2006 in review

finding some time to type is nearly as difficult these days as finding something worthy of typing :)

in times past, a lot of my inspiration came from insights discovered in preparation for recent messages. but retyping content of recent messages seems odd since we now have our audio available on www.visit6th.com and www.myspace.com/worshipforsleepyheads. why make people read it when they can listen?

but it's now the end of the year, and, like a lot of people, i like to look back and reflect on the year that was:

January/February -- started off in typical new year ritual. i was excited about the new group of leadership and ready to get out of stalemates and into make decisions for the better. we began with four goals that we wanted to begin investing heavily in: 1) youth leadership, 2) Sunday night outreach, 3) Community Outreach ministries, and 4) Hispanic ministries. by the end of February, we were looking ahead to summer youth leadership, building momentum for the Sleepyheads (Sun p.m.) service, and beginning a partnership with a local Hispanic church plant. little did i know that 2 of these 4 positive steps would lead to so much trouble...

March/April -- we were preparing to call for a business meeting at the end of March that would make a decision to bring in Josh Weiger as a summer youth intern. but, after the second Sunday in March, my wife and i went away for a scheduled retreat in Florida. when we returned on that Friday morning, i began to get news of a few disgruntled folks preparing to leave the congregation. i polled the leadership to find out what they knew--no one knew of any such talk. but on that the third Sunday of March, we went to talk with the class in which the rumors were originating from. when we arrived, we found a couple of our older men being hugged by a couple remaining ladies in a classroom that had not only been deserted but removed of pictures. when i asked them what was going on, they were shellshocked--they said their friends were disbanding the class and leaving the church. we went from there into morning worship, oddly enough, we were scheduled to preach on Matthew 18 (conflict resolution) in our continuing Gospel of Matthew series. a few from the class stayed for the message and hugged us as they said they had to stop attending, with no reason given. i spent the next 24 hours trying to speak to several of those who left, also with little explanation. i'm thankful for the wise counsel of Doug Talley whom we had met at the retreat just a week or so before. he directed me to care for the remaining members who were also shellshocked. we were able to regroup through letters and phone conversations, and then together at the previously announced meeting for summer youth leadership. Easter that April was a little strange with so many familiar faces curiously missing--but attendance was still high. i'm grateful for our eldest members Brother Lee and Sister Evelyn who not only stayed with the congregation, but were vocally supportive of our leadership and the ministry direction. i'm equally thankful for several middle-aged members who have continued to stay and remain not only supportive but increasing their lay ministry involvement in the absence of so many who left. when it was all said and done, from December 2005 to August 2006, nearly 30 members left our congregation for other fellowships.

May/June -- spring came not only with new growth, but new hope. we were beginning to recognize that many who left our congregation stopped giving consistently a long time ago--which was actually to our advantage as our financial bottom line didn't change that drastically. we also had Josh Weiger coming in to give much needed energy and enthusiasm to our youth ministry. the ministry gained significant momentum under his presence and leadership, while a few of our young adults were equally inspired in their own commitments to greater surrender. camps were a highlight for our youth, and for myself as we began a new Graduate Camp for anyone out of high school--we hope this will be the growing next step to include and empower former youth to continue in state and local ministry as they enter their 20's, while also providing a camp reunion atmosphere to keep the spiritual fires stoked.

July/August -- we watched Josh take three from our congregation to IYC in Anaheim (2 youth) along with a state group. they all came back fired up in their faith. we took 10 to Guyana (3 from RCC) for a week of service and relationships to the Sophia congregation. i was continually moved to tears at the thought of Touching the World for Christ becoming a reality--our little congregation was now involved in two continents of ministry! the sadness of Josh's inevitable departure were pushed aside through the celebration of BIG Sunday in which we baptized 2 (including my daughter), had a Baby dedication, a farewell for Josh and a business meeting that agreed with the Leadership's decision to make youth leadership a budget priority (cutting everything else back or out to make it possible). August also featured a great state campmeeting focusing on unity under the anointed preaching of Dr. James Lewis, Anderson University seminary professor. This meeting along with our national Strategic Planning Conference in Nashville spurred me to greater commitment to unity efforts.

