EBC Men's Retreat-Rock Island-Wenatchee Valley Bible

This past weekend was a busy weekend. On Saturday morning, while Katherine, Sarah Joy, Kimberly and Emma (daughter-in-law and granddaughter), went to "TEA" in Sumner, I headed out to the Edgewood Bible Church Men's Retreat in Ravensdale. This was my first time to Lake Retreat and was an enjoyable time. Our speaker was Steve Janho who is the College Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue. Steve used to be the Men's Ministry Leader when he and his family attended Valley Bible Church before his current role. Besides the main sessions there was opportunity for Frisbee Golf and a Basketball Freethrow contest. Katherine picked me up in the early afternoon and we headed to Rock Island where we spent the evening with Dennis and Lori Stark, pastor of the Community Church. The Starks have been at this ministry now for about four years. While we didn't see any children for Sunday School this particular Sunday, there were a dozen or so adults looking through Ephesians 3. Dennis preached from a few different passages on the subject of Thanksgiving. We were tickled to see over 55 people in the Worship service followed by a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. Boy was it crowded. I told one of the men they need to get the kitchen done and if they keep growing they may have to begin building an addition. It is encouraging to see new faces attending, being baptized, becoming new members and taking on ministry roles. Following our time of fellowship we headed over to the Bong's house so I could participate in the Wenatchee Valley Bible Church Board meeting. I serve in this capacity along with Pastor Dan and three other men. Katherine and Charlottee (wife of the Treasurer) went for coffee and hang out together during the meeting. In the Evening Service I shared from a variety of passages, via Powerpoint, on the subject of Thanksgiving. I began with Philippians 2:14 sharing concerning the subject of not complaining and disputing about the situations of life. After a time of fellowship and goodies we made our way over Blewett and Snoqualmie Pass which saw lots of deer but thankfully not a lot of snow. Unfortunately one deer had been hit in the hindquarters and was still on the road. The hazards of this time of year.

Moody Northwest Mission's Conference

Katherine and I got back last night, more specifically 12:30am this morning, from the Moody Northwest Mission's Conference in Spokane. The Conference was held at Fourth Memorial Bible Church which doubles for the Bible Institute. We began Sunday afternoon with Orientation, setting up the display and a Chili-Potato Bake. This gave us the opportunity to begin touching base with many of the students. There are a little over 300 students at Moody this year which is an increase over last year. We met up with our Inland Northwest Field Director, Roger and Karen Hayden that evening as they drove up after ministering in their church at Cambridge. On Monday morning the Conference officially began with the first General Session. The main speaker was Rev. Abraham Thomas from India who founded Agape Royal Ministries. He spoke for three of the four main sessions. Dr. Gerald W. Peterman, Chair of the Bible department at Moody Bible Institute, spoke for one session. During the main sessions there was a worship time. There was a number of seminars throughout the two days. Roger Hayden taught one seminar titled, "Is Your Church a Lighthouse?" He focused on the "first" impressions churches give when people come to the church and walk through the doors. We had a great time of fellowship with the Hayden's and a number of conversations with other displayers and students. Following the conference we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and fellowship with John & Janet Johnson at a local restaurant in downtown Spokane. We first met John years ago when he would fly into Hailey as a corporate pilot. They also spent a few years at Ravensdale Bible Church as they are related to Matt & Terri Sconce, former N.I.C.E. Missionaries who now live in Minnesota.