Snake Bit and Bent Backwards

We had a great Preteen Camp at Zephyr this week.  The sponsors were great and the campers (kids) were exceptional this week.  God blessed us with a lot of rain, at just the right time so as not to dampen our spirits by limiting our activities.  We enjoyed fun and friendships every day.

The worship leaders and camp pastor passionately love Jesus and it was contagious.  They led us closer to the Lord and we were all so thankful for them and the way they praised God and proclaimed His word every time we were together.  They were available to the campers all during the week at meals and around the campus.  What a joy to watch our young people spend time with adults who are in love with God.

There were many in the group who made decisions, some for salvation, some for rededication, and some just taking a giant step closer to God.  As sponsors we were blessed to know that God was using every act of service on our part as a way of blessing so many young people.

The parents thanked us as a church and as sponsors for the blessing of camp for their children.  But we need to thank the parents for sending their wonderful children with us to camp, for it was our blessing to spend that time with them.  

By the way the title of the blog  - - - during camp I was bit by a snake and hyper-extended my back in the inflatables.  What a week to remember.

Church in the Park

What a great fellowship in the Park!!!

It was so great to see so many come to Victor Park for our "Church in the Park."  The games, sports, and swimming were fun for all.  The food was great; we cannot go wrong with Fried Chicken.  The worship was wonderful.  We truly appreciate the praise team from New Wine Church leading us in worship with such great music and talent.  We look forward to joining with them again.  

Praise the Lord for the sweet fellowship we experience at FBC Harlingen.

Enjoying my church family,

Bro. Wade

Vacation Bible School

This year had to be the best VBS that I have experienced in 25 years of ministry.  There was a sweet spirit throughout the church, which I believe was due to the many who prayer walked the church campus early in the morning, late in the afternoon, and throughout the day.  Thank you prayer walkers.  

There were so many volunteers this year that people were not overwhelmed, so the stress level was down, the work load was manageable, and there were fewer problems to work through.  We are so blessed to have the great volunteers in our children's ministry.  Every need was met, every child was loved, every class was enjoyed, and every worker was blessed.  

From the kitchen crew, to the office staff, from the youth group, to our eldest adults; we appreciate every person who served so selflessly.  This past week was truly an amazing adventure as we saw every age group in the community come together to make VBS 08 a huge success.  

Thankful for the servants of the Lord,

Bro. Wade 

Standing on Holy Ground

Partaking of communion together with our group at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, while singing "Holy Ground" with groups from all around the world will be one of my most favorite memories of Israel.  The different languages being sung to the same tune at the same time in such a beautiful place with such a great significance were a reminder of what the Body of Christ really is; a union of believers from all over the world who love and serve Christ.

The trip was filled with many special events and places, including my first time to baptize in the Jordan River.  We enjoyed swimming (or actually just floating, since you cannot swim) in the Dead Sea.  We walked the Cardo (main street) of the old city (Jerusalem) and the path down the Mount of Olives Jesus would have followed on his last trip to Jerusalem before his arrest.  We walked through the garden of Gethsemane, down the ancient streets around the jail where he was imprisoned, and around the Temple Mount on the streets and steps where he walked. 

We spent several days around the Sea of Galilee, visiting Jesus hometown of Nazareth, his ministry center of Capernaum, the place of the feeding of the five thousand, the sermon on the mount, the places he fished, and towns he visited.  We travelled north to see a city gate that Abraham walked through and the place where Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah.  

The journey was truly life-changing.  Those who went now read the Bible with a new revelation of the geography and culture inherent within each story.  It is like reading a new version of Scripture, as the words jump off the page with clearer definitions.  It is truly something to be experienced, since it is impossible to put it into words.

Standing on Holy Ground in the Holy Land,

Bro. Wade

Following the Footprints

As I prepare to leave for Israel soon, I am spending a lot of time researching the places we will visit.  I am reading the biblical passages, reviewing the history books, memorizing the maps, and reminiscing over the photos taken on previous journeys to the Holy Land.  While I pursue this endeavor, I grow more excited each day with the anticipation that I will once again be changed by the events of this journey.  

Each trip to the Holy Land brings new insights regarding scripture, a greater appreciation to God for coming to this earth and living as he did for me, and a humbling of my spirit as I follow the footprints of Jesus and his followers.  I am deeply changed by each journey to Israel and believe that this trip will bring the same results.

Every encounter with God is life-changing; I don't have to travel half-way around the world to experience the transformation that comes from the Holy Spirit.  I appreciate the life-change found in the Holy Land, but oh, how I long for the life-change that comes from a great moving of the Holy Spirit in our church.  Please pray for us to see the footprints of Jesus in the Rio Grande Valley and follow them with passion each day.

Praying for our daily journey,

Bro. Wade

Spiritual Renewal among Men

This week was the last meeting for a discipleship group that I have been leading for over a year.  Each time one of these groups ends, it is a sad time for me.  I have invested a night each week into the lives of these men and I count them as not only friends but fellow journeymen on the path of righteousness.  I have been sharpened as much as I have sharpened, and I have been loved as much as I have loved.  These men have been my accountability group and my prayer partners and not meeting with them each week will create a longing in my heart.

However, as the group ends, I know that the Lord has already begun to prepare my heart to invest in another group of people that he has already chosen.  I will soon join with another group for over a year and will be richly blessed by the journey the Lord will take us through together.  

I also know that the men that I have met with this past year were being prepared by God to disciple others, now they will embark on their new journeys as well.  What an exciting time in our church and community to see how the Lord will work through these men to change so many other lives.

The last three years have brought some great spiritual renewal among the men of FBC Harlingen. I am so excited about the beginning of the Rio Grande Valley IRONMEN.  This ministry will only serve to enhance the great work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the men of Harlingen and the valley.  So many men are ready to plug their lives into something that is filled with life-changing power and great potential.  I believe IRONMEN will be the beginning of just such a movement.

Pray for God to continue to move in the men of FBC Harlingen and the valley.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of the men involved in IRONMEN.

Bro. Wade

Last Day, Great Day

Throughout the week at Champs Camp we have seen God work in the lives of so many children (and their parents). We have had the privilege of loving children who attend churches all over the valley and many children who do not attend any church. We had families from different religions and many denominations take part in Champs Camp. We are so thankful for the outreach to the community and for the opportunity for churches in Harlingen to come together.

We were blessed to see many children trust Christ as their Savior by the end of the week. Their lives have been changed forever as a result of all the love and labor poured into Champs Camp. One girl prayed to accept Christ as her savior on Thursday morning as her mother drove her to FBC; they prayed in the car and by the time she arrived, she was a new person in Christ. What a privilege to share Jesus with these great kids and their families.

Thursday night was a great and glorious night - a little LOUD, but it was great. We were in "standing room only" mode, but the many parents who attended were gracious and patient. The children revealed to us how much fun they have had this week, and our "Champions in Christ" were revealed to us as well. So many children dedicated their hearts and minds to Christ and will be his mighty champions at school and at home.

Please continue to pray for our "Champions" as they re-enter their schools this next week. Please pray for our volunteers, deacons and staff as the follow-up now begins. Please pray for the families that were challenged in their faith this past week. Pray that as they have been challenged and as the first Sunday after Champs Camp is Easter that God will bring many of those families into a closer walk with Christ during this time of year that we focus on Christ and God's love for us.

Thank you for serving in and praying for Champs Camp. It was a GREAT WEEK!

Challenged to be a Champion,
Bro. Wade