Fun Ministry and Engaging Learning

We've had an interesting few days. In addition to our usual schedule-filling studies, on Saturday morning we helped with a Sidewalk Ministry our church does with Hispanic kids in a local Nicholasville neighborhood. There were about 15 highly energetic children present. We played games, helped them with a Scripture memory verse, had a teaching time about Paul's conversion, and then took them to church for a free lunch. We were once again humbled by God's grace in our lives as we had the chance to share Jesus' loves with them. Sunday morning we worshipped at our home church at 9:30 and then went to St. Luke UMC in Lexington to support our friend Kent Reynolds who was preaching that day. Kent did a fabulous job as he talked about the River of Life from Ezekial. It was Mission Sunday and he invited the congregation to receive the new life that comes from God's Living Waters, but then to also be a conduit of that new life for others (he was singing our song!). Today (Wednesday) Dan heard two speakers who addressed the critical need for Christians to engage civil society. It is an unbiblical dichotomizing of the gospel to think that Christianity means we do our "God-stuff" in the church but have no impact in the world. Jesus talks about being the world's light and salt, and these speakers encouraged us to take His teachings seriously and commit ourselves to practicing collaborative engagement. An important question to ask is "What difference has it made to your COMMUNITY that your local church exists?" All in all, we continue to be taught, challenged, encouraged, and equipped. We are so thankful that God continues to patiently grow us. Much Love, Dan and Nancy