Busy weekend!

Pastor's office

New phone system

Temporary bookshelves

Staff training session on the new phone system

Recently stripped and waxed floors

Sharp and shiny

Working out at the Indians ballgame

Borrowed church location...

Our friends at Memorial Baptist Church!

Lots going on this Labor Day weekend!

Sorry I've missed a couple of nights posting my blog entries but the schedule has been full. Friday was a catch-up day in the office with getting better acclimated to my new office surroundings. I still have much to do to get my office back completely, but I'm feeling much better about the set-up now. With a new computer, new office phones, newly donated desk, new carpet and paint...things are looking up! My staff is happy to have their donated desks and bookshelves and offices as well. Lord, thanks for all that you have done to bring us to this stage in the rebuild process! You are so good to us!

A meeting with my general contractors brought me up to speed with the architectural process. We are still 4 to 6 weeks out before all the drawings are done and approved....ugh!!! (This is taking so long to get moving on our other two buildings...Lord, more patience please!). We also received an estimate with what other projects will cost in this next phase of the rebuild. These are additional items that were added after the initial contract sum was approved. For example, the new stairwell that must be added to bring our building up to code. A meeting with my leaders was called and we discussed these estimates. So many items that need attention in our flooded out church!!

My staff met with the phone guy while I was meeting with the contractors. They learned about all the bells and whistles of our new phone communications system. Looks like it will be a great improvement and advancement over our outdated system. Thanks Lord for these blessings!

My daughter was anxious to go to the big football game between East and North so I was urged to get home quickly and drive her and Mom over to the big crosstown rivalry game. We got rained on but a good game nonetheless with East winning 35 to 3. Plus we were proud to watch our youngest son march with his East marching band. They did a super job with their band number!

Saturday I had to work at the church, then I was off to work my last Indians game up in Indianapolis for Devon's band fair share. It was a big attendance night as it was the last of the season and some 10 to 12 thousand fans streamed in the ballpark. They had our group positioned in a different concession booth, which made it more difficult for my evening. It started out slow but then things started to pick up rapidly. It was a long night at the ballpark! Glad when I finally pulled my vehicle in the driveway...man I was whooped!

Today was our 12th and last worship service in the borrowed church, at least for Sundays. Next week we will be meeting back at 10th and Iowa Streets @ 10 am for our first gathering in the sanctuary since the Flood of 2008 hit back on June 7th. Today we enjoyed a great and powerful service for those that met on Labor Day weekend!

Looking forward to getting everything ready for the influx of CFA'ers that will be coming next Sunday. Lots to do to get everything ready. Gonna be a great week!

My love to all!

We got phones!

Moving day continued today along with a couple of other good progress points.

We continued moving into our office suite this morning. All three offices are making headway as we anxiously await getting back to our personal work spaces. As for my office, I'll be somewhat stalled until the bookshelves we've ordered are custom built (thanks in large part to a generous donation for my office furniture). So I've moved a couple of the old shelves in until that time will come...once again, patience!

When I arrived the painters were back and touching up all the areas that needed it. Many of the outlet holes had been filled in because the drywallers got a little "big hole" happy! Plus, those carpet installers were pretty messy as well!

Today we received our new office phones. Remember our old phone system was in the basement that was completely destroyed. Everything was hauled out to the dumpsters. So today we saw the phone guys installing our new phones in each office, plus one that was designated for our new "Information Center," (a great added bonus...we didn't have that before!). By the way, I learned that our newly finished welcome center will be delivered the middle of next week! This will really set off our foyer space in style: "You're gonna love the way it looks - I guarantee it!" (it even sounds like a men's clothing commercial...doesn't it?).

The carpet rep was in today trying to rectify our carpet dilemma. I was made some more promises...guess I'll just have to wait and see if they can wrap up this project early next week and fulfill them!

Marcia and Jerry were outside working again on our landscaping. They have put in countless hours on our flooded out green areas. It is receiving some much-needed TLC. I wonder where Trudy has been. She has been the third member of this dynamic trio green squad! Check out their work the next time you drive by 10th & Iowa Streets.

September 14th is getting closer each day. That's the day we're gonna celebrate God's goodness with all of our guests as we move back into our regional worship center sanctuary. Everyone can't wait to gather back home. We must joyfully praise the Lord for the experiences learned in this wild ride journey of faith. Remember, I've got a lot of surprises for this special day...you'll just have to wait and witness it for yourself (no sneak previews!).

Don't forget to pray for our church, Columbus First Assembly. There is still a tremendous need of finishing our other two older buildings, plus the entire basement. First we must receive approved architectural drawings. Hoping to hear about that soon. It will be another long and painstaking process. We still lack the funds to complete the entire job...but we're trusting in God's miraculous provision. We all are believing God to help us rebuild DEBT FREE!!

You can help! Go to our website and make your online donation:

www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Thanks so much!

God bless you!

Moving Day

"Command Center" gets disassembled....

Moving lots of stuff to the new offices...

