Communicating and Appreciating

by David Shannon

David Shannon

How does the Lord's work prosper in MJ? We have great people. The deacons do a tremendous job leading our ministries and the members willingly give of themselves in God's service. All this is overseen by godly elders who faithfully serve. Below are just a few examples of recent successes. Joe Brown implemented a service assignment application used by David McIndoo to assist in keeping track of member service and allocation. Lex Conaster reminds all of us that Inner City kicks off this coming Monday night from 5:30-9:30. They are looking forward to the next 30 Monday nights to enjoy the Inner City kids. In yesterday's mail we received the bi-monthly flyer from Inner City and our group made the front page. Mark Williamson has envisioned three phases in his ministry. Phase 1: CD's & DVD's - We started production in April of 2006 and used a combined total of 4,400 CD's and DVD's, an average of over 250/month. Phase 2: MP3's & Podcasts - (www.mtjuliet.org/audio) This has been available since the end of May 2007. Sermons are usually available immediately after services. Phase 3: Streaming Video- These are also available immediately following service. Phase 4: LIVE Streaming video of worship - [Coming Soon] - The goal is to implement this by the first part of 2008. Jeff Fortner gives a tremendous highlight for the orphans ministry. Gabby Toth a teenager who lives with the Harrises, was recently baptized; she is a sweet blessing to our church family! Also in June and July, foster care training sessions were held in the 2040 building for the community. Jim Pelfrey expresses his gratitude to the numerous members who have helped make the recent directory a successful project. Jack Cronk, Jr. told of a note recently left in a Hospital Snack Basket we supply in a surgical waiting area at Summit Medical Center; "Thanks for helping our family get thru a very difficult night". These snack baskets allow families who are waiting for doctors while they make rounds or are doing surgeries have a snack without having to leave the unit. The Ted E Bears continue to go on almost all our mission trips, Disaster Relief, Summit Hospital, Homesafe Shelter, WEMA in MJ, MJPD, and the Sheriff's Department. Bob Northern reports the addition of a bus and van this year, allowing us to transport 83 passengers. Kevin Batts informs us that the two age groups which participate in Young Soldiers and Young Ladies Serving Christ now reaches 100 children. Serving those who are aging, Wayne Williamson reports the continued success of the MJ Health Care worship each first Sunday of the month. John Stallworth invites all servants of Meals on Wheels to the Appreciation Banquet Sunday evening, September 23, after the p.m. service. David McIndoo is ordering 40 additional chairs to make plenty of seating available for our second worship service, which at times is filling the auditorium. As I type this article Tim Martin stopped by to meet with construction workers who will build a new drop-off point in the front of our facility. The seldom used entrance in the middle of the foyer facing MJ Road will now relieve some of the congestion around the carport area. This will necessitate the need to obey the "no parking" request in the front driveway running parallel to MJ Road. Bobby Cole says it is fine to park on the parking lot which is still under construction in the rear of the property. A place for one more soul! God is blessing us richly with godly "people who have a mind to work!" That is what built up the kingdom in Nehemiah"s day and still works today in MJ!