Hello Church Family,

I hope you’re having a great week. Summer is in full swing around here. People are always coming and going whether it’s summer camps, mission trips, or some other kind of ministry related endeavor. I used to think that summer was somewhat of a “down time” for church life but that’s really not the case.

Many of the key achievements towards our mission and vision take place during the summer time. We’ve had three mission trips already and three more soon to come. This year we’ll end up taking a total of TEN short term mission trips. Most of them take place in the summer.

The past three to four weeks you’ve heard from various different staff members about the things that have been going on so I’m not going to repeat what they’ve said. What I do want to do is encourage you to take advantage of a weekly summer experience up at the church called Monday Night For The Master.

Every Monday, for the next 6 weeks, our entire church family will gather together for a meal and worship service. What’s so unique about MNFTM is that you get to meet people you’ve never met even though you’ve been going to the same church for years. Folks from both campuses and all four services come together under the same roof. There’s a kind of unity and fellowship experienced during those times that really is special.

The atmosphere is laid back and fun. We have outside speakers come in so the preaching is different than a usual Sunday morning. This year we’ve themed the series around equipping Christians to provide a confident and persuasive witness in the world today. The kickoff this past Monday was really helpful in equipping our church family towards those ends.

I really don’t know that I have the words to describe the atmosphere so I just want to encourage you to come if you haven’t attended recently. There was a pretty good turn out this past Monday but even that was probably only 20% of our church family. Imagine the benefit of having over 50% of our folks in attendance. I think it could really increase the feeling of “family” among our congregation.

So, next Monday evening, if you can, come by and check it out. The meal is donation based so you can contribute back whatever you’re able to do if you’re able to do it. The music and preaching will be good and the fellowship with your church family will be great. I hope to see you there.

You can keep up with the messages here.
You can find the speaker schedule here.

On a final note, I want to encourage you to be praying for Jerry as he has left for Brazil this week to do ministry. Part of our 2020 Vision is to send four long-term missionaries to the uttermost parts of the earth. The generosity towards that initiative has been incredible and Jerry will be able to stay down there for several months.

I don’t want to share too many details over the internet but please put him down on your prayer list over these next several months. On the evening of August 27th we’ll have a special church-wide celebration to express thanksgiving to God for all the great things He is doing in our church and through our church as it relates to our mission and vision.

As always, if there’s anything I can pray for you about please just let me know. I hope you have a great rest of your week! I’ll hopefully see you Sunday as we continue our new series in the book of Acts.

Blessings,

Pastor Wes