July/August 2009

Dear friends,

As we begin the months of July and August this year, we will experience two changes in our life as a church. First, beginning on Sunday, July 5th, and extending through Sunday, September 6th, we will have one worship service at 9:30. It will be followed by an adult Sunday School class in the Library at 10:45. This will provide opportunity for us to share together as the family of God here. Our monthly Healing Service will still be offered at 12:30 on the second Sunday of July and August—July 12th and August 9th.

The other changes is that we will welcome Michael Jordan as our new part-time Youth Ministry Director, probably in July, but no later than August 1st. Michael is a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He and Nikki have been married for five months. Mike has a strong commitment to the three core values that we have identified as leaders in our church— worship, Bible Study and service. He holds strongly the authority of Scripture and possesses an unwavering devotion to God. Michael believes that youth and adults have much to learn from each other. He is also excited about sharing with youth in their school setting, as well as in the life of our church. He has a real passion for reaching out to youth and connecting with them.

I was particularly interested in his Youth Ministry Model—Love, Grow, Go. He speaks of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and of loving our neighbor as ourselves. He believes that, as Christians “feast on the Word of God and understand God’s plan,” we will grow in our faith. Then, following the Great Commission, we will go out and make more disciples of Jesus Christ.

I am personally excited about adding Mike to our ministry team...and to welcome him and his wife into the life of this church. May God continue to guide us as we grow toward the future God has for us together!!!

Expectantly,

Pastor Jerry