First!

One week ago, this space was filled with news of upcoming events. Today, few of us have definitive plans beyond tomorrow, because we don’t know what will change even between the time these words are written and the time these words are read. Who would have thought just two weeks ago that our country would, for the most part, be shut down?

God did! I love these words, shared by Jeff and Dale Jenkins on their website, thejensinsinstitute.com: "You and I have never been here before, but God has. He has not been surprised by anything that has happened. He is not panicking. His plans and purposes are sovereign. He is not worried about the future. In His Omnipresence He is already in the future and as we move there we are only moving to where He is. The risen Lord always goes before us!”

And as He waits for us as we move to where He is, what does he want us to do? Hear these words from Matthew 6: 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT)

I do not share these words to minimize in any way the seriousness of what is going on right now. We mourn for those who have lost loved ones, and we pray earnestly for those who are sick. I know you’re uneasy. I’m uneasy! But God’s got this, because He’s got us!

I love you like crazy, and I can’t wait for the day when I get to hug you again!

-Mike Johnson

Coming Soon to a Church Near You….

On Sunday, March 29, all adult and teen Bible classes will meet in the auditorium at 9:00 for a period of singing. We’ll work on a couple of new songs, and we’ll sing a few favorites. Please make plans to be here and join in the praise to our God.

Also, on March 29, we will have our New Comer Luncheon immediately after worship. The entire Mandarin Family and our guests are invited to join us for this special time of honoring those who have joined us in the past year. If you would like to introduce one of our new members, please see me today! A sign-up sheet for lunch items needed is at the Welcome Center in the foyer. Everybody helping a little will add up to a lot, so please sign up and bring something.

Easter Sunday is now less than a month away. While we celebrate our risen Savior every Sunday, Easter provides a unique opportunity to invite our neighbors and friends to worship with us. I hope we have a building overflowing its’ capacity on Easter, because every guest is a precious soul who could be starting their journey with Jesus. Now is the time to start thinking about whom you can invite to join us. Here’s the schedule for that day:

8:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:10 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt

It’s not too early to start bringing in small, individually wrapped pieces of candy that can fit into a plastic egg. Candy can be dropped off in the cry room.

It’s wonderful to be part of a growing family working together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus!

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Kingdomnomics

Today we begin a four-week conversation about what I am calling Kingdomnomics. This term originated with a writer named Phil Wiegland, who defined Kingdomnomics as the study of the principles of defining value from God’s point of view. Remember from our study of the Lord’s prayer, we said that humans have a point of view, but God has view! In other words, God can see what we cannot (or choose not to) see. That is certainly the case when it comes to stewardship. God has much to say regarding what we do with what He has given us, and these words from God are intended not to restrict us, but to free us.

God has blessed you and me with time, talent, and resources, and we are consuming each of these daily. The question is, ‘for what?’ Are our time, talent and resources being consumed for the sake of temporary pursuits, or are we focused on the eternal? Would our checkbook give the same answer as our voice? Over the next several weeks, we will do a deep dive into God’s Word to discover four basic principles of Kingdomnomics. You will likely agree in theory with each principle. The challenge will be practicing what we believe.

I come to this series not as one who has arrived, but one who is learning from stewardship struggles. I’ve gotten this wrong more than I’ve gotten this right so far in my own life, and I hope I can pass along a few things from God’s Word that might bring you great joy and purpose in your own life of stewardship. I look forward to taking this journey with you!

-Mike Johnson
Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

Men of God

Gentlemen, there is coming a day when someone will be writing an epitaph for your tombstone. What would your wife write? What would your children write? What would your neighbor write? What would the person sitting next to you in church write?

The truth is, all of us are writing our own epitaph by the way we live. That is one of many reasons why it is so important that we live our lives with great intentionality, with a vision of who we want to be as a husband, father, employer or employee, and servant of Jesus Christ. Afterall, if we aim at nothing, we’ll hit it every time.

