Well, I know what most are thinking. Its been a while. And since my last post a TON has happened.
Let me say first the church is doing great. Services just keep getting better and better. Bro. Adrian, my new youth pastor, started about 2 weeks ago. First chore, go to camp. We went to The Wilds this year and took 28 kids to camp and had a great time. We also saw a ton of decisions. We had 5 first time decisions and a bunch of others. Last Sunday night we had 30 testimonies and I baptized 12. God is so good. And btw, Adrian is doing a SUPER job.
April and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary last Friday but I will create a post just for that.
Caleb's baseball is ALMOST over. We MAY have just one more game. We will know after tomorrow night.
Josh is just Josh. Not much else to say there.
So thats that. Im ready for the fall and football season. Its WAY too hot here and the Braves STINK.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Exciting Times
Well i promise a blog update if I had some big news for this week and I do.
Wednesday night I hired a brand new youth pastor, Adrian Nottonson. We are extremely fortunate and priviledged to add Adrain to our staff at Hamilton FWB Church. Adrain will graduate next week, May 8th, from Southeastern FWB College. He will also marry Ashley Jefferson on May 23 and then start with us the first week of June. First assignment? CAMP!!!
Let me say a few words about his dear fiancee Ashley. She will also be a great addition to the Hamilton FWB Church family. She was a BIG hit with the teen girls and moms. We are excited to have her come as well.
Adrian is distinctively Free Will Baptist and unashamed of it. I like this a whole lot. He will be a great asset to our ministry.
Welcome Adrian and Ashley!!!
Wednesday night I hired a brand new youth pastor, Adrian Nottonson. We are extremely fortunate and priviledged to add Adrain to our staff at Hamilton FWB Church. Adrain will graduate next week, May 8th, from Southeastern FWB College. He will also marry Ashley Jefferson on May 23 and then start with us the first week of June. First assignment? CAMP!!!
Let me say a few words about his dear fiancee Ashley. She will also be a great addition to the Hamilton FWB Church family. She was a BIG hit with the teen girls and moms. We are excited to have her come as well.
Adrian is distinctively Free Will Baptist and unashamed of it. I like this a whole lot. He will be a great asset to our ministry.
Welcome Adrian and Ashley!!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Summer - I Feel It
Well, it has been almost a month since my last update and there is good reason. These past few weeks have been insane.
Let me start with the family. (I know I usually start with the church but lets shake things up a little). April is almost finished with her school for the semester. Just one week left. I'm sure she will be thrilled to have a break. But thats not to say she has done bad because the girl is a genious. All A's this semester. Caleb has got 3 1/2 weeks left until 2nd Grade is in the books and we have our fingers crossed that he'll have all A's for the year. His baseball team (which I coach)is in full swing and we havent lost yet but that surely doesnt mean it aint coming. Caleb has been to the plate 11 times and has 10 hits. 10 for 11 aint bad! Josh is continuing to be Josh and needs your prayer. (or maybe we need your prayer) Preschool is only 3 months away.
The church is going great but has been incredibily busy. April is by far the busiest month here at Hamilton Free Will and breathing is a must. We've had a Sunday School Campaign, Couples Retreat, Easter Drama and this Sunday is Friend Day plus a concert Sunday night with Karen Peck and New River. Our attendance has been good - 180, 226, 188 respectively and keep continuing to see new faces. The biggest need is to stay focused - stay at Bethel. May we never forget or stop what got us here and thats prayer!
Summer is coming and at least things wont be as busy. Exciting days ahead.
Hopefully I'll have some exciting news next week and if I do I will be sure to update.
Let me start with the family. (I know I usually start with the church but lets shake things up a little). April is almost finished with her school for the semester. Just one week left. I'm sure she will be thrilled to have a break. But thats not to say she has done bad because the girl is a genious. All A's this semester. Caleb has got 3 1/2 weeks left until 2nd Grade is in the books and we have our fingers crossed that he'll have all A's for the year. His baseball team (which I coach)is in full swing and we havent lost yet but that surely doesnt mean it aint coming. Caleb has been to the plate 11 times and has 10 hits. 10 for 11 aint bad! Josh is continuing to be Josh and needs your prayer. (or maybe we need your prayer) Preschool is only 3 months away.
The church is going great but has been incredibily busy. April is by far the busiest month here at Hamilton Free Will and breathing is a must. We've had a Sunday School Campaign, Couples Retreat, Easter Drama and this Sunday is Friend Day plus a concert Sunday night with Karen Peck and New River. Our attendance has been good - 180, 226, 188 respectively and keep continuing to see new faces. The biggest need is to stay focused - stay at Bethel. May we never forget or stop what got us here and thats prayer!
Summer is coming and at least things wont be as busy. Exciting days ahead.
