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serving strong


The church office is closed on Fridays.  So, as I write this I am reflecting on the past week and thinking ahead 8 days to the back2school outreach that hundreds of volunteers at 5 churches will serve around 2,000 students.  There are lots of things rolling through my mind at this point.

You’ve got to know that I am a dreamer.  I like to think big thoughts of great impact, but I also have to confess that I sometimes get caught up in the small details.  I’m not real good at the details (some of you are saying “amen” to that).  What I do know is that some of our team members are excellent at the details.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

I’d like to point out a few of the people who make this project so much better, but instead of calling them by name I’ll point out their gifts and how they are making God smile as they serve others.

One dude walked in to my office early this week and begins to talk with me about something he says is heavy on His heart.  What happened next this gracious dude didn’t expect.  He began to share, and it was evident that what was on His heart is what God had been putting on my heart.  It was like God opened the door and gave the thoughts, and what my friend shared shined a light on it even more.  He heard from God and shared his heart.

As we were unloading the buses early this week of the school supplies that had been donated I noticed boxes that had been labeled by one of our ladies.  She is one of those people that does things in order and does them well.  In fact this is the same lady who have sent me a few text messages in the last day saying she has been able to find many things we are short on, shoes to be specific.  This awesome lady is getting it done.

There are some people that simply you don’t click with.  You don’t talk to them a lot, but from a distance this person has been giving hour after hour working with the clothes that have been donated to share with these students.  Haven’t heard much from them, but when I walked in to one of the rooms we will use for clothes, it was evident that their work has paid off.

Some of our team members are only around during the back2school event, but some are around all the time and love to serve.  I have to give a huge “thank you God” for one particular person that has gone the extra mile.  Wait!  They have actually gone the extra 10 miles.  So much of what needed to happen in the past few days was completed because they made sure it was done well.  This person makes us stronger and better.  But I also have to confess that there are two people in my close circle that are doing this.  I am so grateful for them.

Let me close by saying it takes lots of people, in fact hundreds of people, to make this event a huge success.  I am blessed beyond what I can share with all the hard work and with the talent that is seen in the hours they have given and energy that these great people are exerting.  God put us together for a reason.  We are serving strong because we are a team.  We are working together.

Thousands of people will be served, encouraged and hear truth because of back2school 2014.  I cannot wait to hear the stories that come out of this year’s event.  I know that life change will happen as we are faithful to do what God has called us to do.  Serving strong is what we are experiencing, and there is more to come.  Join in!

Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.


Pray:
back2school 2014 is 7 days away, and we are still in need of some things.  That is some school supplies but lots of shoes, boys sizes 1 thru 4.  Will you help.  Donate supplies and/or shoes, and let us know how you will help.  Thank you for PRAYING!  To give click this LINK and select “back2school”. 

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