Coming Together (over 20 churches represented!!!)

This past Sunday night was an incredible night of Jesus-centered worship and gospel-centered missions.  Vision for the future was cast and the Lord was honored!  God revealed His Word and will

through Romans 10 where the Apostle Paul expresses his desire for people to cry out to the Lord for their salvation in response to hearing the good news of Jesus.

An offering was received for the purpose of missions.  100% of the funds given will go to advance the gospel (one family and community at a time).  We met a widow during this past trip.  Her young husband died this past summer.  They have little income and their home needs to be finished.  We are planning to complete her home during our next trip.  Over $4,000 was given to finish her home and spread the gospel!

If you would like to make a donation toward mission work in the D.R., go to http://www.advancecommunitychurch.org/#/give.  There is a place for making a "note".  100% of your gift will go to the cause of Christ.

It was amazing experience to worship with people from over 20 congregations (including 6 pastors)!  There were also people who came out on Sunday night who don't have a relationship with Jesus.  They heard the truth of Jesus and were challenged to repent and follow Him.  After the service, over 75 people enjoyed fellowship and food from our local Max n Erma's.

We now pray more churches will come together in unity for the sake of the Kingdom in the weeks, months, and years to come!  If you would like to see some pictures from the night, go to http://www.advancecommunitychurch.org/#/media/pictures.

On Mission in the Carribean

A few weeks ago, I arrived back in the states after another amazing trip to the Dominican Republic.

It was my 10th mission trip to this nation I have come to love.  The country, weather, culture, and food aren't the draw, it's the people - the people from the states who make the journey with me and the people who call the DR their home.  We serve in some of the poorest regions of the country.  Yet, I don't really notice their economic status anymore.  I notice their joy and affection for family and Jesus.  There is nothing like a Dominican greeting after being away for several months!  One of our sponsor children ran across the courtyard and jumped into my arms when she saw me.  It was a special moment.

I am beyond excited to lead another team to the Dominican Republic in June.  There will be a total of 34 people on the next trip.  Of whom, about twenty-five of them will be brand new to international missions.  We have witnessed God do amazing things on previous trips in many souls!  We are now praying for Him to reveal His faithfulness and power as we prepare to go.

To see some pictures from the past trip, go to http://www.advancecommunitychurch.org/#/media/pictures.

Friendship & Marriage

I spent considerable time reading articles located at www.theresurgence.com website over the
weekend.  If you are unfamiliar with its content, it is a site dedicated to providing insight for those looking for straightforward answers regarding faith and practice from a biblical perspective.

One particular article stressed the importance of friendship in marriage.  The title of the article is: "The #1 Thing We'd Have Changed in Our Marriage".  I am grateful Heather and I have grown in our friendship over our 12+ years of marriage.  I think it's a good thing to consistently hunger to know each other more as time goes by.  We committed our lives to each other saying before friends and family, "until death do we part".  I long to know her more and more as the years pass by!

Here's a sample from the article mentioned above...

The importance of friendship in marriage relates in some way to everyone, whether married or not:

Single person who is dating: Are you building a genuine, godly friendship, or are you allowing something like sex get in the way of establishing a firm foundation in your relationship?

Engaged couple: Are you truly committed to always seeking to be better friends to one another, and helping one another to do this in encouraging and not criticizing ways?

Married couples: Is your friendship growing, or have you allowed bitterness, distractions, duties, chores, tasks, kids, work, responsibilities, and/or extended family to contribute weeds that have led to the withering of your friendship?"