September/October -- in Josh's absence, i returned to a busy schedule of trying to keep youth, children, adults afloat. i'm thankful for those like my father-in-law, Ben, and countless children volunteers who make the ministries work as i run to and from--but i need to do a better job of equipping and empowering their leadership in the congregation. the leadership began looking for youth leadership, while also beginning to contemplate options for a structure overhaul. our current by-laws were meant for a larger organization that are now baby-church was struggling to meet the demands of. a motion to postpone electing leadership while review and consultation for changes to our by-laws was approved by the congregation--increasing the workload of the current leadership. i'm thankful for their prayerful participation and sacrifices. we also took a group down to Wetumpka, AL to share in a unity service with one of our predominantly 'black' congregations. we look forward to gathering together with them in Decatur, early in 2007. during this time, i learned that unity is the result of practicing come-unity. Keli got our kids involved in a local church's Awanna program on Sunday night which has exponentially increased their Bible reading & scripture memorization. on top of it i began as our school's PTA treasurer--i'm tired of financial forms! :p

November/December -- these past two months have been a flurry of activity -- speaking in Montgomery for the Capitol March, in San Destin for the AL Youth Convention, for our annual Thanksgiving service and all of our own Advent activities since. it has been a good couple of months at the church--but this past week of being with the kids and family have been relaxing and therapeutic. holidays are coming to an end, and the work is building up--but i'm excited about the work we're doing for the Kingdom.

in a year with highs and lows--there are always more highs with the Lord.

• Titus and Zeke made professions of faith, while Grace and Titus were baptized. Grace had another great year at camp, while we look forward to Titus first year of camp this coming summer.
• Grace and several of our young adults made their first international mission trip, and we're anticipating a trip to the UK for our third continent this next summer.
• my kids are all healthy, attractive, intelligent, and know the Lord--that alone makes me feel more blessed than i deserve every day.
• i continue to serve in a growing, exciting ministry to a community in need of the love of Christ--i'm continually aware of my need for more of Him. i hope to see greater surrender and more glory for the Lord in 2007
• every new year is begun in the best possible way as i celebrate another wedding anniversary with my wife Keli. her friendship and partnership bless me to no end--i'd definitely be crazy, addicted, defeated or dead without her.

come-unity

"There is a greater willingness not to be isolated but to come into come-unity. I think that the circumstances that we face in the religious community cause us to come together in unity to meet certain needs in our community. The church has had to speak out." (Vernon Lambe, pastor & national leader in Bermuda as quoted in "Nation Changer," One Voice Oct/Nov 2006 - Issue#15, www.onevoicemag.org)

i loved this article -- i loved this quote, and i loved this clever play on words: come-unity

that's what it's all about, isn't it?

getting past ourselves, leaving the isolation, crossing the divide, regardless of the cost, to come together into unity for the sake of the Gospel message to a world in need, fulfiling the prayer of Christ.

i had a recent post (tired) in which i wrote about taking that initiative personally with other pastors--yesterday, i left with 5 other church members after morning worship to do the same thing. we drove 3 hours south to Wetumpka, AL (northeast of Montgomery) to meet with another church in their community unity service. we spent a couple hours in wonderful worship and sincere fellowship, then back on the van for another 3 hour ride home

more than the distance covered physically, what made this trip important was the divide crossed socially and racially. for all our preaching about unity, our state ministries are still divided in 2006 A.D. by race--yes, a predominantly black and a predominantly white assembly. we've talked about unity, over and over again. we've prayed about it, and made all sorts of good intentions -- but nobody's moving.

i opened my mouth a couple years ago about needing to start crossing the divide and the pastor of the Wetumpka church heard me. that's when i met sister Daisybelle Thomas-Quinney. she asked if i would be willing to get our churches together, and i said absolutely. then our two assemblies began working hard to meeting together in prayer and discussions for unity. then the discussions stalled, again.

sister Quinney and i saw each other again last August. she said, "brother ken we can't wait any longer on everybody else, we gotta start doing it and let everybody else catch up." i agreed and she invited us to make the trip the second Sunday in September -- but our church already had plans, so i told her we'd come the second Sunday in October. she said great, and nothing more was said. i went back to our congregation and told everyone to mark their calendars, we're going to Wetumpka!

two weeks ago when i called her to tell her i hadn't forgotten and was trying to get others to make the trip. she told me about their plans for an afternoon community service with other pastors and churches. i told her we'd try to make it, and she told me she'd understand if we couldn't. even though we came in a few minutes late on Sunday, she shared with the congregation our story and shared with me the joy she felt because we were willing to come

also in attendance was her district pastor, who also publicly made the pledge to make good on a promise to have unity prayer meeting scheduled in Decatur--a meeting intentioned but never actualized when our last unity talks stalled.

