Dear Church Family,
Scottie and I have just returned from a vacation with three other couples with whom we raised our children together. We have shared meals in each other’s homes. We have studied God’s Word together. We have served on mission projects together. We have borne each other’s burdens and shared each other’s joys. Christian community and spiritual friends are powerful forces for eternal good. I want to encourage you this summer to avail yourself of the power of the Christian community.
You and I need to not only be involved in corporate worship but also gather with other believers in smaller gatherings so that we can fulfill all of the “one another” commands of Scripture. Our Sunday school ministry is designed to do just that. This ministry is off to a great start this summer. On our first Sunday back, we had over 150 people involved in this ministry.
Teaching and training our children and youth are of paramount importance. The eternal future of our kids is at stake. If you want to be challenged on this, I would encourage you to read this article that I have been digesting this week from the Federalist. This is not a Christian publication, but the author challenges church leaders and Christian parents in a big way:
Secondly, thank you for being a church that believes that the gospel makes us a people for others. Our kids have tons of camps, retreats, and spiritual resources for their growth in grace. These 1,200 teenagers in Tanzania have never been to a conference. This is their first one. Our youth director, Drew Laughlin, along with some of the youth are leading this youth conference over the next several days.
Please pray for Drew, Andrew Panik, Melissa Reynolds, Katie Ryan, Evan, Sarah Grace, Olivia, Hartley, and Margaret Ross for the Lord to use them in a powerful way. Already, a number of folks have prayed to receive Christ. God is doing something very special in Tanzania. Thank you for being a part of it by your prayers and your financial gifts. May the Lord richly bless you this summer! Opening Worship Video for the Youth Conference
Pastor Cain
