Upon the request of several of our churches, we have produced a five-minute video called, "GCR: Highlights From A Historic Day, June 15, 2010". This will give each of our churches an opportunity to experience the events of this day, as well as move us forward to finishing the task of the Great Commission. It is our prayer that you will share this video soon with your church on a Sunday morning or within your ministry at one of our SBC entities or state conventions. For our churches, this would be a tremendous setup before the offering is taken and will help challenge the church to greater financial support for the Cooperative Program and our need to finish the task together.

Thank you again for the moments and days you prayed for us this past year. God has worked among us and now we are coming together in love for the sake of the Gospel. June 15 was not the end, but just the beginning. Please share with your church the challenges that are relevant to our churches. In fact, a PDF can be downloaded here and you can print these challenges for your people as an insert on an upcoming Sunday. For our SBC entities and state conventions, we hope you are praying through the challenges relevant to you. The link to the five minute video of the GCR Highlights on June 15 is: http://vimeo.com/13371234.

Finally, we need to pray for our SBC entities and their trustees that have to work through the actions of the convention that were taken on June 15. Additionally, please pray for our new President, Bryant Wright, and I hope you will visit his website at pray4sbc.com. We have much to do, so let’s get it done for the glory of God. We must be busy about presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and making disciples of all the nations.

1,000 Thank Yous For Praying For Us,

This week we have had hundreds of children on both of our campuses experiencing Vacation Bible School. I want to thank our Children’s Ministry leadership for their hard work. This week, many lives have been touched with the Gospel. l send a big “thank you” to both Greg Westmoreland and Jamie Lantzsch for their heart and passion to reach children.

I am so excited to have Dr. Charles Lowery back this week to continue the series, “How to Live A Balanced and Blessed Life.” Last week he taught us how to RELAX and begin to trust the Lord in all things. Don’t miss this Sunday as he preaches on, “How to Stay Up in a Down World.” You will laugh and be challenged in your walk with Christ!

We are pressing forward on our plans toward the launch of the Fayetteville Campus. If you are interested in signing up to be on the launch team, please let us know. We will be selecting 250 to help us begin this campus. You can sign up online or in the foyer after any of our worship services. Please continue to pray as we push forward with this strategy to reach Fayetteville.

And finally, let me continue to thank you for your heart and diligence toward our “Summer Program of Giving.” Because of your faithfulness this summer, many people in our region and around the world have heard the Gospel. This is evidence that we are committed to being a “sending” church.

Have a great weekend, and don’t miss Sunday!

Sunday was a great day from start to finish. The Summer Freedom Celebration services in the morning were a great reminder of God’s work in America in the past and present – and an encouragement and challenge for the future. The Worship Ministries of both campuses did a phenomenal job. Thanks to Josh Stanbery and the Worship & Media Teams for all of their work. And what a way to complete the day – - baptizing 79 people at the foot of the crosses, honoring special veterans of many wars, and watching a beautiful fireworks display. Thousands came and had a wonderful time of fellowship. We are blessed!

Enjoy these photos from July 4, 2010!

*Photos courtesy Brian Armas and Rachel Blackwell

Do not miss our incredible celebration of America this coming Sunday morning and my message entitled, “If I Had One Last Message To Give To America.” I believe it is a word America needs to hear. Please join us in one of our four worship services, and let’s celebrate America and get before God together.

If you have never been baptized following your personal trust in Jesus Christ, I would love to baptize you personally this Sunday night at our outdoor baptism at the crosses at Pinnacle Hills. Please call one of our offices today, sign up online, or let us know on Sunday. We want to make this a powerful evening not only with fireworks and music, but also seeing people profess their faith publicly through believer’s baptism.

Friends, pray for our nation. While we celebrate it, we have great need to pray for it. Again, do not miss my message this Sunday morning, “If I Had One Last Message to Give to America.”