Monday, August 10, 2009, Nashville, TN., 7:44 a.m., D.S.T.~

Greetings!  This is Pastor Rick Cledus Jones writing; hope this finds y'all well!

I am about recovered from my recent missions trip to Africa; it was an eye-opening experience!  We all worked our tails off, and we enjoyed meeting the Maasai people over there!  They were wonderful and so hungry for God!

The senior pastor's youngest daughter (Tzippie) did get sick (she got bit by some kind of fly) and spent some time in the hospital; it was a scary time; but thankfully the Lord got her through it; she's now fine. 

We are now starting to think about fall, and the activities that will be happening:  the Harvest Festival, held Hallowe'en Week (two days now instead of just one, and it may even go to three, if more people show up; it's really grown!), our fall edition of "Home Teams", or small group ministry, the fall edition of "Cleansing Stream", and especially "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames".  We had it right before our Easter Cantata, and people are still talking about it, nearly four months later.  It really made an impact on our community!

I preached yesterday at church; Pastor Bilkey, the senior pastor, had a conference to go to (in Atlanta, Georgia), so he won't be back for at least another week.  We miss him when he isn't here.  I always get nervous when he's gone because I'm afraid I will say something wrong or screw up, and then he'd have my hide once he heard about it.  LOL

Yesterday, I talked about some of the pressing issues facing parents today.  Some of what I preached even opened up my own eyes.  That eighty percent of parents today feel like they are failures.  Or that the lack of discipline or respect has skyrocketed ten fold, thanks to the media or what is going on in our world today.  It was really disconcerting to hear that even the Disney Channel is causing the downward turn in our kids.

By the time I was done preaching, some of the members of our congregation were in tears.  I really must have hit home with what I said.  I was even crying by the end.  After the message, I had the parents come down, so we, the staff, could pray for them; that made up a goodly portion of those in attendance.  Good thing our church sanctuary is big, or else the crowd would have probably spilled out into the foyer!  LOL  It was an awesome experience!

This Saturday starts the tryouts for parts in HGHF.  We need actors to play Jesus.  The unruly mob.  Angels.  Satan.  The druggie kids.  Business women.  Construction Workers.  Families.  We need at least 100 people for the cast and more than that for the sound.  Lighting.  Ticket handlers.  Stage crew.  Backstage crew.  Counsellors.  Just a whole myriad of different areas to be covered besides the cast.  It is going to be an awesome experience for all who come or participate.  I've been to several past editions of HGHF myself, and last year, I played the father of a boy.  I ended up going to hell.  It was a powerfully emotive part; it shook me to the core.  It all seemed so real when I was participating; at times I thought I was actually going TO hell.  It really hit home!

I pray we get a good turnout; we want to make this thing top notch and reach our community in a way that will impact it for years to come!

Next Sunday we have a southern gospel group coming in to sing.  We have the Bishops performing.  It will be a wonderful time for all who come!

And next Sunday night, after the six o'clock service, we have a church meeting (staff).  We will be talking about the Harvest Festival, HGHF, Cleansing Stream, Home Teams, and issues pressing our congregation in more detail. 

I always dread these in-staff meetings; I'm always afraid one of us is going to get canned or at least chewed out by the senior pastor or church board!  *yeeks!*  Not really looking forward to it, but know they're necessary from time to time; keeps us church staffers on our toes!  LOL

Remember Tippie Young?  She was the young lady who had a stomach aneurysm; she had to have emergency surgery after the aneurysm blew.  She came through the surgery just fine; however, complications set in, and she nearly died.  She hadn't been to church in nearly two and a half months; we have really missed seeing her, having her here. 

Well, she came to church yesterday, the first time since she'd gotten sick; she looked so small, so fragile, sitting there in her wheelchair; I didn't even recognize her until she smiled that big megawatt smile of hers.  It nearly made me cry.   It was great to know she is recovering as well as she can, considering all that she's had to go through. 

She still faces a long recovery ahead of her, even more surgery.  It is only by a miracle of God's grace that she is still with us; we praise Him for His goodness to her!

Yesterday, during the offeratory, young Trevor Coles, aged ten, sang a gospel spiritual that had the hairs on our head and arms standing out on end.  That kid has been blessed with an incredible singing voice; He is giong to be a powerful instrument for the Lord!  An amazing singer for one so young; even more amazing is the fact that he is blind.  Has been blind practically from birth; yet he's never let it stop him from accomplishing his life goals!  Such an inspiring youngster!  We feel blessed that he is a part of our church family!

Last Sunday, we had Ronee' Reaux, aged sixteen, sing; she usually sings a country-style gospel song.  She blesses us each and every time; we always enjoy it whenever Ronee' sings.  She's another one who is going to be used in a huge way by God.

Her brother, Johnathon Sandusky, also sixteen, continues to defy the odds stacked against him.  He is on a ventilator now and can no longer sing (much to our dismay; he had an angelic voice), but he can still mentor the teens and younger kids, and provide the sign language for the deaf/mute members of our congregation; he's one of the best signers we have had in a long time!  He is an amazing testament to the power and courage of the human spirit!  He is a walking example of Isaiah 40:31.  People see him, and they can't help but be changed or moved!

Well, I smell coffee; plus it's time for me to get moving, get to work.  I will write in here again another day; until then, this is Pastor Rick C. Jones saying so long!  I will talk to you soon!  Take care and may God continue to bless you abundantly!

~In His Service,

Pastor Rick Cledus Jones, Christ Community Assembly of God Church, Nashville, TN.