Dear Christ Community,

Dear Christ Community,

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s back to work we go!

I’m so hopeful that the holiday weekend brought you time to rest, catch up on a project or relationship, or maybe even an adventure!

And, of course, I’m hopeful that you found time with the margin to spend some more time with your Maker. He loves you so much!

One of the things I continue to love about serving the Lord here in Shelbyville is that he’s given us many great partners to serve alongside of! Last Monday, ALC Pregnancy Center celebrated 20 YEARS of faithful service to men, women and children in our community! Praise God! While some have believed that abortion is solely a political fight, ALC faithfully reminds us that the fight for life also happens in small consultation rooms where hardship is met with prayer and resources as well as classrooms where life skills are taught.

I also was able to spend time with a partner you may not know we have through the Cooperative Program! Oneida Baptist Institute is a private school in Eastern Kentucky that was started in response to a fight between teenagers. Founder James Burns said this as part of his vision: “The idea was to give the children religious education…till they learned to love one another and forgot how to hate...”

Today, OBI serves families from several counties as well as over 20 countries across the world! It was an honor to spend some time there last week and share with some of their students a message from Psalm 32.

Sunday, though a lighter crowd with the holiday weekend, was a sweet time of singing and opening God’s Word together. I loved looking back through pictures from the weekend this morning; families worshipping together, small groups of kids studying together, and different generations loving one another. Church is a beautiful thing..

What do you say we get back together and do it again this weekend??

I’m really excited to celebrate a baptism and welcome some new members!

We’ll finish up our series in Ezra and then invite families to head to Clear Creek to enjoy a picnic lunch together. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty day!

Last thought.. with a short week, we’re tempted to just put our head down and get the essentials done.

I was so thankful for a text from Daniel Bright talking about an unexpected gospel conversation he’d had first thing this morning!

On a short week, stay present church! You never know what work Jesus might be inviting you to join him in this week!

Love y'all,

Blake