This coming weekend, I invite you to join me as we take a deep dive into the question, “What is Your Vision?” Our special guest presenter for the weekend is Jim Beasley. Jim served this church family in varying ministry roles for nearly two decades, and he currently is senior minister of the Meridian Woods Church of Christ in Tallahassee.

Events begin this Friday night with a barbecue dinner, an inspiring message and time to enjoy getting to know each other better. Saturday morning’s sessions promise to bless, encourage, and challenge. And you’ll have more fun than you thought was possible at a church function .

I am delighted that so many of you have already committed to be part of this weekend. You can still sign up today in the church foyer. The requested donation for the weekend is $35. If you can only be here Friday, the requested donation is $15. You can turn in your donation to Gail Coles or to Tom Green. I can’t wait to see what God does this weekend!

-Mike Johnson
Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

Attention Men!

We are two weeks away from what promises to be a watershed moment in the life of our church family. Men’s Weekend begins on Friday evening, February 21 with a Barbecue supper, followed by an inspiring message and fellowship time. Here’s the schedule for Saturday, February 22:

8:30-9:00 AM Bagels, Coffee and Juice
9:15-9:45 AM Guest Speaker Jim Beasley
10:00-10:30 AM Making it real (small group time)
10:45-11:30 AM Group Discussion
11:30-11:45 AM Elder Comments and Participation Gift
12:00 Noon Dismiss (Lunch on your own or offsite together)

The weekend will culminate with Jim being our guest speaker on Sunday morning, February 23. Our Theme is, “What is Your Vision?” We’ll talk about what it means to have vision in our roles as father, grandfather, student, employer or employee, and follower of Jesus.

We request a donation of $35 per attendee for those attending the entire weekend. Friday night only donation request is $15. Donations can be turned in to Tom Green or to Gail Coles. Don’t let money keep you from participating. Let Tom Green know if you need financial assistance.

Men, this will be a time of encouragement, growth, and getting to know each other better. Fathers and grandfathers, bring your teen sons and grandsons. Invite a friend to join us. You’ll be so glad you did! If you have not registered to attend, sign up at the Welcome Center today.

I can’t wait to see what God does during Men’s Weekend.

Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

A Super February

February got off to a super start Saturday night at Mike and Stephanie Bennett’s home, as our teens enjoyed a devotional and fellowship time called ‘Roots.’ If you have a student in grades 6-12, I hope you’ll make plans for them to attend the next ‘Roots’ on March 14 at our home.

I am pumped about the two new small groups that start next Sunday February 9! The building group will begin at 5:00, and it will be led by Richard Dostie and Chip McGehee. A home group will meet at our home (501 Redberry Lane, 32259) at 5:30. Mike Bennett will lead this group with me. There is still room for you in either group, so sign up today!

Our teens will be making their way to Winterfest in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, February 14-16. They will be richly blessed as they are part of the largest student gathering of Churches of Christ in the world. Please pray for their safety in travel, and please pray that God will work on their precious hearts.

Men, I hope you’ve already cleared your calendars and are planning to be part of Men’s Weekend, February 21-22. Events begin with a Barbecue dinner Friday night, followed by a message and fellowship time. Saturday morning will begin with bagels and juice/coffee, followed by a message from special guest Jim Beasley. The morning also will involve times of interaction and drawing closer to each other. The weekend will culminate with Jim speaking for us in worship on Sunday, the 23rd. If you have not done so already, please sign up today. You’ll be glad you did!

Of course, nothing is more important than meeting every Sunday morning to worship God as a family. I hope you’ll be here as we continue our series, “Pray for Reign.”

-Mike Johnson
Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

Pray For Reign

It’s probably the first prayer you learned, and it’s the most popular prayer ever spoken. Some call it, “The Lord’s Prayer.” If you’re like me, you might have memorized these or similar words as a child:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

Today we are beginning a four-week journey called, “Pray for Reign.” Over the next few weeks, we’re going to ask Jesus to teach us to pray like He prayed. After all, no one is born a natural ‘pray-er.’ I believe it is possible to still learn about prayer, even if we’ve been praying our whole lives.

