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My blogging experience is continuing to develop as I learn be more effective (thanks to skintighttransformation). I hope you continue to share the journey with me.

Visit my new blog at www.billsimmonslive.com.

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150 Commitments to Serve

On Sunday we hosted a Ministry Expo at SpringWell. Each department was creative about how they promoted their ministry’s Service Opportunities and encouraged participation. It looked like the circus came to town. We had two large enclosed tents, a cotton candy booth, and portable food trailer complete with corn dogs, french fries, and funnel cakes. We even had a stuffed moose, thanks to our student ministry. The whole place was full of energy and very exciting.

As a result, 150 people made commitments to serve at SpringWell. The breakdown is as follows: 

·        Creative Arts: Worship & Music – 12

·        Creative Arts: Tech – 5

·        Christian in the Wind – 9

·        Women’s Ministry – 15

·        Home Groups – 6

·        Central Community Ministries – 10

·        Angel Food – 7

·        Adult Discipleship – 3

·        Children’s Ministry – 10

·        Mother’s Morning Out – 6

·        Campus Support – 10

·        Care Ministries – 17

·        Student Ministry – 11

·        Communications – 2

·        Operations Ministries – 16

·        Guest Services – 11

This was a great way to end our series SpringWell’s Got Talent. We have learned that each of us is uniquely SHAPEd by God with purpose and destiny. None of us is meant to sit on the sidelines. We are all called to serve. If you missed the Expo you can still get connected. Check out the Service Opportunities booklet and connect with the team you feel you want to serve.

God shapes us through our crisis moments

As a pastor, I have connected with many people during times of crisis. In the early years of my ministry, this weighed heavy on me. I often tried to “fix” the situations through advice and declaration of scripture. Eventually, I figured out that there are no easy fixes to the crisis situations of life.

 

I have also discovered through my personal experiences that God uses crisis to open our hearts to Him in deep and meaningful ways.

 

None of us desire for crisis in our lives. Yet in comes anyway through financial setbacks, a broken marriage, rebellious children, loss of a job, medical emergencies, death, and so much more.  It is difficult in these times to believe God is at work. It’s hard to see how the future will be bright when your today seems so bleak.

 

Hope is always there despite the crisis. No matter what you are going through you can stand on the truth that you are never alone. When you see others in crisis and are concerned about them, trust God. Most people are only a crisis away from Christ.

 

When crisis comes your way, remember that God shapes us through our crisis moments.