"Touch-up man!"

Staff involved on moving day!

Pastor Joel has a new office...the old library space!

The Youth Pastor's Office!

Church Office gets rearranged!

My Concession Booth!

Where I work...

Victory Field, Indy

Field being prepped for the game!

My "boss" is the one in the red - Arletta!

My register "sweet-mate!"

Today we began moving into our three offices: Church Office, Youth Pastor and Senior Pastor.

It's hard to believe that after 2 1/2 months of working in a cramped "command center" environment we have started the move back into our own offices. The key word is started! We were helping each other move desks, chairs, bookshelves, filing cabinets and that dreaded old heavy safe cabinet. Some resemblance of our regional worship center office suite began to take shape today. Thanks Lord for allowing us to get back into our restored work areas!

Progress note: No carpet guys today! Wonder what's up with our wonderful carpet company??

Another progress note: The contracted building company sent their man out to finish up areas that needed drywall repair and other small items to work on.

Continued progress: The sound guys were here today working on finishing up their project of installing our brand new sound system. But of course, they can't finish until the carpet guys get the platform carpeted...they're holding things up!!

More progress: We received our new signage for the foyer area, including bathrooms, offices and directional signs. Big thanks goes out to Quick Signs for their donation to our church!

Then I was off to Indy to work another game in the concession booth at Victory Field for Devon's band fair share. I rub shoulders...literally...with people who need to see and witness the Christian life. It is a great opportunity for me to connect with people on a work relationship level and live out my faith. I am known as the guy who doesn't have his liquor license and stays put in the ice cream booth. The money is on the other side...but God blesses me where I'm at...with ice cream sundaes, cones and icees. Some know I'm a pastor and others might think I'm a decoy for the news media station. Who knows...they might even think I work for Victory Field and am spying on them? Either way, I'm having a blast! Thought I would include some pics for you to see where I've spent some considerable time this ballgame season. This Saturday is my last game and the Indians last home game of the season!!

Tomorrow is going to be another good day. I plan to go in on my day off but leave early in the afternoon. Looking forward to spending some time with my family!

Thanks for following me in the aftermath of the Flood of 2008. Little by little our sanctuary wing is coming together...everyone who sees it loves the new colors!!

God bless you friend. If you haven't helped our church out with a donation to our Flood Fund can I ask that you consider doing so. We are in need of partners to come alongside us and help us rebuild our church completely!! You can go to our website and make a contribution online: www.columbusfirstassembly.org. Thanks in advance for your gift!

Love to all!

Cove Base difference...

Installing cove base...

One sign of completion...

Really looks nice...

Bathroom trim...

Carpet laid in hallway behind baptistery...

New basement exterior door...

Finishing 'er up...

One sign of an unfinished project: platform flooring!!

Stark reality of rooms unfinished in the other buildings!

Unfinished bathroom in older wing...so much still yet to do!

Quite a difference what a little bit of vinyl base trim makes.

More progress was made on the flooring part of the project for the new wing. Sad thing to go along with any good news in this area is that we are approaching the 3 week mark with our flooring contractors. They have simply made blunder after blunder with our church's rebuilding job. However, it was good to see some completion today to several offices and five bathrooms, plus much of the carpet was laid in the hallway behind the baptistery. That finish trim really makes the difference in how everything ends up looking.

Another guy was in the basement working to install a new exterior door in the area that faces Iowa Street. This was the door that catapulted across the Children's Church room when the Flood of 2008 hit back on June 7th. A piece of plywood had been mounted to that opening ever since that time. Once again, good to see another small glimmer of progress taking place! Thank Lord for these little marks of accomplishment today!

God blessed us with a generous check for our Flood Fund today from a church in Jasonville, Indiana. The unique thing about this church is that the pastor served the same church that I pastored in St. Elmo, Illinois. In fact he was two pastors before me...isn't that amazing? Thanks Lord for the way you continue to move in people's lives on our behalf!

Ended the day with our mid-week Bible Study. We shared in wonderful fellowship, participated in uplifting worship, prayed together for specific prayer requests and studied from Luke Chapter 6. Thanks Lord for the continuity of our gathering times for the church family...even though it is off our regular schedule!

Will leave this post a little shorter than normal. My batteries are a little low.

Enjoy the pictures.

Love to all!

P.S. Just checked the top 100 Christian Blog sites...thank for pushing me into the 16th position as of this posting...

HUGE Convoy of Hope Center

EU Fine Arts Center

EU New Administration Building

EU Master Site Plan

EU Clock Tower

Read it for yourself...duh!

Paul, myself and Kary

Paul's "command center" cubicle

COH Receiving Center

Huge COH Warehouse

COH Warehouse

COH Trucks and Trailers

COH Speed the Light 18-Wheelers

COH Disaster Response Mobile Command Center

Made it back from Springfield, Missouri in 7 hours and 20 minutes...don't tell my wife, OK!