When we pray, we normally ask for what we want. But Jesus is going to teach us that prayer is about aligning ourselves with what He wants. Prayer was never intended to be for the promotion of our kingdom; it is for the advancement of His Kingdom. Ultimately, we’ll be learning to “Pray for Reign,” to pray that Jesus rules and reigns in our hearts, in our church, and in all the earth.

If you have never memorized this prayer, I hope that during this series, you will memorize it. If you have not yet taught this prayer to your children, I hope that during the next four weeks, you’ll teach this prayer to your children. A child who can pray this prayer before he/she can read is blessed beyond measure.

I look forward to taking this journey with you.

Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5.’

Coming Soon to a Church Near You...

Whether you’ve been part of the Mandarin Family for decades, or today is your first time here, it’s a great time to connect with the Mandarin Family.

New small groups are forming. We already have an awesome group meeting in Orange Park, led by Troy Regas. Starting February 9, we will have two more groups. One will meet at the church building, led by Richard Dostie and Chip McGehee. The other group will meet in Northern St. Johns County, led by Mike Bennett and Mike Johnson. You can sign up for either group at the Welcome Center today.

Two new adult Bible classes start today. In the Fellowship Hall, Dan Nix is leading a study on James. If you’re looking for practical wisdom for nearly any area of life, this is the class for you. Mike Bennett is teaching a class in Room 7 focusing on the Trinity. This is a topic we may never fully grasp, but we must grow in our understanding to avoid theological disaster.

Our Ladies’ ministry is meeting tomorrow night for a time of fellowship and a ‘shower’ for our church kitchen. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. See Rebekah Fields or Shirley Nix for more information.

Our Men’s ministry is hosting a special weekend February 21-22. The theme is, “What is Your Vision?” Our special guest will be Jim Beasley. Men, this is going to be an outstanding weekend to grow deeper with God and each other. If you plan to participate, sign up at the Welcome Center today. See Tom Green for more information.

These opportunities are a small sample of how the Mandarin Family works together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Growing Larger By Growing Smaller

The title of this writing seems counterintuitive: How can one grow larger by growing smaller? The answer is small groups. As God continues to send us new families, small groups not only help us integrate and assimilate, but small groups also provide opportunities to invite guests to an environment where they can get to know people more intimately than in a formal worship service.

Mandarin has a long and rich history of groups, and we look forward to a great year of small groups in 2020. While we hope to grow our offerings in the months ahead, we are excited about three opportunities that we’ll have available starting in February.

The Orange Park group has and will continue to meet each Sunday evening at 5:00. This group is led by Troy and Nancy Regas. If you live in Orange Park or on the west side of Jacksonville, this group would love for you to join them. See Troy for more details.

Starting February 9, we will add two groups. One group will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 p.m. This group will be led by Richard Dostie and Chip McGehee. An additional group will be led by Mike Johnson and Mike Bennett, and this group will rotate among their homes. In addition to time for prayer and fellowship, both groups will follow a ‘next steps’ format, where they will take that day’s message and make personal application. You can sign up for either group at the Welcome Center in the Foyer, or you can send an email to mjohnson@mandarincc.com, and include your group preference in your email.

Small groups are one of the many ways the Mandarin Family works together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

A New Year’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for another year to serve the Mandarin family. You have blessed me beyond measure to be in a place where I can love and be loved. As this church has grown in spiritual strength and in number, You have shown us that You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to Your power at work within us.

Now that we begin a new year together, I humbly pray that You will continue to show us your glory. I pray that 2020 will be the best year in the history of the Mandarin Church of Christ, by whatever metric You determine to measure greatness. I pray for continued wisdom for our shepherds, and I pray for innovation for our deacons and ministry leaders.

I pray for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual health of every man, woman, boy, and girl who comprises the Mandarin Family. I pray that You will open our eyes and help us see where you are working, so that we may join you in your work. I pray that you will use the Mandarin Church of Christ to grow Your Kingdom this year.

