COUNCIL

We just returned from two days in Appleton, Wisconsin - where our Assemblies of God Wisconsin District holds its annual ministerial meetings. The business meetings aren't that exciting - I don't think business meetings are meant to be that - but it's great to hear the amazing things God is doing all over our state. That makes the annual Council worth it. You always get to see your friends from across the state as well - people you may not see more than once a year.

Both our Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry received award for having raised considerable amounts of money for BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade) and STL (Speed-the-Light) - both missionary programs to help buy supplies and transportation for missionaries around the world. I was proud of our teams. We were the 50th highest giving church in the country for Speed-the-Light this year.

We also received an award for our giving to LFTL (Light for the Lost), yet another missionary-assisting program we're involved in.

It was great to see new missionaries from our church, Steve & Rachel Campbell, who are in the middle of itinerating to prepare to head to China as soon as they can.

But even THAT wasn't the greatest part of District Council this year. I love spending time with our pastoral staff and their spouses. And Benny, our worship pastor, led the whole Council in singing, and he was awesome. Beyond that, one of our pastors, Gabe, became a licensed minister tonight at the Ordination Service. And two of our pastors, Jason & Bob, were ordained into ministry. Very proud of them all. We have a great team.

And then, of course, the whole weekend can be very draining. Proof of that is this video Joelene took of me in the middle of the afternoon in between sessions (see below). She took it with her phone and then e-mailed it as a surprise to me. I was surprised. She has claimed for years that I make noise when I sleep sometimes. I haven't believed her - till now. (Yeah - turn up your volume.)

And be blessed.