Well, we have had the privilege and opportunity to be involved in 2 outreaches; the DARE Car Show and SIUE. Both events went well and we had a lot of fun meeting a lot of wonderful people. At the Car show we gave away a kid's electric car that they can ride in (a Hummer). We also gave away 1 free oil change at Midas, and 1 at Dobbs Automotive, 2 free car washes at Auto Spa by Walmart, 2 - 25$ gift certificates at Jerry's Tire and Service, as well as 1 free tire rotation and balance from LRE Automotive (we really appreciate the generocity of these businesses). We also sent 200 people who registered, but didn't win a prize, a postcard letting them know that through Jesus Christ everyone can be a winner.
Today we spent 5 hours at SIUE handing out fliers, church pens, cold water bottles, and neoprene can coolers to hundreds of returning students. We also made available Gospel tracts and copies of the Gospel of John. We were one of 3 other churches that participated with 25-30 other businesses. SIUE Students were able to receive a bunch of free stuff including ice cream, t-shirts, fresh baked pretzels, candy, key chains, pens, and much more.
Well, I've made my plans to go to New York on Monday expecting to bring back our new bus. And, we vote on the purchase of new property out on Goshen Rd. on Sunday evening. We also have a huge Back-to-school picnic planned for Saturday, September 2nd, from 11am - 3pm, and a Gospel Concert on Sunday night, September 3rd at 6pm.
Also, we are excited about creating a Pictoral Church Directory by Olin Mills this fall. The photographer will be her on Thursday, October 12th. We will begin scheduling appointments in a couple weeks. Set that date aside and get your family portrait taken by one of the oldest and best companies in the business. Our church hasn't had a directory in 17 years. It will also be available online through a link and a password on our website.
Again, these are exciting days for First A/G. Be sure you get full advantage of it, and get involved. God is blessing us tremendously. He is answering prayers for the church and it's members. People are finding jobs, being healed, getting well, and being used of God in all sorts of ways. The world may appear to be falling apart, and things seem to be getting worse and crazy, but there is no doubt that God is still in control.
One other testimony. A couple months ago we were all very disappointed when another church sent their bus out to Stone Meadows and many of the young people we have been ministering to started going over there. Their church did a lot of special things over the summer and who can blame them for wanting to be a part of it. But, last Wednesday night we sent out our bus like we have been doing for 2 years now, and even though the other church had a bounce house that night and loaded up a full bus, we brought a full load as well. It would appear that with 2 churches going out to Stone Meadows, we are reaching more kids and young people than if only 1 church went.
God is good! Reaching people for Christ is what we are all about, and if our church grows because of it, GREAT!
Pastor Tim
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
More Exciting Stuff
August 13th was a pretty exciting weekend, even though everything didn't turn out as expected. Bryan and Krystin Enlow did a wonderful job as candidates for youth and children's pastor, but it just does not appear to be God's will. They are wonderful people that God is going to use in awesome and powerful ways, but it doesn't look like God has plans to use them here. Yet, we are certain that God is going to send someone who will help us minister to and reach children and young people.
We had a great service Sunday morning. Attendance was high, worship was awesome, we took in 13 new members, we had several visitors in both AM and PM service, people were excited about what God is going, and the offering was good as well. The only thing that could have made it better is if someone got saved.
On the flip side, our beloved bus broke down. The bearings on one of the tag axle wheels froze up and actually caused it snap off. Believe it or not, it is still driveable, but not with passengers. The good news is that the people selling us our bus in New York are going to sell us a little better bus for the same price in order to get it to us quicker. It has less miles on it (18,000). God is good!
We are preparing to do 4 outreaches. 1) The D.A.R.E. Car Show this Sunday from 8am - 4pm. 2) A Welcome booth at SIUE for new students on Thursday, 8/24. 3) Back-to-school picnic on September 2nd at Center Grover Park from 11am - 3pm. 4) Gospel Concert on Sunday night, Sept 3rd, with a Group called "Sunday Edition." Its alot to do in such a short amount of time, but we can do all things through Christ who gives us Strength!
I'll write more in few days. Live for Jesus 110%! Its fun and exciting!
