Ministry changes at our Church and in my future ministry!

I have been the Senior Pastor at Community Fellowship Church (CFC) in Kane, PA, for the past 4 years with NO regrets, but my position as Senior Pastor has come to an end. Our church leadership, including myself during the last year had made the decision for an elder-led church. With me having no church income, there is a need to obtain secular work. On top of that, we are hoping for a good paying secular job or a full-time ministry position will open in a warmer climate and, hopefully, closer to our children and grand-children. With these possible changes in my life, it was suggested I withdraw from consideration as an elder, so I did. We (Joyce and I) feel our calling may be in another direction of ministry than Kane. That being said, I am still a member of CFC and will still be teaching in the church, as my church recognizes that I have a call to ministry and to teach.

Meanwhile, Christian Pool Players Association is growing and maturing at a great rate in 2009. I believe God's hand is on CPPA and I am able to give more time to it than I have in the past 4 years as Senior Pastor. See: http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/

Also, over 30 years ago God put in my heart "Africa" and a desire to minister there. In God's plan and timing, it is about to come to pass. I have been invited to be guest speaker in various churches in Nigeria, Africa (Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, 2010). Now, during an economic crisis in America, I just need to raise $2500 to make this trip. No big deal to God!

Links: www.goproclaim.com/africa.htm and www.goproclaim.com/support.htm

I can definitly say this is a year of "change" in my life. As I head rapidly toward 50 yrs. old, I feel the Lord has plans for me beyond how he has used me up tuntil now. So, in my heart (not my emotions) I excitingly look forward.

Until next time - Be blessed and be a blessing!

Now that I'm home again!

We've been back in Kane, PA, for about 6 weeks now. We are getting settled back into life out in the country, settling back in our local church, corresponding with many from CPPA (which is growing), and painting the outside of our house (new color, too).

In July I went with Mac McQuillen (and his grown son, Eddie) to his first Wheelchair Pool Tournament in Ohio (near Cleveland) run by National Wheelchair Pool Association (NWPA). He's been in a wheelchair for over 5 years. Friends in the pool industry and CPPA helped Mac to make it to his first wheelchair tournament. People involved in the tournament were great in their attitudes toward life even though in wheelchairs. They also played together in a very respectable way with one another.

Also, don't be fooled by their wheelchairs, there are some really good wheelchair players out there. Mac didn't win the main event, but did take first place in the "Sceonf Flight Tournament."

Finally, I preached my first sermon Sunday since March! It went well and I am looking forward to teaching a series of 10 messages on "Diagnosing Your Spiritual Health" in upcoming Saturday evening services.

This year the word that has stuck out to me is "CHANGE." This is truly a year of many changes, starting with my sabbatical, growth in www.christian poolplayers.com (CPPA), changes in our home church, and before year's end I'll be making a life-long dream of a mission trip to Africa. More on that in my next blog.

Keep me in your prayers with this year having so many changes. Like so many of you have been effected by our struggling economy, we have also, and I am in need of a secular job.

In the midst of it all - My LORD is always there and faithful to take care of ALL who are His children (Matt. 6:25-34).