What is the deal? Stores opening up before dawn on the day after Thanksgiving for people to get their “deals for Christmas.” This is incredible and what is even more incredible – people camp out and prepare to do it! This is really amazing to me. Whoever came up with that idea in marketing needs a raise or correction … depends on your perspective.

This indicates that the acceleration to Christmas has now formally begun. I love the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season. I just want to be able to enjoy it without it running my life … don’t you? We need to pray for each other in regards to this.

Thanksgiving has not come to our church for many years now without the Blessing Basket Food Ministry. This year was a huge success, and we give God praise for it. Doug Sarver, our gifted World Missions Pastor, the missions staff team, the entire staff team, plus hundreds of volunteers pulled off the greatest day of Blessing Baskets in our history of doing them. Here are some of the statistics:

• Over 2,300 families assisted
• Over 4,300 people present (in those families)
• Over 480 people received Christ personally
• Needs were met, lives were changed

This is a tremendous ministry of our church and is just the beginning of the ministry season we are calling “Shelter Our Community.” This passion to shelter our community with love and care extends greatly through the meeting of many needs to the various shelters of all kinds located here in Northwest Arkansas. Pray for this ministry this holiday season. This is our first attempt at this ministry and
we are excited about its possibilities.

Let the Season Begin!