A day in the life of...Mark Williams

Update 7-14-09

Well....M4 camps 1, 2, and 3 are over.  We finished up this past Sunday.  We saw almost 400 campers during the first 3 camps.  It was an AMAZING week.  There are so many moments and memories to talk and laugh about for years to come.  More importantly, so many lives were impacted by Jesus and the Word of God.  Gary Permenter was our speaker for the first 3 camps.  Gary has an amazing way of communicating on the level of the crowd.  His style is unique and very engaging.  Chris Layton was our worship leader for camp #1.  He was great.  Curt Hale was our worship leader for camps #2 and #3.  Curt is one of my best friends, and always brings energy to the sessions. 

There were countless numbers of kids launched from the blob.  We had tons of laughs and good times.  I gotta tell you...the M4 staff did an OUTSTANDING job these first three camps.  We are soooo ready to go back for a few more camps!!

Final checks

    Here I am.  It's Saturday night before we leave for M4 Camps 2009 tomorrow.  The trailer is packed.  My personal clothes are packed.  We have just a few things to pack tomorrow, besides our luggage.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  It's now or never.     
    The cool thing about the next 3 weeks is that we will have the opportunity to impact over 900 lives.  900.  I am constantly amazed that God would allow us to be a part of this.  I've gotta tell ya though, I love being part of a movement.  It's a movement within the children's ministry subculture in Mississippi.  Why do I say that?  Well, 4 summers ago, no one one coming to M4 Camps.  Why?  It didn't exist.  The camp that I did with Agricola Baptist did exist.  It has since 2004.  But M4 Camps as we know it didn't.  It was just a dream.  A vision to see a kids' camp done well in Mississippi.  In 2007, we had 450 campers.  In, 2008, over 700 came to M4 Camps.  And this summer, 2009, we have 900 campers coming to spend a few days with us.  I'd say that classifies as a movement.  I'm so thankful to be a part of it.
    So...here I am less than 40 hours away from seeing the first campers of 2009.  We have an excellent staff of 11 this year, not counting our speakers and worship leaders. The cool thing about our M4 staff is that they are people from our church who we minister alongside every day.  That may change some over time.  However, it is a HUGE advantage because we have a level of trust, confidence, and faith in each other. 
    I ask that you pray for us.  I'm not sure how the blogging will be over the next few weeks.  I'll probably update my facebook more than I'll post long posts.  But I will try to keep everyone updated on how things are going. 

Getting closer

All the pieces are falling into place.  We are just a few short days away from M4 Camps 2009.  Every little detail is being examined.  Timing, logistics, worship leaders, speakers, audio, video, computers, games, meals, Bible studies, supplies, staff, you name it.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  It is a monumental task to pull of 7 camps in about a 3 week time period.  It is a huge task to give 900 campers a great experience that they will remember for a lifetime.  More than anything, though, we want them to meet and experience Jesus while at camp.  Above everything else, that is our desire and passion.  As time closes in on camp, my prayers are for those who are coming.  There are kids from broken homes, in-tact homes, and every other situation you could imagine.  They all have different dynamics and backgrounds.  I ask that you pray for them.  Pray that their week at camp will be AMAZING!!  Pray for our staff...that we will be full of energy and the Holy Spirit.  Pray for our worship leaders and speakers...that God will use them to lead people to Him.  Pray for me and Melanie.  Pray that as we direct and lead M4 Camps, that we will be full of wisdom and knowledge.  Pray that we create an experience that is unforgettable.   

CPR certified

Last night, the entire M4 camp staff was certified in CPR and First Aid.  I/we spent 4 1/2 hours taking the course, testing out, and making sure we are ready for summer camp.  Having this certification will be a great addition to the skills of our staff. 

I've gotta tell you....it's really good for anyone to take this certification.  It can absolutely be a life or death thing for someone.  I know this....I would want someone around me who is trained in this if I was unconscious. 

The certification is for 2 years.  So, we're good to go for the next 2 summers.  We may add some additional training in the future as we continue to grow our staff.

Tech team

This morning, I joined our tech team.  Brian and Felicia Henderson spoke about their journey to be IMB missionaries to Peru.  We weren't using our regular computer system for the presentation.  We used Brian's instead.  We were also doing a few things our guys don't normally do.  So...I was there mainly to make sure things ran well on the tech side.  We have a GREAT tech team.  It was kinda fun to join them for today, and guide the worship time along as Brian and Felicia spoke.   Anyway, I had a view from the balcony during worship, one I do just a few times a year. 

On the presentation....Brian and Felicia did GREAT!!  It is exciting to hear all that God is teaching them and is going to use them for.  They have a grand journey ahead of them as they leave for Costa Rica later in July.  And then on to Peru, where they will be for 2 years.  I am looking forward to the partnership that we will have with them over the next few years!!

