23 Jul The Shepherd’s Staff – JuLY 2021

We are continuing to work with a candidate for the Pastoral Care position.  Due to this person’s current employment the process is moving very deliberately and slowly to be sensitive to his situation.  We are excited that this is continuing on the path for him to be here, it is just taking some time.

The Youth worked with Danny Buckner to demolish and replace a deck for someone in our community.  Danny said the Youth did a great job, they are all hard workers and the project was done in record time.  If you know of a need in the community where we can provide similar assistance, talk to Danny or Donny B. about it and perhaps they can help.

The Biblical Counseling course is off to a good start.  Most everyone has begun watching the lessons and we had our first meeting to discuss the material on Sunday.  It is very practical and challenging, and the participants are really looking forward to digging deeper into the Word and using it to help heal and bring hope.

The Elders met with Neil and discussed in detail his family’s ministry in Iraq.  He has been there over 5 years now and has seen a tremendous blessing of God on the work.  They have house churches where they hold their worship services.  His model is very much a New Testament example of people coming together united in Christ to live whole heartedly as Christians.  People in the Muslim world have a much higher cost of becoming Christian.  Their families and friends may shun them or they may lose their job.  He is training leaders from the people in his churches to establish firmly planted house churches in different cities.  If you haven’t looked at what he is doing, check out his website http://ironkiteinternational.com/

Neil did share the story behind the name “Iron Kite”.  He said that early on he was faced with a challenge and felt the Lord telling him to move in a certain direction.  He named the effort “Iron Kite” because he knew without the breath of God to lift him, he would be as useless as a kite made of iron.  Indeed God did breathe on his work and he is aloft spreading the Gospel!

Bo has sent out a survey to the small group leaders.  If you received this, please take the time to provide the information he requested.  We are working to improve our small group ministry with leadership and teaching help, as well as involving people who aren’t participating now.  Thank you all who are leading our groups, we appreciate your hard work.

Please reach out to us if you need our support with any spiritual needs or have any questions we can help answer.

• Bo Sink
• Joe Hayworth
• Eric Hilton
• Steve Cranford
• Danny Buckner
• Tommy McDevitt
• Vince Brown
• Daniel Rich
• Bill Baughn

Col 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;