Ministry Team Updates

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June 14 - July 1, 2008

God is real, and is showing Himself strong.

We arrived in Kansas City on Saturday, June 14 with Mr. Bates, our staff sponsor for the weekend. Austen joined us, full of energy and ready to take Luke's place on the team. Luke is interning now at a church in Michigan.

We had great services at Eagle Heights Baptist Church and Tri-City Baptist Church. It was a blessing to minister alongside these churches. At the conclusion of both services the pastors thought it appropriate to give an invitation. Praise the Lord for the opportunities to minister. The following week was spent at Amazing Grace Baptist Camp. Our team was extremely excited to finally arrive at the ministry for which we had been preparing. The Lord showed His power throughout the week. We as a team were there to help in any way possible wherever we were needed. It took a couple of days to find our "niche" but by Tuesday afternoon we were making great contacts.

Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 brought some great memories for the team. We went to Derby, Kansas to minister with Calvary Baptist Church. For Josh this trip was especially meaningful since he was able to renew old friendships with many kids from the camp in Colorado where he worked last year. It was also great fun to watch the video clips which we had made with the kids during the evening. Sunday morning was a little rough with Scott struggling with his health and the team with fatigue, but God was gracious and we were able to really connect with the church. Sunday evening we were in Ottawa, Kansas, then back to Amazing Grace Camp that evening.

The second week at camp was extremely enjoyable for the team. Having become friends with the staff, we were able to jump right into the program. We attempted to work and "be in the way, without being in the way." We have many friends and memories left there at camp, and we pray that the Lord will continue to bless them as they push on.

We are now at High Point Camp in Pennsylvania and in our second day of co-counseling. It has been a real blessing to meet and serve with the staff here. The team will be also ministering in music on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Please pray that the Lord will use the message in song to be a challenge to the hearts of these teens.
~Josh Hoag


May 10, 2008

The team got a rough start this week with illness, but we are getting better and resting up for another week of ministry. Today we have the day off so hopefully we can use it to get more rest and relaxation than usual. I was able to spend significant time today with our Lord which was refreshing and rejuvenating. I have found that my focus at times has not been on our ultimate goal, which is to minister to people, and I lose focus when this time is crowded by vain things. Please pray that not only I but the whole team will be able to keep our focus on the Lord and the people to whom we are ministering.
~Paul Conrad

I had the privilege of traveling with the ministry team guys this past week in several Indiana and Michigan churches and Christian schools. Even though some of the guys were fighting illness, they did a great job serving the different ministries we visited. These seven young men have lots of talent - they play brass instruments, sing, do drama, etc., but the characteristic that is most striking and unifying is their desire to be used by the Lord in the lives of others this summer.

On Friday, we were at Lakeshore Baptist Academy in Grand Haven, Michigan. We did the chapel program and then spent much of the rest of the s chool day participating in their field day. What fun! When we left this school, we spent some time at a pier on Lake Michigan. It was cold (especially for this Floridian), but it was beautiful.

Would you pray that each team member will get back to full health and strength? Also, pray that they will grow to be more like Christ because of this wonderful opportunity.
~Dick Stratton