23rd Day

That's right...can you believe it? That's how many days it has been since the great Flood of '08! Today we began the second week of sponsoring our HOPE Outreach Ministry Center from the foyer of our 10th and Iowa Streets campus. Though scarred, abandoned, naked and mostly empty, we are running a disaster relief supply ministry to the myriads of people that have discovered that we believe in HOPE and back it up with our free flood supplies and clothes.

This morning the early volunteers working on separating the junk from the good household supplies and boxes of clothes left on our doorsteps over the weekend. Can I tell you that it was mostly junk and we passed it on or threw much of it out. We want to be a blessing with the items that we provide for our flood victims and their families. My wife and some others really turned the place inside and out making it look rather attractive and clean in our open environment of HOPE and LOVE. She has that special knack for decorating and organization. Those here that know my wife understand her many gifts and talents. Thanks babe for your special touch in our ministry center!

I met with the last general contractor to go over the details of his reconstruction bid; plus met with a communications provider for a new phone system (since our last one got destroyed in about 9 feet of wall to wall water). The Lord is providing help and clarity in the reconstruction process and leading the way. Thanks Lord for your faithful wisdom and constant presence!

Received GREAT NEWS today!! I learned from Monty and Susan that we will be receiving a truck full of relief supplies through the Convoy of Hope International Compassion Ministry (which our World Missions program supports monthly!!). This should be arriving on Wednesday morning....I could use a lot of good help from our friends here @ CFA and surrounding churches). We will be placing these miracle goods in our Fellowship Hall/Youth Chapel...should fill up the entire area with HOPE supplies for the desperate in Columbus.

Learned that we will need a fork lift to haul these goods out of the truck and into our facility. Had a committee meeting for the Bartholomew County Long Term Disaster Relief Group subcommittee of volunteers downtown @ Cummins...not sure how I got on this committee. Met with about 8 others who will be heading up this section for the newly formed group. Lots of good networking today. On the way back to CFA I stopped by and caught the Mayor between meetings. We met back at the Dave Roever Citywide Outreach our church conducted several years ago...plus we both lived on the same street too. He made a call on his cell phone right away and secured for us one of the city's fork lifts for our HOPE operation ministry. Lord thanks for going before me today and providing the things that we need to spread HOPE and LOVE through the power of Jesus Christ!

Went to my home office and worked for a meeting that I had tonight. So much to do...so little time in the day!

Boy, I'm bushed and wiped out! Lord, provide me with a good night of sleep tonight...I really need it!

Eager about what God has in store for us tomorrow and the lives that we will touch in His name!

**For those who live in Columbus, don't forget that we are beginning our mid-week service tomorrow night (Tuesday) at our satellite location beginning at 7 pm. Please come and join us!

Keep praying for us...the prayers are reaching the throneroom.

Keep those donations coming...we desperately need everyone to pitch in and help us get back on our feet: www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Keep the faith. God is on our side.

Love from a grateful heart.

Weekend Warriors...

Great and busy weekend...

Friday was another great day in our HOPE Outreach Ministry Center. Many people came to find disaster relief supplies, food and clothing. What a joy to be able to touch the physical needs of people but then have the freedom in our church foyer, or even parking lot, to share with them about a HOPE found only in Jesus and then take the time to pray with them. So much ministry occurred from our flooded out facility over on 10th and Iowa Streets. Praise God for all of our willing volunteers who served and shared a living HOPE!

Saturday we decided to continue the HOPE Outreach Ministry Center...at first we only thought to open this ministry outreach on Monday through Friday. However, I felt that many people probably worked during those times that we conducted the relief center so I sought to staff it once again. Sandy was our office volunteer on Friday and went to work making calls to find willing workers. Sandy is such an energetic volunteer that is a great encourager. She was able to staff the hours on Saturday so away we went. Another plus was the full article in the paper when I was interviewed on Tuesday about our church flood situation and what we were doing in the midst of it. And, we finally made it to the front page at the bottom where our church was listed for opening up our doors to the flood victims in our community (...though it took several calls to the newspaper office to stress our case!).

All in all a great week of outreach ministry in the middle of the flood disaster zone...awesome! My receiving minister (Rand) had sent me a spreadsheet of all the people that have signed in so far (but not everyone has done so). All total with those who have signed in we have reached 114 family units. Isn't that amazing! God initiated this ministry...and we obeyed. God provided the goods...and we gave them away. God called the volunteers...and they ministered faithfully in Jesus name.

Because of our obedience and surrender 5 people have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Now that demands a shout out! Praise God! Everything is worth it when we understand we are touching lives with God's love, and we are seeing God transform hearts through the power of His son, Jesus Christ. Don't forget the good seed that has been sown into the soil of the lives of men and women, boys and girls. Watch God bring many of them to a personal relationship with Christ as well! You got to believe my friend. We call it...expectantly enlarging the harvest! Lord, protect those who have been born again and bring them into fellowship with a strong bible believing full gospel ministry center!

Now a word about some attacks the enemy has waged against us. Our group of students was coming home from a great week of youth camp when the church van broke down just south of Indy. I received a call from my youth pastor regarding the transmission fluid spraying everywhere. Not a good sign...even for a guy with no mechanical sense like me. Immediately I called the troops in to help form a caravan to pick up our kids and bring them home. Special thanks to Ted & Tess, and Betsy who joined me in rushing up to meet them at the Wal Mart Super Center.

Monty and Susan shared a horror story from their return trip to Columbus with the big RV rig from down south. Monty was driving when all of a sudden...(well, let me let you hear it from Susan's own blog):

"We had only been on the road for about 100 miles, clear and sunshine and hot day when all of a sudden, at 65 miles per hour one of the tires on the rig blew! And I mean blew! Not just one of those air "leaving" type of flat -- it blew so hard that it blew off a side piece of the rig, the underneath insulation and sheeting and left absolutely nothing of tread! We have no idea what happened and most likely never will. We did get pulled off the side of the interstate and eased up to the next exit where we could pull to the side. Monty got the extra jack out and started changing to the spare when a very nice gentleman came along side and offered his help. We didn't need much physical help but he was such amazing verbal support that we knew he was heaven sent. He even made sure he prayed for us before he left!!"

Tell me the enemy's just a little ticked off with the spiritual victories that we've won these past several weeks. The Lord trumps anything that the devil tries to throw in our way. He will use it for His good...to advance the kingdom of God...to spread HOPE...to show love...and to win souls!

I love it when Monty said he just laughed at what happened with the blown tire. He said, "Devil, is that all you've got!!" Now that's my kind of faith-filled partner and focused team member. Devil, is that all you've got...you big sissy!

