Seventeen Years and Counting. . .

Kent reminded me this morning that this week marks our seventeenth year in Conroe. Actually our first service in Conroe was the first weekend in March which would have been yesterday. We enjoyed very powerful services this weekend. Yesterday Pastor preached about having a personal altar experience. You can read about it on his blog. He never gave an altar call. People during the message started flooding the altars. It was a very moving service. After service I took Destiny home. Then I joined the family at a local restaurant. Ironically, two of our original eight church members were sitting at the table with my family when I arrived. Rarely do we eat lunch with people on Sunday. This is a time we reserve to spend with our family. When I walked into the restaurant I thought this is like old times not even realizing it was our anniversary. Sis. Pat and Sis. Martin we love you both. Thanks for staying with us all these years!

During these seventeen years we have experienced many battles. I am happy to report the victories far exceed the defeats. We have been knocked down but never left destroyed. As in any church we have had people come and people leave. We have learned one thing that while we weep with those leaving the backdoor we find ourselves rejoicing with those who come thru the front door. Many spiritual victories have been won in Conroe. I can’t even begin to recount each of them. I remember times of God’s provision in earlier years. We’ve had times of miraculous healings and seasons of nothing but Holy Ghost outpouring. Currently we are in a time of increased prayer and fasting. We are enjoying the results in our services both last weekend and this we have had backsliders renewed.

As I mentioned previously we began with eight people. To put this in perspective we now have 8 praise singers every service plus five musicians and ministers on the platform. The platform alone has more people than we had in the entire church. Wow! At times I get frustrated thinking we are not growing fast enough but when I stop and analyze the growth it is really astounding. I remember teaching Sunday School sometimes holding a baby on my hip and having a varied age group of infants to preteens. Now we enjoy many dynamic classes. The teachers struggle with a few grades combined in one class! The music was so rough. Neither Kent nor I am talented in that area. We have depended on whatever talent God provides. Now our music is incredible. I’m thankful both of our children are talented musically. The youth group that Trent leads has more youth than the congregation his dad led for the first several years. Redonia is our children’s choir director. She directed more children in her choir yesterday than her dad led in congregational worship the first four years. Last night Trent preached while trying to make some youth announcements. The congregation really responded. This was more response that Kent ever got from our new converts the first few years.

Blogging has been good for me this morning. God never let me forget where You have brought us from. Never let me fail to be appreciative for the many blessings You have provided. God I sincerely thank You for all You have done in Conroe. I realize that if You don’t build the house we labor in vain. I know the next few years are even going to be greater because You have given us wonderful people to share our burden. Thank You Lord that even last night we received emails after service from people that are supporting the vision You have given us for Conroe.