Taking the Church to the People!! We have a great loving church here on the corner of Columbus Street and River Blvd. Many exciting ministries are providing a variety of services to our congregation and neighbors. Long ago I’m told we had over 1100 people in Sunday School. In the more recent past I remember Sunday School when we had almost 600 in attendance. We converted the sanctuary into classrooms, and built our newest building, the curved two story educational center. Then things began to change, and we never have utilized the space to its fullest potential. Even though our outreach ministries continued, and new ways to minister were created, the number of people being ministered to did not increase.-----So,---- What happened?
If you are like me, you are thinking back and compiling a mental list of possibilities. But rather than look back. Let’s look forward. Go with me a moment into the future. Start to think with me “Outside the Box” about outreach and ministry to this neighborhood. Hold onto your seats folks, because here comes some really radical ideas from this old Grandpa. City and County statistics show over 5000 vehicles pass by our corner each day. It’s time to “take the church to these people” and make them notice us as they go by. We need to make it easier for people to stop here to see what’s happening, and in the process, get exposed to Jesus. I suggest weekly drive up sermonets. We could start by having outdoor Sunday church. Revise the parking lot. Build an outdoor stage. Get a Christian rock band to play. Pray unceasingly for the lost. Give a gift to anyone that stops. Make it easy for people to hear the word. Provide parking along the church frontage, and set up chairs on the grass. Serve refreshments car to car, and provide in-car listening devices. Accept prayer requests via cell phones, and let people listen and then respond.
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AWANA Grand Prix Not for Wimps ! Franklin Graham's Festival is the buzz of the City, and the aftermath follow up and contacts will keep us busy. The "40 Days of Purpose" Journey looms ahead, and the AWANA year is rapidly coming to conclusion. AWANA is a program for children and Youth designed to teach Bible verse memory, game skills, competition, teamwork and team spirit. In just a few short weeks (April 25th), AWANA will culminate with the "Grand Prix" model car show and races, and closing awards ceremony. Our AWANA leadership has done another outstanding job with your children this year. The kids have impressed us all with their Bible memory work and their enthusiasm. Now they will show their skills in building model cars for the big race. But let me issue a point of caution here. Building AWANA Grand Prix cars is NOT for sissies. HAVE I GOT YOUR ATTENTION?? This takes strength, dexterity, perseverance, patience, and courage. Hours of work will go into each car. We have had I Love Lucy, a racing pig, a skate board, pickups, sedans, Indy cars, NASCars, a golf course car, and even a racing banana. So you can see it takes more than a "mamby pamby" to make a car. Entries are classed by age, with special divisions for Youth and Adults, with awards for design and speed. You are hereby put on notice that Grandpa Dick will make his best ever speedster entry, which will be incredible. The race will be held in the Church courtyard beginning at 4:30, Sunday afternoon, April 25. So in between Franklin Graham and "40 Days", take some time to help your kids or grandkids with their model cars. And you better use all your creative skills, because my car will be the one to beat. (See photo). Grandpa Dick
Prayers Are Always Answered
The Men’s Class Sunday School Teacher, Gene Jackson recently underwent open-heart surgery. At the hospital before the surgery a few class members and Deacons gathered around Gene and prayed that God would guide the Surgeon‘s hands and be with Gene to comfort him during surgery and recovery. The surgery was successful, and healing was faster than others who had had similar surgery. In fact, at the Hospital they called Gene the “Miracle Man”. We felt that the rapid healing was a result of our prayers. Gene also had a knee problem that grew worse during his heart surgery recovery. As his heart grew strong, his knees began to fail. Then pain that baffled the Doctors began to creep into his arms and shoulders. The Sunday before the knee surgery, Gene could hardly walk, and had lost all strength in his upper body. At the hospital, we prayed again, this time specifically asking the Lord to remove the source of the unknown arm and shoulder pain. The knee surgery went without a hitch, and gene called me that night to tell me that all his upper body pain was gone and he felt renewed strength in his arms. His recovery was quick and he was back on his bowling team in a couple of weeks. Obviously, all his friends were delighted, and we felt the healing was a direct answer to our prayers. Gene is quick to give God the credit for his rapid recovery. Other prayers have not been answered so directly and quickly. When Pat Denio, one of our faithful members faced lung cancer surgery, and we prayed for a swift recovery, God had a different plan. Pat, who is doing fine today, suffered a heart attack and required heart surgery right after the lung surgery. Maybe God wanted him to be an example to others, or maybe the successful double surgery and Pat’s bright optimistic outlook was a message to someone in the hospital who is lost. I know one thing, we should not question God about his actions and timetables. Mark chapter 11 tells us to: 1) Ask God to do the miracle, 2) Believe the miracle is going to happen, and 3) forgive and ask forgiveness for anything we have against anyone before we ask. Above all, keep praying for miracles, and God will answer. Maybe not how you expect, but YES, he will answer. Praying is part of our purpose. Be open for the result of your prayer to be revealed in a spectacular way. Grandpa Dick
