Here is my shoulder.. You can lean on me

Does it sometimes amaze you how cruel people can be at times. It takes a simple flick of the television to see stories of crime, hurt, and of pain. If I were to title it as a movie I would call it, "It's a sad, sad, sad world".
While at Stony Creek last night (Summer Nights) I watched as an older gent let his anger and frustration illustrate itself through drinking. Of course the park security came, and as they did I found myself shaking my head in sadness. This is the world we are called to minister too. The hurt that people feel is pretty universal, how it is dealt with is not.
God loves us more than we'll ever know, and desires to walk with us through the painful times. Instead many are giving in to hopelessness. Let us be people that will provide a shoulder to lean on, an arm to cry on through the rough times. I praise God that I have people in my life for which I can do just that. the first step was for me to open myself up and I believe that is true for everyone. Let us be transparent and honest when it comes to our daily struggles. Furthermore, continue to pray for one another and have genuine concern for one another. Jesus Christ is what this hurting world needs more than ever!

Have an awesome and blessed week!
Pastor Jason

Followers of... THE WAY

SUMMER CAMP 2008

What an awesome 2 weeks of camp ministry this July. Over 180 teens from the East Michigan District(# for both weeks combined) attended either Junior or Senior High Camp at the end of July: I would love to list all the highlights from the week, but there are just so many. It was awesome to see the next generation so truly touched by the Holy Spirit these last few week, and as I told the teens, let's keep the momentum up! God wants to do some great things.

Through prayer walks, worship, and the message as delivered by Ed Shigley (Sr. High) and Kyle Brown (Jr. High) it was very evident that our teens were blessed by God these last two weeks. If you are a parent to a Sr. Higher you may have seen them walking around with a chain-link (perhaps attached to a necklace, etc..) This symbolized how we are all a link in God's chain and we need to be ready to do his will. this same concept was lived out also at Junior High Camp where they were challenged to take a step of faith, and they did. This was a very emotional time for many of them in that some have never thought of living their faith out in this way! But now their eyes have been opened to what God has planned for them.

A highlight from the week is watching one of my 9th graders recieve a call into ministry to be a pastor while at camp, just a smany recommitted their lives to Christ! Indeed, God is really moving. As I mentioned on Sunday, now parents the charge is yours. Continue building into your kids. Become their biggest cheerleader for Christ. They need to know you are praying for them, and that you are trusting God. God smiles when we completely trust him. Don't let what has become in our teens at Children's and teen camp go by the wayside as school begins anew and preparation for sports begin. Put all of your trust in him, and truly guide the next generation of leaders that we are raising up. Romans 15:13 states: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in him". Don't just read it, but live it!!!!!

As you think about our children and our teens, remember the early Christians were not called Christians, they were called FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY. I just think that is so cool, and really tells us what the church of Acts Chapter 2 was about, this is the kind of thinking we want to pass on to future generations!

As I lead a group of our teens to go to Metamaros Mexico next week (Aug 2-8) please keep us all in prayer, and you better believe there will be more God-sightings to follow as our teens are growing and changing for Christ!

May God Bless your week and Heaven Smile on you

Pastor Jason

PJ and the Cheese Pie! (yuck)

Summer Blessings

Hey all,
Well what a wonderful time of year this is. As summer is in full effect (and my birthday approaching, July 19th:) It is always good to take some time of introspection. Upon returning from Family camp (and what a wonderful time that was). At lunch Shelly informed me that my sister had given her a video of my mom (Pamela) at a summer party before she passed away. I had not seen this video since it was taped in the summer of 2000. We prayed about it and sat down to watch.
What a wonderful thing to share together. It wasn't as hard to watch as I thought. As I looked on my mom's face there was a peace about her (the video occurred about 10 months before she died, and 2 months after accepting Jesus as her savior). It had been so long since I had seen her face, talking, etc.. but as the tears came I remembered how much I miss her. This was something awesome that I could share with my wife. We cried and prayed together the entire evening.
As I write this I think of the sadness, as we all do, but I also think of the celebration of her life and how one of my goals aside from seeing my savior is to see her again. I don't know what the summertime will bring for all of you. Whether it by vacations, mission trips, or just (as my teens like to say it) "sitting around" at home. Whatever it may be, enjoy good times with family and friends, and never forget how much of a blessing we can be to one another!

