Deep appreciation goes to Jason Cox, our Student Ministry Interns, and all the volunteers who helped with DiscipleNOW weekend.  I am consistently impressed with our congregation for your commitment to the young lives in our midst.  Your support is a worthy investment in the Kingdom of God.  Such focused times of worship, prayer, fellowship, and study enables young Christians to experience significant growth in their relationship with Jesus.  Heaven alone can measure the full impact of such meaningful encounters with grace. 

      One of the few activities that can create even greater spiritual growth is participation on a mission trip.  Performing hands on mission work is challenging, enlightening, and life changing.  Thus, I am looking forward to the inspiration in the upcoming months when fourteen folks affiliated with our student ministry go to Brazil to serve with the family of Chris and Lori Heil.  Of course, the growth to the team members themselves is merely the by-product of our efforts to encourage the Heils and minister to the people in the area of Brazil where they serve. 

      In the next few months, several avenues will be available for you to help invest in this endeavor.  The first of these opportunities will take place at this Tuesday evening’s spaghetti dinner.  If you have not already signed up, please do so this Sunday.  You are welcome to either eat in or take out. 

      In addition, that night we will offer a silent auction for desserts.  I’m making this heartfelt appeal to the great chefs of our congregation to contribute a cake, pie, brownies, or some other specialty to this auction.  They will be on display at the spaghetti dinner and at the end of the night will go to the highest bidder.  If you can prepare one of these treats, please contact the office or mark the place provided on this Sunday’s worship registration form.  We will need them here by noon on March 9.

      The priority North Cleveland Baptist places upon missions and student ministry is one of our highest attributes.  You are such a great church family, consistently living up to the admonition to make every effort to add goodness to your faith (2 Peter 1:5).  I am proud to be your pastor.  Jay