Tonight was the first night of Preacher's Delight, the annual conference for Pastors and Missionaries at our home church. We were so blessed to hear a sermon by Dr. Gibbs and Dr. Paul Chappell. Dr. Gibbs preached on pride and Dr. Chappell preached on how to have a great year for the Lord. The preaching was phenomenal. It was just what I needed.
Everything went really well. The choir sang three songs (I got to be in the choir) that really got the meeting started. It was such a blessing to look out over the congregation from the choir loft (before we sang) and see so many people from different churches that had come to get their batteries recharged and receive a little encouragement.
The auditorium in the church was packed. Many of Faith's people had to sit in overflow rooms to watch the sermons. We were so blessed to be able to sit in the auditorium. Preacher wanted to us be there with all the other pastors. It was so much better than when we were on staff and running from one place to another during the services. We were able to meet many pastors that we have not seen since we have been to their churches. We also met several missionaries who were on deputation the same time as us and are now also on their first furlough.
To cap off a truly wonderful night, Jason and I stopped by Starbucks on the way home to enjoy a pumpkin spice Frappaccino. You just can't end an evening any better. :-)
Tomorrow night I get to be in baby nursery for the first service. I am excited as this is the first time I have been able to help in a ministry since we have been back. I long to feel like every other church member instead of always feeling like I am special. I know many would argue that missionaries deserve special treatment and care, but many times we just want to get to work like everyone else in the church. I am shocked to find out that I miss the unseen tasks of the ministry the most since we have been home.
Everything went really well. The choir sang three songs (I got to be in the choir) that really got the meeting started. It was such a blessing to look out over the congregation from the choir loft (before we sang) and see so many people from different churches that had come to get their batteries recharged and receive a little encouragement.
The auditorium in the church was packed. Many of Faith's people had to sit in overflow rooms to watch the sermons. We were so blessed to be able to sit in the auditorium. Preacher wanted to us be there with all the other pastors. It was so much better than when we were on staff and running from one place to another during the services. We were able to meet many pastors that we have not seen since we have been to their churches. We also met several missionaries who were on deputation the same time as us and are now also on their first furlough.
To cap off a truly wonderful night, Jason and I stopped by Starbucks on the way home to enjoy a pumpkin spice Frappaccino. You just can't end an evening any better. :-)
Tomorrow night I get to be in baby nursery for the first service. I am excited as this is the first time I have been able to help in a ministry since we have been back. I long to feel like every other church member instead of always feeling like I am special. I know many would argue that missionaries deserve special treatment and care, but many times we just want to get to work like everyone else in the church. I am shocked to find out that I miss the unseen tasks of the ministry the most since we have been home.