now sister Quinney and their church are making plans for a 6 hour roundtrip--and perhaps together, we can see our churches come into unity for the sake of the Gospel

"...may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23)

cyber samaria pt.2

after staring at the computer screen for hours and trying to figure out html codes (remember, i'm a mo-po*)...the parts of last night's Sleepyheads service (09/24) are up at

www.myspace.com/worshipforsleepyheads

take a listen, leave your own questions, comments, confessions--and pass on the link

hopefully, more pictures and better graphics will show up as my eyes and mind have time to rest and try again

*(mopo--my term for anyone that is curiously caught between appreciation and rejection of both the MOdern and POstmodern era)

cyber-samaria

in John 4, Jesus does the unthinkable in Jewish culture--He leads His disciples through Samaria rather than around it. those unclean, half breed Samaritans weren't worth associating with as far Israel was concerned; but God loved the Samaritans and sent His Son for them as well. so Jesus goes in and visits the local watering hole while the disciples go on to get food. you know the story, He not only sits in Samaria, but visits with a Samaritan woman of questionable character. not only is she convinced, but also through her testimony, "Many more Samaritans put their faith in Jesus because of what they heard Him say" (v.41, CEV)

Jesus teaches His followers that we are to go to the least of these, even in environments that are questionable, with the Gospel for the sake of the Kingdom

fast forward to our time, and there are places, environments that churches and believers will not dare go. not because there aren't people there worth sharing the Gospel with, but for the sake of our reputations, our "purity"

for quite a while i've listened to our young people interacting through MySpace. i was still trying to figure out this blog thing at the time, and didn't pursue the topic much. but as we began our new Sun p.m. outreach service called Sleepyheads, we were targeting these same young, burned-out-on-church young people. so we thought that it would be great to have a MySpace account where we could have audio files of the dialogue, message and responses so that people could continue to participate in the discussion through the week. so we reserved a couple of sites to begin laying the groundwork for such an avenue.

i shared the idea with leaders and other pastors and you could see the red flags go up. some people even shared strong concerns about such a step.

i've just gotten the audio editing software so we haven't gotten to upload anything yet -- but do you know what's happened in the last week? we've seen people in our area find us through the unique networking set up through MySpace. a mom in the area has sent questions about our church and ministries to youth because she's looking for a church; another young lady who attends a church in town came across our listing and came last night because her church doesn't have a Sunday night service right now. Now we're not changing whole communities yet, but in a week, without the site being yet operational to our goal, we've seen searching people make a connection.

i'm not saying we're the only one trying to shine the Light into MySpace--but lets worry more about the people than our reputations. i heard this week that MySpace adds 230,000 new accounts EVERY DAY! that's a lot of people--isn't it worth wading through the garbage to reach even just 1?

tired

right after my last post, i was honored to serve as a representative for our state ministries at our church's national strategic planning conference. it was a humbling experience interacting with leaders and peers from around the country to pray, hear vision, and discuss its implementation on all levels

i really felt inspired by our national leadership and was genuinely energized spiritually by the experience, the dialogue, and the testimonies of the work of the Lord through individuals and churches

i also came back tired

"tired" is the only word that has appropriately summed up the frustration, embarassment, and the desire that was all simultaneously stirred up and brought out

i'm tired of preaching unity of the body of Christ and practicing division. There's division in the our local churches all the way up to larger networks of churches. There are divided agendas/visions because we won't submit to or honor Biblical leadership. There's division because we compete instead of cooperate for the sake of the Kingdom. There's division because we don't look after each other and just busy ourselves in our own little kingdoms, (contrary to Philippians 2:4, "each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."). not to mention how this type of 'living' ignores Jesus' prayer for His people (John 17)

i'm tired of teaching holiness while tholerating sin. i feel this is largely related to our response to Biblical leadership and authority. i don't know if it's the American churches' application of democracy within the organization of the church work, or simply selfish individualism. whatever the reason we have to return to holding one another accountable to Biblical teaching, not through an oppressive conformity, but in a loving fellowship. this has to be applied within the context of Biblical authority--Godly leaders who are themselves accountable to not merely exhorting/preaching about the Holy life, but also rebuking and correcting sin when it occurs. rather than just fellowships that leave your stomach full--this type of accountability is the fullest sense of fellowship

