In Martin County there are, as far as I can tell, about 40 churches. Martin County has a population of 12,890. There are around five churches that have more than 100 in attendance each service in Martin County. Most have 50 or less. And many have less than 25. Let’s say the average church attendance is 50. And that might be a little high, but let’s go with that. Fifty times 40 churches equals 2,000. Martin County’s weekly church attendance of 2,000 divided by Martin County’s population of 12,890 equals 15.69%. That means that only 15% of the people of Martin County are in church each Sunday morning!

That means that only about one and a half in 10 of our citizens go to church each Sunday morning! Almost every church has a mid-week service. I am not even going to talk about those dismal attendance numbers.

Now how many of those who go to church on Sunday read their Bibles each day? How many of those have a time each day dedicated to reading God’s word and spending quality time with God in prayer? Statistics tell us that only one in five church attendees read the Bible daily. So that’s 40% of 2,000, which equals 800. So only about 800 people in Martin County read the Bible each day!

I apologize for all of the statistics. But these numbers are very interesting and damning at the same time.

Why do I bring this up? What is the big deal?

Well the funny thing is that we wonder why we have a drug problem in Martin County? We wonder why we have family issues in Martin County? We wonder why the economy is so bad in Martin County? We wonder why jobs have left Martin County?

We wonder we have so many problems in our county?

Ninety percent, the vast, vast majority of Martin Countians won’t spend one hour a week to give God the praise and honor and glory for which He is worthy. We won‘t take the time to meet with others to give worship to the God who created us and then to make matters worse, we don’t even read the Bible or spend time in prayer to the God who loved us and saved us from our sins and then we expect God to help us with our problems? We expect God to bless our county? You’ve got to be kidding me! And it’s not just Martin County. These statistics are true all over eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia. And these numbers are even worse nationwide!

Yes, we have many social needs in Martin County, but none of these can compare to our greatest need. God gave us everything we need in Jesus Christ! But most of us continue to look elsewhere for answers. We get sidetracked into thinking that if worldly needs are met then everything will be all right. So we skip church because it’s not relevant to our problems. We skip reading the Bible and praying to God and replace Him with our own ideas and plans! That’s the lie of the devil! “What is a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Matthew 16:26

What is the answer? That’s pretty plain to see, my friends. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

God will help us in all of our needs if we will first give Him glory and honor and give our lives to Him.

Jack Ward is the pastor of Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church. Read more at tomahawkmbc.com.