October...

Unbelievable month of October (and we’re not done yet!)

- Many, many decisions in our services. New members, new believers, tearful rededications – awesome.
- This Sunday will be wonderful. Dr Gary Frazier will be preaching. He is the primary speaker with the “Left Behind” series of conferences around the nation. Dr. Frazier has been an evangelist for 30+ years primarily speaking on eschatology, our Biblical relationship with Israel as a nation and as a Christian people. He is also the owner of the company that we are traveling with to Israel in the Spring. The last time I took a group from our church to Israel, he preached for over one hour on Sunday morning as we over-looked Jerusalem – unbelievable time of inspiration. You will be hugely blessed.
- New staff – what an answer to our prayers. Cynthia Turner, our new Preschool Ministry Director, will be here for our Family Fest and begin her ministry then. And – wonderful news here – we have extended a call to our new Single Adult minister. He is one of our own – Arthur Keeley. I am so excited about Arthur, he is a wonderful and deeply committed man of God and many of our Single Adults already know and love him. Welcome aboard !!
- Pageant is on the way (tickets selling fast!!), Family Fest will be awesome, the Thanksgiving fellowship time (tickets are selling fast to that too) and concert with Mark Harris will be a great time of worship and inspiration. I love Mark’s voice (he used to be in 4HIM and TRUTH) but I also love his heart. He truly loves the worship that happens when the family of God gathers. He will bless us

So much going on – so much yet to do – so many people praying – such a great God and Savior.

Let’s stay radically committed to Jesus.

rp

Getting Away with God...

I started a routine several years ago that just gets better with age.
Preaching is such a "drain." Don't get me wrong, I love to preach, but it is so draining spiritually.
It is the single most important reason that my devotional time is easy for me to protect.
Several years ago I started a routine of getting away for several days twice each year to pray, plan and prepare to preach.
No phones, no people, no razor - really, I seclude myself as much as possible and just "do business" with the Lord.
I love these times. I cherish the "wilderness" experience with the Lord.

I'm there right now. I check emails for about 15 minutes twice a day and have received dozens of emails from people who knew this was my study week. People praying for me, asking God to speak clearly to my heart - what a blessing.
I've experience many "mountain-top" experiences in my life and ministy and I hope many more yet to come.
Yet, few will ever rival this time of just getting away and focusing on the Lord and His Word.
What a blessing.
Want to come join me? Sorry, I forgot - no people. So play your time away with the Lord. Maybe in segments like me or in smaller times each day so God can set the agenda for your day.

Be blessed. I am.

rp

Human Resources...

We say this often, and it is very true. One of McGregor's greatest assets is our very strong and spirit-filled staff.
We have one of the finest church staff teams that I know of anywhere in the country. Because they are so strong, sometimes they are called of God to other places of ministry and service. Thinking big picture and "Kingdom perspective" means that's OK, but then God keeps bringing us incredible new staff leaders.
We are blessed with a couple of newer staff ministers in Shawn Bergen and Tod Tanner. I hope you are getting to know these two men and their wives and children. Both are great additions to our "team."
I have some wonderful news on two fronts.
First, I am so glad to share with you that God has answered our prayer for a Preschool Ministry Director. Cynthia Turner will join our staff at the end of this month in this position. She is a newly wed (four weeks!!) who comes to us with a wealth of experience from two wonderful churches. She has a heart for preschool ministry and a great vision for leading our preschool volunteers and encouraging preschool parents. Can't wait for her to get here.
Also, I'm so happy and excited for Hank Garner and Dawn O'Neal. These two staff members are getting married this Saturday. I've never had this to happen before but it has been so fun to watch. These two team members are very gifted in their ministry area, and then to see them sense and follow the Lord's lead into marriage is awesome. Dawn and Hank, I love you both and am so happy to see you getting married.
I"m so grateful for the ministry of Jeremy Emory as our High School Minister. He and Sharon came here as "Interns" and have progressed in the staff arena. Jeremy has done a wonderful job with our students and they love him so much for his personal care and his caring personality. Jeremy will be greatly missed (and Sharon and Brayden) but I really believe God has great things in store in Jeremy's new ministry that lies ahead. I will miss them both greatly.

Please continue to pray for our staff - the best of the best!!!

rp