“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
– HAGGAI 2:6-7

I’m really excited to be back this week. I have missed you all and am looking forward to reconnecting with our church family. As my family was away on some much needed vacation, stepping away from phones, technology, and familiarity, we rediscovered each other… and sunburns, too much junk food, arguing over what shapes the clouds make, repeatedly answering the question: “how much longer ‘til we get there?,” and staying up too late (all good things on a vacation). I came back this week to find one of the great joys of my time here at Mariners MV: Summer Fun Nights (VBS). In walking around and experiencing what God is doing in our community and on our church campus, I am as energized for ministry as I ever have been.

I don’t know how to express my joy and gratitude enough for what is happening this week at our church. Every night, hundreds of volunteers come to joyfully corral kids in and through the various experiences of our Summer Fun Nights kids’ program, shaping young lives one meaningful conversation, clever Bible story, humor-laden skit, colorful craft, and creative activity at a time. The response by both kids and their parents alike has been amazing.  When God says, “I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land,” I’m pretty certain he was talking about the volume, the enthusiasm, and the dance-moves of our kids this week at Mariners MV.

We believe followers of Jesus come in all sizes — especially, kid-sized. It takes patient volunteer leaders to usher kids into God’s presence in a meaningful and fun way. This Sunday, we’ll cover some of the highlights from this week. There is so much that God is doing in our midst, through the dedication of great volunteers and our gifted, hard-working children’s ministry team.

Additionally, I have a few big announcements I can’t wait to let you in on. Don’t miss this Sunday as we continue in our JAMES series and cover some of things God is up to in our church community.

See you soon,

Jeff