Congratulations!

It's been awhile since my last blog post, but Cyndi and I got to go to Jamaica last weekend to spend some time with our little girl and our friends John and Jamie. While in Jamaica John asked Jamie if she would "spend the rest of her days" with him...and of course, she said yes!!

Congratulations to two of the greatest people in the world!! And John I am very honored to call you one of my best friends and very honored to be a part of your days!

I Have A Confession

I know that I am a chosen, ordained (set apart), called, and most of all, adopted son of God. But I have a confession to make... I don't always feel that way!

I have known since I was 16 years old that God has called me to be a pastor, but sometimes I don't understand why. Do any of us actually know why?

Lately, He has really been stirring in my heart something more. Something bigger than what I could ever accomplish and l scared. Honestly, scared that I will fail, embarrass myself, my family and my friends. And my initial reaction is to run away. However, this burning passion is driving me in a lot of directions. The adventure continues.

In Just a Few Days

Today it hit me!  My beautiful wife and I will be leaving in about a week and a half to go see the little one we will soon call our daughter!  

Cyndi and I have the opportunity to go to Jamaica for just a few days on the 23rd of this month, to spend a few days with our friends John and Jamie, as well as our friends who are pastors on the island, Dwight and Shanda!  I cannot wait.  But what we are most excited for is spending some precious time with Monicea Ashanti soon to be Brown. 

This little girl literally lights up my day just thinking about her!  And Cyndi and I get to really push forward on the adoption.   Thank you Jesus for the calling you have placed on our life!

Keeping Busy

It has been awhile since my last post and I know that I have been slacking.

So much is happening though in my world...

1st- We have finally kicked off student ministry at Seacoast Church at James Island!  And what an impact this has already been!  We have seen a lot of students come to be a part of what's going on.  To kick off we beat up a car and already within the first week of having Student Ministry we have already had an all nighter with our Middle Schooler!

2nd- Cyndi and I have been packing.  And when we haven't been packing, we've been thinking of packing.  We are making a shift in our housing, which we are thrilled about!  We are getting a much bigger place for a lot less!

3rd - We are planning on going to Jamaica towards the end of October.  The main reason is to try and setup an appointment to get the process rolling on the adoption of Monicea.  Please pray for us as we are in this process as well as we find the funds both to travel to Jamaica as well as the adoption.

4th- Our friends Matt & Kathy had their baby girl today!! (Okay, Kathy had her...Matt just helped).  Congrats to them!  Got to talk to Matt tonight on the phone and he is pretty stoked!  Matt and Kathy are two of the coolest people and two of the most awesomest parents ever!  

Well, thats about all of my ramblings for this night!

Something I Have Learned

As I sit here reflecting on this past week, I am being drawn to what I experienced on Sunday.

This past Sunday we kicked off a brand new student ministry, and here is the kicker...this is the very first time I have had enough volunteers!  I am not saying we don't need anymore, but I am saying we had a great team to kick off.

As I have been working with my team I have realized a few things:

1. Volunteers are essential!  - Seriously as a body of Believers we have got to give our time and talents to make Jesus known.

2. Volunteers need to be treated as though they matter! - This should be a no brainer. I have experienced a few situations where volunteers were treated as though they HAD to be a part of the ministry and were told HOW to do ministry, WHEN to do it, and weren't given any room for ownership.  Want to be able to keep your programs/ministries running so that you can continue to reach out?  Keep your volunteers involved, growing, and most of all give them ownership!

I love being able to spend time focusing on volunteers and connecting with them, but most of all I am loving watching them serve, grow, and impact a great group of students!