Reflections

A brief blog about the past 2 years...

Let me just say that I am blown away at the power that God has the ability to display through willing vessels for His Kingdoms Work! Its been awhile since Ive got in detail about the specifics that God is doing in my life and in the life of the church Hes called me to plant. In this blog I will share the more personal things that I see and go through as I strive to follow God in His establishing this church.

Right now God is still in the process of answering a prayer I submitted to Him about a year ago. My prayer was perhaps strange to some and it went like this, "God I thank you for the harvest You've given me but I need help!" The dynamic of Grace Baptist Fellowship in our first year in operation consisted of unchurched, lost, outta churchers, and people of other denominations. The first year in my ministry consisted of reaching people for Jesus (the gospel). The problem is there was just one of me and so many that God was sending me. I realized that in and amongst myself it would take me years to disciple the people that God had given me (no disrespect to anyone, discipleship is a process for all.) It took Jesus about 3 and a half years to teach His disciples His Will for their lives and Im NO JESUS!) About this time I found out that a good sound bible teaching church in the area was having some internal problems (by the way THERE IS NO PERFECT CHURCH and Grace isnt perfect!) As a result we had started to have some visitors that were very strong in their foundation in Gods Word and had a very close personal relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives. At first I must admit I got scared! We had at least 8 new families coming out to Grace and they were churched and were looking for a place to serve God. This seemed to good to be true but why? Gods Word is clear on how God works! Was it so strange that God had heard my request and even answered it? YES YES YES! In the past 8 months I have had the privilege of sitting down with over 15 churched familes looking for a place that is relevantly teaching and preaching the Word of God (YES EVEN UP HERE IN THE NORTH!!!) This has been a very intense but rewarding experience for me. With each family Chrissy and I have to sit down and go over what it is we believe and are doing in the church that God has called us to plant. Now I have said alot about the new and everyone of our newer familes at Grace are God Sends!!!

Now to focus on our veterans! From the very beginning of our church planting experience Gods Word and His Spirit affected the lives of some very important people in our stage of the game. (I know the work of the Lord is no game excuse my analogy) I even began to see future leaders in our church! I saw people who before didnt even think about going to church or opening up about the realities and pains of life. I saw people establishing relationship with Jesus Christ and trying to really figure out what life was all about as one of Gods children (by the way this was such an exciting time in my ministry, its where the rubber meets the road!)

One thing I found out quick here is that in a new church plant you cant preach or even talk the same way as you would in a church that I was used to pastoring. No one understands church lingo in AR up in NJ

What I had to focus on was the milk and the foundations of Gods Word (this too was a very exciting time in my ministry and still is today!) What I saw and continue to see is this, "Gods Word is POWERFUL and His Spirit is alive and well!" Through willing vessels of His, God is slowly but surly building His church! I am excited about this new season here at Grace! God is developing new ministries and using more people for His honor and glory! Im praying that the Word of God will lead the people of God to do what God has called us to do! Im praying that God will establish a self supporting church right here in NJ but it takes time...

Numbers...

Numbers are beginning to become a very discouraging thing. What I mean is this, "Im a numbers guy." I believe numbers are important because every body represents a soul. One thing I can say here at Grace is that numbers have been good from the very beginning. We started with 6 people and lost 3 of them early. We have seen slow and steady growth month by month since the very start. Whats the secret? Getting around people! Churchplanter, pastor, staff member you cant affect people if your shut inside the four walls of the office forever! In my first year I went out everyday and pretty much (eves dropped) on other peoples conversations looking for chances to politely slip on into the conversation (I know Im weird!) I believe that if we as Gods children are faithful in looking for opportunities to share of faith then God will bless our efforts even if its not with seeds that weve planted in specific people. I have shared God with people who have walked away and I still havent seen or heard from them even to this day but I have also seen people just come out to church and theres no rhyme or reason (its just GOD). If you make an attempt God will bless your efforts! Over the past six months our numbers have been extremely HIGH 80s 90s and 100s (Praise God because its Him doing it). One thing I want to say about church planting in New Jersey is this. Its going to take more then 2 and a half years to have a Self Supporting church here (or maybe its me of little faith). While pastoring in AR I noticed that I was right in the middle of the Bible Belt. There was a church of every kind for anybody. It was like WOW! Look at all these churches and people who are in the church! In our work we have LOTS of churches (not to many MEGA churches but there are ALOT of our churches in AR) I have seen churches of 25 people able to support a full time pastor. In fact its highly unlikely to see one of our sister churches in AR not self supporting if their running 100 people consistently. Let me say this, You cannot base our numbers (up here) with an established church in AR. Most of the people in churches of our Association are well educated in the Word and Praise God for bible preaching pastors! Most of our churches have been established for years even decades and have focused on discipling the people of God! When you see a person won to the Lord its not very often that the first thing they think of giving up is their MONEY. Their still trying to embrace the decision they have made to follow Jesus and to learn the very basics of His Word. In the past 3 months we have lost 2 churches because of numbers. Does this scare me? YES! Does God have everything in His control YES! Right now we are in a season of DISCIPLESHIP @ Grace. Please pray that God will continue to develop and equip us as a church.