• You took a swipe at our church and missed...but you did take out the steeple. (Thanks Lord for providing us with a brand new, better looking steeple that is right now being built for us in Kentucky - plus the insurance will cover most of it too!)
• You took a swing at our church and flooded us out...but you did manage to put every building under water. (Thanks Lord for using this tragedy to unite our church with force to reach hundreds of families through our own parking lot and church foyer ministries! Lives are being transformed. PTL!)
• You took a shot at our church van and sent it to the shop...that's OK, it's an old clunker anyway. (Lord, I'm believing you to provide us with a much newer and cleaner church van or mini-bus to use in ministry for reaching our community from the corner of 10th and Iowa Streets!) Someone reading this could be God's connection piece to our van miracle opportunity. Call me (812) 376-7833!!
  
• You took a hit at my new disaster relief ministry leaders and blew out their tire...and you did cause some damage to the body and fender too. (Thanks Lord for protecting them, keeping them safe and sending someone to pray with them! Lord, take care of this need and give them such a blessing that they cannot contain it!)

We had our third worship service on our nomadic journey. Teens shared what God did at camp, workers shared what God did at the HOPE Outreach Ministry Center and I preached a simple message from Luke Chapter 9. Our children's ministry volunteers were busy downstairs too...things are picking up all around. God, meet our immediate needs and go beyond all limits in our church!

It was a delight to have David and Amy, our brand new missionaries heading to India, with us today. They surprised us with their attendance and encouragement. Plus we had many new faces in the congregation today. Lord, continue to help us reach out and touch more people through this wilderness journey we are traveling on. Make this a growth spurt for our church, both spiritually as well as physically!

Tonight I took Jordon with me to the church. Had to empty the 3 dehumidifiers in the basement. They are working hard to draw out all that moisture locked up in those block walls. Plus did some other work tasks as well. Guess what I discovered on our church steps under the canopy? Boxes of food, boxes of clothes and boxes of JUNK! Lord thanks for these needed supplies for our food pantry ministry, but please keep all the junk away. We want to provide a blessing to our guests, not greet them with worn out junk and smelly household items!!

If you are able to help us with stocking our HOPE Outreach Ministry Center you can bring to us the following items tomorrow...

• Canned goods (carrots, beans, soups, stews, etc.)
  
• Non-perishable food items (cereal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, crackers, etc.)
• Cleaning supplies (Windex, cleaning solutions, paper towels, brooms, mops)
• Baby products (diapers, baby food, etc.)

Looking forward to another great HOPE-filled week of outreach ministry in the middle of the flood plain. If you are in the area, come over for a visit...we just might put you to work as well! Plus, I want you to welcome Monty and Susan to our church ministry campus too.

Don't forget to leave us an encouraging comment for my church on this post! Your words will lift and inspire us to keep traveling on this journey of faith.

Don't forget to contribute to our FLOOD FUND either through our online giving site (www.columbusfirstassembly.org) or via snail mail (CFA, 2100 Tenth Street, Columbus, IN 47201).

Thanks for following us in this marathon of faith, hope and love! WE WILL SUCCEED AND WIN.

Love to all.

CFA featured on Fox 59 News (click on link below - wait for a few seconds before it rolls out...)

http://fox59.trb.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=2583391

News 8 Coverage on The Flood of '08!

Circuit breaker mania...

Please be sure to see the YouTube video that my friends from Attica put together. It was posted earlier this morning. Shows some pictures of our church - foyer being used as a disaster relief ministry center called HOPE Outreach Center - plus our sanctuary being used as a supplies center. We can't worship here because of THE FLOOD OF '08 but that will not stop us from touching the hurting with the love of Jesus in the open spaces that we do have.

Got to church a little later than normal, but then checked in on our ministry center. It was great to see Sonda and Mary Ann busy at work organizing more of the clothes donations that have been dropped off. Again, we have had the privilege of blessing many lives through the HOPE relief station in our wounded facility. So many, many people are sharing their stories of how the flood has impacted their lives. Very difficult to digest and comprehend. But each one leaves a little lighter because of the prayers prayed and the supplies received.

I asked my custodian to purchase two dehumidifiers for our moisture intensified basement. It is clear and somewhat clean, but the humidity has gotten really bad. Helped her to unbox these units and placed them in separate locations in our basement. Attempted to hook these units, plus a large fan, into one extension cord that ran all the way into the new sanctuary space. You've got to remember that we have no electricity in 2/3 of our facilities. Makes it pretty difficult to operate our "command center" with no electric in that part of the building. So there is a string of cords that run out of our makeshift office into the new wing as well.

Gotta tell you...I was getting pretty frustrated trying to juggle all the cords, units, outlets, etc. without constantly tripping the circuit breaker. I must have reset it about 25 times or more. Kept trying different outlets. Kept trying to lighten the load by removing some lights, or fans, or other electric drawing units. Still tripped the breaker...

Tony came to the rescue. He brought his dehumidifier from home and set it up in the basement beside the other two new units. Told him my dilemma. Gotta hand it to my man Tony. He got another long cord and somehow got everything to work and not trip the breaker. What a relief! Thanks Tony...you 'da electric man!

Good to see Robert from our church willing to serve wherever needed. Found a good job for him in the basement. Not sure if he liked that one, but he was happy to serve wherever needed. This is what I love about how God has transformed our people. No longer takers, but now givers. Awesome!

Received two bid letters from area general contractors. Should be getting two more tomorrow. Will review these and present to our leadership team soon.

Allison was able to recreate a bulletin insert along with our regular prayer focus list for Sunday's service. Not quite back up to normal, but we're making every effort to show our church that we are going to make it just fine in this journey of faith. Don't forget...patience is the key word!!

Took my family out to eat tonight. They missed me on what should have been my regular day off. But they understand the toll that this disaster has placed upon their father and they have been forgiving.

Don't forget to do three things...

1. Pray....
2. Give... www.columbusfirstassembly.org (click online giving button and make a donation to our flood fund)
3. Go... help us out in our HOPE Outreach Center while we have this window of time to be a special blessing to so many people. Don't forget we need food donations to keep touching lives every day.

Lots of love. Keep looking up...

Video from our friends in Attica!

Walking through our mission fields...

Wednesday. Went to work in a pair of jeans...normal wear for a church in crisis. Grabbed my coffee and newspaper from Circle K like clockwork. Met one of the general contractors who had a subcontractor touring the facility to give him an accurate quote. Then unloaded my van with some of the volunteers for our HOPE ministry center. Bought a lot of goods last night plus one of our worshipers dropped off some canned goods and nonperishables as well. Good start to our ministry operations.

A good crew of CFA workers arrived ready to serve and minister to people with the love of Jesus. This transformation of our people toward constant relief ministry is one of the amazing wonders of this flood. We all have such a heart for our community and for those who are suffering. Not man driven, but God centered. Our open facilities in the heart of this flood disaster is touching countless lives on a daily basis. You've got to come and see it to believe it!

Since we had plenty of volunteers for the HOPE ministry outreach center I took a couple of our ladies, Sher and Barb, out on a ministry walk. We walked across the street, how's that for a missions assignment, and starting conversing with our neighbors. Been a little while since I checked on them, so I thought it would be a great day to do this and share the ministry joy with our people.

