Hey friends. Sorry for the long time since my last blog.
I wish I could let you hear all that I hear. Over the last few days, I have heard from so many people and how God is blessing folks with amazing life changing experiences - from the ministry here at McGregor. I LIVE for that!!
One new friend and brother, recently released from prison, was saved there, discipled by our prison ministry team, was baptized here at McGregor and is so excited about growing in his love for Jesus. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Another young lady I have met is facing some really difficult circumstances yet so hungry to learn about her new faith in Christ.
I've heard so many positive comments about our new Single Adult Pastor. Arthur Keeley is no stranger to us. He and his family have been members of our church for several years. Knowing his heart for ministry and loving personality just make his ministry here on our staff that much more exciting.
Same for our new High School Pastor, Ben Fleming. He's awesome. Many of our students have a renewed sense of excitement for the ministry to them and their friends. With Pastor Ben leading our High School students and Steven Anderson leading our Middle School ministry, our Student ministry is stronger than ever!!
2008 is off to an incredible start. Enthusiasm is building for our FOCUS mid-week service -- the place to be for all of our members who are hungry for the "focus-ed" study of the Word of God. Great worship and great Bible study- I wouldn't want to miss a single Wednesday FOCUS. Come and bring ALL your friends. Awesome service!!!!
rp
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wow - I always knew Christmas was a busy time but this year seems like it's even more so than before.
Join me in praying for our last weekend of Christmas Pageant. Many will attend, many will be hurting, many will be ignorant of the real reason for the season, many will be satisfied with "Happy Holidays," when it really isn't, and many will be in need of a "Merry Christmas" - pray for God to do what only He can do.
Some of you have heard by now of the movie "The Golden Compass" being released this Christmas season. I have read a lot about this movie. I had begun to put together some information to help you understand the concerns that I have about this movie. The more I read, the more I realized that this blog couldn't contain all of my concerns. This is a movie written by a man totally committed to eliminating the Christian worldview.
Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a lengthy blog that adequately expresses the Biblical concerns that every believer should know. Read it at http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1065
Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS,
rp
Join me in praying for our last weekend of Christmas Pageant. Many will attend, many will be hurting, many will be ignorant of the real reason for the season, many will be satisfied with "Happy Holidays," when it really isn't, and many will be in need of a "Merry Christmas" - pray for God to do what only He can do.
Some of you have heard by now of the movie "The Golden Compass" being released this Christmas season. I have read a lot about this movie. I had begun to put together some information to help you understand the concerns that I have about this movie. The more I read, the more I realized that this blog couldn't contain all of my concerns. This is a movie written by a man totally committed to eliminating the Christian worldview.
Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a lengthy blog that adequately expresses the Biblical concerns that every believer should know. Read it at http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1065
Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS,
rp
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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
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
Thursday, November 8, 2007
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
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
Thursday, October 25, 2007
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
- 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
Thursday, October 11, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
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
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
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