Website is down!

Ok, so our student website is down. We are redoing everything and hopefully have it up and running by the New Year. Until that time, please check back here as I will update the blog with all of the information you need. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Pastor Mark

Last Friday

So here is the story.  I had a bad couple of days last week, nothing to worry about now.  I was sitting in my office looking at Ecclesiastes 3 and wondering.  I picked up a book given to me by my grandmother when I started preaching.  She gave me all of my papaw's books...he was a preacher also.  When I opened it to Ecclesiastes 3 I found a business card.  It was my papaw's.  The card is about 50 years old.  That was not to impressive but what he wrote on the back was to me.  He wrote, "In the church's lowest condition the faithful few need not despair: the time to build up will come.  The love of God to his church is unchangeable.  The judgment of God will yet repair all the wrong of time."  I read this and wept.  I got on the floor and prayed to God.  I do not know why my papaw wrote this.  I do not know if it was for himself or someone else?  I do not even know if he ever used it?  I do know that God knew I needed to read it last Friday morning over 50 years after it was written on the back a business card.  I now keep it in my wallet.  I am so thankful that God loves us, he is with us, and someday he will repair, fix, and destroy the evilness of the world.  

Our New Baby is Cute

Well tonight we launched a new college/singles/young adult and couples service at CHBC.  It was amazing!  We launched with close to 400 people of all ages.  God showed up and everything was so awesome.  David, our worship pastor was on as was the band.  I had so much fun.  I told several people that this service was so much work that it was like birthing a baby!  One of the college students came up to me after the service and said "I think our baby is cute!"  I think so too.  There were a lot of people who left excited and ready to bring people next week.  I would love to see 1000 people in there very soon.  Thank you to everyone who made tonight a success.  I love all of you!

Mark

My prayer for Central High School

I love students! It is why I do student ministry. We launched our fall semester last night with 92 people and 2 salvation's. I went to sleep so excited. I was working out this morning as I heard maybe 50 sirens buzzing by. I was then told that a shooting at occurred at Central. We have one student who attends and many friends who visit us. I am also one of the football chaplains. I rushed out and to the school talking to out student who was in lock down in the chorus room. God protected her today. Usually she eats in the cafeteria at the time of the shooting but today she took a pop tart from home and was in the chorus room. I have now heard that the student shot has passed away. My heart hurts because two students lives are ruined. One has passed from this life to the next and the other will never have a real life. Why? As I sit here and type, I am now more passionate than ever to reach students with the gospel. I want them to have hope, to have God, and for them to know he loves them unconditionally. To all of my students, I love you and I am here. To Bailey, I am glad your OK. I have never been so happy to see you than when i watched you walk from the school to your car. Even though we could not talk face to face I prayed for God's peace over you. Things will be OK. There is more work to be done.

Mark

God I pray that you will pour down your peace and Holy Spirit upon the lives of the students and parents of CHS. I pray that they understand that you are God and you are still on your throne. Today you were not surprised or caught off guard. We live in a fallen world and one day evil will be destroyed! Until then we cling to you and we ask that you help us, guide us, use us, and keep us from temptation and evil. There are hearts breaking today Father, and I ask that you comfort them. For those asking questions, please put your people in the right places to listen first and answer if necessary. God I pray that good will come from this tragedy and that new life may result from this also. You are God and you are sovereign. We love you and trust you. Move today and everyday. We ask that your will be done. In Jesus name, Amen!

Africa Day 10: Passion Cape Town

Well I am done with Passion SA. Tonight we finished the second leg of the Passion World Tour in Cape Town. I got up early and had breakfast before leaving for the venue. We had to set up chairs and then zip tie them together. The set-up went pretty easy. All 4000 chairs were supposed to be delivered at 10 AM...at 2:30 PM I was upset with the the company we used and trying to find the chairs we paid for. Everything worked out and the night was amazing! From the time the video launched until the end, the whole night was special. It was rewarding again to see a year's worth of work finally celebrated. I am so grateful to Passion for allowing me this opportunity. Chris and Matt did a great job leading worship and of course Louie was awesome. I am going to bed thinking and knowing "Savior, he can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save. So shine your light and let the whole earth see...were singing for the glory of the risen King! JESUS!" Well it is 2:45 AM and I am off to bed. I will write more tomorrow.

Cheers
Mark

Africa Day 9: The Sea Swallowed the Sun

Well today was a great day! I had a great breakfast and talked with a new friend named Quin. He is also a student pastor here in SA and I met him a year ago. Then he had 13 students and last night he told me in a year they have grown into 120 students. I was soaking in his ideas and love for God. They encourage their students to do a 30 second prayer before entering school. They were doing it in a classroom but the whole school began to participate and it was hard to get 1200 students into a 45 student sized-room. AMAZING! After breakfast we had a walk through of our venue. I am excited about Passion Cape Town tomorrow at 7:00 Pm which will be 1:00 PM for you. We went to the waterfront for lunch and i had the most amazing calamari ever. We then went shopping at the market. I bought an African drum for the kids, a Zulu spear, and a painting of the townships here. After the market we went to Camps Bay which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful places in the world! You have the rock mountains on one side and the ocean on the other...it is breath taking. We also ate the most amazing ice cream. No joke, it was the best ice cream I have ever had. The shop was named Mozart. We think climbed out on the rocks and sat down and watched the sun set. It was like the sea swallowed the sun. It was beautiful and I so wished Carrie could have been next to me. Love I promise i will bring you here some day and we will eat ice cream on the rocks and watch the sun set. It will be beautiful but not as beautiful as you! My kids started school today. Brycen started kindergarten and Regan Pre-K 4. My heart broke that I was not there. I was able to get in after the venue in time to skype them before they left. Regan was so excited that she woke up at 6:00 AM. Where have my little babies gone. I am ready to come home. I am so full right now, God is doing amazing things here in SA! I will see most of you Sunday at church.

Cheers
Mark

Africa Day 8: Getting ready again!

Well today was very busy for me. I spent almost all day sending e-mails and talking on the phone making sure everything is ready for our event Wednesday night. All is well even though I was worried at different times today. All of our team arrived tonight after having a great safari in Kruger. They saw the big five which is huge here and to see a leopard is rare I here. I did walk down the street to Cavendish which has a mall and places to eat. I bought a cool pair of shoes for R79.99 which is about $11. I do want to thank God for an answered prayer. I had someone who bought me a mac laptop to do graphics and movies at church. I am so blessed by God and overwhelmed by the graciousness of this person. I love God so much, he loves us! If that wasn't enough...apple had a deal going and I got a new printer also. I am loving life and ready to return and get going with the fall ministry! I am so pumped about speaking every Sunday night. It will be great. I hope all is well with everyone. I am off to bed even though it is only 5:00 PM for you.

Mark