Home Archive by category "Spiritual Growth" (Page 28)

Category: Spiritual Growth

Children’s Pastors "Havefunner"

Who is the Man Behind the Mask? Allow me to travel back in time, a few blogs anyway, to Portland Oregon where we visited Shiloh Hills Fellowship. (see post and photo gallery) Spokane held a few surprises for us. Besides the amazing hospitality shown to us, I was glad to get to meet a great children’s pastor. Our original purpose in visiting Spokane was to meet Danile Bigler, a gifted young man who has impressed me (and many others) with his contributions to Kidology.org A Young Man with a Heart for Preschoolers. Daniel proved to be a fascinating young man with many talents and passions that could lead him in many directions… though I’m encouraging him to be a children’s pastor, one of his many possibilities. But whatever he does, he will have a great impact on the Kingdom, I’m sure. I was very glad, however, to find out that he is working as an intern for a fantastic children’s pastor at Shiloh Hills Fellowship. Daniel is at home with kids… Rick “Havefunner” Pastor Rick Haffner, (often called by his kids Rick “Havefunner”) has over thirty years of children’s ministry service, having served both in the church and public school…

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On the Road Again, er, TRACKS

Or should it be ‘trackin’ with the Bastians? Well, we are off on the next phase of our sabbatical… I stopped by the office to grab a few things and was SHOCKED to see a new sign on my office door! Soon we were at the station… Sara booked us a huge comfortable room… With views out BOTH sides of the train! Soon we were leaving Chicago behind… We went from tall building to farmland within 40 minutes… I’m not sure how fast this train is, but it seems FAST – my guess at least 80mph if not overa 100 just trying to imagine a car going this fast… the train looks very old and worn, but is comfortable, and the ride isn’t too bumpy… we’ll see how it goes. Yes, I am bloggin’ from the train via my trusty cell phone which gets my laptop online. I was curious if I would get this post posted and not lose my connection, so far so good. Keep in touch! Post a comment below and say hi! Good Bye Chicago, be back in a few weeks!

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1000 MILES AND COUNTING!!

1000 MILES passed! Yes, on the road today we passed the ‘1000 mile mark’ on this sabbatical. Since there was no out-doing getting to see George Lucas, we decided to hit the road early and get home – much to do to prepare for this next phase of the Sabbatical Adventures – we leave on the train tomorrow. Laundry is going now and we are trying to figure out how to best pack for a 20+ day trip that includes train, plane and automobile!The highlight of the day was finding ourselves in the home stretch just around church-getting-out-time so we decided to drop by Culvers and see if any church folks would be there… Fun to get to see some of my kids before hitting the road again… Please pray for us as we travel – for safety, for schedule timing, for times to relax and refresh, to get all the reading done I want to do, and that we will find opportunities to minister to others as we travel. Next stop…. Spokane Washington via Amtrak! (or pray for no brake problems on our Amtrak train!!!)If you haven’t seen the online release of my novel, I’d love to have you…

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The "Marks" of Leadership

The ‘Marks’ of Leadership My Visit with Pastor Kim Bobb Grove City Church of the Nazarene Grove City, OH Spotlight on KidsMatter! Kimborah Bobb grew up in the church where she now leads the children’s ministry full time. She earned a degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University and then returned to Grove City in search of a marketing/promotions job. But God had other plans. She ended up turning down a marketing job opportunity because she just felt God telling her that He had something different. The next thing she knew she was answering the phone and Mark Hale, the children’s pastor at her church, was on the other end and he was saying that God had brought her to mind as a possible candidate for an opening for Assistant Children’s Pastor. She took the job and two years later ended up being his replacement when he moved on to become a senior pastor elsewhere. She is now one of two full time children’s pastors (preschool and grade school) in addition to one part time children’s pastor (20 hours) and twenty part time staffers (10 hours) between preschool and grade school for Sunday morning/evening and Wednesday evening programs. It is…

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Hangin’ with Hoosiers…

Kim with Cali Our time in Ohio was a ton of fun – Kim Bobb, her church, the circus, but the highlight was their little dog, Cali. (short for California) Besides being hypoallergenic, was a lot of fun. I even trained her to eat from a star wars light saber spoon… Strong in the Force, this dog is. Sara and I couldn’t decide who we would miss more… Kim or Cali?! but we did have to finally hit the road, But not without kissin’ the dog goodbye. (YUCK!) But soon we were back on the road and headed toward Hoosierland (Indiana for those of you in Rio Linda) We passed the golden, er, blueish Arches and headed West… Pay no attention to the splatted bugs… Once again we took in the scenic scenes of scenery. Finally, (after an antique store stop, of course) we got to Sweetser, Indiana, home of Ryan Frank and Liberty Baptist Church, and had no trouble finding his house, since, after all, as he explained, it was the first house on the right… On the right of what?!?! I love what they’ve done with the lawn!! New house and new baby… God is Good! One thing…

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Three Ring Circus… and then the Circus!

Today I got to visit TWO ‘three ring’ circuses! The first was Grove City Nazarene: RING ONE: The Adult Worship Center The adult service was amazing. This Sunday was the most moving baptism service I have ever been in. By the end I was crying… the lady next to me asked if I had family being baptized and I sputtered “I’m from out of town, I don’t even know any of these people.” :) I’ll definately be filling my church staff in on how they did the service! RING TWO: Club 345 (Grades 3-5) That’s Kim Bobb! Kim Bobb and the Band were bobbin’ to familiar tunes… before a powerpoint lesson and skit followed by small groups. Of course, in the free time before hand, I had a chance to teach the kids the finer art of speed stacking… Learning from the Master Stacker. RING THREE: Pastor Gregg and Faith Factor! (Grades 1-2) CHECK OUT THE GROVE CITY PHOTO GALLERY (3 PAGES!) The Children’s Pastor is Pastor Kimborah Bobb. I had a great time talking with her about how Grove City integrates the family into the overall ministry of the church. Kim Bobb and the Kids Matter logo. It’s obvious…

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