Richmond, VA September 16-18, 2016

​I have heard about Richmond Southside Church of the Nazarene for many years from my dear friend Dave Kochheiser and his family, who are a part of this congregation.  I have always been amazed and impressed to hear about the creative and intentional ways that this church reaches out to their community.  When we first walked into the church on Friday evening to begin this weekend AWAKE revival, we were immediately struck by this intentionality in everything about the church and its warm and appealing environment.  We were so warmly greeted and embraced by Pastor Wynne Lankford, the entire church staff, who were so helpful, and the congregation.  What a joy to get to know these brothers and sisters in Christ and to be a part of this weekend that they had so thoroughly prepared for. Pastor Wynne had me make 6 different videos of 2-3 minutes in length that were shown in the services the previous Sunday and then sent out to the congregation each day of the week leading up to the weekend.  These helped prepare us all with a prayer focus for the weekend, and I am thankful to Steve Pennington at Trevecca Community Church who edited and prepared these excellent videos for me.  It seems that the videos also helped create some connection with the congregation even before I came.   

We began services Friday evening, continued Saturday evening, had three services on Sunday morning (Whew!), and then concluded with the Sunday evening service.  The Sunday morning service(s) was one of the most fun services I have ever been in.  What a spirit of joy and celebration there was, and there was a sense of the Lord beginning to break through in these times.  That only increased and overflowed on Sunday night with a clear sense of His presence breaking through in an unmistakable way and dozens of people responding to Jesus at the conclusion of that service.  We all felt that the Lord had come through and answered our prayer for this weekend.  

Time with the Kochheiser family

​​There were a couple of even more special blessings to me personally.  First of all, it was an opportunity to spend some special time with the Kochheisers and share in some fellowship together.  Most all, it was a rare opportunity for me to have my sweet daughter, Chaili, with me on a trip.  Carey gets to come with me fairly often, but Chaili is not often able to during the school year because of her schedule.  Being a senior nursing major this year, we were so

pleased that her schedule allowed for her to come for this time.  I am so deeply grateful for her and these times together both in the services and just in the car together.  They are times we will always remember together, including some special moments in prayer together at the altar on Sunday night as God worked in our lives.  What wonderful things the Lord has done for us.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for these gifts that I will always remember as we continue,
 
Running together in Christ,
 
John