Sunday PM here we come

Yesterday, during our weekly prayer meeting for Angels Camp, I updated the group with the latest conversation I had with the church board. During our last board meeting, I requested to switch my schedule so that I would be able to start a Bible study in Angels Camp on Sunday evenings. The board agreed to my schedule change as long as it was what Jesus was leading me to do. The more time I spend seeking the Lord the more He confirms that Angels Camp is where we are supposed to be. This is both encouraging and frightening at the same time. 

After the update, we read Nehemiah 3, one of those chapters with so many names that it took us twice as long to read it due to our fumbling over the correct pronunciation, which we probably didn't get right anyway. I was encouraged because Isaak has decided that he wants to pray with us and he even took a shot at reading the scripture. It is amazing to have my son seeking God with me.

 We talked about how the work that lies ahead isn't supposed to be done by just one man. We recognized that it does take one man who is willing to go before the King on behalf of the people to get the ball rolling. 

We agreed that the most important part of this church plant is

 that God would get the glory due His name while we stick to His word as we seek God's direction for the people of Angels Camp. We ended our time with a sweat time of prayer.

I will update you as to when we will begin our first Bible study. Thanks for checking in with us and please continue to pray for us as we seek to glorify our savior Jesus Christ.

Communion

Friday night we, the Crums and the McCameys, started the evening off with an enchilada dinner.  After the dinner table was cleared we sat back down to remember Jesus by taking communion.  This was a special time of reflection and we agreed that it was a foundational practice for us as families to share together on a regular basis. After communion, the evening was full of distractions but we still managed to pray. We prayed for God's direction for us and for his provision for the people we have met so far in Angels Camp. 

This Sunday I will be preaching at Calvary Chapel Stockton. Please pray for me to be sensitive to God's leading.

Game Planning

Yesterday was our prayer meeting for Angels Camp. It was a great time of prayer. But tonight had a different flavor to it. Tonight started out with discussions about Spiritual warfare, in regards to church planting, outreach ideas, leadership styles and timing, in relation to a start date. It was a real exciting night. It seems more and more like God has his hand in this. 

After our time of discussion and before we prayed we read Nehemiah 2. I pointed out that the very things we had been talking about were confirmed in this passage. We saw how Nehemiah had a broken heart for the people of Israel. Because of his broken heart for Israel, he risk his life to restore salvation and worship. I reminded everyone that if we are in to this church plant for any other reason than glorifying God and with a broken heart for people that are lost  we shouldn't do it. Just as Nehemiah faced opposition, We should expect much of the same. As long as we are assured of our calling from God, it will be alright!

Keep praying for us it is greatly appreciated. 

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

Last night I shared with the youth group about the church plant in Angels Camp. It was hard to look those kids in the eyes, realizing that what I was telling them was that I would no longer be with them. I guess what made it so hard was the fact that I love each of them so much. I have know most of these kids since they were my kids age. I know that God has all things in his hands, even the youth group. So I need to trust God that he will take better care of these kids than I can. But please pray for the transition.

Just a reminder that we will be praying tomorrow at my house. Hope to see you there.

Lunch with the family

Today we took a drive over to Angels Camp for lunch at Mike's Pizza. The food was good but our conversation with Becky was better. Becky works at the pizza parlor and has just returned to Angels Camp, she has some good insights on the needs of the town. She expressed the need for the kids. Her experience is that they have nothing to do and therefore get in trouble. It seems like this is a common theme no mater where you go. When I asked her what she thought of a church plant she shared that in her opinion it was needed. She then went on to express how church has been a big part of her sisters life. After lunch we took the kids Picture by the frog. As you can see, some liked the idea better than others. 

When we left we drove around to see if we could find the youth soccer field, to look at houses and to check out the meeting room at Golden State Cellular. On our journey we came upon a very strange tree. Now the reason I say it was strange was because of the amount of vultures that were sitting in it. I was kind of creepy. But they weren't just sitting there some of them had their wings spread. 

All in all it was a good day. We are getting very excited about what God is doing in our family. 

2nd prayer meeting.

Well we met and prayed for a second week in a row. This week it was Marc, Jenny, Connie and I. We started it off with Marc sharing what God has been showing him this week. Marc shared on the importance of perseverance. It was a sweet time of reflection. Thanks Marc. Then we read Nehemiah chapter one. We looked at how the man (Nehemiah) saw the state of a nation (Israel) and was moved to repentance. We were reminded that we need to take this heart in our lives. After our time in the word we moved into a time of prayer. Those times so far have been so sweet. Keep praying.

Connie and I will be going to Mike's Pizza in Angels Camp for lunch today to seek Gods heart for this endeavor.

Well we will be doing this all over again next Friday. Feel free to stop by. 

Check back soon. I am going to post some gleanings from Nehemiah.

An encouraging day.

Today Miles, Joe and i met with Pastor George Stathos and Peter from CC Amador. We met in regards to the church plant in Angels Camp. George was very encouraging and had some good insights. We talked about methods, trials and timing to name a few.

After leaving miles and I had a really good talk in the truck. It seems like God has his hand in this. I am beginning to get really excited.

Please keep praying for us and remember, we will be praying tomorrow night at 8 p.m.. Please join us wherever you might be.