Hey Westside,
(Flying over Canada.) Honestly, this is my favorite part of any long trip. The part where Teri and I are coming home! I have been sitting over my laptop for about an hour trying to think of what to say in this blog. I don’t know if I am having difficulty concentrating because we are travelling through 9 time zones or cruising at 39,000 feet at the speed of 565 miles an hour or pondering the wonderful NCMI Team Time we had in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Then it dawned on me that I was simply excited about returning home, returning to our family and friends at Westside.
I am excited to share with you all about our trip and report the great things God is doing around the world with those He has connected us with. You’re gonna love the story of Sammy Adeleke, a Nigerian pastor we spoke with, who was called to work with a different people group and woke up one morning being able to speak their language! (That’s what I’m talking about!) There is a reason we are connected to churches in almost 70 nations. We, as a local church, are not isolated by ourselves just tucked away on some shelf waiting until Jesus returns. We are part of God’s plan for the ages! We have the wonderful opportunity to not only impact our spheres of influence and our region, but together we are also making an impact around the world! (Flying over Idaho now.)
· I am excited about re-launching our new Small Groups in a few weeks.
· I am excited about Westside hosting the North America NCMI Team
Meeting and the Lead Elder Getaway in October.
· I am excited about our first Men’s Advance (Armed and Dangerous)
in October.
· I am excited about Equip 2011 in Denver this coming July.
· I am excited for this next season!
We have so much to be thankful for. We are not “it” . . . but we are “part of it.” What a tremendous privilege it is to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords using our gifts to serve others . . . so that He gets all the Glory!
Love you guys,
Steve
Philippians 1:9-11 (NLT)
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Wow . . . over Oregon now . . . gotta learn to type faster 🙂