Church

Panama City Update, Week One, Day Four

Jul 17, 2008

Folks, I am sitting here on my couch COMPLETELY worn out…but SO PUMPED that Jesus has allowed me to be a part of this!

Tonight was, by far, the most incredible evening of worship! I stood in the back of the place we are having services and watched our middle schoolers dance and sing and raise their hands and I was completely overwhelmed at how in love with Jesus these guys and girls are.

We started the day with our beach baptism…and 105 people (yes, a few adults are in that number) stood in front of hundreds of people on a public beach (with TONS of people who weren’t with our church…but are with THE CHURCH stood a cheered) and confessed, “Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord.” Baptism MOVES me…and today was no exception.

Then, afterwards we all gathered together on the beach and spent some time in worship. Folks, it was LOUD…these kids were singing their guts out. And people on the balconies of the hotel were actually raising their hands in worship with us. At one point I could not sing…I just stood their and soaked it all in.

And then tonight, like I said, was INCREDIBLE.

I’ve said this all wee long, but we have an incredible youth staff. I love these guys and can’t brag on them enough. The planning, praying and organizing that went on behind the scenes is absolutely amazing.

BUT…I REALLY don’t want to overlook some of the most important people on the planet…our volunteers. The men and women who took a week of vacation and came down here, the ones who chaperoned these kids, stayed up with them until all hours of the night and poured every waking moment they had this week into them. They, in my opinion, are the heroes of the week!!!

Now, I’m going to bed!!! My plans are to try my best to get some sleep tonight and then fly back to Anderson in the morning, have dinner with my family, have a date with Charisse on Saturday morning (and let ‘Cretia sleep in), chill for a while Saturday afternoon, preach three times on Sunday and then get on a plane on Monday and come down here to do it all over again! I’M PUMPED!!!

Oh yeah, one more thing…just in case you are wondering…I AM excited about Sunday. Remember we are dealing with the subject, “Can you lose your salvation?” Should be fun…and…honestly, I believe we will see people receive Christ…pray for that—and don’t forget to bring someone with you!!! (Either to Anderson OR Greenville!)