Praise the Lord

Stephanie and I are excited to see God at work in the lives of Sowing Hope kids and volunteers. As we have prayed, God has provided. God has also blessed in ways that we did not expect or pray for. God is good and is accomplishing His work and fulfilling His promises found in Scripture. He is bringing people to Himself, providing opportunities to share the gospel, leading His people by the Holy Spirit to serve, and giving Stephanie and I joy in Him! Here are some of the ways in which God is working:

God brought boys to himself through Jesus Christ. Stephanie and I kicked off our summer small group time with upper elementary and junior high students yesterday. The first lesson was on the most important person and event in life: the person and death & resurrection of Jesus Christ. We spent time outside--Stephanie with two girls and I with three boys. The guys group had fun for sure: we went on a hike at the OARDC, talked, did goofy things, pretended we were GI Joe's, and discussed issues related to the good news of Jesus Christ. From what I could tell, God opened the hearts of at least two of the boys to respond by trusting in Jesus. One of these two boys had expressed faith in Christ last year as well. Praise God. What an important time to follow-up with them and point them to growth in Christ. there w

God led a guy this week to commit to leading a small group. Having played phone tag with this guy (who has previously served in Sowing Hope in the homework club and in Student Ministries as a small group leader) in order to talk with him about ministry opportunities this summer, I finally connected with him--in person. As I described the small group opportunity (a time for building relationships, having fun, and learning from God's Word), his face lit up. After discussing small groups with him, he indicated that he would lead a small group. This was God's work for sure: for while Stephanie and I had thought about having others lead small groups, I hadn't been sure if he would be someone who would be able to do so. Indeed, I eventually came to the point where I was expecting that it would only be Stephanie and I who would lead a weekly small group this summer. Marlin, the verse you quoted in your comment on Stephanie's last post is so fitting: God does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. God, thank you for leading this individual to serve You in a small group and for providing the opportunity for a group of boys to be impacted through this man!!

God is leading several students from Student Ministries at Wooster Grace to participate tomorrow in our weekly Neighborhood Bible Club-like. Wooster Grace students will be a presence tomorrow in the lives of kids and families who need to see Christ and be loved. They will help kids with a craft, play games with kids, encourage them, and have the opportunity to shine for Christ. Thanks, Pastor Nick, for challenging students to do difficult things this summer.

Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

God is doing more than we can ask or imagine in Sowing Hope. So, He gets the honor and glory. Lord, I give you the glory!!!!!!