District Council Trip

Fort Wayne First Assembly

Driving into the parking lot

3 Crosses, fountain and pond!

Flags of the nations

Covered walkway

Beautiful landscaping

Coffee Cafe

Ugly Mug coffee

Worship service

2,000 seat auditorium

Dr. Wood preaching

Ordination Service

Took a trip to Fort Wayne last week for our District Council meetings.

District Council is our annual ministers meeting set aside for business, services, a missions banquet and ordination. This year our speaker was Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. His pulpit ministry was powerfully anointed for all that attended.

The host church, Fort Wayne First Assembly of God, was an amazing facility. It was an expansive facility that had space for children, daycare, youth, coffee cafe, bookstore, gym, offices and a large spacious sanctuary. The church was right off a major street and also had three large crosses with a water fountain as well. The brief story on acquiring this new facility was given in one of the services. We were told that Fort Wayne First Assembly was able to purchase this entire complex for only $3 million dollars. The neat part to this miracle was that the building was worth $20 million dollars. Now that's what God will do when you place missions as a high priority in your church. Fort Wayne First Assembly is one of the leading missions giving churches in our district!

There were 19 ministry candidates on Ordination Night. What a sight to behold as the laying on of hands was extended to all of these ministers receiving ordination credentials. It was a much larger group than we've had in years past. It was greatly encouraging to witness this addition to our ministry ranks!

I attended the Missions Banquet which featured almost 25 of our World and US missionaries. Our church was recognized for our support of missions giving both in World Missions giving, as well as giving to Speed-the-Light too. Had the wonderful chance to connect with many of our precious missionaries and visit with them. Indiana has a great group of awesome missionaries!

Good to be back home. Missed my lovely wife who had to work at her job, plus all my growing children. Each one is growing up so fast.

Dedication Day on our Church Rebuild is coming soon: JUNE 7TH! Let me invite you to come and join us if you live anywhere within 3 or 4 hours of Columbus, Indiana. You won't forget this very special day!

We are still believing for a DEBT FREE MIRACLE. The need is great, but we have a GREAT BIG GOD. Don't forget you can donate on our church website: www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Much love to all!

Mother's Day Weekend

Last weekend was packed and awesome!

It started out with our Mother & Daughter Banquet on Friday night. A large group of ladies and girls came out for this special night. In fact, they had Mike and I serving from behind the food tables. Later, we were helping to clean up and put things away in our new kitchen. All the ladies were encouraged by this ministry event.

Then on Saturday morning a group of men met for our Men's Breakfast. It was another great time of fellowship and ministry among the men of our church. Good food and a great devotional!

After the breakfast we divided and conquered the list of work items prepared for our Spring Work Day. A group started with the mulch to be spread outside the church building and in our landscaping beds. Plus the digging of a natural edge separated the mulch from all the green grass. Another group emptied out our storage container that stored a ton of storage after construction began on our flood rebuilding project. Another group removed the stumps from old bushes out on the edge of our property. Others worked on individual projects inside the church. It was a successful and needed work day! Thanks to everyone who pitched in that day.

On Monday the SAM's storage container was finally picked up...after about 7 or 8 months of use. It feels great to have that container and our trailer removed now from off of 10th Street! We can now see the church.

Mother's Day is always special. Family members join in attendance to honor their mom. We had several special gifts to give away. The featured speaker for this service was my lovely wife Tammy. She always does a fantastic job but the Lord really used her in a great way to minister this year. I've had so many people tell me this message really touched their heart. They were impacted by the theme. They were blessed by the challenge from God's Word. Thanks babe for your willingness to speak for me! God used you in a definite way.

Most of the work on our rebuild is now complete...but still not the carpet. We still do not have this part of the project finished; however, we wait for the word that this will be a go real soon. We have only a little over 3 weeks to go before Dedication Day. The pressure is on...

Gonna enjoy my day off today. Everyone needs a little relaxation and rest.

Let me hear from you...post a little note below.

Love to all!

Driving on toward June 7th...

Disconnect box for the oven...

Running the wire through the mechanical room...

...wires ready to make a 45 degree turn...

One word...DONE!

The answer is in on the commercial refrigerator door (read last post if you haven't been keeping up!).

Our service tech guy arrived this past week and opened up the third refrigerator door shipped to us. Would you believe...can you really imagine...so what do you think happened with this third door? OK...enough for the drama and suspense! The 3rd time was the charm...it was free of dents and it was installed. What a nice feeling to have the long claim ticket project checked off my never-ending check list!

It seems like this check list just keeps dragging on and on and on and on! So many details have been discovered since moving back in, and jotted down and passed on to either the contractor or the installer responsible for parts of the rebuild.

One other item that we were working on is now completely checked off my to-do-list too. The new commercial 6-burner oven that we purchased required more than the 50 amps that we had initially serviced (for the small residential unit). Since we were just about maxed out of the 200 amp panel in the basement, the next available option was to run a line from the main panel on the east side of our building...some 150 to 200 feet away! This required some major work...up and over one part of the building...down into the church courtyard area...down into the mechanical room...and up into the church kitchen. One word gives me great joy...DONE!

