Summer and I have a love/hate relationship. Days like this past week with temps in the low 70s have me loving open windows and being outside (it was a perfect day for Valleyfair yesterday). A trip to my relatives cabin for the fourth and a little vacation at Faith Haven with my extended family toward the end of August have me looking forward to time with family at my old stomping grounds. A change of pace to the ELEVATE schedule and the big ministry experiences like mission trips, camps like Leadership Quest, and our annual “August BLAST” retreat are opportunities I look forward to every summer!
But…the schedules we all juggle with jobs, camps, vacations, and sport activities makes ministry challenging…at least in respect to feeling fruitful.
In times like this I have to remind myself that your faith should never be dependent on all that we offer. You will, after all, graduate one day and move on. In all the ministry opps that exist, if you maintain a relationship with the LORD while having people to encourage and support you, then fruit IS there and IS growing! And I hope and pray that is true for you! If it’s not…remember that we are here and we’d love to have you dive in again!
Yesterday provided a nice break from the routine as we ventured to Valleyfair. Brinkley shared a devotional thought about facing fears of sharing our faith with others the same way she approached rides at Valleyfair. Back in the day, the big rides struck fear in her head and heart. But as she has taken the challenge to ride she has come to a place of confident anticipation, looking forward to the thrill the rides deliver. While sharing our faith can evoke feelings of fear, we need to start sometime. And the more we engage with others the more we will anticipate the thrill of sharing with others “the reason for the hope that we have” (1 Peter 3:15).
ELEVATE Schedule:
6:30 to 7:30 pm – Worship/Study/Small Groups/Snack
7:30 to 9:00 pm – Optional activity to follow each week (we’ll take the bus when transportation is needed)
July 1: James 2:14-26 / Optional Activity: Pickleball
July 8: NO ELEVATE – Fourth of July Break & High School Mission Team in Ensenada, MX
July 15: James 3:1-12 / Optional Activity: Bonfire (S’mores) & Ensenada Expedition Testimonies