General Jody’s MARCHING ORDERS

I have to agree with Pastor Steve Caronna, I would come to church here even if I weren’t a pastor here. As I reflect on the difference that this body is making in the community, of the lives that are being changed, and the hearts that are set on fire for God, I feel very proud and grateful to be a part of what God is doing at LWFC. God has given Pastor Steve a vision that is far reaching yet very specific…Acts 2:41-47.

Children’s Ministry is woven thru every part of the vision. Children are not just the church of tomorrow, they are a vital part of the church of today. We as parents and ministers have a unique opportunity to prepare them, to train and equip them, for ministry at a young age. We have the opportunity to prepare rather than repair at the youngest ages; to set their face toward God and create an atmosphere where God can “add daily to the church those who are being saved.” It is a daily repsonse, a daily choice, to love, encourage, teach, train, discipline, and disciple those whom God has placed in our care. While the choice is made daily, day by day, minute by minute, the consequences are eternal.

Congratulations to the Brett and Laura Doyle on the birth of their son Ethan Nathaniel Doyle. They have said this is their last child (hence the intials E.N.D.) Brett, Laura, Connor, and Phillip (Doc) are an incredible family and i am proud to call them friends. I have a picture in my cell phone of Ethan. In spite of the fact that Ethan looks a lot like Brett, he is still an adorable baby. Thank you for helping LWFC grow it’s children’s ministry.

I wanted to take a moment and post a special thanks to Sebrina Ellison and Jenny Johans for all of your hard work this Saturday in cleaning and organizing the CM resource room at LWFC. You ladies did a tremendous job!

Wrong believing does hold you back. If you believe wrong, you will make decisions based on incorrect information. Here are some wrong beliefs that keep people from reaching out to the next generation:

1) Children’s Ministry is not “real” ministry. According to the Barna Research Group, 43% of people who claim to be born again believers made that decision before the age of 13 with 64% making that decision before the age of 18.

2)Kids don’t have real problems. Children today have more choices than ever before, they are experimenting with sex, alcohol, and drugs at increasingly younger ages. 40% of children will live with their mother and her “live in” at some time by the age of 16, research indicates. These are real issues.

3)They are too young to understand or be used by God. The devil doesn’t wait for them to get “old enough” to use. He starts trying to take them out from the womb (50 Mill+ abortions since Roe V Wade). He is hitting them with everything he has in an attempt to neutralize them and get them into fear, doubt, and hopelessness as soon as possible. The liberal social agenda mirrors that of Stalin who said “Give us the children and we can take the nation within one generation.” Just look at the TV programs and music aimed at our children and youth. The truth is that God made each and every child with a purpose and a destiny for His Kingdom.

So how do we turn the tide and change the thinking? Turn to the word of God and look at His instructions in Deut 6:7-9. What happens in your home has greater impact than what happens at Church. What we, as parents, teach our kids matters to God. We must start by leading by example and being the men and women that God is calling us to be. We must show them by doing ministry together with them and training them in the things of God. They will do what you do. Are you doing what you expect from them?

I have officially entered the cyber world. Please bear with me until i get the hang of this. If you see several changes over the next few weeks, do not be alarmed, it is just me trying to make up my mind. I look forward to sharing with you some things i am learning, some ministry areas, and some random thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to tune in and share this adventure with me.

Thanks to my beautiful, loving wife Kim and my daughters (Victoria, Alexandria, and Savannah), God’s mighty warrior princesses, for their help, patience, and understanding. I love you so much. You make the adventure a blast. I can’t imagine better partners for doing life together.