We have had a tremendous winter here in the Rogue Valley. We saw two brothers recently baptized from the campus ministry bringing our total in the church to five baptisms in 2009. We also had a great time celebrating the 4th Anniversary of the Rogue Valley Church. Rob shared a bit about the history of planting a church here and we celebrated with memories, laughs and (as with all our gatherings) food - a birthday cake to be exact. There for the celebration was a group of young men from Philadelphia - known to all of us as the "Immanuel boys." They are on a nationwide tour of the United States churches and campuses sharing the gospel, encouraging the saints and enjoying every minute of it.
What was most encouraging about their visit was just that...they visited us. We are on the map. It is so encouraging to have relationships around the world and the country with disciples who want to make it a point to stop in and see what God is doing int he beautiful Rogue Valley.
They were not he last of our visitors. Tyler Bedell, Matthew Eggelston and Natalie Mitchell from the Boise Church stopped by this past weekend on their way to visit family on spring break. As they just cleared out of our spare bedroom (that's right we have a spare room!) I am changing the sheets for our next visitors. Marcus and Naomi Wallace from Tacoma and their campus ministry are coming to visit, encourage and teach the church this week on their spring break. Marcus and I are best friends from the Spokane days and have always dreamed of preaching at each others churches. That truly will be a reality this week!
Amy and I, along with the entire church are so grateful for all the support and visits that we have had in our time here. I would like to open up an invitation for many more disciples to come and vacation here. It is a beautiful place with a lot of cultural and outdoor activities. Notably the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which this year features Macbeth and has Anne Skinner (Rob's daughter) starring in it!
We are also having a special service on May 17 that we are encouraging all supporters of the church to come to. Please make plans to come and visit us soon!
What was most encouraging about their visit was just that...they visited us. We are on the map. It is so encouraging to have relationships around the world and the country with disciples who want to make it a point to stop in and see what God is doing int he beautiful Rogue Valley.
They were not he last of our visitors. Tyler Bedell, Matthew Eggelston and Natalie Mitchell from the Boise Church stopped by this past weekend on their way to visit family on spring break. As they just cleared out of our spare bedroom (that's right we have a spare room!) I am changing the sheets for our next visitors. Marcus and Naomi Wallace from Tacoma and their campus ministry are coming to visit, encourage and teach the church this week on their spring break. Marcus and I are best friends from the Spokane days and have always dreamed of preaching at each others churches. That truly will be a reality this week!
Amy and I, along with the entire church are so grateful for all the support and visits that we have had in our time here. I would like to open up an invitation for many more disciples to come and vacation here. It is a beautiful place with a lot of cultural and outdoor activities. Notably the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which this year features Macbeth and has Anne Skinner (Rob's daughter) starring in it!
We are also having a special service on May 17 that we are encouraging all supporters of the church to come to. Please make plans to come and visit us soon!
