Junior Boys Camp

Second post in two days, I know that you are shocked! But this is the first time in about two week that I have had time to sit down and actually blog.

This past week I had the privilege to serve at Junior Boys Camp at the IRBC. I use the word privilege on purpose, it has been a few years since I got to be at Jr. Boys and now we have some guys in our church who are old enough to go so I was able to attend as their counselor. The guys from our church were Issiah, Devion and Daniel. Junior boy are guys from 3rd to 6th grade, these guys are full of energy and love any challenge the camp can throw at them.

As usual, camp was a blast with the 40 foot climbing wall and zip line, bumper boats, swimming pool, jumbo dog tube rides and a very special pontoon boat ride on Clear Lake. Aaron Hart and his wife Anna are the activities directors this summer and they did a great job. Every game we played was a success!

While we always have fun at camp the most important thing we do is our Chapel times. This year we had some great speakers. Our missionary speaker were Andy and Elizabeth Smith with CBM Church Builders and Andy talked to us about building our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. Liz brought a missionary story every day and told us about missionaries that were sold out for God and wanted nothing more than to serve God.

Our evening speaker was Pastor Garry Moore. Pastor Moore spoke to us from the book of First John and did a wonderful job rightly dividing the Word for these boys and their counselors. There were a great number of decisions made this week to the glory of God and I'm thankful to have bee a part of such a great work.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Special Camp 2008

I know that is has been a bit since my last post but I got to tell you we've been tremendously busy!

June 9-13 was Special Camp 2008 at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. What to say...great counselors, almost 80 camper,incredible food, and for the most part good weather.

You will never know how thankful I am for those who come and give of their time to counsel at this week of camp. Nearly 80 campers with varying degrees of challenges and a support staff that is truly second to none. I'm not saying that to be falsely humble but to try to communicate that I'm so greatful to those who are able to do this incredible difficult yet rewarding job.

Thank you for another spectacular year!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Date Night

Friday, Lynn and I along with our friends the Nichols and Kamberger's to a little time for a date night.

The 6 of us headed off to the Cedar Falls Bible Conference Grounds to see the Southern Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. I received free tickets in the mail and so it was time for a road trip! Tom drove and we all had a wonderful evening.

The music was great! Their bass was incredible as well as their high tenor. Their piano player was very good as well and Never had a formal lesson in his life. He played one of my favorites "In My Heart There Ring A Melody". The key board was smoking when he finished - the audience gave him a standing O. The video link is not all that great but the sound is very good.

Following the concert we found our way to Famous Dave's and got our rib racks on! We ate like Kings!

Good music, Good Food and Great Friends - What a great night out!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Lot's Going On!

Been a while since I posted so I thought I would get a bit caught up.

Just before our 25th anniversary, I had the opportunity to speak at the Father/Son Retreat at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. It was a great weekend! The program guy, Aaron, was hoping and praying for 40 guys to show up and God blessed and the final tally was 110!

I spoke and both Daniel and Philip shared their testimonies. That was the very first time that all three of us ministered together in that fashion. I was a very proud Papa.

Following the Father/Son Retreat we held Philip's graduation reception at the house, which was very well attended. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Good food as well!

Sunday May 18th was graduation day for Philip. Everything went off without a hitch.

May 23-25 we had the privilege of hosting Jason Nightingale at our church for an extended weekend of ministry. Jason is with Wordsower International, and among other things is speaking the Word of God in the Church across the United States.

While at Clear Lake this past weekend, He spoke Romans on Friday, 1 Corinthians on Saturday, Ephesians on Sunday morning and the Book of Hebrews on Sunday evening. It was an incredible time in God's Word! I'm so thankful for Jason's ministry and friendship.

While Jason was here he shared about his international ministry of caring for widows and orphans in Africa and India. God was working and two of our young ladies are contemplating a possible short term missionary trip to India in the future. How awesome it is to see God working in the lives of His people!

Waiting to see what God will do next!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

25 Incredible Years And Counting

Lynn and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on the 21st of May.

What an incredible moment for us, it is hard to believe that we've been married that long but as Lynn reminded me we have actually known each other for 30 years.

Lots of ups and downs but God's grace is sufficient and truly love does cover a multitude of sins.

Let me take this moment to say thank you to Lynn for being my wife. There is no way I would be the man that I am without her beside me. She is my best friend and I love her more today that ever! I thank God for her everyday!

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

I Remain,
Pastor Steve