He's Faithful...

I am rejoicing in another wonderful week. So many things are happening that I feel the hand of God so powerfully a part of it all.
As a church, we have struggled this year with our budget giving primarily because of the economic down-turn here in SW Florida.
Another article in the paper of record unemployment, yet still below national averages. But I hear from our business men that things are getting better and looking up. God is faithful.
I still hear about many of our people who are struggling financially – I pray regularly for the ones I know about and many that I don’t know about.

Still, so much to rejoice about. I am so happy to be able to share that God has quickly brought to us a new High School pastor. Ben Fleming is a huge answer to our prayers.
Our students don’t need a long period without great leadership and that’s exactly what Pastor Ben will bring to us. Pastor Ben led our Middle school summer camp (SPASM) and did a fantastic job. Then, in God’s perfect timing, God led Jeremy to a new and exciting ministry in NC as we began our search. The Lord ordained our circumstances and search to focus on Pastor Ben. The more we prayed and talked, the more it was very obvious that he is God’s man for us.
Many of our students have met and heard his speak at Backstage, and many of our HS adult leaders have met and talked to him. We are all very excited to welcome Ben and his wife, Maggie, to our staff. We’ll introduce him to our church family as soon as they move here to Ft. Myers. I’m so excited to have him on our staff team. Welcome Pastor Ben!!!

Christmas is almost here, Pageant is really close, Thanksgiving is already here. God is good all the time. I love being His follower.
Praise Him today – just for who He is!!

rp

And Who Shall Go for Us? David & Tracy...

Ok, I still get a lump in my throat whenever I'm around missionaries. My mom and dad just instilled that in me a long time ago.
Tonight, I got a huge blessing being in Springfield, Illinois as we commissioned 82 new missionaries. All of these new Southern Baptist missionaries are very committed and sacrificing so much to go all over the world to tell people about Jesus.

The blessing was mutiplied by the fact that one of the couples being sent to the mission field is one of our families from McGregor. David and Tracy Delac were a part of this service. They are preparing to go as SBC missionaries to South Africa in the Spring. What a blessing. Unbelievable. Awesome.
To see David and Tracy with tears in their eyes as they respond to God's call on their life to share the love of Jesus was wonderful.
David and Tracy, I love you guys and I'm so proud of you, and happy for you. God will bless you richly for your obedience to follow His Will for the rest of your lives. You are my heroes!!

It reminded me that we are all called to be missionaries. Some as full-time missionaries (like David and Tracy), some as teachers, doctors, home-makers, businessmen and women, or wherever God has called you to serve. Remember, our primary calling is ALWAYS to share Christ no matter our vocation.

So, on behalf of David and Tracy, let's join them and tell someone about Jesus in Ft. Myers and they go to South Africa to do the same. They are being faithful to God's call on their life - I hope and pray each of you are too.

rp