FRIEND DAY is coming on October 12 in our church. The purpose of this day is to stretch each one of us and every segment of our ministry by inviting someone and bringing them to church on that day. Yes, every Sunday really is Friend Day, but this special emphasis works by calling us all into action. So many people need to be in church, and so many others need the Lord. Let’s connect the dots on this day – invite and bring one for Him. Let’s make it the day God wants it to be!

Next Sunday, we will begin our new Ministry Budget for the year. To kick off the budget year in a positive way, we are encouraging everyone to join us in honoring God with their tithes and offerings on that day. God says He will prove Himself strong in our lives when we do. I ask you, beginning in October, give biblically, consistently, sacrificially, and faithfully. Pray about what God wants you to give, and pray for the needs of our church to be met. We need to engage God’s economy more than ever before. Everything else is vulnerable and weak, but not the Lord’s economy! We can count on Him. He will fulfill His Word.

Yesterday, we celebrated Ben Mayes’ 10th Anniversary on our team. Ben is our Executive Leader of Finance and Shiloh. He is responsible for all finances of our entire ministry; plus, he is the leader of Shiloh Christian School. He came to us 10 years ago from a major, executive position with the City of Fayetteville. We are so grateful God brought Ben and Sue to us.  They have three children, and we have been blessed to see them grow in their walks with Christ. Their daughter, Staci, will graduate in December with a dual major in Spanish and Latin American studies from the U of A; their oldest son, Brad, will graduate in May from Liberty University with a degree in Inter-Cultural Studies; and their youngest son, Sam, is an eighth grader at Shiloh Christian School.  We love each of them and are grateful to God for them.

As you go through your day, pray for our church. Pray that many people will come and lives will be saved on Friend Day.  Pray for God to be honored this Sunday on “Prove the Tithe” day. And thank God for the faithfulness and service of Ben Mayes today.

Have a great Monday!