Wow that was alot of typing I think Im done for today : )

Back to Bloggin

Beginning tomorrow!

Im thinking about starting up the blog again

Im think about starting up this blog again anyone still out there?

WOW I FORGOT ABOUT THE BLOG

Just checkin to see whose still bloggin. I guess everyone but me.

FACE BOOK

My wife set me up on Face Book so I am more on that than my Blog now.

Baptism's in extremely COLD Water!

We baptized 2 today but the heating element is out in our pool. IT WAS COLD!! It was all good though! We had 53 in attendance this morning. All of the media equipment is up and running and it was very helpful to us this morning! I came down with a stomach bug last night and was up most of the night but God allowed me to get a sermon out this morning. After services I went home and crashed for 4 hours. Things are going extremely well and all I can do is Thank God for it! I really enjoyed having the guys (and girl) from City reach out this past week. The fellowship was awesome and very much encouraging! Looking forward to going to WAPA next year to check it out! Hope all is well with all of you in the blog world.

Handing out flyers today

I handed out 5 flyers today to 5 different stores. Taking it easy getting ready for Swedesboro Day tom. Our Church will be handing our free waters with a flyer about who we are and what we are about. Please pray that God would bless our efforts.

Home Sweet, Home!

I arrived back home last night. I started out good this morning with a nice big bowl of Oatmeal (with no butter). I had a cup (only 1) of coffee. And I feel pretty good. My heart test was good and so they really don't know why the stroke happened. I guess it might have been God trying to get my attention to slow down. Thanks to everyone who called, prayed and thought of me while I was locked up in the hospital. I am not preaching this Sunday but I guess it will be good for me to take a break. Thanks again! Hollar at a brother!

A Thelamic Stroke is the diagnosis

No clugged artiers in my neck but it was a stroke. They are keeping me longer to do tests on my heart. PLEASE PRAY GOD GETS ME OUTTA THIS PLACE! IM GOING NUTS!!!!!!!

UPDATE ON THE OLD MAN KEIFS

Well I am still sitting in the hospital. The good news is that I have my computer and the hospitals internet and my wife gave me my cell phone back. I had a test done on my carotid arteries today and the test says that I do have blockage. The Dr doesn't think that it is right so tom I am having another more detailed test done. If it shows the same result than I guess I will be having surgery (The roto rotor thinger). If the test come back clean than I can go home tom. Anyway I feel fine and I have been able to relax anyway. Love yall!

AWESOME SUNDAY, but A CRAZY MONDAY!

Well we had 4o somthing in services on Sunday with one Baptism. The work on the building is about done, our sign got put up Sat. Sat, Chrissy, and a few other church peoples planted about 30 mums outside the building and it looks awesome! I took pics and was planning on posting them today but I had a bit of trouble. I was at the coffee shop and I had to be taken to the hospital (where I sit now). I guess I had some kind of mild stroke or somthing. Details are still being looked into. All I know was that it wa scary. I work out everyday and try to stay fit, but I guess nothing can prepare you for the downfalls of stress and over-zerting yourself. I had planned on taking a vacation with my wife and daughter upon our arrival to Jersey but just blew it off. I guess it is about time to get away for a few days to unwind and spend some time with the fam. Its hard with me, I know that God is in control of everything, I know I shouldn't worry about stuff that I cant change. I go to God but just need to learn how to leave it with God and let go. Please pray for me. I am a worry wart to with a captital W. Those who know me or have even hung out with me for 5 min know this. The doctor told me maybe I should find another line of work. I laughed! I would never ever leave the ministry that God has called me too! I just need to learn a few more things about ministry right now. 

1.  Don't fret over things that really dont matter.

2. Cut down on the espressos and drink weaker coffee and less of it. MAN THATS GONNA BE HARD!

3. Allow the peace of God to fill me and control every part of my life NO MATTER what the situation, circumstance, problem, person, or anything else that fits in that space.

4. Thank God for friends who love me and lift me up when I am down!!!!THANKS GUYS!!!!

My Little BIG GIRL

Ella Blair started pre school this week as well as dance class. Shes sooooo cute.

