Monday Again
Every year all of our DS’s meet with the GS for the DS Institute. That meeting for 2014 was held at the Buena Vista Sheraton Resort in Orlando last week. This year, the Institute also included the Global Partners Leadership Team, District Directors of Global Partners (DDGP) and some Missions Pastors. Great days together. In addition to Gloria and me, our district was represented by Denn Guptill, our DDGP and Greg Hanson, Missions Pastor at Kings Valley. The peer learning, network building, vision casting, inspiring speakers and Kingdom camaraderie made this a great time together. Oh yes, we also ate together as the pic above shows.
We also ate together at our annual Atlantic District Snowbirds Breakfast held at the Country Kitchen in Brooksville on Saturday morning. Some 65 were present for what has become a district highlight event for many over the past decade. In addition to the warm fellowship, district life update and renewing of acquaintances, the group gave more than $3,300 in support of the Jesus Film through Global Partners. Appreciation is expressed to Arnold and Georgina Hayes for their help with advance logistics for the breakfast.
February is a very active month as we process pastoral searches, recall votes and extended call reviews. It is the Master’s will and way that we week. Please focus prayer for wisdom and guidance on the month which has these schedule items on my calendar:
1 – Snowbirds Breakfast
5 – Deep Water Leadership Team
7-9 Corbett Ave Maximizing Impact Weekend
10 – Camp Board
11 – Maple Ridge LBA
12 – DBA with Dr. Lyon
16 – Reserved
17 – Digby LBA
18 – Crosspoint LBA
19 – Scarborough Coastal LBA
23 – Fort Fairfield Pastoral Installation
24 – Moncton LBA
25-26 DBMD meetings
Another men’s breakfast at New Hope Valley. Onward and upward!
Exhale Women’s Day at Moncton on Saturday “sold out” with 225 ladies present. Onward and upward!
LD Buckingham Leadership Institute Founders Banquet at Kingswood with 100+ leaders from across Atlantic Canada. Great potential in this initiative/partnership of Kingswood and Paster B. Onward and upward!
Dunamis Youth Rally at Houlton last weekend. High Kingdom impact. Onward and upward!
Rob MacCallum resigned yesterday as Lead Pastor at Sussex after 8 years of service there, 6 as Lead Pastor. Add Sussex and the MacCallums to your prayer list.
Thanks for your prayers for Nick Graham. After several days of intense testing and interaction with the transplant team, Nick has received word that while a transplant will be necessary, it will not take place in the immediate short term. Continue to pray as this matter unfolds – pray for him as he is in frequent discomfort; for his family; for the church on the Ridge and for wisdom for all of us as we move forward together
Last Sunday just after our arrival in our Orlando hotel, Gloria was checking her Facebook and discovered that the Collingsworth Family was in concert that night at a large church in the area. The GPS indicated the church was 40 minutes away and the service was to begin in about an hour, so we headed out. What a marvellous evening! There were perhaps 2000 people there and the inspiration was over the top. We spoke with Phil and Kim following and they have warm and surprisingly accurate memories of their visit to Beulah several years ago.
Maximizing Impact was mentioned in IMA three weeks ago. Our pilot will launch this coming weekend at Corbett Ave with consultant Rev. Paul James, DS in Eastern NY New England, on site for the weekend. Keep watching for updates and possibilities for other churches to become involved.
THOT: You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C.S. Lewis
ON SECOND THOT: Consumerism, materialism and debt cannot deliver lasting happiness. Brian Kluth