Best Communication Card Yet!

Coltin James West's First Communication Card

Click for larger view

Nathan Burcham Hired as Worship and College Pastor

This past weekend we had Nathan Burcham come in as a Worship and College Pastor candidate and things went very well.

I have enjoyed getting to know Nathan through some phone interviews and email questionnaires (long ones!). I am comfortable and confident he will be an excellent addition to the staff at Family Life.

Nathan is 22 years old, single, and a recent graduate from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and is a PK (Pastors Kid). His major was music (I'm sure) and business administration (I think).

We look forward to his soon arrival in Pittsburg.

Wheat State Camp Video - Slow - Worship

Wheat State Camp Video - Fast

Word of Prophecy - 05-11-08

Recent Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Family Life believes in the practice of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit as taught in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, and most specifically in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 14:26-32.

The most frequent uses of these gifts are the verbal gifts of “a word of prophecy” and an “utterance in tongues with interpretation.”

We were able to capture and transcribe a recent demonstration in one of our services. 1 Corinthians 14:29 tells us to “weigh carefully what was said” in the use of these gifts.

I watch your life everyday
The delays that come in your life are not by accident
I have a designed a purpose
I want to draw you close to Me

There are times that you run away from me
You scurry about – but I ask you just to stop
Take a moment – take time with me – know who I am

If I took time to number the hairs on your head
Do you not know that I just want to walk with you?
I just want to be with you

Take time – know that I am your God
Yes – I can move those mountains
There is no load too heavy for me
There is no rock so big that I cannot move

But many times you stumble over the small things
You become irritated when delays come
When they’re really purposes for me to get in touch with you
So I again say to you – be aware

As you walk through your days
Know that I am there
No matter where you travel

No matter how far you go
I was there the day you were born
I will receive you at the end

Travis and Sarah West Welcome Coltin James

We rejoice that God's gift of Coltin James West was born to Travis and Sarah yesterday at 6:37 pm.

Coltin weighed 8lbs 9.1 oz and was 19 inches long.

Both Sarah and Coltin are doing great.

Royal Ranger Council of Achievement

The Royal Rangers, a discipleship ministry to boys ages 5-11, held their most recent Council of Achievement last night.

Part of their ceremony is the lighting (always dramatic) of their Council Fire. See video.

Thanks to the men who lead this ministry and pour their lives into these boys - Commander Steve Snider, Kevin Carder, Wes Manuel, and Upkar Sharma.

FLAG Spring Picnic

On May 4th FLAG held a picnic at Lincoln Park. Approximately 175 people attended and 28 men golfed. 50 lbs of barbeque brisket was prepared for the picnic. People brought side dishes and dessert.

This is the 6th year that FLAG has been having church picnics. They are held in order to help build vertical and horizontal relationships. It is also a nice chance for people to see others they may not normally see because of the 3 services.

Pictured is (left to right) Lisa Bayless, Sarah West, Addison Bayless, and Travis West enjoying the shade of a shelter at Lincoln Park.

FLAG has 3 picnics a year- one in the fall, spring, and summer. The picnic in the summer is tied to a baptismal service. The next picnic coming up will be in mid July or mid August when the water
will be warm enough.

Hope to see you at the next picnic!

Power Force Report

We had an amazing weekend of outreach services. Before we get to the nitty gritty, thanks to all who served to make it happen. Tons of volunteers, thanks!

So, what really happened? Did that many people really come forward to respond to Christ? To get saved? Were they seriously commiting to Christ?

Here is what we know:

Attendnace

• Sunday AM - 208
• Sunday PM - 254
• Monday PM - 549
• Pittsburg Community Middle School - 425 students and faculty
• Columbus Middle School - 425 students and faculty
  

Overall Commitments

• First Time Commitments to Christ - 31 (4 from FLAG, 3 from other churches)
• Recommitment to Christ - 61 (16 from FLAG, 3 from other churches)
• These are people who came forward, filled out a card, and actually turned it in.
• People/Families FLAG can follow up on - 95

FLAG Response

• Volunteers all over, early and late, serving like Christ!
• FLAG attenders who invited and/or brought people - Many!
• Commitments to Make Follow Up Phone Calls - 29!
• Follow up letters with picnic invitaitons sent - 95
• Follow up phone calls made - approx 90

Here is what I am believing for/expecting:

• God will cause His church to grow and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
• Some (25%) of these commitments will show up at FLAG.
• Others (25%) will show up at another church. Many (50%) will not follow through, now.
• Some of these 50% will follow through at a later date, perhaps when a crisis hits their lives, perhaps to FLAG.
• A positive reputation for FLAG, Pentecostals, and Christians was made on approximately 500 visitors to these services. As well as approx 850 in public schools.

Our response as individuals who attend FLAG to those who visited/made commitments will be obscenely important. More so than how "good" service is this Sunday.

Let's keep growing forward!

P Mark


Click here to see the cool pictures of the Outreach. Thanks Sarah Baker!