Sunday started off exciting as Anthony got to play guitar alongside Keith and Kristin Getty. They're modern hymn writers- "Power of the Cross" is a favorite around these parts. In the service our friend Micah performed his first baptism. We baptized 4 college students who have come to know the Lord in the last few weeks and 2 parents of one of the guys. Then, Dr. Danny Akin gave a message on prayer. Our church worshiped, celebrated, and prayed together like I've never seen since we've been here. SO Awesome! Then in Sunday School I (Sharon), as it was our last official Sunday actually teaching in our small groups, got to give a blessing and tell each girl in my group what they meant to me and what I saw the Lord doing in their lives. All of them were there (which is great bc several go to school out of town) and it was a blessing to my heart to get to do that.
THEN...Sunday night we dedicated a new 'campus' of our church. For those of you who don't know, our church is "One Church, Two Locations" and we're expanding to around 6!!! It's an effort/vision to reach the entire city for Christ. It sounds strange, but we have taken it one step at a time. The Lord has been faithful even when we haven't (and still don't) known fully what he was going to do with it. "Highview Valley Station" had a packed out service. They voted Jon Akin (Dr. Akin's son) in as pastor and Dr. Akin gave the message, which was a charge to Jonathan about how to be a pastor and to care for his sheep. It was a wonderful time of worship and celebration and a full-room of people was proof that God was faithfully working to grow his kingdom.
Afterwards we went to Fazoli's to hang out with the college students and there was no shortage of laughter (and breadsticks) as usual.
At the end of the day I sat back and was amazed at how the Lord weaves the Body of Christ together in sweet fellowship. Every Lord's Day in every church should be this way!
Some of the bargain-hunters...
Meagan, one of our college students, trying out the bin marked "winter accessories"...the girl's got style, what can I say?
Tara's impression of what you feel like after you shop at our garage sale. (in case you can't tell, its supposed to make you feel like you're sunbathing on a tropical island)
This is Micah baptizing Janet, one of the students that became a Christian recently.
Standing room only (literally!) at the dedication of "Highview Valley Station."
Micah and Laurie are pumped about their Fazoli's pasta...(just wash it all down with a breadstick bro...)
Austin, Tara, and Lauren...also all smiles at the prospect of cheap Italian food and the bottomless basket of breadsticks
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