PORT BYRON, NY
MY MISSIONARY REPORT
For FEBRUARY 2026
I Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Also, II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
What a way to start a Missions report. Let me explain. For those who have been reading my monthly reports, you well know the events of the last 1 ½ years for Mavis and I as our health is concerned. Mavis suffered a stroke (11-24-2024), and has pretty much recovered. There are some lingering things. Just a year later around the same time, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And today, March 2, 2026, she is presently undergoing radiation treatments after having both her breasts removed. As for myself, it is almost a year since I had a heart attack. But with a change in diet and exercise, I am doing rather well for just turning 80 in November.
So, that’s the reason for the Scripture used above. Without repeating myself I will just give you what will take place at the end of June as mentioned in this prayer request from New Horizon Baptist concerning the Mission:
“NEW HORIZON BAPTIST in PORT BYRON, NEW YORK is prayerfully seeking the man God has chosen as our new Pastor. We are looking for a man who has a Pastor’s heart for the flock, who walks daily with the Lord, has compassion for the lost, and loves the Word of God. We are a small group of FAITHFUL believers (8). Our present Pastor is leaving to take care of his wife of 60 years who suffered a stroke (11-24-2024) and is presently undergoing breast cancer treatments. Our present Pastor of 14 years will remain till the end of June; so it is urgent that God send us a man who can step up. Are you that man? Prayers appreciated. Our building and 5 acre property is debt free. We have plenty of room to build a parsonage if the Lord so leads and provides the funds. Presently we can offer a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, kitchen, and family room within the church building for the new Pastor. We can offer only a very small salary at the present. Those who desire this position must agree with our Doctrinal Statement, teach and preach from the King James Bible only, meet the requirements of Titus and Timothy, and agree in a closed Lord’s Supper. A full doctrinal statement and questionnaire will be sent upon request. Port Byron is 23 miles south of Lake Ontario, 25 miles west of Syracuse, and 130 miles east of Niagara Falls. We are in the Finger Lake region at the northern tip of Cayuga Lake. The area is conservative. The harvest is white. The population in a 20 mile radius is 35,000 plus. Please pray for us in this matter. Thank you. At present you may contact Don Hagen at 717-419-5777 (text a message first to prevent scam calls). Or kingjamesgang@gmail.com. God bless.
At the present, Mavis is doing treatments in Bristol, Tennessee. She has been there since November. She is very well taken care of as our daughter has been with her most of the time. We also have good church friends there who watch out for her and carry her to her treatments. I am in Port Byron, New York. I travel to Bristol, every 2 weeks and back to New York. It is very difficult to take care of my wife of 60 years and the Mission. So after many hours, every day, of prayers, seeking God’s guidance, He has given us sweet peace concerning our course. We will finish our course in Bristol, Tennessee. As all decisions, when it comes to knowing God’s will, it was a difficult decision, a fight between our flesh and God’s will. But God has given us peace.
I will remain Pastor of New Horizon Baptist till the end of June. I will help these folks in the search for a new Pastor. Then, we will say our goodbyes, which is never easy. I have pastored 4 churches in the last 50 years, 11, 5, 20, and 14, and each time it was joyfully sad, if you know what I mean. It is always sad to say goodbye. But we shall all meet again!
In my absence from New Horizon Baptist, I have prepared lessons of interest and necessity for the folks. They are led by a male member, and he does an excellent job. I am here for the next 3 weeks, and then I will go back to Bristol for the last 2 weeks of Mavis’ treatment. Then we, both of us, :) :) will return to New York in time for Easter. Praise the Lord.
As for the Mission: we have been doing well in spite of all that is going on. Is there fear for the folks here? Of course there is, but I keep giving them these words from Jesus when He told His disciples, “Fear not, little flock,” Luke 12:32, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Please prayer for the Mission, that God will send them a good Pastor, who will love them.
Also continue to pray the Lord send His man to both First Missionary Baptist of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, and Green Mountain Missionary Baptist of Rutland, Vermont. Both of these churches need God’s men to step up to pastor these great churches. God did say go!!!
Our Mission address is 8505 South Street Road, Port Byron, NY 13140. Our home address is 1371 Berger Road, Port Byron, NY 13140.
GOD IS GOOD! Love you all.
WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS. Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Don and Mavis