finally (i know you could sense a third point here), i'm tired of intending to advance the Kingdom through the local church and evangelism while intentionally allocating all our resources and time to facilities or other "sacred cows". thankfully, i'm not speaking of this frustration within our local church anymore -- the departures of many have led to relief from strife and release to pursue the Kingdom vision. unfortunately, i'm networked with a group churches that is creating this frustration. earlier this year, pastor Claude Robold faciliated a prayer weekend for the pastors of these churches and shared with divinely appropriate revelation, "the church has gotten so attached to what God said that we're missing what God is saying." while we're missing this point, our churches are dwindling in size and influence, we're not retaining youth who are becoming young adults, we're continually arguing about pleasing the saints while the sinners perish all around us or in our midst, and pastors are leaving the ministry.

so, enough complaining, what am i willing to do about it

as for unity, i'm taking responsibility for lack of relationship. i'm devoting my Thursdays to calling, visiting, and praying for other pastors. (sounds like a state coordinator, huh - :( --again, the rumor is not true and i have no interest in the position). i'm merely trying to do what i should've been doing all along--demonstrating love for my brothers and sisters in Christ. i've also encouraged my peers to take the same efforts

as for accountability, i need it personally all over again. i miss Curt who with his wife left this oasis along the Tennessee river for the warm beaches of Tampa. Curt and Jerri had previously moved here from Birmingham after us and were sources of prayer, support and accountability -- as well as friendship and mutual cheering and loathing for all IN sports. i get to play golf occasionally with a few in our church -- but i need the spiritual, not just the social. i pray with a few pastors every month -- but that's not often nor intense enough. any brothers in the north AL area who want to pursue a greater accountability, let's talk

as for advancing the Kingdom, i can only work in partnership with the other state leaders and try to move us within the structure we have to doing what's right, what God is saying to us now, not just what He said once upon our history. as a leader, i'm responsible; and i pray that the Spirit of God would unite us to act responsibly in movement/step with the Spirit, not the maintenance of what the Spirit previously led.

wake us up dear Lord from this drowsy living -- all consuming fire set us ablaze for you, not consumed, but consecrated for your Kingdom's work. amen, amen, so be it, amen

hi, we're still alive :)

i know

i know

really, i do know -- it has been a long time since i last created an entry

i've heard it locally, from people in other cities, across the country, and even from South America

it's been a long time

that's on purpose

i realize since my last post, there have been rumors about me--some true, others not

true--we've seen many people leave the church we serve

not true--i'm NOT the new state ministries coordinator for AL--nor am i looking to be. (believe me, based on the previous truth, there would be many who would stand opposed to such an ambition/'promotion')

let's set some things straight
--from about November to August, we've had about 30 people leave the church we serve. most left on the same day in March. i've kept from writing intentionally since then. i didn't want to sound smug, arrogant, unfazed nor unkind in the wake of such 'transition'. it was a source of pain for anyone who has been in the church for longer than 3 years. our eldest members, 90 & 93 respectively refused to leave with their friends, despite invitations then and now. their support of our leadership has meant more than i can begin to write. they hurt then and now over how these events transpired. after this departure, our friends and prayer partners sent from Birmingham to help anchor us in this community were released from their call to north Alabama and re-called to Florida--we miss Curt and Jerri, but we wouldn't be here had it not been for their faithfulness to God and support of us

strangely, only half of the remaining church has been in the church longer than three years -- everyone else has come since our arrival on June 1, 2003. Easter was similar to Ezra 3 where the elders wept over the new temple's foundations having seen the once grander temple of Solomon -- yet the younger ones rejoiced with a new sense of freedom and intimacy. with some you have pain that mirrors that of betrayal, and with the newer ones they shrug their shoulders and say, 'so some people left' and they're ready to move on

moving on has been interesting. but in hindsight, i can honestly say that even without half of the congregation we were originally called to serve, we are closer now to being whole.

we took a group of ten to Guyana South America and worked alongside our brothers and sisters there to rebuild a church building for the developing community of Sophia south of Georgetown

we were able to bring in a summer youth intern, Josh, who worked well with building up our youth and giving us momentum for our youth ministries

we have seen additional families come in and show interest of involvement

we have seen the congregation move to reprioritize our ministries to support a youth ministry

we are approved to begin Angel Food as a host site for this food distribution ministry to our community, beginning next month (and will be done in partnership with our Hispanic brothers and sisters)

we saw two young girls, including my daughter, get baptized in an exciting service that motivated three other children to want to be baptized in the coming weeks

we have begun conversations with a church in the United Kingdom to begin the path to missional partnerships with them next summer; and have the hopes of piggybacking off of that trip with another church group to learn about partnership in Uganda. our vision of touching the world for Christ could see us creeping onto three additional continents by the end of next summer!

our services have been filled with honesty, searching, and surrender -- God has been faithful and at work within our church--and we're aligning our selves with Him, watching for how He's about to move through us for His glory.

