Hello Great Family,

I'm back from the trip to Pennsylvania.  Had a great time speaking to youth ministry specialists.  I taught them what I learned ministering through the tragedy in Oxford.  Lots of tears as I shared our story but a good response from the attendees.  It was worth the effort even though I'm exhausted and travel logisitcs were a major pain...I'll save that story for another day!  Thanks again to those who supported this trip and helped me finance the whirlwind trip.  I'm grateful for our great church family!

Following up from last Sunday. I hope you have had great conversations or maybe even some heated discussions on the two very tough cultural topics we discussed.  I pray you heard my heart.  The trangender and homosexuality issues are not just topics to have opinions about but "People To Be Loved" (Great book by Preston Sprinkle).  We have a Biblical foundation of Truth and a Biblical mandate to be Gospel Urgent.  I pray you will move from anger to Godly compassion when our culture attacks God's standards.  Remember that Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19

One more resource I want to highly recommend to you.  On my recent trip, I read the book, "Secular Creed" by Rebecca McLaughlin.  This author does an excellent job giving God's standards while respecting people who struggle and while offering hope and encouragement.  If you are talking with anyone who has bought into the world's lies, I encourage you to read the book and be prepared to give the answer for the hope you have in Jesus.

Good news... The parking lot repairs have begun!  When you come this Sunday you will see the beginning of the process (not the finished product).  Within the next few weeks, the lot should be entirely coated and re-striped.  This is just a bandaid that should last a couple of years.  Eventually, we will have to address the big picture need.  But until then... please help us as we pay off our current loans.  The goal is to pay off both loans completely this year and have a clean slate to approach future needs.

Pastor Ben will be preaching the next two Sundays.  Come encourage him while he encourages you!   

God Bless,
P.D. (Psalm 139)