I couldn't end this weekend summary wrap-up without mentioning Kenny Day's incredible testimony Sunday morning during Joel's message. Most all of you know Kenny by now, as he happily greets each service at the front door with James. He is always around, and as you see above in the picture-usually low profile but always working where the "action" is. Kenny is always serving and smiling. If you didn't get to hear his testimony Sunday be sure you check out our audio online of Joel's message, Don't be Decieved. Kenny's testimony starts at the 35 minute mark. http://www.lifechurchwestmonroe.com/media.html Just click on the Don't be decieved message.

We had a packed house Sunday and are experiencing wonderful growing pains. Remember we are in a month of prayer, so be sure and join us as we petition God for supernatural miracles to meet the needs we have in our children's ministry. We need a building for youth and children desperately. God can do it!

Have a wonderful week! That's a wrap on our weekend! A day in the life of a pastor's family.

Part 2 !

Photos of Gabe rapping at the relay for life event. Check out his website at www.2heavenorbust.com

We also had a fun Saturday, in which we had a great baby shower for Beck and Jodi Payne, our youth pastors who are expecting their first baby in July. We love you Beck and Jodi and are so glad you are a part of our family. We are proud of you!


Then on to a wonderful family get together for one of my favorite uncle's birthdays. He's getting younger every day. Joe Lopez-you are way cooler than anyone else I know that is your age. We are so glad you are here and a part of the LifeChurch Family. Here's to a fantastic year of fun filled ministry!!!

Enjoy the photos!

Happy Customers!


In my element!

Bekah, Hannah & Emily at the Relay for Life

We had a fun filled, action-packed, servant oriented weekend and man was it fun! So much went on it's hard to get it all in. First of all we ( the 3 amigos, Mom, Hannah and Bekah) spent the day Friday with a new friend, Emily. Emily is becoming a permanent fixture around LifeChurch and also a part of our extended family. She is a wonderful artist and has so much potential. It is exciting to see what God is doing in the life of this wonderful young lady. Emily-thanks for working so hard to help with all the painting. You did a great job-I know God will keep using your talents for great things.

Hannah and Bekah-what can I say about my two girls? You two amaze me with your never-ending passion for servanthood. God uses you both in a huge way so much more than you think! Not only did my girls work all day preparing to paint faces at the Relay for Life, then worked for almost 5 hours helping without much of a break at the Relay, they immediately left the relay ( which is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society) and headed up to Life church to help the adults with the kids lock-in from 7 pm-7am. At one point I think we had 49 kids on premises and at 10:45 pm we had around 20 who were staying the night and still going strong. Needless to say my 2 doll babies didn't get much sleep, but wouldn't have missed it for the world. Mom is so proud of you both, ok and I am going to brag some, so just tolerate it a bit! They headed home to get a few hours sleep then back out the door. This morning in church both of my girls quietly slipped out to make sure the younger age kids teacher wasn't going it alone. That is what ministry is all about--being willing to meet any need at any time. Jesus is proud of you too! You are shining examples to many of what passion for Jesus and His love for people. God sees all you do, and believe me you will be blessed for it!

A huge whoot! to Laney White and everyone who participated in the lock-in! Thanks so much for all you do for our little ones-they are God's heartbeat and He is honored when we invest in their lives.

We had a blast at the Relay for life, painting faces and doing pony rides. We also had our very own Gabe entertaining the crowd as they walked in his unique style. Off the chain as usual. The crowd really got into and Gabe was able to connect with them. I enjoyed each person that got to sit in my chair as I painted their face--the little ones were precious and I found out I can do more than a paint brush than I thought. Thanks so much to Jodi Jones for offering us an opportunity to be a part-we can't wait until next year.

More on our weekend in a following post-family is getting anxious! Hasta manana!

We just sent our wonderful friends back home to Coatzacoalcos Monday afternoon. Pastor Jose and Manuela Almendra are the pastors of Life Church Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. They spent a week in our home, and it was such a blessing to have them here with us to fellowship and spend quality time together.

We met Jose and Nelly almost 17 years ago while we were missionaries planting a church in Coatza. They came to us battered, bruised and discouraged. Both of them were very active in another ministry in town, but had been victims of what I like to call "sheep beating"that so commonly occurs when ministries are not focused on being life giving. The result was burn out and almost the near failure of their marriage.

We began to love them, and invited them to just sit and recieve from God while they worked on their marriage and each one individually focused on their relationship with God. Years ago when we reached out to them we had no idea that one day they would not only lead the church, but also help raise up 4 other vibrant lifegiving churches in the surrounding areas. We only knew that they were precious people, who were hurting and that Jesus loves so much.

Jose shared a wonderful message Wednesday night called " How will I be remembered?" I recommend you get the CD if you weren't able to make it. It was a very thought provoking message about investing your life into positive words and actions. As I watched him preach the thought came to me, what an incredible man of God he is. What if we had opted to not see them through Jesus' eyes? If we had focused on the present instead of the potential that layed within each of them, we would have been tempted to get frustrated because the process was too slow. They both had too many hangups and it took several years for them to begin to bear fruit--we could have put them on the Xlist and decided they weren't worth investing our time and efforts into.

The moral of the story is: everyone has a huge potential for the kingdom of God. We must never forget that when we are dealing with people. Let's all decide to be life-givers and extensions of the arms of God that openly embrace each and every person around us. Because you never know the impact one person can have on this world and also on eternity. Find someone to reach out to today and begin to unearth the treasure that lies within them.

How will I be remembered? I want to be remembered as someone who invested their live in others.