Going for the Gold

Dear Worshippers,

Did you know the Olympics begin next Friday, 8-8-08 at 8:08:08 in the evening in Beijing? Many athletes will gather from all over the world to compete for the right to stand on top of the podium and claim the gold medal. Most of them will have trained for years, disciplining their entire lives to the pursuit of this goal, hoping for a few moments of glory and a place in history.

But before that, another exciting event begins: our annual Children’s Music Camp on Monday, 8-4-08 at 9:00 in the morning. Kids will gather from all over the area to prepare a musical to share which will declare the way to walk the golden streets of glory. Most of them will have done musicals before, but never one like this one, which will equip them with some very specific tools by which to share their faith in Christ.

You see, our musical this year is Hans Bronson’s Gold Medal Mission: A Kids Musical of Olympic Proportions. It will trace the coming to faith of the lead character and in so doing teach the kids to use the five colors of the Olympic rings to share their faith: black – sin, red – Jesus’ blood, blue – baptism, green – growth [prayer, Bible study, evangelism and fellowship], and gold – eternal reward. I can hardly wait to get started, except for the fact that there are still many details to care for before then.

I want to encourage you again to pray. I fully expect that there will be some kids who come next week who have never turned in faith to Christ. I know there are many others who need to grow in their faith. What a privilege to invest in the lives of these kids who have a life stretching before them that can be used to the glory of God.

I am very thankful also for a crew of support: Susan Floyd, my assistant director, Amy Davis, choreography, and Rich Kyer, drama, to name just a few key leaders. Pray for the each of these and me for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon everything we do. Pray for the kids to receive that ministry. Pray for God to be glorified as we prepare this musical which will be used at two outreach events, one here and one in Fairmont.

I also want to encourage you to be “Going for the Gold”. Do not settle into this life, living comfortably looking forward to your reward. Instead, as Paul said, “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 3:14] Discipline yourself to serve faithfully introducing others to the Savior and the hope of heaven even while you anticipate your eternal reward.

Thanks for praying and “Living the Call Together.”

In Christ,

Pastor Scott