History of Bearing Precious Seed

   Bearing Precious Seed (BPS) is not so much an organization as it is a concept. It’s goal is “to put Bible publication back into the hands of the local New Testament church”. It is “a ministry of local churches working together to publish God’s Word for the world wide free distribution to Independent Baptist missionaries”. Don Frazer (1926 – 2003) of Bowie, Texas, was the man with the original vision for Bearing Precious Seed in 1962. He doesn’t like being called the founder because this sounds like the local church publishing work is a new ministry. He saw himself as the “modern day initiator” of a work which dates back through the centuries. He renewed the scriptural vision and began teaching those principles to men who were willing to base their work on the Bible rather than a traditional methodology. Frazier’s burden was to get the pure Scriptures into the hands of missionaries across the world, and he understood that it is the church which has the responsibily for this, not the traditional Bible publisher. It is the church which is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15). BPS was described by missionary Ron Helzerman as follows: “The Bearing Precious Seed movement is truly Baptist History in the making! Baptist churches publishing Scriptures-scripturally!

   Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

   James McWhorter, pastor of Wildwood Baptist Church of Mabank, TX, explained in a letter dated April 8, 1995 the origin of the name “Bearing Precious Seed”.

   “In 1962 Bro. Donald M. Frazier went to Mexico to begin a mission work to reach the areas that had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. On that trip he witnessed with his own eyes the tremendous need for Bibles on the foreign fields. He came home with a great burden for the people of the world who did not have access, either because of poverty, or the unavailability of the Word of God. Because of this burden he began to go out to Independent Baptist Churches to raise funds to furnish free Bibles to the people of Mexico, at first, then to other areas of the world. At first he called the work ‘Send the Word of God Abroad’. He was given an office at his home church, Rolling Hills Baptist Church, from which to operate. One night as he was working in his office he began to pray. He was seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit concerning the work he was doing. As he cried out to the Lord, he said, ‘Lord, what is this that is happening, what am I doing?’ Bro. Frazier said that he did not hear an audible voice answer him, but in his mind came the words, ‘You are BEARING PRECIOUS SEED’. Reaching for his concordance he looked up the passage in Psalm 126:6, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” From that moment forward the work became known as Bearing Precious Seed.”

   For more information about Bro. Frazier and the work he had in Texas, as well his influence on others being involved in the ministry, go to www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fbns/fbns270.html

The First Church to Actually Print Scriptures

   Brother Bobby Lemmon working in his home church, Hemphill Baptist Temple of Ft. Worth, TX was the first to produce scripture with Bearing Precious Seed. Today Bro. Lemmon Sr. and his son Bobby Jr. operates the Bible & Literature Missionary Foundation of Shelbyville, Tennessee.

   Another man (formerly with BPS) who is probably best known in the printing ministry is Bro. Charles Keen, formerly of First Baptist Church, Milford, OH. He started the printing ministry at this church in 1973 and they have printed several million Gospel, New Testaments, and whole Bibles through the years.

   Over the years several other churches, whether with roll presses or sheet presses in varying capacities, have printed Scripture-scripturally. Some of the other churches involved in the printing ministry used the name “Bearing Precious Seed” or associated with this name calling their ministry something different. Some of the higher production shops with web presses are: Berean Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana (started in 1977); Mt Pisgah Baptist Church, Oliver Springs, Tennessee (started in 1975); Lifeline Baptist Church, Broomfield, Colorado (started in 1985); Parker Memorial Baptist Church, Lansing, Michigan (started in 1976); Broken Arrow Baptist Church, Pearce, Arizona (started in 1984); Victory Baptist Church, Milton, Florida (started in 1984); Lock Haven Baptist Church, Kissimmee, Florida (started in 1981); Liberty Baptist Tabernacle, Rapid City, South Dakota (started in 1987); Sweet Springs Baptist Church, Huntsville, Missouri (started in 1986).

   Some of these churches have missionaries representing their printing ministry on the road, raising paper money to print scripture for the many missionaries around the world. All of these men will tell you that they are not in competition with anyone but they are trying to meet the need of God’s Word for the mission field “white unto harvest”.

Not all printing ministries are giving the scriptures away freely

   Over the years some of the printing ministries have started charging for their scripture. In Prov. 23:23 and Matt. 10:8 we find the principle of “free” and “ministry”. Proverb 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” When Bro Fraser started the ministry he went to Independent Baptist Churches raising funds to purchase paper. He then gave the scriptures away to the missionaries free of charge. The Lord blessed this method and these verses are the basis for this method. We have seen the Lord’s blessing in this method. It is World Missions Bearing Precious Seed goal and desire to continue working upon this principle. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all mankind. He gave the ultimate sacrifice so that all may come to know Him. We the local church must continue to apply the principles the Lord gave to us. Many entities today are charging for their work, but in reality they are charging for what God has already paid for with; His life, and by “love offerings” from thousands of people who care enough to give so others on the mission field may have.

Many Men have been involved in the BPS ministry over the years

   Since the inception of this ministry by Bro. Fraser several men at various churches have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord in this ministry. This list is not inclusive but such men as Carlos Demarest from El Paso, TX, and William Byers from Sioux Falls, South Dakota were humble servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in this ministry.

   Wherever the ministry is presented from, the man presenting the ministry is trying to meet the never-ending demand for God’s Word. Not all men represent the same BPS ministry. The Lord has sent you this man to meet your church’s missionary’s needs. Support him and his ministry not the name BPS as they are not all the same.

   The ability to print scriptures at churches is far greater than the ability to fund the paper to keep these presses running. No matter where the ministry is “from” or “out of”, the name Bearing Precious Seed is linked to those men who are servants of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ trying to keep the local New Testament church doing one of its greatest ministries. In Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. We need to keep printing God’s Word for those around the world who cannot afford it or cannot find it in their language. It is the churches responsibility to keep God’s Word flowing forth to the uttermost that souls may be saved from an eternity in Hell. No matter where your church gets its scripture or sends its scripture to, it will accomplish that which it is intended to accomplish.

   In all the mission conferences, evangelistic meetings, church planting conferences, or other churches that I present the ministry, there is always someone in need of God’s Word. I feel privileged to be in His ministry, getting His Word out to a lost and dying world.

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