First there was Bruce. We brought he and his friend some fruit and nut granola bars. He stopped working on his home to chat a while. You could tell he was grateful and appreciative for this drop-in visit. He was upbeat and positive...awesome. His whole home was open studs yet he had a great spirit. We held hands and prayed for him and for his friend.

Next we checked on Lisa's house. She was gone for the moment but we followed up on her as well. She's been sleeping on an air mattress on the floor. Later in the day I called her and she too had a great attitude about things. She was thanking me for the way that our people have checked on her regularly and for the love that we have shown. Lord, why has it taken so long to minister effectively to the people that are closest to our worship center. May we never assume that someone else is reaching them for Christ...help us to win them no matter what the cost!

Next it was off to Carolyn's house. She has been stationed in her garage with a lawn chair and usually has her cell phone up to her ear. When she saw us coming, she said to the one she was talking to that she would call her back. She calls me Pastor Don and gives me a smile when she sees me. I introduced the two ladies and we had another great ministry visit. She also was positive about the progress being made on her house. I assured her that we would have some help soon if she would ever need it. She seemed assured of things, so we prayed for her, specifically for healing in her legs and gave her a hug as we said goodbye.

Then we were off to Denny and Bonnie's home. This precious couple has really been melted by the love they have received from the many workers and friends that have dropped by from our fellowship. We met Bonnie's sister and brother in law. The brother in law was taking measurements for upcoming work on their house. Again we assured him that if they would like some donated labor by people coming for work teams connected to our church that we would provide it. Seemed like a light bulb smile went off from everyone in that room. Amazing what a little love and time will do with folks. Before we left we held hands and prayed...the brother in law stopped what he was doing to get in on the prayer...literally awesome. We shared hugs and then left.

Next, I wanted to check on one of our members who was renting but lost everything. He lived just a block away. While we walked there we traveled down an alley or two to find his home. I mentioned to the ladies that that was the first time I had walked that area. One of them said that it was the same for her as well...both of us just soaking in the realization that we were so close to these homes but had never really taken the time to get to know them. Oh, we had passed out ministry tickets many times, but never really establishing and investing in these relationships. Guess what? One of our vision points for this year has been to "strategically invest and invite." Can you believe that this is coming to pass before our very eyes? God you never cease to amaze me of the ways that you bring these things to pass and then open up our eyes to your wonderful miracles!

Steve wasn't there but the owner of the house was. We chatted a while and mentioned to him that if he saw Steve to let him know that his pastor was out checking on him. He said he would.

Right next door to Steve's I saw a woman struggling with a large box as she tried to maneuver it down the stairs and out of the house. I helped her with the box and loaded it up in her car. We got to talking about her situation and she seemed interested in sharing her story with us. Sherry invited us into her home and showed us the damage where the water had risen in her house. She hadn't received a lot of assistance by anyone and appeared desperate to talk. We introduced ourselves as members from Columbus First Assembly. She said that she had been there as a child, as well as taking her two girls to our many outreaches throughout the year. We mentioned that we were preparing a relief ministry to assist homeowners in repairing their homes. She too was delighted with this news. She didn't know how she was going to do it all since she was a single mother with 2 kids, and not really making a decent wage. Left her my business card and then we prayed with her...so neat to see our two ladies take these individuals to the Lord with their prayers. Priceless!

After this visit we walked back to the church glowing in the ways that God had used us this day. Felt as if we were on a missions trip with the tremendous ministry outreach that we conducted.
Thanks Lord for guiding our steps and leading us to those who needed a special touch of your love!

I had to meet Dave at Red Cross to pick up any remaining supplies since they were shutting down their distribution center. We were able to retrieve jugs of water, bleach, toothbrushes, first aid kits and many other necessary items. Drove back to church...had volunteers to unload these goodies...and then checked on our HOPE ministry center.

Thrilled that Mike was able to secure some command center partitions that would provide a little seclusion for our separate work stations. This temporary office nerve center is really working out quite well. Allison even brought her personal laptop and was able to connect online from our office modem. Plus she was able to utilize a printer as well. Little by little more of our office functions are being returned to us. Can't wait till our new custom built computers will arrive with all the data that was on the old ones. Thanks Lord for your attention to every detail!

Two of our Billy Graham Disaster Relief ministry friends returned with good news today. Paul and Allen glowed with this personal testimony. They mentioned that while stopping by yesterday they followed some people out of our HOPE center. It looks like our volunteers helped them with finding some clothes and other supplies. Because of their hearts being softened Paul and Allen were able to lead these two ladies to Christ. PTL!! More names written down in the Lambs Book of Life. They recognized the seed of love that had been planted in their heart and the ease in praying them home to Christ. Winning souls is what it's all about. Are you doing your part? God's Word says that one plants, another waters but it is God who giveth the increase. Everyone is needed in the harvest fields.

Later today my son, David and I walked over to help another of our members move some of their possessions out of their rented home. It was a joy to serve them...as they are new converts won to Christ this year. Lord, help us to reach more and more people in our city for you!

Looking forward to a little rest tomorrow. Remember I used to take a full day off on Thursdays, but not since the flood. I have an appointment or two tomorrow at the church that I must keep. But I do hope to take some time off from the daily grind. Lord renew my physical batteries to stay in this race all the way to the end!

Enjoyed a bike ride with three of my kids tonight...even if we did get the bikes completely muddy from the dirt trails.

Please pray for these following prayer items...

1. Strength for the journey and direction in all of our steps.
2. Supplies to be given to our HOPE outreach center...we are getting low.
3. Gift to be directed to our FLOOD FUND. We are praying for contributions to assist us in the next phase of our reconstruction, rebuilding and restocking. You can click on the following link and go to our online giving site: www.columbusfirstassembly.org
4. Drop by for a visit to witness for yourselves what God is doing in our church. The transformation of our lobby and sanctuary for a food pantry, clothes closet and supplies station is pretty amazing.

Keep in touch with me through your comments left on these blog posts. I do love to hear from you all...wherever you might live.

God bless you. Get involved in serving somewhere in ministry in your church. The benefits are out of this world.

Love to all.

Overwhelming day...

Snapshot of my office after the flood...

View of church foyer after the waters receded...

Water line on our main electrical box...

Pumping out the basement...

Notice the water line on the doors...

City trash pick-up begins...

Serving a church in crisis is a major shift in your daily routine and normal scheduling. Today is a case in point. Great day. Awesome networking. Lots of ministry. But I'm totally exhausted as I sit to write my blog post for the day. I went from one thing to the next to the next...

Started my day off with a meeting at one of the local churches for a Bartholomew County Long Term Recovery Team meeting. I was invited to attend because one of the hosts heard about our church on K-Love Radio. It started @ 8 am. Had to run by the church to give some things to my administrative assistant, but I arrived just in time. They were providing Starbucks coffee and donuts for all attendees. They opened the meeting with prayer and then introduced the steering committee. A FEMA rep then gave some directions and instructions from their office on how they are helping our county. I learned that already 1,870 people have filled out applications for assistance (and this is not the end of the line either!). We affirmed the mission statement of this group with some minor changes.

