When I was younger I used to wonder why do we have Mother's Day and Father's Day but no Kids' Day. I don't know if I ever really asked that question or not, I think I would have heard something like, 'that's what the other 363 days of the year are...'  As we look forward to celebrate our mothers this weekend lets make it a day where we not only say thank you, help with a few chores, and spend time with her, but also an opportunity to pray for our moms...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

A few weeks ago I was in Dallas when the terrible storms and tornados swept through the area. I was to fly home to St. Louis but the storms had dumped hail and battered the aircraft with high winds. Every plane on the ground had to be inspected before it would be able to ferry passengers to their destination. Like thousands of other travelers my flight was cancelled and plans delayed significantly. American airlines and the entire team at DFW served all of the weary, stranded passengers very well...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

One of our retreat planners, Paul Weber, has been serving as the interim pastor of a church near his home in Atlanta, Illinois. Paul began pastoring in January at Atlanta and had shared in the MCR office about some of the progress they were making but also some of the needs. In February the project began to take shape and each department began putting their expertise to work to assist the ministry in Atlanta. Here is a list of what was accommplished...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

With Easter this Sunday, it is hard not to reflect on all that God has done in my life.  Every Sunday morning, I have the privilege of helping lead worship at my church.  I get to stand up in front of the congregation and sing.  Worshiping God during our song service is one of the parts of Sunday morning that I look forward to all week. It is a time where we can connect with God by singing from our hearts (no matter if you can sing or not). The past few weeks, we have seen 3 new families attending our Sunday service.  My husband and I had the opportunity to talk to a couple that walked in last weekend.  We asked them how they heard about us.  They said they were from a town next to us and heard that we had an awesome worship service.  It is amazing to see what God is doing through our praise team...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

What inspires you? As we enter into the Easter season, it is a time to be thankful for all that the Lord has done for us. As I ponder the things I am so privileged to have in my life, I think of all that Jesus sacrificed for us and how much different it could have been without His sacrifice...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

For many of you in local church ministry this week is a incredibly busy week preparing for special services on Thursday, Friday, and your big Easter celebrations this weekend.  The pace slows down just slightly for us giving me a chance just to reflect a little bit. Over the last few days God has inspired a couple thoughts that really have encouraged me. They're simple but a solid reminder that God has his hand on the controls keeping me right on course...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Last week, Courtney brought up a phrase that sounds like nails on a chalk board to any of us who have ever attended a planning meeting. "That's not the way we used to do it" or "We only do it this way". These phrases are generally so painful simply because they aren't uttered to protect the organization from repeating a mistake - then it would be "We tried that and _______ happened." Instead the phrase generally represents a stick-in-the-mud. The idea to change is brought about because a need is recognized or the current method is not effectively meeting a need. There is no sense in reinventing a round wheel nor is there sense in driving on a flat...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Finding a church home can be one of the most difficult things to do.  I remember when I was on the search for a new church.  The first church I went to had so many people; I think I could have met a new face every week.  I just felt like a face in the crowd.  No one really took the time to come say hello or talk to me about what the church had to offer. The second church I went to didn't seem to have any life.  The worship music and the service seemed to lack motivation and excitement.  The third church I went to, I knew it was the one the moment I walked in the door.  The members were welcoming and the church was excited.  The thing I noticed about this church from the others is that it had a lot of small group activities...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Often we taut how beneficial long term planning is for a successful ministry event. But you can pull together a retreat on a short timeline and inject lots of spiritual energy into your attendees and church. There are a few keys you'll need to focus on...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

On this day in history.... two years ago I landed in La Paz, Bolivia for the first time. On my first mission trip I was completely clueless to how I would even be able to help. It was overwhelming to be there, supposed to be helping, but really unsure of what to do, how to speak with people, but through all these insecurities God taught me one of the most important lessons I have learned to-date. I have had some crazy adventures, but more so been blessed by hospitality that would make a 5 star hotel staff look rude, and witnessed faith that can move mountains. The only thing that matters is Jesus being in our lives...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Today I'm headed back to South America for my fifth mission trip in Bolivia. I'll be leading a small medical and evangelism team through the jungle region of the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. I love Bolivia. If you're a frequent reader this is not news to you. I'll be gone for two weeks, but while I'm away I have blog posts that will pop up each day. Courtney will also continue to share posts and will follow-up on any e-mails or phone calls that you send me. I'm very grateful for the whole MCR team for supporting the mission work of MVP Bolivia. I'd like to share a little about our trip......     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

We want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, we hope that 2012 is a fruitful year of ministry for your church...     Continue Reading | View Comments (6)