I pray for unity among all who claim you as Lord and Savior. I pray for a spirit of cooperation among Churches of Christ in Jacksonville.

I pray that every guest who enters Mandarin’s doors will find Jesus to be irresistible. I pray that our guests will know that we are Your disciples by the way we love each other. I pray that we will work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus. Most of all, I pray that Your will be done in this church as it is in heaven.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Ordinary and Extraordinary

Every newborn needs a name, and when Jesus was born, the cultural expectation was that he would take his father’s name, Joseph. But the angel instructed otherwise. In Matthew 1:21, the angel said to Joseph, “you are to name him Jesus.” In the first century, the name, Jesus, was quite common. The Jewish historian Josephus refers to about twenty men during this time called Jesus.

Our Savior was given a common name. This helps us see that Jesus was human in every way, approachable, touchable. He was a friend that could be talked to. When as a young carpenter, he hit his thumb instead of a nail with his hammer, he felt real pain. When friends questioned and rejected him, he felt pain of a totally different kind. Jesus lived the full, ordinary human existence. That’s why the Hebrew writer says that Jesus, “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)

Yet while his name was common, his mission was anything but common. In Matthew 1:21, the angel expanded on the purpose of Jesus’ name, saying, “because He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus is the Greek form of a Hebrew name, Joshua or Jeshua. The full name is Jehoshua, which means, “Jehovah is our salvation.” His name might have been ordinary, but his name is His mission, and his name tells us why he came over 2,000 years ago. Jesus came to set us free from sin. He came to save us.

That is the greatest news in human history, and that is the good news we proclaim, not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives. Jesus saves!

Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

And on Earth, Peace

On the surface, the idea of peace on earth seems to be little more than a pipe dream. The first son, Cain, killed his brother, and humans have been in conflict ever since. We struggle for peace with those around us. We long for peace within us. Yet there is nothing we can do to bring peace. We can’t earn it. We can’t buy it. We can’t demand it.

The only hope for peace on earth was for a part of heaven to come to earth. And that’s precisely what God promised through Isaiah:

For us a son is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

700 years later, God fulfilled His promise. The angels were so excited, they burst into song and proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)

Christmas is about God making peace by sending Jesus to die for us. In Romans 4:25, the Bible says, “25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Today, Jesus still brings peace, and He longs to bring it to you. Only God could do that. Only God would do that. This Christmas, may His peace rest on you.

Mike Johnson
Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

Having a Merry Christmas

What do you want for Christmas this year? Have you written down your wish list? I remember childhood days of rummaging through the Sears Christmas Catalog in the quest for bigger and better toys. Of course, as adults, we’re not much different. We spend our lives on a quest for bigger and better. Yet we quickly realize that bigger and better doesn’t necessarily lead to happier.

Having a Merry Christmas has very little to do with what’s underneath the tree. Everything under your Christmas Tree will eventually perish, and much of it will perish quickly. But there are some things we long for that do not decay. We long for joy. We long for peace. We long for love.

We know that lasting joy, peace, justice and love can only be found through Jesus Christ. But does your neighbor know that? Has your neighbor been looking for joy, peace and love in all the wrong places, while you’ve had the answer the whole time? You’ll never know unless you invest the time and energy to find out.

So, here’s my Christmas challenge to you: Bring God’s joy, peace, and love to your neighborhood. There is a good chance your unchurched neighbor is at least thinking about Jesus during this season. Can you lean into that in some way? Can you invite someone over for dinner? Can you invite someone to worship with you? Can you think of a better idea to bring peace, love and joy to your neighborhood? The investment in your neighbor’s life could be the reason God put you in your neighborhood all these years. Your investment could lead to someone having a truly Merry Christmas.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

The Best Thanksgiving Ever

As you prepare for Thanksgiving this week, I hope you are blessed by the below words from my friend and ministry mentor, Dr. Calvin Warpula. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Near the end of the year, it brings to mind the successes and failures, the joys and sorrows of the past twelve months. It blends together all that we hold dear without sham and commercialism. It’s a quiet holiday to count and enjoy our blessings. It highlights the good stuff of life, home, family, food, and sharing together.

