Fun Fest

Last night was our first Fall Fun Fest with the Giant Haystack and I got to be honest because I really didn't know what to expect. At 5:00 there were only a handful of people and I got really nervous. Thankfully about ten to fifteen after we had a decent crowd. I think everybody had fun and we gave away lots of prizes and candy. Also had a good time talking with some families that do not attend our church. Definitely think we will try it again next year with some modifications and additions to the night. Thanks to everyone that helped out with the outreach, couldn't of done it without you!

Happy Birthday Olivia

This has been a month full of birthdays! Sunday was Olivia's 8th birthday. My little girl is growing up so fast. We had a slumber party Friday Night with three other girls and Jen took the girls to Libbi Lue at Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines. I think I heard the Chicken Song a hundred times Friday and Saturday. Time goes by so fast, so remember to cherish those special moments with your kids while you have them!

Why Money?

We just got through with our Missions Convention yesterday and I feel that I need to address an issue that was brought up at church in the middle of the service of "Why Money?" Mark Oberbeck who is our Iowa Youth Director was talking about Speed the Light which is a missions organization that raises money for missionaries so that they can have vehicles, sound equipment and other tools to effectively preach the gospel in other nations. The question was basically why do we need to talk about money or can't there be other ways of helping? There are other ways we can help our missionaries, first of all by praying for our missionaries. Many missionaries will tell you that they covet our prayers while they are on the missions field. Another way is going on a missions trip ourselves and helping the missionaries with projects that they may have. About six years ago, I went to Peru and helped build a Teen Challenge Building for a church. It was an awesome experience. The third way is by giving. The fact of the matter is, it takes money to live and to have the tools necessary to do your job. For example, if our missionaries didn't have vehicles they could not reach some of the far reaching areas and villages in their nations. Our missionaries are 100% supported by the local churches. Just as we need a home to live in and food on our tables, so do missionaries. Many of the places that they live are very poor regions and the people there cannot support them. It is the local churches job to do that. These missionaries have given up their lives to the call of going over seas and reaching areas that we simply cannot reach. They will be honored in heaven because of their call and we need to honor them now on earth. Missionaries should be our heroes! I am not ashamed as your pastor to ask for money to help missionaries. We are obeying the command of Jesus to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." Jesus said that He would come back here on earth after the Gospel has been spread to the ends of the earth. Think about that for a moment. The only thing that is holding Jesus from coming back and taking us home is His love for people who have not heard His message yet. This should show us, His concern for other nations and those who still need to be reached. One of our core values at Community Hope is "Missions Minded." If we are missions minded, God will bless. I know this, because I've seen it time and time again. Let's be about the priorities of Jesus and have a heart to reach our world with the love of God.

Missions Weekend

This Sunday is our annual Missions Convention. I am really excited as this year as we are having Mark Oberbeck who is our Iowa Youth Director speaking in the morning service. I have known Mark for years and I know he is very passionate about Missions. In the evening we are having missionary Brad Tucker speaking who is a missionary to Africa. We are also having the ministry team from Evangel University in Springfield, MO to come and lead worship and do a special drama for us. This is an exciting time for us as a church because Community Hope was built on Missions. I want us to be a church that Prays for Missions, Gives to Missions and Go and be Missions ourselves. Please be in prayer for this powerful weekend!

Truth or Snare

Wrapped up our series yesterday on the mind. I felt it was a good three weeks on study on how we must renew our minds in Christ. Yesterday we talked about the lies that Satan throws at us. Here are the three most common lies.

1. Lies about yourself- My self-worth comes from what I do and what others think.
2. Lies about the meaning of life- The meaning of life is about how much I can accumulate.
3. Lies about God- Many believe lies about God- here are a few lies that people believe;
- I am saved by what I do
- God is out to get me lie
- What I've done is too bad for God to forgive.

Satan throws traps for us all the time. Remember that Satan is the father of lies. The way we defeat the lies is by the truth of God's Word. Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word is the discerner of our thoughts. In other words, when we have these lies enter our minds we must judge that thought by God's Word. What does the truth have to say? If it's not according to the Word, then it is a lie. Don't be caught in the snare of lies that Satan throws at us. Be free by the truth of God's Word.

Breaking 250

This last Thursday I started meeting with my coaching group in Des Moines on how to break the 250 barrier. I'm really excited about meeting with this group of guys once a month. This past meeting most of our time was spent on why we lead the way we do. I was reminded once again that my past has been pleasing people and many times I lead to please. This is all right at times but dangerous in other times. My focus needs to be pleasing God and what God wants. Especially when it comes to church, many people have their own ideas on how the church should run. This is ok but we must remember that God is the one who leads and we must always listen to His voice and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This should be our main priority. Looking forward to the next six months with these guys and seeing how God moves in our churches.

Here is the video for all those that missed it yesterday. We talked about mental strongholds that can hold us captive. I believe that fear and worry can be huge mental strongholds in our lives. I hope you enjoy!

Today is Ethan's birthday! He is officially two years old today. Ethan loves music so naturally we got him a little guitar. I think Ethan is going to be our future worship leader. He loves music, especially the Wiggles. We will have a party for him on Sunday with the family so I'm sure there will be lots of presents. The picture we took here was when we were at the Omaha Zoo. Love the pic of the bear behind him. Pretty cool! Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Sunday Reflections

Sunday was a great day for us as a church as we had 147 in attendance! Praise God!!! The last few weeks we have seen several new faces and commitments to Christ. Yesterday we had many college students from Grinnell and their families. I guess it was parents week at the school. It was awesome to meet some the parents. We had people all the way from Washington to Connecticut. It is pretty cool to think that a church in a small town like Montezuma would have people from all over the United States in it. It is amazing to me how God continues to work in His church. The church is definitely an awesome thing to be a part of!