Pastor Tim
We had a great service Sunday morning. Attendance was high, worship was awesome, we took in 13 new members, we had several visitors in both AM and PM service, people were excited about what God is going, and the offering was good as well. The only thing that could have made it better is if someone got saved.
On the flip side, our beloved bus broke down. The bearings on one of the tag axle wheels froze up and actually caused it snap off. Believe it or not, it is still driveable, but not with passengers. The good news is that the people selling us our bus in New York are going to sell us a little better bus for the same price in order to get it to us quicker. It has less miles on it (18,000). God is good!
We are preparing to do 4 outreaches. 1) The D.A.R.E. Car Show this Sunday from 8am - 4pm. 2) A Welcome booth at SIUE for new students on Thursday, 8/24. 3) Back-to-school picnic on September 2nd at Center Grover Park from 11am - 3pm. 4) Gospel Concert on Sunday night, Sept 3rd, with a Group called "Sunday Edition." Its alot to do in such a short amount of time, but we can do all things through Christ who gives us Strength!
I'll write more in few days. Live for Jesus 110%! Its fun and exciting!
Pastor Tim
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Going to the Next Level
We are taking things to the next level in Christ and for His glory. We did the concert with WIBI and it was a great success. Over a thousand people came. People were ministered to by Phil Wickham, WIBI, by our own people with cold water, tracts and free can coolers, and of course, by God. Only God knows for sure what good will come of it all. Jeremiah Beck and I are excited and discussed the possibility of doing this again very soon.
We signed a contract to buy land on Goshen Rd. The congregation will vote to approve it on August 13th. If everything goes well we will close on September 8th, and the property will be ours. Oh, did I mention that we will be paying cash for it.
On August 13th we are also going to be taking in at least a dozen new members. It has been a while since we have done so, but God has been bringing us many wonderful new people. It is exciting to add them to our membership list and include them in our efforts to discern the will of God for our church and ministry.
Also on August 13th, we have invited Bryan Enlow and his wife Krystin to be with us for the day as he candidates for the position of Children and Youth Pastor. They are a young couple excited about full-time ministry and serving the Lord. They will share a few words with us in the morning service and then go downstairs to minister to the children. In the evening they will attend LIFE Groups and spend time with our young people. Following LIFE Groups, Bryan will also be bring us a short message from God's Word. Finally, we will give Bryan and Krystin a chance to answer some questions posed by the congregation at large. If all goes well, we will soon have a Children and Youth Pastor again.
The church has been advertising in the Intelligencer, the Edge, and the Alestle. Have you seen the ads? We also put a deposit on a bus. The heat wave is slowing down our progress to get the bus, but we should have it in a couple weeks.
Well, I pray that you are going through a time of blessing even as we are. If not, let us know and we will pray for you. Either way, take it to the next level in Christ and for His glory!
Pastor Tim
We signed a contract to buy land on Goshen Rd. The congregation will vote to approve it on August 13th. If everything goes well we will close on September 8th, and the property will be ours. Oh, did I mention that we will be paying cash for it.
On August 13th we are also going to be taking in at least a dozen new members. It has been a while since we have done so, but God has been bringing us many wonderful new people. It is exciting to add them to our membership list and include them in our efforts to discern the will of God for our church and ministry.
Also on August 13th, we have invited Bryan Enlow and his wife Krystin to be with us for the day as he candidates for the position of Children and Youth Pastor. They are a young couple excited about full-time ministry and serving the Lord. They will share a few words with us in the morning service and then go downstairs to minister to the children. In the evening they will attend LIFE Groups and spend time with our young people. Following LIFE Groups, Bryan will also be bring us a short message from God's Word. Finally, we will give Bryan and Krystin a chance to answer some questions posed by the congregation at large. If all goes well, we will soon have a Children and Youth Pastor again.
The church has been advertising in the Intelligencer, the Edge, and the Alestle. Have you seen the ads? We also put a deposit on a bus. The heat wave is slowing down our progress to get the bus, but we should have it in a couple weeks.
Well, I pray that you are going through a time of blessing even as we are. If not, let us know and we will pray for you. Either way, take it to the next level in Christ and for His glory!
Pastor Tim
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