Minister's Blog

VBS Report and Thank You
Summer is a great time in the life of Emmanuel Baptist Church! While we may feel a little scattered in some areas because so many are taking vacations, there are ministry opportunities that are particular to this time of the year. Vacation Bible school is an effort we all look forward to each year. There is no other week on the church calendar that requires more preparation, people, or prayers. This year’s VBS went as well as any I have been apart of. I believe this was due to all of those preparations, people, and prayers. I am so thankful for Christina’s leadership in organizing and planning VBS this year. She is so gifted in those areas and the Lord really used her. So many of our members helped in one way or another, whether it was building decorations, pouring Kool aide, helping move kids, serving as crossing guards, teaching classes, leading songs, doing crafts, or cleaning. There were over sixty adults that pitched in and helped in one way or another. There were no insignificant roles. Like the larger Body of Christ each member had a role, and I thank you for your willingness to do your part. Prayers are hard to quantify, but I know many were praying. We saw the fruit of your prayers in the joy and behavior of the kids (there was not a single major behavior issue), attentiveness and receptivity to the Bible lessons, and the way kids and adults got along and worked so well together. God was certainly magnified through VBS this year. We had 84 k-6th graders in attendance on our largest day, and all of the children heard, sang, and learned Bible truths each day.
Upcoming Efforts/Prayer Requests
Mission Canada, July 4-12: A group from Emmanuel will be leaving on July 4th to serve a week on Mission in Alberta, Canada. We will be assisting Southwinds Church with an intense week of outreach. The team will be helping them facilitate a community pancake breakfast, gospel t-ball camp, block party, and working at a local camp. It is going to be a taxing, intense week of ministry. I would ask you to lift this group up in prayer. Please pray for our flights to be on time. Pray for the team to have the energy we need to complete all of the tasks on our schedule. Pray for the unity of the team as we work together. Most importantly, pray that we will be faithful to share the gospel clearly and effectively.
Tall Timbers Children’s Mission Camp, July 21-24: We have a great group of kids and adults signed up for mission camp. Please lift up both the kids and adults before the Lord in prayer. God does amazing things in the lives of kids at camp. Please pray the Lord will keep us all safe and help us get sleep. Pray the kids would have a great time and the gospel would be taught clearly. Pray the kids would embrace the gospel’s clear implication to surrender their lives to Christ.
Revival with Dr. David Allen, August 10-13: You will be hearing more about our revival and Dr. Allen in the weeks to come. Please pray the Lord will prepare our church for this series of protracted meetings. Pray our hearts would be stirred to identify areas of our lives that need to more fully consecrated to God. Pray we will be stirred to witness more boldly and to serve with greater joy. Pray for the Lord to show you (and others) your (their) sin, and He will give you (them) the will necessary to truly mortify that sin in the power of the Spirit. I’m looking forward to a great time of refreshment and encouragement.