Sunday, we began our fall Old Testament series. (i listen and plan every summer vacation at least a year and half in advance for messages--i then spend the next year and a half continuing to listen and meditate on those texts and related content. the Lord has been faithful in this process, and i'm continually surprised at how he directs the text to minister to us, right where we are). we began the series, "on the way to Worship," from Exodus. read these verses from chapter 1
"The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.
Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them." (v.5-7)

look again, and do the math. Jacob/Israel's descendants in Egypt numbered 70--then subtract Jacob and all of Joseph, his brothers, their wives (at least one per), and you're left at the most in the 40's. then, by the faithfulness of God, even after family betrayal, famine, and being forgotten, they're fruitful so that they're "exceedingly numerous" and filled the land

you may think i'm reading into the text -- but from a church in the 40's that has experienced a sense of 'betrayal,' financial famine, and being forgotten -- a church who is suddenly younger and lacking the spiritual maturity -- this connected. and the Spirit inspired hope and surrender to our God "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

stay tuned for more exciting works of God in coming weeks

as for the rumor--i thought it was a local thing due to misinformation and speculation since my wife's appointment to be the state ministries Secretary this past spring. that is until a national church leader called the house last weekend, on "good authority" from "two sources in two different states" had informed him that i was the state minister. well, at least it's given us a good laugh :)

empty chair

...pray continually... ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17

in our service last night, i spoke from Colossians 4:2-4 and the instruction of Paul to be devoted in prayer. as i spoke on this subject, i shared again with the church a simple practice that has revolutionized my ability to practice the presence of Christ and have watched others be similarly impacted.

you may have read the widely forwarded e-mail about the man in the hospital who would communicate in prayer as if Christ were sitting in the empty chair next to his bed. the man dies in the hospital, but out of his bed with his head in that empty chair. i first read that e-mail while reading Brother Lawrence's convicting letters in the book "The Practice of the Presence of God." this 17th century french monk had disciplined himself to maintain constant communion with the Living Christ by thinking of Him working beside Brother Lawrence in the routines and mundane activities of each day as the cook for the monastery.

in an effort to Practice the Presence of God myself, i set an empty chair in my office at the church i was serving. i hoped to be reminded of the presence of the Living Christ while i worked on the various administrative duties as associate pastor of that church. but as i worked and as the phone rang, i looked over at the "Jesus chair" only to find it full of papers, books, and anything else i had unconsciously cleared into His lap. at first this was a point of great guilt as i would continually find my work in the Lord's lap -- but then it became a reminder to pray for the work, especially about any projects i may have kept laying aside

then, my pastor at the time would come in and sit in that chair to talk to me about an issue, a project, or idea. the first time i smiled and almost laughed out loud at the site of him sitting in Jesus' lap. but this too became a reminder to pray for those who came in to sit with me

as i shared my misadventures of trying to practice the presence of God with the church i was serving, everyone got a good laugh at their pastor sitting in Jesus' lap -- but the idea soon morphed under our youth to place an empty chair at the front center of the stage during their worship services to remind them that it was the Lord we were singing about, that He was present, that He was alive

this empty chair in the worship service also became an altar of prayer, confession, and love -- at any time someone came and sat in that chair, the music would fade and the youth would gather around to listen to the need of their brother or sister to pray for them.

so i shared this process and progression in my own faith journey last night, demonstrating with an empty chair and leaving it front and center during the response -- then someone came, then another, then we just stayed there as individuals took their turn in the chair confessing, unloading, and receiving compassion, encouragement, scripture, and prayers from the others. and these were multiple, agreeing, heartfelt prayers for each other--it was a longer service--but the presence of the Living Christ was manifest as we "carried each other's burdens and so fulfilled the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2)

maybe it's not a chair for you--maybe it's a cross, a picture, or something else you can put close by to remind yourself that He lives, He's with you--to paraphrase Brother Lawrence, you'd think it rude to leave a guest unattended--leave Him not alone.

