Last week, we hosted our first-ever sports camp for children in the Ukiah Valley. And what a week it was! All 60 of our spots were filled, and kids spent the entire week learning the fundamentals of soccer, making friends, having fun, eating great meals, and hearing about the good news of Jesus Christ. Relationships were sewn. The gospel was planted. And at least 6 young people (that we know of) responded to the good news of Jesus with professions of faith. God is good!
As mentioned on Sunday during our worship service, this camp would not have been possible if it wasn't for the various ways our church came together in support of this outreach. Many of you prayed. Many of you gave financially. Many of you volunteered many hours all week long. Whether it was at the check-in and check-out tables welcoming kids and their families and making sure every child left safely, or setting up and cleaning up, or meal-prepping and cooking, or serving meals, or striking up conversations with parents, or providing security for all campers, or helping with soccer drills and games, it was all a beautiful demonstration of God using our different gifts and abilities to bring it all together for the sake of human redemption.
I was reminded of the Apostle Paul's words to the Christians in Corinth: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). It was very evident to me that God was at work all week long through each of you. It was truly a beautiful sight.
So thank you, once again, for your devotion to the Lord and your love for our surrounding community. And let's continue working in this beautiful spirit of unity (Psalm 133:1) as we look forward to the next season of ministry to one another and our local community. Our mid-week Kids Clubs (AWANA) will be starting in September, and we hope to see many of our new friends there. Let's pray. And if we're able, let's serve. God is up to something here in the Ukiah Valley! We're just riding the wave of momentum he's creating. Together. And Faithfully.
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