Hello from community Christian Fellowship; This Thursday morning eight members from Community Christian Fellowship and my sister, will be traveling to central Louisiana to serve at a teen and youth camp for one week. This is something my entire family looks forward to every year. The majority of the campers are from single parent homes in what would be considered "high risk" situations. And yet, they come to camp. It is an opportunity for all of us as staff to give in a way that can be challenging at times. We will have opportunities to be their dorm parents, counselors, activity directors, and if all goes well, friends. The stories that some of these teens and young children share in prayer time could not be made up by Hollywood. Many of them live in situations that we could never imagine, and yet they come to camp every year. Let me tell you why I think they return in spite of their personal trials and seemingly insurmountable odds in life. They come over and over again because of the Gospel. You see, our motto as staff members at camp is not just "preach the gospel", but "be the gospel". We have a wonderful opportunity to meet these young people where they are and show them that they can be loved, in spite of the way they act at times. Because of this, the final night is always topped off with a nice dinner and dance. After the dance the reality of camp being over sets in, and the campers start to experience emotions that range from joy, to sorrow and even despair. Why? They have tasted what it is like when the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work in loving relationships. They have been respected and affirmed, but most importantly, they have been loved; it is a taste of heaven. Leaving that environment is not easy.

We always remind them to remember the joy and to use those memories of the wonderful, loving times at camp to give hope for something even greater to come, the return and complete fulfillment of the promises of Jesus Christ. That is the gospel, Jesus died and was resurrected and ascended for each and every one of them. Of all the things we teach and do at camp that truth is at the foundation of it all. It is a place to "be the gospel". So please pray that God's will is done for each and all there. Until next time, Pastor Mark

Our regional conference will be held at the Omni Hotel in Dallas July 24-26. All members are encouraged to attend. The theme is WCG Next 2009: Sharing God's Love and Life.

The 2009 regional conferences in the United States examine the vital truth that this mission is not our own, it's the mission of the Father, through Jesus, in the Spirit, for the sake of the church and all the world. The amazing good news is that we are called to participate!

In 2008, the conference addressed the foundational theology of our inclusion with Jesus in God's triune love and life. In 2009, we'll take this theological exploration into application in ministry within our churches, communities and homes. We know that Jesus is already ministering in those places. How may we actively and skillfully join with him-ministering as God's children on mission together? Come to be inspired, encouraged, and outfitted for the journey to WCG Next. This conference is relevant for pastors, ministry leaders, ministry workers and members and friends-all who desire to share in what Jesus is doing to extend his healing love and life into our world.