I'm sure you're wondering about the next never-ending project on my list...the carpet! Still no definitive word on when the remainder of the install job will be completed, but you can be assured that I've been ringing their phone off the hook! Pray with me that we will conclude this difficult situation by the end of the month.

Last night, or should I say early this morning (12:01 am), I participated in the Bible Reading Marathon on the steps of City Hall. Every year our community sponsors this marathon which provides God's Word being read constantly over our community. My assignment...Luke 14 to 16.

This weekend is Mother's Day. We have several events that our church is sponsoring. Let me invite you to worship together as a family with your mother this week. Let the children rise up and call her "blessed."

Let me send a SHOUT OUT to my mom. She lives in Missouri and is the mother of 5 children. All five are involved in Christian ministry in one facet or another. My older brother and I serve as Senior Pastors. My younger brother is a youth pastor. My older sister plays piano in her church. My next sister is married to the president of American Indian College in Arizona. Each one of us have been mentored to love and serve people. We have watched our parents lead in pastoral ministry for decades. We have been blessed by their faithfulness and steadfast commitment. Mom, here's to you this Mother's Day. Thank you for your sterling Christian example. Thank you for your exemplary witness. Thank you for your never wavering dedication to training us up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Thank you for all the little blessings over the years. Thank you for the major sacrifices made so that we could experience life more fully. I love you and thank my God for you!!

Keep this date before you: JUNE 7TH, 2009. That is the date we will dedicate our church from the complete rebuilding project from the Flood of 2008 aftermath. Mark it down. Let me invite you to attend this momentous occasion. It will be a one of a kind event.

We remain committed to praying for a DEBT FREE MIRACLE either on or before Dedication Day. God is a God of miracles and can use "whosoever will" for His glory and honor. I wonder how God will perform the answer to our prayers. Don't need to know all the details. It just requires that faith is active and present in Almighty God (Heb.11:6). Visit our church website to make a valued donation: www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Love to all.

Three's A Charm

Three boxed up doors.

The seemingly never-ending saga for our refrigerator door continues!

Several items remain in the Flood Rebuilding Project here @ CFA (Columbus First Assembly). The replacement for a refrigerator door in our newly updated church kitchen drags on. Let me bring you up to speed...

Over a month ago we received the shipment of our new commercial appliances. One by one they were unpacked and placed in their position in our newly redesigned kitchen space. However, when the large refrigerator was unpacked from its crate an unseemly corner dent appeared. The process was initiated to have the restaurant supply company replace the door. A claim ticked was opened and an order processed.

First door arrives and is unpackaged and guess what...more dents discovered. Back to the drawing board...more calls...more delays...and more waiting.

Second door arrives and is unpackaged and guess what...that's right, at least two more unsightly dents are found. Calls to my supply rep are made...more emails...more calls...and more waiting!

Third door arrived yesterday and is waiting for the repair rep to unpackage and inspect it. What will they find? Will it pass the scrutiny of all eyes involved? Will this mysterious case be solved soon? Guess you'll just have to come back next week to find out the answer. Come on...all you 24ers (TV Show) have to do it each and every week...so what's a little wait! You can do it!

My carpet nightmare is another long distance journey. This grueling marathon has lasted for months and months...I'm ready to hop off this numbing merry-go-round!! In case your memory has failed you, let me refresh it: The final phase of the project (toddler wing, nursery, S.S. office, storage areas, and hallways) received a bad batch of carpet. The carpet backing would not adhere to the carpet glue, causing a bubble-like look across the spaces. The claim for this problem has gotten snagged in commercial red tape...once again delaying the final completion date. I pressed my carpet rep with "pastoral pressure" and declared that this job must be finished before DEDICATION DAY...no if's, and's or but's about it!! Let's GET R DONE!!!

Yesterday they sent a few installers to carpet the new stairs leading to the basement, plus put up the stringer molding and also cove base. Looks a lot better than those wood stairs!

I still have other odds and ends to wrap up before June 7th's DEDICATION SUNDAY, but I can honestly see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our regional worship center is really shaping up beautifully and functionally too! This one year long distance run has been one for the CFA History Books. It will record God's faithfulness, man's perserverance, the body of Christ's participation and the church's diligence!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

We are praying fervently for a DEBT FREE MIRACLE orchestrated by a Loving God and witnessed by our amazing church. Not sure how God is going to work this miracle out, but that's not my job. My responsibility is to trust Him and lead our members into seeking Him for supernatural provision and blessing. We BELIEVE God! We are waiting upon Him (Isaiah 30:18, LB).

You can join in for this miracle by contributing on our church website. Click the following link to make your secure online donation: CFA's FLOOD FUND.

By the way, I've got a couple of nice aluminum refrigerator doors I won't be needing...although slightly damaged. How about let's auction these off to the highest bidder? Anyone want to make me a good offer?? (Smile : - )

Pressing on to see the Kingdom of God advance right here at home in Columbus, Indiana, as well as moving forward through our missionary partnerships around the world.

