I believe it is safe to say that yesterday was an incredible Lord's Day. We started off during the Sunday School hour praying our way out of the Upland Road location, making our way to the cars and lining up to convoy to the new location at 301 S. McKinley. Words cannot describe the site of all the cars traveling through the new neighborhood. Someone told me that people were coming out on their porches to see what was going on. How exciting!

Then, my speechlessness continued as the first few words were sung. The acoustics in the building and the joining together of our church family in songs to our Gracious God and Father were matchless!

And, the block party. There must have been around 200 people here. I so enjoyed seeing the children playing up a storm. It was hot, and some were overdoing it, but it was a fantastic time.

Now, I sit at the computer at work, looking forward to our gathering again this week.

For HIS Glory,

Pastor Matt

Things are coming along well.

   You know, it's been so long since I've blogged that I had actually forgotten how to sign on. I intended to get back in the swing of things last week. Finally, after remedial training by my friend Matt McCaulley, I'm on track again.

   No doubt, if you have any connection with Journey at all, you will notice there has been quite a bit of buzz about the new church building. Our move is bittersweet, as we are thankful that God has provided such a wonderful place of worship for us. At the same time, we realize that for our church to relocate to the McKinley neighborhood required McKinley Avenue Baptist Church to shut her doors. Please continue to pray with us that God will be glorified in the midst of this transition. We realize that church is more than brick and mortar. So, as we are canvassing the neighborhood, painting the walls of the church, contracting to get minor renovations accomplished, and considering the way we DO ministry - we continue to pray that God will call many to Him through the ministry of His church, specifically Journey Church.

   Soon there will be other changes accomplished at Journey, to include a new look on the website, a different logo, some new small group offerings, a Financial Peace University class, the men's Bible Study on Sunday evenings, and many more. Be sure to check back here often.

   May God bless you today and always,

   Pastor Matt

Summer is over...at least, on the school calendar.

Church camp has passed...at least, for this year.

Our Panama trip has come and gone...at least, the days have, but my mind still remembers and my heart still breaks.

Family vacations, actual or wished-for, are but a distant memory...at least, what we considered to be a vacation.

   Now, what do we do? There are many things coming up, for church and at my job. I have enjoyed the passed couple of days here at the church office. I had the privilege of shuffling papers from one side of my desk, to the floor, to another desk, and occasionally to the trash because a date has passed that I had every intention of doing something and never got around to it. I was able to catch up on emails that should have been addressed long ago. I had the opportunity to pray with a long distance friend, on the phone, who just lost his father. I was able to see some of our friends from City of Refuge Shelter, who are displaced from their shelter because of politics and have been sleeping in our church for the passed few weeks, and I enjoyed visiting with them for a bit.

   But, the bottom line is, there is too much to do and too little time to do it. I look forward to starting our Mall Ministry again and reaching out to people who are wandering our local mall and need to hear the Gospel, or be prayed for, or simply need someone to listen. I spoke with a friend and church member about starting our visitation up again. We have voted to institute elders and deacons at our church. All of this stuff is exciting. So, what do we do about the time crunch, about the business of the church, about the work of love, about making ourselves available to do the work we have been called to do, about spending valuable time with family...What am I going to do?

   I'm going to turn it over to God and ask HIM to prioritize for me.

   Thank you Lord, for always coming through in the nick of time! Amen.

I'll see you Sunday!

For HIS Glory,

Pastor Matt

 This little boy helped change my life and his injury impacted my outlook on medical missions more than I would have ever imagined - Matt

     Wow! I can't believe you guys didn't start throwing things at me on Sunday morning! Actually, I can't take all the credit for the length of the service. Those youth are jabber-heads, and I am so glad that they were. I became very emotional as I heard how God had blessed them during their week at Falls Creek, in Oklahoma. I continue to pray that they will remain on their Spiritual mountaintop, but the reality will be that some will come down and others have already been down, some will roll down at break neck speed, and a few will be thrown off the mountain by life circumstances.

     We were challenged, by Justin, to continue to support and encourage our youth. I, for one, would like to see that happen. Pray with me that we can all be diligent to love and lift up the youth of Journey Church.

     Thank you for a great day in the Lord! I look forward to seeing you when I return from our mission trip in Panama!

For HIS Glory,

Pastor Matt