Published January 11, 2017
Grace Baptist Church, Batavia, New York
Corey
Ministry Highlights
Christmas in the City: We had the opportunity to participate in our city’s Christmas parade. We had a manger/nativity float, with dozens of people dressed in costume. It was a blast! We threw out candy, and we handed out hundreds of invitations for our Christmas concert/live nativity as well. It was just a great opportunity to be involved in our community as well publicly display the true meaning of Christmas.
Toys for Kids: Our church partnered/hosted a community event called “Toys for kids.” It is an event in which community parents are given Christmas presents for their kids, without their kids knowing. The kids get to do all sorts of games, crafts, pizza and bounce house with the volunteers. The community people even let us do a little gospel message, teaching the kids John 3:16. It was another great opportunity for community involvement and outreach.
Concert/Live Nativity: Each year, Grace puts on a Christmas cantata. This year there were three different “showings.” Each showing was full of new people. Many church members shared about their friends or co-workers who came that they had invited. It was a great opportunity to share the truth of God’s Word with people who need to hear it!
Hockey Team: Even though the team’s record is 1-7, the season has been incredible so far. I have had numerous opportunities to talk with players about “character,” ”life lessons,” etc. All of which is able to give me an opportunity to point to my faith. I absolutely love this opportunity that God has given me!
Key Prayer Requests
Follow-up: That we would see many of “new-faces” over the past month come back to church this new year. That we would have more opportunities to share the truth of God’s Word with these people.
Hockey Team: That I would continue to have more opportunities to share/display my faith with the players and coaches.
Youth Group: That we would see many students come out to Youth Group as we start back up. Sometimes, the “hiatus” over Christmas break can take away momentum from the student ministry year.
Our growing family: That we would transition well with the new addition to our family. That I would continue to grow in my walk as I lead my wife, son and a ministry.
Prominent Lessons
Put my phone away. I do not need to respond to every little text, call, etc. (even if its ministry related). Most of the problems, questions, etc will work themselves out. I do not need to be tied to my phone while on a date with my wife, hanging out with family and other valuable time investments.
It is the little things that add up and contribute to making relational mileage with people. It is not always a huge sacrifice, extremely generous act, etc. It may just be remembering someone’s name, having a five-minute conversation, or something of that nature. Bottom line, never underestimate the little things you do on a daily basis when investing in people.
I have the most valuable teammate, partner, friend and spouse in life! Jaycee helps me thrive in ministry. If I didn’t have her, I would not be nearly effective as I am. It was clearly evident this month at how much of an aid Jaycee is to me in ministry and just in life!
Key Goals for the Next Month
Complete Applied Bible Analysis 2.
Applied Bible Analysis 3 – 90 percent
Project proposal for #3.
Organize leaders/vehicles for both Snow camp and Youth seminars.
Jaycee
Ministry Highlights
The Ladies Christmas Party had a great turnout and an excellent guest speaker. She works as a missionary in an organization that interacts with State Government officials. She shared from the Bible about how God has used women to influence government and have a part in His plan from the beginning. I appreciated her perspective on how Christ is our ultimate source of “government,” and we can rest assured in His sovereign reign.
Time with my small group. Corey and I are with the 10th graders, and I have especially loved getting to know the 10th grade girls in the group. It’s encouraging to see their desire to grow in Christ, and I’ve enjoyed building relationships with them, along with the other girls who are able to come to girl’s night that I host at my house during the week.
Cantata/Live Nativity had great turnouts for all three showings with lots of guests! It was fun to participate and see several guests of other people who I knew as well and to build those relationships and connections.
Corey’s hockey team games have been fun to attend and encouraging to me as I realized I know several of the players’ moms and had connections with them through others from church, former teachers, etc. I’m excited to see how Trevin’s arrival will allow me to have even more conversations with them and show them Christ’s love through my relationship with Corey and our new son.
Key Prayer Requests
Now with Baby Trevin’s arrival, the transition that will happen for us as a family and as a ministry wife.
Opportunities to be a witness with several friends, especially with Trevin’s arrival.
Prominent Lessons
This month was a big month with Christmas and New Years, along with my last month of pregnancy. Church life and personal life at this time is always busy, busy, busy. One of the main events at church this past month was the Cantata/Live Nativity. Early on, I was going to sing in the cantata while Corey would oversee the Live Nativity which is put on by our teens. The first showing of the Cantata was a learning curve for both Corey and I. We realized how much we value doing things together as a team instead of being involved in separate things, and Corey especially was feeling a little overwhelmed with keeping track of the teens and putting together the Live Nativity. It was stressful and a bit draining, and I was feeling torn between wanting to help him more but also not being able to. It was so good to see God work in both our hearts over the next two showings. We got things better planned out ahead of time and both we able to enjoy the roles we had committed to although separate from each other. After it was all said and done, Corey and I were talking about how it was nice for me to be in the Cantata and to get to know several different people better who I wouldn’t have interacted with otherwise. I was encouraged to see God’s faithfulness to both of us and how He constantly chooses moments to grow our faith and put our perspective back on him.
God is able to carry me through the busy times.
It’s ok to take some time to rest!
God remains faithful even when I’m overwhelmed and doubtful.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Transitioning with Trevin.
Being an encouragement to Corey and continuing to connect with our students.
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