It's been a great week at camp so far. I'm sorry, but I haven't had a chance to blog the last two days because of my responsibilities here. I miss ya'll terribly and can't wait to get back to McAllen. Gabe and I have had a great time at this camp, but "there's no place like home."
Our first night I preached on sin, last night I preached on forgiveness, and tonight I preached an evangelistic message on salvation. We had tons of kids come forward to accept the Lord and many more came forward to re-dedicate their lives or surrender to the ministry. It was an awesome night for God! I am so excited about the lives that were changed and the brilliant futures that were forged tonight. I know that many of these kids will be used mightily by God in the coming years. And the best part of it is that they will all soon forget my name and God will get all the glory.
Tonight I used my personal testimony as part of the message. It was sobering to think back on my life and the places God has taken me. Looking back I can see God's footprints and handprints all over my life, even in the times that I wasn't serving Him. I stand in awe that He has shaped me and molded me in such a way that I have the incredible privilege of being your pastor. I stand amazed that he could take someone like me and use what little I have to offer for his Kingdom work. God is truly amazing.
Tomorrow I preach on character and Friday on having a church family so that you don't have to do it alone. Which reminds me, I want to begin talking to you about our church family and the way God is shaping us for the future that HE has for us. I want us to talk about what it means to be the church and why we are doing some of the things we are doing. I want us to discuss some of the things we might do in the future, God willing. I really look forward to discussing these things with you on this BLOG. But, alas, it is very late (or, rather, early ... in the morning) ... so these discussions will have to wait for another day.
Until then ...
blessings,
pastor ellis
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