AN AWESOME WEEK IN WV

Man I had a great time at this years pastors retreat in WV! I wasn't going to go because of all the things going on at the church, but Nathan Rogers and Aaron Johnson encouraged me to just get away for a time spiritual refreshment and man was it! I heard some wonderful messages, in fact every single one spoke to my heart! I got to camp out with Russ, Aaron, and Nathan the night before the conference and it was a blast! A bunch of us took a hike up a mountain and needless to say my cardio isn't what it probably should be. (Russ and AJ are cardio experts) Nathan and I were sweaty and winded, but if it were a weight lifting comp (NAthan and I would have taken the cake) I am going to post some pics tom. Services were awesome. We had 34 in attendance and 2 first time visitors! This evening a bunch of us spent time cleaning the downstairs and it looks awesome. (PICS ARE ON THE WAY). I am ready for the week! Restored and pumped! Hope everyone is doing well!

Good Sunday

We had 33 in attendance with 3 first time visitors. I am very happy that God was in control, cause I certainly was not! I got a cal from Chrissy at 1030. She told me Ella Blair had burned her hand on the iron. I rushed home to help with bandages, and Chrissy had to stay home with Ella Blair. It was just Glen and I leading worship and I was a wreck. Glenn offered up some encouraging words and we made it through and everyone said the music was great. THANKS GOD! Ella Blair is doing good. Brother Chuck Fernandez did an excellent job. We took up a love offering for him and he was headed to INWOOD this afternoon. We also had someone commit to come out to our midweek home group! People are diggin deeper! Hope all is well, I really missed being in the pulpit.

Guest Speaker this Sunday

I completely forgot that I am not preaching this Sunday. Oh well Ive got my message ready for next week. Brother Chuck Fernendaz (Missionary to Africa) will be with us Sunday morning. I met this brother while doing deputation. I beleive God is going to great things through him. The building is coming along very well. We just ordered all of our new media equipment (NOT CHEAP) we spent 10 gran! I am so excited that our building is beginning to look ALIVE again. I spent the day cutting 10 acres of grass with the new mower we just purchased. The property looks great. I continue to see the community stop and stare as they drive by to try and get a glimpse of what is going on. Our new sign should be ready in about two weeks and Robbie Myers (Cave City) is working on our flyers and posters for the community. We will start door knocking in about 3 weeks. Hope all is well with everyone! 

GOING TO A PHILLIES GAME

Well Sat I will be going to the Phillies / Dodgers game. Glen (One of our worship leaders) got some tickets and asked me to come along. I am very excited! The work is going well on the building. As of today the sanctuary is about finished, and the outside work is on going. We had a good teen group out tonight, about 20. Hope everyone is doing well. 

THEYRE HERE!

I arrived at the church this morning at about 7:30am to find the painters busy at it (in the sanctuary) and also the exterior guys starting to put up our new siding! I am so excited to see how things are going to turn out! Ill take some pics as the work continues and post them. Im gonna go work on my student lesson for tonight, LATER

Still waiting on the Construction Workers to Get started

Hurry up and wait! I thought the outside construction was going to start today but, well they say tom... We'll see. Painters will start tom. I spent most of the morning cleaning out the rest of the rooms downstairs. I finally got rid of the last bit of "junk". But something was different today and that was the fact that I had help! A couple from our church came out and helped Chrissy, Ella Blair and I!!! I got my sermon finished up for Sunday, CANT WAIT TO PREACH! I have to meet the carpet guy at 9 tom to give him the deposit for the work he will start after the painters are finished. I had an awesome meatball sandwich for dinner tonight! MMMMM gotta love them Jersey sandwiches. 

SIT DOWNS WITH PEOPLE

I had the chance to sit down and talk to an awesome couple whose son I baptized last month. I was able to talk to them about their faith and let them know exactly what Grace Baptist was all about. Please pray for the seed that was planted into this families life. I also am having lunch today with another one of our teens father. Please pray about this appointment as well. I am trying to plant seeds and I am praying that God will bless these seeds. Hope everyone has a good day! Also our new church sign is being constructed and the building will start going thru its "face lift" the end of this week. We will be...

 - Painting the entire inside of the building

 - Getting new siding on the exterior

 - New lighting in the sanctuary

 - New carpet thru out the downstairs

 - Having some minor construction done in various places in and around the building

The purpose is to allow Gods House to reflect the True Beauty of who God is, If that is at all possible.

Good Sunday and a Good Huddle

We had 30 in services this morning. Attendance is hanging on in the low to upper 30s. We did have a first time visitor. Yesterday we had a Huddle to discuss our official first OUTREACH attempt that will be help this Fall called Community Day. Plans are being made to let the community know who we are and what we are about.