Most weeks I have several people ask me “How are you, John?” Some of them remember a rough spot I went through about nine years ago, and they don’t want me to burn out again. Truthfully, 2010 has been the best year I’ve had in a long time. My life is fairly well-balanced, and I love what God is doing through our church.

If there is any heaviness in my heart, it has to do with the impact that our broken economy has had on our church finances. After inflation is factored in, we have about the same income as in 2006. Attendance has increased 28% since then (1,223 in worship then, compared to 1,704 now). That is a lot…

My little brother is game-show crazy. Tonight he appears on Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 (our local station). He taped the show in August, but I don’t know how he did…he signed a lot of legal papers that prevent him from sharing the outcome. I hope he does well! Here is a shot of Mark in a promo segment they showed last night on his local station in Paducah where he lives.

Check out Isaac and Lori Reed’s Haiti 2010 mission report.

Check out Sheri Towery and Karly Drake’s 2010 mission report.

Check out Misty Frost’s Mission Arlington 2010 mission report.

Check out Matthew Dumm’s Brazil 2010 mission report.

Thanks for all your help to make this year’s Back to School Clothing Giveaway at the Joplin Campus a huge success! We helped over 1,400 people from over 370 families. Over 70 people received a free haircut. The Gideons gave out 765 New Testaments. Over 500 backpacks were given away with the majority of them containing school supplies. We had a ton of volunteers that helped throughout the week and today.

Whatever the phrase, “the dog-days of summer” means, it appears we are in the middle of them. Wow! Hasn’t it been warm! But, God truly is good, as He has provided the rains just when we needed them. Despite the heat, the moisture has been there. He always knows just what we need. Many times, before we know.

Those of you that have made a commitment to give to “Generations” are so encouraging to others as you remain faithful in your giving. You continue to be a blessing with your support of the campaign that began over 1½ years ago. Yes, we are over halfway through the original three-year commitment of “Generations.” Much has already been accomplished with the…