Students! We need you to sign up for D-Now 07 ASAP! We are currently in the process of ordering t-shirts, materials, food, etc. We need to get an idea of how many people to plan for. YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND, God has incredible things in store, you will have the chance to meet new people and build new relationships not to mention and BLAST! Blow up games, JUNK FOOD, an awsome dinner banquet and much much more. Sign up today, cost is $30 (you don’t have to pay when you sign up) The fun cranks up Friday, August 3rd at 6:30 p.m. BE THERE!

Students! We need you to sign up for D-Now 07 ASAP! We are currently in the process of ordering t-shirts, materials, food, etc. We need to get an idea of how many people to plan for. YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND, God has incredible things in store, you will have the chance to meet new people and build new relationships not to mention and BLAST! Blow up games, JUNK FOOD, an awsome dinner banquet and much much more. Sign up today, cost is $30 (you don’t have to pay when you sign up) The fun cranks up Friday, August 3rd at 6:30 p.m. BE THERE!

In Ezekiel 22:16 an invitation goes out from the Lord that I believe has already been answered at DeSoto Hills. “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land…” I have been blessed by the number of people who are stepping up to “stand in the gap” for our students during this time of leadership transition.  They understand, as I do, that our students are important and the challenges they face are too great to wait for us to find a new staff person.  They must be addressed now.  Already the Student Team has met to make plans for the days ahead including having a workday last weekend to finish out some projects in the Attic.  They are also working diligently on Disciple Now, which is designed for students 6th Grade through College.  It is a fun filled, fellowship packed, faith-centered event that will help spiritually prepare them for their new school year.  We need your help, so sign up today or contact the church office for more information. Beyond Disciple Now, Marc Lewis is lining up some incredible speakers to share with our students each week during their services on Wednesday nights.  As I stated several weeks ago, the Lord is still on the throne and I know He is going to guide us during these days and direct us to the right person who will build on the foundation for youth ministry that has already been laid.  However, in the mean time we are committed to helping the Student Ministry here not just survive, but even thrive.

Bro.  James

Here is the video as shown on Sunday Night July 22nd. Photos by Lizzy Gray and Jennifer Williams. Watch for more photos from the trip coming soon!

Kathy and I want to take this opportunity to thank our church family for the love, support and help you showed us during Jami’s wedding. It was a wonderful day and we thank so many of you for sharing it with us. I know others of you were thinking about us even though you were unable to attend. My favorite part of the day actually came after the wedding when we were cleaning up the church. You see in the frenzy of a bouquet being tossed, garters being thrown, and sparklers being lit, Kathy and I were not able to say goodbye to Jami before they left. In the scheme of things, this shouldn’t be a big deal. The day was, after all, about Jami and Rodney. We both felt like we had been able to give her the wedding she wanted and deserved. After the guest left, with the help of family and friends, we started getting things back in place for Sunday. As we worked, my cell phone rang. To my surprise, it was Jami. I choked back tears as she said three simple words, “Thank you, Daddy”. As I raced to find her mom, all the work, all the worry, and all the wealth ( kind of wealth) it took to pull off her special day was worth it. I guess what made it so special is that it was so unexpected. Perhaps today you need to unexpectedly stop and thank someone for something they have done. In fact, it would be nice to unexpectedly stop just to thank the Lord for all He has done for you. Believe me, He would love to hear from you today. It might just make His day.

A Recovering Father of the Bride,

Bro. James

A team from DeSoto Hills is heading to Camp Chacouco near Ambato, Ecuador today (Friday). Camp Chacouco is a recently completed camp near Ambato, approximately 100 miles from the capital city of Quito and 150 miles from the western coast of the continent. What was originally a retreat site for native pastors is now a setting for Ecuadorian students to know Christ better through His Word. Please pray for them as they serve this week. Watch here for updates as we receive them from the group. You can read stories from our group on the Servant Life Ecuador blog. Our very own Lizzy Gray will be blogging updates from Ecuador for Servant Life so check back often.

UPDATE: The group arrived safely in Atlanta around 1:45pm Friday
UPDATE: The group arrived in Ecuador safely! They cleared customs around 9:30pm Friday Night

New UPDATE: Blog Post from Lizzy

Current weather in Quito

On June 8, 1982 in New Albany, MS Laura Jamison Lewis was born and our lives, not to mention the world, would never be the same. I wept with excitement as the doctor announced that we had a baby girl. Throughout the years, I have recounted that day to Jami countless times, always adding “that if I knew then what I know now, I would have cried for a different reason”. However, the truth really is that she has been a source of pure joy all her life. She and her brother continue to make us proud. Jami is short, but she casts a long shadow. On July 7, that shadow will be forever entwined with Rodney McCager Carver as they exchange wedding vows here at DeSoto Hills. She will change her name, but she will forever be “my little girl”. I struggled with the decision whether or not to be gone from you on Sunday, but in the end I believe my decision to take that morning off is the right one. I have one daughter and I wanted to give my full attention to her on one of the most important days of her life. Hopefully, I have many more sermons to preach, but I will never have another opportunity to walk Jami down the aisle.

Father of the Bride,

Bro. James

P.S.
Sunday afternoon I will be at West Jackson Street Baptist Street in Tupelo participating in an ordination for one of our own, Casey Stark. See ya Wednesday.