Fresh Friday

Drywall begins...

Hard at work...

HOPE Outreach Center continues...

Pastor Joel picked up our kids from Kid's Camp!

Good things took place today all around our ministry campus. There were signs of progress on the rebuilding front. Insulation and drywall is going in for the lobby and bathroom areas. I am moving our HOPE Outreach Center from the lobby into our fellowship hall slowly but surely. We were able to transition parts of the outreach into the large open area and set tables up for the clothes closet ministry. We still have lots of water, paper products and some other supplies, but we were able to move quite a bit of relief supplies out to our residents through the week.

The number of family units we served these last couple of weeks is quite astounding. The HOPE Ministry Center has taken a strong foothold into our community. Residents are turning to our corner on 10th & Iowa Streets for food, water, clothes and cleaning supplies. Plus don't forget the ministry of prayer that is freely given by our volunteers as well! The word has sure gotten out through the many different media channels: newspaper, radio, internet and even television...plus good ole word of mouth! The managing editor even called on my cell phone to get an up-to-date report on our ministry progress as well as the rebuilding project. The community knows about the church on 10th & Iowa that got hit pretty hard on 6.07.08!

Each week we will plan a strategy of ministry for days and times of ministry service. We will once again be OPEN from Monday through Friday, but we will shorten up the afternoon hours by just one hour: 9 to 4 pm!

One area that always is needed is that of our food ministry. We started the week out pretty stocked but by the end of the day on Friday we are almost down to bare shelves. WE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD DONATIONS OF CANNED GOODS AND NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS over the weekend. If you could make a purchase and bring them to the church in the morning, we will have some CFA men working on a couple of work projects. You could drop them off then. If not, please do so on Sunday during service time @ 12:30 pm, OK. Thanks so much for helping us serve others through our HOPE Outreach Ministry Center. Lives are being transformed through love, hope and compassion ministry!

Don't forget to pick up our newest CFA t-shirt to be used at the HOPE Center. Cost is only $10 with all proceeds being directed to our Flood Fund!! What a great way to unite our CFA family with our strong ministry focus in the midst of the rebuilding project. May we never forget that we have been called to serve and give HOPE in the name of Jesus Christ!

Upon checking the mail today I came across two envelopes from churches outside of our city. Eagerly I opened them to see what the Lord sent us today. One church from Urbana, Illinois sent us a check, plus another church denomination from Indianapolis sent us a sizeable check as well (the largest one to date!). Thank you Lord for these encouraging resources for our rebuilding project! Little by little we are growing this Flood Fund to meet the overwhelming need of some $350,000 to $400,000! Lord, I trust and believe that what you have laid upon my heart for rebuilding DEBT FREE will be accomplished for the Glory of God and the advancing of your kingdom here in Columbus, Indiana and around the world! Do it Lord...beyond all limits...beyond what the naysayers are saying...beyond what the negative people are thinking...DO IT LORD AND AMAZE EVERYONE beyond their wildest imagination!!

Progress is also coming by way of ministry work teams outside of our area. A team called me from Maryland and will be coming on Monday to work with Monty and Susan in a variety of projects. Housing and showers have been secured...PTL!! So if you have been waiting for the word "go" I'm giving it to you now. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US IN THE REBUILDING EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY! We need you! God will give you a missions experience you will never forget right here in Columbus, Indiana, USA. Call us here at the church @ (812) 376-7833 and we will sign you up right away!

Please consider making a contribution to our FLOOD FUND. Go to our website and use the online giving option. We would be most appreciative of your financial support in the rebuilding process: www.columbusfirstassembly.org

It's going to be a great weekend. Looking forward to Sunday. If you are in the area why not join us for worship @ 12:30 pm @ Memorial Baptist Church. It's not but about 3 or 4 blocks from our current location. We would love to have you!

Expecting God to continue working "beyond all limits" through daily and weekly ministries!

Sincerely serving,

Pastor Don Andreasen