crop?

from morning message, 02-05-06

we're currently going through the Gospel of Matthew as a part of our morning sermon series. we began this journey during Advent and will continue in it through Easter. well, actually, it will continue in the summer too as we will return to chapters 5,6,7 for a "Summer on the Mount" series.

this week, we were in Matthew 13:1-23, looking at the well-known parable of the sower. you know the sower sows the seed, some falling on the path, others among the rocks, others among the weeds, and still others among the "good" soil.

as i prepared this message, i was really struck by and personally convicted by the words that the Lord was preparing me to share. the emphasis in the parable of the sower is not on the type of soil, but on the produce -- what results from the seed. Jesus had taught, "by their fruit, you will know them" (Matt 7:16). essentially, you can tell the heart of a person by the plant and crop coming from a person's life. if their heart is "good" soil, then a crop 30, 60, 100 times will be evident. if not, then one of the other soils is true about our hearts.

it could be the hard heart -- thankfully, there's hope for the hard heart. in Hosea 10:12, the Lord speaks through the prophet to His people, "sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of unfailing love; break up your unplowed ground". God is looking for a harvest of love out of our lives, and if the righteous living Word continues to fall on hard hearts, then He wants that ground broke up so that it can receive the Word. The Lord may use grace to soften the heart so that it can be turned over, and the Lord may use painful experiences to move a heart to want a change. But the Lord has all sorts of ways to prepare a heart by His Spirit.

it could be the shallow heart -- thankfully, there's hope for the shallow heart. God wants us to be transplanted into a deeper experience and understanding, sending down roots that will prepare for a harvest. in Ephesians, Paul is praying for young, immature believers, "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:16-19)

though these are soil types are true of many hearts, i fear the soil type true of most of our church members in North America is the third, the crowded heart. in addition to the harvest of souls that seems to be missing, there is also the lack of fruit within the lives of believers. as Hosea mentions the fruit of unfailing love, Paul says (in Galatians 5:22-23) the fruit of the Spirit is love -- manifesting itself in the 8 ways that follow (joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self-control). however, we've grown too accustomed to weeds and too complacent about the harvest.

we're too worried by circumstances to be joyful
too proud to be at peace
too busy to be patient
too angry to be kind
too greedy to be good
it's too easy to be unfaithful
we have too many grudges to be gentle
and if ever a society lacked self-control, it's ours

the crowded heart -- thankfully, there's hope for the crowded heart. Our heavenly Father is the great gardener (John 15:1) -- He knows how to bring fruit from each branch. more than that, He equips us with His Spirit to convict and lead us to "throw off [or, weed out] everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12:1).

Lord, help us again to be concerned for the crop -- make our hearts receptive to Your Word and let Your Spirit lead us into fruitful, productive lives for the Kingdom. for Your name's sake, amen.

back to Sophia

Guyana Mission: Sophia
Monday to Monday, July 10-17, 2006. The flights we’re planning to take fly out of and return to Huntsville, AL -- curiously, this was the best airport for the cost.

We will be working on a new church building and grounds for the Sophia Church of God, while serving as examples of the love of God to this developing community, and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ in missional partnership. read about our first trip to Sophia by clicking on "Sophia Church of God" under the previous posts.

How you can support this mission:
1) Pray - pray for the participants; favor in the community; Pastor Ronda Abrams (Sophia); funds for participants, materials, and property

2) Participate - GO - contact me for an information packet

3) Pay - Financial Support - you can support either individuals or the financial needs of the church. Please send all support to Sixth Avenue Church of God, 716-6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601. Make checks payable to "Sixth Avenue Church of God" -- on the MEMO line, write in your support for the church with "Guyana/church" -- or write in individual support as "Guyana trip/pastor" or insert the name of the participant you want to help. (All gifts will be accounted for and distributed by Sixth Avenue Church of God, charitable contribution receipts will be mailed at the end of the year for your tax preparation purposes.)

we were excited to learn that accounts from our previous trips are being prepared to share in our state newsletter, and possibly in our national MISSIONS publication in the coming months. such publications could lead to greater interest, prayer, support, and participation in ministry in the country of Guyana. it's not there yet, but you can view the state newsletter article at AL News by following the link and then clicking on the "AL COG News" link near the bottom of the left column menu. keep checking back with this last link to see if our article made the cut for the national publication MISSIONS