The best Thanksgiving is “thanks” plus “giving.” Giving and sharing with others flow from a Christ-filled heart. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The greatest Thanksgiving you will ever enjoy is the one you share with others. Invite others to share the warmth of your home, your family’s love and care and your Thanksgiving feast.

Here is a prayer for your Thanksgiving dinner: “Heavenly Father, thank you for our food, and we remember the hungry. Thank you for our health and we remember the sick. Thank you for our friends and we remember the friendless. Thank you for our freedom and we remember those imprisoned and oppressed. Thank you for our country and we remember those who are refugees. Thank you for our homes and we remember those who are homeless. Thank you for the privilege of living today, and we remember those who have passed on. May these remembrances stir us to live a loving, giving life that blesses others. Thank you for being our loving God and showering us with mercy, kindness and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

Don’t Forget to ‘Take 5’

Children Mean the World to God

Have you ever thought about this question: Why did God create children? Out of all the ways God could have chosen to populate the earth with humans, why did he design the world so that the human race multiplies by having babies who take years to become adults? Why didn’t God design us like earthworms, where one adult splits, and becomes another adult?

I believe this question has an important answer. I believe the answer tells us why children mean the world to God, and I believe the answer tells us why children must mean the world to us as a church. I do not propose to have the mind of God, but I honestly believe that God created children so that we would know what it takes to enter His Kingdom. In Mark 10:15 (NIV) the Bible says, “15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

So what is it about children? It can’t be their integrity because we know from experience that children can lie. It can’t be their humility or their obedience. Children can be demanding, short tempered, stubborn and selfish. But children have something that adults must learn to enter the Kingdom; dependence. Children are totally dependent on their parents for food, clothing, shelter, pretty much everything.

And that’s how we must come to Jesus, helpless, unable to save ourselves, totally dependent upon His mercy and His grace. We have nothing with which to bargain with God, not our goodness, not our talents, not our intellect. If we are going to be part of the Kingdom, it’s going to be because we surrender to Him, and we depend on Him. On whom are you depending?

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Below the Waterline

You might remember a few weeks ago, I preached about what one sees above the ocean waterline and beneath the ocean waterline. When all looks calm and peaceful above the waterline, there is a flurry of amazing, beautiful activity going on beneath the waterline.

We are in such a season in the Mandarin Family, where there is indeed a flurry of amazing, beautiful activity going on beneath the waterline. Our Adoration Team did some reconfiguring in the auditorium to give us additional seating, and they are reaching out personally to our guests every week. Our Belonging Team is planning opportunities for us to grow in our relationships with each other, including a men’s retreat next February.

Our Care Team is reaching out to the apartment complexes on a weekly basis, offering bread and an opportunity to pray. In the next week or two, they will be reaching out for assistance in preparing Thanksgiving baskets for over 30 families. BTW, don’t forget to bring in your food and cash donations.

Our Discipleship Team is planning adult classes and group opportunities for next year. Our Evangelism Team and Missions group will soon be communicating with us regarding where we are and next steps when it comes to reaching beyond our walls. Our Administration Team is working on identifying and prioritizing infrastructure needs.

I hope you are praying for the Mandarin Family every day. I hope you are praying for our shepherds, our deacons, our ministry leaders, every man, woman, boy and girl who makes up our family. I hope you are praying that God will grow our family through souls being added to His Kingdom. Our best days as a church family are the days that lie ahead.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Parental Guidance Required

936. That’s about how many weeks parents have with their children from birth to high school graduation. For those with children still at home, that sounds like a lot of time, until we realize how many weeks have passed, and how few weeks we have remaining. Each week matters! So how do we maximize our limited time?