Anxious to give God the glory on Sunday, June 7th....DEDICATION and CELEBRATION SUNDAY!

Love to all.

Reclaiming Our Regional Worship Center!

How about a cold drink or delicious cookie?

Getting ready for our 7th Annual Egg Hunt...

Record crowd...

The mad dash begins...

Liz helping out a young egg hunter

Father and son opening up their eggs

Helen faces the library move with a smile!

Library shelves filling up

Church van dropping off riders

Classrooms ready for students!

New cabinets and counter in nursery

Pastor Joel right after the flood...

Now after the reconstruction!

Basement storage receives 8 new shelves. Thanks David Holman!

Another milestone was made this past week as we resurrected our Sunday School program.

That's right...as a result of the flood for over 10 months we had to do without our Sunday School classes. It was painful. It was difficult. However, we just didn't have the classroom space from which to conduct our small group discipleship classes. But that all changed last Sunday when we opened up all 12 of our newly restored classrooms, plus other spaces used for our Christian Education program. SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH WAS A GREAT DAY!

Help me in getting the word out to our CFA family all over the Bartholomew County region. It's time to get up earlier on Sunday mornings and bring the family to Sunday School. In fact, EVERYBODY OUGHT TO GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL! What is the time for Sunday School? Glad you asked...9 am. Come a little earlier and you can enjoy some soft and delicious donuts, plus a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of orange juice. What an awesome way to begin the Lord's Day. I'll see you this Sunday in Sunday School!

Last night we enjoyed our 2nd Wednesday back for mid-week services. The place was buzzing with activity and a crowd of people headed to their respective ministry areas. My class was filled up...in fact, we had to get more chairs. The youth held their Blow-Out Bash service in the fellowship hall. The children were filing into their new classrooms. What a beautiful picture: Everyone was studying God's Word...PRICELESS!

The Dedication Day ministry team met for the first time on Tuesday. Plans and preparations are being laid for the next BIG milestone event in CFA's 57 year history: DEDICATION OF OUR NEWLY RESTORED REGIONAL WORSHIP CENTER! Don't forget the date: Sunday, June 7th @ 10 am!!

There are only about 5 weeks left till Dedication Day. Let me remind you to pray about our DEBT FREE PRAYER that we are asking everyone to pray about. We are faithfully praying that our Great God would graciously provide the funds (about $200,000 remaining) to pay off all costs associated with the flood rebuilding project. If God is nudging you to help us let me direct you to go to our website and make an online donation. Never forget: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

www.columbusfirstassembly.org

I've left you with some more photos of our recent Egg Hunt outreach event, plus some more photos of our restored facility.

Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep watching. Keep expecting!

Love to all!

Back home again!

It's been another wild, yet energizing week of ministry activity!

First of all, we were busily preparing for our 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt which was conducted last Saturday. A host of CFA volunteers were organized into a mini-army headed up by our own Shawn Sylvia. Weather was sunny and cool. The crowd grew into a field of faces. Games were newly designed and constructed for plenty of fun and enjoyment by all on our ministry campus. Jumpies and the Bungee Run are always a hit. Plus, the message of the gospel was presented for a little child to receive it. Prizes were awarded to beaming children. Literally thousands of eggs were awaiting anxious little hands and fingers! This event was a huge success...thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the wonderful people of CFA.

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day as well. Resurrection Sunday is always awesome and life-filled. How can Easter not be powerful when God triumphs over death and Jesus reigns with victorious life and majesty? We had special ministry guests from Master's Commission in Lafayette joining us for the whole weekend. They did a super job! I preached an Easter message entitled "The Resurrection of Christ Broke the Barrier!" Click on the title to locate it on our website.

Monday and Tuesday nights were engaged in preparing our regional worship center for small group ministry on Wednesday nights and also in our Sunday School classes. Another solid group of workers assisted in setting up all the new spaces that have recently been rebuilt following the flood last year. Ladies were cleaning and putting away boxes and boxes of stored items in the new kitchen. Youth and youth leaders were busy setting up the Refuge Youth Church in our fellowship hall. Children's workers were setting up the new Toddler wing. Teachers were actively arranging furniture in their classrooms. Helen and David initiated the moving process of all our books, tapes, and resources to the new church library (what a ton of books!). It's going to take some time before Helen has it all organized and ready for our regular readers. But all in all...we had a blast gearing up for ministry back on our home base.

Tonight was our first Family Night back home @ CFA. You could hear the same comments echoed time and time again: "Wow, it's great to be back home! Everything is so clean and bright! Rooms and spaces are so functional now!"

"Lord, these past 10 plus months have stretched us far beyond anything we could have ever imagined. But we fully know that your faithfulness, goodness, mercy and provision have led us to where we are today. Without you guiding us we would have been lost and given up back at the beginning. Thank you for leading us through the uncharted waters of this historic Flood of 2008. Lord, our eyes are still upon you! We pray that you would perform the miracle of bringing us to Dedication Day completely DEBT FREE! Let it be an amazing miracle to add to what you have already accomplished. All for your glory and all for your honor. Lord, we love you!"

Much love to all.