 August 2007
The summer is flying by, but WOW, what a summer of blessing as kids, teens, and adults have experienced many incredible God moments at a variety of activities. And, it’s not done yet. There is a lot more exciting ministry blessing to be experienced. Beginning in June, two vans full of children with 5 adults and a packed trailer behind one of the vans went to Kansas City for a week of serving people in need. The reports of how our children were a blessing to homeless people, those in care facilities, and to the leaders of food bank ministries was very exciting. As the children sang, did drama, played with children, and hugged the lonely, not only were the kids ministering to others but their own lives were changed as they experienced the great joy of serving others. THANKS KIDS for letting God use you to make a difference in the lives of many people. The children have also been serving the homeless and needy people in Hastings through helping at the Crossroads Center and will soon be serving at another agency in Hastings this month. July 9-17 has been an unbelievably exciting experience for the 16 teens and 3 adult sponsors who went to the Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) in St. Louis, Missouri where over 11,000 teens were gathered to praise God, do service projects in St. Louis, and seek God for a deeper understanding of how to follow Him and do His will. The reports I have received have been expressed with the word “incredible” in every other sentence. God is moving in powerful ways in the lives of our kids and teens and I am excited beyond words for what I know He can do in our world and our church through kids and teens who are fully devoted to following Jesus as their Savior and Lord. At the Family Camp-out in July there were many families and individuals who enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation and then on Sunday morning they experienced an awesome move of God’s Spirit as they worshipped the Lord with singing and the sharing of God’s Word. There was an incredible bond of fellowship that was experienced as well. Yet to come is the awesome Vacation Bible School being planned for August 13-17, along with some great Men’s Ministry plans for a Golf Tournament August 18, a Men and Boy’s cookout and fishing contest in September and some Men’s Bible study opportunities being planned to begin this fall, not to mention Women’s Bible study beginning again this fall along with the All-Church Picnic and Volleyball night of fun and fellowship August 5 and the Christmas Musical kick-off August 26 for all interested in joining that ministry. Progress is also being made on our future expansion as a decision has just been made for a contractor. On July 9 at the Church Board meeting the recommendation of the Building Expansion Team was approved to begin working with Carmichael Construction for a new Family Ministry Center multi-purpose addition. It is very exciting to know that we will soon begin to meet with the contractor and an architect to start the process of getting drawings for the new ministry area. Why did I share all of that? Because I want you to keep informed of what is going on and to give PRAISE TO GOD for all of the awesome ministry that is taking place through ALL of you who are involving yourself in the ministry of Lakeside Community Church so we can fulfill OUR MISSION “…to DEMONSTRATE God’s love to ALL people, LEADING them to embrace Jesus Christ, and HELPING them grow to maturity in Him.” As we continue to love and serve the Lord with all of our heart, my prayer is that we will always seek to obey Colossians 3:17 which says: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” I can’t wait to see all that God is going to do in the months and years ahead through this ministry which we share together. I look forward to seeing you from Sunday to Sunday to keep honoring our AWESOME GOD in praise and worship.
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