"A New Place To Start"
January, 2004

After spending this past year in transition in many ways I am glad to have a new place to start this year. I have a challenge for you: join with me in using 2004 as a place to start fresh in the life of our church. I am excited as we begin to focus on the vision the church board and you have developed. This month I have challenged the board to begin to focus and gain vision for the Sunday School. Join

us in prayer, and give board members and me your ideas, thoughts and your vision. Your input is vital in what will be accomplished. One area soon to be developed and presented is a plan for growth through Sunday School. Today’s challenge is to weekly meet last years average of 34, plus each person reach another person.

Starting at a new place provides new opportunities for us all. The Christmas services allowed us to witness first hand what I believe God wants to do for us. You have all done very well in preparing your church for growth. Numbers are not the focus here. However, numbers are important in the sense that they represent people and it takes people to do ministry. Please spend each day in January reading and learning from the Israelites as the returned to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple after captivity by the Babylonians. Read from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

In these books are important principles that relate to us as we move ahead together. First, you will see how God uses His people and others to rally around a plan. Second, you will see God providing vision, funding and a way to accomplish His work- even in the midst of tough times. Third, you will see the importance of what God shows the leaders and how people learn to trust and follow. Fourth, you will see and experience how worship and love for God’s Word is central to all that God wants to accomplish. As we stay focused our church will become a center of Worship for our community, and the Word of God will go forth that others may be saved.
First, join me in daily prayer. Let us encourage and uplift one another. Unity is a key ingredient and love holds it all together. Let's build God’s house together as we have a new place to start.

Joyfully Serving,
-Rev. Gene Hill, Pastor

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