Many people representing many different organizations and faiths spoke up about resources, questions, concerns, problems and a host of other issues. The Red Cross director mentioned that they will be closing down their Distribution Center @ Noon on Wednesday. If anyone needed bleach they could pick it up. After the meeting I talked with several other pastors in the community. Shared an update about our church situation, where we were worshipping and what we were doing as a fellowship. I'm trusting that this networking meeting will increase the power of togetherness and unity in reaching our city for Christ...plus provide assistance for our church!

I connected with the Red Cross director and asked her if our church could obtain some of those cases of bleach for the many displaced that continue to come to our church for HOPE supplies. I followed her SUV to the local relief station and filled my van up with water, bleach, toiletries, snack bars, toothbrushes and other items. I thanked them and drove off to the church. Thanks Lord for this quick supply of relief supply items for our HOPE store.

When I arrived at the church I was greeted by a crowd of people who were waiting to be served and receive their relief supplies. I started unloading my van and then jumped in to help our overwhelmed volunteers. Betsy looked at me and said, "Pastor, this group is ready for prayer...they've got their supplies!" I helped take boxes out to their car and then had prayer with them. This went on for about an hour as all of us were overwhelmed with the need and working hard to help everyone out.

I was expecting a visit from a pastor and his wife from Attica, Indiana and saw this group of 5 people heading into our church. I yelled out, "Pastor Tim, could you come over here and help me out." Before we made the proper introductions, Pastor Tim and his wife Sharon and two strong construction men from their church moved quickly into action. They helped to minister to folks, carry out their relief supplies, bag up toiletries, box groceries, help individuals with finding clothes, praying with them and just doing anything to share the love of Jesus with hurting and wounded people. No doubt this quick visit made an indelible impression on them through the power of HOPE and LOVE by serving up relief supplies and hugs! Lord, thank you for sending this team from Attica to encourage us and assist us when we needed them the most! By the way, this mighty church from a small town brought us a hefty check, plus gifts for my youth pastor and I. These precious people blew us away by their kindness, generosity and Christian love!!!! If every church recognized the need among their sister churches and did what they could, we would change the world in no time. How about it? Are you ready to share the burden?

I almost forgot an appointment that was previously set with the local newspaper reporter. She arrived just as I was taking a group on a tour of our battered church. Finished the tour then sat down with Brittany for about half an hour to share the story of how the FLOOD of '08 has dramatically changed our church. Later she mentioned her story will be in Saturday's paper.

After another run to pick up more supplies at Red Cross (now with 2 extra vans), I caught up on CFA's command center operations and made some important calls. Finished up at about 5:40 pm by watching our volunteers help out the last guest with boxes of goodies and HOPE supplies. Thanks Lord for the many willing workers who you've called to make a big difference in the lives of so many people!

On my way home tonight I had to drop by the post office. Later I stopped in at Wal Mart to pick up some desperately needed supplies for tomorrow's HOPE ministry outreach. We are getting dangerously low on some needed items, so I used the gift card that a church gave us plus used our own church credit card to purchase these necessary goods.

If you are within driving distance of our HOPE Outreach Ministry Center @ Tenth and Iowa Streets, let me encourage you to bring some of these needed relief supplies: water, powerade, mops, canned goods, cereals, crackers, diapers, paper towels, cleaning supplies, buckets, etc. The hundreds of tired and weary people of Columbus will thank you...plus you will receive a special reward in heaven as well! Lord, please send us the resources to meet the heavy demand that our citizens are facing in their homes, basements and families!

I'll include some more pictures from our church devastation and ministry outreaches....

Love to all.

Hope Outreach Launched!

Images from the Flood of '08

Convoy of Hope Outreach in parking lot...

Pallets of goods in sanctuary...

First gathering outside CFA following the flood...

Indianapolis media covered our first gathering...

Basement room destroyed...

Furnace room turned upside down...

First service via our satellite location (a.k.a. - borrowed church!)

What a day!

Started the day with my normal cup of coffee and a copy of the local newspaper. Let my middle son drive us to the church where his youth group was eager to head up to church camp. Have a great week son...God has some wonderful things planned for you and your friends!

Then the vision of establishing a food bank, clothes closet, water center, personal hygiene and cleaning store was kicked off today. It was an amazing sight...right in the center of this flood disaster zone. Our abandoned regional worship center was transformed into a Center of HOPE for Columbus...

• Instead of pews, there were some pallets of cases with water and powerade, cleaning supplies and personal toiletries.
• Instead of our Information Center, we witnessed a ministry center guiding hurting people through the areas of blessing in our wounded facility.
• Instead of a regular coat rack, we saw each hanger outfitted with clothes for every member of the family and tables filled with more garments, shoes and other items (in fact, the supply grew throughout the day as more and more of our people caught the vision of what we were trying to do).
• Instead of the pastor's bookcases (which normally housed tons of books), there were shelves and shelves filled with canned goods, nonperishable items and other things for our guests to peruse through...and relocated right into the church foyer.
  
• Instead of a church filled with people getting fat on the Word, I witnessed church members being transformed into ministers and missionaries right before my very eyes! They were hugging our guests, praying with them, carrying out the goodies to their cars, getting information on how we could help them and one lady also accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior as well. If you could have been with me today, you would be just as excited as I am right now. Thank you Lord for what you are fashioning CFA to be...a beacon of HOPE and LOVE right on the corner of 10th and Iowa Streets! Truly, we are transforming lives through the power of Jesus Christ.
  
• Instead of grief and sadness, there was hope and joy that flooded the hearts of those that our congregation ministered to today!
• In a word...PRICELESS!!!

Our church is not dead...it is very much alive. Friend, listen to me...you don't need a nice, clean and fancy facility to conduct powerful outreach ministries out of it. But what you do need is an urgency and passion to reach the lost no matter what it takes to reach them! For us, God used a flood to turn our church around. Do you know what? I told our church this past Sunday that we were going to continue this food pantry, clothes closet and benevolence ministry long after we recuperate from the FLOOD OF '08! It just grieves my heart that it had to take a flood to get us out of our four walls to touch our community like we have since 6-07-08. CFA will never be the same...never!

Monty and Susan Scales dropped by to see what was going on this Monday morning and they were pleasantly surprised to see our church shine as a bee-hive of love, HOPE and action. They can't wait to get relocated here to Columbus to get in on the action and in on the wave of what God is doing right here in little ole' Columbus, Indiana! Come on Monty and Susan...we're waiting for you and your leadership to take us to the next level of disaster relief ministry! We love you!

Glad to have my administrative assistant back at our "command center." In fact, she was never really in it in the first place...she last worked out of the regular office which is now an empty space. Allison, get your fingers ready because we've got a lot of work to do to catch up, OK! I've missed ya! Tuesday is gonna be another busy one so come ready to go.