Jordon and I worked on several things this morning: finding and purchasing his college textbooks (wow...they sure have soared in price since I went to college back in the late 70's and early 80's!)...finalizing his financial registration...plus registering his car and getting his student ID. Then we went to eat lunch in the cafeteria before I had to head out. I gave him a big hug with a lump in my throat! Still pretty hard to leave your son even after the second year. Lord, bless our son as he begins another fresh year of academic study there @ Evangel University!

My good friend had invited me to meet him and tour the Convoy of Hope ministry center before leaving Springfield so I drove over to their huge warehouse off of South Patterson road. I found Paul and he quickly began the introductions to the friendly staff there, as well as a personal first-class tour of their World Distribution Center. The entire warehouse spans some 300,000 square feet of space, which they utilize for their disaster relief ministry operations, plus leasing out to some other tenants too.

It was a joy to meet some of the COH people I had talked with over the phone the days and weeks after the Flood of 2008 rearranged our summer church plans. Paul introduced me to Kary Kingsland, the US Director of COH, plus his administrative assistant, and a host of other wonderful servants of the Lord. Another thrill for me was to see the massive 18-wheelers that have been purchased with Speed-the-Light youth missions money. I believe that Paul said there were about 18 or 19 trailers serving in this ministry. Love what our AG youth have accomplished over the years for advancing the good news of the gospel around the world. Plus plenty proud of our CFA youth for the growth they have experienced in their annual giving every year...they rank in the top tier of giving in our Indiana District!

Been a long but exciting weekend. Happy to be home. Ready to get back into the "command center" here @ CFA. Hope we can move into our respective offices this week...good chance that will happen. Thank you Jesus for the progress and provision you have given thus far...please keep the entire rebuild moving forward expectantly!

Gotta get to bed. I'm exhausted!

Keep looking up...God is looking down to you. He loves you with unending love!!

Love to all!

Start of a new year @ Evangel

Made the trip down to Springfield, Missouri with my oldest son as he prepares for his 2nd year @ Evangel University...

My wife and I can't believe that Jordon is starting his 2nd year of college already. This summer went by so quickly after the Flood of '08 hit us so hard back on 06.07.08. We were immersed in post-flood outreach ministry, clean-up and restoration work, plus trying to rebuild our regional worship center and keep ministry flowing at the satellite location along with hosting different times for worship and teaching services. It has been an adventuresome summer...to say the least!!

My wife and our three other kids stayed home with school and work responsibilities. I managed to slip away for a quick weekend to help get Jordon settled in his dorm room and manage his other pre-school details. Plus it was an opportunity for me to spend a few days with my mother who lives just south in Nixa (you can't beat grandma's home cooking...simply the best!).

After we unloaded all of Jordon's belongings into his dorm room we worked together to arrange the furniture to make it their own personal sleep, study and leisure settings. Brent, Jordon's roommate, was happy with one of his suggestions for their entertainment gaming center. You gotta know these boys...they love their games! In fact, they seemed quite pleased overall with what they envisioned each of these spaces to be. Glad they are set to start their semester on a good foot!

Today I went with Mom to James River Assembly in Ozark. We met the boys there for their 2nd morning worship service. Guess who we met before the service?.......My good friend Paul Coroleuski from Convoy of Hope and his family. It was great to visit with them briefly. Pastor John was preaching out of Luke 22 with the message entitled, "Defection and Disappointment." I was able to briefly talk with him after service. We both attended CBC together back in the day!!

Two variations to my previous Sunday schedule:

1. Going to church @ 10 am instead of the normal 12:30 pm afternoon service!
2. We attended a second Sunday service @ 6 pm tonight over at Park Crest Assembly!

That's some change to the weekly post-flood worship schedule that I've gotten used to back home @ CFA.

I've got a couple of appointments to attend to here in Springfield tomorrow before driving back home to Columbus Monday night. I can't wait to get back into the flow of the action and activity there @ CFA. So many wonderful and exciting things happen daily. Plus you have some normal frustrations and aggravations to throw in the mix too! But God is doing a brand new thing in the midst of our congregation. It's awesome to behold! You must come and visit our church for a dynamic and energized service...you won't forget the touch of God in this place!

If you haven't yet contributed to our Flood Fund, may I be so bold as to invite you to send a gift or contribute online @ our church website. We are going out on a ledge (but that's what faith is right?) to believe that God will help us supernaturally to rebuild absolutely DEBT FREE! Thanks for your generosity and compassion to a flooded out church in Columbus, Indiana. We thank you in advance!

Two ways to contribute to our Flood Fund:

• Send your gift to Columbus First Assembly, 2100 Tenth Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
• Contribute using our online giving feature @ www.columbusfirstassembly.org

May the Lord prepare you for an exciting and adventuresome week! God intends to use you for His glory and honor.

Because He lives...you and I can face tomorrow...boldly...and courageously!

Much love to you and yours!

P.S. Guess what I found for the price down here of a gallon of gas?? $3.22!! Can you believe it? Wish I could take a tanker full of it back to Columbus and sell it for our Flood Fund...