Now Leading Our Students!

Last month we announced that our Student Pastors, Beau and Lauren Dore were taking a new assignment at a great church in Oklahoma City. We have very mixed emotions about their resignation. On the one hand we are bummed that we will no longer have this amazing couple on our team. On the other hand we are very excited for them and this new opportunity. 

Our primary concern is to find the right leader for our student ministry. One thing we definitely don't want to do is rush into a decision. Thankfully, we don't have to. 

I have asked our Staff Evangelist, Curvine Brewington to serve in an interim capacity until we are ready to make a long-term selection. Curvine was happy to step into this role and we are so excited that for the next six months our students will be led by one of the most sought-after youth communicators in the nation! 

We love Curvine and Candice Brewington so much and we're so excited to have them leading the youth of our church! 

Happy New Mercies!

I've always loved the promise in Lamentations 3:23 that God's mercies are new every morning. Most mornings I am keenly aware of how desperately I need new mercy. 

This past Sunday, as I was driving to the church on New Years Day, I thought of that passage and the idea struck me that if God has new mercy for each day, perhaps He has the same for each year. Perhaps the mercy He provides at the start of a new year is proportional, like the difference in the scope of a day verses a year. I have nothing to back up the theory, but the thought was comforting to me! Last year was a tough one. Don't get me wrong, lots of good things happened in 2016, but in many ways it was as tough a year as I've faced in a long, long time. I'm believing that 2017 has arrived with new mercies. 

Another one of my favorite verses is Psalm 145:9, which says that mercy is over all the works of God's hands. I am trusting that the new mercies God has provided for this new year will move His hand to work on our behalf in ways we can't imagine! 

Happy new year! And happy new mercies! 

Our Expanding Family

On October 22nd our family expanded when our daughter Robin married Eli Price. They have been seeing each other for the past year-and-a-half or so and were engaged this past New Year's Eve. 

The wedding was a beautiful ceremony at the Pond at Crossroads Church. Friends and family gathered to celebrate with us on as beautiful a day as I can ever remember. When Robin told us she wanted an outdoor wedding in October in Southwest Louisiana I had more than a little concern over the threat of hurricane season! It was a bright sunny day with perfect temperatures. Thanks Lord. 

The ceremony could have served as a Pinterest show case! We had spent our Thursday family gatherings making stuff for the past several months and all the crafty, hippy, folksy decor was adorable.  Additionally, the flowers were beautiful, the brunch menu for the reception was delicious and Robin was absolutely stunning! 

We had such a great time getting to know Eli's family the week leading up to the wedding. They are from the Atlanta, GA area and just could not be more charming. We're so thankful Robin has married in to such a sweet family. 

I had the honor of walking Robin down the aisle as well as officiating the communion portion of their ceremony. Eli's pastor, Aaron Shamp of Redeemer City Church did the main officiating and tied a really good knot! For the communion service, I used my dad's Bible. It was a special way to include him in their ceremony. I know he would be so proud of Robin and I know he would warmly welcome Eli into our family.

So many people have asked me how it felt to give my daughter's hand in marriage. Being a pastor for over thirty years I have counseled so many people who struggle with marriage. It is enough to make a dad apprehensive about who his kids might marry. I can say with all sincerity that I am so at peace with Robin's selection of Eli. He is a kind, thoughtful, considerate young Christian man that I know is going to take great care of my little girl. I told him so at the wedding after giving him Robin's hand. It was a private moment between he and I and it took a few seconds. When I sat down by Donna she immediately asked, "Did you threaten him?" I did not. I welcomed him into the family! 

Kentucky

Donna and I joined Scott and Kara Holmes (Scott is the District Superintendent of the LA Assemblies of God) and Eric and Annabelle Treuil (Eric is the Assistant Superintendent of the LA Assemblies of God) in Louisville, KY last week for the 2016 General Presbytery meeting. Annually, representatives from each district convene to do business on behalf of the nation-wide fellowship. I have the privilege of serving along-side Scott and Eric as a General Presbyter for the Louisiana District.

We had a good meeting. Some important decisions were made including the choice to stand by our 100-year ethic of abstinence concerning the consumption of alcohol. Go to the PE News website to read the position paper  that was adopted by the Presbytery in order to get an understanding of our stance on this issue. 

While we were there we got to enjoy a little leisure time. It's always a blessing to get to mix a little pleasure with business. Donna's love language is traveling, you know! Who knew there is so much to do in Louisville, Kentucky? (It was our first time to visit Louisville.) The city of Louisville itself is known mostly for horse racing, baseball bats, bourbon and basketball. (Not necessarily in that order.) The state of Kentucky celebrates some of it's favorite sons: Mohammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone and Colonel Sanders. (Not necessarily in that order.) It is an impressive city that has done a great job preserving it's rich history while embracing the ever-changing culture of modern-America. 

Here's a picture of Scott and me in front of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat manufactory where they've been making baseball bats for over 100 years! 

We got to take in the newly opened Ark Encounter. It was incredible. The true-to-life-sized structure was mesmerizing and the three decks of exhibits and strong apologetic material arguing for the validity of the Ark and the great flood was impressive! Christian scientist and Historians make the case for a young earth and do a great job explaining a lot of questions skeptics have had concerning the story of Noah's Ark. They also have a nice exhibit on the preservation of the Inspired Scriptures and a petting zoo that includes camel rides! The Ark Encounter is a little over an hour-and-a-half drive from Louisville, but is well worth it! 

We also enjoyed the Mega Cavern and it's trail of underground zip lines. This was some of the most fun I've had in a while! I highly recommend it!