I felt the freedom to leave our HOPE Outreach and command center in good hands with my brave staff of energetic workers. I was able to drive up to Indy to be with one of my men who was having a stint put in his heart. It was a joy to spend time with Don & Linda and minister God's grace to them. Thank you Lord for calling me to be a pastor! It is the highest calling you could have ever given me! Don came through the procedure with ease because God was on His side. He should be coming home tomorrow!

Since I took the afternoon up in Indy I dropped by the church on my way back into town. Noticed the many information sheets that were laying on the ministry center. Looks like they were busy all day. I bet they can't wait to go at it again in the morning. Lord, what wonderful surprises do you have for us tomorrow? May you give us an open door to lead many more souls to you!

If you live within reach of our city, may I invite you to bring a truckload of supplies that we can use in our HOPE Outreach Ministry Store. Free goods to hurting people...prayers prayed with individuals...providing them with a booklet of HOPE scriptures to encourage and inspire...plus a hug to go!

Keep those prayers focused on heaven's portal...ANSWERS ARE COMING DOWN IN BUCKETS!

Thanks for your love and support. It is most appreciated.

Sincerely serving,

Awesome service...

Yes, God blessed our fellowship with an awesome 2nd service in our satellite location (a.k.a. - borrowed church). For those that were here last week this week was a little easier to get used to. The shock of a new setting for a worship service has subsided; however for others, you could tell they were somewhat unsettled and unfamiliar with the whole thing. I talked to one of our worshipers who has missed the last two Sundays. She said it was just too hard to adapt and get used to a new church building...but I used a little bit of every pastor's charm to help her get past that one!

God just blessed our socks off again today. We had passionate and energetic worship. The Holy Spirit was moving. People just had a great time in the presence of the Lord and they were loving it. The sound of our worship service has changed. You know why? Because we are crying out to God as desperate and dependent children call out to their father. We've lost so much...but we haven't lost Him. So much has changed @ CFA, but one thing will never change: That God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The way He touched people's lives in the Book of Luke is the same way He wants to touch people's lives in this wounded community of Columbus, Indiana!

I preached from Acts Chapter 4. There were seven principles that characterized a church of outreach and compassion that I wanted our people to recognize and reflect on. Each one is so crucial. The Flood of '08 came in by such a surprise and with such force. It left much havoc and chaos in it's wake. But we have chosen to respond to this disaster with the attitude of seeing this event as a catalyst for future ministry and further outreach into our community. We must not glide back into our comfortable shells and stick our heads in the sand, we must stay on the active ministry front to desperately needy people in our city.

My last blog post reported the generous actions of a church in Pendleton, Indiana, which brought a trailer full of goods and placed them in our inactive sanctuary. I'm happy the Rock Church, pastored by Tad Finch, thought to assist and bless us. Even their kids got in the HOPE action by handwriting little notes that were placed in zip-lock bags filled with personal hygiene goodies. This afternoon, and also early evening, we had about 10 of us working to organize and arrange these precious gifts to be used in our "HOPE OUTREACH" tomorrow all day. We've put the news release into our local paper, and with what we've done already through COH, we will see a steady stream of people come to accept these gracious provisions of blessing that is so desperately needed. (We might even hand-deliver some baskets of HOPE to those that are too tired to come out to the church ministry center!)

The Lord gave me the quick idea to utilize my empty office bookshelves (four of them...sitting idle and naked) and put them into service to hold all the canned goods and boxed goods that this church has blessed us with. So when you walk into our foyer, you will see a temporary food bank, followed up by a temporary clothes closet on the coat racks, and then in the sanctuary you will find pallets and pews filled with goodies that we will be giving away this week. Rand has even come up with a missions response pick list form that he will be using in his Receiving Ministry post. Lord, please use us to touch those that are suffering and those that are tired with your love and compassion! May we minister to their physical needs, but we ask that you touch them spiritually and transform their lives through the power of Jesus Christ!

If you are within a couple hours drive from our church let me invite you to witness what is taking place here at 10th & Iowa Streets. You won't find a perfect church with perfect carpet and perfect paint and perfect rooms, but you will find a scarred and rough-looking building filled with hope and compassion, and people that are serving multitudes in Jesus name! Give me a call and let me show you what God is doing!

A news reporter told one of our volunteers that he just couldn't get over the fact that we were still serving others in the midst of our own loss and personal flood disaster. But that is just what Jesus would be doing, right? So we are following in His footsteps and trusting Him to meet our every need. Give and it shall be given unto you...I believe just what God's Word says. How about you?

Thanks for your prayers prayed on our behalf in your services today. God has been so good. He continues to amaze me in this journey of faith. Still traveling...still walking...still looking for the guideposts along the way that He has established for us to follow.

This week continues with general contractors completing their bids and turning them in. Let me ask that you pray for God's will to be done in phase 2: rebuilding and restoration.

Let me be so bold to ask you to help us with making a contribution to our Flood Fund: www.columbusfirstassembly.org (click on the online giving feature). Every available gift that is sent to us will be taken with great stewardship responsibility and held in deepest trust. God will meet our need. He is always faithful. CFA will be back in action...stronger than ever...you can count on that!!

Anticipating another thrilling week of God's amazing provision and direction!

Thanks for staying connected with my blog and lifting us up in your prayers. It's working...it really is.

God bless you abundantly...beyond all limits!

Sincerely,

Pastor A.

(P.S. - Did you see Shawn on the front page of Convoy of Hope? www.convoyofhope.org)

Waiting to have church...in our new surroundings!

Looking forward to meeting together again for the 2nd Sunday in our new location: Memorial Baptist Church. Last week was pretty awesome, despite the kinks that this new facility presented us with. But we will not only survive tomorrow, we intend to THRIVE in it!

The FLOOD OF '08 has clearly caused us to think about doing church in new ways. We are being pressed to do things in ways that we haven't had to do in years or even in days past. Tomorrow we are preparing to have our nursery, toddler and children's ministries back up...or at least meeting together as a group. Remember, we have lost all our materials, supplies and resources. We must depend upon the Lord to help us in this new land!

Some wonderful things are springing up from this disaster. People call on one another. People pray for one another. People are checking on their pastor...more often than ever. People are coming to the church to see where they can plug in...this is crucial for every member of our church family. People are believing that God will lead us step by step, no matter how many steps it will take before we reach our next destination.

Our partial flood insurance check arrived today in the mail at our church. This is a start of what we need to see to help us pay for the first phase - demo and cleaning. The next phase will require more faith and more determination to not let the enemy deter us from our mission: Transforming lives through the power of Jesus Christ! Our vision in 2008: Beyond All Limits!! You better believe we are going beyond any place that we have ever traveled before...for the glory of God and His kingdom.