Hopefully I'll have some exciting news next week and if I do I will be sure to update.
Monday, March 30, 2009
It Is Well
One of the greatest songs ever written is "It is Well (w/my soul)". That could never be a truer song than it is today. Im overwhelmed.
Let me say first it seems i havent been in the office for ages. One week i went on vacation with my family to Orlando, FL which by the way I had a great time. I have a great family. I love April more today than ever. This June will be ten years she has put up with me and all that goes with me. I also have two great boys that are growing up way too fast. Caleb is 8 and Josh is 4 and I am the most blessed man on earth. Truly!
Last week I went and played in the Masters Men (of FWB) golf tournament and i stink but i had a great time. We have the best guys in the world in our church and they are a pleasure to be around. That even includes Phillip! :)
So I get back to church and yesterday was unbelievable. In the morning I finished a series of the book of Ruth and talked about how Jesus is our Kinsmen-Redeemer and the great lengths He went to to redeem us. When He got me, He didnt get anything but He went to the cross and died anyway. I serve an awesome God.
But then last night is hard to put into words. We did this thing called "Cardboard Ministries". I must say that when I first heard about it and even saw it on YouTube I wasnt sure. Basically it is where you get a group of people and on one side of the cardboard they write what they were before Christ and then on the other side they write what they are now. They simply walk to the stage one by one and show the before and then the after. It might be the most powerful thing I have ever seen and been a part of. The song "I will rise" by Chris Tomlin played and one by one (myself included) went to the stage and showed their cards. Mine said that before Christ I was "a rebellious hypocrite" but after Christ I was "real". Its a long story and one that i dont tell much, but let me just say that I am different, so different and pray every day to be the "real deal" for Christ. But i guess the one that got me the most was a Godly lady in our church who is such a blessing. The front of her card said "Mom at 15" and the back talked about how now she is trying to be a Godly mom and wife. It was POWERFUL!
So this is over and the altar is full and by the end of the night 3 people were saved!
I've been in church all my life. Been in the ministry almost 10 years. I've been in services that were this powerful but NEVER services this powerful back to back to back and so on. IT IS TRULY WELL!
So starting a new week anticipating the moving hand of God.
Caleb starts baseball games this week and maybe they will do good inspite of his coach! But I wouldnt change it for the WORLD!
So until next time, It Is Well.
Let me say first it seems i havent been in the office for ages. One week i went on vacation with my family to Orlando, FL which by the way I had a great time. I have a great family. I love April more today than ever. This June will be ten years she has put up with me and all that goes with me. I also have two great boys that are growing up way too fast. Caleb is 8 and Josh is 4 and I am the most blessed man on earth. Truly!
Last week I went and played in the Masters Men (of FWB) golf tournament and i stink but i had a great time. We have the best guys in the world in our church and they are a pleasure to be around. That even includes Phillip! :)
So I get back to church and yesterday was unbelievable. In the morning I finished a series of the book of Ruth and talked about how Jesus is our Kinsmen-Redeemer and the great lengths He went to to redeem us. When He got me, He didnt get anything but He went to the cross and died anyway. I serve an awesome God.
But then last night is hard to put into words. We did this thing called "Cardboard Ministries". I must say that when I first heard about it and even saw it on YouTube I wasnt sure. Basically it is where you get a group of people and on one side of the cardboard they write what they were before Christ and then on the other side they write what they are now. They simply walk to the stage one by one and show the before and then the after. It might be the most powerful thing I have ever seen and been a part of. The song "I will rise" by Chris Tomlin played and one by one (myself included) went to the stage and showed their cards. Mine said that before Christ I was "a rebellious hypocrite" but after Christ I was "real". Its a long story and one that i dont tell much, but let me just say that I am different, so different and pray every day to be the "real deal" for Christ. But i guess the one that got me the most was a Godly lady in our church who is such a blessing. The front of her card said "Mom at 15" and the back talked about how now she is trying to be a Godly mom and wife. It was POWERFUL!
So this is over and the altar is full and by the end of the night 3 people were saved!
I've been in church all my life. Been in the ministry almost 10 years. I've been in services that were this powerful but NEVER services this powerful back to back to back and so on. IT IS TRULY WELL!
So starting a new week anticipating the moving hand of God.
Caleb starts baseball games this week and maybe they will do good inspite of his coach! But I wouldnt change it for the WORLD!
So until next time, It Is Well.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Simply Amazing
Joseph told his brothers, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good." And there is NO DOUBT that those words ring true for me and my church today.
I wish I knew where to begin in writing what God is doing in our midst. I think the last think I wrote I was telling about the unexplainable things God is doing in our church. Let me see if i can summarize.
