Grateful for Mario Samaniego's Ministry at Calvary

           Mario Samaniego has served as part-time Interim Associate for Pastoral Ministries for the last two semesters at Calvary.  During this time Mario developed a bereavement ministry consisting of helpful correspondence to those who had close relatives pass away, assisted me (pastor Julio) with hospital visitation and pastoral counseling, and taught a pastoral care course on Wednesday nights.  Several of our deacons and other Calvary members took this course which included the guest participation of various hospital chaplains in the area.

          Mario's ministry has touched many lives and has been a blessing.  We will be unable to extend this ministry agreement and so tomorrow (June 30) is Mario’s last day in this capacity.  We thank him for his service and pray God will lead him in his future ministry.

          There are two recent ministry developments in the life of Mario for which we are praising God and for which we need to pray.  He has recently been asked to supply the pulpit on a regular basis at First Baptist Church, Port Isabel.  He also has been accepted into the CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) residency program of the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville.  This one-year residency will open up the opportunity for Mario to serve as a hospital chaplain.  We are very excited about this opportunity for which we had been praying and are convinced that God will use it to bless Mario and Viola and to bless the people to whom he will be ministering.

          While Mario and Viola remain members of Calvary, we may not see them very often after tomorrow since he will be preaching in Port Isabel on Sundays and ministering in Brownsville during the week.  So if you happen to see him at church tomorrow, make sure you give him your blessing.

           Once again, thank you Mario for your ministry through our staff during the last two semesters.  May God bless you and prosper you!

Leaving Comments on this Blog

          Several of our Calvary Leaders have expressed to me that they have had difficulty leaving comments on my blog.  I apologize that this is so.  I hope to help a little with that in this post.

          When you leave a comment you are asked to select a "profile."  Those that have blogger profiles or have an "internet" identity of some kind may choose a Google, LiveJournal, WordPress, TypePad, AIM or OpenID.  I believe this is in order to connect people with their blogs and with other integrated information sources (and also to post your photo by your name).  For those that do not have one of these profiles already, there are two options for leaving a comment.  Below I offer a set of step-by-step instructions and screen shots from the missions catalog post that illustrate how to leave a comment.

         Option one is the "name/url."  In order to do so, you select that option from the drop down menu.  It is the second to the last option.  You can then enter your name.  The URL field is optional.  You may use it to enter your webpage address or blog or simply leave it blank.  Below I will enter "John Smith."

After you enter your information, click "continue" and it should lead you to the screen for entering your comment.  See my comment below "comment demo...test."

After you have typed your comment, then you may either click "publish" which will post the comment without opportunity for you to edit or "preview" which will give you an opportunity to see it and edit it before publishing.  Once you publish it, the posted comment will look like this:

When you are using a blogger or similar profile, your photo may appear on the left hand side of your name.  When using the "name/url" option, it will have a silhouette icon on the left side of your name and comment.

           Option two is "anonymous."  You may use this option to leave an anonymous comment.

Once you select it, you may enter your comment.  You can leave any name reference out of the comment, or you sign with initials, or with some kind of "pseudo-name" such as "concerned leader" or "angry bird" or "happy deacon."

Once you enter the comment you have the same option to either click "publish" or "preview."

I really appreciate the time you take to read my blog posts and I want to encourage you to leave comments.  The comments are helpful to me and it also stimulates dialogue with other leaders.

          I hope this "how to post" has been helpful.

Blessings to you!

Calvary Missions Catalog

 

          A couple of Sundays ago Pastor Chad, our pastor for mobilization and global impact, announced the publication of Calvary's first missions catalog.  The catalog is in print now and available for you to take a copy home.

          This catalog features the missionaries that we support directly.  (We support thousands of missionaries through our Baptist Cooperative Program but the catalog features those we support directly).  Many of these are Calvary members.  Each missionary feature includes a photograph, a description of the type of ministry they conduct and ways in which you can be praying for them.  In some cases, the catalog provides information on how to contact these missionaries directly.

          It is our desire that this catalog would inform you about the people and ministries that you are supporting with your offerings.  (Every time you place your tithe or offering in the offering plate, 20% of it goes to missions!).  We also hope that you will be encouraged to pray for our missionaries and inspired to find your way in participating in God's local and global mission.

          The catalog also lists several of the ministries with whom we network in addition to the RGVBA (Rio Grand Valley Baptist Association), the BGCT (Baptist General Convention of Texas), and the IMB of the SBC (International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention).  These are the "given" cooperating relationships for a Baptist church.  The catalog lists the "above and beyond" relationships that we are establishing.  Lastly, the catalog lists the various short-term opportunities for Calvary members to engage in international projects.

           The idea is that this catalog be published annually in order to provide our congregation current information for prayer and support.  In the meantime, we will be updating information on our missionaries in our new mobilization web page:

http://www.cbcmobilization.org

You may go directly to this site or you may click on the "live his mission" tab in our regular calvary webpage (http://www.calvarymcallen.org).  The mobilization web page is still under development but you can go there and begin to see much useful information including a blog by Pastor Chad.