Churches, individuals, and friends from across the country are hearing about our plight here @ CFA. We don't and won't have the money to completely prepare us for the rebuilding and restocking phase. BUT GOD IS STILL A GOD OF MIRACLES! Many people are praying and many churches are praying. Many are planning to take up an offering at their church. Others are giving their economy stimulus checks. Others are utilizing the online giving feature on our church website to donate to our recently established FLOOD FUND: www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Read about what one pastor's wife and her church is doing for CFA:
http://hoosierfamily06.blogspot.com/ (read down a couple of posts for what she is doing to help spread the word and share the burden)

Here is another Christian outlet that shared the story about our church:
http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=5465

There are difficult days ahead of us in this journey of faith, but nevertheless days that we must move out and look forward to claiming the promised land that God has specifically prepared for us. We were hit head on in this flood. Water was on all sides of us. You got to believe that this opportunity was presented for us to use as a catalyst, rather than a chain saw to cut us up. God has destined our church for greatness; not for our sakes, but for His glory and honor. We must decide to decrease; and we must point every soul to Him and let Him increase!

Pushing ahead...looking up...marching on!

It's going to be another great service tomorrow. Would you pray for us? Let us hear from you on my "comments" section below.

Lots of love to you. Beyond all limits...

End of one phase...looking to the next!

Friday. It's hard to believe that it's been almost two weeks from THE FLOOD OF '08. My days are kinda blurring together...a mix of one and the blend of another.

This day was a pivotal day. This was the end of the restoration and cleaning phase, removal of all damaged debris, complete basement extraction from floor to wall to ceiling, final cleaning of all pieces that remained with a thin layer of mud that covered the bottoms of furniture, pews, plus many musical stands, and the pack up and send off of our restoration crews.

Yes, it was somewhat of an emotional day. You know what, these crews worked long and hard hours to bring our buildings through a long and arduous process of terminating the moisture and mold that would have run rampant throughout. BUT they got to it quickly! All in all it was 8 1/2 days in this first phase. Proud of what they accomplished. They've left a once beautiful church facility scarred with naked studs, bathrooms open from the floor up to about 3 feet high, the sanctuary platform taken apart and the youth chapel's totally removed, pews removed from their stud bolts, cabinets removed from the ground floor, offices turned inside out, the Information Center disassembled and the basement...whoa, this is the most unusual part. It has been gutted to the walls and ceilings...everything! Parts of the basement felt like a dark and dreary dungeon - without lights and without light paint on the walls. Everything is dark in those rooms where there isn't a window to let the natural light in.

Today was also the day when the last big dumpster was removed. It was yanked up on a guide rail like a big tonka toy and hoisted into position. The driver hopped up on the top, pulled the tarp over the load and jumped down to hook it in place. Quick. Rushed. He had to get to the next stop and away he went!

I gathered what remained of this large crew and took their picture. History was made when this company was brought to CFA to do something that our church had never done before in its almost 56 year historic run. These faces will be remembered with the FLOOD OF '08. In fact, I invited several of them to be in attendance when we gather to rededicate this building when it is completely finished and renovated...all for the glory of God! (One of the guys, Big Mike, has family in Indy...so you never know, he just might show up for the big event!)

Another neat opportunity today was to meet the volunteer chaplains with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They came to our building...not for the workers, not for the relief supplies, not to touch base with our command office...but rather to look for me! Can you believe it? They were concerned for the shepherd of this flock. They wanted to know how I was doing. Lord, thank you for sending Paul and Sue to pray with me and give me a hug! These days have been tiring and emotionally draining, but you knew just what I needed!

One of the contractors who will be bidding on phase 2 arrived with about 6 subcontractors today to get a close up view of the rebuilding project. They inspected, they scribbled down numbers, they asked questions, they reviewed the set of plans and then they were off. Lord, give us your wisdom in making the right decisions as we move into the next phase of this humongous reconstruction operation.

Encouraged by the generous actions of a church in Pendleton, Indiana who arrived this evening to unload a trailer of supplies and clothes for the people of our suffering community. My youth pastor and Rand Havens unloaded these goodies of gold in the sanctuary right beside the water and power aid that remains to be handed out. We even placed a news release in the paper to alert the community of these gifts of love that will be available on Monday, 9 to 5 pm, or until supplies last. No doubt the cars, vans and trucks (perhaps even mopeds) will stream into our parking lot, which has become a beacon of HOPE during this notable disaster. Lord, continue to allow our fellowship to grow in the ministry of compassion to the hurting, and may we never stop in reaching out to them with the simple means of conveying your love and your heart!

Attended the joyous occasion of a wedding rehearsal dinner tonight. A young lady from our church is getting married tomorrow. She was supposed to be married in our sanctuary, but because of the FLOOD OF '08, her plans and arrangements have been altered ever so dramatically. Lord, bless her special day in a great way tomorrow! May you shower her with your presence and fill her with your love!

We will continue to move forward in this unexpected journey of faith. It has tested every fiber of our spiritual lives. It has stretched us beyond all limits. It will reap a harvest of souls for the Master...because we are expecting it to and we believe this flood will accomplish just that. God, we don't know what we're doing, but our eyes are locked upon you. Show us the way. Lead us into the next phase, show us your divine will!

If you would pray for us, we would be so appreciative of your prayers. WE NEED THEM...I need them...they are our lifeline.

If you could make a contribution or send us a check we would count it an answer in meeting this overwhelming reconstruction need. We don't have the funds or the complete flood insurance to get us into the next phase....too much was lost and way too much damaged.

• Via our website: www.columbusfirstassembly.org (click on the online giving button)
• Via our address: CFA, 2100 Tenth Street, Columbus, IN 47201. Attn: Flood Fund

I know there are many other pressing needs in many other states; however, I am glad that you have chosen to stay posted with our progress and that of our faith journey. Just to know you are there and lifting us up before the throne keeps us walking in faith and never giving up.

Much love to you and yours.

Blessings beyond all limits,

Pastor A.

Another mark of progress...

Thursday is my normal day off in the real world...but not in the world of a church in crisis. I was around the church for about 5 hours today still checking and directing things on all fronts. There is still so much to do, but...for a moment let's look at the mile-markers of progress, OK:

1. The Flood of 6-07-08 is now 12 days behind us...you gotta look on the bright side.
2. Our three buildings have been cleared of all flood damaged debris and destroyed items.
3. Somewhere around 10 large 30 yard dumpsters have been taken to the dump; plus, many loads that the State took away when they came down our street (should be only one more to clear up outside tomorrow).
   
