I didn't know what to expect for my first summer in Culpeper.  I received good counsel going into June to not expect too much.  It's proved to be quiet and exciting at the same time.  It's been quiet because we have seen the effects of being a church of predominately upwardly mobile folks—frequent and long vacations.  Each week, a different family is enjoying some exotic location.  I call our vacationing families our short term mission teams this summer.  They go out to spread the gospel far and wide while taking in some sun and fun.  That's led to a quiet summer.

At the same time we continue to have visitors come to our little church plant to make up for those who are away.  Our visitors are more diverse in their backgrounds than was our core group which is exciting.  Many of them are being exposed to a PCA church for the first time.  Many of them are being exposed to Christ-centered expository preaching for the first time.  It's fun to watch and be a part of.

The main thing you can pray for are our potential community group leaders.  We hope to launch community groups this Fall.  With the transitory nature of our congregation during the summer I decided to take the time to train these men who will be leading our groups.  Pray that these men will steep themselves in the gospel this summer.  Pray that they'll draw near to Jesus and their families in preparation for hosting believers and unbelievers in their homes throughout the Fall and Spring. 

Illnesses

My family and our congregation have been hit especially hard by illness this past month.  I'm not one to find a demon under every rock but at the same time it's difficult not to see spiritual warfare in what we're facing. 

I have been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance.  Hallie had kidney stones in February and is now suffering from a herniated disc in her back.  Within our congregation—that I know of—there are at least 5 other families suffering from other out of the ordinary and semi-serious medical problems.

Would you pray for our protection and healing?  Pray also that we would suffer well as Christians, showing our watching neighbors that our hope is in Jesus and not in our physical health.

Snippets

• I enjoyed seeing many of you at General Assembly.  For all of you who offered words of encouragement, thank you.
• Thank you for your continued financial support.  I'm amazed at your faithful giving, especially through the summer months.
• The Hollands are taking vacation in early August.  It will be my first real vacation since we got here a year ago.  Pray for rest for us. 
  
• Joseph, Will, David, and Charlie continue to do well and are excited about the various summer camps they'll take part in this summer.
  
• Our growth is forcing me to think about staffing.  Pray for me as I figure out the best way to staff our growing church plant for the coming months and years. 

"If I have observed anything by experience, it is this: a man may take the measure of his growth and decay in grace according to his thoughts and meditations upon the person of Christ, and the glory of Christ's Kingdom, and of His love.”