Faith Preceeds Success...Always!

One of the struggles I have battled in my life is stepping out in greater faith.  A faith that exceeds my own abilities, strengths and talents.  After all, if it is something that I can do on my own then is it really faith?  

One of my responsibilities as a District Youth Director is our annual youth convention.  For the past four years we have held that event at churches within our district.  I had been feeling for some time that to grow we needed to move the event back to a civic center and open up the event to others outside of the Assemblies of God.  So, after two straight years of 1250 in attendance, my reps I and prayerfully made the decision to move to the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA.  

In order to make this happen from a financial standpoint, we would need 1500 paying students to remain at the same financial platform as the previous years.  To accomplish this we need an additional 250 students, approximately 33 additional students from each of our 9 sections.

About a week and a half ago, I had an anxiety attack thinking about the financial implications if we do not reach our goal of 1500 students.  I have done everything I can to make this happen.  We have promoted the event to 1000 churches outside of the Assemblies of God, we have ran 3 solid months of christian radio promotions, we have made phone calls, we have done the work.  

At the height of my anxiety, a friend called.  I shared what was going on and she and her husband prayed with me.  Immediately, I felt the anxiety being lifted.  A peace came over me, and at that moment I made the decision that I was going to walk in faith.  So, I let go and am currently giving God the opportunity to show forth His faithfulness.  I can't do any more than I have done, and God is going to have to do the rest.  

I am still having to walk in faith, but currently we are at around 1100 students pre-registered, that is about 220 more than pre-registered last year.  Will we hit our 1500?  I say yes!  God laid this on our hearts and we have been obedient.  He will be faithful as we walk in faith!  

Please pray with us for The Launch 2009.  It will be happening on April 24-25.  More so than the 1500 students, we are believing God for a great outpouring of His love and power!  Thank you for partnering with us in prayer.  You can also check out our website at www.thelaunchne.com.  Blessings!

What an awesome meeting we had at Zion Bible College.  God has done so many great miracles on behalf of this great college who is putting out so many wonderful preachers, missionaries and evangelists!  What a privilege to be able to be a part of such a great college.

It is great being back home!  Though I love being able to travel (love it), I do not enjoy being away from my family!  Besides the Lord, they are the most precious part of my life.  I thank God for the blessings of my wife and children.

This evening, we held a ceremony for Tytus celebrating his leaving behind his childish beginnings and entering into a season of growing towards manhood.  We presented him with some special books that talk about purity and adolescence and presented him with a very cool miniature sword that represents the real sword that he will be presented when he graduates for living a life of purity before God.  

We are quickly approaching The Launch, our youth conference.  We are expecting anywhere from 1200-1600 students.   I can't wait.  If you would like to check out The Launch you can go to www.thelaunchne.com.  

Easter Day 2009

This absolutely has to be my favorite day of the year.  When I think of all that Christ did for me when He didn't have to.  The other night, my family and I watched The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson.  What an awesome reminder of great price Christ paid for taking on our sins.  

What He went through was unthinkable!  All in the name of LOVE.  A love for you and a love for me. A love that we can not understand.  However, it is a love that has forever changed the world.  A love that changed my life!  Thank you Jesus for loving us so much, that you would go through the unthinkable in our place, so that we may have friendship with the Father!

This morning, Tina and I were late getting into the main sanctuary because we wanted to see our son in his skit down in Super Church.  By the time we arrived, there were no seats and people were standing everywhere.  We happened to walk in one door where they were putting out chairs and were able to grab them.  Then came in more people, and up on the screen we noticed "99" which in nursery talk means "HELP!"  

So, we looked at each other and decided to give up our seats and go help out in the nursery.  We were told that it was a record number of children in the nursery today.  I was so looking forward to this mornings service.  Yet, we were able to free up some parents, by giving our seats and going to watch children. 

As much as I was looking forward to service this morning, I was reminded that our willingness to give up our seats and help in the nursery is exactly what I needed today.  You see this life is not about me!  It is about loving God and loving people.  Christ set the example, and we this morning were blessed to have had the opportunity to give.   

Yes, Tina and I had a great time.  Children are awesome!  Loving and serving breeds great rewards.  We left church this morning with with the greatest reminder of Christ love that we would probably had missed had we stayed sitting in those chairs.  A reminder that Christ "gave" His life so that we might live!  That is what it is all about.

Lord, everyday, help us to give of ourselves to others, that they too might know and experience the power of your love.  Happy Easter!  We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Ending One Era, Entering Another

I just can't believe that this was my daughter's last Easter Egg hunt.  Next year, she'll be too old.   It just seems like yesterday that we were taking her and our son to the church for their first New England Easter egg hunt, however that we ten year's ago.  

When we moved to New England ten year's ago, our daughter was two and our son was five months old.  It was so much fun watching them and video taping their every move as they picked up their eggs.  

Today, I found it was no different.  With the video camera in one hand and the digital camera in the other, they are still placing smiles on their dad and mom's face with little to no effort.  We are so proud of both of them.  Though another season is ending for our daughter, it is not the first for either nor will it be the last.  

I have found that it is so much fun to watch and participate in all the seasons.  I am looking forward to next year as once again my son picks up the eggs hoping to find the ones with coins in them, while my daughter works behind one of the tables helping to pass out the bags of candy.