4. Our electrician cleaned and set all the A/C electrical junction boxes that were under water and received clearance for one more huge breaker to be turned on. WE GOT AIR CONDITIONING IN THE NEW BUILDING!! This alone is a gigantic accomplishment.
5. We received more donations for the Flood Fund, both from our website online giving feature and the U.S. mail. These gifts are answers to our prayers. Please let me be bold enough to ask you (if you haven't already) to contribute to the tremendous need here at Columbus First Assembly: www.columbusfirstassembly.org
6. We have finalized arrangements in bringing a seasoned couple who have been trained in Disaster Relief by working in areas that have been affected by Katrina the last several years. Monty and Susan Scales will be joining us here @ CFA and serving as my right hand organizers in arranging church work teams, handling the many calls for help, coordinating efforts with other relief agencies, and building a valuable network of generous givers to help with the efforts, both here @ CFA and our wounded community! You can read from their blog @ http://www.msmission.blogspot.com
7. Welcome to the team Monty and Susan. I love your hearts and your spirit. Plus, you will love the people of CFA! God has orchestrated the whole thing from His Master Plan!
   
8. Pastor Joel and David Tayes were our carriers of scrap metal to the local recyclers. They brought 4 worn out (30+ years old) furnaces, ceiling light fixtures, wire, old metal cabinets and some duct work and received about $168 for our Flood Fund. Great job guys!!
9. Hundreds of people have received valuable relief supplies both from our parking lot, and now from the remaining supplies that are located in our church sanctuary. I would love to see God appoint someone to carry on this ministry way beyond the days of remembering the Flood of '08. To those here @ CFA: Is God tapping on your shoulder?
10. The synergy of faith, hope and love that this tragedy has created in our local fellowship, plus with churches, pastors, businessmen, city leaders and people all across this great community!! Totally awesome.

There are many challenges that remain in this uphill battle to regain our ministry center facilities and utilize them to their fullest potential. We have many options...but we want God's one main DESIGN at this juncture in the life and history of CFA. Your prayers are still needed in the journey of faith that we are taking in June of 2008.

I was also able to spend some quality time with my family today as well. We all went to a restaurant that we had never been to before...great food! Later, Tammy and I went out and shopped for our Mother's & Father's Day combination gift together. We promised each other that this one needed item would be our gift that we would spend on each other. I love my wife!

Tomorrow should be another great day of possibilities and open opportunities! Sunday is just around the corner...we'll meet for our 2nd Sunday in the satellite location.

I've posted more pictures for you to see the widespread devastation that the FLOOD OF '08 caused in my community.

God is doing a new thing. It isn't like anything I've ever witnessed before. In fact, it's beyond my wildest imagination! As a church we pledge to be faithful stewards of the open door and open moments of divine opportunity that has been given to us.

All for the glory of God!

Be blessed.

Wednesday Wanderings...

Switched the routine for my morning coffee rush. Went to McDonald's and picked up some java to jump start my personal engine...good stuff that Mickey D's coffee! Don't forget the newspaper too...it has become part of my early morning activity. So much stuff to read about on the great FLOOD OF '08.

Schedule today was pretty tight...

• Met one local contractor @ 9 am
• Met with the pastor of our temporary location @ 10:30 am (looking ahead to work out an arrangement for mid-week small group ministry)
• Stopped by the 7th Street Church of God to talk with the pastor (their church was flooded too; however, everyone was gone, so I left my business card in the door...hope he will call me...we need each other!)
  
• Met with a couple for ministry preparation and prayer support between appt's
  
• Was interrupted by the unannounced visit of an electrician that was answering my call to do some crucial electrical work before power can be restored to our air conditioners in the main sanctuary...had to get him to work (don't want to mismanage God's miracle provision and blessing!)
  
• Met another contractor who is from Indy @ 1 pm.
• Visited briefly with the project manager on a cost review of restoration work already performed...ouch, the bill is zooming up heavenward...wonder what God is going to do with this one...but, this is His responsibility, not mine! He is the Architect, Manager and Provider, I'm only a simple servant...
  
• Went to another appointment @ 2:30 pm...
• Came back to "command central" and checked on the progress of our basement clean-up...wow, those guys are booking it down there...literally an amazing transformation since they started just two days ago on Monday.
• Did some office work and tried to veg out in the air conditioned "command center"...it felt good to lean back in my office chair!
  
• Opened up some mail and was greatly encouraged by the three checks for our "Flood Fund" that I just began this past Sunday to deal with our own personal church disaster
• Noticed that my lovely wife had visited at my temporary personal desk and cubicle area to decorate it, clean it, arrange it, place some personal items and pictures there, plus position some great snacks and goodies in the drawer for when I'm on the go...which hasn't stopped since the flood hit on 6-07-08!

Guess what? While vegging out in command central I got a call from Mark in Maryland. He worships @ Friendship Baptist. How did he hear about our situation? Anyway, he called to see if we were needing work teams to come to Columbus and serve our community. It was so neat to talk with him and know that God is working to rebuild our community and organizing the volunteer troupes ready to work. Isn't that "beyond all limits?"

Tonight was Wednesday night. Normally, we have family activities and ministry positioned throughout our regional worship center. But not tonight. I had to cancel them due to no available and safe space to meet here @ CFA. In the near future we'll have them at our temporary location, but not right now...too much is happening. I was happy to see that my youth pastor, Pastor Joel, had arranged a youth gathering tonight at our flood damaged church outside to worship, pray and work. Not a bad agenda PJP! I even hung around to assist with the pick-up of sticks, limbs, trash, shoes, cups, etc. on our church grounds. It was fun to be side by side with the young people of our church. They not only picked up on our property, washed the parking lot, but they also went over to a neighbor's house to pick up a pile of branches too. We've got a great group of kids...so proud of their efforts tonight. Very encouraging and inspiring to me.

While on the trash pick-up crew, a neighbor informed us that the shed that had floated down to our line of bushes and anchored away, was not going to be picked up and retrieved by another of the area neighbors. Looks like a good job for the Royal Rangers...any one of our rangers reading this?? Remember I announced this past Sunday that we need to have our own LIFE small group meetings on our own...this sounds like a great idea for one!

This neighbor had members from her church helping to renovate and repair her home too. Time and time again the story goes of church members banding together to help one another out. I even saw the pastor inside the door and yelled out a hearty hello to him. Such camaraderie that this flood has given to our community...amazing!

Several of our people continue to come out and inspect the progress, encourage us in our efforts, bring their tithes to the "command center office", and work around in a variety of roles.

Rand Havens has accepted an important point man position in our church foyer. He'd like to see it as our Receiving Manager...but I had to have him see it from the ministry aspect of this new post...serving and touching wounded hearts with the love of Jesus! You know what...HE IS DOING AN AWESOME JOB! The first day on the job he was speaking spanish to a couple of ladies in desperate need of clothes, water and food. You know what I would have done...I would have said, "No Espanol!" (not even sure if I spelled that right, but you get the gist!). God continues to put our people into valuable roles of ministry right in the heart of this disaster zone. We are definitely taking back what the devil has stolen from us...take that devil...God trumps you and dumps you in the pit...you clearly have no authority over us. We serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!!! Yahhhooo...God is for us, not against us!

• Bumped into David Holman at McDonald's picking up his coffee...great brother...good to have you back in the fellowship Dave. Glad you had a great vacation!
  
