Weekly Rundown (7.31.2011)

• Closed out the 4-part series, Epic Fail, on the stumbles of first church leader, Peter.  I really felt God move in me and our church during this series.  And we saw numerous people make decisions for Christ, indicating salvation!


• I know of so many of us who are going through tough times and adversity.  Everything from illneses to the economy to struggles with sin.  Please ask for prayer and seek to participate in prayer with others through a small group or our monthly, First Wednesday service which is this week.


• A few staff members met me in Brooklyn, NY last week to attend the Brooklyn Tabernacle's Tuesday night prayer service. God's providence and power were so evident.  3000-4000 people fully focused on prayer with obvious passion for Christ was absolutely beautiful ... a taste of heaven!


• Ukraine mission trip reported over 450 individual presentations of the Gospel with over 100 indications of first-time salvation!! WOW!!


• Some of our staff department heads and pastors are going on a strategic work retreat in a few weeks and we'd appreciate your prayers.  We are committing the time to lots of prayer and discussions about everything (yes, everything!) in our church.  We are going to a place with no internet and no cell coverage ... unplugged from technology to plug into God!


• Got to marry two of the first students who participated in Rock Bridge Student Ministry this weekend ... yes, I cried :)


• Beth is doing okay. The mucus issue in her throat, sinuses, and nasal passages is still unresolved, causing some nausea and making 'normal' eating problematic. We are asking for 3 very specific prayer requests:
  
  
  
  • For the mucus issue to be resolved -- healing, removal of excess mucus, & restoration of normal eating.
  
  
  • For protection from infection and for EB virus to be completely gone (it's in retreat but not fully gone yet).
  
  
  • For 200 "T-cells".
    
    
    
    • 200 is the "magic number" because it means her immune system is strong/mature enough to offer adequate/better protection.  This is the number that triggers steps toward her returning home, being able to be around more people, etc.  As of last week, she is about 70% there.