e-news for week of 4/12/09- 4/18/09

As much as I prefer to look forward – I want to highlight some of the great things that have gone on over the past month:

• Our mission team organized a short term trip to the Show-Me Youth home that was just outstanding. We thank Max Sell and his team for putting this together.

• Our weekend attendance for Easter was outstanding. Right around 1,000 for Easter with over 300 attending the Good Friday service.

• We’ve baptized a lot of people here lately and many have recently joined Forum as well.

• As a ministry, fiscally speaking we are doing overall well. We’ve got a great financial team who do a great job. Recently one of the new deacons came on board to help the established team and at the elders meeting reported he’s never seen such meticulous books and proactive approach to church finances. He said, “I’m thrilled to be part of such a well run ministry.” Friends, I know I don’t talk about this type of stuff very much because I want us to perpetually keep Jesus at the center of the ministry. God honors those who honor Him and while I am aware that these types of stats are an encouragement to the church body – I don’t ever want these types of things to be the primary focal points within our church.

• Recently new carpet and tile was installed in a lot of the east end of the building. A HUGE thanks to our deacons for putting in a lot of extra time to help facilitate that. And for the huge amount of you who turned out to help on the work day – thank you. I had one very new person within the ministry tell me he’d not ever seen that type of commitment and work from any church he’d ever been part of. He asked me if that was “normal.” I was so please to be able to say wholeheartedly, “Yes, this church body loves to serve God.”

• One of our church members called me Tuesday night just to tell me about how thrilled he was as he came into the building and saw the guys who were there to play basketball huddled around the Bible doing a study. As a church, we strive to intentionally connect people to Jesus.

• Some of you are shining your light and love for Christ in ways that is so evident – in your businesses, in your day to day relationships, and around town. It shows.

• I want to continue to uplift and encourage those who are doing so much for both campuses – loading, setting up, serving, leading worship, serving with our children, etc. Friends, we’ve got people all over the country rooting and praying for us to advance the kingdom. I feel the Lord has put us in position to have a greater impact to intentionally connect people to Jesus.

• May 3 at 5:00 p.m. is our next Pizza with the Pastors. We will meet at South Campus in Room 104/106. If you are new to Forum, this will be a great time to get to know us and ask any questions you might have.

• Katelyn and Jessie are working on an awesome Vacation Bible School program that will be June 9 – 12 from 6:15 – 8:30 each evening and will be held at our South Campus. The theme for the week is Worship Is… This event is for 4 year olds – 5th graders but we want the entire family to be involved. Please give Katelyn or Jessie a call if you can help out.

This weekend we’ll continue in the “Mythbusters” series talking about Creation. Are you here by random chance or was there a Designer? I’m thrilled about this message because I hope you’ll be able to see yourself, the world, and the universe through eyes of wonder. Whether you’re at the North or the South Campus – you’ll walk away encouraged. — Scott