Fabulous Camp Meeting!!!

It could not have been better.  I have never heard Doug Klinedinst preach with more anointing and insight, Greg Godwin preach more passionately and prophetically, or Anthony Mangun preach more powerfully.  Ohio’s music talent, organized and led by Barb Keller, was truly among the finest in the country (not my words but those of all of our camp speakers).  Friday night’s crowd jammed into the old tabernacle with standing room only. 

You can—and should—order the CD’s or DVD’s from Calvary Apostolic Church, pastored by James Stark, in Columbus.  Show them to your entire congregation.  If you are a missionary, you’ll never get a finer lineup to come overseas at a less expensive rate.  If you are a youth leader or an outreach coordinator, you will definitely want to show Greg Godwin’s Tuesday morning message.  

Ohio was prophesyed to be the epicenter of the coming revival.  The quality and depth of the ministers and ministries that have either been raised here or transplanted here astound me.  Camp and conference preachers, revivalists, seminar speakers and musicians live here in Ohio.  I thank God every day that I can be a part of it all. 

A small note on my back...

I went in for my third cortizone shot Wednesday, July 25.  After interviewing me and manipulating my spine, the good doctor said I didn’t need the shot at this time, if ever.  He said to give the office a call in three or four months if I felt the pain flaring up again.  Otherwise, I was good to go.  I still experience twinges of pain from time to time, depending on my movement, but nothing  like the debilitating pain that I had at the beginning.  This is wonderful news.  I am a few phyisical therapy sessions and exercise repetitions away from my first swing of a Taylor made 360 cc driver since May 8, 2007.  Other than winter months, this is a record stretch of golf abstinence for me!  Pray, saints, pray.  If it weren’t for that grandbaby, I don’t think I would have made it.  I love you all.

Camp Meeting Straight Ahead!

Our Ohio District Camp Meeting begins July 30.  My wife and I are on location now and will stay for the duration of the camp, August 3.  We expect a “blowout” time this year with Doug Klinedinst, Greg Godwin and Anthony Mangun.  Robert Trapani will teach Tuesday-Friday, and Barb Keller will direct the music program.  I don’t know if we can house the crowd we will have on Friday night, but that’s a good problem. 

We have just installed a new sound board, new speakers and some other new components.  They tell me that the sound has never been better in the old tabernacle.  This tabernacle has some history…Billy Cole received the Holy Ghost there and many preachers and missionaries received their call at the tabernacle altars.  Now upgraded and facelifted, we believe that the anointing still rests there.  If you want to know more about it, buy the book “Out of the Heartland:  A History of the Ohio District UPCI.”  (Available at www.ohioupci.com)  These books will be on sale at a reduced price to those who come to the camp meeting.

 Senior High camp is finishing up as I write this entry.  The campers have been at Dennison University this summer instead of Buckeye Lake.  It’s been a great week with great facilities (however, the same old complaints about the food!).  The one thing that the young people have really enjoyed has been the huge gymnasiums where they have been able to play basketball and volleyball in the best of conditions.  Wayne Francis has done an awesome job.  I thank God for a new generation coming on…a “dancing generation”…because they love the presence of God and the preaching of the truth as much as the older folks. 

It’s a great day to be a Buckeye! 

My back is better

After my second cortizone injection, my back is much better.  I still have some pain, but I have resumed all my previous activities…except golf!  I admit that I am still a little gun-shy of getting back out on the links.  Once you’ve had back pain, you don’t want to go through it again.  They say if I am faithful with my back exercises and physical therapy, I’ll be able to do anything I did before.  Thanks for all your prayers, cards, calls and well wishes.  Friends are a beautiful thing!

Meanwhile, I am enjoying that grandbaby!!!

Leadership Book

Some have asked how they can get a copy of my book on leadership, “Living and Leading in Ministry.”  You can order directly from me ($11.00 plus shipping) by sending your order through snail mail to 5701 Sylvania, Ave, Toledo, OH 43623; or you can log onto www.upci.org and go Pentecostal Publishing House.  The audio book version is also available through PPH only.  The book consists of thirty-one brief snapshots of leadership in action.  You can use it to spice up your leadership classes or to use as a discussion topic for a particular session.  I hope it will enlighten and inspire your group.  (It also makes a good book just to add to your book collection!)