It’s Monday Again
Yesterday was a big day on Grand Manan. It was a full house as The Lighthousecelebrated its first service in the new location with 160+ present. The service concluded with the Pastoral Installation of new Lead Pastor John (Jesse) Lamos.
John gave a timely challenge from Joshua 3&4 that the new facility will be an altar not an idol. The congregation participated in the conclusion of his powerful message by laying stones to form a symbolic altar. The Lighthouse Pastoral Team includes Youth & Children’s Ministry Pastor Adam (Hope) DeMerchant and the recent addition of Worship & Community Pastor Michelle (Andrew) Duncan.
The church was buzzing with excitement and conversations before and after the service in recognition of the significant standing stone this day represented as a bookend to the merger of the three long-standing Wesleyan congregations on Grand Manan. A TBA Dedication Service this fall will provide opportunity to formally consecrate the facility and express appreciation to all those who have made this new day of Kingdom impact possible. A touching moment following the service was captured as Jesse Lamos and their daughters Adalyn and Olive greeted Mrs. Charlene MacKenzie.
CLICK HERE for more information on how you and/or your church can partner with World Hope International Canada to minister to those suffering from the earthquake in Haiti.
It was a privilege to travel this week with President Steve Lennox (Kingswood University) to Indianapolis for a two-day meeting of the Wesleyan Education Council (WEC). This includes our General Superintendent, the Presidents, and Board of Trustees Chairs for each of our five Wesleyan schools. The WEC is Chaired by Division Executive Director Russ Gunsalus of Education & Clergy Development.
The WEC has a long-standing history of ongoing collaboration to increase effectiveness in Christian higher education. These meetings also provided for the timely introduction of new Houghton College President Dr. Wayne Lewis and Interim President Dr. William Crothers of Southern Wesleyan.Additionally, President Lennox and I enjoyed an evening with our KU Trustee Emeritus, Dr. Wayne Caldwell (pictured above right). Wayne and Joan celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary this year! This visit concluded in-person visits by the President with all US resident Trustees this year.
Earlier this week a final planning session with Dr. Atef, National Superintendent of The Wesleyan Standard Church of Egypt, confirmed the 100th Anniversary Celebration of this mission field will be held in early December. Stay tuned for more details regarding an opportunity on December 1-11, 2021, to join a team of 20+ who will travel to take part in this historic event.
We’ve watched them grow up in our churches. And now they are spreading their wings. We’ve all heard the statistics about young adults and the risks they face in their faith journey as they head to college. But what if there was something we could do that has proven to reverse these trends? What if there was a tangible way to increase the percentile from 17% to 77% of those who maintain their walk with God and keep growing in Him? That’s not a made up number. STAY TUNED in the weeks ahead for how you can mobilize your church to reverse this trend with your young adults.
Points to Ponder
- Whatever it takes, make sure you set the example and make it possible for young leaders to fulfill their calling. (Wayne Caldwell)
- There is a God on the loose. And He knows your name. (James Emery White)
- Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. (Oswald Chambers)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: We have shingles. No, not THAT kind. Cedar shingles. They are already purchased, but we are running out of time to finish shingling the exterior of the Choate Dining Hall expansion and could use a hand to get the job done before the end of summer. CLICK HERE for more details on how to get involved.
Director of Next Gen Ministries (Church Multiplication and Discipleship), Zach Coffin, recently shared some good news as we prepare to launch student ministry in the fall….
- Our friends at Ministry Architects have a new FREE resource library just for YOU and your Kids’ & Student Ministry leaders. It includes many helpful templates, dashboards and resources for Kids’, Student and Young Adult Ministry. They are excited to share these resources with you and hope this library will come at the right time as you begin looking forward to the next school year. To view this resource library, click here!
Reconnect. Recharge. Renew! The plans in place for Summer@Beulah 2021 are impressive and extensive. Grab a hot beverage and take a few minutes to click on this link to drink in the details. Keep in mind, several activities will require preregistration per pandemic restrictions on a first-come, first-served basis.
- CLICK HERE for the up-to-date schedule with full details and downloadable PDFs
- Another great addition to BCCC this year is the Beulah Activity Center (BAC) – CLICK HERE to check this out along with other great new additions like the nine-hole frisbee golf course.
It’s not too early to get your foursome registered for the 25th Annual KU Golf Classic on September 10th! CLICK HERE for more information and/or to register your team today! This event plays a central role in providing tuition scholarships for ministry students from all across the region.
People from all over the Atlantic region pulled up a chair on July 18th to the virtual flames of our midsummer night’s livestream – A Campfire Chat. It was a night filled with God-glorifying worship and testimonies of our good God at work in the midst of this pandemic season of ministry. If you missed the broadcast, grab a warm beverage and CLICK HERE to check it out (It is marked to begin after the pre-show @ the 13:55 timestamp).
- SAVE THE DATE: As announced during A Campfire Chat, District Ministerial will convene at the Valley location of Kings (Brent Ingersoll) on January 19-20, 2022(more details TBA – begins @ 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and concludes with the evening rally on Thursday).