Christmas Toy Giveaway

Sunday was a fantastic day for Englewood. It was our annual Christmas outreach where we invite families from the community to join with our church family to experience the Christmas message and a toy giveaway. Both services were packed and I couldn't be more proud of the staff pastors and tons of volunteers who made this day possible. You continue to amaze me with your love and devotion for our community and the Lord. I pray God will reward you for your service to Him and the Kingdom.

The children's program, "Angel Alert" was great, as usual. The kids looked so cute and they did a wonderful job ministering through song, scripture and drama. I love watching them smile after they "nail" their line or song. But the absolute best part were the numerous people who raised their hands to accept Christ after both presentations. Our children, ministering to the families of the community--Awesome!

After the invitation for salvation, we passed out gifts to every child in the building. It was so much fun sensing the anticipation in their faces and seeing them reach out to receive their gift. What joy comes in giving. This marks the ninth year in a row that we have blessed the community and our children with gifts on Christmas. Ministry can be so much fun when you are serving others!

The Life of a Pastor

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning, I have had the time of my life! Pastors deal with a lot of things that we don't enjoy or are difficult. But everyone once in a while, we get to participate in things that are really fun and rewarding.

In my son's kindergarten class the letters of the alphabet are reinforced with cute rhymes and songs. When two words start with the same letter such as "Taco Tuesday," it's called a double whammy, emphasizing the letter and its sound quality. So Monday I dressed up in the church's Toby the Tiger outfit and made an appearance to four different classes. It was great, but the kids did not have as much fun as I did. It is really liberating have a mask on and no one know who you are! I think there's a sermon in there??? I would like to thank Mrs. Bailey and the school for allowing me to participate.

Then on Tuesday we went to a rodeo for a video shoot for the "Live Like You Were Dying" series. You know the song, "...I went 2.7 seconds, on a bull named Fu Man Chu." Well, I rode a 600+ lb. Brahma bull. You'll have to wait for the video to find out how long I actually went, but it was awesome. The ride is great; the hard part is getting off!

A special thanks goes out to Benjamin Ranch for allowing us to come and use their facilities; to Roger and Sha'rrell Haws for setting it up--are you trying to kill me?; and to Pastor Ryan for running the camera. It should be a pretty funny video.

These are the times that make being a pastor fun, causing me to reflect on why I enjoy it so much. I love being involved with kids and the community, as well as using creative ways to promote the Lord. The tougher times are what cause me to reflect on the fact that I know God has called me to do what I do. It's both the joy and the pain that brings growth, maturity, fulfillment, and blessing.

Kids Fest '08

Our 14th annual Kids Fest will be held on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5-9pm at Paradise Park in Lee's Summit. Kids will receive a bag of candy, while supplies last. **NEW THIS YEAR: Kids will have the option of going on a special treasure hunt for their candy with a treasure map included!

Kids Fest at Paradise Park includes use of the Foam Factory, Rock Wall, Bumper Cars, Mini-golf, Hayride, Sand Volleyball, Edutainment Center, Batting Cages, and Pedal Go-karts. Video games and Cafe available for additional charges.

Kids are welcome to dress up! (no scary costumes, please) This is a great night of fun for the entire family. Feel free to invite other friends or families.

Kids Fest admission to Paradise Park on this night is $5 per person in advance (wristbands available for sale on Sundays or from the church office) or $7 per person at the door.

Back To School Prayer: Unusual Favor

Braeden with his Kindergarten teacher

Well, Moms & Dads....I'm sure you've settled into your school routine by now: Early to bed, early to rise; homework; packing lunches; lots of papers in your kitchen; after school activities, etc.

If your children are in a new school, like ours are, then "back to school" for this year took on a whole new meaning. New routines, new friends, new teachers & administrators, new parents, new everything. I admit, it was a little overwhelming at first, just getting used to things, but it has gone very smoothly and we are very pleased with our schools. More importantly, our kids are happy, content, and at ease.

You know, when the boys were in our church's private Christian school, they were right in the same building with their Dad all day long. I never really prayed a "back to school prayer". I had an underlying confidence in our school, the staff, and the environment. Call it a comfort zone.

But for the first few weeks of school this year, it was a call to prayer over our kids. I prayed for a good start, for them to receive the right teachers, for them to make the right friends, for them to feel at home and comfortable. My most frequent prayer was, and still is, for them to have Unusual Favor. The kind that only comes from God. The kind that puts you in the right place at the right time. The kind that goes before you. The kind that surrounds you.

Ask God for Unusual Favor in your life and your family's lives today!

5 Things Kids Love About Camp

Yes, school has started for most people, but just about 2 weeks ago, our church kids returned from another summer camp at Dry Gulch USA in Oklahoma. This camp is so popular, we start applying in January & early February just to get the week we want. And sometimes we still don't get it! I asked our Children's Pastor, Amy Bales, to list 5 things the kids love about camp. So here they are:

5. The gift shop....they have everything you could ever imagine!!

4. The AWESOME food... and we can eat as much as we want!!!!!

3. General Roy's laugh... you will totally understand if you have heard it!

2. The 30+ activities that you do ALL day long!!!

1. Learning more about Jesus and how to take Him on your "Journey- called life"!!!

Truly, camp is an awesome place for kids to develop self esteem and confidence in Christ, learn personal responsibility & how to function without Mom & Dad, grow in their relationship with the Lord, and gain lifetime friendships. All in a wonderful Christian environment while having amazing fun. Do your kids a favor and send them to camp next year. They deserve it!