June Update

Odd Hour Ministry

With a lot of Friday night DJ gigs, I've been showing up pretty late to the Aruba (hotel where I go swing dancing). This means most of the dancing is done and only the bar regulars are left. About 1 AM a guy was sharing stories of an old friend of theirs. One of the regulars started telling me the group's back-story and how that guy from the stories committed suicide last fall. Telling funny stories about him was their way of coping with their loss. She then told me how her sister had just died, that she knew I was a pastor, and that the religious upbringing she had was based on fear and control. Now as an adult she no longer goes to church. The next day I sent her a recent sermon from our church that I thought would interest her, since I thought it touched on everything we discussed that night. She agreed and wrote back, saying, "You have a very interesting take on things. It's not what I'm used to hearing. Thank you for sending it to me." Thanks to all of you for your gifts and prayers that make it possible to share the message of the gospel here in Vegas.

Special Delivery!

Recently a friend from my North Carolina days came to town to compete in the World Series of Poker (played across the street from me). It's been a blessing to have someone close by to connect with at odd hours. This morning I took a friend from my St. Louis church to the airport after he was in town for a wedding. Last night he got to join our Paradise Missional Community for a time of fellowship and prayer for each other, our community and our city. Our conversations while he was here helped confirm for me that God is at work in Vegas, even if it took a second set of eyes to help me see that better. His whole visit was a great encouragement.

Consumer or Servant?

A recent survey of Las Vegas residents revealed that 40% would leave the state if they could. That's a lot of unhappy locals. Recently I understood where the 40% are coming from. One Friday night in May I was driving home from a DJ gig, frustrated with my new home town. A combination of miscummunication, poor planning, forgetfulness, and a lack of ownership for mistakes all converged in one event I was working, and I became the "clean up" guy trying to make it all better. The next day a co-worker tried to remind me how this city was built on "greasing palms" and kickbacks, and how the trend continues today. In the middle of my frustration I caught myself thinking like a "consumer," concerning myself simply with what I'm getting out of this town. I had to ask myself, "Am I here for what this city has to offer me, or for what Christ has to offer this city?" Seeing this "consumer mentality" in my own heart challenged me. Please pray that I not lose focus on the reason I am here, and that Christ sustains me in the process.