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 :)