Minister's Blog

Summer is Here and We Need Prayer!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” (KJV). Summer seems to be the time and season for some intense ministry here at Emmanuel! Our Summer campers are filling the gym and Family Life Center with laughter and excitement, our Sunday night Summer Livestreams are set to begin, Bro. Shadd and our students are getting ready to head to New Orleans for Mission Lab, Vacation Bible School teachers and workers are busy preparing, and our Canada mission team is prepping. We need your prayers! I want to give you some prayer points for the crazy month ahead:
Emmanuel Summer Camp: The Summer Camp is a service offered through our preschool. It offers parents of elementary age children a safe, fun, Christian environment for their children to enjoy through the Summer. This program stretches through the entire summer break. How to Pray: 1. Pray for the safety of the children. They will be going to many activities off campus and will be playing many active games on campus. 2. Pray for the teachers. Some of these are permanent preschool employees, but some are college students hired for the Summer. Pray they will share the Bible lessons clearly and effectively, and they will have patience as they supervise the kids. 3. Pray for the campers. This may just be seen as “daycare” for some working parents, but please pray it will be much more. Pray seeds of the Gospel will be planted that will grow to maturity!
Sunday Night Summer Livestreams: This summer we will be livestreaming discussions on The Pilgrim’s Progress on Sunday nights at 7:00pm on our Emmanuel Facebook and YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ebcruston
). We will begin on May 31, and our last livestream will be on August 16 (Lord willing). The Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory that depicts the struggles of the Christian life along with the joy of God’s safe keeping. How to Pray: 1. Pray folks will read the book prayerfully and be encouraged in their faith. 2. Pray lost people or disconnected believers will watch and moved to seek Christ. 3. Pray all that is said and discussed will glorify God and be edifying to the body of Christ.
Vacation Bible School (June 8-12): Vacation Bible School has one overarching goal, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with children. The children who attend will hear the Gospel in their Bible study classes, and have it reinforced through their daily crafts, songs, recreation, missions, and even snacks! How to Pray: 1. Pray children will come. We advertise through social media and church bulletins, but nothing beats a personal invitation. 2. Pray for patience and peace, patience for the workers and teachers and peace within the age divisions. We don’t want anything to distract from the scriptural truth shared. 3. Pray the Gospel will be shared fully and reinforced. Pray the children will have ears to hear and hearts open to the Gospel. Pray for the Spirit to bring conviction of sin and righteousness.
Mission Canada (June 16-23): We are looking forward to the week working with Nathan and Emily Taylor the Cornerstone church plant in Okotoks. Lydia Watts will be heading there for six weeks to serve as a summer intern. How to Pray: 1. Pray for fruitfulness, opportunities to actually share the Gospel with folks in a very secular culture. 2 Pray for safe travel and smooth airline connections. 3. Pray for each member of the team, their spiritual preparations, patience and boldness to share. 4. Pray we will be an encouragement to Nathan and Emily and the church members we will be assisting!