Praise: On June 29th I became an Uncle. My sister India had her baby! His name is Rodney James (RJ for short) and he weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces. Mom and child are doing great. Thanks be to God, and thank you all who have been praying for her!

May God Bless you this week and Heaven Smile on you!
Pastor Jason

Our Future

Picture below: PJ; Getting cheese dumped on him truly the grossest thing ever!

Paintwars/Waterwars 2008

Yay the End of the school year is here. As you can see by the pics, was time for some summer fun!

Enjoy those and enjoy this:

Titus 2 is an interesting chapter of the bible as it relates tou our teens. Did you realize that as adults we have a responisibility to our young? Titus 2 illustrates the following:

Older men: You are to be temperate, worhty of respect, self controlled, sound in Faith, in Love and Endurance.

Older Women: reverent int he way they live, not to be slanderers but to teach what is good.

Teens/youth: they will learn to Love, to be self-controlled, and pure not allowing anyone to malign the Word of God.

As the school year has come to an end, for many the summer brings a wealth of activity. Summer/Teen Camps for the teens, vacations (even with the gas prices, people are still getting out) and what I hope to see, s summer where we all stay connected with God. Taking family time to read God's word, pray, and just have some time to relax.

Unfortunately we put forth a notion that, we can take a break from God and pick things up in the Fall. There will be various summer bible studies going on over the summer, including the Thursday night ministry at Stony Creek for families. Don't miss out. Remember we have a responsibility!

May God Bless you and Heaven Smile on you!

Pastor Jason

Awards Night 2008

Sometimes the simple things....

Shelly and Jason Tennessee Trip 2008

Well Memorial Weekend was "sweet-awesome (how about that for wording:) Shelly and I went to visit her family in Tennessee. What a time we had. I spent some time helping her uncle tear down a tree (as promised to my teens here are some pictures to prove it). In addition I also visited Gatlinberg Tenn. and got to see many wondrous sights. It was such an exciting time as Shelly and her parents got to show me around, and an exciting time for me to just ,"be still".

Sometimes I think we forget how much the simple things matter. To be able to look in the distance and see the beauty of the mountains is something we should never lose touch with. To share with those that you love how much they mean to you is priceless!!!

It was so awesome for me to celebrate 6 months of marriage with Shelly. As we reflected during the drive down and back, how time flies. We often said how awesome it is for all the married couples to reminince how they met, etc.. As we were driving along Shelly and I began doing just that. How we love one another and how God has blessed both of us in ministry. All I can say is wow, what a great God we serve.

As the days are longer, and the sun is warmer. Amidst the graduation parties and pool parties. While you are cutting the grass, or maybe just sitting in the backyard sipping a bit of Sweet Tea (the only kind of tea really:) As you do all these things remember the simple things around you that God has blessed you with. And be thankful!

May God bless you and Heaven smile on you!

Pastor Jason (The Ebon-skinned Cowboy:)

PS: Ah yes, I finally made it to a Sonic Restaurant!!!!!!! Enjoy the pictures!

Praise the Lord!

Well where to begin. What a tremendous night in ministry with our teens on Sunday night. Our church showed up in full force, 300+, and with donations we raised over $1200 to help teens attend youth camp this year. PTL. God is really moving through the hearts and minds of people in support of our youth. As youth pastor I was humbled and Thankful to God for the outpouring!
If you have not had the chance please check out video on the church website (communitywc.com) of the teens from Crossroads and GAPP giving of their time and talent to help their peers attend camp. Not only was the support awe-inspiring but the work that went into all the behind the scenes set up and tear down was phenomenal. There were so many adults who poured their time and effort into this our first Talent Show. I am reminded of the words in John 10 where Jesus talks about the Shepherd and the sheep. For a time such as this our teens are like those sheep, needing direction, and needing spiritual nourishment. I never take this responisbility lightly. They are indeed our future. So pray for them, support them, and encourage them especially when they are very discouraged. This generation needs God, and needs to know that they are loved by God. So as you see our teens at CWC, or as you may be a parent to a teen, or know of teens in your neighborhood. Say a little prayer for them.
May God Bless you and Heaven Smile on You!!!!
Pastor Jason