The team reports their plans might have to change for this week.  Due to the abundance of rain (lot more than normal), several roads are flooded.  They are readjusting to other projects this week.  God is still going to get the glory during this week.

Please pray for our team!!

Mission Team: Bro. Morgan Bailey, David Foreman, Mike Dunn, Diana Hawk, Shamblin Griffice, Ronald McCrary & Betty McCrary!

John 16:24

On Sunday School Sunday we were challenged by Jesus’ Model to multiply our classes. Remember that the Lord spent three years preparing the disciples for the time He would send them out to change their world. Effectively Christ was multiplying His small group by twelve! If we’re to double the joy we experience sometime in the coming year we need to be deliberate. Let me suggest a few tried and true steps.

Decide – the Shepherd must lead the class to commit.

Date it – choose a date to work towards multiplying.

Disciple – enlist an apprentice and prepare them.             

Do it! – multiply your joy and celebrate the birth!

Healthy classes that birth new units see themselves in the mirror in one year to 18 months. Twice as many folks experiencing the blessings you enjoy today.

We launched our Season of Discovery this past Sunday evening. How rewarding it is to see so many gathering to discover their unique giftedness and place in the Body of Christ. There’s still time for you and your class to join us this Sunday evening. I’m praying you will commit to three Sunday’s to discover how the Father has uniquely wired you and the fulfillment that awaits as you plug in His Body.

Please pray for our Summer/Fall TOUCH Training Camp. We’re encouraged by the good turnout. Your intercession is critical for each of our teams. Please pray for that the Lord of the harvest will lead us to the homes we need to visit and for the relationships that will be forged over the next seven weeks.

Don’t forget to take the opportunity during August to encourage Bro Jeff, Kristie and their precious family. It has been a real joy to have the Stith’s to be an integral part of our team. Share your appreciation through a card or gift.

Finally I want to mention a few things from this past Sunday. Despite all the distractions God showed up in a marvelous way! How we rejoice in the increased attendance and the wonderful harvest the Spirit is bringing. I hope you’ll take to heart the challenge God gave us Sunday to invest in an unchurched neighbor or friend this coming year. Only heaven will be able to record the results if we’re intentional with our evangelism.

Remember to contact absentees weekly!

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

You may hear that Bro. Morgan experienced a set back last night after services. He did go to the doctor’s office today and found that this is normal for what he’s going through. The doctor sent him home with medication that should help deplete the symptoms he was having. Please continue to keep him and Mrs. Ritta in your prayers. Our God is an awesome God. He reigns and is still in control.

Words cannot express our appreciation for the incredible outpouring of support and prayers on our behalf. Truly my family and I remain humbled and grateful. Apparently the Father is expanding the canvas for a portrait of His Grace in my life. We didn’t hear the report we hoped for but we’re confident God is still at work. The good news is that the cancer remains contained in the liver and the spots we found on our last visit haven’t grown. However, the scan revealed three more new spots. They all remain small at this time one centimeter or less. This development changes the strategy somewhat. We still will get our quarterly cat scans, the next on October 14th. If we don’t find many more spots in subsequent scans we’ll consider surgery with oblasion (sp). Chemo theropy is still not an immediate option since these tumors don’t typically respond well to chemo. We’ll try to keep the blog updated with any news. Please continue to pray. We’re resting in God’s will but remain confident that nothing is too hard for Him.

Grateful for Grace,

Bro Morgan

2 Corinthians 2:14

“We shall all be changed - in moment,

In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

This past Sunday was an exhilarating beginning to new Sermon Series – When the Last Trumpet Sounds! I’m looking forward to sharing insight from God’s Word each Sunday concerning the major themes of the end times. This past Sunday we explored the jubilant exodus of the church in the rapture. This Sunday we’ll discuss the Judgment Seat of Christ – Cause for Concern. Messages on Last Things is a topic that peaks the interest of the unchurched. Let’s seize the opportunity to invite them!

It’s hard to believe but our new church year is fast approaching! Our Shepherd (SS teacher) enlistment is in full swing. Please be in prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead us to those with a passion for shepherding members of all ages. Our annual equipping for all teachers and workers is Sunday August 1^st. Planning for this special day takes the better part of a year. Please make your plans to be in attendance now.

