Saturday, September 12, 2009, Nashville, TN., 7:04 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Good morning!  Here is hoping that the day finds y'all well and full of the blessings of God!

Pastor Delcambre' here.  I am the newest member of the church family at Christ Community Assembly of God here in Nashville, Tennessee:  just moved here a month ago, and I got offered a job here at the church to be the children's pastor.  I accepted the job, so here I am. 

The church I attend now is twice the size of the little church I pastored in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, which is my old stomping grounds (Breaux Bridge, not the church  LOL).  Over 2,000 people call Christ Community Assembly of God home, and get this:  a school mate of mine, Bruce Bilkey, is the head pastor here!  When I heard that, I knew God brought me to this place; it was like an old class reunion!

Tomorrow is the first time I will preach.  I will be talking to the congregation about God's provision and blessings upon His people, based on the verse in Phillippians, Phillippians 4:19. 

Shouldn't be too difficult because as of now, I am a very blessed man.  :)

I have a loving wife, Corinna, and two beautiful children:  seven-year-old Parker Jacob (P.J.), who has Down syndrome, and 11-year-old Cambree Joy, whom we adopted from China when she was two; she's grown into a gorgeous preteen.  They are adjusting to their new home (and church); I am sure they will fit in just perfectly before too long, with the Lord's help.

I think the biggest issue my family is having is the church size.  So many new people to get to know!  And to try to find my way around the church building!  LOL  That's the biggest issue I have at the current time.

Christ Community Assembly of God is a beautiful church.  Looks fairly simple on the outside (although big!) and in the lobby, but the sanctuary is rather fancy, especially the platform area.  There's a huge cross with lights streaming from it; this serves as the centerpiece.  Clouds and blue skies sit directly behind the cross.  It's rather pretty. 

The pews are wooden, made of white mountain cedar, and there are huge, stained-glass windows on the sides of the sanctuary, which lets God's light in. 

I already met quite a few of the families who come to CCAofG; I have noticed one thing:  there is a large contigent of people with special needs here.  My son shouldn't have too much difficulty in fitting in, especially when he comes to discover that there are others "like him" there at the church.  :)  There's also quite a few families with adopted children, including Pastor Bilkey, who has several adopted children himself.  There are quite a few young people; I am most impressed!

All of the people I have met have been so loving, so welcoming, so compassionate; the love of the Lord clearly shines in their countenance. 

Yes, I think I am going to love it here at Christ Community (that is, once I get used to the size of the church building and the size of the congregation, that is!  LOL).

I have noticed that they have many talented people here, especially in the music field.  The music is usually southern/country gospel, but other forms are featured, for variety.  For the young kids, it's rock or rap.  For the older generation, the classic, beloved hymns reign supreme.  For the little ones, it's simple praise songs or country/bluegrass.  It's neat how music brings the generations together!

There's a young lady here who sings like an angel.  She looks no older than 12 or 13, but she's soon to be seventeen in a few short months.  God's gifted her with an awesome voice; she is going to go places!  From what I hear, she already has.  She sang last week, and her voice sent chills down my spine. 

I have also met this particular young lady's brother.  At first, I thought they were just friends, but they're brother and sister by adoption.  He is in a wheelchair and on a ventilator due to a debilitating muscle wasting disease; it is uncertain as to how long he has left.  I shall be lifting this young man in my prayers every day; his name is Johnathon, and he is a very sweet young person with a shy, sensitive spirit about him.

There is another young man who is ten; like the girl I just mentioned, he has an awesome voice, too.  He is also blind.  Like the girl, this boy is also going to be used as an instrument of the Lord's, to bring people to the Kingdom!

Well, I have to go.  Have to get back to my sermon notes.  I want to make sure I know my sermon by heart and not say the wrong thing!  Don't want to make a bad first impression, you know??  *grins*  Just say a lot of prayers for me tomorrow; I would really appreciate it!  I am a little nervous! 

Take care, and may the Lord bless you mightily! 

~Sincerely, Pastor Tim P. Delcambre', Christ Community Assembly of God Church, Children's Pastor.