Camp Meeting 
in Texas

The familiar elements are in place for a good old-fashion camp meeting. There is the promise of good music, warm fellowship, an evangelist and lots of food. The theme for the week is "The Greatest Thing in the World . . ." focusing on the Great Commandment. The only thing different about this camp meeting is that it's on the move. Several of our churches, under the direction of Rev. Tamra Carpenter, have planned a gathering for September 19 - 23. However, the gatherings will not be in only one place. Each service will be hosted by a particular church, meaning that it will be a traveling camp meeting.

During a quick trip to Jacksonville, Fla., this past weekend, I was caught in a tremendous rainstorm with my wife. The way to her work at the hospital took us through an area prone to flooding. By the time we headed back from having lunch, the water had risen to the midway point on my tires.
 
My wife was, to say the least, "nervous." I do not think I was nervous, but the idea of getting stuck did cross my mind. Nevertheless, I plowed ahead, parting the waters like a modern-day Moses. I must admit that there were other options. Later, my wife suggested that we could have gone south and back around, eventually arriving at our destination. That was true, but it would have meant an additional 40- to 50-mile trip.

FROM THE LATIN AMERICA AREA DIRECTOR
 
The busy lives that pastors lead are not just typical of pastors in North America but are common around the world. Just as Jesus and his disciples experienced the pressure to constantly address a multitude of needs in the crowds that followed them, so, too, pastors often are constantly pulled one way and then another by the needs of their congregations. Unfortunately, in many cases, this results in pastors who don't have time to themselves - to rest and recharge. Jesus tried to address this problem by getting away with his disciples to a "quiet place" where they could "get some rest" (Mark 6:31). The pastors of our churches in Mexico will be following this biblical example during the last weekend of September when they hold their first annual pastor's retreat in San Felipe, Mexico.

ACGC
CCN, known around here as "Church Communication Network" is up and running again. On Tuesday, September 18, the department of nurture hosted a group of pastors to the first showing of "The Effective Pastor" part one.
 
After viewing the DVD, 10 area pastors joined in a time of teaching, discussion, fellowship, food and prayer. This will become a regular occurrence as the department of nurture - in an attempt to encourage, equip and empower AC pastors - offers these special times of instruction and interaction.

The next DVD showing will be October 16 at 10:30 a.m. and will feature part two of "The Effective Pastor."

SAVING WHILE SURFING