Can I Get Off Work to Go on a Mission Trip?

I thought that was the funniest question when Allison Hicks, our minister to children, asked me to go on the middle school mission trip, and I'm sure my face reflected that. Two things struck me as funny: 1.) This is the woman who will be exhausted from her day and night efforts for the discipleship of 350 children called Vacation Bible School only to then want to spend a week with middle school youth in Waco and, 2.) when a person is on a mission trip, she or he IS working.

I remember my mentor pastor would require all program staff to spend a week at either camp or on a mission trip for their own renewal as well as the spiritual support of others. I have not put that into policy yet, but I did tell CJ to go talk to our new facilities manager Greg Harris, who had separately told me he had never been on a mission trip--EVER. 

Turns out, they could use another man on their trip to Waco. Jesus did, after all, say, "Go."

Here's to being in mission with you,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Automating Care

As I have worked to consolidate the care for my father, I realized that I was being overwhelmed managing his bills and ours too - twice the work and time. It forced me to come up with ways to make this labor of love a little easier. I discovered what many already practice and that is putting my Dad's bills on auto-payment through his bank or credit card (which leaves me with just one statement instead of many). I still get the invoices but with the assurance that they are already being taken care of automatically. 

I know that our love for our church can also be a labor of love. Similarly, I have found great joy (and less time spent) in having my tithe billed automatically to my credit card which I pay off in full at the end of the month (and keep the miles). That way, when I head off on a mission trip, or vacation, or just get really busy, I know my love for my church is taken care of automatically. It helps my church continue its great work during the summer uninterrupted. 

I want my staff and all of my church members to take that needed summer vacation. I also want the fullness of our ministry during the summer to be fully underwritten for the glory of God. Consider automating your gifts to God through your church with a bank draft or credit card billing; the fine folks in our Business Office can help you do that easily.

Blessings,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor