Archive for August, 2010

August was busy! One Sunday we had our service at a local music festival and the next Sunday at our local fall fair. The week after that, many people were at the fair in town. The church has done garbage cleanup there the past few years as a fundraiser for the youth and other special activities. It takes many people to get the job done, and lots came out to help. The following Sunday we had a baptism. One young adult male and an older female asked to be baptized. It was good to hear them talk about coming to a place where they finally understood that they needed Jesus Christ as their Saviour and be willing to take the step of baptism.  Lee & Arlene Stephenson

My dad inspired me to write simple notes of encouragement to folks in the church and community, letting them know I was thinking about them and that I spent time praying for them that particular morning. I’ve received comments from a number of folks about how much that simple note meant to them. Some said they’d never received a note from their pastor before. One lady said she’s going to keep it in her Bible until she dies! Praise the Lord for using such a simple means of encouraging people for the glory of Christ.   Jeremiah & Elizabeth Knoop

Our new Sunday school series, “The Way of the Master,” is good training in how to witness and has been received with enthusiasm. I’m also going out to a couple of parks during the nice days of summer to witness, pass out tracts, and invite people to church – with good response. Many people know very little of the Bible, and because of that, they’re willing to listen.  Mark & Donna Archer

A mission team from Grace Chapel in North Carolina came in July to do our VBS and to work with our teens. We’d been praying for God’s blessing, and they’d been preparing for this trip for nearly a year. Pastor Joel and his team of 33 were a tremendous blessing, both in our area and in our little church.

The teens did music, puppets, skits, etc. Many shared their testimony, and they were filled with such enthusiasm and joy. What a blessing to get to know many of them personally.

Pastor Joel, the youth pastor at Grace Chapel, had devotions with the entire group each evening. On the first evening some of our teens wanted to hang around these teens from NC. On that first night, two of our teens prayed to receive Christ as their Saviour. Praise the Lord! Before the week was over, five teens were saved, and six younger children. The foundation has been laid, and follow-up has begun. Pray for workers to help us in this area. Patrick McAloon

I spent a good portion of July at Pinecroft Camp. We had 8 campers from our field, and I’ve seen how God worked in several of them. One of the boys who previously came only to youth group has begun attending church. Our son Andy attended as a senior camper, but served on staff at the other two camps; it’s a blessing to see his love for God growing and his desire to serve God blossoming.  Steve & Candi Hill