Go Gavin

This baby blesses my heart!! This is Gavin, our youth pastor's son. His momma put him up on the drum throne with the sticks and he was going to town! He's a sweet, happy little guy and gets tons of attention at church. Love that boy!

Easter 2009

It was a great day for Jesus at Union City First Assembly of God! We had a nice crowd of people with several visitors and a couple of people receiving Jesus into their hearts for the first time. We had 83 in the children's department! Our candy dash and giant bounce house were a big hit. All our plans and timing of events went off without a hitch, praise God! Pastor Justin did a fantastic job of preparing the hospitality teams. It was so great to have the whole church working together for the purpose of winning the lost.

I haven't gotten to listen to Pastor Tommy's message yet but I was told by many that it was super good....very anointed and inspiring. His sermon was titled "Resurrection Reunion." Can't wait to hear it. So can you if you go to our web site and link to iTunes and listen to the podcast. http://www.unioncityfirstag.com.

It was hard to watch the faces of my kids when they heard of the horrible things done to our beloved Savior. I didn't get too graphic as to upset them but even the things I did share obviously impacted their young hearts. I told them Easter is the saddest story ever told yet the happiest, too. From the arrest, trial, beatings, humiliations, and crucifiction to the resurrection in Glory. We serve a risen King!

I'll Always Remember This Day

April 10...a day that I will never forget. In fact, it was a Friday that marked this day 18 years ago. I can't believe it's been 18 years since my baby brother, Chad, was murdered. He would be 36 now.

Many of you know the story. He was a senior in high school, out with some buddies, minding his own business. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. A couple of guys, out looking for trouble, pulled into the parking lot where Chad and his friends stood talking. The driver kept trying to engage the boys in an argument. When they got closer to the car, the driver pulled out a gun and shot Chad in the chest. He bleed to death in just a few minutes. The guy was caught the next day, charged with 1st degree murder and is serving a life sentence which he received on his 21st birthday.

God taught me so many things through this horrible tragedy in our family: forgiveness, trusting God no matter what, importance of knowing if your family members know Christ, the way God will take an awful situation and turn it to bring Him glory, and much more.

Chad was an amazing kid. I miss him a lot. I was 12 when he was born and was a big part of his early childhood. So today, I'm choosing to remember all his funny ways, his quick smile and loving nature. Today, I'm going to be thankful for the 18 years we had with him, and how he impacted so many lives in such a short time. I'm going to praise God for the peace that passes all understanding. I'm going to pray that his murderer will come to know Jesus.

Here is the new backdrop! I'm lovin' it! Micaela, our logo designer and our resident artist, Charlie Boyd, did a great job. Thanks to Tim and George for filling in the unused windows and to Kayla, Judy and Randy for helping me to paint the wall and trim. The walls of the fellowship hall are the same "Pecan" color as the backdrop and so the logo really "pops."

Pastor Tommy and Pastor Justin added some more can lights today and got all the mushrooms and flashing color bars working the way they are supposed to so the lights are sweeeet! Easter is gonna ROCK!

The stage will look even better when it's set for service with all of our props. Gotta get some new table clothes in different colors....I'm thinking green and orange. What do you think?

Easter Excitement

I cannot believe that Easter is this weekend! Every week for the last two months in Building 2-52, we have been counting down til this big day and it's finally here. The church has been working hard to promote our services with a huge yard banner, beautiful business card invites, and a 1500 piece mailer to the surrounding neighborhoods. We are also advertising our kid's activities. Between the 8:30 and 10:30 services we will open the GIANT bounce house, and have a Candy Dash for ages 3 and under, 4 and 5 yr. olds, K-1st graders, 2nd-3rd graders and 4th and 5th graders. We have a special skit planned and some great praise and worship. Of course, the Easter message will be presented in a manner that kids can understand.

If you read this and live near Union City, I'd like to invite you to come and celebrate our "Resurrection Reunion" services. Pastor Tommy is super excited for the message God has inspired him with. Our nurseries, toddler church and Building 2-52 for Kindergartners-5th graders are all staffed and ready to welcome your kids. May the Lord bless every Easter celebration and may the Gospel be proclaimed with this victory over death!

Wacky Week

What a crazy week! Our staff went to Tennessee District Council on Monday. We got back from Murfreesburo yesterday and today I leave to go back that way for TSOM (Tennessee School of Ministry). Poor Randy has been alone most of the week. District Council was fun even though I didn't know many folks. I did get to connect with a few children's pastors that I hadn't met yet. We had a very fun breakfast meeting. It's interesting to me how Iowa and Tennessee children's pastors TOTALLY are the same wacky, creative thinking people. It must be a part of the cp DNA.

Murfreesburo reminded me of West Des Moines in appearance and vibe. That's where Pastor and Deana lived before they came to Union City. I got to meet many of their ministry friends.

I stayed at a brand new Embassy Suites because it's where we had Council. It was beautiful!! The service and breakfast were amazing. If you are traveling to Murfreesburo or Nashville, I highly recommend it. It is in an easy to access location and close to great restaurants and shopping.

I'm looking forward to TSOM today. One step closer to being licensed. There are five of us going together from our church. It's such a blessing that our church invests in those called to ministry by helping send them to TSOM. I'll get to meet some more peeps, too.