My week 12/6/2020-12/18/2020

1300 Miles

3 Different Hotel Rooms

2 Big Bags of Sunflower Seeds

Lot's of desert out the window

Numerous beautiful sunsets

I started the week spending my birthday with Judy, Jack, Ryan and Maggie at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. We had a great time bowling, swimming at the outdoor pool, working our way through the escape room and spending time together over meals...a great reminder of what is important. 

I had the opportunity to drive out and visit churches and pastors in Utah and Northeast Nevada. Sunsets in the desert are beautiful. 

Tuesday, I visited the club at Midvalley Bible Church in Bluffdale, UT. Midvalley has had an Awana Ministry for 53 years! What a legacy, as many generations of families have come to know Jesus through the ministry of Awana at Midvalley...Praise God!

I met with pastor Andrew Peterson at Kaysville Bible Church in Kaysville, UT. Pastor Andrew is the youth pastor at KBC and he shared with me how God is working here in spite of Covid. Praise Him!

Wednesday, I visited Grace Community Bible Church in Sandy, UT. Grace has two groups of kids attending. One group comes live and wearing masks, the other group stays home and watches club through Zoom. As a way to mitigate Covid-19, rather than sitting in rows, the Grace congregation sits together at tables. It has been so much fun to see the creativity of churches as they continue to evangelize and disciple the children and families in their communities. 

Thursday I was blessed to have lunch with Jim and Pauline Thacher. Jim and Pauline have served as Awana Ministry Directors at Midvalley Bible for 52 years. So much fun to spend the afternoon hearing the stories of how God has worked at Midvalley over the years. This is a photo with Jim and Pauline and Awana Missionary Joel Culberson at the 50 year celebration of the Thacher's ministry.  Joel was a clubber as a boy at Midvalley and years later, now serves as Awana Missionary in Kansas and Missouri. 

I stopped by Wells Baptist Church in Wells, NV on my way west. After a great start last year, due to Covid, Wells Baptist has had to put Awana on hold. Please be in prayer for all of these "hold" clubs that they will find a way to reach kids with the love of Jesus. 

There was quite a bit of excitement Friday night at the club at Ruby Mountain Bible Church in Spring Creek Nevada. Awana Ministry Directors Tim and Seri Orr have built a great team of student and adult leaders who disciple the kids at RMBC. 

I left Elko a day early to avoid the snowy roads coming home, but couldn't escape the snow in Truckee.

Awana Christmas party on Zoom. I think I've heard "We've never done it that way before" so many times in 2020, with the employee Christmas party being no different.

I spent the rest of the week working with my missionary team preparing our January online training event. There are many churches who may either launch their club mid year or just need a little encouragement as this has been a very difficult year of ministry. You can register at events.awana.org Look for "Equipped to Run the Race". 

We'll spend the rest of 2020 celebrating the birth of our Savior with family and friends. 

Thank you again for all you do to reach kids with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For your prayers, your passion for kids, your financial support, your faithfulness in this season and most of all for your friendship. TOGETHER, we are working to give children the greatest gift they will ever receive. 

"For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!