Vacation Bible School is not one of those things that just happens, it depends on volunteers! In the NFBC children’s ministry we call them LOVUNTEERS! Would you give a few mornings later this summer to love and minister to children? We already have the largest enrollment ever and expect to double last year, but cannot do it without your help. The dates are July 27th through the 31st. I know that you will be blessed and be a blessing to both children and parents. You can see John Paul Linton (VBS director), Samantha Thompson (Children’s ministry director), or any member of the pastoral staff to learn more about being a LOVUNTEER for VBS.

When we think of school around here it is often North Florida Christian School, the ministry of our church for more than forty-two years. NFC is one of the most visible parts of our ministry. I want to share with you that the economy is really challenging this part of our work. I received a report recently that private school education is down by thirty percent across the state and that includes Christian education. I’m not sure what our percentages are, but clearly we are not reaching the numbers we had at our peak just a few years ago. NFC is the very best option in town for those seeking a quality education in a private, Christian setting. Our tuition is the most competitive in town and our results unchallenged! You can help your church by spreading that good word whether you have children at NFC or not. It is still your school!

With the Ukraine team safely back in the U.S., we now look to the Jamaica journey led by Jim Sorenson. Jim is an attorney here in Tallahassee, a faithful member of NFBC and one of our deacons. He has a burden for the people of Jamaica and this will be his third missionary journey there. The Jamaica Journey leaves on Saturday, July the 11th and returns on the 18th. Please keep the team in your prayers. This is a mixed team of adults and teens. The third missions journey for the summer is to Dominican Republic led by Mike Posey. This team will be our fourth journey of 2009. The Dominican trip leaves on July 27th and returns on August 2nd. Our missions team to Costa Rica in February was the other journey of the year.

The teens have just returned from camp and with all of these journeys, we can see just how committed North Florida is to the spreading of the gospel, continuing to reach across the street and around the world. We do suffer in attendance during the summer and should keep our eyes on the Lord, but also remember that there are many opportunities like these to support and hold up in prayer. Thank you for being an encouragement to outreach!