January, 2006 Dear Church Family, HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Instead of a regular newsletter this month, we decided to send a letter to express our praise to God & our thanks to you for being such a wonderful church family and for letting God use you in many different ways to make 2005 an incredible year of growth and effective ministry. From all of the staff, Pastor Dave and Kathy, Doug and Melinda, Amanda, Tom and Eileen, Jeri, Betty, and Linda, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND PRAYER SUPPORT and for giving financially to support the decision of the Church Board to give monetary staff bonuses. It was greatly appreciated by each of us! As I have reflected on 31 years as a Senior Pastor (yes, I am becoming more “senior” all the time!), and nearly 15 years as Senior Pastor of Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene, I have seen God do awesome things and help us experience tremendous victories, but this year has been an unusually blessed and victorious one as many wonderful new people have become a part of Lakeside Community Church and have begun to partner with those of us who have been a part of this ministry for many years. It is very exciting to see God’s people of all ages work together to 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”, which is a part of accomplishing God’s mission to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) God has been praised and I believe His heart has experienced great joy as children have responded to the teachings of KidZone, Caravans, VBS ministry, Kid’s Choir, musical dramas, and Bible quizzing and many have received Jesus as their Savior. I’m sure God’s heart has rejoiced as more and more teens have been able to “hide God’s Word in their heart” through Bible quizzing, and as they have discovered where they fit into God’s plan for life through Youth Hour teachings. I know God has smiled with pleasure as adults have experienced spiritual growth and victory through Sunday Bible classes, small group Bible studies, and through incredible times of regular Sunday worship which have not always been “regular” because God’s Spirit has often come to bless and stirred our hearts in unusual ways. What a joy it was one Sunday to hear testimonies of how God brought physical and emotional healing to several people in response to the anointing of oil and prayer of faith. I truly believe Jesus was lifted up as adults, youth , and children worked together for 3 ½ months to be ready to present the true message of Christmas to nearly 2,000 people through the Christmas Musical Drama, “A Time For Christmas”, at the city auditorium just a couple of weeks ago. Thanks again, Doug and Melinda, for directing this incredibly effective ministry. Praise God for all of these victories!! With all that has happened in ministry and the growth that has taken place this past year and in the 6 ½ years since we built our new facility in a great new location, it is clear that we are out of space to be able to keep expanding ministry. Our growth potential is being seriously limited because we have no more room. We cannot continue to reach out to un-churched people effectively without being able have enough room to spiritually minister to them and receive them into the family of God. It is a good problem to have but one we must earnestly pray about and diligently work to solve in the very near future. That’s why, for several months, the staff, the Church Board, and a Master Site Plan Research Committee have been talking, praying, and interviewing architects, builders, and Church Design Construction Companies so we can wisely plan for the future. A decision was made just a few weeks ago to work with Todd Brown and Brown Church Development Group for guidance in developing a Master Plan with a vision and dream that will enlarge the current facility and creatively use what we have to strategically fulfill our mission and significantly reach the city of Hastings for Christ. We believe that is a goal and mandate given to us by God. The Church Board will meet with Todd Brown and one of his associates in January to begin the process. God is confirming in my heart and the hearts of the staff and elected leaders, that 2006 will be an exciting year of planning for the future which will include a Master Site Plan, a vision and dream for additional building needs, initiating a capital campaign for building and plans for future construction. Please PRAY with us as we try to dream God’s dream. Please PRAY about how God wants to use you in this process and what He wants you to give when that time comes. Please PRAY with us as we seek God’s help in using our current facility as creatively as possible so we can continue to have growth and effective ministry. As you know, the all-important bottom line is PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and then respond to God obediently in giving of yourself and your resources to see His Kingdom advanced. You are an awesome and loving church family. I can’t express adequately what a privilege it is for me to be your pastor and for all of us as a staff, to partner with you in ministry. IT’S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING YEAR OF POTENTIAL KINGDOM GROWTH AND VICTORY IN 2006. I hope you sense that in your spirit as well. On behalf of all the staff, MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH A HAPPY AND JOYOUS NEW YEAR. In Christian Love, Pastor Dave
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