It's like a Cubs game!

As I’m in my office at the Cedar Falls campus this afternoon, it reminds me of being in the stands of a Cubs game in Chicago a few years ago. I was sitting next to my son, Jeremy, who was intently watching the game and made this comment, “Dad, there’s so much going on I cannot keep up with the action!” I was in the seat next to him watching the game and I couldn’t tell that there was anything going on in this particular ballgame. I was not noticing the strategy moves, the signals, the changing placement of players, the coaches in the dugout, the designated hitter, etc, etc, etc, We were seeing two completely different pictures of the same game.

This afternoon seems quiet here at our building. Not many people around. It seems like a lazy summer afternoon. But that would be missing the true picture of God at work through the ministry of Orchard Hill Church. So here’s what I’m seeing this afternoon. There’s so much going on that I can hardly keep up with the action....

Our Caravan trip is in Tennessee and our Student Ministry Staff are presenting God’s truths to 135 teenagers who are developing great community and whose hearts are getting more and more open. The return worship service is on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in our Community Center.

Last night at the park in Walnut Neighborhood in East Waterloo, several high school, college and adult leaders reached out to a pile of kids which included singing happy birthday to a 3 year old who was there with siblings. Doug Tensen said this kind of outreach can be addicting!

One of our Chuckwagon teams (led by Craig Patterson) is preparing to serve breakfast to hundreds of Ragbrai 2010 riders in Waterloo tomorrow morning. They will provide encouraging “salt and light” as well as a nutritious breakfast with the funds going to support one of our five focus communities.

Our Grundy VBS Team is preparing for the kickoff of that VBS which involved 7 churches working together in the community of Grundy Center.

Our leaders are working intensively to prepare for the Global Leadership Summit that takes place at Orchard next Thursday and Friday. 348 people from this part of Iowa including 201 from Orchard Hill’s congregation are registered. This has far exceeded my expectations and Willow’s goals for us!

Tonight Duane Svoboda and I meet with a team from our Grundy campus trying to discern the future of facilities for that part of our church.

Sunday is also Picnic In the Park at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. This partnership event needs more volunteers for this Sunday and has been a huge and strong outreach to many in the neighborhood this summer. The event provides a great lunch and a worship service outdoors in the park.

My prayer is that all of this movement and activity is used by God in the lives of people who are becoming more fully devoted followers of Christ. If that happens, then Orchard is reaching the mission that we believe God has given to us.

Have a great weekend!