Daily our headlines are full of unsettling stories from every sphere of life. You can choose from a litany of subjects ranging from our government, environment, economy and the war on terror. People are uncertain about the future! Well we have the answer – His Name is Jesus! Sunday, July 25^th is our next TOUCH Commitment Sunday. I’m praying (as I do every training camp) that every class will be represented. I hope the Lord of the Harvest can count on you and your class.

Let’s remember to contact absentees weekly,

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid (hinder) them; for such is the kingdom of God”

Matthew 19:14

All the preparation, prayer, perspiration and participation for VBS paid off in huge Kingdom dividends! Too God be the glory! I want to take this opportunity again to thank our 90+ workers and our leadership team led by director Angela Price and Bro Russ. Many of our workers took vacations to be able to work in VBS! The sacrifice of our Faith Family continues to move the heart of this pastor. Probably over 140 children participated in Saddle Ridge Ranch. They collected nearly $500 for missions (given to the Cooperative Program). Our Family Night with horse whisperer Chance Hill was a huge success with over 300 in attendance. Most importantly we witnessed twelve children have their lives transformed through VBS! Only heaven will be able to record the harvest that will come through all the seeds planted this past week. Let me remind us that the work is not over. It’s time now to cultivate relationships with those unchurched families that God has introduced us to.

This year July the 4^th falls on Sunday and we have an incredible Faith and Freedom celebration planned. Our choir has prepared a patriotic musical that will move all of us. Mae has been compiling for months a pictorial program to honor our veterans. As always we’ll have a time in our services to honor veterans that are in attendance. God’s given me a message that will stir our hearts. You’ll not want to miss Jeff’s special. I hope you’ll make plans to be in church and invite as many folks as possible to join you for this God and Country service.

This Sunday evening at 6 PM is our Annual Men’s Cake Auction for missions in the FLC. This is always an entertaining time of fellowship for our church family. We’ll have judges present to select the best cakes. All the proceeds go to help offset the cost of mission trips for our people.

It’s enlistment time for our SS Shepherds. I hope that you’ll prayerfully consider saying “yes” as you’re contacted. What an incredible privilege to impact lives for the kingdom through Sharing Life.

Let’s not forget to contact absentees weekly (building relationships) and everyone monthly in our SS classes.

Your grateful partner for the Journey,

Bro Morgan

Psalm 107:13-14

I’m grateful to be a Believer and a Baptist! It was exciting to participate in this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando Florida. It’s rewarding to see all that God is doing through our Convention, Churches and missionaries in North America and around the world. Worshipping with 12,000+ messengers led by a 1,000 member choir stirs the soul and gives one a glimpse of glory! The Father’s anointing continues to be upon Southern Baptists as we touch the world for His glory.

Jesus is building His Church in the most unusual places around the world! There is a church growth explosion in Communist China. By some estimates conversions are in the millions across the Muslim world stretching from Indonesia through Africa. Revival fires are burning in South America. Yet in the West were the greatest freedom and resources reside the church remains static and even on the decline. While the persecuted church around the globe offers their faith and obedience to Jesus in the most difficult of situations we seem satisfied to tip God out of our abundance. No one can argue the need for a Great Commission Resurgence – making the main thing the main thing!

The greatly debated Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Report was overwhelmingly passed at the convention. As I shared with the church on the Wednesday before the convention my main concern was tenant #3. Fortunately after much debate the Cooperative Program was returned to its rightful place as Southern Baptists preeminent channel of Great Commission giving. The report now goes to the trustees of the effected entities for them to implement the changes over the next couple of years. I am confident that God has spoken through His people. We must now close our ranks and be about the business of penetrating the darkness!

Father’s Day turned out to be a glorious celebration! God’s House was full and His Spirit fell as we reviewed the resume of a faithful father – Joshua. I hope you’ll make plans to be with us this Sunday as we consider The Myth of Evolution. Bring your bible and an unchurched friend.

VBS Saddleback Ranch is in full swing! We got off to a wonderful beginning Monday. How grateful I am to Angela and Russ’ for their leadership and the small army of faithful workers who minister to our kids. Join me in praying for the harvest. Don’t forget to make your plans to be with us Thursday evening to see Chance Hill the Horse Whisper! Be sure to invite you unchurched family and friends to join you.

The numbers continue to grow as teachers commit to participate in the Shepherd’s Touch – Committing to contact absentees weekly. If your class hasn’t signed up make the commitment this Sunday to build relationships.

Your grateful partner in the Journey,

Bro Morgan