In Deuteronomy 6:5, the Bible says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Moses is telling a group of parents, aunts, uncles, singles, and grandparents, that the most important thing to pass on to every child is a relationship with God. He wanted them and us to show our children how to love God with all their hearts.

Moses advised parents to make faith a part of their everyday lives. One of the easiest ways to do that is to incorporate your faith into what you’re already doing each week. During bath time, when you’re driving in the car, or when you’re coloring together, be intentional about discussing your faith with your child.

Mom and Dad, you have the most influence over who your child will become. But don’t get overwhelmed—when Moses explained the strategy, he challenged the entire community of faith to influence the next generation. You as a parent don’t have to do this alone. The church can and should play a role in your children’s spiritual formation.

We want to partner with you —to link arms with you in raising your child to have a faith of their own. Together we have 936 weeks to give your child the foundation they will build on for the rest of their lives. Together, we can guide the next generation into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking...

Today we are starting a parenting series called, “Parental Guidance Required.” As we begin considering one of our greatest human responsibilities, I hope you are blessed by these poetic words from Mary Rita Schilke Korzan:

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You hung my first painting on the fridge
And I wanted to paint another.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You fed a stray cat,
And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You said a prayer,
And I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You kissed me good-night.
And I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes
And I learned that sometimes things hurt –
But that it’s alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You smiled
And it made me want to look that pretty, too.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
You cared
And I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I looked
And I wanted to say thanks for all those things you did
When you thought I wasn’t looking

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to “Take 5”

Walking Across the Room

For the last four weeks, we’ve been talking about ‘Walking Across the Room.’ Walking across the room starts with a realization that the greatest gift we can ever give another person is an introduction to the God who created them, who loves them, and who has purpose for their lives. But that realization means little unless we are willing to leave our circles of comfort for the zone of the unknown. Walking across the room is garnering the courage to develop friendships, discover stories, and discern next steps. And when the opportunity arises, we are ready to tell our story, and more importantly, we are ready to tell God’s story.

Now comes our opportunity to do what we’ve been talking about. This coming Saturday, we could have as many as 1,000 guests on our property for Trunk or Treat. Many will already have a church home, but some will be searching. This is our opportunity to demonstrate that Mandarin is a place to love and be loved. This is our opportunity to get to know people outside our normal circles of comfort. This is our opportunity to invite people to join us the next day as we begin a parenting series called, “Parental Guidance Required.” This is our opportunity to work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

So, what if you invited five families to Trunk or Treat, and three of them came? What if you invited those three families to worship with us sometime, and two of them came? What if a year from now, someone you invited to Trunk or Treat becomes your brother or sister in Christ? We will never know unless we walk across the room.

-Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’

Praying

You may or may not remember last June when I became your preacher, I asked you to pray for me every day, because I would be as good of a preacher as you prayed for me to be. Today I ask you to extend those same prayers to my new ministry partner, Dakota Thornton. I urge you to pray for Dakota daily. Pray for his wife and daughter, Ashlyn and Naomi. Pray for his wisdom and discernment. Pray for his spiritual strength and perseverance.

I believe that the amazing work God is doing in our church family is directly connected to prayer, so below are some things I ask you to pray or continue praying for Mandarin:

Pray for our elders and wives: Richard and Ginny Dostie, David and Mary Frost, Chip and Cheryl McGehee, Tom and Jill McTighe, and Dan and Shirley Nix. Pray for our deacons and wives: Mike and Stephanie Bennett, Gary and Miriam Eaton, Larry and Della Faulkner, Mike and Vanessa Lankford, Jerry and Kathy Melton, and Joey and Meghann Sikes.

Pray for our office manager, Gail Coles, our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Lori Gallaher, our ministry leaders, our teachers, and everyone who puts their hand to our mission of working together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

Pray that God will open our eyes to see where He’s moving and what He’s doing so that we might join Him in His work. Finally, I ask that you pray over these words of Paul in Ephesians 3: 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (NLT)

Mike Johnson
Don’t forget to ‘Take 5’