The Son and the Sand June 2005
Summer Days Are Here Again The Public Beach looks a bit peculiar these days. Construction projects and beach renourishment endeavors continue. It’s amazing how quickly our disaster relief, area construction workers, and developers have moved to get us back in business here on Alabama’s beautiful gulf coast. The work continues. The resort ministries’ staff is excited about the many possibilities that lie ahead in the summer of 2005. As I write this ministry update our summer staff have already been involved in a number of exciting ministries at several area campgrounds and beachside locations. We’ve been experiencing the joys of backyard Bible clubs, beach outreach, puppets, drama, and music ministries. We led worship at 4 different locations last Sunday morning. Our service at Gulf State Park Campground was excellent. Sunday marked the first resort worship service in the State Park Campground since Hurricane Ivan’s visit. We had the service under a portable canopy. The activities building at the park was off limits due to the damage it received from Ivan. We will continue to lead services at the State Park, Gulf Breeze RV, Island Retreat RV, and Luxury RV throughout the summer. If you are in our area this summer, please come and join us for a great time of praise and worship. What A Wonderful Way to Spend a Summer Day This summer our staff is working in specific ministries to provide leadership and direction for all of our missions partners. We ask that you pray for our summer missionaries as the work in the following areas: Lauren & Amy Discipleship & Evangelism Coordinators Stephanie W. & Stephanie R. Worship & Performance Coordinators Lindsey & Rebekah Orientation & Follow Up Coordinators Here’s an update on our ministry calendar and the many ministry partners that will be working with the Gulf Area Resort Ministries’ staff and summer missionaries. MAY 24 SUMMER MISSIONARIES ARRIVE May 28-June 3 Lakeside Baptist Church / Birmingham, AL June 2-5 Willowbrook Baptist Church / Madison, AL June 11-17 First Baptist Church of Decatur / Decatur, AL June 13-17 First Baptist Church of Frisco / Frisco, TX June 18-24 Church at the Crossing / Indianapolis, IN June 20-24 Imagine Ministries Drama Team / Montgomery AL June 20-24 Jubilee Baptist Church / Daphne, AL June 25-July 1 2nd Baptist Church of Fort Payne / Fort Payne, AL July 2-5 Metamorphosis Ministries / Tuscaloosa AL July 2-5 Capstone Church / Tuscaloosa AL July 2-5 River’s Edge Baptist Church / Iowa Falls, IA July 2-5 New Hope Baptist Church / Pell City, AL July 2-5 Wilton Baptist Church / Wilton, AL July 2-8 Woodland Baptist Church / Louisville, KY July 2-8 First Baptist Church of Sandersville / Sandersville, GA July 2-8 Baldwin Baptist Association Youth Team July 9-15 Leatherwood Baptist Church / Alexandria, AL July 9-15 New Cannan Baptist Church / Union Hill, AL July 16-22 Mount Airey Baptist Church / Easley, SC July 16-22 Robinson Creek Baptist Church / Campbellsville, KY July 25-29 Parkview Baptist Church / Tuscumbia, AL July 25-29 First Baptist Church of Tuscumbia / Tuscumbia, AL July 25-29 First Baptist Church of Lexington / Lexington , AL July 25-29 North Highland Baptist Church / Littleville, AL July 30-August 5 Timber Ridge Community Church/House Springs, MO AUGUST 6 – SUMMER MISSIONARIES DEPART Reminiscing About My Summer Missions Days The 2005 summer missionaries may get a little tired of the phrase, “I remember when I was a summer missionary, and…” I can’t help it. I just love to reminisce. Our current adventures in ministry are often a springboard that call to mind my years of summer missions while in college. I’d like to compile some summer missions memories from our current staff, previous staff, and The Son & the Sand readers for the July issue of our newsletter. Please send me your summer missions memories in the next couple of weeks if you get a chance. If you haven’t been a summer missionary before but you have been on a mission trip with your church then send me your stories, too. Thanks. The Missionary Paul’s Encouragement to the First Century Church I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message) Have a great month. Let us know how we can pray for you, too. In Christ, Jeff Ford Resort Missionary Baldwin Baptist Association
