Over the past week I have been reading a book called "Comeback Churches."  These are churches who went through a long period of decline or stagnation and then turned around to see real growth.  Many of these churches were on the brink of being no more. 

There were many factors in their turnaround but what was not surprising was that there was a huge spiritual renewal on the aprt of the church leaders and the people of the church.  The top faith factor though was a renewed priority on prayer.  It is important to note it wasn't just prayer for anything, but specific prayer for their church and for God to bring about growth in their church.  I have heard in the past we need more corporate prayer and I agree, but when we gather we pray more for the sick than we do the spiritual condition of our church and this must change.  We must pray for God to give us an evangelistic heart, we must pray for God to humble us and search us and show us where we need to change.  We must ask God to give us more souls.  Ask God to change us so that as church we will do what is necessary to reach our community.  We must focus on spiritual health more than physical health. 

We have a great opportunity next week.  VBS is a great time to invite others and get them into the church.  Are you praying??  Be praying for God to do a mighty work next week.  We want to see souls come to Christ, we want to see our own people growing and becoming more Christlike, we are asking God to do a great and mighty work in our midst.  So PRAY...Because of Him, Pastor.

Hello all!! Greetings from Mobile, AL.  We arrived her yesterday afternoon and checked into our hotel and got a room facing Mobile Bay on the 21st floor overlooking the retired battleship, USS Alabama.  The fireworks went off right over the ship yesterday so we had a spectacular view.  

The trip so far has been fantastic.  We had a safe trip down here and Rashod sleeping most of the way.  We checked into our hotel in Baton Rouge and Tammy and I slept very well.  Thursday we woke up and went to Angola and had a great visit with George.  When we left Rashod commented on how wonderful a visit it was.  George was so happy to see his son and visit with us too.  The prison officials were great as usual.  I believe that God was in every step of this journey so far. 

We dropped Rashod off in Baton Rouge yesterday where he caught the buses to Word of Life in Schroon Lake, NY.  The busses left right on time with 84 children of inmates.  What a blessing to see so many of them loading up to have a week of spiritual influence in a place that is a lot of fun.  The charter busses looked brand new and were beautiful and looked to be very comfortable.  Please pray that Rashod and the other kids have a great time on their journey. 

I check in to the conference tomorrow.  I have already seen a few of the other chaplains and they are looking forward to a great conference as well. 

I will be praying for all of you back at FVBC tomorrow. Have a great service tomorrow.  Because of Him, Pastor.