A day in the life of...Mark Williams

110

That's the number that we had in 633 last night.  OUR STUDENTS STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE!!  They did not put God in a box.  They allowed Him to show his TRUE power.  They recognized that God cannot be contained.  It is evident in the way that they brought their UNCHURCHED friends.  Not just friends from other churches, but friends who don't go ANYWHERE.  What does that show us?  That when we are obedient to God and answer the challenge and the Great Commission, HE will come through.  God CANNOT be contained. 

633 Synopsis:  Dusty did an excellent job speaking.  He spoke on synergy:  how the human will meshes with the divine grace, and how that produces life-changing believers.  He spoke from Acts 1-3, mainly chapter 2.  We have the SAME Holy Spirit as the believers did in that first church.  Great job Dusty!!

Justin McLendon led us in worship.  Once again Justin led us to a place of Holy worship.  We sang Your Grace Is Enough, All We Need by Charlie Hall, Wonder Why (an original by Justin), Here I Am To Worship.  We ended the night with a version of JESUS PAID IT ALL!!  It is an AWESOME sound to hear over 100 students singing loudly Jesus Paid It All.  All to Him I owe.  Sin had left a Crimson stain He washed it white as snow. 

Pump It Up and Wonderful Wednesdays

We had our second Wonderful Wednesday worship last night.  This was my first to attend.  Mark Vincent, pastor of Clark Venable Baptist Church, spoke. He is originally from Agricola.  It was great to have him here.  We had a good crowd.   

• Afterwards, we took 47 students and adults to Pump It Up in Mobile, AL.  You're never too old for jumping on inflatables.  Everybody had a blast. 
• We are gearing up for our building presentation Sunday.  Bro. Tommy and I have been working on the timing of the presentation.  I think it'll be great. 
• Dual Sunday Schools continues to come together.  We are SOOOO close to having all of our teachers.  I'm feeling pretty good about where we are.  We still have lots of work to do in a short amount of time.  However, I believe that it will all be done and we will be able to continue to grow.
• Kids' Camp III starts a week from today.  We have 146 participants!!  It will be another exciting week of camp.  We go up next Wednesday for load in, and set-up.  We know what to expect now, so it should go pretty smooth. 

Whew!!

We got back from X-Fuge yesterday at 3:30 P.M.  We had a GREAT time.  We took 69 people with us.  Talk about being a dominating group.  We had the largest group at camp.  A few highlights from the trip.

• Was "Youth Minister of the Day" on Saturday.  Wow.  When the Agricola crew stood up for the standing ovation, it looked (and sounded) like a mob.  What a compliment from my students.  They are awesome.
• Went to the hospital.  Had a student pass out in the souvenir shop.  Got her an IV at the hospital.  I had to play daddy, and hold her hand while they gave her the IV. 
• Had 1 student begin their journey with Christ.  Had many other commitments made.
• Had some awesome times hanging with students.  Especially at the beach and the pool.
• This was my last youth summer camp to be "in charge".  Next time I go, I'll just be a chaperone, and someone else will have all the stress.  Ha!
• I have the BEST, most AMAZING students in the entire world.  God has blessed me by allowing me to be a part of their lives. 
• The bus was hot on the way home.  I've got to make a phone call about that. 

We all had a great time.  I'm glad to be back home with my family.  They are the best!!

Leavin' for X-Fuge

We are leaving this morning for 5 days at X-FUGE.  It should be a great trip.  We are carrying 69 people.  We had one person that is unable to go.  I won't be posting much over the next few days.  So long!!

Amazed, VBS, and other Happenings

I was amazed that we had 60 students last night for 633.  With it being the week of Memorial Day, I was expecting around 30 or so students.  They blew that out of the water. 

Last night's bible study title:  Salt & Light
Scripture: Matthew 5:12-14
Attendance:  60  +  7 adults
Message Time:  25 minutes

VBS preparation is in full swing here at the church.  Everything is coming together great.  Our VBS director, Jennifer Flowers is leading the charge.  We have a plethora of volunteers helping bring everything together. 

My wife and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3:  At World's End on Saturday.  While we were waiting in the lobby to go into our theater, we saw Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom in the lobby.  I went up to him and introduced myself to him.  He is a very nice man, and said he appreciated the support.  I think Coach Croom is a great man with great faith.  I just wish he would win a few more football games for my Alma Mater.

Kids' Camp is coming together nicely.  I will be having our staff meeting on Tuesday after Vacation Bible School.  We have 11 on our summer staff.  4 of us are "adults" (whatever) and I have 7 student staff.  Over the next few years, I'll be growing the staff more and more.  We'll even be hiring some staff part-time in the off-season for promotion and registration for camp.  I have some things that I am working on that are going to be HUGE for M4 Ventures.  This will be one of the first places that will be announced.   

Last Night was AWESOME!!

The end of school cookout was awesome!!  We had over 70 students present.  We had over 80 people total.  We put up some new Japanese lantern lights on our deck that look pretty awesome too!! 

I'm working on my VBS bible studies this morning.  I teach the 5ht & 6th grade Bible study to give them a little fresh perspective on VBS.  We want to retain those students, and give them something a little different.  We want them to know that they aren't too old for VBS.

Here's a quote from Andy Stanley:  Success in ministry is finding someone to do what you do, and replace yourself intentionally. That is empowering people to do ministry.

End of School Cookout

Today, I took Micah to school for his last day of Kindergarten.  He went to school for about 2 hours and then Melanie signed him out.  He was basically saying "bye" to everyone, including his teacher, Ms. Bates.  She has been outstanding. 

He came by the office after he was signed out.  With report card in hand, he busts into my office proclaiming "I'm going to first grade!!  I made it!!"  He is so precious.  Micah is passionate about serving:  In church, Sunday School, helping with KidStuf, youth events...you name it.  He is my only son.  And he is a gift from God.  I have a beautiful daughter as well, who brings us as much joy.   I can't wait until the day she's doing those things as well.  God made her with this crazy personality.  She can light up the room with her smile and sneakiness!!

Tonight is the End of School cookout with the youth.  I've got 60 hamburgers, 16 hotdogs, and a ton of Conecuh sausage to cook.  It'll be a great night of fellowship, games (wiffle ball...yeah!!), and just hanging out.  This is always a fun night.

American Idol:  My pick is Jordin.  Blake is great also.  They are both deserving. 

Thoughts on prayer by one of my students

I want you to read what one of my students posted on her blog.  This is awesome.  When you have a bad day, or things don't go just right as a minister, and then you read this....you realize it's all worth it.

Turn the Radio Down and Just Pray...

Lately when I drive I have just turned off my radio and just talked to God... (without closing my eyes of course)...

It's a refreshing thing to do... I started really keeping up with it last week and do it every morning going to school and heading home... the radio isn't going to change... I've heard the songs a million and one times... I'll be okay.

I just talk to God about my day... people that I want to remember and keep praying for... and just my life.

I hardly take the time to thank him for Everything he does for me and has given me... I normally just go about my day not even thinking. Last Wednesday night opened my eyes to this and helped me to realize that no, I'm not perfect, but God doesn't expect me to be... he just wants me to live out my life honoring him.

Lately I've talked to God about my friends and family... praying for some, thanking him... I've talked about my problems, but not in a way that it's just whining and complaining.... I've talked about myself and being the best person I can be... I ask him to help me reach out to someone... have patience.. kind heart... not be selfish... not be ungrateful....

It's hard to cope and deal with these things but we have an AWESOME God that will help us through these rough times... we just have to come to him in prayer and just talk to him....

just try it... but if your driving or walking, please don't close your eyes!!!! :)