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A Time To Be Busy, A Time To Rest

These last few weeks at Hope have been a whirlwind. We’ve had many beautiful things take place, and it’s required a great amount of prayer, resources, and volunteers!

Two weeks ago, thirty-three Hopesters joined the Christ In Youth Middle School Camp that took place just outside of Tulsa. Pastor Shane, a few volunteers, and a bunch of Middle School students had an epic week as they grew closer to Jesus and closer to each other and had a ton of fun.

Next up was Hopemart. Our High School students put on the largest garage sale I’ve ever seen! Hopesters donated a record number of treasures, we had a record number of volunteers, and we brought in a record amount of money (more than $23,000!) to help support our High School Mission Trips and Ministry.

Right after Hopemart ended, we started getting ready for Baptism Sunday. The Lord saw fit to give us a beautiful morning! Volunteers started showing up at 7 a.m. to help us move audio equipment, prep for lunch, and accomplish all the extra tasks that having an outdoor service requires. We then celebrated sixty-two Hopesters professing their faith through the public act of baptism. It was an amazing day!

As soon as Baptism Sunday was over, our Vacation Bible School team started training the small army of volunteers (more than 160!) who pulled off our largest Vacation Bible School ever. We had more than 410 kids attend, and this continues to be one of our greatest outreaches to our community.

As I catch my breath from the past weeks’ events, I sit here typing this newsletter full of gratitude. I love being a part of a church that freely serves and provides opportunities for others to grow closer to Jesus! There’s no way all of these beautiful things could take place without the generosity and service from Hopesters. Thank you!

I know as we head into the summer, there are still mission trips, tornado relief service projects, and plenty of opportunities to connect with one another. As we continue to stay busy, it’s also my hope that we take time to rest.

The summer is a good time to slow down, spend time with family and friends, and take some extra intentional time to connect with Jesus. King Solomon in Ecclesiastes says this: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I’d add that there is a time to be busy and a time to rest!

Hopesters, thank you for tirelessly serving our community! Please continue to serve and freely give of yourselves, but also please take some intentional time to slow down, rest, and enjoy your summer!

Peace,
Nick