Archive for the ‘ Church ’ Category

Pray: Youth Evangelism Training Camp

This first week of June, I am taking some of my youth to an evangelism training camp.

Please pray for clarity and focus, a desire to grow in Christ, some fun, and to leave with a boldness to share the Gospel.

Our wonderful congregation even made it so that no one had to pay their own way to go! Praise God for that.

~Daniel

This Sunday at Church: Recalling God’s Mercy in your life

For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Recalling God’s Mercy in your life.

This Sunday at Church: Recalling God’s Mercy in your life

VerseD: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7, CSB

We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we can show love, compassion, and grace toward how others give to and worship God.

VerseD: 1 Timothy 4:8

For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8, CSB

We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we serve by growing in godliness and the Word individually and as the Church, helping each other grow in love and Christ-likeness.

VerseD: Galatians 4:7

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 4:7, ESV

We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, so we are called to serve the world in the same sacrificial manner, yet we also are called to eternal life and joy in Him.

A Next Gen Moment

This is a call … with a story …

This past Sunday was our promotion Sunday, celebrating our graduating high school seniors.

Only two were present, but that made it more special.

Why?

In 2018, I was given the privilege of starting the youth group for our congregation. I started with only three students – a 7th-grader (the pastor’s oldest son) and two 6th-graders. Last year, that old 7th-grader graduated and is now working toward becoming a pastor through Grand Canyon University’s Barnabas program (which started in 2020 with only 4 students!)

Those two 6th-graders were the two we got to call forward and pray for this weekend.

I was fine during all the preparations. I was tired and mildly stressed due to many volunteers calling in sick or injured and my being the one to make sure all of our Sunday prep was done.

As I walked up to the front to call them forward, it slammed into me:

The last of my founding students were graduating.

I started crying as I took the mic.

The older of the two (by two days) is taking at least a year before college for engineering, because, due to his love for Minecraft, he has already been working for a year with landscape designers. He will also help out with the youth group while here.

The other took some trade school classes as he finished his senior year, and, two weeks earlier, he became certified in autobody work. He wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps to help people by doing something he loves. (His dad runs a local portion of a motorcycle ministry in our area, reaching the rough crowd and helping any in need.)

So, here is the standard call:

Pray for this generation entering the “grown-up world.”

Things are a little crazy. I work in a university setting, and I see what most 18-19-year-olds are facing academically and socially. They need all the prayer they can get!

This Sunday at Church: Ask a member what is their favorite Psalms

This Sunday at Church: Ask a member what is their favorite Psalms.

This Sunday at Church: Ask a member what is their favorite Psalms

VerseD: Matthew 25:34

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'”

Matthew 25:34, NIV

The Holy Spirit guides us to the Kingdom of God, points us to Jesus, and gives us the hope of eternity.

This Sunday at Church: Get someone a book on how to interpret the Bible

This is something I and our pastor have done many times over the years. I already planned on doing it for a few people very soon. It’s always good to learn how to read the Bible better!

Daniel

This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following:Get someone a book on how to interpret the Bible.

This Sunday at Church: Get someone a book on how to interpret the Bible

This Sunday: Talk to missionaries your Church support if they are in town

We just sent out our missionaries, but they greatly enjoy receiving communication from their home church. Missionaries can use home support and encouragement, whether abroad or at home.

Daniel

This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Talk to missionaries your Church support if they are in town.

This Sunday: Talk to missionaries your Church support if they are in town