Lots to Celebrate

This weekend we are in celebration mode!  This morning's worship services reflected that.


Adventure Week/Family VBS
We had a successful Adventure Week/Family VBS.  In addition to the usual excitement of having children learn about the Bible and worship God, this year we added a component for parents.  Pastor Rolando led the Spanish track and I had the privilege of facilitating the English track.  The parent response was excellent in terms of attendance and participation.  The week ended with a swimming party for the families that attended.  We are so grateful for our staff and volunteer leadership that made this possible, including Pastor Susan and Cheri Huerta, among many others.  We are considering this event the kick-off to a "Summer of the Family."


(Additionally, the week before, our mission-church in Sullivan City celebrated a very successful VBS.  This year was also significant in this annual event for it was the first time in a long time that all of the leadership and volunteer force was local.  After many years of having the leadership and volunteer force come from outside, this is a giant step in the right direction!  We grateful for those that are serving at Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sullivan City, including Raul and Alba San Martin).


Return of the Amazon Trip Group
This last week our group that went on mission to the Amazon Basin returned safely.  After a 24 hour or so delay in Houston, they finally arrived in the Valley.  This morning in our worship services we were able to see the photos of the different places in the Jungle and along the Amazon where our group had an opportunity to minister alongside local leaders.  Activities included evangelism events, baptisms, women conferences and ministry to youth and children among various indigenous people groups.  We also heard the great testimonies of individuals who went on the trip.  We thank God for David and Denise Love and their exceptional leadership.  (We are praying for our team that will leave to Kenya this week and for Tracy Hughes and Pastor Marcus as they lead).


Camp Zephyr
The week before last our students attended Camp at Zephyr where they had a great experience.  We heard testimonies from some of these students.  Some of them made professions of faith.  Others returned committed to serving and living missionally.  We are grateful for this life-changing opportunity, the leadership of our staff and volunteers and the support of our church.  Pastor Marcus, not only led our bus-full of students from Calvary, but also directed the entire week's experience for all students.


Children's Building Loan Balance
The balance of this loan is reported in our bulletin every week.  Although our Building Fund campaign has been officially over for some time, many of our members and other contributors have continued to give regularly to this fund above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings.  Because of such generosity the balance on this loan has slowly been reduced.  In order to increase the pace of this process, the stewardship committee, under the leadership of its chairman, Richard Vaughan, has been allocating additional budget income toward this fund.  You might have noticed that by the end of May we reported that the loan balance went below the $300,000 level!  This was a significant milestone!  Today you might have noticed that the loan balance is now below the $200,000 level!  In one month's time, through the generous giving of our people and the bold leadership of our stewardship committee, the debt has been reduced by about $100,000!


All of these are exciting things that God is doing at Calvary this summer.  We are grateful for your support and for your leadership.  Continue to pray as we follow God's leadership into the future He has in store for Calvary.  May we continue to apply ourselves to His mission and may we be found faithful.

A Letter from Joe Gerault

Pastor Joe Gerault has recently submitted a letter to me and the personnel committee.  He also wrote the following for our "Calvary Life" section in this Sunday's (6-10-12) bulletin:

"It has been my privilege to serve God at Calvary for almost 19 years.  God has shown many times over the years that He has His hand on this church and is using it for His Kingdom work.  As a church, we have been blessed to join with God in making a global impact in so many areas.

It has been a joy to remain in this one church for over half of the years that I have been serving God in ministry.  I tell folks that I have served in about five or so churches in the past 19 years, and I’ve never moved.  It has been awesome to watch how God has guided our church according to His purposes over the years.

As the symptoms of Ataxia have progressed, the Pastor and the Personnel Committee have graciously allowed me the flexibility and support to go half-time, then to one quarter time.  However, the time has now come that I need to end my years on the paid staff of the church, effective at the first week of July.

Calvary Baptist Church is still our church and we are still fully committed to serving and worshipping here in the days ahead.  As far as God has shown us in His plan for our lives, Janet and I do not have plans to move from the Valley.  So you’ll still see me around Calvary.  I just won’t be serving on staff. So, if you need a room unlocked, copies made, or a toilet is running, all I’ll be able to do is offer my sympathy!

Thank you again for the gift of serving the Lord at Calvary."

Joe Gerault

I have observed and admired Dr. Gerault's character and spirit in dealing with Ataxia.  Not many of us could deal with such physical challenges in the gracious way in which Joe has.  I regret that Ataxia will not allow Pastor Joe to continue serving on church staff.  But I know that God will continue to use Joe to be a blessing to our church and to many people around him.  His example, his prayers and his wisdom are of much value.

We are grateful for 19 years of ministry at Calvary.  That is a rare thing in today's world!  I know that throughout these 19 years, he has touched many lives and has loyally supported three different Senior Pastors in their particular visions and leadership styles.  Since his last Sunday as part of our church staff will be July 8th, we will have a special time of prayer during our worship services for him.  (Remember, he is not leaving Calvary but stepping down from his role in the pastoral staff).

We are not necessarily asking for a love offering for Pastor Joe (per his request).  However, if people feel led to give an offering, he has asked that they give toward the Children's Building Loan as an expression of their gratitude.