It seems revival started in our church about 2 weeks ago when God began to move in the lives of our people. Then we had actual revival services and they were great. But then we come to today. And this morning 4 people came to the altar and prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Now I was shouting and praising God for all that He did. I came home tonight from church and it was good, but when I got home I received a phone call from a couple in our church needing to meet me back at church. When I got there I had the priviledge of leading them to Christ as well! WOW what a day! Six people prayed to receive Christ today. And all I can say is Simply Amazing!!!!!!!
But the truth is I believe it is just starting. God is doing something awesome in our midst and I am just glad to be a part of it.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have much to do because I leave for my yearly vacation on Friday to Orlando, FL and I want to get my work done so I can relax while I'm gone. Im excited about vacation but also a little sad to leave church at such an exciting time.
Caleb's baseball starts on Tuesday and I will again be coaching his team. Should be fun. Josh turned 4 today and it just seems like time is moving too fast.
April has three mid-term exams this week so pray for her. She too will welcome vacation Friday.
I will try to update from sunny Florida where I will hopefully be "sitting by the dock of the bay" doing a bunch of nothing.
I wish I knew where to begin in writing what God is doing in our midst. I think the last think I wrote I was telling about the unexplainable things God is doing in our church. Let me see if i can summarize.
It seems revival started in our church about 2 weeks ago when God began to move in the lives of our people. Then we had actual revival services and they were great. But then we come to today. And this morning 4 people came to the altar and prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Now I was shouting and praising God for all that He did. I came home tonight from church and it was good, but when I got home I received a phone call from a couple in our church needing to meet me back at church. When I got there I had the priviledge of leading them to Christ as well! WOW what a day! Six people prayed to receive Christ today. And all I can say is Simply Amazing!!!!!!!
But the truth is I believe it is just starting. God is doing something awesome in our midst and I am just glad to be a part of it.
Tomorrow is Monday and I have much to do because I leave for my yearly vacation on Friday to Orlando, FL and I want to get my work done so I can relax while I'm gone. Im excited about vacation but also a little sad to leave church at such an exciting time.
Caleb's baseball starts on Tuesday and I will again be coaching his team. Should be fun. Josh turned 4 today and it just seems like time is moving too fast.
April has three mid-term exams this week so pray for her. She too will welcome vacation Friday.
I will try to update from sunny Florida where I will hopefully be "sitting by the dock of the bay" doing a bunch of nothing.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Unexplainable
Its been a few weeks since my last update and it has been a wild two weeks. What has been going on is not important, but what God is doing now is amazing.
There is no doubt that in my own personal life I have times where I get complacent in my Christian walk. And it never fails when that happens that God does something to wake me up. Well, God has woken me up. And now what He is doing is unexplainable.
There are so many things happening right now I'm not sure where to begin. Our services lately have been awesome and God is truly showing Himself mighty. Many of our people are developing deeper walks with Christ and seeing the seriousness of the spiritual battles.
Our small groups are doing great right now and it seems like every time one takes place, the effects are seen in our church.
So all in all, God is truly being with us.
Revival starts Sunday morning with Christian Powell and I am excited and the church is ready for something great.
So thats about it. BTW, the Braves start Spring Training games this week. So I'm pumped.
There is no doubt that in my own personal life I have times where I get complacent in my Christian walk. And it never fails when that happens that God does something to wake me up. Well, God has woken me up. And now what He is doing is unexplainable.
There are so many things happening right now I'm not sure where to begin. Our services lately have been awesome and God is truly showing Himself mighty. Many of our people are developing deeper walks with Christ and seeing the seriousness of the spiritual battles.
Our small groups are doing great right now and it seems like every time one takes place, the effects are seen in our church.
So all in all, God is truly being with us.
Revival starts Sunday morning with Christian Powell and I am excited and the church is ready for something great.
So thats about it. BTW, the Braves start Spring Training games this week. So I'm pumped.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Great Sunday
I just wanted to update the blog and let everyone know what a great Sunday we had.
As many may know, we started our new service time yesterday at 10:50 and had the largest crowd we've had in a while. The service was powerful from the music to the preaching to the invitation.
God is doing some great things here. He is really working in peoples lives and causing them to dig much deeper in their lives. The small groups seem to really be having a positive impact and we are trying to implement them in the other SS classes. So we will see how that goes.
Last night I started a series on the family. That too went well and had good response. Hopefully the families in our church will be solidified.
Ok, so thats it.
Braves baseball not far away!
As many may know, we started our new service time yesterday at 10:50 and had the largest crowd we've had in a while. The service was powerful from the music to the preaching to the invitation.
God is doing some great things here. He is really working in peoples lives and causing them to dig much deeper in their lives. The small groups seem to really be having a positive impact and we are trying to implement them in the other SS classes. So we will see how that goes.
Last night I started a series on the family. That too went well and had good response. Hopefully the families in our church will be solidified.
Ok, so thats it.
Braves baseball not far away!
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