Outreach Continues...

God is still moving in the midst of disaster. Many hands served in ministry from the center of our battered church parking lot again today. Overnight, another semi-truck of relief supplies arrived to serve the hurting with HOPE. Volunteers came from as far away as Danville, Illinois. Five willing workers from two different churches (First A/G and New Life Christian Center) jumped in to do their part.

As I was walking among the tattered homes of our immediate neighbors this morning, a desperate cry for help was heard by one precious couple directly across the church on Iowa Street. The Spirit quickly prompted me to gather three workers from the Convoy of Hope and direct them to the flooded basement where mud, silt and water still stood. Supplies like boots and shovels were retrieved from the company working on our church and I sent these brave souls to complete this somber "basement clean-up mission."

Later, after attending to multiple needs that demanded my attention, I saw that the "basement warriors" were back in action on the COH (Convoy of Hope) distribution line. They were muddy, worn and soiled but joyful, rejoicing and happy to serve others in the name of the Lord. As this neighbor deeply expressed his gratitude for these energetic and heaven-sent volunteers, I learned that two of the Danville crew were ministers at New Life. Lord, it amazes me at the extent of your vast ministry network connections that gathers workers from across state lines!! Beyond anything that man can promote or project...Beyond All Limits!

It is wonderful to establish relationships forged in the fire of adversity with my neighbors on all sides of the church campus. There is Brandon, Carl, Carolyn, Jeff, Denny & Bonnie, plus Tim and Cindy, and Mike with his wife and their son. In fact, it was Carolyn who exploded with good news that her son had flown home from Iraq. She was ecstatic...what awesome news to rejoice over in the pits of deep and dark despair! God, you know how to bring uplifting news to those who suffer and are hurting!

Another dimension of God's master plan unfolded today for future ministry endeavors. Let me just tell you that what the devil intended for harm and destruction (perhaps even annihilation and extermination) has boomeranged around to level a horrific blow at the devil's forehead. I mean what I witnessed today was a direct attack. He's not limping, he's face down on the mat!

Check this out...

• Good news was received on the restoration project for the church from our adjuster working on this assignment...looks like much of the major components for reconstruction will be covered under the building side of the NFIP coverage. However, we still are looking for a miracle on His provision for the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed for contents! Lord, it won't surprise me anymore on how you will get it done...you've shown me more than enough to reveal that YOU ARE IN CHARGE...and I am only your servant looking over your shoulder!
• Multitudes of people received HOPE from our disaster relief efforts. Both from the distribution line, as well as those who were assisted from our volunteer crews in clean-up situations.
• Police, Sheriff's Department and others utilized our Convoy of Hope supplies to be taken to areas all around the community. In fact, I was honored to help fill the trailer for the two Sheriff's deputies who smiled as they understood the power of their valuable contributions. They were getting to deliver these goods in style! Plus we held hands and prayed for them to be strengthened for the mission at hand. One wiped tears from his eyes. You know what...haven't been able to witness that in the five plus years of ministry here...
  
• Our phone service has been temporarily restored to the new "command central office" by an AT&T worker from Kentucky. Thank you Lord for this desperate need of communication in the midst of chaos and despair!
• Had to remove the ramp that led to the toddler area...looks like God is preparing us for a new ramp that we were struggling to figure out what to do and where to put it. Again, God has it all in His master plan!
  
• Members from our church are stepping into God-ordained "point man positions" that are once again directed by the One who wrote this ministry outreach master plan!
• Some exciting plans are formulating for future ministry as a result of this natural flood disaster. Yes, good things are still squeezed out of the grapes of the devil's wrath!
• Our regional ministry center will not only be restored and rebuilt, but will have more available ministry functionality than ever before...and with new furnaces, electrical boxes, phone systems, computers, appliances, carpets, bathrooms (that's right - a new and beautiful bathroom (s) in the basement...which we've never had before but God had it in His mind to be included in these heavenly architectural drawings), plus newly updated offices, etc. Do you get the notion that God is in control of this picture...not man? YUP - I sure do!
• Here's a funny blessing that came in the disguise of the flood: the removed drywall revealed the exact location of where those dirty termites had been living. Looks like we gotta call Terminix!! (We thought that something was kinda going on, but we were encouraged to not worry too much about it. Now we know...listen little varmits - you can run but you can't hide from God!)
  

You know what, the way that God is working without all of our previous modes of ministry models, communication and publicity methods, you kind of wonder what God is intending to do in the future in light of the last 6 days. Church as usual will not be church in the near future. Really not sure of the end result...but one thing is for sure, I'm not gonna miss this ride for the world!!

My friend Paul Coroleuski (COH On-Site Director) had to leave us today. He was directed to drive up to Iowa to prepare the volunteers for upcoming outreaches to another flood-swollen city. More and more disaster events are occurring more and more frequently. Friend, if you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord I want to encourage you to invite him into your heart right away - before the floodwaters of life sweep you away! He is waiting for you to call on Him!

Read the recent posting article on their COH website: http://convoyofhope.org/go/usdisaster/details/despite_flood_convoy_of_hope_helps_church_reach_out

The CFA family is gearing up for our first worship service at our new satellite location: Memorial Baptist Church! Thank you Pastor Brian Teater for allowing our congregation to worship in your facility during this wilderness experience. Lord, you know the steps that we are to take, and you prepared the path for our church family to gather just blocks from our current site! Sure beats setting up all those chairs, sound system, etc. at City Hall or FFY!

Friend, as you read this amazing (perhaps even once in a lifetime) experience for a small town pastor in Columbus, Indiana, please recognize that the God of this universe has a MASTER PLAN for your life as well.

No matter where you live, no matter where you work - God's got something BIG for you to do in His Kingdom: Handing out relief supplies, filling up the trailer, digging out the mud, praying with struggling and hurting people, cleaning the parking lot, providing security for the building, cooking up good food for the workers, moving boxes, sweeping the floors, singing on the worship team, vacuuming the carpet (or in our case, ripping out the carpet!), playing in the band, teaching a class....

There is nothing too small or nothing too big for the CHAMPIONS in God's Army! Everyone has a part.

I've signed up for the long haul - HOW ABOUT YOU?

Thank you for praying for us. God is answering your prayers. We continue to covet your intercession for our church and our city. Please don't stop now...it's way too exciting and adventuresome to turn back and go on like we used to. God's Church is EXCITING and FUN. Join in!

Love to you...