionaries, one being Pastor and Mrs. Barta's daughter and heard of the blessing that God is bestowing upon them in that far away land.

Combating the devil in the back yard of the world's largest gambling casino,  the believers here have stood true, firm and uncompromising upon the Word of God.  Their  testimony is a lighthouse shining in the dark corner of southeast Connecticut.

Vision Baptist is a supporting church of our ministry and has been so for many years.  Their missions program has grown over the years and the walls are lined with missionaries around the world.  One of which is Pastor and Mrs. Barta's daughter!

The auditorium lends a warm and inviting atmosphere for preaching the Word of God. 

Sunday morning the Lord touched lives as the altar was visited by many who had  broken hearts.  I am reminded again of Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

On Sunday morning Pastor Barta taught the Adult Sunday School on the subject of "repentance".  A much needed and neglected Bible truth.  It was Jesus that said:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.        Luke 24:47