An unexpected surprise...

I witnessed a great thing this afternoon.  I wasn't expecting it.  To tell you the truth, I was somewhat uneasy about the afternoon.  Mainly because I didn't know what I was getting into.  I was invited to be a "discipler" at a football "skills camp" at Univ. of S. Alabama.  There were over 22 high schools from the Gulf Coast area attending.  When I arrived, I was already impressed.  Guys were in the parking lot getting people parked.  Men cooking hundreds of hamburgers, football players and coaches everywhere.  There were over 1200 people there. 

It was a fairly smooth-running event. 

Long story short...a former Auburn linebacker shared his testimony, followed up by an FCA director sharing the gospel.  There were easily over 100 guys that made decisions.  I was able to follow-up with some of them.  But......WOW!!   You don't see it too often.  100 people or more deciding to follow Jesus at once.  It was a sight.  I can't tell you what that feels like.  It's amazing.  I was so excited....mainly b/c I honestly wasn't expecting it.  The truth is that these are the "tough guys".  I saw them let down their guard a little so God could work on their hearts.  Indescribable is probably the best way to "describe" it.  I was glad to be a part of it. 

Moving to the Launch Pad

    I enjoy watching the space shuttle take off.  The sheer amount of thrust and power that it takes to lift that massive spacecraft off the ground is amazing.  And straight up at that.  It is also amazing to me that people in Mississippi are the ones doing a lot of that work!!  Great job for them!! 
    But before the space shuttle takes off, and all the excitement begins...something else has to happen.  Everything has to be prepared away from the launch pad.  System tests, inspections, instrument readings must be perfect or within a certain % of some "number" they are looking for.  There are countless numbers of protocol operations that HAVE to happen in order for the crew of 7-10 astronauts to experience going into space.  We don't see those things happening.  We don't see all of the people working SO hard behind the scenes with meticulous numbers and data to ensure that the mission is a success. 
    However, those people and their jobs are VITAL to the mission.  This is how it is when we are working on a big project, event, or experience.  Right now, I have two of those.  One is getting our new S.S. year kicked off with all people in place.  It's important that our mission of discipling others is as good as we can make it.  We look at dynamics of classes, sizes, teacher personalities and how that will fit with certain classes.  We analyze our space and see where we can be more efficient, and reach more people.  We are constantly evaluating what we are doing, if there is a problem, and what needs to be done about it.  That's how we are moving to the "Launch Pad" for our new S.S. year. 

    Another "mission" that I am leading with my wife is M4 Camps 2009.  We are a week and a half from launch.  It is crunch time.  It's the time where we are checking everything.  Practices have been going on.  Logistics for rooms, meals, worship, worship elements, worship leaders, speakers, staff, churches, and the list goes on.  I've got to tell you that the anticipation for the "launch" is high.  At the same time, we are excited, nervous, and a little on edge.  We want everything to be perfect for liftoff. 
    The launch and mission is the exciting part.  But there is so much more that goes into the actual journey.  It's just nice to know that when you are on that journey, someone was taking the time to make sure everything was "All Systems Go"!!

M4 Camp T-Shirts 2009

Below are the shirts that are for sale this summer.  They are $10 each + shipping (outside of Agricola!)  If you would like to get one, let me know when you see me or send me an email to mark@m4camps.com  . 

M4 Camp Rocks--Red

M4 Camps Swirl--Gray

M4 Classic shirt.  Purple with Yellow print.  The shirt is a darker purple than it appears in the pic.

Classic M4 inverted.  Maroon.

Camp update

M4 Camps starts in 13 days.  2 weeks from yesterday.  There is a lot going on at our home right now with camp preparations.  We are excited, thrilled, and...well, nervous.  It's the good kind of nervous though.  It's the kind where we go....ok....we have a God-sized task in front of us, but He has called us to this amazing ministry.  Camp days are long and hard.  They are fun, but lots of work goes into each minute of every day. 

Camp is a great time for our family.  We thrive on the intensity and passion of creating a camp experience that is unique and authentic.  This year, our theme is "Shake Your World".  We have a great staff, excellent leaders, and 2 wonderful locations.  M4 Camps will be hosting over 900 people this summer....our largest summer yet!! 

Getting back to the "busy" side of camp.  My wife, Melanie, is really bringing the details together.  We each have our roles and things that each of us take care of.  But she is the one you talk to on the phone most of the time.  Her creativity also brings a great deal to the table for M4 Camps.  We have many late nights where we just sit and brainstorm about camp.  All of this work will be coming to a pinnacle point in 2 weeks.  We are excited and ecstatic about what God has in store this summer!!

