This Time, It's Vacation

I will be away from Blogland for two weeks. Off to the beach with many from my side of the family for some R & R and to play with our three dear kiddos (cannot wait!). Jennifer unfortunately has to stay back with nursing school, but we are hoping to take another trip when she finishes in December. See you all in two weeks!

SPLAT 2007

The BCUMC Team at Youth 2007 With Kutless


Oak Hill, WV Mission

The mission work... a blessing. The worship...exhilarating. The bands...awesome. The youth...indescribable!



These are just a few of the many adjectives to describe the SPLAT 2007 trip to Oak Hill, WV and then to Greensboro, NC. Our youth were overly excited as we departed for this trip! I was still wallowing in the joy of last Sunday's worship experience. As we drove through West Virginia, my thoughts slowly began to turn towards the next journey of mission work in an area that I have heard to be economically depressed.


We pulled into Oak Hill to a warm greeting by a few members of Oak Hill UMC and a nice sign in the front church lawn that had Baldwin's name on it. The youth were so very excited! Monday and Tuesday morning we had the opportunity to serve two local families. The first, we painted the roof of the family in need. The girls did this since this pastor has a little more meat on the bones! The girls did an excellent job with some of the messiest paint known to the human race.



The second family we served were in need of a fence. Their four year old daughter who has some mental disabilities needed a fence in the yard to keep her from falling into a small creek in the back yard. These youth worked and worked until the end of the second day, never grumbling about the 90+ heat and the long bouts of hammering that accompanied building a fence.


We departed for Greensboro Wednesday morning. Words cannot descibe the SPLAT Conference. It was awesome in every sense. (I got to hear one of my favorite bands, Kutless!)



http://www.kutless.com/ It brought me great joy to see the youth of BCUMC and from all around the world, joining together to worship the Lord God Almighty, through prayer, fellowship, music, the Word and through many other means.


It was great to see many from our Conference, like John Shaver, Cindy Bloise, Bishop and Sally Bickerton with their boys, Nick and TJ. It was great to meet other members of WPA Conference as well like the team from Lower Burrell (we greeted them everyday!)



God certainly had his hand on this trip and to God be the glory for the great things he has done!

But Dad... I Just Started Blogging!

I know... here we go again. Another time away from blogging. Maybe not 8 months. Ok, just a week. I am preparing to lead Baldwin Community's youth on a youth mission trip/conference beginning Sunday. The youth will spend three days in Oak Hill, WV on a mission project with members of Oak Hill United Methodist Church. This will be a great opportunity for each of us as we endeavor to serve Christ Jesus in certain ways that will touch others as our youth have not been accustomed to witnessing. God has done some wonderful works in our preparation for this trip (thanks brother John Shaver for helping!)

Following the mission part, each of us will go to Greensboro, NC for the SPLAT 2007 Worldwide United Methodist Youth Conference. This will be one awesome opportunity for us as we get to meet youth from all around the world and some even in our own backyard! It is my hope to see the youth find joy in Conferencing. As one who enjoys the fellowship of Annual Conference, I pray that each of these youth will develop 1) a stronger relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ and 2) a greater appreciation for each other and for the body of believers within the Conference. We all have something in common; our faith in Jesus Christ! Wir Sun Bruder!

Until next week...

Happy Fourth

Blessings To All On This Fourth!

Off to Aunt Cindy's for an awesome time and swim!

We are so blessed!

This Fw: Made Me Think

Leaders vs. Followers


When leaders make a mistake, they say, "I was wrong."
When followers make mistakes, they say, "It wasn't my fault."


A leader works harder than a follower and has more time;

a follower is always "too busy" to do what is necessary.


A leader goes through a problem;

a follower goes around it and never gets past it.


A leader makes and keeps commitments;

a follower makes and forgets promises.


A leader says, "I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be;"

a follower says, "I'm not as bad as a lot of other people."


Leaders listen;

followers just wait until it's their turn to talk.


Leaders respect those who are superior to them and try to learn something from them;

followers resent those who are superior to them and try to find chinks in their armor.


Leaders feel responsible for more than their job;

followers say, "I only work here."


A leader says, "There ought to be a better way to do this;"

followers say, "That's the way it's always been done here."



I received this from our Administrative Coordinator, Susie. Susie attached this with our staff minutes today. I read this for the first time today. I paused prior to a meeting I had to reflect upon my own leadership in the church. Where in this forward am I? I pray that I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ that can serve and lead His people. Thanks Susie for allowing me to reflect... "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant... For even I the Son of Man, came here not to be served, but to serve others." Mark 10:43-45