ICC, Rooted and the Summit - oh what a week!

As I watch dark become light on this rainy Monday morning, I'm reminded what a very special last 7 days I have been blessed with! Here are just a couple of the blessings from my week . . .

** Thankful to once again be a participant in Jody Owen's Spiritual Formation Summit for Ministry staff in the Smoky Mountains last week! Allison, Cassandra, Cody and Samuel were a part of the gathering as well. This was my third time and each year brings unexpected blessings and I'm reminded how important it is for those of us in vocational ministry to have opportunities to grow at the feet of Christian leaders! The retreat is growing at a pretty rapid rate, and Jody will more than likely be offering a second retreat this fall - identical to the one from last week. If you are in Leadership at the local church level, you can't beat this retreat for a variety of reasons. I would love to tell you all about it!

** Thankful to be able to hike Mt Leconte on Thursday in the Smokies! 5.5 miles up and 5.5 miles back down - what an incredible experience and blessing! This has been on my bucket list since summer 2013 when Jordan first visited Johnson University and sadly, Jordan and I never did it together (maybe next year Jordan?). And I didn't even need the Bear Spray that I didn't have with me! Thursday was a great day!

** Friday brought an unplanned visit w/ my son Peyton at SIU on my way home - great to catch up w/ him on a weekend where SIU did not have a track/field meet - a variety in the spring. I'm so proud of both my kids and treasure every opportunity to spend time with them! Even if it means eating Mexican for lunch!

** Friday night was our ROOTED Celebration - so blessed to hear how God worked the last three months in the lives of so many. I believe that close to 300 from our church have been a part of the ROOTED the past 20 months! Here is to 300 more over the next couple of years - are you in? So much to type about from Friday night - the worship, the testimonies, the baptism, the re-dedications, the communion time - I just wonder if it was a picture of what eternity with the Lord might be like?

** All day Saturday was spent in Decatur at Decatur FCC during the 12th Intentional Church Conference. So blessed by the words of the Ben Cacharias and Nancy Beach, as well as the continued to connections with so many that have poured into me personally or our church at Clinton through the years! And on top of it all, this year was the biggest ICC yet - well over 400 in attendance!

** Sunday morning brought week 6 of our WHY? sermon series - looking at Evangelism and our call to share our faith with others. Four key reminders: Live the NEW CREATION life! Engage in the ministry of RECONCILIATION! Embrace your call to be Christ's AMBASSADOR! And remember NOW is the time - TODAY is the day! Next week is our 7th and final message in this series as we look at GROUPS.

** Sunday also brought the opportunity for me personally to pray with several: Dave and Mary Jo, Roger, Amy and Emily, Rob and Norman. So of these folks I know really well - one I met  yesterday for the first time. ALL are facing challenges - one way or another. Will YOU lift them up in prayer? And please pray right now for Norman Emery - he is having surgery this morning around 7:30am to remove a tumor from his brain in Chicago. Let's lift up Norman and Rachel.

** Last week capped a busy but great week - our latest CONNECTIONS event - the Dessert Potluck - what a great evening! Thanks to Lindsey Moody and her team for once again doing a great job helping us get connected!

Four quick reminders moving forward:

#1 - EASTER AT FCC - April 21 at 8:15am and 10:45am - who are you inviting?

#2 - Illusionist Matt Adams - family fun (and FREE) night - April 28 at 5:30pm - ALL are welcome! Who are you inviting?

#3 - The Rotary "NELSON'S" chicken dinner - Tuesday April 30 - drive thru service from the Neighborhood Care Center - tickets for this meal at Just $10 and every dollar raised by Rotary is given back to help fight hunger in DeWitt county - and the NCC has been financially blessed for years by Rotary through this fundraiser! Get 1, 2 or 10 tickets and help Rotary help the hungry!

#4 - Mother/Daughter banquet at FCC on Saturday May 4 at 11am - featuring our own Becky Glenn! You can get tickets in the office or in the foyer on Sundays in April!

have a great week!

GT