Bowling Green, MO September 11-12, 2016

Have you ever had one of those experiences that caused you to realize that time continues to pass by (in other words, “I’m old”)?  Nearly 22 years ago, I was at the church of my friend, Pastor Dave Phillips, for some revival services in Apple Valley, CA.  Dave and Chris have three children, the youngest of whom is Wes, who was around 9 years old at that time.  What a blessing it was to receive an e-mail several months ago from a pastor named Wes Phillips.  I was amazed when I learned of the connection.  Wes has been the pastor at the Church of the Nazarene in Bowling Green, MO for two years after being a pastor to families at another church in Missouri.

This was my very first time to be a guest at a church of a “second generation” pastor whom we have known.  However, nothing about Pastor Wes would cause anyone to think he is a young pastor.  I was impacted by the maturity and leadership that he exhibits and how the Lord is working through him in the church.  God is already working in a mighty way in this church, with at least one-fourth of the people being new to the church and the Christian life.  I was so impressed with the core values that they have put in place and how they are implementing those into the life of the church.  Again, this is a testimony to the leadership of Pastor Wes.  It was a pleasure and joy to get to know him, Courtney, and their son, Isaac.   The church responded in this uniquely formatted two-day revival.  In each of the three services, in addition to Sunday School, people were really open and seeking Jesus --- both new people and those who are long-time members.  There was a real sense of revival and coming back to focus on Him, not allowing the enemy to distract us with the things of life.  

With Pastor Wes, Courtney, and Issac

​I praise the Lord for the positive sense of what He is doing in the life of this body of believers, and how He seemed to work through these services to add to that and take us further.  I am excited to hear what will happen in this community in days ahead.  I am further grateful for these new relationships.  Time indeed does move on, but what a blessing to know Jesus and be exactly where He has placed us for such a time as this.  Excited more than ever as we continue . . .
 
Running together in Christ,
 
John