This Fall has been fruitful

Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Newsletter

tim baptism

This fall has been fruitful! God is moving and lives are being changed. I have never enjoyed work so much in my life as I am now. I have been able to use my talents while doing what I am passionate about. I am using my skills in management while serving people and being able to go deep in relationships. On a logistical side I have been able to help organize the lobby and implement actions to better utilize our space and help the flow of services based on feedback from consultants Pastor Steve brought in. On a personal level we have been blessed to connect over 60 new people to life groups this fall, and have performed 13 baptisms in the past two months, two of which were men from my men’s group.

This last weekend characterizes my work at Calvary really well. As Director of Operations for Sunday services it was my job to organize and prepare for baptisms this week. We meet in a theatre so there is no baptismal. Tim and I brought a large watering trough to the theatre on Saturday and filled it with water. On Sunday I set up the lobby, checked on various volunteers from lights and sound to kids connection. Then during the service I helped Baptize Tim a member of my men’s group. I thought it would be great to let you hear about Tim in his own words:

 

“My name is Tim Palmer and I and God has radically changed me from the man I was to the man I am today. I grew up in a Christian home and knew in my head all the things of God but I never really knew God. My dad was a preacher and I just played along with church when deep down I wanted nothing to do with it ! In 2010 I graduated high school and started rodeoing and training horses full time. God was the last thing on my mind and I took every opportunity I had to live that crazy cowboy life. Amazingly God allowed me to be very successful in rodeo and I went pro in 2012 and made it all the way to the national circuit finals my first year in the bareback bronco riding! I continued to think I was all that and party away my life! In 2013 I was doing great till I got kicked and compound fractured my left tibia ” shin bone” that stopped everything! I lost my job, my career, everything! But still God never gave up on me! I looked back at my life and I realized I had nothing in myself! I had won thousands of dollars, had story’s and trophy buckles but I was lost in my self! Through a series of events I came to visit Calvary not even knowing why I was there but God showed up! I went to visit a Jordan’s small group and God tore me apart and showed me he is all I need! I gave my life to Him and I’m a changed man!! There is no gold buckle or party that had given me the peace and joy and love that God has! I can’t even describe the difference other then life changing! I’m set free from my past, I’m a Son of God and now I Ride 4 Him!!!”

It is such a joy to be a part of God’s work here in State College while preparing for future work in ministry. Based on my performance in my two classes this semester I am taking on a full load in the spring semester so that I can finish seminary in two years.  I am planning on going on a missions trip to Honduras with my mentor Johnny Pons. My goal for the Men’s group is to plant a second group by summer so we can reach more men.

 

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