Ali Bruce shared a little bit of her story tonight. She’s a former youth group kid (she was in Kim’s small group for 5 years!) turned leader who has just returned from a 11 month/11 country mission trip called The World Race. You should watch some of her videos or Read more
Once a year Calvary decides to cancel our weekend worship services, pick up our rakes and shovels and paintbrushes, and go serve our neighbors. It’s really a humongous undertaking. It’s also one of the highlights of the year. This year we decided to throw an overnight party for the youth group Read more
What’s your favorite church holiday? Most of us land on Easter or Christmas, and that makes sense, you know, since Jesus is a pretty big deal to us. But are those actual holidays? When you have a holiday from school, that means that school is cancelled, right? But a church Read more
I have a friend in the Dominican Republic named Miguel. He moved his family to the beautiful island a few years ago, following the call of God to go make disciples of every nation. I’m sure that some people called him crazy. Most of the general public have never entertained Read more
Did you sing it in your head? I’m hearing the Beatles tune… I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve been on this trip to the Rose of Sharon Orphanage in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. It’s close to 10, more or less. Each time has been Read more
I’m not sure what the reason, but I feel like I’m off my rhythm tonight. It could be that I leave for the Dominican Republic in the imminent future. I packed tonight, or at least for the most part. We carry all of our clothes and personal stuff in a Read more
As I look back on the past 14 years that I’ve been in Happy Valley and the 10 or so trips that I’ve taken to visit the boys (and girls) at the Rose of Sharon Orphanage, I have a few special memories. Henry was wheelchair bound by the time I Read more
It’s late, and I should be in bed, but I wanted to drop this on you. I spent the past weekend in Dallas, TX (don’t be jealous–the only time I left the hotel was to go for a run in drizzly 45 degree weather). I was there for the 5-year Read more
This is part 2 of a post that I started yesterday. As a newbie on this trip to the exotic, beautiful Dominican Republic, I was amazed at all the things my eyes were taking in. I was stunned by the beauty of the country, and the people…oh my goodness. I Read more
I’d never been on a mission trip before we moved to Happy Valley. I know, that’s a shocker to some. For about 10 years, I was the youth pastor who’d never taken his teenagers to share the Good News with those lost souls in far off countries? How could I Read more