Our One Church campaign was nothing short of a miracle. In these tough economic times, we collectively pledged more than $2.7 million dollars for projects on all three campuses over the next three years. Already more than $638,000 (23%) of the pledges have been received. We have paid back our reserves which were used (along with gifts to Generations) to purchase the former Barton’s Hardware store in Carthage. Now we are saving for the remodeling of that building which will be the new home for our Carthage Campus.

We are the One Church Follow-Up Team and will be keeping you informed as we make progress toward the One Church objectives. Those objectives include:

• Getting everything ready (remodeling, equipment, etc.) for our Carthage Campus to move into their new home
• Improving Mission Joplin for our ongoing ministry to those impacted by the tornado
• Updating the Worship Center on our Joplin Campus
…

I had several people ask me to send them my story about Mrs. Burk who memorized a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet. One of our members said she has created her own list. Here it is for the rest of you.

Haddie Burk was a hundred years old and blind. A man who was in her Sunday School class when he was a kid went to visit her. He said, “Mrs. Burk, you taught me the Bible when I was a boy. I know you can’t see, so I’ve brought my Bible to read to you.”

She said, “Charles, you don’t need to read the Bible to me. All those years when I was able to read, I stored it up in my heart.” She said, “Give me the letters of the alphabet and I’ll show you what I mean.”

He said, “A” and she said, “A…

Check out Larry and Cheryl Baker’s “Generations” Faith Story video.

If you would like to sing in the Choir or on the Praise Team, I would love to talk to you about the opportunity. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Bow the Knee was awesome! I appreciate everyone who gave time, energy and effort to make the musical happen. So many people commented on how they were moved by the musical! It was an awesome Easter weekend.

I just want to say thanks to everyone involved in the production of A Night of Christmas this past Sunday night. It was a tremendous success! To everyone in the Choir, Orchestra, Technical crew and anyone else working behind the scenes, greeting at the doors and cleaning up, thank you for your hard work.