I’ve always loved summer. It is my favorite season of the year (followed closely by fall and spring – anything but winter :)). Now, I know it’s hot. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, so I feel right at home in the heat, plus we have air conditioning – thank You, Lord. What I love about summer is time with family and seeing God move in such a mighty way. I believe we are always growing spiritually, in small, incremental ways such as Sunday morning worship, daily time with the Lord and weekly Bible study. In the summer you see big spiritual growth through summer camps, mission trips and other mountaintop experiences not only in your own life but also in the lives of others. As Christ-followers, we are not called to live out our faith on the mountaintops, but down in the valleys like school and work. These special experiences are surely amazing and incredible catalysts in our spiritual journeys.
This has been an incredible summer at Rolling Hills! We have had Summer Camps for preschool (Wonder Camp), elementary school kids (Connect Camp), fourth and fifth graders (Jonathan Creek Camp) and middle school and high school students (Beach Week). Through these camp experiences, we have seen so many accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior as well as many students called to ministry. In fact, I personally felt called to ministry when I was in 9th grade at a summer camp. Thank You, Father.
We have also had incredible mission trips. Mission trips to Moldova are back on, and our RH team had an incredible time there with our Justice & Mercy Staff Team serving hundreds of precious orphan and vulnerable children. In addition, we had mission teams and a Pastor’s Conference in the Amazon jungle. We also had our first mission team to Europe as we are expanding the mission work. All these mission trips impact underserved people in these places, but also impact those who go. God resets us to what really matters in life.
The summer has allowed us to expand missions right here in our own community. Through Do Good Local, we have been able to feed the hungry, serve the homeless and invest in education. We have also been able to do construction work on a new ministry center and new campus building. It has been awesome to see the generosity of God’s people in giving food, clothes, money, time, etc.
Add on top of all of this, a Masterclass Study on the book of Romans this summer. We just took 15 weeks to walk through one of the most powerful books of the entire Bible. Romans is filled with beautiful doctrine and theology, but also how we, as Christ-followers, are called to live it out in our everyday life. Wow! What an awesome study and what an awesome God we serve. I have loved the feedback from the series and the spiritual growth we have all experienced.
For me, personally, this has been an awesome summer – all glory to our great God! I’ve been able to grow spiritually, but also to watch my kids grow. All my kids were able to be at camps this summer, and God spoke to each of them in a powerful way. I can’t wait to see how this will continue to impact them in the future. Serving with Lisa and watching God work in our kids is so special. Going on mission trips to Moldova and Europe was awesome to see God transforming lives through His Church at Rolling Hills and Justice & Mercy International. Only God can change a heart, and we are so grateful that He allows us to be a part of this life change in others.
Finally, summer allows for special time with family. As busy as the school years are, it is so sweet to have some concentrated time with family. I love my family! I am so thankful for my amazing wife and so proud of our incredible kids. I cherish the time with them because I know it is going fast. The summer is a refreshment and a mountaintop time with our family.
There are blessings in every season of life. But, summer is truly special to me. It takes work to plan and prepare for summer, but it is all worth it. As we close this summer and come back down the mountain, I pray you will take all God taught you and apply it in your everyday life. God is at work in your heart and your family. Let’s live each day, and every season, for His Name and for His glory. Let’s strive to know Him and to make Him known. God is with you and He is for you. Thank You, Father, for summer.
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