• David Tays was out in the parking lot power washing the dirt off of it.
• Sandy Horton was back in "command central" answering the phones after Kristy left from her shift.
• Pastor Joel was trying to cover a host of vacant holes for me...he even picked up a Subway foot-long sandwich that I ate during one of my appointments with contractors. What an armor bearer you are becoming my dear friend and associate!
• Terri Hurd stopped by to present me with a new "Flood of 08" Columbus T-Shirt that has been designed and created for disaster relief efforts...thanks Terri for thinking of your Pastor. You made my day!
• I'm sure others from our fellowship dropped by as well, but those were some of the ones I touched base with....if you've not been over to lend a hand, what are you waiting for...get in on this action?
  

Came home, washed the car, ate dinner, checked email and am now writing this blog. Each day is packed with adventure...wouldn't trade it for the attention on Capitol Hill...happy to be right where I'm at. Thanks Lord for the journey of faith that is reshaping the heart of one pastor in Columbus, Indiana and also his congregation.

God loves you so very much and so do I!

Until next day...

Basement yields unbelievable mound...

Tuesday. Second day of the office week. Normal staff meeting. Regular communication with my staff on a variety of church issues. Sometimes a counseling session or missions committee meeting...but not today. The landscape has completely changed. Church is not as usual. The way we used to function has been replaced with a church in crisis mentality, and a community in dire need of help! Ministry schedules are extremely different now. Dress is now geared to "command center gear." We catch lunch if we can, but most of the time it is on the run...if we even get to take a bite at all.

If I could find a way to upload the multiple pictures that I've taken of the devastation in our area, I would...but so many cords, computers, chairs and curriculum (plus everything else!) has been destroyed in the flood. Even the pictures might make it simply look like a construction project...but this has been tagged "THE FLOOD OF 2008" in Columbus, Indiana. The destruction and mounds of waste is really unbelievable...if you've not seen it in person, pictures will not relay the true story. Today our work crews took literally several tons of waste - water soaked resources, books, tapes, doors, puppets, chairs, tables, walls, ceilings, doors, lessons, bookcases, drywall, cabinets, decorations, mud, paper mush, wooden platforms, pig farm dung, VBS sets, missionette supplies, royal ranger supplies, Sunday School stuff...I can't even to begin to name it all. They took it outside to the curb because the huge dumpster was full and awaiting pick up. Next, they built the largest CFA dump pit you will ever see. Trash, waste, damaged and destroyed things. GONE. Outta here...no more. But the dumpster company was already overbooked...everyone calling for help with their trash. Even the Indiana Department of Transportation has come to our city's aid with a fleet of some 20 huge trucks to help. Several even came down Iowa Street and helped pick up from the mountain of our mangled mess. Little by little the basement is being gutted to the block walls and ceiling. Even the furnaces will find it's place in the dumpster...almost everything! A strange and eerie sight...

Columbus is trying to get back to normal...but everyone is finding that it won't take a week or two, a month or two...it's gonna time much time to get us back up as a city and functioning again.
I've learned that banks, the hospital (projected 35 million project), businesses (one of my own men lost about everything in his basement business), some 1500 homes, several churches (with ours and one other small church that took the greatest beating), large corporations with millions of dollars in damages, roads, bridges, schools (one school gym and other classsrooms will be in the millions to recover), shopping centers, golf course, administration buildings....you name it, it was probably flooded!

This day was rather up and down. What do I mean? There were highs and lows. We continue to minister to families and individuals who drive up to our church looking for anything to help them. Our small stack of supplies on four pallets (in the sanctuary) is dwindling. We give what we have...but the need is so desperately great. Volunteers staff the church foyer looking for hurting people we can minister to and pray with, also giving them a booklet of hope that COH used in the recent outreach. We are still touching many people in the midst of our own trials. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL...we are using this tragedy for GOOD, not evil. We will not sit down and stick our heads between our knees. We will (and we must) look up and lift our hands to the ONE who is worthy of our praise and call upon Him for assistance, comfort, wisdom, mercy and grace. Thank you Lord for allowing us to reach out and transform lives through your power and might. You said, "When we are weak that is when you are strong." Please be strong in us for your glory! Be glorified in this situation "beyond all limits!"

I met with two general contractors who we have contacted about rebuilding and reconstruction. From what I heard from them, this is a major and extensive project...not just a little drywall and paint. City codes have changed since the building programs of the 50's and 60's. We can't just put it back like it was...times have changed on the landscape of what is required for public buildings; plus Columbus is known for being tough on building projects. Permits will not be handed out like candy. We are faced with some serious and demanding decisions for what we must do as a church. There are huge implications...way beyond us but not beyond our awesome God. He has the Master Plan...remember? It is deeply overwhelming, but with God all things are possible. I BELIEVE IT! As I've ministered to my congregation thus far - "Lord, I don't know what to do...but my eyes are upon you. You have the perfect path filled with more than enough resources to do what you intend to do right here @ CFA!" Friends, keep praying for our church!

I said goodbye to my brother who visited me from Lincoln, Illinois. I'm gonna miss him being around. He was a messenger of encouragement and wisdom. He's been around the church building block a time or two in his ministry. He offered advice and counsel. Wonder what God is planning...wonder what God is doing through the river. Lord, I truly believe that this river of mud and muck that hit our church head-on will be transformed into your mighty river of the Holy Spirit that will rise...and crest...and overtake this city for your glory. Let it happen according to your will! Let every church be involved in this revival. Lives being transformed by the power of your love! It's beginning to happen...

I'm getting reports that God is taking this message of what our church has been involved with around the world. Radio, newspapers, blogs and email messages are circulating about Columbus, Indiana and even CFA directly. Lord, please send the help and assistance to support the magnitude of your vision that you are implanting in my heart for this church. It really is beyond my wildest imagination and dreams! Make it happen.

You may want to read some other stories that mention our profound situation:
http://klove.com/News (click on the 2nd story under Your Faith)
http://www.msmission.blogspot.com
http://convoyofhope.org/go/usdisaster/details/despite_flood_convoy_of_hope_helps_church_reach_out
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880611017

If God is speaking to your heart about being involved in the mighty miracle here @ CFA, then please respond to what the Spirit is directing you to do. You can go to our website and make a contribution, marking it for the FLOOD FUND (bottom left button marked "online giving"): http://www.columbusfirstassembly.org

God will provide. God will meet this overwhelming and pressing need. The mountain will move. Will you serve on my mountain-moving team? I desperately need you. You never know how God will use you...and you...and me...and him...and her..it's gonna happen, gonna see it with my own two eyes. Can't wait to see our new church filled with people we have met, and loved, and helped, and prayed with and reached out to in this disaster. I'm going to invite them all to our grand re-opening....whenever that might be!!!!!!!

Thanks for the prayers. That is how I'm functioning right now...with prayer-powered support.

Faith, hope and love to you!

Until tomorrow...