          We are very grateful for Pastor Chad and his leadership.  He is the editor of this missions catalog and also oversees the new mobilization web site.  It is evident that he is gifted in many areas and passionate about seeing each disciple engaged in praying, giving or going to the ends of the world...until all the nations worship the Lamb!

Texas Baptists Family Gathering in San Antonio

          The Historic Texas Baptist Family Gathering is approaching fast.  It will take place on July 14-16 in San Antonio, Texas.  There is still an opportunity for Calvary members to serve as messengers to this annual meeting.  If you would like to do so, please contact Alma Escobar in our church office.

          In case you missed the April post with the information about this meeting, here's is the link:

Texas Baptist Family Gathering

Calvary Cutters Save Calvary Thousands of Dollars

          Many of you know that over three years ago, several men in our church volunteered to mow the church lawn.  A group of committed volunteers continues to do this every week including David and Michael de los Santos, David Cross, Lee Thalman, and Ron Corbett.  Danny Sosebee has offered invaluable help and direction in regard to irrigation.  Occasionally there are others who join them, including some ABFs who help from time to time.  But this core team is on task every week ensuring that our campus is ready for Sunday morning.  In that process, our church has saved many thousands of dollars over this period of time. 

          We are so grateful for these men who love God, love our church and love the people that they serve as deacons and as ABF leaders.  When you get a chance, please let them know how much you appreciate their countless hours of holy sweat for the Lord.  If you would like to volunteer as an individual or as an ABF or other group, contact these men to make arrangements.

Hail Storm Insurance Claim Closed and Building Fund

          The historic hailstorm that caught us by surprise and caused massive destruction in McAllen and surrounding areas took place almost 15 months ago. At Calvary we sustained over $1 million in damages which took a little over a year to repair.  We have finally closed the insurance claim and can leave this chapter behind.

          Our church made the decision in October of last year to remove the West Ed building and convert the area into a grassy field rather than repair the damages caused by the storm.  This decision allowed the congregation to remove one costly step of a possible future construction project (that of a new student ministry and office complex).  At the time of the discussion and decision the final cost for this was unknown but it was understood that the insurance would cover most of it.

          The leaders communicated that any difference between the insurance coverage and the actual cost of removal of the West Ed building would naturally come from the building fund.  In the future when the church were to move forward with a building project, the cost of the removal for the building would have been included in the new construction program (and it would have come from the building fund).  The advantage of having proceeded in removing the West Ed now was a significant cost-savings.  Whenever the church decides to go into a building program in the future, the funds raised would be applied to new construction since the former building has already been removed.

          The total cost of repairs related to the hail storm damage was $1,046,366.44, including the removal of the West Ed building and the entire abatement process.  The church's insurance policy covered $1,014,376.40 (including the supplemental claims that were made after repairs).  That means our church paid the difference consisting of $31,990.14.  Of this, the $1,000 deductible came from our budget funds, and $30,990.14 came from our building fund.  The largest portion of this is related to the cost of removing the West Ed.  Our stewardship committee approved this measure at its last monthly meeting.  This measure had already been the understanding of the committee without knowing the exact figures.  The committee learned of these figures at the same meeting where it voted.  (If you keep track of the building fund balance that is printed in our weekly bulletin, you will notice the difference after applying this action).

          We are thankful that this process is behind us and that our campus continues to be useful for Calvary's multiple ministries.

          We are also thankful to the Calvary Cutters and the many volunteers who helped with the transformation of the "West Ed" into a grass field.  The Calvary Cutters have provided leadership and preparation and maintenance for this project.  Volunteers came on a Saturday morning and provided the work force to lay the grass down.

Summer Interim Plan for Music and Worship

          It has been two months since our Pastor for Music and Worship position became vacant.  We will not bring an interim worship leader from outside this summer.  We will mostly with the talented and dedicated people that are already in Calvary.

          During April and May, we brought Andy Muskrat from the Waco area to lead our Classic Service (9:30), while Chuck Olson and Diann Whisnand fulfilled important roles in the leadership of that service also.  Jared Solis and Benjamin Aguirre have continued to lead the Contemporary (11) and the Spanish (12:30) services respectively.  We are grateful to each of these individuals and the multiple others who work alongside them to plan and lead each worship service each Sunday.

