Jeana and I have been so blessed with our two sons, Josh and Nick. It is by grace alone they are living the way the live and doing what they are doing. All through the years as our people asked us, “How can we pray for your family?”, I would always respond in the same way: “Pray our sons grow up loving Jesus and His Church.” God answers prayer and we are so very blessed!
Josh is the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Shiloh Christian School in Springdale. In his two years as a head coach of a very young team, each team has gone to the State Quarter-finals. In Arkansas, private schools play in the public school league, which we love to do. This young team is now “senior-led” and two weeks ago won what some believe the most prestigious 7-on-7 National Tournament in America that took place in Hoover, Alabama. They were undefeated in eleven games, defeating some of the highest ranked teams in America, including Sports Illustrated #1 High School team this year, Hoover High School. Shiloh Christian defeated their varsity team not only once, but twice; both times in a profound manner. In Thursday’s edition of USA TODAY’s Sports section, Shiloh Christian was referred to as a premiere team in America. Shiloh Christian is a ministry of our church. As well, this year’s team is the #1 Ranked Pre-season Team in Arkansas in our division. Just turning 26 years old, Josh has been blessed with these great young men and their ability. As well, he has a great coaching staff of men committed to God first, academics second, and football third in our school.
Nick has just moved from an assistant status to the Ministry Staff Team of the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas. He has just been asked to be a part of the first ministry team of Prestonwood’s new campus in the Prosper, Texas, region. This region, just north of Frisco, is forecast to become the “shopping mecca” of Dallas within the next five years. The church owns over 100 acres of land at Hwy 380 and the future North Dallas Tollway. In three Sundays, Nick and the Ministry Team of this campus will begin at the Prosper High School. Nick has become the Minister of Young Adults, which means married and single adults under 30 years of age. As he continues to move forward in his seminary education, please pray for him this fall as he faces enormous challenges in schedule and responsibility. He and Meredith live in Plano, so this will be a travel challenge for them as well, as she works downtown in Dallas. Nick has been blessed and favored by God to lead in this way. At 22 years of age, the Lord has been very good to him. He has 36 hours of Master’s work behind him after one year, has worked full-time, and has to complete 94 total hours to graduate with a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary. He will be so fortunate to not only be under the great leadership of Dr. Jack Graham, pastor at Prestonwood, but also outstanding other men who are a part of that team. Yes, Nick is very, very blessed.
Josh and Nick are products thus far of prayer and grace. Please continue to pray for them. They are young men who for years have been committed to walking with Jesus daily, loving the church, and giving their lives to impact our generation. Even though the way they do it is different, they do it under the calling of God. Josh and Nick have been so blessed with Kate and Meredith, two great and godly young women. Now, Josh and Kate are challenged with their almost 11 month old Peyton. Pray for all of them.
We are so blessed and I just wanted to say these words:
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!!!!!!!