Ronald Jenkees

Ok....what's playing in my office right now-->  Ronald Jenkees.  You gotta check this guy out.  He is amazing on the keyboards and the music he creates.  Un-BELIEVABLE.  I'll be playing some of this during camp.  He's got amazing talent, and it just flows. 

He's got everything from a Rocky remix to Canon in D. 

Check out his YouTube Channel here.

The weekend update

Well....we went to the beach on Friday and had a BLAST!!  There were 12 of us that made the trip.  The kids played.  We watched, talked, and played with them.  I made one mistake though.  I didn't put sunscreen on my feet or ankles at all.  And then, I forgot to reapply to my legs.  Bad mistake.  I woke up Sat. morning and literally could not walk.  It was bad.  It's getting better.  I know better than this.

The last time I was sunburned this bad was on a youth trip to Ship Island.  I vowed I would never do it again.  Well....I just wasn't doing what I knew I needed to do.  I'm definitely on the mend though.

We went and ate at Lulu's.  I gotta tell ya....I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with Lulu's.  I can say we've been, but I wasn't impressed.

Father's Day was great for me.  I got an Atlanta Braves blanket from Melanie and the kids that they made.  I also got an IPOD/Clock radio and dock station.  I know it's geeky, but it's super cool.  The clock set itself (it's atomic) and it also projects the time on the ceiling above my bed.  How sweet is that?  Or is that the epitome of laziness?  I don't really care because it's cool!!

I also got a few shirts and stuff from them as well.  Melanie made some FINE meals for me this weekend.  She did it up right!!  She and Micah went and picked some purple-hull peas on Saturday.  So I shelled them while I was laid up.  They were really good too!! 

Yesterday at church, we had a great parent-child dedication.  Overall the day and weekend was great!!

Good summer times

It's soooo hot!!  We''ve been flirting with 100 degrees each day.  The heat index has been hovering between 108 and 111 also. 

After work, because of the heat, we went outside with the kids and set up Malaree's pool and Micah's slip-n-slide skimboard.  It felt so good to get in the water.  We stayed out for awhile.  I finally just laid down in the kiddie pool.  It felt SOOOO good!! 

Melanie cooked a GREAT supper of Chicken alfredo, rolls, (and nasty english peas...not for me, but for her and the kids). 

This afternoon, we had some friends bring by some sweet corn and a 5 gallon bucket of squash.  We all shucked the corn on the back porch.  It reminded me of growing up some.  I don't so much remember shucking corn as I do shelling peas.  It was fun to see the kids shuckin' corn.

Tonight, we had a friend come over and just chill and talk with us for a little bit.  We hadn't done that in awhile. 

Tomorrow, we're headed to the beach for the day.  We initially were going to stay a few days, but decided to save the money and just go for the day.  It actually turned out great, though.  We now have a good crew going to Gulf Shores for the day.  I'm looking forward to it.

On a short camp note...we had over 900 shirts arrive today via UPS.  13 boxes of shirts!!  Needless to say, I'm sure the UPS man didn't appreciate my large order.  Anyway, they are all of ONE style.  It was actually the shirt we give to everyone at camp.  We'll count and sort through them all this weekend.  I kept thinking that is was more than just those.  But it wasn't.  We still have that many shirts coming in the next week for giveaways and to sell. 

On the church front, we had a pretty good week.  Tuesday night's VBS follow-up turnout was great.  Wed. night was a little low, but that's about normal for summer.  In the office, I felt like I got a lot accomplished.  I got started on some more video editing that hasn't been done. 

That's it right now.  I'll post about Father's Day this weekend also. 

Rereading "The Dip" by Seth Godin

I'm reading back through The Dip by Seth Godin.  It is an incredible little book with some excellent priniciples.  Just thought it would be good for me to "work" myself back through it. 

Anybody reading any good books right now? 

Great Night of Follow-Up

We had an excellent night of outreach last night!!  Here's the rundown:

36 people in attendance.
63 contacts made.
37 homes visited. 

We were able to make about 90% of our follow-ups from VBS.  I am excited that we had so many willing to make it a great night of success. 

Celebrating my son!!

Yesterday was Micah's 8th birthday.  I can't believe that 8 years ago, Melanie and I were welcoming our son into the world.  It has been so amazing to watch him grow into the little young man he is.  He is growing into a man of God.  He loves to serve, worship, and give of himself.  I pray that he will always want to do this.

He also loves to play sports, and have a great time in general.  He used to be quiet.  Now, he has come into his own.  I love my little Micah Banks Williams.  We have had 8 years of laughs, excitement, and not knowing what is coming next!!