Ronny’s Update
ronny July 1st, 2008
Summer Update
Father God, I thank you today for Palmetto Shores Church. Thank you for affirming that your grace is enough to take us through any valley in life and your blessings are more abundant than we could ever realize. This has been such a wonderful season of ministry for your church. You have allowed us to experience a healthy birth and understand what it is like to live in you! “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Thank you! You have put just the right people together at just the right time to complete your purpose in us and through us. Help us learn to live in your word, pray in faith, fellowship with believers and witness to our world. For Your glory, Amen
Every single week, hundreds of people bring Palmetto Shores Church to life. You make up the face of PSC. You are the parking lot attendants, greeters, children’s ministry workers, youth workers, ushers, office volunteers, financial supporters, musicians, vocalists, worship leaders, technical support creators and operators, small group leaders, care team members, data entry volunteers, Bible teachers, advisers, and prayer warriors. You feed hungry people, encourage those who are down, visit the sick, teach children, teach youth, lead women’s and men’s ministries, inspire and empower the church staff, and without any desire for attention or appreciation, selflessly serve in tireless and consistent kingdom ministry. You are average citizens in a county that is 80% un-churched and share the mission to reach the un-reached, offer a hand to the down and out, and you are Jesus to those who will never read about Him in the Bible or attend a church service. YOU are the church and I want you to know you are not overlooked — in God’s eyes or mine. Today, I simply want to say THANK YOU! Pray that as we grow and change, we will never lose this identity. Pray that as we discover purpose together, we will always be real people with real hope and share real love. And again, I just want to say “thank you” for being faithful in the normal stuff because that makes us who we really are.
The past three or four months have been a phenomenal ride. Like me, I sense you are tired, stretched, and filled with questions, but not weary, broken, or doubting. You, like me, trust our Lord to supply for us more than we could ask or imagine for our next step in the journey. In the remainder of this letter, I just want to give an overview of some of the events that have brought us to this chapter in the journey and remind you of how you can continue to grow and strengthen the ministry outreach of PSC understanding that we truly have only just begun.
Legacy: Palmetto Shores Church 2, Legacy, is up and running. The launch of our new church had 140 people in attendance and the following 4 weeks have averaged 85. Pray for John and Lisa Rea and their leadership team. Pray that new people will be reached each week through the outreach of our “new baby.” God has clearly given us His vision to be a Church Planting Church and it is an honor to Him that in our first year, He has birthed a healthy baby through us! Yeah God!
Now, realistically, this process of mentoring and leadership training and resource sharing has been time consuming and in many ways exhausting. I know some of you are breathing hard from the effort of this adventure. Remember, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Keep up the good work for His glory!
Habitat: A big part of the vision of PSC is to reach out to our community. When we signed on to this part of God’s vision, I’m not so sure we realized how He wanted to use us in such a meaningful way. Many of you were able to assist in the Habitat blitz where we joined with six contractors in our community and totally completed six residential houses in one week. We did all and more than we were asked to do. Some of you spent most of the week at the construction site doing what needed to be done. Way to go! God demonstrated how He wants to use us when we make ourselves available and do not care who gets the credit!
Beach Fest: 2008 Beach Fest was exciting for many reasons. The music and messages from athletes and program personalities was certainly effective and exciting. However, the life memory for me was far more personal and deeper than what the average spectator saw. As pastor of Palmetto Shores, I was eternally blessed to see you roll up your sleeves and get nasty dirty to open the door of salvation to thousands of children and adults. God called and you answered and we are all blessed to a greater degree because of your servant ministry heart. I watched many of you pray with people and assist people in their faith journey and your investment will change their life on earth and throughout eternity, and I pray will change and encourage you forever as well. I have to say it again, “THANK YOU!”
Missions: What do Africa, China, Honduras, Lakeland (Florida) and Palmetto Shores Church all have in common? Our PSC people (Lorrie, McKenzie, Keith, Travis) have left their footprints and heart-prints in these countries (including Florida). Way to go!
We have one more blast with our team of 19 going to Africa August 1 - 15. Are you aware that this group started a church last year that is thriving today? We are praying He opens the door to start another one this Summer. God is at work and we want to find ourselves where He is working. Pray for this team and prayerfully keep in step with Him. Check out all of our up-dates of all of our ministries on the web at: www.palmettoshoreschurch.com
Kid’s Crusade: This Thursday — Sunday PSC will host another Kid’s Crusade where we will use drama, small groups, crafts and other activities to present the Gospel and invite children and adults to follow Jesus. The leadership team for this event presented this program in Conway between our Habitat project and Beach Fest. The creative and physical energy in this event is incredible. Pray for great results this week and this summer as the message of Jesus is presented and people respond!
In conclusion, I know this has been a long letter. Thank you for reading it, but most of all thank you again for your energy and investment in God’s great church. I love you & thank God for you!
To God be the glory! Ronny
“What On Earth Are We Here For?”
“The PSC Strategy
Real People Real Hope Real Love