Busy But Great Weekend…
This past weekend was one filled with many miles but it was great! I started Thursday by going to a community in Southwest Arkansas called Nathan. Nathan is a located outside Nashville, AR. I had the privileged of conducting the funeral of an eighty five year old man that I had been blessed to lead to the Lord and baptize three years ago. His service was really a celebration of his life because he was always a “good man” but all he needed was Jesus in his heart and life. Thankfully that service was one where we celebrated his home-going – to heaven to be with his Father.
Saturday afternoon Cindy and I had the blessing of attending the Innovative Church Planters Conference at Oasis Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. This meeting was sponsored by Arkansas Baptist State Convention and held at the church our youngest kids attend. It was a great time of meeting other church planters in the state, hearing their experiences, sharing some insights with each other and hearing from out state leaders who have a heart and passion for souls. It was definitely a time of encouragement for us. There will be more of these type meetings through the year and we can’t wait to attend more of them and see all that God is doing in church planting.
Yesterday morning we were in Texarkana with our own church family – Life House Church. It was exciting seeing new faces and feeling a spirit of excitement in the service. As a mission church we realize that it takes time for the Lord to put together a mature group of believers and spiritual growth is one baby step at a time. Cindy and I rejoice everytime we see a new believer making those “baby steps” and see them little by little walking in a new way. Pray for the new believers at Life House and pray for even other souls to be saved in the days and weeks ahead.
Sunday night we traveled to Lake Degray so that I could preach in a church camp that is being hosted for Rock Creek Baptist Church (located in Maud, Texas). There were 36 youth present and that does not include sponsors. There are seven schools represented in that one youth group and God is doing a good work pulling the hearts and lives of those students together in one church to form a powerful, loving youth group. It was exciting seeing God move during the service and during the invitation. Lots of youth in the altar, lots of tears flowing and lots of hugging, tears, prayer and sharing even after the invitation was over. It was a great time and we really appreciate the Rock Creek Youth Council for allowing us to be a part of the camp one night.
Another exciting thing for a church planter is realizing that even when they are gone from their church like we were last night, we left the church in capable hands to go ahead and have church service without us. Our church family has been having “Praise and Prayer Service” at 5:30 on Sunday nights. Last night they held the service and from the account I received it went great. Thanks to all who so willingly “filled in” for me.
Planting a new church is a journey of faith, a journey of growth (physically, emotionally and spiritually). It’s a journey that needs the assurance of being “CALLED” into it. Cindy and I are thankful for the calling to plant Life House Church in College Hill. We thank God for His faithfulness and His continual reminders that we are here because He called us and He shows Himself faithful time and time again. Pray for this mission. Come visit with us. Call and let’s plan a “mission trip” for your group of students, members or any group you have. Come join us in the harvest. Pastor James