          For the summer, we will not be bringing an interim worship leader for the 9:30 service.  Andy Muskrat has answered a call to a full-time position as Worship Leader of the Spanish service at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving.  While Jared Solis and Benjamin will continue to lead the 11 o'clock and 12:30 services, we will implement a team approach for the 9:30 service.  Chad Mason will be the worship leader for multiple Sundays in the summer.  Diann Whisnand will be the orchestra leader, working to support the worship leader with musical arrangements and orchestration.  Chuck Olson will lead various vocal and instrumental ensembles.  On occasion Melinda Rodriguez, Diann Whisnand and Chuck Olson will lead the 9:30 service, especially when Chad is preaching or when he is out of town.  (Dr. Melinda Rodriguez is a nursing professor at UTPA who has served in leadership with me at a previous church in Corpus Christi.  She has  a huge heart for worship and a beautiful voice too).  Jared Solis will serve as the team leader for the 9:30 service providing support, resourcing and coordination to these talented and busy team members.  We are blessed to have these folks in our church and we are grateful for their willingness to serve in this capacity.  I ask that you pray for them as they use their gifts and talents in the 9:30 service this summer.

          In the meantime, the music and worship study committee has met on a couple of occasions.  Judy Prater, the committee's chairperson, has reported good progress in their meetings.  The committee will meet again this Sunday (June 9).  They feel optimistic about completing their task by mid to late summer.  This will allow them to submit their observations and recommendations for consideration by the personnel committee.  At this point we have scheduled a Church in Conference for August 25.  If the study and personnel committee complete their recommendation by then, it is possible that the church elect a search committee by that date.  Either way, we are seeking God's leadership as to the what and the when.  So we will need to remain flexible.  Pray for these committees and for the decisions that the church needs to make in the fall.

          Changes like the change of a Pastor for Music and Worship in a church help us to depend on the Lord, to reflect, evaluate and make sure we are on track with His plan.  God is good.  All the time!

Summer Preaching Plan (Last Leg of Dissertation Race)

          About three months ago I had the opportunity to share the pulpit with some of our staff pastors.  This afforded the opportunity to the congregation of receiving some great messages from Pastors Rolando, Marcus and Chad while also getting to know their heart and passion.  While I also enjoyed participating in the preaching rotation, it allowed me to make significant progress on my doctoral dissertation.  In that rotation plan, another positive opportunity we had was alternating preaching between Rolando and me on a couple of occasions.  On a couple of Sundays, Rolando preached all three services.  On alternate Sundays, I was able to do the same.  In addition to the privilege of each of us preaching in all three services, it also gave Rolando a little more time for the additional responsibilities that have been given him.  I am very grateful for this opportunity which I am convinced was a blessing to the church, to those who preached, and certainly to me.

         I have enjoyed being back in the pulpit for the greater part of April and May.  As the summer starts, we are planning to implement another preaching rotation.  While I plan to preach on multiple occasions in June, July and August, the congregation will once again have the opportunity of hearing Pastors Chad, Rolando and Marcus on a couple of occasions.  Additionally, we also plan to have the preaching participation of David Love in our English services.  In addition to my preaching in the Spanish service on an occasion, Benjamin Aguirre and Ricardo Morillo will also share the preaching of the Spanish service on different Sundays.

          I expect that this summer will be the last leg of my dissertation race.  I am currently working on chapter revisions and, God willing, plan to complete the final chapters within the next couple of months.  I am very grateful to the staff, the personnel committee, the deacon body, the congregation and my family for the extraordinary support I have received.  I know that God has been with me every step of the way and I give Him the glory for what he has allowed me to accomplish up until this point.  Although I'm not quite finished yet, I see the finish line and I feel very grateful.  I'm so ready to be done and get this behind me.  As I am about to complete three years as lead pastor at Calvary, I look forward to the many ministry years ahead with this precious congregation.  I have felt so loved by Calvary and my love for this church grows each day.

          I believe this summer Calvary will be enriched with the messages we receive on Sunday mornings from various pastors and that each of these pastors will grow and develop further in their ministry also.  I ask that you pray for each of us and for the congregation.  That God would use each message this summer to edify believers, build up the congregation, proclaim the gospel, mobilize disciples and, ultimately, to bring glory to His name. 

Summer Wednesdays at Calvary Start Today!

           Today we start a series of Wednesday night events designed for the Calvary family to enjoy fellowship and spiritual experiences together.  Tonight's event is a "Family Fun Night" and it is an outdoor night for people of all ages.  We will start at 6:30.  There will be inflatable games for the young, burgers and hotdogs for everyone, games and water slides.  Bring extra clothes in case you get very wet!  Also bring cookies to share with others.  I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to interact with other members of the Calvary family and for your family to enjoy a church event together.  Please remind your respective groups and teams and encourage them to attend.

          On a week-to-week basis we have an opportunity to worship in one of three worship services.  We also have an opportunity to learn and fellowship in age-graded Bible Fellowships.  These are the basic blocks of the Calvary weekly experience.  However, we recognize the need for fellowship with those who attend different worship services and to have (intergenerational) experiences that are inclusive of all ages.  That is what our Summer Wednesdays at Calvary are designed to do.  We believe that as people take advantage of these opportunities, we can know each other better, encourage each other, and our church fellowship can grow stronger.  Put these events in your calendar, plan to come, bring your family, and encourage the group you lead to join also.

         Here's the list of events throughout the summer.  We will provide additional information through our website and bulletin each week: